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Mount Cook

Mid-Winter Christmas

What better location to enjoy a mid-winter celebration than in the alpine surroundings of Mount Cook.
Our third New Zealand Rail Tour combines rail and coach with two nights at the Hermitage Hotel at Mount Cook, situated at the head of Lake Pukaki - a major highlight.

Last year’s group experienced beautiful sunshine and clear blue skies.

Meander by rail across the South Canterbury plains to Timaru and journey by coach through the McKenzie countryside to Mount Cook.
Enjoy two nights in the pristine alpine surroundings with several exciting optional activities and a sumptuous Mid-Winter Christmas Dinner.
Travelling down the Waitaki Valley past Benmore Dam and Lake Aviemore to the North Otago city of Oamaru will be a first for many.

Re-join our train in Oamaru for the journey back to Dunedin and fly home the same day.

Your travel itinerary

Tuesday 23 July

Auckland – Christchurch

Lunch iconLunch Dinner iconDinner

Depart mid-morning from Auckland on Air New Zealand to arrive Christchurch at midday. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a city tour. Check into hotel with the balance of the day free. Welcome Dinner.

Wednesday 24 July

Christchurch - Timaru – Mt Cook

Breakfast iconBreakfast Dinner iconDinner

After breakfast, board the ‘Silver Fern’ railcar for our journey across the Canterbury Plains to Timaru. Transfer by coach through Fairlie and Tekapo, passing the azure waters of Lake Pukaki on the way to Mount Cook. After checking in, there will be time for orientation of the Mount Cook National Park before dinner.

Thursday 25 July

Mt Cook National Park

Breakfast iconBreakfast Dinner iconDinner

A day to participate in optional activities and / or simply enjoying the area at your leisure.

Tonight’s highlight will be a sumptuous Mid-Winter Christmas Dinner served in traditional winter surroundings.

Friday 26 July

Mt Cook – Oamaru

Breakfast iconBreakfast Dinner iconDinner

After breakfast, leave the national park for our scenic journey down the Waitaki Valley passing through Omarama, the gliding capital of New Zealand, Benmore Dam, Kurow and Duntroon.
Arrive in Oamaru for a one-night stay, check into hotel with time for lunch before a mid-afternoon city tour. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner.

Saturday 27 July

Oamaru - Dunedin – Auckland (Home)

Breakfast iconBreakfast Lunch iconLunch

After breakfast, transfer to the station for our ‘Silver Fern’ journey through rolling farmland and past coastal inlets to Dunedin. Transfer to the airport for our flight to Auckland or other destinations.

Flights can be arranged from any other New Zealand airport and the tour is available as a land-only option (Christchurch to Dunedin). Please contact us for a quote.

Inclusions

  • Return economy flights Auckland – Christchurch // Dunedin – Auckland
  • Travel by our privately-chartered ‘Silver Fern’ Railcar
  • Four nights hotel accommodation (Christchurch – Mt Cook – Oamaru)
  • Cooked breakfasts daily
  • Meals as specified
  • Mid-Winter Christmas Dinner at Mt Cook Hermitage Hotel private room
  • Explorer Pass to the Sir Edmond Hillary Alpine Centre at Mount Cook
  • Indoor Stargazing
  • Oamaru city tour
  • Comfortable air-conditioned coaches with panoramic windows
  • All transfers

Cost

Cost Per Person *
Auckland - Auckland		Twin ShareSingle
   $2,358 $2,710
Land Only (Christchurch - Dunedin) $1,918  

*This is a cash or cheque price. Credit cards will incur a 2% fee
*Itinerary and costs subject to change, airline and fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment

Exclusions

  • Cancellation insurance
  • Items of a personal nature

Booking Conditions

  • A non-refundable deposit of $400 per person will secure a place on the tour.
  • FULL PAYMENT is due no later than 10 May 2019      
  • Bookings made after 10 May 2019 will require full payment.

Cancellations

  • Deposit – non refundable
  • After 10 May 2019 – no refund
  • All cancellation charges are on a per-person basis.
  • No refund can be made once tour is underway.

Travel Insurance

We strongly advise all participants to take out suitable travel insurance to cover cancellation costs. Please ask us for a quote.

General Information

Included Activities

Big Sky Stargazing Mt Cook is renowned world-wide for some of the darkest skies in New Zealand. You will be given an introduction and orientation in the Planetarium, a guided tour through our solar system and beyond.

Sir Edmond Hillary Alpine Centre Your Explorer pass will enable you to visit the centre which features a 3D movie theatre, planetarium and museum – valid for the duration of your stay.

Health and Fitness

  • At times, entering and exiting the train can be very demanding for those with limited mobility.
  • To ensure the tour is enjoyable for the whole group, a good standard of fitness is required with the ability to comfortably walk 400 metres
  • Mobility frames or scooters are not practical or permitted


Note: Pukekohe Travel reserves the right to correct errors and omissions on our website without recourse.
* Itinerary subject to change

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