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WHITE HERON’S GLACIERS & ALPINE LOOP TOUR 
“A Truly Unique Experience”

 

17 January - 22 January 2020

 Duration: 6 DAYS

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This is a wonderful six day break travelling over Arthur’s Pass where we stop for morning tea, we stop in Hokitika for lunch and a browse,

we take in the White Herons and Spoonbills at Okarito view in the Franz Josef Glacier. Travel through the Haast Pass, take a drive to

Wanaka and Queenstown, visit Clyde Dam and township and picturesque Bannockburn. The route back to Christchurch takes us

past the stunning Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo.     

                                          

I recommend you book early for this tour as it will fill.  “The Okarito trip was pure magic – all day ….” (Maisie)

This tour is a photographer’s paradise, a veritable feast of scenic beauty. Mountains, passes, glaciers, gorges,

stunning lakes, and of course the unique experience of the white herons nesting place.

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Day 1 D
We travel through the spectacular scenery of the Southern Alps; our first stop will be at Springfield for a morning cuppa at the

Rewi Alley Memorial Park. We continue to Arthur’s Pass alpine village for lunch, then on down through the majestic

scenery of the Otira Gorge. We have time to browse the shops at Hokitika and see some glass blowing before we carry

on to the Hari Hari Hotel where a warm welcome and our evening meal awaits us.

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Day 2 B
A unique experience today. Visit NZ’s only White Heron (Kotuku) nesting colony. Royal spoonbill and other bird life in the Waitangiroto

nature reserve. A special time for the graceful and elegant Kotoku as they rear their young. After this truly beautiful experience

we have lunch at Whataroa. We drive on for photo stops at Lake Mapourika, before driving on to Franz Josef to see the glacier,

browse the shops or take in a cuppa. We will then journey on to Fox Glacier township for our overnight stop.

( Lake Matheson - known as the "Mirror Lake").

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Day 3 B & D
Today we travel through the Haast region, southwest New Zealand world heritage area, diverse and spectacular landscapes.

We stop for a morning cuppa at Haast township, before continuing through the Haast Pass. We will see the unspoiled

beauty of Lake Hawea before our lunch stop at picturesque Wanaka (time for a stroll around the lakeside),

after which we will make our way to historic Cromwell, our base for the next 3 nights.

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Day 4 B & D
Queenstown – weather permitting, we have our morning cuppa by the side of Lake Wakatipu, then you have free time to soak up

beautiful Queenstown. You can take a trip out on our "Lady of the Lake - "The Earnslaw” (own cost) or browse the shops before

heading back to Cromwell alongside the beautiful scenic Kawarau Gorge.

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Day 5 B & D
A beautiful leisurely scenic day. We’ll visit historic Old Cromwell Town and visit Bannockburn then take a Tiki Tour to view the

Clyde Dam and the charming olde worlde Clyde Township. Another fabulous day for stunning scenery and photo opportunities.

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Day 6 B
On our last day, we travel through the spectacular Lindis Pass (this time of year is the stunning display of wild lupins) simply

breathtaking.   We will stop to take in the majestic views of Lake Pukaki and Mt Cook. We lunch at beautiful Lake Tekapo,

visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and view Mackenzie’s Dog Memorial.We will have a 15 minute stop at Geraldine,

before wending our way north to Christchurch.  This is a window of opportunity, for the limited seasonal breeding

time to see these magnificent and majestic birds. A truly unforgettable experience.

 

B = Continental Breakfast provided
D = Dinner provided (please note any drinks will be at your own expense)
Morning cuppa and bikkies provided from the bus each day (weather permitting). We stop at various places for you to purchase your lunch.

All our tours are fully escorted and accommodation is on a share twin basis (price is indicative), mini bus transfers from designated area, within the Christchurch area, continental breakfast, and dinner as indicated, entry fees of listed attractions and sight seeing.