8-Day Southern Light South Island Tour

**Christchurch to Lake Tekapo** Pickup Location: Latimer Square Coach Parking, Cnr Hereford St & Latimer Square, 2pm Welcome to the first day of your Flying Kiwi adventure! Your tour begins in Christchurch, one of New Zealand’s most famous destinations which has been rebuilding since the infamous earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 and is now home to great shopping, cool laneway bars and amazing eateries. You’ll meet your group and Guide at 2pm outside the Rydges Hotel and then continue on down to the stunning Lake Tekapo where we’ll spend the next two nights camping. Meals: Dinner Bike Rides: Tekapo Lakefront Walks and Hikes: Explore Christchurch Available Upgrades: Yes

**Lake Tekapo** Today you have a full free day to explore Lake Tekapo. Hike the Mt John Walkway for 360 degree views of the Mackenzie Basin flats and the surrounding lakes and mountains, go and see the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, play some frisbee golf or just relax at the campsite. This evening, we recommend going for a soak in the nearby hot pools or enjoying some world famous star gazing at the Mt John Observatory - you are staying in an International Dark Sky Reserve, after all! Meals: Breakfast Bike Rides: Lake Tekapo Regional Park, A2O Cycle, Cowans Hill Walks and Hikes: Mt John walkway, Cowans Hill Optional Activities: Tekapo Hot Pools, Star Gazing Available Upgrades: Yes

**Lake Tekapo to Oamaru via Aoraki/Mt Cook** This morning, we’ll wake up in arguably the most beautiful part of the South Island. Lake Tekapo is incredibly scenic, and home to the most spectacular turquoise waters which get their colour from the glacial flour brought down from the rivers flowing from glaciers high up in the mountains. We’ll go and see some incredible sights today, heading for Aoraki/Mt Cook where we’ll hike to the base of NZ’s highest mountain following a trail up the Hooker Valley where you’ll cross swing bridges and experience stunning views of the mountains before finishing up at a glacial lake with some awe inspiring views of the Hooker Valley glacier - trust us, you’ll want to bring your camera for this! This afternoon we’ll travel back towards the Pacific coast. We'll camp in the historic town of Oamaru this evening, close to the unique Moeraki Boulders and the Scottish city of Dunedin. Go for a walk this evening to a great view point offering expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and try to spot a little Blue Penguin along the shore. Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Bike Rides: 13 km Alps2Ocean trail ride Walks and Hikes: Hooker Valley, Historic Precinct Oamaru Available Upgrades: Yes

**Oamaru to Te Anau** If the tide is low this morning, we’ll go for a walk along the beach to see the mysterious Moeraki boulders. These perfectly round spheres of rock have formed over millions of years and have found their way onto the beach near Moeraki and make for some fun photo opportunities. Next it’s onto the historic Scottish city of Dunedin, the South Island's second-largest city and home to NZ’s only castle. Dunedin is home to the world’s steepest residential street and the coastline is home to some fantastic and rare wildlife. Afterwards, we’ll continue down to the gateway to the Milford Sound, situated on the edge of Lake Te Anau. Tonight’s camp is on the lakeside in Te Anau, which is the South Island's largest lake. The bikers can go for a ride on the lake to lake Te Anau trail and the rest of us can enjoy a leisurely walk along the lakefront or head up to the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary where we can see the endangered native Takahē. If you’d like to do an activity, we recommend the incredible glowworm caves tour and boat ride. Meals: Breakfast and Dinner Bike Rides: Lake Te Anau Lakefront Cycle Upukerora Trail (5km+) Walks and Hikes: World’s steepest street, explore Dunedin city Optional Activities: Te Anau glowworm caves tour & boat ride Available Upgrades: Yes

**Fiordland National Park** Today we’ll travel along one of the world’s most scenic roads and into Milford Sound! Described as the 'eighth wonder of the world', Milford Sound was carved by glaciers during the ice ages. We highly recommend boarding a cruise, where you'll see dramatic waterfalls and snow-capped peaks and if you’re lucky, some wildlife! At different times of year, penguins, dolphins, seals and even whales have been spotted at Milford. As it’s just the one road in and out, we head back along the same breath-taking route to our lakeside camp in Te Anau. Along the way, we drop off those doing the Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand’s 9 Great Walks. This hike is a haven for native birdlife. Charge up your camera as this hike offers everything from mountainous peaks and sheer rock faces to pristine lakes, cascading waterfalls and dense, luxuriant forest. Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Bike Rides: Lake to Lake Te Anau trail, Lakefront Upukerora trail (5 km+) Walks and Hikes: Plenty of short walks from camp Optional Activities: Milford Sound Cruise, Te Anau glowworm caves tour & boat ride Available Upgrades: Yes

**Te Anau to Queenstown** After a chance for a morning bike ride on the Lake to Lake Trail, if not done already, we will make our way along the Devil’s Staircase, and catch our first glimpses of Queenstown. The Adventure Capital of NZ, Queenstown is located on the shores of the South Islands second largest lake, Lake Wakatipu. There are many cycle trails & walks for everyone to enjoy. Meals: Breakfast Walks and Hikes: Routeburn Track (must be pre-booked and hikers will rejoin the group in Queenstown) Optional Activities: Bungy jumping, skydiving, horse-riding, white water rafting, jet boating & the list goes on! You are in the adventure capital of the world! Available Upgrades: Yes

**Queenstown** With so much to do we’ll spend another full day in the fantastic Queenstown, so everyone has the opportunity to have those once in a lifetime experiences. Speaking of experiences, may we suggest trying the legendary Fergburger! Tonight, we dine out at one of Queenstown’s many delicious eateries - a great chance for your group to enjoy a feast at an iconic Queenstown eatery (own cost). Meals: Breakfast Bike Rides: Lake Wakatipu trail (16km), Queenstown trail (48 km) Walks and Hikes: Queenstown walks, Ben Lomond Optional Activities: Bungy jumping, skydiving, horse-riding, white water rafting, jet boating & the list goes on! Available Upgrades: Yes

**Queenstown - Final Day of Tour** A last chance to indulge in the Queenstown action before finishing your tour with us here and saying farewell to your fellow Flying Kiwi travellers! Meals: Breakfast Bike Rides: Road cycling around town or on one of the many Queenstown trails