New Zealand | Deluxe trip South Island

Deluxe trip on the South Island of New Zealand including Business Class flights and 21 nights very comfortable stay from € 8.770,- p.p. (2 people traveling together)

Important items

Nature, observation of wild animals, walking options, wilderness Southern Alps, Lake Tekapo, Otago Peninsula, Doubtful Sound, West Coast, Pancake Rocks, Abel Tasman National Park

Level of accommodation    

Deluxe

Travel pace   

Medium (2 nights in every accommodation), Short distances (2-3,5 hours drive)

Season   

Departure until March 2011

Flights   

Business Class with Emirates

Stopover   

Possible in Dubai

Rental car   

Hertz Intermediate – 2.4 liter automatic

Duration of the trip   

21 Nights

Inclusive of Deluxe accommodation incl. breakfast & 15x dinner

Included in the price:

• Return flights to New Zealand in the very comfortable Business Class of Emirates

• Hertz Intermediate 2.4 liter automatic rental car

• Whalewatching in Kaikoura

• Helicopter flight and walk in Mt Aspiring National Park

• Overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound

• 21 Nights deluxe accommodation inclusive of breakfast and 15x 3-5 course dinner

• 3 Nights in Claremont Country Estate, Amberly in a Superior Room with breakfast

• 1 Night in Parkbrae Estate, Lake Tekapo in an Aldourie Lodge with breakfast

• 2 Nights in Whare Kea Lodge, Wanaka in a Deluxe Room with dinner and breakfast

• 2 Nights in Kaimata Eco Retreat, Otago Peninsula with dinner and breakfast

• 2 Nights in Murrell’s Grand View House, Manapouri in a Double Room with breakfast

• 1 Night in Doubtful Sound in a twin cabin with breakfast, lunch and dinner

• 2 Nights in SilverPine, Makarora in a Lodge Suite with dinner and breakfast

• 2 Nights in Mahitahi Lodge, Bruce Bay in a King Room (kingsize bed) with dinner and

• breakfast

• 2 Nights in Wilderness Lodge, Arthurs Pass in a double Alpine Lodge with dinner and

• breakfast

• 2 Nights in Korimako, Murchison in a King Room (kingsize bed) with dinner and breakfast

• 2 Nights in Eden House, Motueka in a Double Room with dinner and breakfast

If you don’t want to fly Business Class you can choose for First Class at only € 1.200,-

extra per person. When you decide to fly Economy Class there is a discount of € 1.650,-

per person.

Day 1

You stay 3 nights in Claremont Country Estate in Amberly with breakfast.

Claremont Country Estate is a unique, carefully renovated lodge in a spectacular landscape

with many geological phenomenons. A very special and exclusive place to stay.

Dag 3

Kaikoura Whale Watching for 2 persons at 12.00 hrs

Whale Watch Tours are a truly unique experience, the observations being different every

time. Giant Sperm Whales are the stars of the show; they are present the whole year long.

During the tour you can almost be sure to spot New Zealand Fur Seals, shoals of Dusky

Dolphins and the threatened Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season you might also

be able to spot migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales and Southern Right

Whales.

For an extra pleasant experience you can enjoy a barefoot walk along the beach. The

smalle, round pebbles will provide a nice foot massage, especially when they still carry the

warmth of the sun.

Day 4

Departure from Claremont Country Estate, Amberly.

Arrival in Parkbrae Estate, Lake Tekapo. You stay here 1 night in an Aldourie Lodge

with breakfast.

Parkbrae Estate has a number of selfcontained cottages in the village of Lake Tekapo. Every cottage has its own atmosphere and character. You have a beautiful view of the blue waters of Lake Tekapo and the snow covered mountain tops in the distance. Lake Tekapo is situated halfway Christchurch and Queenstown/Wanaka and is an ideal place for star gazing in the Mount John Observatory. Enjoy the dark, starry sky. A truly unique experience!

Day 5

Departure from Parkbrae Estate, Lake Tekapo.

Arrival in Whare Kea Lodge, Wanaka where you stay for 2 nights with dinner and breakfast.

This lodge, gloriously situated on Lake Wanaka with views of the mountains around, offers everything you could expect.

Day 7

Departure from Whare Kea Lodge, Wanaka.

Arrival in Kaimata Eco Retreat, Otago Peninsula, where you stay for 2 nights with dinner and breakfast.

The Retreat is situated in an area abounding with water with beautiful views of Papanui Inlet on the Otago Peninsula. It is a small, modern accommodation, ideal for those who want to relax. The Retreat, situated in a beautiful natural decor, is an ideal starting point for exploration of the peninsula’s flora and fauna. Kaimata Retreat has been built on a hillside with the use of indigenous timber and lava stone. Guests can choose to cater for themselves, but can also use the service of the hotel. You can enjoy the very special atmosphere and optimal privacy. Kaimata Retreat has been awarded the Kiwi Green-certificate and operates on a environment friendly basis.

Day 9

Departure from Kaimata Eco Retreat, Otago Peninsula.

Arrival in Murrell’s Grand View House, Manapouri where you stay for 1 night in a Double Room with breakfast.

Murrell’s has been famous all over Fiordland for more than 130 years. It is a family run business managed by the grandson of the founder. The family has played a major role in the history of the area, and the same goes for the hotel. Murrell’s is famous for its beautiful wooden framework, spacious verandas and nice view of the surrounding mountains. Charming, comfortable and hospitable, these are the characteristics of this accommodation for you to enjoy in a relaxed way. One of the highlights: the constantly changing panorama of the mountains at the other side of the lake.

Day 10

Departure from Murrell’s Grand View House, Manapouri.

Arrival in Doubtful Sound for 1 night in a double cabin with dinner, breakfast and lunch.

Doubtful Sound could easily be called a wonder of the world and is part of the second largest World Heritage Park. Enormous mountains, covered with age old rainforest, thousands of waterfalls that often fall down hundreds of meters. Doubtful Sound, larger and more remote than Milford Sound, is the ideal place for those who want to experience the most spectacular parts of New Zealands nature.

During your 2 days cruise there is ample time to enjoy the breathtaking views and to explore the hidden branches of Doubtful Sound. Seals and dolphins are often seen and sometimes even rare penguins. Moreover you have time to kajak along the coastline or to explore nature with a guide. In the evening you can enjoy a delicious buffet dinner in the spacious salon. Before you go back to Manapouri be sure not to miss the sunrise in one of the world’s most beautiful nature areas.

Doubtful Sound is part of a rainforest and gets more than 6000 mm rain every year. Therefore a raincoat is a necessary item! But even when it rains Doubtful Sound remains breathtakingly beautiful, maybe even more beautiful than in dry weather. Don’t forget your camera!

Day 11

Departure from Doubtful Sound.

Arrival in Murrell’s Grand View House, Manapouri where you stay for 1 night in a Double Room with breakfast.

For description see Day 9.

Day 12

Departure from Murrell’s Grand View House, Manapouri.

Arrival in SilverPine, Makarora where you stay 2 nights in a Lodge Suite with dinner and breakfast.

SilverPine is an intimate and luxurious lodge surrounded by huge mountains and with an unforgettable view of the Southern Alps. The lodge is situated along the road that leads from the Franz Josef and Fox glacier and the Haast Pass to Wanaka and has been built on a hillside close to two of the most beautiful lakes in the South Island: Hawea and Wanaka. SilverPine is a good starting point for walks within the surrounding hills or in the Jumboland and Siberia Valley forests. You can also go fishing in the Hunter and Dingle River or board a helicopter for a flight to the glaciers. But of course you can also take time to relax and read a good book. SilverPine on the South Island is one of those places where New Zealand shows its most attractive side.

Day 13

Siberia Wilderness Adventure for 2 persons at 10.00 hrs.

Enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of Mt Aspiring National Park. A helicopter flight brings you into the park, here you walk down the river valley and in the end you leave the park per Jet Boat. This excursion takes a whole day and you will be enthralled. Don’t forget to bring sturdy walking shoes or boots, a rain coat and warm clothes, ample supply of food and lots of insect repellent (Bushmans Extra Strength).

Day 14

Departure from SilverPine, Makarora.

Arrival in Mahitahi Lodge, Bruce Bay where you stay for 2 nights in a King Room (kingsize bed) with dinner and breakfast.

Bruce Bay is a quiet coastal village about 30 minutes south of the Fox glacier, ideally situated if you arrive from Wanaka. Your hosts in Mahitahi have spent almost their whole life on the west coast and know the area at their finger-ends. They guarantee the knowledge and outstanding service that you may expect in a luxurious accommodation like this one. They are keen ecologists and grow the greater part of the ingredients for meals in their own garden, while John provides fish from the sea and the rivers. If you want to he will take you on a fishing excursion. John will also invite you for a walk along the beach in Bruce Bay meanwhile enjoying the sunrise above Mount Cook. After that a hearty breakfast will await you.

Day 16

Departure from Mahitahi Lodge, Bruce Bay.

Arrival in Wilderness Lodge Arthurs Pass where you stay for 2 nights in an Alpine Lodge with dinner and breakfast.

The Wilderness Lodge, halfway Greymouth and Christchurch, is situated between spectacular mountain tops and forests and offers comfort and warm hospitality.

Day 18

Departure from Wilderness Lodge Arthurs Pass.

Arrival in Korimako, Murchison where you stay for 2 nights in a King Room (kingsize bed) with dinner and breakfast.

If in your opinion a perfect holiday turns on excellent meals, tastful wines and a glorious view in a comfortable, quiet accommodation with possibilities for outside activities, then Korimako is a perfect spot. Here you can discover what makes New Zealand such an outstanding destination. Korimako has room for 6 guests and it has an atmosphere of intimacy and luxury without fuss. Here you can thoroughly enjoy New Zealands natural beauty and its excellent meals and wines.

Day 19

Departure from Korimako, Murchison.

Arrival in Eden House, Motueka where you stay for 2 nights in a Double Room with dinner and breakfast.

Eden House is an outstanding accommodation. In the most recent edition of Tatler’s travel guide, the well known British society magazine, it has been described as one of the “best 101 hotels in the world”. Also Conde Nast Traveller and UK House & Garden have written about it in a positive way.

Day 22

Departure from Eden House, Motueka. Return flight to the Netherlands in the Business Class of Emirates.