Photos: Next » Contact this supplier

Southern Traverse SOUTH ISLAND 7 DAY BIKING AND SKI TOUR offered by supplier M07701 (read about supplier) Key Information: Tour Duration: 7 day(s) Group Size: 4 - 12 people Destination(s): New Zealand   Specialty Categories: Skiing & Snowboarding   Bicycle Touring   Season: July - September Airfare Included: No Tour Customizable: No Minimum Per Person Price: 3930 New Zealand Dollar (NZD) Maximum Per Person Price: 4780 New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

What a lifetime opportunity to explore the beauty of New Zealand’s wild West Coast, together with the adventure thrills of skiing some of the South Island’s most spectacular and exciting ski fields! Your tour begins with the romance of a train ride aboard the TranzAlpine Express as you are transported across the Southern Alps to the lush and rugged West Coast. As you travel southwards, the natural splendor of mountain scenery, the Franz Josef Glacier and Fiordland National Park await you, with your tour culminating in three days of brilliant skiing.

Your Itinerary

Day 1:
Arrival in Christchurch

You will be met at the airport and taken to your accommodation . For those interested there will be an afternoon tour of the city , including a stop at the "Sign of the Takahe” ,where you will be treated to a birds eye view of the city ,the Canterbury Plains, Southern Alps and the South Pacific ocean where it laps at the shores of New Brighton and Sumner beaches . After returning to your accommodation for the night the group will go out for an evening meal which will give you the chance to get to know your guide and the other members of the group.

Day 2:
Tranzalpine trip

The Tranzalpine train trip has been described as one of the most beautiful train trips in the Southern Hemisphere . It takes you from the east coast over the Southern Alps to the majestic west coast to an old coal mining and later day fishing settlement called Greymouth . Your transport will be waiting for you to take you further up the coast to Punukaiki and your accommodation for the night.
(B)

Day 3:
Biking (Punikaiki-Hari Hari)

Punikaiki , famous for its "Pancake rocks” ‘ a limestone formation that resembles stacked pancakes is the starting point for the days ride along the rugged coastline back towards Greymouth . Once past Greymouth we continue south along the coast road towards Hokitika for a jade carving factory tour . Greenstone , or pounamu as it is known to the the Maori , is a New Zealand jade stone which was used by the the indigenous people of New Zealand to make war clubs , jewelry and tools. After the factory tour we travel by vehicle further south to our accommodation at Hari-Hari. For those interested there is a farm tour at around 4:30p.m. where you will feed American Wapiti deer and hear about their history from our nights host , Grant Muir.
(B)

Day 4:
Biking (Hari-Hari-Franz Josef Glacier) &onward to Wanaka

The journey continues southward with the scenery becoming even more spectacular, the Alps are higher, the coast more rugged. Our biking target for the day is to get to Franz Josef to view the Glacier and to have a well earned lunch break before heading south again towards settlement called Haast. Haast is situated in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand’s largest at 1,252,297 Hectares. Its world importance was recognized by UNESCO when it gave it World Heritage status. Today, its contrast is exemplified, from the confines of the steep river valleys of the west to the wide open river valleys and glacier formed lakes of the east. A steady climb follows as we ascend the newest alpine road to transect the southern Alps , our goal the Haast Pass. Once over the pass its a down hill run into . Wanaka and your accommodation for the next 3 nights)
(B)

Day 5:
Skiing or snowboarding at Cardrona and Treble Cone ( both down hill skifields ) Cross country skiing option also available
(B)

Day 6:
Skiing or snowboarding at Cardrona and Treble Cone ( both down hill skifields ) Cross country skiing option also available
(B)

Day 7:
After an early start we have our last half days skiing at the Ohau or Mt. Dobson skifields . These skifields are on the journey back to Christchurch. Airport transfers are available the following day if required.
(B)

Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.

Tour/ski guide

Airport transfers

Transportation around the South Island

Excellent Accommodation in motels,hotels or chalets (please note that accommodation will sometimes be with shared facilities)

3 days skiing or snowboarding

Eight nights accommodation

meals include :8 breakfasts (B) 2 lunches (L) 1 Dinner (D)

N.B. Price doesn’t include ski or snowboard hire (allow approximately $150-00 for the hire of equipment)

---

Also see tour packages in:
Australia and Oceania   New Zealand   Outdoor: Mountain Ranger   Skiing & Snowboarding   Bicycle Touring  

---

Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend