Excursion Overland experience: spectacular mount cook tour at Christchurch

Indulge your senses with the stunning natural splendour at the 'top' of New Zealand during this unforgettable overnight excursion to majestic Mount Cook and its surrounds.

Spectacular Mount Cook - The 'Top' of New Zealand

Duration: 2 Days/1 Night

Departs from: Lyttleton

Re-join ship: Port Chalmers (Dunedin)

Reserve by: At least 90 days prior to sailing

IMPORTANT NOTE

This Overland Experience is a small group luxury tour, providing bespoke cultural and sightseeing experiences. We limit the tour to a small group in order to ensure your experience is a high-quality one. Spots are available on a first come, first serve basis. If the program fills up, you'll be accommodated on a space-available basis. Advanced booking is required at least 90 days prior to sailing date via Silversea Reservations. We suggest booking early to secure your spot(s).

Please be advised that a minimum number of participants is required for this program to run as described. In rare cases when the minimum number of participants is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the program at an increased rate based on private arrangements or to cancel your specific departure for a refund. The self-cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, is 90 days or sooner to initial sailing date at the rate of 100% program fare per person. The payment for your Overland Experience is due in full on the same date as your final payment due for your cruise. Per Silversea's general payment terms, bookings made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner.

All Overland Experiences are non-transferable and non-refundable within 120 days of sailing, with the exception of cancellation by Silversea. Our family-friendly land programs require adult accompaniment of any guests under the age of 18. All Overland Experiences are owned by independent contractors, and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Silversea and our local operators make every effort to ensure your land program runs as described. Our local operators reserve the right to modify tour sequence, sites visited and venues mentioned due to operational reasons.

VISA INFORMATION

Please check with your travel professional for details regarding visa requirements for New Zealand. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before cruising.

LOCAL CURRENCY

The local currency is New Zealand Dollar; credit cards are accepted; local ATMs are available in most locations visited.

Indulge your senses with the stunning natural splendour at the 'top' of New Zealand during this unforgettable overnight excursion to majestic Mount Cook and its surrounds.

DAY ONE – Lyttleton/Ashburton/Geraldine/Lake Tekapo

Take a scenic drive north along the picturesque Ashburton

After disembarking the ship, meet your driver-guide and depart for an approximately two-hour drive to the country town of Ashburton.

Brief stop at Ashburton and a picturesque drive to Geraldine and onward to Tekapo

Lunch is at the iconic Barkers of Geraldine where you will enjoy a delicious lunch and time to wander around the village – many gift and interest shops. The onwards drive to Lake Tekapo with a stop off at the magnificent St. Thomas' Anglican Church.

Begin your exhilarating flight-seeing adventure

Arrive at Tekapo Airport for your amazing 45-minute scenic Fixed Wing flight showcasing the Southern Alps, Glaciers and other amazing landscapes including Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. You will receive your safety and tour instructions, then board your plane for a flight-seeing journey towards the approximately 12,218-foot-high (about 3,724-metre-high) Aoraki (Mount Cook), the highest mountain in New Zealand and Tasman Glacier. The flight concludes back at the airport, where you will re-join the coach for an approximate 30 minute drive to Lake Tekapo.  

Transfer to Lake Tekapo

Arrive back from the flight and visit the famous Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo.

After the visit proceed to check into Peppers Bluewater Resort Hotel

Relax and admire the amazing views before meeting downstairs for dinner at the hotel's restaurant.

Overnight Accommodation at Peppers Bluwaater Resort.

DAY TWO - Lake Tekapo/Riverstone Kitchen (Oamaru)/Port Chalmers

After breakfast and check-out, take a scenic 4WD tour deep into Lake Tekapo's natural landscape

After breakfast and check-out, embark on a scenic 4WD tour deep into Lake Tekapo's natural landscape

Take a 4WD vehicle and depart for a scenic drive that takes you deep into the legendary natural landscapes of Lake Tekapo. Discover towering mountains, glaciers, river crossings, and incredible scenery whilst learning about the unique geology, ecology, and history that comprises this part of New Zealand's South Island.

Drive to Oamaru

Travel the scenic stunning landscape to nearby Oamaru (Riverstone Kitchen) for a gourmet lunch at a local restaurant. At Riverstone also enjoy the Gardens, replica castle and shops at Riverstone Kitchen.

Stop at Koekohe Beach to stroll on the beach and marvel at the giant Moeraki Boulders

After lunch, board the coach to continue to Koekohe Beach and marvel at the giant Moeraki Boulders- these giant Moeraki Boulders are scattered across the beach. Each of these enigmatic, spherical boulders weighs several tonnes, and are up to 6.5 feet (about two metres) in height. Scientists explain the boulders as calcite concretions formed about 65 million years ago. According to Maori legend, the boulders are gourds washed ashore from the great voyaging canoe, Araiteuru, when it was wrecked upon landfall in New Zealand hundreds of years ago.

Transfer to Port Chalmers

Leaving Keokohe Beach, re-board your private coach for the approximately two-hour drive to Port Chalmers, via Dunedin for a short city sights tour tucked into a sheltered harbour on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island. The harbour is rich in heritage, and renowned for its wildlife.

Transfer to the pier and your ship

Upon arrival at Port Chalmers, transfer to the pier and embark the ship.

Please note: This description is a general overview of the highlights of this program. The local Silversea representative will do everything possible to ensure that all of the sites described here are visited, though the tour sequence and specific sites mentioned is subject to change. Closure of some sites due to local or national holiday observances, flight schedules or other factors may affect the program, and the local operator reserves the right to substitute other sites if necessary.

This Mid-Voyage Overland Experience involves a moderate amount of off-road driving and a moderate amount of walking for approximately 1.08 miles (about 1.75 kilometres), at times over uneven, natural, and snowy surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate. This tour is not suitable for guests with neck and/or back problems, guests with heart and/or respiratory conditions, guests prone to motion sickness, guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear warm, comfortable clothing in layers with flat, closed-toe walking or hiking shoes, and bring sun protection, a weatherproof jacket, insect repellent, any necessary medication from the ship. Guests must carry their passports and ship's ID at all times. Guests must be at least 18 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. Due to prevailing weather conditions, the tour sequence, timings, and itinerary are subject to change without prior notice. A signed waiver is required to participate on this tour. Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Programme Includes:

• Private mini coach with an experience English-speaking driver-guide.
• Overnight stay in a One Bedroom Mountain/Lake Villa at the Peppers Bluewater Resort
• One breakfasts, two lunches and one dinner, with drinks included
• All sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary

Not Included:

Any meals and drinks not specified above, gratuities to drivers and tour guides, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance, and other personal items.