Southern Highlights
12 Day School Programme

Itinerary 21 (Tour Code 12DSHROUTE)
Minimum 15 Students, 1 staff free.
Cost NZ$1,745 pp

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Day 1 Arrive Christchurch. Relax with your own free time in NZ’s Garden City. I would suggest a ride on the trams & a visit to the Gondola. Overnight CHCH.

Day 2 8:00am you are met at your accommodation by the Wild West Adventure Company for your trip to the West Coast. Arrive Greymouth at midday for lunch then on to your Dragons Cave Rafting Adventure. Starts with a 30 minute interpretative rainforest walk to Taniwha Caves.

There are many options. Take a leisurely walk down the main chambers to examine the enchanting limestone formations and get a close view of glowworms with their silken threads; or take a more adventurous route and gear up into wet suites, helmets and headlamps to float through passages. Experience the splendour and roar as you slide down underground waterfalls and tackle subterranean lakes lit only by the sparkle of a million glowworms. Like floating through the milky-way galaxy. This Living Cave offers opportunities for a look down "The Throat" or cuddle through the "Love Tunnel’ and a wild ride down the Natural Rock Hydroslide.Tonight we have dinner at Shantytown, a recreated gold rush village with steam train & gold claim. Accommodation at Greymouth.

Day 3 Today sees the start to our 2 day hiking rafting adventure into the Thermal Bush Camp. This is an Alpine River Valley which starts in the heart of NZ’s spectacular Southern Alps. It winds it’s way through some of this countries most scenic Alpine areas In doing so it crosses the Alpine Fault Line revealing a country of fire and ice! After leaving your coach you will enjoy an hours easy escorted walk up the Thermal River Valley through tussock river flats and ancient fern covered forest. We are heading for The Thermal Bush Camp. This hidden site will be your home for the night. Imagine relaxing with a drink in one hand and some of NZ’s excellent food in the other as you soak up the heat bubbling from open air hot tubs while gazing at the hauntingly beautiful scenery. This is the place where friends are made for a lifetime! Your camp site consists of a large communal dining and lounge tent surrounded by a series of smaller sleeping tents set amongst the ferns and tussock of the river terrace. Meals are enjoyed under the stars or in the hot pools. It’s not uncommon here to find yourself relaxed out at two o’clock in the morning asking someone through the steam to push over the float board so you can help yourself to another glass of wine from the cask that is resting invitingly upon it. But finally to bed for tomorrow finds us amongst the fun and excitement of Southern white-water! Accommodation: Thermal Bush Camp

Day 4 This morning we take a grade two to three (depending on which route we take) river rafting adventure packed with river fun that everyone can enjoy. Back at our Coach around mid-day we head off to the Glaciers. Accommodation at Fox Glacier (Ivory Towers) & dinner at the Hobnail Cafe.

Day 5 Glacier walk and visit to Lake Mathieson mirror lakes. Accommodation Fox Glacier

Day 6 Travel to ZQN. Accommodation YHA Hostel

Day7 Free day in ZQN. Activities own cost Prepare & pack this evening for your trek tomorrow.

Day8 Start the 3 day/2 night Routeburn Alpine Trek.

Day 9 continue with trek

Day 10 Finish trek on the main Divide of the Te Anau-Milford Road. Return to Te Anau (or do Milford Sound excursion at extra expense). Accommodation Te Anau.

Day11 Express coach to Christchurch via Dunedin & the Moeraki Boulders- the biggest Cricket Balls you have ever seen. Accommodation Christchurch.

Day 12 Tour of Christchurch with an Educational visit to the Antarctic Centre & fly home.

Cancellations: Tours paid for and cancelled within 30 days of or during travel will not be refunded under any circumstances. We recommend you have travel insurance & can arrange this for you.

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