CONFIRMATION: Southern Alps.
Akaroa. 1/23/19. Tender Port. Departs 8:00am
7
couples. NZ$160 or USD. $113 pp. $226.00/couple
Southern Alps Mountains and Inland
Rural Canterbury tour to
the mountain village of Arthurs Pass. This area boasts of spectacular farmland
and mountainous scenery as it travels over the volcanic peninsula and through
many rural towns of inland Canterbury. A full day tour to experience the
magnificent scenery within the area of the Arthurs Pass National Park and its
high Southern Alps mountainous area that is bordered by the two mighty rivers
of the Rakaia and the Waimakariri. A tour into this area encompasses many
magnificent views including a location made use of for movie productions. The
travel includes the traversing the two high mountain passes on route leading to
the mountain village of Arthurs Pass. Near to the Arthurs Pass village is the
engineering achievement of a high roadway viaduct that ensures safe and all
year round road access to the magnificent West Coast area of the South Island.
The
beauty of ‘private touring’ is that the content of the day can be varied to suit
our client’s preferences.
The
itinerary as provided is the base but is flexible as to content, within the
allowable time of the ship’s visit. New Zealand’s extensive walking/hiking
tracks are predominantly within our large National Parks but they are generally
of lengthy durations, well beyond the time you would have ashore. However. At
the Castle Hill Rocks there is an opportunity to walk the track up to the base
of the impressive rock formation, and as the day is all about spectacular
scenery (volcanic peninsula and harbour bays, inland rural farmland. mountains
(NZ Southern Alps), lakes & rivers) there are many photo opportunity stops
included on route. I recall travelling with a family and the ‘Dad’ took 200+
photos throughout the journey. Your driver/guide will closely monitor the time
as your day progresses and will keep your group informed to ensure the most is
made of the time ashore. All of our groups generally enjoy the stop at the
‘Village Bakery/Pie Shop’ on route, and as a result often shorten the planned
lunch stop at the Arthurs Pass village to enable additional time at the
locations of particular interest.
Cost: Private tour, by luxury
mini-coach with a driver/guide: NZ$160.00. per person (minimum charge of 6
PAX). 14 persons confirmed.
Tour disclaimer applies.
Disclaimer: This Tour is
not sponsored by Celebrity, therefore each person at their own risk of missing
the ship departure if not back to port on time. However, as is case with
most private tours, the tour operators are very well aware of cruise timelines
and their business reputation is on the line! We enjoy private tours as
they are more personalized and have booked them quite frequently, balancing
risk with reward. 😉
Paul's Thoughts:
Paul's Thoughts:
Akaroa is special because of the volcano. It has a
French Heritage because of the French arriving first but stupidly not claiming
it with the French flag which you will see there including French language
signs like Gendermarie, Boulangerie, Rue Montmartre etc. Best fish and chips
are available at a small eat outside place opposite the library which has
excellent free WiFi. Try the Elephant fish. That is another tip for you that
most local city libraries have the best free WiFi. That was true for us in
Wellington, Russell, Mt. Manganui (Tauranga), Dunedin and Akaroa. It is a nice
place to wander for a coffee and there are a couple of trips you can do when
you arrive off the tender so better to do them from there if they are local. If
you want to do the all day trip to Christchurch, then do the ship one despite
the expense. Personally, since Christchurch was devastated in the earthquake a
few years ago, it is not that great to see as they have not rebuilt due to
constant tremours. There are short trips to do for dolphins, penguins, sheep
farm and vineyards. New Zealanders like their wine 😃
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