You will be picked up from your hotel in Christchurch and taken on an Alpine Safari across the Canterbury Plains. An English-speaking guide will accompany you on this tour. This unique tour combines four modes of transport.
Depart from your hotel in a luxury air-conditioned coach across the Canterbury Plains to the Waimakariri Gorge.
Around 10 minutes north of Springfield you will arrive at your first exciting activity of the day: the Waimak Alpine Jet. Spray jackets, hats and lifejackets will be issued to you before boarding the famous Hamilton jet-boat for a 45-minute ride up one of New Zealand's major snow-fed rivers. Weave in and out of rock faces, white water rapids and high walled rock canyons for an adrenalin-pumping adventure.
After this exhilarating ride board an air-conditioned 4WD vehicle and journey across Torlesse Station. Follow a rugged track through the farm, up steep hills and arrive at a point of over 3000 feet for spectacular views over the Canterbury Plains.
The 4WD tour stops for a delicious luncheon.
Re-board the 4WD after lunch and travel on to Arthur’s Pass.
Arriving at Arthur’s Pass, a look around the visitor’s centre offers an opportunity to learn more about the town and it’s history before you board the train and begin your journey back to Christchurch.
Your journey home is on the TranzAlpine train, rated one of the top six train journeys in the world. The train takes a dramatic route through numerous tunnels and across towering viaducts and the rain-forest of the Arthur's Pass National Park. The scenery takes in small hidden lakes and valleys along with and majestic mountain peaks. Depending on the time of year, you can be surrounded by snow or bare cliffs bleached in the summer sun. Sit back and experience the ever-changing landscape as you enjoy a drink from the refreshment car or stand in the open air viewing car for more of that fresh alpine air.
At Christchurch you will be met at the railway station and dropped back at your hotel in Christchurch where this memorable tour ends.