West Coast Glacier Experience
Duration: 7 days
Highlights: - Soak up the breathtaking scenery on New Zealand’s most famous railway journey
- Drive the rugged and untamed West Coast
- Discover spectacular Franz Josef Glacier
- Sign up for an adrenalin rush in Queenstown
With spectacular glaciers, coastlines and a mountain railway, New Zealand’s South Island promises adventures at every turn. Ride on the world-famous TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Greymouth. Come face-to-face with a dramatic glacier. And discover the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown.
* note: Currently hibernating until long haul borders open
** note: Glacier guides not offering this walk over 2021/22 summer as access road still washed out and fix will be later in 2022.
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Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Christchurch
Transfer to your luxury boutique hotel just steps away from the vibrant cultural precinct.
Overnight: The George
Meal Plan:
Day 2 - Franz Josef
Travel on one of the world’s most famous train journeys, the TranzAlpine. Ride the rails through the vast Canterbury Plains and spectacular gorges and river valleys. Climb the majestic Southern Alps to Arthur’s Pass National Park, then descend through lush beech rainforest to Greymouth. Collect your rental vehicle and head south down the Great Coast Road alongside ancient limestone cliffs and untamed native forest to glacier country. Stop in the historic village of Hokitika with its fascinating heritage of shipwrecks, gold miners and pounamu (jade) hunters. Arrive at your forest retreat just minutes away from Franz Josef Glacier.
Overnight: Te Waonui Forest Retreat *
Meal Plan: B,D
Day 3 - Franz Josef
Head out on the Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk, which follows the glacier’s path **. Learn about the history of this unique glacier and its dramatic impact as you gaze over this natural wonder – a view not to be missed. Choose a helicopter-hike for a more thrilling experience.
Overnight: Te Waonui Forest Retreat *
Meal Plan: B,D
Day 4 - Queenstown
Take to the road and discover rugged wilderness along the highway to Queenstown. Pass waterfalls and river scenery as you leave the coast and wind your way to the lakeside resort town of Wanaka and onwards to Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital. Here, you’ll find sanctuary in Eichardt’s Private Hotel overlooking Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown’s historic district.
Overnight: Eichardt’s Private Hotel
Meal Plan: B
Day 5 - Queenstown
Explore Queenstown your way. Every type of adventure awaits in this world-famous alpine resort. From bungy and jet boating to horse trekking, rafting and quad biking. Or venture out to Milford Sound and marvel at the fiord cliffs rising from the deep waters below.
Overnight: Eichardt’s Private Hotel
Meal Plan: B
Day 6 - Queenstown
Journey deep into the heart of the world-renowned Mt Aspiring National Park. Get up-close with nature as you gently paddle a Funyak (inflatable kayak) down the glacier-fed Dart River. Glide through the hidden side streams, rock pools and dramatic chasms that provided the backdrop to Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings movies. Return on a back-country route through Middle Earth and spot familiar scenes from the movies.
Overnight: Eichardt’s Private Hotel
Meal Plan: B,L
Day 7 - Depart Queenstown
Farewell the adventure capital and transfer to Queenstown Airport for your outbound flight.
Overnight:
Meal Plan: B
