Home > Christchurch > Arthur's Pass National Park with TranzAlpine Train Small Group Tour from Christchurch
USD $384.00
Arthur's Pass National Park with TranzAlpine Train Small Group Tour from Christchurch
Christchurch, New Zealand
In the heart of the Southern Alps, Arthur's Pass National Park has an incredible diversity of flora and landscape. Experience a breathtaking journey aboard the TranzAlpine Train winding it's way through the magnificent Waimakariri Gorge. Join short guided walks to rainforests, rivers and mountain vistas and visit the incredible Castle Hill rocks. Traveling in a small group, maximum eight participants, allows for an intimate and informative experience.
At Christchurch, board the world famous TranzAlpine Train, sit back and relax on the train journey that will take you across the Canterbury Plains, wind its way through the stunning Waimakariri Gorge and through tussock covered high country before heading into the Southern Alps.
The TranzAlpine is rated one of the world's greatest train journeys and is 223 kilometers long and takes just four and a half hours. There are 16 tunnels, and 5 viaducts, the highest being the Staircase standing at 73 meters.
You will be met at Arthur's Pass by your guide who will take you through the National Park where short walks can be made to experience forests, rivers and mountains vistas. You will follow the old stage coach route and travel down the spectacular Otira Gorge, testament to the road builders of the 1860's and the route taken by Maori in their quest for greenstone.
Departing Arthur's pass, you will travel through the high country and a stop can be made to view Cave Stream where it burrows underground in an area of limestone cliffs and gorges, craggy outcrops and a setting of surrounding mountains.
The incredible Castle Hill rocks, unique weatherworn and rain smoothed outcrops of limestone are seen from the highway and the more adventurous may wish to walk to the top of the rocks for magnificent views of the surrounding countryside.
The return journey to Christchurch will include a visit to the Waimak Gorge where the Waimakariri River enters the vast Canterbury Plains.
Should not be missed! Beautiful views, comfortable train ride and great hiking after we were off the train with the group. Out tour guide, George, was terrific and knowledgable, taking us to a number of interesting places including the amazing Castle Hill.
Review by: Barbara P, March 2018
Great tour guide - Train to pass was crowded, but commentary very educational with great views and vistas. Met our tour guide for a van trip into Arthur's Pass, walk through a forest area, that was a little more difficult than I anticipated. Tour guide was helpful in helping me complete the trail, which had several steps throughout both down and up with no handrails for support. She rewarded us with brownies, tea or coffee, which was nice Another stop for lunch and scenic views - Good lunch, though slow service. One more stop on way back to Christchurch. Overall a good experience with an interesting small group of 6 and our guide.
Review by: nadiya, December 2017
Awesome trip!! I was traveling alone so it ended up being worth the money for me in terms of having a group to travel with. If you're already with a group already however it would way cheaper to just do the itinerary on your own if you are able. If you like comfort and convenience then this is definitely the way to go. You get to just sit back relax and enjoy while someone else handles all the logistics, which in and of itself it super valuable. The trip itself is just amazing, the natural beauty in NZ is astounding. Again, you could see all of it on your own with booking this tour, but it does have it's perks. I think it just depends on your circumstances. If you have the money and like convenience, it could be a good fit for you.
Review by: Peel, July 2017
Started at 7.15 am with the prompt arrival of Peter our guide for the day. _br/_ He drove us to the Tranzalpine train station and organized our tickets and off we went on a 3 hour train ride in quiet comfort across the Canterbury Plains then ascending the mountains, pictures do not do justice to how spectacular and beautiful this area is. Upon arriving at Arthur's Pass. Peter met us and proceeded to take us around the area making a number of stops to take in stunning vistas, short walks and waterfalls. All the time imparting his knowledge and obvious passion and pride for the area. This was interspersed with picnic hamper morning tea/ coffee and delicious Choc brownie. Then on to a late lunch caught up in roadworks at the Bealey Hotel great food and large portions. Not to mention and another great view of the area. From here we went on to Pearson Lake, tranquility plus..... and last and by no means least a stop and walk at Kura Tawhiti, to see huge limestone boulders..._br/_ Thanks Peter you made an awesome day so much more interesting, informative and fun....
Review by: Rohan J, January 2017
Great Experience - beautiful scenery from the train going there, while there and while headed back. John was a great guide and a great host and company for the small group!_br/_ The walks were intensive but uncomplicated and the scenery quite breathtaking._br/_ Thank you!_br/_ Rohan
Review by: Kara S, December 2016
Great tour! Fiona is an excellent guide!!!
Review by: kongclara, November 2016
Great trip and the driver marina was so nice and experience light up the trip
Review by: Harry Saputra, April 2016
My tour leader: Chris Platt is very nice person. he is friendly and helpful._br/_ I like the national park, amazing..
Review by: garywyo, March 2016
Not worth our time.
Review by: Larry, February 2016
Nice train ride and great to have small group. Our driver/guide did a great job of taking care of us.
Review by: griffjames2, February 2016
This did not live up to our expectations. We had expected four short walks up at Arthur's Pass and all we got was a drive through Otari which I would not show to anyone, two photo stops with no walks, and one walk on the way back at Castle Hill. Lunch was good and the guide/driver very pleasant. However there was no delicious morning or afternoon tea and no several short bush walks as youre guided along riverside paths in the forest._br/_ We had expected to get out and enjoy the fresh air, but simply sat in a train and then in a van. The road trip back was in some ways more scenic than the rail trip but the weather had brightened up at that stage. _br/_ This trip was far too expensive for what it delivered and I would not recommend it.
Review by: Jennifer F, March 2014
We were very fortunate to have an experienced , knowledgeable and professional guide for the day._br/_
Please pass on our many thanks to Michael
Review by: Bonnie G, March 2014
It was a beautiful day which would make any activity pretty great. Our guide Gavin was very knowledgeable and a excellent source of information about the natural environment surrounding us. One of the best things about this trip is you get to experience the train ride an d vistas, yet get off before it becomes boring. Commentary on the train was good. Scenery was awesome and the lunch was very good at Beally's hotel. It turned out to only be my husband and I in the tour, so we reaped the benefits of a very personalized tour. A great experience.
Review by: Peter J, February 2014
Our guide Chris was wonderful, it was just my husband and myself. Train trip was fantastic, Chris met us at Arthurs Pass station and showed us around the National Park, due to the Coast to Coast race being on we had a picnic lunch instead, which was a wonderful idea beside a beautiful lake. I would highly recommend this tour to family and friends, out of ten I would rate this a 10. Thank you Chris for a wonderful day.
Review by: Eric M, February 2013
What a great day! We had guide Sally all to ourselves and boy did she know her stuff! We saw and learned all sorts of details we would never have found on our own. Thank you for a great day out!
Review by: James L, September 2011
Outstanding-highly recommend. Alan our guide was great- lots of knowledge
Review by: Bettyann T, July 2011
The trip was superb. The tour in the van was better than the train.
Review by: Bettyann T, May 2011
The trip was superb. The tour in the van was better than the train.
Review by: Chris H, May 2011
Fairly expensive tour compared to other tours we had joined at Viator However, the scenery that we have seen is very nice.
Review by: Chris Hord, May 2011
Fairly expensive tour compared to other tours we had joined at Viator However, the scenery that we have seen is very nice.
Review by: Lynette K, May 2011
A great day out the train trip was great and the Guided tour through Arthurs Pass was fantastic. The tour guide was excellent.
Review by: Lynette K, April 2011
A great day out the train trip was great and the Guided tour through Arthurs Pass was fantastic. The tour guide was excellent.
Review by: Janny P, February 2011
We saw some of the most breathtaking views of natural landforms we have ever experienced during this trip - well worth every cent. Advice - a DVD of the Trans Alpine trip is available on the train which is worth buying. The return from Arthur's Pass by small bus was also very good with more beautiful scenery.
Review by: Janny P, January 2011
We saw some of the most breathtaking views of natural landforms we have ever experienced during this trip - well worth every cent. Advice - a DVD of the Trans Alpine trip is available on the train which is worth buying. The return from Arthur's Pass by small bus was also very good with more beautiful scenery.
Review by: James L, January 2011
Outstanding-highly recommend. Alan our guide was great- lots of knowledge
Review by: Michael W, January 2011
Excelent trip higly recommend it! The train open view platform can be busy but you can see just as much from your seat. The guide was great with a fountain of knowledge on the area.
Review by: Michael W, November 2010
Excelent trip higly recommend it! The train open view platform can be busy but you can see just as much from your seat. The guide was great with a fountain of knowledge on the area.
Review by: Filomena P, October 2010
The highlight of our trip. The owners and our personal tour guides, were excellent. They took care of us and made sure that we enjoyed our trip. We definitely would recommend this tour.
Review by: Daniel J, October 2010
My tour guide was great, knowledgeable, accommodating and a fantastic tour guide. I would highly recommend this tour!!!!
Review by: Daniel J, September 2010
My tour guide was great, knowledgeable, accommodating and a fantastic tour guide. I would highly recommend this tour!!!!
Review by: Jennifer T, Australia, June 2010
This would have to be the best tour that I had been on. The guide John very informative and most of all the tour went ahead even though I was the only in the tour for that day. Train journey was spectacular and the vehicle used was comfortable. Morning Tea and Lunch acceptable. Most enjoyable day!
Review by: Karen R, May 2010
From the moment of booking this trip everything was handled in a swift and professional manner. Our guide on the trip, John, could not be faulted. He was extremely knowledgeable, his manners were impeccable, his vehicle spotless and the places he took us to were amazing. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who, not only wants to learn about New Zealand,but who wants to see places that are not necessarily on the usual tourist map.
Review by: Karen R, Australia, April 2010
From the moment of booking this trip everything was handled in a swift and professional manner. Our guide on the trip, John, could not be faulted. He was extremely knowledgeable, his manners were impeccable, his vehicle spotless and the places he took us to were amazing. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who, not only wants to learn about New Zealand,but who wants to see places that are not necessarily on the usual tourist map.
Review by: Cynthia P, January 2010
Rail tour was good but highlight was the guided tour in the afternoon. Informative, local guide provided us with one of the highlights of our stay in NZ. Worth every penny and would do again!
Review by: Cynthia P, Australia, November 2009
Rail tour was good but highlight was the guided tour in the afternoon. Informative, local guide provided us with one of the highlights of our stay in NZ. Worth every penny and would do again!
Review by: Carol D, Australia, February 2009
Fantastic scenery and guide.
Review by: Anonymous, New Zealand, November 2008
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole tour from the TranzAlpine ride through the southern alps with the magnificent views of snow covered mountains, to a van tour around so many breathtaking sights we have never seen before our tour guide & partner were fantastic hosts got on really well will have to come back one day.
Review by: C J H, November 2008
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole tour from the TranzAlpine ride through the southern alps with the magnificent views of snow covered mountains, to a van tour around so many breathtaking sights we have never seen before our tour guide & partner were fantastic hosts got on really well will have to come back one day.
Review by: Michael H, August 2008
A super day out. Fantastic part of the world. Tour guide was excellent.
Review by: Piebald pickles, August 2008
Brilliant day - fantastic driver/guide.
Review by: Michael H, United Kingdom, February 2008
A super day out. Fantastic part of the world. Tour guide was excellent.
Review by: Philip S, Australia, February 2008
Due to poor weather, scenery very poor so trip could have been a lot better, more walking etc, instead of riding in a van with fogged up windows!
Review by: Rochelle S, United Kingdom, April 2007
Extremely enjoyable, marvelous scenery, the guide was informative and friendly (plus from the same county in England as we are) and took us to all the best places for great views. We were lucky with fantastic weather also.
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