South Island Twin Trains & Glacier Grand Loop — 6 Days / 5 Nights
Ride the TranzAlpine and a heritage steam train, explore the West Coast’s Pancake Rocks and rainforest, and travel via Fox Glacier, Haast, the Blue Pools and Wanaka to Queenstown. Includes five nights in 3–4-star hotels with breakfast, listed meals and attractions, and a day at leisure in Queenstown.
Highlights
- TranzAlpine scenic train and Arthur’s Pass
- Shantytown, heritage steam train and gold panning
- Pancake Rocks, Fox Glacier viewpoints and West Coast rainforest
- Blue Pools walk, Wanaka and That Wanaka Tree
- Queenstown Skyline Gondola and free time
Daily Itinerary
Arrive in Christchurch, a South Pacific city with a classical English atmosphere. Your guide will introduce this beautiful “Garden City”. Stroll through the historic Arts Centre, admire the elegant Avon River scenery and pass the Bridge of Remembrance, a symbol of resilience and commemoration, experiencing the city’s cultural heritage and peaceful atmosphere. Hotel: Hotel Elms Christchurch or a similar 4-star hotel Lunch: At your own expense; Dinner: At your own expense
After breakfast, board the ★TranzAlpine scenic train, described as one of the world’s ten most beautiful rail journeys (limited to 10 guests). Cross the Canterbury Plains, Waimakariri valley and Southern Alps, admiring glacier-fed blue rivers, dense forests and majestic mountains. At Arthur’s Pass, meet your guide and continue west to ★Shantytown, a themed town recreating the 19th-century gold rush, combining history, interaction and education and offering one of the West Coast’s most representative cultural experiences. With your guide, explore the old post office, blacksmith, barber shop and other period buildings, as if transported to the gold-rush era. Ride the heritage ★steam train (12.30pm and 2.00 pm) through native forest and gold-mining relics; there is also a station where you may get off for photographs. Try the hands-on ★gold-panning activity; each guest receives a bottle of “gold dust” as a souvenir. Check into your hotel and rest in the evening. Hotel: Ashley Hotel Greymouth or a similar 3-star hotel Breakfast: Western-style hotel breakfast; Lunch: Three-course buffet; Dinner: At your own expense
After breakfast, visit the West Coast geological wonder of Pancake Rocks, where limestone layers resemble stacks of pancakes, sculpted into unusual shapes by millions of years of waves and wind. Waves surge into caves and send columns of water metres into the air like natural fountains. The beautiful coastal walk is one of New Zealand’s representative geological attractions. Continue south on State Highway 6 towards Fox Glacier through the world-famous wet West Coast rainforest belt. Native forest, streams, cliffs and glacier mist create magnificent layered scenery. Weather permitting, stop at the glacier viewing platform and look towards the blue river formed by melting glacier ice. In the evening arrive in Haast, the “southern gateway” linking the West Coast with the southern lakes, with pristine scenery and ecology. Tonight enjoy a West Coast special dinner featuring the locally loved whitebait fritter: tender local West Coast whitebait mixed with egg and pan-fried. An American-style burger and crisp fries accompany it, offering generous portions and flavours for different tastes. Enjoy local food as you reflect on the day’s journey. Friendly reminder: Ingredients may be adjusted seasonally or replaced by other dishes; thank you for understanding. Hotel: Heartland Hotel Haast or a similar 3-star hotel Breakfast: Western-style hotel breakfast; Lunch: At your own expense; Dinner: Wild whitebait fritters with burger and fries
After breakfast, follow the scenic Makarora route through the Haast valley national scenic reserve and into one of the South Island’s characteristic pristine forest landscapes. At the Blue Pools, enjoy a refreshing short walk through dense forest and across suspension bridges to clear blue glacier-fed pools hidden in the forest. Continue to Wanaka for free time. This lakeside town beneath the Southern Alps has an appealing local atmosphere. Enjoy an afternoon at a lakeside café, taste handmade ice cream, or stroll to That Wanaka Tree and capture a classic South Island memory. In the evening reach Queenstown, the honeymoon town. Take the ★Skyline Gondola up Bob’s Peak at 790 metres above sea level for panoramic views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, looking towards Glenorchy at the far end of the lake and mountain-ringed Middle-earth scenery. At the summit, stroll on the viewing platform, try the luge at your own expense, or rest in the summit café and enjoy Queenstown’s purity and energy. Friendly reminder: In severe weather, for safety, the planned Blue Pools walk will be adjusted to the Wanaka lakeside walkway. Thank you for understanding and cooperating. 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
Enjoy a full day at leisure in picturesque Queenstown. Between mountains and lakes, this town is described as one of the world’s most beautiful holiday destinations, both a haven for relaxation and a playground for adventure. Plan your own activities according to your interests: • Film enthusiasts may visit storybook-like Glenorchy and the filming locations of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to discover real Middle-earth scenery. • Adventure seekers may choose world-class skydiving, bungy jumping, paragliding or jet boating for an adrenaline rush. • For a gentler pace, take the gondola for panoramic views, fly by helicopter over snowy mountains and glaciers, or taste authentic New Zealand wines at a winery. • Alternatively, stroll through town, enjoy street performers, coffee, sunshine and the lakeside breeze. Do not forget to try the famous Fergburger handmade burger, fragrant and juicy, for a memorable taste of today’s 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, check out independently and enjoy free time in Queenstown. Make your own way to the airport according to your flight time. Breakfast: Western-style hotel breakfast; Lunch: At your own expense
Price Table
| Item | Price NZD |
|---|---|
| Adult | NZ$2160 |
| Child aged 12–4 sharing with one adult (per-child price) | NZ$1944 |
| Child aged 12–4 sharing with two adults (per-child price) | NZ$1728 |
| Child aged 4–2 | NZ$1512 |
| Under 2 without a bed (infant receives a seat only, no other services) | NZ$740 |
| Single-room supplement | NZ$690 |
Departure Dates
2026-10-02 2026-10-16 2026-10-30 2026-11-13 2026-11-27 2026-12-11 2026-12-25 (Christmas surcharge NZD 260) 2027-01-08 2027-01-22 2027-02-05 (Lunar New Year surcharge NZD 260) 2027-02-19 2027-03-05 2027-03-19
Included
- 1. Accommodation: 5 nights in 3–4-star hotels with breakfast.
- 2. Meals listed in the itinerary (Chinese group-meal standard for groups larger than 6: 6 guests — 6 dishes and 1 soup; 7 guests — 7 dishes and 1 soup; groups of 8 or more — 8 dishes and 1 soup).
- 3. Transport: A 7–39-seat vehicle throughout, with a Chinese-speaking driver-guide. The driver-guide works ten hours per day; overtime costs NZD 150, payable to the guide in cash.
- 4. Initial admission charges for 3 attractions: TranzAlpine scenic train, Shantytown gold-rush experience and steam train, and Skyline Gondola.
- 5. Note: Adults and children must pay additional holiday surcharges during Christmas, New Year and Lunar New Year. Ask your sales consultant for details.
Not Included
- 1. Guide gratuities (suggested NZD 6 per person per day).
- 2. Lunches and dinners marked as at your own expense, airfares, visa fees and optional activities.
- 3. Extra costs arising from circumstances beyond human control, such as weather or hotel-room issues.
- 4. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Notes
2026.10–2027.03 (Friday departures), boutique small-group tour for up to 25 guests. 3–4-star tour: NZD $2,160 per person. Prices are per person in a twin-share standard room; selling prices are in NZD. Friendly reminder: Bookings made within 10 days before departure may incur additional hotel surcharges. Thank you for your understanding; contact your sales consultant with any questions. Important reminders: 1. Hotel star ratings may change depending on reservation availability. Sold-out hotels, major events and public holidays may also result in room surcharges or other special circumstances. The final confirmed quotation applies. 2. If three guests request one room, we will arrange a triple room suitable for 3 adults. Possible configurations include, but are not limited to, 3 single beds, 2 large beds, 1 large bed and 1 small bed, a sofa bed or a rollaway bed. If two guests request a double room, we will arrange a room with a New Zealand standard double bed measuring 137 cm x 187 cm. Twin-room configurations include, but are not limited to, 2 single beds or 1 large bed and 1 small bed. Tell us about special requirements when booking; we will do our best to accommodate them. The company retains the final right to interpret room arrangements, and guests may not use these arrangements as grounds for objection or withdrawal. 3. Complimentary airport transfers are only available on the tour’s departure and completion days. Refer to the itinerary for transfer times and locations. Guests who miss the scheduled meeting time must catch up with the group independently and pay all resulting costs. 4. The company may adjust the itinerary due to flights, hotels, weather or other circumstances beyond human control. 5. Guests are strongly advised to purchase their own travel and personal-belongings insurance. The local tour operator will not bear any resulting costs. Cancellation and amendment policy: A 50% deposit per person is required upon confirmation of the quotation; pay the balance 21 days before departure. For cancellation for any reason, refunds are calculated as follows: 30–15 days before departure, inclusive: cancellation or booking amendment incurs a charge of 30% of the tour price. 14–8 days before departure, inclusive: cancellation or booking amendment incurs a charge of 50% of the tour price. Within 7 days before departure, inclusive: cancellation or amendment is non-refundable. If a guest cannot travel because of an epidemic, the same refund policy applies. The company accepts no liability if a guest fails to meet the guide on time for personal reasons. All activities depend on local conditions. The company may adjust sightseeing arrangements due to weather or flights and retains the final right of decision and interpretation. If the listed hotels are fully booked, the company may substitute hotels of the same standard. Booking information: Important: Hotel star ratings may change according to booking availability; sold-out hotels, major events and public holidays may lead to room surcharges or other special circumstances. The final confirmed quotation applies. Smoking is prohibited in hotel rooms and on room balconies. Hotel-imposed fines start at NZD 500. The person responsible for the occupied room must pay any in-room smoking fine. If they refuse, under the operator’s agreement with the hotel, the hotel will submit the matter to the New Zealand small claims court. Any subsequent fines, litigation, visa or border-entry and exit issues are the individual’s responsibility. If you suffer from motion sickness, bring medication and vomit bags in advance. Conditions and limitations: The travel agency may adjust the itinerary according to the weather. If an attraction cannot be visited due to force majeure, the agency will refund the fee or arrange an alternative product of equal value. Shopping undertaken independently during free time is a personal activity unrelated to the agency. Insurance: Travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover unexpected costs, including extra transport, cancellation charges and losses of valuables. Guests who voluntarily decline insurance must personally bear any accident-related costs, including additional transport, accommodation, cancellation charges and losses of valuables. If travel becomes impossible due to force majeure such as weather, war, strikes or earthquakes, the agency will refund unused attraction tickets in accordance with the travel-agency agreement. Other items follow the suppliers’ policies. No refund is given if a guest voluntarily abandons the tour at short notice for personal reasons. The agency’s limited liability covers only the services and related matters expressly listed in this text. It accepts no liability beyond this description, including matters of personal relationships or individual circumstances, unforeseen emergencies, legal or criminal matters, religious beliefs or any other such matters. All prices marked NZD or $ are in New Zealand dollars. All conditions, limitations and itinerary descriptions are formulated under New Zealand laws and regulations and are governed and protected by New Zealand law. All text, images, logos and icons are copyrighted by the agency; unauthorised reproduction is prohibited. If a newer itinerary is available, its description takes precedence.
Why choose us
A local Mandarin-speaking team, fully licensed (Qualmark / TAANZ / IATA), with itineraries you can verify.
How to book
Tap “Book now” for live departure dates, or message our WeChat team and we will arrange it for you.
Departure info
Prices are indicative only; the live price and confirmed departure status on this site apply.