Alpine Explorer Tour

Tour Starts: Christchurch

Tour Length: 9 days

Tour Ends: Christchurch

Tour Costs: from NZD$2,159.00

Tour PDF: Download tour sheet

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Adventure
Cycling
Hiking

Flying Kiwi Local's Tip

"When at Mt Cook, stop and take in the powerful, awe-inspiring feeling that it leaves you with"
Jason

JUNE SALE - Welcome to our biggest sale yet! Save a brilliant 20% on all bookings made in June 2019 (not to be used in conjunction with other discounts and excludes departures in December and January)

9 DAY ALPINE EXPLORER - OVERVIEW

The ultimate 9-day New Zealand winter tour experience for those who want to see and do it all!

Travel to the most stunning and scenic highlights in New Zealand’s South Island. Spend two nights in the best locations; Queenstown and Franz Josef taking in the nightlife and once in a lifetime activities of Queenstown ‘the adventure capital of the world’ along with the tranquillity of Franz Josef with the majestic glacier on your doorstep. Hike in the shadow of New Zealand’s highest peak – Mt Cook. Optional ski or snowboard 4 mountains including Mt Hutt voted NZ’s best ski resort and Ohau ski field - both of which full day lift passes and mountain transfers are included. Soak in the hot pools of Lake Tekapo and stargaze in the world’s largest International Dark Sky Reserve. Enjoy numerous short walks and the stunning scenery of the rugged West Coast rainforest and coastline. Journey over the mighty Southern Alps or travel by train with an optional Tranz Alpine Train Crossing – one of the best train journeys in the world.

This tour has something for everyone and can be as active as you choose. There are plenty of optional activities to choose from along the way including free bikes on board for you to use.

Our departure time from Christchurch is designed to meet International flight arrivals from Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, Australia. If you're coming from Australia, you're only a few days off work to enjoy the best of our NZ ski fields!

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page here.

ALPINE EXPLORER - WHAT'S INCLUDED

8 breakfasts
1 lunch
6 dinners
Unique accommodation in carefully selected hostels and lodges. Shared rooms ranging from 2 - 4 people.
Private room options are available on request for an additional cost (subject to availability)
Mt Hutt return mountain bus transfers and a full day lift pass
Ohau ski field return mountain shuttle transfers and a full day lift pass
Tekapo Springs Hot Pools
2 nights in the best locations!
The opportunity to ski up to 4 ski fields
See and experience Mt Cook, learn it's history and those of it's brave mountaineers
Travel 3 alpine passes - Lindis Pass, Haast Pass, Arthurs Pass
See 2 glaciers - the Tasman Glacier and the Franz Josef Glacier
Bikes on board free for you to use
Great walk options
Option to add the Tranz Alpine scenic train journey over the Southern Alps!

CHRISTCHURCH TO METHVEN - FROM THE CITY TO THE SNOW!
Our first day of tour kicks off at 4:00pm where we pickup from inner city Christchurch then the airport before getting underway on the short journey to our centrally located and stylish accommodation in the heart of Methven, Mt Hutt Village.
Today is all about getting there, settling in, getting to know one another and enjoying a few laughs in preparation for the day ahead when we hit the slopes of New Zealand’s best Ski Resort, Mt Hutt!
- Meals: Dinner
- Drive Distance: 1.5 hours
METHVEN TO LAKE TEKAPO - MOUNTAIN PEAKS TO GLACIER LAKES
Rise and shine! Today’s the day to dust off your ski gear and hit the slopes. First enjoy a good hearty cooked breakfast then grab your ski bag and prepare to spend the day on the ski field. We consider this field so good we've included free return mountain transfers and a full day lift pass! Even if you aren’t skiing this field offers breath-taking views along the Southern Alps and across the Canterbury Plains to the Pacific Ocean.

Leaving the mountain mid-afternoon we make our way to the scenic lakeside township of Lake Tekapo. Next door to our perfectly located accommodation is the winter wonderland of Tekapo Springs where their Hot Pools are the perfect way to end our day. Relax, enjoy and take in the stunning night sky this magical part of the country offers. In fact, this area is so excellent for star gazing that it was named the world’s largest International Dark Sky Reserve, meaning the skies are almost completely free from any light pollution, making it one of the best places in the world for stargazing!
- Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
- Drive Distance: 2.5 Hours
LAKE TEKAPO TO MT COOK - GLACIER LAKES TO THE HIGHEST PEAKS
If the weather has played the game you may have already spotted Aoraki/Mt Cook in the distance but today, we take you up close and personal to New Zealand’s highest peak.

On arrival into Mt Cook village our first port of call is the world-class Information Centre where you can learn about the mountain and its brave mountaineers while exploring the artwork collection and interactive exhibits.

Now it’s time to get amongst it, we have some great walks to choose from with our personal favorite being the Hooker Valley Track. With plenty of photo opportunities this popular walk leads up the Hooker Valley towards Mount Cook.

Our lodge accommodation tonight offers stunning mountain views while we relax in front of a cosy fire, perfect for reflecting on the day or perhaps a chance to become the supreme board game champion for those that are up to it!
- Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
- Drive Distance: 1.5 Hours
MT COOK TO OHAU - A FAMOUS CLUB FIELD AND SKI LODGE
Ski Day!! And not skiing on just any old ski field, this is where the US Ski team train, in fact we consider this field so good we’ve included return mountain transfers and a full day lift pass!

Starting nice and early we travel the short distance to Ohau in time for the morning shuttle transfer up the mountain. With stunning views to Aoraki Mount Cook and overlooking Lake Ohau this family run ski field is suitable for all abilities.

At the end of a great day in the mountains we’re only 20 minutes away from our lodge accommodation, complete with an open fire, a hot meal and stunning lake views.
- Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
- Drive Distance: 1.5 Hours
OHAU TO QUEENSTOWN - THE CLUB FIELDS TO THE ADVENTURE CAPITAL
Today we travel the first of our alpine passes, the dramatic Lindis Pass which links the MacKenzie Basin with Central Otago. Prepare to be wowed as we travel through this alpine area of tall tussock covered mountains and roadside snow.

Arriving into the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’, Queenstown by midday there’s time for a half day ski on The Remarkeables or Coronet Peak ski fields. We spend two nights in Queenstown at our exclusive group accommodation only a few minutes walking distance to the centre of town, perfect for exploring. Queenstown has a great vibe with so much to see and do, take your time to soak it all up.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Drive Distance: 3 Hours
QUEENSTOWN - THE ADVENTURE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
One more day to soak up the scenery, jump off a bridge or create tracks down the mountain. There is just too much to do in Queenstown to leave any earlier.

If spending the day on the slopes is high on your list of 'must do's' then you're in for a treat with 3 great mountains to choose from; Coronet Peak, The Remarkeables or Cardrona. Get amongst it and enjoy!
- Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
- Optional Activities: Day trip to Milford Sound, skiing/snowboarding, bungee jumping + the list goes on!
QUEENSTOWN TO FRANZ JOSEF - SKI FIELDS TO GLACIER COUNTRY
Just when you think the scenery can’t get any better…it does!

Prepare yourself for the remote and rugged scenic beauty of the stunning West Coast. The journey takes us over our second alpine pass, the Haast Pass. With jaw dropping views and some great short walks along the way, although this is one of the longer travel days, you won’t notice as you relax and enjoy this great scenic drive with panoramic views of the Southern Alps. The wild West Coast is home to the majestic rainforest, thundering waterfalls and tranquil pools.

Tonight, we stay in glacier country at the picturesque village of Franz Josef. Our accommodation is nestled in lush rainforest and situated beside the Glacier Hot Pools a haven of natural tranquility and the perfect way to unwind at the end of the day.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Drive Distance: 5 Hours
FRANZ JOSEF - GLACIERS, MOUNTAINS AND RAINFOREST
Today is your chance to explore one of NZ’s most unique and spectacular natural wonders – Franz Josef.

This staggering beautiful work of nature is 12 kilometres and descends from the Southern Alps to less than 300 metres above sea level. If you want to walk on the glacier you can do a Guided Heli Hike or Guided Heli Ice Climb. There is the option to walk to the base of the glacier at no charge or alternatively do the Guided Valley Walk and learn as you go. All Guided options come with a free entry in the Glacier Hot Pools afterwards.

If Glacier’s aren’t your thing, then there’s some great short walk options or you can always view the township from above with a skydive or experience nature at its best with a kayak trip along a narrow estuary amidst the lush ancient rainforest of the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary.

We spend another night in this great location and end the day with a group dinner out.
- Meals: Breakfast
FRANZ JOSEF TO CHRISTCHURCH - UP THE WILD WEST COAST
Leaving Franz Josef behind we continue up this spectacular coastal stretch through Hokitika to Greymouth with the option to board the Tranz Alpine train and travel one of the best train journeys in the world! Alternatively, stay on board and continue your journey with us as we travel our final alpine pass over the mighty Southern Alps offering spectacular views of the chiseled alpine landscape which will take your breath away at every turn. Arriving into Christchurch early evening.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Optional Activities: Tranz Alpine Train journey
- Drive Distance: 6 Hours

JUNE SALE NOW ON!! - We are pleased to announce our biggest sale yet. For bookings made during June 2019 you will receive a whopping 20% off all tours (excluding December & January departures). That's a saving of up to $1000 on our Ultimate Explorer tour and applies to our summer and winter tours.

Alpine Explorer - Travel dates & cost 2019:

Christchurch - Christchurch	9 days	28 July - 5 August 2019	This departure is no longer available
Christchurch - Christchurch	9 days	6 August - 14 August 2019	$2,699 NZD	JUNE SALE $2,159
Christchurch - Christchurch	9 days	15 August - 23 August 2019	$2,699 NZD	JUNE SALE $2,159