New Zealand South Island • East and Central Route, 8 Days • Mercedes Small Group Tour (Round Trip from Christchurch | Kaikōura Included)

Itinerary details

After arriving in Christchurch, a city in the South Pacific with a distinctly British, classical character, your guide will take you on a tour of this beautiful city, known as the “Garden City.” Stroll through the historic Arts Centre, admire the elegant scenery along the Avon River, and pass the Bridge of Remembrance, a symbol of resilience and commemoration, as you experience the city’s cultural heritage and peaceful atmosphere. *Airport pickup time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.* Flights arriving after 2:00 p.m. cannot be guaranteed a city tour

Meals

Breakfast: At your own expense Lunch: At your own expense Dinner: At your own expense

Accommodation

Hotel Elms Christchurch or a similar 4-star hotel

Attraction details

Avon River

Avon River

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Punting on the Avon River is one of Christchurch’s most iconic attractions. In any season, you can glide along the peaceful, beautiful river aboard an elegant boat, guided by a skilled punter as you take in Christchurch’s romantic cityscape. In spring and summer, watch the sunlight fall softly on the sparkling water as ducklings play happily in the river. In autumn and winter, enjoy the enchanting waterside scenery.

Christchurch

Christchurch

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Christchurch, known as the “Garden City,” is New Zealand’s third-largest city. Founded 150 years ago, it is full of beautifully laid-out gardens. Since most of the early settlers were British, the city’s historic buildings are characterized by Victorian-era British architecture. The British gave Christchurch a new definition: “a city that is very much like Britain, outside Britain.”

Arts Centre

Arts Centre

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The Christchurch Arts Centre is one of New Zealand’s most distinctive Gothic architectural complexes and was formerly the site of the University of Canterbury. Characterised by Gothic features such as patterned stone walls and pointed archways, the complex became an arts and cultural centre after the university relocated in 1974. It now houses around 30 craft shops and artists’ studios. The centre regularly hosts weekend craft markets and arts performances, creating a distinctive cultural attraction. The 2011 Christchurch earthquake damaged the buildings, which were still undergoing restoration and maintenance as of 2025.

Itinerary details

After breakfast, travel to Oamaru, a charming historic town on the east coast. New Zealand’s second-largest fishing port, it is known for its seafood and its remarkably well-preserved Victorian precinct. Step into the old town, known as the “White Stone Town,” and feel transported back to the 19th century. Limestone buildings line the streets, with vintage shops and cafés adding to its strong British character. In the afternoon, arrive in Dunedin, a cultural city known as the “Edinburgh of the South,” then drive to the scenic Otago Peninsula for an ecological wildlife tour. Follow the peninsula’s coastline and admire its beautiful bays and pastoral scenery. At the wildlife reserve, you’ll have the chance to observe the breeding and nesting habitats of little blue penguins, yellow-eyed penguins, and fur seals up close. Enjoy an intimate encounter with nature, and discover the many seabirds that live here—an ecological experience full of surprises! Animal lovers won’t want to miss this fascinating and educational journey into the wild.

Meals

Breakfast: Western-style hotel breakfast Lunch: Māori rock barbecue Dinner: Chinese mini hot pot (comforting and warming, with a variety of options)

Accommodation

Scenic Hotel Southern Cross or a similar 4-star hotel

Attraction details

Otago Peninsula wildlife

Otago Peninsula wildlife

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Dunedin boasts rare natural landscapes and abundant wildlife. In the wildlife reserves, you can get close to rare yellow-eyed penguins, Hooker sea lions, and New Zealand fur seals. Visit Taiaroa Head for a chance to spot albatrosses, and explore the wildlife around the Otago Peninsula and its lagoons.

Itinerary details

After breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Dunedin. First visit the University of Otago, one of New Zealand’s oldest universities, and soak up its rich academic atmosphere. Then stop at Dunedin Railway Station, which looks like a gingerbread house from a fairy tale, and admire its exquisite granite details and mosaic tile floors. Visit an elegant historic church and appreciate its Gothic architecture. Then head up Baldwin Street, the world’s steepest street, for a unique, gravity-defying experience. Next, visit Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle. Stroll through its grand Victorian architecture, hear tales of the family’s history from a century ago, and take in the beautiful gardens and historic charm. For lunch, enjoy a special two-course Western meal at Speight’s, a century-old craft brewery. Soak up Dunedin’s culinary heritage in its warm, nostalgic atmosphere. In the evening, arrive in Queenstown, the “Honeymoon Capital of the World.” Take a 360-degree Skyline gondola ride to the Queenstown Skyline Restaurant, one of the world’s ten most romantic restaurants. Against the backdrop of dazzling lights and Lake Wakatipu at night, admire panoramic views of Queenstown while enjoying a lavish seafood buffet—a feast for both the eyes and the palate. After dinner, check in to your Queenstown hotel and relax.

Meals

Breakfast: Western-style hotel breakfast Lunch: Two-course meal at the brewery Dinner: Western-style buffet at the cable car restaurant

Accommodation

Copthorne Hotel & Resort Lakefront Queenstown or a similar 4-star hotel

Attraction details

University of Otago

University of Otago

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The University of Otago is located in Dunedin, the capital of the Otago region in New Zealand. Founded in 1869, it was New Zealand’s first national university and is also the country’s oldest university. The university covers nearly 2,000 hectares and offers beautiful surroundings, a rich academic and cultural atmosphere, and a comfortable, peaceful environment. The campus is shaded by trees, with green spaces covering 60 percent of its area, and features both historic and modern buildings. A visit to the University of Otago gives you a full appreciation of its leafy grounds. You can admire the campus’s distinctive historic and modern architecture as well as its vibrant cultural atmosphere. The grounds are home to a wide variety of plants and trees, including rare and valuable species from New Zealand and around the world. The gardens are bursting with flowers and filled with fragrance; walking through them is like stepping into a sea of flowers.

Baldwin Street

Baldwin Street

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Baldwin Street is about 3.5 km north of central Dunedin. Listed in the Guinness World Records as the world’s steepest street, it has a gradient of 35% (not 35 degrees). The street is 350 m long, with a horizontal climbing distance of about 161.2 m and a rise of 69.2 m from bottom to top. The steepest section has a gradient ratio of 1:2.86. Every year, the street hosts a “race up the slope” and a “marble race” (participants’ numbers are written on ping-pong balls and placed in a barrel; the balls are tipped out from the top, and the first to reach the finish wins). Some young people have even climbed into rubbish bins and hurt themselves racing downhill.

Itinerary details

Today, enjoy a full day at leisure in picturesque Queenstown. Nestled between mountains and lakes, this town is hailed as “one of the world’s most beautiful holiday destinations.” It’s both a haven for unwinding and a playground for thrill-seekers. Plan an exciting itinerary at your own pace and according to your interests: · If you’re craving adventure, choose from adrenaline-pumping activities such as skydiving, bungee jumping, paragliding, and jet boating; · If you prefer a more leisurely pace, take a helicopter flight over snow-capped mountains and glaciers, or sample authentic New Zealand wines at a vineyard; · Or simply stroll through the town streets, enjoy street performers, and soak up the coffee, sunshine, and lakeside breeze—a lovely way to spend the day. · We especially recommend taking a Milford Sound cruise to explore the heart of this spectacular fiord. See waterfalls, seals, and dolphins up close, and experience the endless wonder of the “Eighth Wonder of the World” for an even more perfect and unforgettable New Zealand trip.

Meals

Breakfast: Western-style hotel breakfast Lunch: At your own expense Dinner: At your own expense

Accommodation

Copthorne Hotel & Resort Lakefront Queenstown or a similar 4-star hotel

Attraction details

Queenstown

Queenstown

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Queenstown is located in the southwest of the Otago region on New Zealand’s South Island. It is close to Arrowtown, a former gold-mining town that preserves traces of Chinese gold miners in the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement. The city is built around the entrance to Lake Wakatipu, which forms a slender “S” shape and is surrounded by spectacular mountains. The scenery is ever-changing, and the lake and mountains look like a paradise. The town was named in 1850 in honor of Queen Victoria. Today, Queenstown is a world-famous holiday destination, both in New Zealand and around the globe.

Queenstown Skydiving

Queenstown Skydiving

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Queenstown, hailed as the “Adventure Capital of the World,” is the birthplace of tandem skydiving in New Zealand and the perfect place to make your skydiving dream come true! Our drop zone lies at the foot of the famous Remarkables mountain range, surrounded by picturesque sheep farms. It takes a special kind of person to have the courage to jump from an aircraft at 4,500 meters. When your mind, soul, and body overcome their natural instinct for self-preservation and you leap from the plane, you’ll experience what it feels like to be weightless. It’s a tremendous personal challenge.

Itinerary details

After breakfast, head to Arrowtown, a historic town about 21 km from Queenstown. Many of its historic buildings have been well preserved, and some are still in everyday use. Stroll along the Arrow River and reflect on the difficult years endured by the thousands of Chinese miners who once lived here; the humble village where they stayed still remains. Buckingham Street, the town’s main street, showcases the care taken by locals to preserve its prosperous history. Historic buildings line both sides of the street, alongside a variety of shops and restaurants. Then head to New Zealand’s fourth-largest lake, Lake Wānaka, passing the iconic “That Wānaka Tree”—standing alone in the lake, it has become one of New Zealand’s most photographed landmarks. In the afternoon, take a stroll along the shore or rent a bicycle to ride around the lake, admiring its crystal-clear waters and soaking up the laid-back local atmosphere.

Meals

Breakfast: Western-style hotel breakfast Lunch: At own expense Dinner: Chinese cuisine at a lakeside restaurant

Accommodation

Oakridge Resort Lake Wanaka or a similar hotel

Attraction details

Lake Wanaka

Lake Wanaka

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Lake Wanaka stretches 45 km and covers an area of 193 square kilometers. This crystal-clear body of water is a paradise for speedboat and kayak enthusiasts, as well as sailors. After filming the New Zealand season of Where Are We Going, Dad?, three celebrity families—Huang Lei and Duoduo, Yang Wei and Yang Yangyang, and Lu Yi and Bei'er—came straight to Queenstown on New Zealand’s South Island for a holiday. This is one of the places they visited. Among the lakes of the South Island, Wanaka is like a shy young woman, hiding her beauty between Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea (and the Southern Alps), waiting for curious visitors to discover her. Winter is Wanaka’s liveliest season, when skiing enthusiasts from all over the world flock here to enjoy extraordinary downhill skiing at Cardrona and Treble Cone, Nordic skiing at Snow Farm, and, of course, the most thrilling heli-skiing on Mount Harris.

Arrowtown

Arrowtown

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Not far from Queenstown is Arrowtown, a historic small gold-mining village. Arrowtown has a variety of small shops, including cafés, restaurants, art galleries, bars, and souvenir shops. It is one of the filming locations for The Lord of the Rings. Stroll along the Arrow River, with historic buildings lining both sides of the street, and imagine the lives of thousands of Chinese miners who once lived here. Learn about the stories of Chinese gold seekers during the gold rush.

Itinerary details

After breakfast, depart for Mount Cook National Park. En route, pass a renowned five-star salmon farm in the Southern Hemisphere, where you can sample delicious salmon at your own expense. Mount Cook National Park lies in a spectacular section of the Southern Alps and boasts abundant natural scenery and remarkable landscapes. You’ll have plenty of time to explore this pristine wilderness. Weather permitting, you can also take an optional helicopter flight to the Tasman Glacier in the South Pacific and spend time on the glacier, experiencing the breathtaking beauty of its silver-white world. In the afternoon, arrive at picturesque Lake Tekapo. In Māori, Tekapo means “sleeping mat at night,” and the area is also known as “a place to sleep under the stars.” Take a stroll along the lake, visit the famous Church of the Good Shepherd, and enjoy magnificent views of the night sky in this internationally renowned dark-sky reserve. Stay overnight in distinctive holiday accommodation.

Meals

Breakfast: Western-style hotel breakfast Lunch: At own expense Dinner: Salmon buffet

Accommodation

Unique guesthouse accommodation (we cannot guarantee one holiday home per group, but each group is guaranteed a private bedroom)

Itinerary details

After breakfast, take memorable photos beside the picturesque Lake Tekapo and enjoy its dreamlike “emerald blue” waters, a truly uplifting sight. Then drive back to Christchurch and check in to the hotel to rest.

Meals

Breakfast: Western-style hotel breakfast Lunch: At own expense Dinner: At own expense

Accommodation

4-star hotel in central Christchurch

Attraction details

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

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Located in the Canterbury region, Lake Tekapo is renowned for its picturesque beauty and has become one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist attractions. The lake is 27 km long and 6 km wide, with an average depth of 69 metres and a maximum depth of 120 metres. The distinctive blue-green rocks on the lakebed give the water a dreamy, emerald-green glow that is truly breathtaking. Visitors often describe Lake Tekapo’s beauty and elegance as a “heaven on earth.” It feels like a pristine haven far removed from the bustle of everyday life, quietly surrounded by majestic mountains and clear blue waters. Encircled by tranquil mountains, the lake’s calm, crystal-clear surface reflects the snow-capped Southern Alps, creating a magnificent sight that attracts photography enthusiasts year-round. Lake Tekapo is ideal for fishing, boating and water skiing. If you’re lucky, you may even catch brown or rainbow trout; fishing beside this serene lake is a wonderful pleasure.

Itinerary details

After breakfast, travel by coach to Kaikōura, a base for viewing a wide variety of wildlife. 【Ohau Point Seal Colony】 is a well-known natural attraction in Kaikōura, home to many seals of all sizes that like to lounge on the rocks. It is a popular stop for visitors. Upon arrival, you can choose to take part in one of the following two activities: Option 1: A three-hour whale-watching cruise with a 98% success rate. Using sonar-tracking technology, it can track sperm whales and other species as they surface to breathe. You may also encounter dolphins, albatrosses, seals, and other wildlife. Item 2: Once all the fishing gear is ready, enjoy an exciting sea fishing experience. You’re likely to catch sea bass and blue cod, and you can also inspect our crayfish pots firsthand—an excellent opportunity to learn how the local crayfish industry operates. Duration: 2.5 hours. (Please note: catches are not guaranteed, and the captain will distribute any catch fairly among everyone.) For lunch, choose from the many Western-style restaurants by the seaside and sample fresh local seafood at your own expense. In the afternoon, visit a seal habitat and get up close to these adorable animals. Depart for Christchurch at 3:00 p.m. and arrive at the designated drop-off point at approximately 5:30 p.m. If the boat trip is canceled due to weather, refunds will be issued to guests in accordance with the attraction’s policies. *We recommend booking a flight departing Christchurch at 8:00 p.m.*

Important notes

Note: All times shown on this webpage are for reference only. Actual arrival times may be delayed due to various unavoidable circumstances, such as weather, traffic congestion, traffic accidents, holiday events, unrest, or strikes. We appreciate your understanding. If your subsequent itinerary requires taking other transportation to another city, we strongly recommend allowing at least 3 hours of extra time to avoid inconvenience caused by delays. Our company accepts no responsibility for any losses arising from your own travel arrangements due to insufficient time allowance. Thank you for your understanding.

Meals

Breakfast: Western-style hotel breakfast Lunch: At own expense Dinner: At own expense

Accommodation

None

Attraction details

Kaikoura Whale Watching

Kaikoura Whale Watching

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Kaikoura offers year-round opportunities to see giant sperm whales, allowing visitors to observe the world's largest toothed predators up close in their natural habitat. Every whale-watching trip is a unique experience, offering a different perspective. Giant sperm whales are the stars of the trip and can be found in Kaikoura's waters year-round. During whale-watching tours, visitors may also encounter New Zealand fur seals, dusky dolphin pods, and endangered wandering albatrosses. Orcas, the world's largest dolphins, are also often seen in Kaikoura's waters, which are home to Hector's dolphins, the world's smallest and rarest dolphins. Kaikoura is also home to mainland New Zealand's largest and most diverse seabird population, including 13 species of albatross, 14 species of petrel, and 7 species of gull. Kaikoura also offers a whale-watching gift shop, Flukes Café, and a wine bar.