12
- 25 November 2009 (14 days)
SEMI
GUIDED - tourguide on 4 of 14 tour days
Please
note:
Semi
guided (or self guided) tours can be arranged at any time suitable to
you and for a minimum of one woman only
Short
description: South Island Paradise Tour in 14
days from Christchurch to Christchurch. Incl. whale
watch (optional) at Kaikoura, wildlife tour
to see penguins, seals & sea lions, Milford
Sound cruise, spectacular West Coast rainforest
& glaciers, boat ride into the Marlborough Sounds
Maritime Park, plenty of beach days. Semi-Guided:
Tour guide on the first three and the last tour day.
Other motorcycles
on request
All prices based
on twin share / double occupancy.
Single room surcharge: £350.00
Accommodation:
2-3 star quality rating (good to very good), holiday homes, motels,
B&B. Most rooms with private bathrooms and often with sea views.
Included in the tour package:
Airport pick
up & shuttle service, motorcycle hire incl. insurance and 24 hour
support, 3 + star accommodation in motels, holiday appartments and bed
& breakfast places, Overnight Cruise in Milford Sound, tour guide(s)
for the first two tour days and on the last tour day, plenty of information
before and during the tour.
Extras
Meals and petrol costs are not included in the tour package. Neither
are flights.
Tour itinerary
Might be due to minor changes
Arrival
Day
Arrive not later
than 12 November 2009 in Christchurch.
Airport pick
up and transfer to your accommodation. Relax until briefing and dinner.
Day
2: Christchurch - Lake Tekapo (270 km / 160 miles)
Sea and mountains
are two main features in New Zealand’s landscape. Today we already
reach the first mountains of the New Zealand Alps and
stay the night at the shore of a magnificent turquiose coloured
glacier lake. The ones who are up early might like to go on
one of the offered scenic flights (NZ$200) over the glaciers
next morning - it’s certainly worth the extra expense!
Day 3: Lake
Tekapo - Dunedin (300km / 180 miles)
Not less than 14 named peaks over 2000m form the New Zealand Alps.
The tallest and most beautiful peak is Mt. Cook at
3754m. The Maori call him "Aoraki "which means Cloud Piercer.
This sight is just amazing and will stick in your mind quite a while
on the next hundred kilometres. Dunedin - an University town with a very
cruisy atmosphere - is our next stop. This afternoon you will
experience true New Zealand wildlife: albatrosses, seals, sea
lions and penguins — these cute little creatures! (Cost
for 6 hrs wild life tour: NZ$45, optional)
Day
4: Dunedin - Te Anau (300km / 180 miles)
After a cruisy breakfast we will make our way to the world famous Milford
Sound. Tonight in Te Anau you have the option to go on a night
time cave tour (cost: NZ$45).
Day
5: Te Anau — Milford — Te Anau (240km / 140 miles)
Cruise into the heart of Milford Sound where we go
on a spectacular cruise through the world-famous fiord built millions
of years ago. The ride to the heart of the Milford Sound is one of
the best Downunder. Spectacular views, spectacular scenery,
spectacular windy bits - do we have to say more? There are
also several other attractions awaiting you.
Day 6: Te Anau
- Queenstown (140 km / 82 miles)
The ride to Queenstown will take us to beautiful back country, then
along rugged mountains. Queenstown - the entertainment capital
of New Zealand - is ideally placed at the bottom of a remarkable
mountain range and at the shore of Lake Wakatipu. One of the oldest steamboats in
service can take you across the lake to Walter Peak Station. Here you
get the chance to explore New Zealand farm life on
one of the biggest farms of the are. Life in Queenstown is "all
go".
Day
7: no trip, Explore Queenstown
Today we just enjoy the special atmosphere of Queenstown and think
of the best way to spend our time. Highly recommended is the 1/2 day Off-road
Motorcycle Tour (for non-riders also) where you get the appropriate
bike and equipment to have great fun! Other options are bungee
jumping, rafting or jet boating through the famous "Skippers
Canyon". (all activities are around NZ$150).
Day 8: Queenstown
- Haast (240 km / 140 miles)
Stunning scenery makes it hard to keep our eyes on
the road while we are riding along the shore of two beautiful lakes.
Climbing up the Haast Pass we reach the next leg of our trip: the spectacular
Rain Forest of the West Coast of New Zealand, also referred
to as "Wet Coast".
Day 9: Haast
- Glaciers - Hokitika (300 km / 180 miles)
This will be a magnificent day - in sunshine, rain or hail. The
West Coast is simply naturally amazing. At lunch time we’ll
reach the glaciers and have the chance to stretch our legs with a
short walk to the snowline. Glacierland also offers some lovely windy
roads for us to take us to biker’s heaven... In Hokitika we
can go on a Jade Discovery Walk to find out more
about this unique gem of New Zealand. Tour participants of the 10-day
South Island Paradise Tour return from here to Christchurch via the
Tranz Alpine Scenic Train Ride.
Day 10: Hokitika
- Punakaiki — Murchison (250 km / 145 miles)
Today you will reach the pancake rocks of Punakaiki.
The sea has washed blowholes in the rocks which are most impressive
at high tide. Through the dramatic shaped river gorge of the "Buller" river we
are carrying on to Murchison, our last stop before we reach one of
New Zealand’s most beautiful and exotic spots — the Abel
Tasman National Park.
Day 11: Murchison
— Nelson - Havelock (270 km / 160 miles)
Today we are going to see one of the most beautiful areas
of New Zealand. Don’t forget your sunnies and to close
your mouth again.
Day
12: Explore the Marlborough Sounds
Every bet that you will never want to leave again… In the meantime
relax at the Lodge or enjoy a kayak trip through the park. The beauty
of this region is best seen by quietly paddling our kayaks off
golden beaches.
Day 13: Havelock
— Queen Charlotte Drive - Kaikoura (200 km / 120 miles)
The ride through
the Queen’s Charlotte Drive with one twist after another
and stunning views over tranquil bays is one of the best rides
you ever had the pleasure to experience. Today we are heading through
the picturesque Marlborough Sounds and further to Kaikoura,
the whale watch capitol of New Zealand.
Day 14: Kaikoura
- Christchurch (200 km / 120 miles)
Back to Christchurch
via the scenic coastal route.
Your accommodation
Kaikoura Motel with seaviews ***+
Lake Tekapo Boutique Motel with lakeviews ****
Dunedin Larnach Stables at Larnach Castle, B&B ***
Te Anau Holiday Home, Farm stay
Queenstown Serviced Apartments with lakeviews ****
Haast Motel
***
Hokitika Holiday
Villa with seaviews ***+
Murchison Motel ***
Marlborough Lodge with seaviews ***+
Would you like more information about this tour? Click
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