Arthur's Pass and TranzAlpine Train Day Tour from Christchurch
by Leisure Tours
Choose from 2 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.NZ$990Overview
The day begins with a hotel pickup in Christchurch and a transfer by air-conditioned coach to the Christchurch Railway Station. From there, travelers board the TranzAlpine train for a two-hour journey to Arthur's Pass, passing through the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps. Upon arrival at Arthur's Pass, the tour includes a visit to the Otira Viaduct lookout. This 440-meter-long viaduct is engineered to withstand seismic forces 40 percent above the usual maximum for the region. During late summer, the red rata flowers brighten the Otira Gorge. Visitors may also see the local kea, a highly intelligent alpine parrot native to New Zealand’s South Island. The guide will suggest several walks in Arthur's Pass National Park, weather and time permitting, including a 45-minute walk to the Devils Punchbowl waterfall. There is time to relax at a mountain café (own expense) where keas are commonly seen. The tour then continues with a visit to Kura Tawhiti / Castle Hill, known for its large limestone boulders. After the visits, the group returns by coach to Christchurch. Afternoon tea is provided during the day. The full tour lasts about nine and a half hours and includes hotel pickup and drop-off, local guide service, the one-way TranzAlpine train journey, afternoon tea, and air-conditioned transport. Lunch and gratuities are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Canterbury Region
After pickup from the hotel in Christchurch by air-conditioned coach, travelers transfer to Christchurch Railway Station. The station is the departure point for the TranzAlpine train, which is considered one of the top 10 train journeys worldwide.
30 min
TranzAlpine Train
Board the TranzAlpine train in Christchurch for a two-hour ride through the scenic Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass.
120 min
Otira Viaduct Lookout
Spend about an hour traveling to, from, and around the Otira Viaduct. The 440-meter-long viaduct is a significant engineering project designed to withstand seismic forces 40 percent higher than typical standards due to the area's earthquake risk. In late summer, red rata flowers bloom in the Otira Gorge, visible only on the western side of the Southern Alps. The area is home to the kea, an intelligent alpine parrot native to New Zealand.
60 min
Devils Punchbowl Walking Track
The driver and guide will recommend several walking options in Arthur's Pass National Park, weather and time permitting. The approximately 45 minutes spent here is part of the total time in Arthur's Pass village, which may be longer if visitors choose to have lunch on their own.
45 min
Mountain Café at Arthur's Pass
There is about 45 minutes to rest at a mountain café (lunch and drinks are not included). Visitors should watch for kea parrots, which are often seen around the village.
45 min
Castle Hill
Visit Kura Tawhiti / Castle Hill, an area known for its unusual and large limestone boulder formations.
45 min
Christchurch
Return by coach to Christchurch where the tour concludes with hotel drop-off.
60 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund. If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund. If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Additional info
Arthur's Pass and TranzAlpine Train Day Tour from Christchurch
by Leisure Tours
Choose from 2 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.NZ$990Overview
The day begins with a hotel pickup in Christchurch and a transfer by air-conditioned coach to the Christchurch Railway Station. From there, travelers board the TranzAlpine train for a two-hour journey to Arthur's Pass, passing through the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps. Upon arrival at Arthur's Pass, the tour includes a visit to the Otira Viaduct lookout. This 440-meter-long viaduct is engineered to withstand seismic forces 40 percent above the usual maximum for the region. During late summer, the red rata flowers brighten the Otira Gorge. Visitors may also see the local kea, a highly intelligent alpine parrot native to New Zealand’s South Island. The guide will suggest several walks in Arthur's Pass National Park, weather and time permitting, including a 45-minute walk to the Devils Punchbowl waterfall. There is time to relax at a mountain café (own expense) where keas are commonly seen. The tour then continues with a visit to Kura Tawhiti / Castle Hill, known for its large limestone boulders. After the visits, the group returns by coach to Christchurch. Afternoon tea is provided during the day. The full tour lasts about nine and a half hours and includes hotel pickup and drop-off, local guide service, the one-way TranzAlpine train journey, afternoon tea, and air-conditioned transport. Lunch and gratuities are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Canterbury Region
After pickup from the hotel in Christchurch by air-conditioned coach, travelers transfer to Christchurch Railway Station. The station is the departure point for the TranzAlpine train, which is considered one of the top 10 train journeys worldwide.
30 min
TranzAlpine Train
Board the TranzAlpine train in Christchurch for a two-hour ride through the scenic Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass.
120 min
Otira Viaduct Lookout
Spend about an hour traveling to, from, and around the Otira Viaduct. The 440-meter-long viaduct is a significant engineering project designed to withstand seismic forces 40 percent higher than typical standards due to the area's earthquake risk. In late summer, red rata flowers bloom in the Otira Gorge, visible only on the western side of the Southern Alps. The area is home to the kea, an intelligent alpine parrot native to New Zealand.
60 min
Devils Punchbowl Walking Track
The driver and guide will recommend several walking options in Arthur's Pass National Park, weather and time permitting. The approximately 45 minutes spent here is part of the total time in Arthur's Pass village, which may be longer if visitors choose to have lunch on their own.
45 min
Mountain Café at Arthur's Pass
There is about 45 minutes to rest at a mountain café (lunch and drinks are not included). Visitors should watch for kea parrots, which are often seen around the village.
45 min
Castle Hill
Visit Kura Tawhiti / Castle Hill, an area known for its unusual and large limestone boulder formations.
45 min
Christchurch
Return by coach to Christchurch where the tour concludes with hotel drop-off.
60 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund. If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund. If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.