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Queenstown - Fox Glacier - Christchurch 3 Day Bus Travel Tour
  Lake Matheson Fox Glacier
Travel on this scenic travel journey from Queenstown to Christchurch, visiting the highlights of New Zealand’s South Island west coast on a 3 Day non-escorted independent tour from Queenstown to Christchurch.

Be amazed by the Fox Glacier on a 3 hour guided hike that gives you a direct experience of this stunning frozen landscape. Then take the famously scenic TranzAlpine train journey from Greymouth to Christchurch.

Your 3-day tour starts in Queenstown and ends in Christchurch, with plenty to see in between!  Travel by scenic bus and train to soak up some of the South Island’s most spectacular scenery. You get a combination of scheduled tours and transportation along with plenty of free time to explore on your own. Enjoy comfortable transportation, guided tours, and your choice of either standard or superior accommodations.

Day 1 - Queenstown to Fox Glacier 
After early morning pickup from your Queenstown hotel, travel by comfortable scenic bus to Fox Glacier township, with rest stops and photo ops along the way. Admire  the scenic landscape as you pass through the interior of Central Otago, New Zealand’s most inland region, known for its rolling hills, snow capped mountains, clear rivers and deep gorges. Travel through the Haast Pass, a forested section of highway that crosses through the mountain ranges of Mount Aspiring National Park. In the late morning, your bus stops at a visitors center bordering the national park where you can stretch your legs and purchase a bite to eat. Later, pop into a salmon farm where you can see the operations and have a snack at the cafe. Arrive at Fox Glacier township in the late afternoon and check into your hotel for two nights.

Day 2 - Fox Glacier
Experience the Fox Glacier on a 2-hour Glacier valley walk with an expert guide. After introductions, your guide provides a safety briefing and hiking gear that includes boots, socks and a rain coat if needed. Once you have put on your gear, take a short ride along the glacial valley to the start of the trail. Depending on the day’s conditions, you'll be taken as close to the ice as possible.

Snap photos of fantastic views of the valley and glacier. Throughout your walk, your knowledgeable guide shares fascinating stories and facts about the glacier. Afterward, have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure. Take the self guiding 45 minute or 90 minute walk of the famous Lake Matheson - a glacial lake, known for its mirror reflection of Mt Cook/Aoraki in the Southern Alps.

Day 3 - Fox Glacier to Christchurch
In the morning, travel by north to Greymouth, with stops along the way where you can purchase a snack or take a short stroll. When you reach Greymouth, your bus
drops you at the Greymouth railway station station for the famous TranzAlpine train to Christchurch. Board the train and enjoy amenities that include an open-air platform, a cafe car with food and drinks for purchase, recorded commentary that you can listen to on a provided headset, and comfortable seats with large panoramic windows and skylights for excellent viewing. Leaving Greymouth, the train passes the former coal-mining town of Dobson, then crosses a broad shallow river in a deep valley flanked by misty mountains and waterfalls. Enter the Otira Tunnel, one of the longest train tunnels in New Zealand at 5.3 miles (8.6km) long.

At Arthurs Pass station, take in Arthurs Pass National Park and the surrounding mist-shrouded mountains. As you descend from the Southern Alps, get breathtaking views of the Waimakiriri River gorge. The train travels over a series of steel girder bridges and deep gorges; the highest viaduct rises 240 feet (73m) above the river. Pass through fields of sheep, cattle and red deer, as you cross the Canterbury Plains before arriving in Christchurch.

This non-escorted independent tour includes - accommodation pick up and drop offs, 2 nights hotel accommodation, breakfast, Fox Glacier valley walk and scenic bus and TranzAlpine train travel with onboard commentary.

Pre and post travel accommodation is not included. For pre travel accommodation reservations and pick up in Queenstown and post accommodation reservations and drop off in Christchurch.

This non-escorted independent tour departs Queenstown 7.20am and concludes in Christchurch approximately 6.30pm.

You can add to this day tour, the 5 Day Christchurch to Wellington, Rotorua and Auckland Highlights travel package or choose from a range of half and full day sightseeing attractions and/or other non-escorted independent touring travel packages (ranging from 2 to 7 Days) in and from Christchurch.
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