Day 1

Kia Ora and welcome to Christchurch, the Garden City! After you get settled into your room, you’ll join the rest of the crew for a welcome dinner to celebrate the start of an unforgettable trip!

Overnight in Christchurch

Arrival: Fly into Christchurch International Airport (CHC). TrovaTrip will provide 3 transfers between 8am and 5pm.

Included: Airport Transfer, Welcome Dinner

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Day 2

Enjoy a continental breakfast this morning before heading to the small colonial harbor town of Akaroa. At the harbor, you’ll board your boat for a nature cruise around an extinct volcano crater while keeping your eyes peeled for the native Hector’s Dolphins that enjoy swimming at the bow.

In the afternoon, you’ll head back to Christchurch and get ready for your evening Maori cultural experience. Set in native bush surroundings, you’ll enjoy an interactive journey through New Zealand’s history before dining on a hangi, a meal that is prepared and cooked buried in the ground.

Overnight in Christchurch

Included: Breakfast , Akaroa Nature Cruise, Maori Cultural Experience & Hangi Meal

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Day 3

Leave the city behind for some of the most picturesque roads in New Zealand en-route to Lake Tekapo. You’ll visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, a chapel perched at the turquoise lake’s edge set with a mountain backdrop.

Next, you’ll lace up the hiking boots for a short 2 mile hike up to the summit of Mt. John, where you’ll be rewarded with awesome 360 views of the Southern Alps.

Later in the afternoon, give your tired muscles a soak in the Tekapo Hot Springs and enjoy the stunning views.

Overnight in MacKenzie Country

Included: Breakfast, Church of the Good Shepherd Visit , Mt. John Summit Hike, Tekapo Hot Springs

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Day 4

Today’s ride will take you from the golden grasslands of MacKenzie Country to the tallest peaks of the Southern Alps. Along the way you'll stop at Peter's Lookout for the absolute best view of Mt. Cook you can imagine. The next stop will be Aoraki National Park where you’ll have the option for an approximate 3 hour /6.25 mile, flat ground hike through the Hooker Valley to Terminal Lake and Hooker Glacier or join the optional glacial iceberg kayak adventure.

In the afternoon you’ll arrive in Queenstown; New Zealand’s adventure capital.

Overnight in Queenstown

Included: Breakfast, Peter's Lookout, Hooker Valley Hike

Optional: Mt. Cook Glacier Kayak

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Day 5

This morning, you’ll have the option to either relax and enjoy the views on Lake Wakatipu, or join the group for a sunrise hike to Ben Lomond Saddle. Later in the day if you're feeling like you're ready for more adventure, sign up for an optional canyoning adventure in Queenstown Canyon.

Whether you choose to chill, hike or go for the optional canyoning adventure, the group will reconvene in the afternoon and your local guide will take you to Central Otago’s best wineries and craft breweries for a tour and tasting.

Overnight in Queenstown

Included: Breakfast, Ben Lomond Hike, Central Otago Winery and Craft Brewery

Optional: Canyoning Adventure at Queenstown Canyon

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Day 6

Today might be a bit of a longer ride but it is one of the most scenic as you head to the South Island’s wild West Coast. You’ll cross the Crown Range, NZ’s highest sealed mountain pass, which reaches 3,530 feet at the summit.

You’ll make a few scenic stops, stretch the legs for nature walks, and have plenty of photo opportunities along the way. You will start with a photo op at the famous Wanaka Tree, have a 2 mile / 1.5 hour hike around the Blue Pools in Aspiring National Park, and a short 1/2 mile walk to see the Thunder Creek Falls, before stopping at Lake Matheson to catch views of Mount Aoraki and Mount Tasman.

In the afternoon you’ll arrive at the village of Franz Josef, home of the Franz Josef Glacier.

Overnight in Franz Josef

Included: Breakfast, Blue Pools in Aspiring National Park Hike, Thunder Creek Falls Hike

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Day 7

With the sound of the rainforest and birds chirping in the background, you’ll have a leisurely morning after breakfast before heading to Callery Gorge. The 3.5 mile single track trail follows a former gold mining route through the rainforest that leads to the Callery Gorge Bridge and opens into the river for great vistas and photo opportunities.

In the afternoon, you’ll be transferred to the trailhead of the Franz Josef Glacier for an approximate 3.5 mile / 1.5 hour hike through the stunning Glacier Valley with views of the Franz Josef Glacier’s constantly changing terminal face.

Overnight in Franz Josef

Included: Breakfast, Callery Gorge Hike, Franz Josef Glacier Valley Hike

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Day 8

After waving goodbye to Franz Josef, your first stop will be the turquoise Hoktitka Gorge where you’ll have a moment to take in the stunning beach. From there, you’ll head to Greymouth where you’ll board the TranzAlpine train. Sit back, relax, and take in all of the glorious views of Arthurs Pass National Park and the braided Waimakariri River through the high-arched windows of your passenger carriage.

Upon arrival back to Christchurch, you’ll settle in and get ready for a final toast and farewell dinner.

Overnight in Christchurch

Included: Breakfast, Hoktitka Gorge Visit, Tranzalpine Train, Farewell Dinner

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Day 9

All good things must come to an end but only til next time! We’ll transfer you to the airport and say goodbye!

Included: Breakfast, Airport Transfer

Departure: Fly out of Christchurch International Airport (CHC). TrovaTrip will provide two transfers on the last day.