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Luxury Gold
Days
12
From
USD $9,610
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Dates & Prices

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From
Wednesday,
Dec 02, 2026
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Dec 13, 2026
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Jan 20, 2027
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Jan 31, 2027
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From
Wednesday,
Feb 17, 2027
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Sunday,
Feb 28, 2027
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From
Wednesday,
Mar 10, 2027
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Mar 21, 2027
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Tour Itinerary

Experience the best of New Zealand’s South Island on this twelve-day guided tour. Travel on the TranzAlpine, one of the world’s great train journeys, to the wild West Coast. Discover the Franz Josef Glacier on a guided walk with local experts. Journey along the Haast River in an enclosed jet boat, then travel to the picturesque former mining village of Arrowtown. Take time to explore the charming town of Queenstown: here, you can choose a guided e-bike tour or join a boutique wine tour, then dine on exceptional fare at one of its most exclusive restaurants. Journey through Fiordland National Park to Doubtful Sound, a stunning fiord with ancient valleys, waterfalls and wildlife where you'll embark on an overnight nature cruise complete with an onboard naturalist, activities and lectures. Travel to the ‘Edinburgh of the South’, Dunedin, to sample craft gin at Dunedin Craft Distillers. End your adventure in Christchurch, where you will toast your travels during a celebration dinner.

Countries Visited

New Zealand

  1. Day 1
    Welcome to Christchurch
    Your New Zealand luxury tour begins by private car to your boutique hotel located in the heart of Christchurch and just minutes from North Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens. Pay a visit to the blooms at the Botanic Gardens or ride the Christchurch Tram before meeting your Travel Concierge where you’ll raise a glass to a grand journey.Accommodation: Hotel Montreal, Christchurch.
  2. Day 2
    Christchurch to Dunedin
    Travel down the coast through the towns of Timaru and Oamaru to Dunedin to uncover the city’s highlights. Discover grand Edwardian architecture at the Dunedin Railway Station before arriving at your heritage hotel. Dine on favourites such as surf and turf, braised lamb, catch of the day, or other modern twists on traditional local dishes at Parcels Restaurant.Accommodation: Distinction Dunedin Hotel.
    Meals:   Breakfast   Dinner
  3. Day 3
    Distillery Tour and Dunedin at Leisure
    Enjoy a relaxed start this morning before taking a guided tour at Dunedin Craft Distillers, the first distillery in Aotearoa New Zealand and one of only a handful worldwide, to produce botanical spirits from surplus bread and bakery products that would otherwise go to landfill. Discover on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, how owners, Jenny McDonald and Sue Stockwell do it in a ‘Bread to Bottle Tour’ which takes you through the process used to turn bread into spirits. Venture just next door for a special Chocolate tasting journey at OCHO Chocolate covering the history of chocolate in Dunedin, OCHO's genesis, how 'real' chocolate is made and a 10-sample bean-to-bar tasting. Relax or continue exploring Dunedin as you wish. Perhaps take a wildlife cruise of the Otago Peninsula or visit the iconic Larnach Castle.Accommodation: Distinction Dunedin Hotel.
    Meals:   Breakfast
  4. Day 4
    Dunedin to Doubtful Sound (overnight cruise)
    Travel by road to Manapouri, then by Catamaran and coach to Doubtful Sound to meet the Fiordland Navigator. Doubtful Sound is a stunning fiord with ancient valleys, waterfalls and wildlife. Your overnight nature cruise comes complete with an onboard naturalist, activities and lectures, not to mention delicious locally sourced cuisine.Accommodation: Fiordland Navigator
    Meals:   Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner
  5. Day 5
    Doubtful Sound to Queenstown
    Spend the morning discovering hidden coves and soaking up the serenity of this majestical fjord. At the completion of the cruise, you will be welcomed to a local farm, where you will enjoy a rustic lunch and hear from landowner Chris. There will be farm animals to pet and stories aplenty. Continue to Queenstown to enjoy lakeside views from your award-winning boutique hotel, The Rees.Accommodation: The Rees Hotel
    Meals:   Breakfast   Lunch
  6. Day 6
    Queenstown
    Take in the surrounding landscape on a Lake Wakatipu scenic cruise aboard TSS Earnslaw and visit Walter Peak High Country farm for an Eco Experience - an idyllic place to spend a few peaceful hours. Or, choose a guided e-bike scenic ride along the lake. Enjoy dinner tonight at local restaurant The Bathhouse, located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.Accommodation: The Rees Hotel
    Meals:   Breakfast   Dinner
  7. Day 7
    Queenstown to Wanaka
    Enjoy a relaxed start this morning before discovering the picture postcard historic gold mining village of Arrowtown. Enjoy lunch and a wine tasting in Gibbston Valley of the Vines at Kinross before continuing to Highlands Motorsport Museum and come face to face with the state-of-the-art machines. Meet Mrs Jones Orchard, a traditional fruit stall owner, and indulge in real fruit ice-cream and stone fruit. Later today enjoy a breathtaking walk through the flower fields at the Wānaka Lavender Farm. Your destination is your hotel in Wānaka: sitting at the edge of Lake Wānaka and designed to flow with the seasons, Edgewater is a place you’ll find nature at your own pace.Accommodation: Edgewater Wānaka Hotel
    Meals:   Breakfast   Lunch
  8. Day 8
    Wanaka Relaxed Start
    Be awed at the natural beauty around you while relaxing on a lake cruise. Complete your bonding-with-nature experience on an afternoon nature walk.Accommodation: Edgewater Wānaka Hotel
    Meals:   Breakfast   Dinner
  9. Day 9
    Wanaka to Franz Josef
    Cruise down the Haast River in a purpose-built, fully enclosed jet boat past snow-capped mountains contrasting with sub-tropical, untouched rainforest basking in the beauty of the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area. Your guide is eager to share their expert knowledge of this glacial valley as the sunlight pours across the wilderness or the waterfalls tumble down in a light, misty rain. In the the town of Franz Josef, your eco friendly retreat nestled in the wilderness welcomes with natural ambience paired with impeccable luxury, inviting you to enjoy the view from your private balcony.Accommodation: Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef.
    Meals:   Breakfast   Dinner
  10. Day 10
    The Mighty Franz Josef Glacier
    Immerse yourself in the grand natural surroundings traversing the brilliant blue ice and deep crevasses of Franz Josef Glacier on a valley walk with a Local Expert. Learn about this uniquely accessible glacier with only a seven-mile descent from the Southern Alps and less than 1,000 feet above sea level. Take in its majesty surrounded by distant rainforest, mountain tops, waterfalls and the upper glacier.Accommodation: Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef.
    Meals:   Breakfast
  11. Day 11
    Franz Josef to Christchurch
    Visit the charming town of Hokitika, the cultural centre of the West Coast where you will meet a local expert for a guided history walk. Travel from the lush rainforest of the West Coast to Arthurs Pass where you will embark on one of the world's great scenic railway journeys aboard the Tranzlapine train. Travel in luxury on the Scenic Plus purpose-built premium carriage designed to enhance every aspect of your journey including a specialist concierge. Enjoy service dinner onboard with exclusive drinks and dining service throughout the journey with a Paddock to Plate regionally inspired food menu and Paired drinks menu. Travel through the dramatic Southern Alps passing the ice fed Waimakariri River and native beech forest, before you traverse the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.Accommodation: Hotel Montreal, Christchurch.
    Meals:   Breakfast   Dinner
  12. Day 12
    Farewell from Christchurch
    Bid farewell to your fellow travellers after breakfast, as your journey comes to an end with a transfer to Christchurch International Airport for your onward flight.
    Meals:   Breakfast

OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620

Inclusions

Dining Summary

  • 11 Breakfast (B)
  • 6 Dinner (D)
  • 3 Lunch (L)

Additional Included Highlights

  • Enjoy seamless personal assistance throughout your journey. From securing exclusive reservations, to organising transportation, your Travel Concierge ensures every aspect of your travel is tailored to your tastes and preferences.
  • In select destinations, our network of Local Expert Guides will illuminate your journey on a deeper level.
  • Included at all hotels.
  • Hotel taxes, porterage and tips, as well as tips for included dining experiences, are included.
  • Enjoy breakfast every morning, and an array of incredible dining options throughout your journey, infused with discovery and adventure.
  • On days where a Relaxed Start (RS) is indicated, you can select to indulge in breakfast in bed.​
  • Enjoy complimentary hotel Wi-Fi. And, on select coaches, onboard Wi-Fi may also be available.
  • Transfers are included on your journey start and end dates, and where additional accommodation has been booked in advance through Luxury Gold. Transfers to train stations or alternate hotels, in the same start or end city as the itinerary, may be requested.

Curated Experiences

  • Dunedin: Delight in the rich history of chocolate in Dunedin, uncover the origins of OCHO and learn the art of crafting true, artisanal chocolate. Indulge in an exquisite 10-sample bean-to-bar tasting, elevating your senses to the heights of luxury.
  • Fiordland National Park: Give in to the wilderness, and escape to the secluded Pātea Doubtful Sound, located in the depths of the Fiordland National Park. Unlike a day cruise, this unique overnight experience completely immerses you in nature. Wake up feeling connected, in harmony, and full of wonder for Aotearoa’s native flora and fauna.
  • Doubtful Sound: A warm welcome awaits you at a local farm, where you’ll savour a rustic lunch while listening to captivating tales from landowner Chris. Immerse yourself in the farm's charm, with the chance to interact with friendly animals and enjoy an abundance of fascinating stories—an unforgettable experience in nature.
  • Queenstown: Ride the scenic trail on an e-bike, visit hidden gems of the area and learn local history.
  • Queenstown: Fall in love with nature and immerse yourself in a unique experience where conservation, horticulture, and eco-tourism meet. The Walter Peak Eco Experience allows you to learn more about New Zealand conservation and contribute to biodiversity.
  • Cromwell: Visit the Highlands National Motorsport Museum and come face to face with top-of-the-line machines. Since you only ever see them in the movies or on TV, there’s just something about being in the same room with these rare special cars that gets everyone buzzing.
  • Lake Wanaka: Wānaka Lavender Farm is just a few minutes drive from Wānaka, where you can experience 20 acres of beautiful lavender fields. Enjoy a walk through the flowers, meet our friendly farm animals, play a garden game, unwind over a cup of herbal tea & indulge in our lavender ice-creams. Sample our Lakes Honey and the many Wānaka Lavender Farm products that are lovingly made on site.
  • Haast River: Enjoy the unique blend of thrilling speed and calm comfort on a Haast River jet boat safari. Zip past untouched forests and snow-capped mountains in your fully enclosed cabin while you hear beguiling tales of the wilderness communities of the valley.
  • Franz Josef: Discover the wild beauty of the West Coast with a personalised scenic cruise on Lake Mapourika. Step off the boat and into a Jurassic rainforest, where a guided nature walk follows a low-impact track created by your skipper, Dale, and his team. Wander through untouched old-growth forest, rich in native flora and teeming with birdlife. Keep your eyes peeled for graceful white herons and New Zealand’s native bush birds in this peaceful, otherworldly sanctuary.
  • Christchurch: Experience the striking natural landscape of the South Island as you travel on the TranzAlpine. Famous as one of the world’s great train journeys, you can enjoy the remarkable scenery from the ice-fed Waimakariri River to the magnificent Canterbury Plains.
  • Hokitika: Visit the coastal town of Hokitika, where you’ll find stunning scenery and a cool, arty vibe. Join a Local Expert for a Hokitika History Walk and hear about the area's rich history - from the discovery of New Zealand jade through the many tales from the gold rush in the 1860s.

Exceptional Dining

  • Queenstown: Enjoy dinner at the majestic waterfront Bathhouse, try locally grown, foraged and farmed produce, local and international wines, against the spectacular lakefront backdrop of Lake Wakatipu.
  • Gibbston Valley: Enjoy wine tasting in Gibbston Valley Wine Region at Kinross, followed by lunch.
  • Franz Josef: Indulge in an exceptional dining experience at Te Waonui Rainforest Retreat, where exquisite, locally sourced cuisine is perfectly paired with fine wines, set against the serene backdrop of an ancient rainforest, offering an unforgettable journey of taste and tranquillity.

Magnificent Stays

  • Franz Josef: Surrounded by pristine wilderness, Te Waonui Forest Retreat is a five-star haven of relaxation and impeccable luxury. With a natural, earthy ambience and attentive service, there’s no better place to take a deep breath and simply unwind.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER

  • Dunedin: On this a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, sample exquisite botanical spirits made from surplus bread and bakery products in an effort to reduce landfill waste. Witness how owners, Jenny McDonald and Sue Stockwell, do it as they take you through the process of turning bread into spirits.

OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620

Questions & Answers
  Ask A Question

Question: How many suitcases can I take with me on my trip?

Each person is allowed one "check-in," and one "carry-on." Remember to take all valuables with you as "carry-on", because electronic equipment, cameras, laptops, jewelry, business documents and money are not covered by the airlines' liability, so always carry them aboard with you.

Question: Is Airfare Included in the Price?

Airfare from your point of origin to and from the trip is not included in the land price.

Luxury Gold Tours Customer Trip Reviews

Overall Rating
4.2
Accommodations
4.2
Itinerary
4.2
Professional Staff
4.6
Repeat with Operator
4.2
Value for Money
3.9
Ratings based off 39 reviews about Luxury Gold Tours - currently showing 4 reviews with comments only
CH Carl on May 20, 2023  
Accommodations
5
Itinerary
5
Professional Staff
5
Repeat with Operator
5
Value for Money
5

Top of travel class- pay more but worth every penny. This was our 4th Luxury Gold trip.

RP Robin on Aug 28, 2022  
Accommodations
5
Itinerary
5
Professional Staff
5
Repeat with Operator
5
Value for Money
5

Another outstanding trip from Luxury Gold.

KM Kathryn on Dec 02, 2019  
Accommodations
5
Itinerary
5
Professional Staff
5
Repeat with Operator
5
Value for Money
5

The guide was fabulous. The hotels wonderful.

RP Robin on Sep 06, 2019  
Accommodations
5
Itinerary
5
Professional Staff
5
Repeat with Operator
5
Value for Money
5

Truly enjoyed all aspects of the Luxury Gold trip and will definitely look into more trips with them in the future.

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