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CHRISTMAS EVE! Arrive at the International Antarctic Centre, where we have arranged for you to throw snowballs, ride the Hagglund ice and snow vehicle and have a uniquely different experience! Feel an Antarctic chill, see penguins and view a prize winning maxi-screen movie of the Antarctic. Reboard your coach and travel to Lake Tekapo, stopping at the Church of the Good Shepherd, one of New Zealand's most visited tourist attractions. View the Alpine Blue Lakes and snow capped mountains before arriving at Aoraki "Mt Cook". Check into youramazing mountain resort and enjoy a superb buffet dinner in the Alpine Restaurant, celebrating Christmas Eve and the impending arrival of Santa!
Accommodation |  | | The Hermitage Hotel & Resort– 4 Star Rating The Hermitage Hotel is a grand old historic lady, set in a silent, unique alpine setting offering more to see and do than any other hotel. Comfortable, well appointed en-suite bedrooms feature mountain views, tea & coffee making facilities, Sky TV and heating. The cafes, lounges and restaurants boast panoramic views of Aorangi Mt Cook, open log fires and superb dining including an international buffet, included in your tour cost. There is in house entertainment from 7.30am to 9.00pm daily and opportunities for short mountain walks and helicopter or a fixed wing aircraft rides to the Tasman Glacier. Few tours include this hotel but we believe this is the best way to experience Aoraki....we guarantee you will love it! |
MealsBreakfast (full hot hotel breakfast) Lunch (own cost and arrangement) Dinner (hotel dinner included)
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Included Activities |
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 | 1: Sightseeing Tour of Christchurch
Relax and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the amazing garden city of Christchurch with it's historic buildings and cathedrals, the art gallery, Hagley Park and Botanic Gardens and of course, the beautiful Avon River. Observe the benefits of living in a city built on a huge river plain. | | |  | 2: Lake Tekapo
At Lake Tekapo you will have the opportunity to take a stroll around this beautiful alpine village. The views of the Southern Alps and turquoise lake are breathtaking and stopping here provides wonderful photo opportunities. | | |  | 3: Church of Good Shepherd
You will stop at the famous Church of the Good Shepherd, built on the shores of Lake Tekapo in 1935 as a memorial to the pioneers of the Mackenzie Country. Congregations of the three main faiths worship regularly in the Church, arguably one of the most photographed in New Zealand, and features an altar window that frames stunning views of the lake and mountains. Nearby is the statue of the famous sheep dog, which was commissioned to honour the work of the dogs of the high country sheep stations.
| | |  | 4: Department of Conservation Centre
Visit the outstanding Department of Conservation Centre based at Mt Cook and enjoy the loads of information and displays available. You will learn and discover so much about the region and the importance of conservation. | | |  | 5: Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Located at The Hermitage Mt Cook is the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. You will be provided with an unlimited pass, including entry to the Theatre and Planetarium, the Sir Edmund Gallery and the 3D movie, “Mt Cook Magic” taking you on a thrilling journey to the top of the mountain. Open from 7.30am to 9.30pm and offering something different every day, you could spend many hours here and still not see it all! | | | Optional Activities |
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 | 6: International Antarctic Centre
The International Antarctic Centre tour will expose you to the Antarctic in a way you've never before experienced. Cook and taste Antarctic food, visit an ice & snow cave and experience the chill factor to 25 degrees below. Enjoy the Penguin Encounter and ride the Hägglund all-terrain vehicles. You will also have the opportunity to talk to our special guide who has lived on the Antarctic base and enjoy the maxi-screen presentation "Beyond the Frozen Sunset". You will love this place! A shuttle service is available that will pick up and drop off from your Christchurch hotel. | | |  | 7: Tasman Glacier Flight
You can take an optional helicopter or fixed wing aircraft flight over stunning mountain scenery to the awe-inspiring Tasman Glacier. These flights must be pre-booked (own cost) and are weather dependent. | | |
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