Twelve Day Christchurch - Picton Tour (Small Group, Carbon Neutral)

This journey from Christchurch to Picton is full of majestic mountains, lush countryside, picture-perfect beaches, and simply spectacular scenery. A dreamscape that is now your reality. You will experience lush rainforests and the dramatic wild side of New Zealand. Some of the places we will visit on this trip include Mt Cook, Akaroa, Milford Sound, and Able Tasman just to name a few, this will be a wonderful trip to do with your mates. The perfect way to see the South Island and all the gems it has to offer. 

We have sorted all the finer details, with breakfast and shared dorm accommodation included, couples will get a free upgrade to a private room. We also have additional upgrades with all meals included and upgrade to a private 3-Star or 5-Star hotel for your accommodation. 

You will be driven in comfort in our modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras, just to make your journey that bit easier. Led by our fun and knowledgeable and passionate tour guides, this journey will come to life in a new way for you. 

Highlights

·      Milford Sound

·      Able Tasman National Park

·      Mt Cook

·      Franz Josef Glacier

·      Blue Pools

Itinerary 

DAY 1

·      Christchurch – We start in the Garden City- We start by exploring the rich history within our central city including the Bridge of Remembrance, spending some time going through the Christchurch Botanical Gardens. Then we head over the hills to Akaroa – the most French town in New Zealand. As we head over the peninsular, there are multiple lookout points once we reach the summit, perfect for taking photos.

·      Akaroa -  Once there, make sure you have a walk around the township and check out the local gift shops, and you can’t leave before trying the handmade fudge – it is delightful! We end the day with dinner and drink at a local pub (included) 

DAY 2

·      Akaroa – We start the day in this beautiful town, make sure you fuel up on breakfast before we make our way to Mt Cook! 

·      Aoraki/Mt Cook – Time to head to Mt Cook – this is the mountain that prepared Sir Edmund Hillary for his conquest of Everest, and is the tallest mountain in New Zealand. Plus lunch is at the simply stunning Hermitage in the Mount Cook National Park, what a better place to eat with a view!

·      Mt Cook Information Centre – We will take in the beauty that is Aoraki/Mount Cook. Weather dependant, we will be able to get some amazing photos and videos of the mountain itself. At 3724m, Aoraki/Mt Cook is New Zealand’s highest peak, however, the mountain can be viewed without any acclimatisation whatsoever from the village which is just 750m above sea level. 

DAY 3

·      Aoraki/Mt Cook – We leave this majestic mountain to make our way to the adventure capital of New Zealand – Queenstown. This part of the journey is simply a showstopper, like driving in a postcard - you will see stunning scenery surrounded by mountains, forming the perfect backdrop! There will be plenty of stops along the way including where they filmed the epic battle scene in Return of the King in the Mackenzie Country, and the stunning Kawarau Gorge. 

·      Queenstown – We arrive in a city that knows how to take an adventure to the next level, and there is always a sense of fun. 

DAY 4

·      Queenstown – We have a full day in Queenstown for you to tick off some of those activities you would like to do. Being a hub of adventure, there is something for everyone here from bungy jumping, to boutique shopping and so much more. This is a free day for you, and our friendly guide will be happy to share their favourite things. We end the day with dinner included, discussing the adventure you had before we embark on our next leg of the journey tomorrow. 

DAY 5

·      Queenstown – Today we take a day trip down to the magnificent Milford Sounds, famously described by Rudyard Kipling as the 'eighth wonder of the world this trip will leave you speechless and full of wonder. The journey down there is one of the most scenic experiences you can have on four wheels, and there will be stops along the way to experience the majesty of it all, this trip is breathtakingly beautiful in any weather. 

·      Milford Sound – We arrive at this natural beauty and set sail on the inky dark waters to see the plunging cliffs and thundering waterfalls, in the rain these waterfalls can multiply with massive effect. This will be a day where you get to see the wild side of New Zealand at its best. 

DAY 6

·      Queenstown – Time to head to Wanaka, a town known for its outdoor activities, and of course the famous “Wanaka Tree” in the middle of the lake! As it is in close proximity to Mt Aspiring National Park, this town is the perfect place to tempt every person who loves the outdoors. 

·      Wanaka – Once we have arrived, there are many walks and activities that you could do. If you are an experienced hiker, there is the Roys Peak track that winds itself through alpine meadows and tussock grasslands, to the summit for breath-taking views of Lake Wanaka, Mount Aspiring and surrounding peaks. Or why not check out the famous “Wanaka Tree, by taking a walk around the lake. Nearby is the Mt Aspiring National Park, straddling the great Southern Alps. Filled to the brim with wildlife habitats, glaciers, snowfields, valleys and beech forests with birdsong, and waterfalls. 

DAY 7

·      Wanaka – We start the day heading to Makarora to visit the beautiful blue pools. Nestled in beech and podocarp forest, these deep and clear pools are natural wonders with pure glacial gathered from the mountains. 

·      Franz Josef – We say goodbye to the blue pools and we make our way to Franz Josef. This is another stunner of a journey in New Zealand. We will make a stop at Lake Hawea one of the most popular lakeside lookout spots, for a few photos before getting on the road again. There will be plenty of beautiful Kiwi scenery to look at on the way. Once arrived we visit and walk the incredible World Heritage Site - Franz Josef Glacier. This glacier finds its origins high up in the Southern Alps and descends into the native rainforest of Westland’s National Park, the descent from 3000m to 500m above sea level makes this glacier one of the steepest in the country and results in incredible glacial features. 

DAY 8

·      Franz Josef – Time for us to leave this beautiful ice landscape and head towards the rural charm and natural beauty of Murchison. Before we get there, we will make a couple of stops at Hokitika and visit the pancake rocks (not made out of actual pancakes)

·      Hokitika – We stop in Hokitika also known as Cool Little Town to stretch our legs, and grab something to eat. Make sure you visit the beach and get a photo in front of the famous “Hokitika Sign” made out of driftwood before we head towards Punakaiki on our second stop of the day. 

·      Punakaiki – We arrive at what looks like rocks resembling an impressive stack of hotcakes, but it is actually nature, and the all-important wind and rain create this wonderous work for us. There is a well-maintained walkway that will lead us through native forest, emerging onto coastal flax and scrub. There are magnificent views of not only the main attraction the pancake rocks and blow holes but of the inland mountains and the rugged coastline. 

·      Murchison – We make our way to Murchison for the evening to relax and recharge. This is a rural town away from the hustle and bustle of our main centres, with no fast food chain restaurants just quiet and relaxing rural charm.

DAY 9

·      Murchison -  We leave this charming and quant town and make our way to Able Tasman, New Zealand’s smallest national park but perfectly formed for adventure, proving that small can still be spectacular. The scenery only gets better as we make our way north, and we will stop along the way to grab some supplies before we arrive. 

·      Able Tasman Park – Welcome to the gateway to crystal clear waters,  serene lagoons, dreamy beaches and the wildlife residents that live there, you won’t want to leave! 

DAY 10

·      Able Tasman Park – We spend today enjoying and taking this beauty all in, unplugging from the world and enjoying the reality of peace and tranquillity of this park. You might want to hike part of the Abel Tasman Coast Track, one of New Zealand’s great walks, or if spending the day relaxing is more your thing – pick a beach and make yourself at home – the choice is yours. 

DAY 11

·      Able Tasman Park – We say goodbye to this dreamscape and make our way back to Nelson – one of the sunniest cities in New Zealand. This city buzzes with creative energy and is full of activities. 

·      Nelson – We arrive in sunny Nelson, where you can visit the geographical centre of New Zealand – how cool is that! The view from the lookout is simply amazing, you will be able to see the city port, Tasman Bay and the surrounding mountains! Make sure you enjoy the botanical gardens at the base of the centre of New Zealand. Nelson is also the perfect place to appreciate New Zealand art, as the city has attracted creative people who work with all sorts of materials such as glass, metal, stone, paper, fabric and so much more! 

DAY 12

·      Nelson –  Today we make our way to the heart of the Marlborough Sounds – Picton. As always on this drive, you will see the classic kiwi countryside, plus also as we are entering the Marlborough wine region you will see a few vineyards as we drive past.

·      Picton – We arrive at this postcard picturesque port town, which is home to wonderful cafes, galleries, restaurants and speciality shops. There is also a floating maritime museum and an aquarium. This is also our final stop to say our goodbyes to each other, reminiscing on a wonderful trip!

Inclusions:

·      Small Group

·      Carbon Neutral

·      Some meals

·      Accommodation

·      Bottled Water 

·      Local kiwi snacks

·      Commentary

·      Wi-Fi

·      USB charging 

·      100% Kiwi as experience

We at Cheeky Kea Tours believe that it’s in the small things, the hidden surprises, and the secret stops that make your adventure one to remember. With comfortable and specially designed vehicles, and individually packaged refreshments will ensure you enjoy the journey with us!

See More, Do More, Spend Less.