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TranzAlpine Train & Guided Nature Walk in Arthur’s Pass National Park

Hotel Pick up included

Activity Schedule

  • When does it run?

    Daily

  • Duration

    10 hours

  • Start time

    Start time: 0730h (07:30am) Exact pick-up time to be confirmed at time of booking
    Duration: 10 hours

  • Meeting Point
    Your hotel in Christchurch.
    (Please mention your hotel details at the time of booking. If you do not have this information now, please contact the local activity operator 24 hours prior to the start of the tour with these details.)
  • Ending Point

    You will be dropped off at your hotel in Christchurch.

Key Highlights

  • Enjoy the trip of a lifetime through the soaring Southern Alps
  • Take one of the world′s most scenic train rides – the TranzAlpine!
  • Visit Arthur′s Pass – New Zealand′s highest altitude settlement
  • Guided walks to explore the alpine and high country landscapes
  • Fantastic photo-opportunities everywhere you look
  • Lunch at Bealey Hotel included

Overview

Enjoy the trip of a lifetime on one of the world’s greatest train rides – the TranzAlpine railway – and explore the wonders of Arthur’s Pass National Park on this awayday from Christchurch.

Sit back and relax on a train that will take you across the Canterbury Plains, through the Waimakariri Gorge, over massive viaducts, and across tussock-covered high country before heading into the Southern Alps.

Alight at Arthur’s Pass and enjoy guided walks in the National Park with panoramas of misty mountains, glistening glaciers, lush forests and rushing rivers. Board a de luxe mini-coach and follow an historic route to the magnificent Otira Gorge with its elegant viaduct. See a river that mysteriously vanishes underground and marvel at the surreal shapes of the Castle Hill boulders.

Make sure you have your camera to capture the glorious views you will see throughout the day!

Itinerary

For your TranzAlpine Train & Guided Nature Walk in Arthur’s Pass National Park Tour you will be picked up from your Christchurch hotel and taken to board the world-famous TranzAlpine Train.

Leaving the suburban bungalows of Christchurch behind, you will travel across the flat open farmland of the Canterbury Plain. As you look out of the carriage windows, the first glimpses of the Southern Alps will soon appear. When you reach the broad, braided Waimakariri River, the climb into the mountains begins.

The train stops at Springfield, the area where scenes from films like “Lord of the Rings” and “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” were shot. Brown tussock grasslands give way to lush rainforest and misty mountains as you approach Arthur’s Pass. At 737 metres above sea level, this is the highest altitude settlement in New Zealand. Here you leave the train and will be met by your Arthur’s Park National Park guide.

Led by your guide, you will explore the National Park and enjoy short walks to experience forests, rivers and mountain vistas. The length of the walks varies with the weather and the interests and fitness of the group. The usual schedule is 2 or 3 short walks ranging from 10 minutes to 45 minutes. These can be adjusted for the needs of your group.

Next, you will board a de luxe mini coach and enjoy lunch at a historic high country hotel before following the old stage coach route down the spectacular Otira Gorge. Departing Arthur's Pass, you will travel through the high country and a stop can be made to view Cave Stream where it burrows underground amid craggy outcrops and a setting of dramatic mountains. The incredible Castle Hill rocks, unique weatherworn limestone outcrops, are seen from the highway and the more adventurous may wish to walk to the top of the rocks for magnificent views of the surrounding countryside.

The return journey to Christchurch will include a visit to the Waimak Gorge where the Waimakariri River enters the vast Canterbury Plains.

At the end of the tour you will be dropped off back at your hotel in Christchurch.

Inclusions

  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • Transportation in a de luxe mini-coach
  • Approx 1 hr 45 minute one-way journey on TranszAlpine train
  • English-speaking guide
  • Homemade picnic refreshments and Lunch (01 April 14-31 March 15)
  • Morning and afternoon tea and Lunch ( 01 April 15-31 March 16)

Additional info

The confirmation voucher includes the local activity operator’s contact details and local telephone numbers at the destination. They will happily answer any logistical questions you may have.

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