Mountains and Lakes 3 Day Tour
South Island (Reversible)
Taking in the South Island’s high country, aqua blue lakes and Aoraki/Mount Cook New Zealand’s highest mountain this 3 day tour is great way to travel from Christchurch to Queenstown (reversible) with a private driver. Contact us today about the different travel styles, accommodation and activities available to create your perfect 7 day New Zealand South Island vacation.
Travel Style: Private driver I Self-drive
Day 1: Christchurch
Suggested activities for Christchurch
Explore: Christchurch
New Zealand's garden city is steadily being transformed into a vibrant urban destination. Encompassing a large green belt, it is known for its wide tree-lined avenues and lush gardens. A great way to explore is to take the double-decker hop on/hop off bus for an easy way to see the sights – or ride a historic tram across town to the renowned botanic gardens and the unique cardboard Transitional Cathedral.
Explore: Tram & Punting
Hop on and off our iconic Christchurch Tram to explore the city centre with an all-day pass and live commentary. There are 18 stops at key inner city highlights including the Botanic Gardens, Riverside Market and New Regent Street, making our restored heritage tramcars a great way to see Christchurch. Relax and admire the scenery of the beautiful Christchurch Botanic Gardens from the Avon River on our iconic punting tours while getting up close to nature
Day 2: Christchurch to Aoraki/Mount Cook
Today you'll drive through the heart of the South Island, crossing the vast Canterbury plains. Catch your breath in Geraldine before continuing through Fairlie. Ascending Burkes Pass, you'll come to the picturesque lakeside town of Tekapo. Follow the road and take in the view of Aoraki Mount Cook (New Zealand's tallest mountain) from the shores of Lake Pukaki, known for its glacier-fed turquoise blue color. Continue along the lake to your final destination, Mount Cook Village.
Suggested Activity
Nature: International Antarctic Centre
The International Antarctic Centre transports a slice of this astounding continent to Christchurch, with a range of immersive experiences that allow everyday visitors to see, touch, feel and fall in love with Antarctica.
Nature: Big Sky Star Gazing
Take a mesmerizing journey through the cosmos as you explore the wonders of New Zealand's night sky; home to planets, stars and a whole other world we only dream about. Our resident astronomy guides will take you on a 90-minute tour of the night sky through high powered telescopes along with discussing incredible features visible to the naked eye.
Nature: Ski Plane Flight and Landing
Key highlights include beautiful views right from take-off, Two glacier snow landings, views of Mt Cook, Mt Tasman and Mt Sefton, stunning views of the West Coast of New Zealand, Hochstetter Icefall, Grand Plateau and Plateau Hut, Snow/ice all year round, and the aircraft will completely shut down on landing, really giving you a chance to soak in the atmosphere.
Day 3: Aoraki/Mount Cook to Queenstown
Farewelling Aoraki/Mt Cook Village and making our way back to Queenstown we stop at local salmon farm, where you can feed the fish and maybe grab some fresh sashimi. Driving through the endless plains of the Mackenzie district finishing with a photo stop at the famous Linda Pass. From there down into the stone fruit region of Cromwell finishing your tour at your accommodation in Queenstown.
Suggested Activity
Scenery: Glacier Explorer
Cruise around the Tasman Glacial Lake and experience the enormity of NZ's largest glacier. The towering ice wall is really quite incredible, with an astonishing history.
Explore: Short Walk at Aoraki Mount Cook
As the highest mountain in New Zealand, Aoraki Mt Cook provides the epic backdrop to our favourite short hikes. We know everyone has a different level of fitness and have chosen four of the most popular walks that aren’t steep or long in duration. Each walk has its own highlights but they all include a stunning view of Aoraki Mt Cook.