9-Day New Zealand South Island Grand Panorama Tour

9-Day New Zealand South Island Grand Panorama Tour

✨ Tour Highlights

Natural Wonders: Lake Tekapo Dark Sky Reserve & Church of the Good Shepherd

Deep Exploration: Hiking top trails in Mt Cook National Park to see glaciers

Middle-earth: Explore Glenorchy (Paradise Valley) and historic Arrowtown

Iconic Experiences: Milford Sound cruise and Blue Penguins in Oamaru

Cultural Charm: Scottish city Dunedin and the Moeraki Boulders

【Daily Details】

• Day 1: Arrival in Christchurch

  • Itinerary: Arrive at Christchurch Airport, transfer to the hotel.

  • Details: Free airport pick-up at 15:30 and 17:30.

  • Early Arrival Suggestion: Optional visit to the 【International Antarctic Centre】 (NZD69/Adult, NZD45/Child).

  • Missed Pick-up: Travelers may take a taxi or airport shuttle at their own expense.

  • Meals: Self-funded | Accommodation: IBIS Hotel Christchurch 3* or Motel

• Day 2: Christchurch – Arthur’s Pass – Greymouth/Hokitika

  • Itinerary: Morning tour of Christchurch city and Botanic Gardens. Afternoon drive through the Southern Alps via 【Arthur’s Pass National Park】 to the West Coast.

  • Details: Pass by 【Castle Hill Rocks】, the filming location for The Chronicles of Narnia.

  • Meals: Hotel Breakfast / Chinese Lunch / Chinese or Western Dinner | Accommodation: Beachfront Hotel Hokitika / Copthorne Hotel Greymouth or similar

• Day 3: Greymouth/Hokitika – West Coast Glaciers – Haast

  • Itinerary: Visit the 【Pancake Rocks】 and the jade capital 【Hokitika】.

  • Details: Explore 【★Ross Goldfields Town】, then visit the glacier valley (subject to weather/road conditions). Optional helicopter glacier flight; visit 【Lake Matheson】 if weather permits.

  • Meals: Hotel Breakfast / Western Light Lunch / Western Dinner | Accommodation: Heartland World Heritage Hotel or Motel

• Day 4: Haast – Wanaka – Queenstown

  • Itinerary: Drive to Lake Wanaka, then continue to Queenstown.

  • Details: See “That Wanaka Tree”; take the 【★Skyline Gondola】 for panoramic views, followed by an evening lakeside stroll.

  • Meals: Hotel Breakfast / Lunch Self-funded / Chinese Dinner | Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront or similar

• Day 5: Queenstown – Glenorchy – Arrowtown – Queenstown

  • Itinerary: Drive along the scenic lakeside road to Glenorchy and Paradise Valley. Afternoon visit to Arrowtown.

  • Details: Immerse in the “Middle-earth” of Lord of the Rings; walk along Arrowtown’s century-old European-style streets.

  • Meals: Hotel Breakfast / Lunch & Dinner Self-funded (Recommended: Fergburger or lakeside restaurants) | Accommodation: Same as above

• Day 6: Queenstown Free Day

  • Itinerary: Full day at leisure or join optional activities.

  • Optional Extras: A. Milford Sound Day Tour (from NZD274/pp); B. Doubtful Sound Day Tour (from NZD499/pp); C. TSS Earnslaw & Farm BBQ Lunch (NZD189/pp); D. Shotover Jet (NZD169/pp).

  • Meals: Hotel Breakfast / Lunch & Dinner Self-funded | Accommodation: Same as above

• Day 7: Queenstown – Moeraki – Oamaru

  • Itinerary: Drive to the East Coast via the Otago region.

  • Details: Visit Dunedin (steepest street, railway station) and the 【Moeraki Boulders】.

  • Highlights: 【★Night viewing of Blue Penguins】 returning to their nests.

  • Meals: Hotel Breakfast / Chinese Lunch / Chinese Dinner | Accommodation: Heritage Gateway Hotel or Motel

• Day 8: Oamaru – Mt. Cook – Tekapo

  • Itinerary: Head to 【Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park】 and 【Lake Tekapo】.

  • Details: Experience the 【★Tasman Glacier Walk】; visit the 【Church of the Good Shepherd】.

  • Meals: Hotel Breakfast / Chinese Lunch / Chinese Dinner | Accommodation: The Godley Hotel or Motel

• Day 9: Tekapo – Christchurch – Departure

  • Itinerary: Drive across the Canterbury Plains back to Christchurch.

  • Details: Airport drop-off at 14:00 and 16:00 (Please book flights accordingly).

  • Meals: Hotel Breakfast / Chinese Lunch | Accommodation: N/A