South Island East and Central Route: 8 Days / 7 Nights, Including Kaikōura — 16-Person Group

Arrive in Christchurch, a South Pacific city with classic English character. The guide takes you around this beautiful “Garden City”: stroll through the historic Arts Centre, admire the graceful Avon River and pass the Bridge of Remembrance, a symbol of resilience and commemoration, experiencing the city’s cultural heritage and tranquil atmosphere. Hotel: Hotel Elms Christchurch or a similar 4-star hotel Lunch: At your own expense; Dinner: At your own expense

After breakfast, drive to the charming historic east-coast town of Oamaru, described as New Zealand’s second-largest fishing port and known for seafood and its well-preserved Victorian precinct. Enter the old “white-stone town”, evoking the 19th century with limestone buildings, vintage shops and cafés rich in English character. In the afternoon reach Dunedin, the cultural city called the “Edinburgh of the South”, then drive to the scenic Otago Peninsula for a ★wildlife ecological tour. Follow the coastline past beautiful bays and farmland. At the conservation reserve, you have the opportunity to observe the breeding habitats of little blue penguins, yellow-eyed penguins and fur seals at close range, as well as the seabirds living here. This intimate encounter with nature is full of surprises, wild charm and educational value for animal lovers. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross or a similar 4-star hotel Breakfast: Western-style hotel breakfast; Lunch: Māori hot-stone cooking; Dinner: Chinese individual hotpot, warming and varied

After breakfast, tour Dunedin. Visit the University of Otago, New Zealand’s oldest university, and feel its academic atmosphere; then see Dunedin Railway Station, resembling a fairy-tale gingerbread house, with fine granite and mosaic floor tiles. Visit an elegant old church and admire Gothic architecture, then climb Baldwin Street, the world’s steepest street, for a gravity-defying experience. Continue to ★Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle. Walk through its magnificent Victorian architecture, hear the family story from a century ago, and enjoy its gardens and history. A special two-course Western lunch is arranged at the century-old Speight’s craft brewery, with a warm vintage atmosphere and a distinctive taste of Dunedin. In the evening arrive in Queenstown, the “honeymoon capital of the world”. Ride the 360-degree Skyline Gondola to the ★mountaintop restaurant, described as one of the world’s ten most romantic restaurants. Overlook Queenstown’s lights and Lake Wakatipu at night while enjoying a plentiful seafood buffet dinner, a feast for the eyes and palate. Afterwards check into your Queenstown hotel and rest. Hotel: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Lakefront Queenstown or a similar 4-star hotel Breakfast: Western-style hotel breakfast; Lunch: Brewery two-course meal — an exclusive culinary memory; Dinner: Gondola Western buffet

Enjoy a free day in picturesque Queenstown, nestled among mountains and lakes and celebrated as one of the world’s most beautiful holiday destinations: a haven for relaxation and a playground for adventure. Plan your day according to your interests: • Adventure seekers can choose skydiving, bungy jumping, paragliding or jet boating for an adrenaline rush. • Those preferring a slower pace can fly by helicopter over snowy mountains and glaciers or sample authentic New Zealand wines at a winery. • Simply stroll through town, watch street performers and enjoy coffee, sunshine and the lake breeze. • A Milford Sound cruise is especially recommended: venture into the spectacular fiord, see waterfalls, seals and dolphins up close, and experience the appeal of the “eighth wonder of the world” for an unforgettable New Zealand journey. Hotel: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Lakefront Queenstown or a similar 4-star hotel Breakfast: Western-style hotel breakfast; Lunch: At your own expense; Dinner: At your own expense

After breakfast, visit historic Arrowtown, about 21 kilometres from Queenstown. Many historic sites survive intact, some still in everyday use. Walk beside the Arrow River and reflect on the hardships of the thousands of Chinese miners whose simple settlement remains. Buckingham Street, the main street, shows the community’s care in preserving its historic prosperity, with old buildings housing shops and restaurants. Continue to Lake Wanaka, New Zealand’s fourth-largest lake, passing the iconic “lone tree” standing alone in the water, one of the country’s most recognisable photographic sights. In the afternoon, walk by the lake or hire a bicycle to explore its shores, appreciate the crystal-clear water and enjoy the relaxed local lifestyle. Hotel: Oakridge Resort Lake Wanaka or a similar hotel Breakfast: Western-style hotel breakfast; Lunch: At your own expense; Dinner: Chinese meal at a lakeside restaurant

After breakfast, set off for Mount Cook National Park. Pass a renowned five-star salmon farm in the Southern Hemisphere, where you can taste fresh salmon at your own expense. In the most spectacular part of the Southern Alps, the national park offers rich natural scenery and remarkable landforms, with ample time to explore its pristine environment. Weather permitting, optionally take a helicopter at your own expense to the Tasman Glacier, described as the South Pacific’s largest, and land on the glacier to experience its breathtaking silvery world. In the afternoon arrive at scenic Lake Tekapo. The itinerary explains Tekapo’s Māori meaning as “a mat at night”, also calling it “the place to sleep beneath the stars”. Walk along the lake, visit the famous Church of the Good Shepherd, and enjoy outstanding night skies in the world-renowned stargazing reserve. Stay overnight in a distinctive holiday home. Accommodation: Distinctive holiday home; an entire house for each party is not guaranteed, but each party is guaranteed a private bedroom Breakfast: Western-style hotel breakfast; Lunch: At your own expense; Dinner: Salmon buffet

After breakfast, take souvenir photographs beside picturesque Lake Tekapo and enjoy its dreamlike emerald-blue waters. Then drive back to Christchurch and transfer to the hotel to rest. Hotel: A 4-star hotel in central Christchurch Breakfast: Western-style hotel breakfast; Lunch: At your own expense; Dinner: At your own expense

After breakfast, drive to Kaikōura, a base for watching diverse wildlife. Ohau Point Seal Colony is a well-known natural attraction where seals of all sizes rest on rocks, a popular visitor stop. On arrival choose one of the following two activities: Option one: a ★whale-watching voyage lasting 3 hours with a stated 98% success rate. Sonar tracking locates sperm whales or other whale species surfacing to breathe; dolphins, albatrosses and seals may also be encountered. Option two: with all fishing equipment prepared, enjoy exciting ★sea fishing. You may catch sea bass and blue cod and check crayfish pots yourself, a unique opportunity to learn how the local crayfish industry works. Duration: 2.5h. Catches are not guaranteed; the skipper distributes any catch fairly among participants. If sailing is cancelled due to weather, guests receive refunds according to the attraction operator’s rules. For lunch, choose one of the waterfront Western restaurants and taste fresh local seafood at your own expense. In the afternoon visit the seal colony for a close encounter with these endearing animals. Leave for Christchurch at 15h and arrive at the designated Christchurch location around 17:30, where the tour ends. Breakfast: Western-style hotel breakfast; Lunch: At your own expense; Dinner: At your own expense