Arthur's Pass Discovery and TranzAlpine Train - Small Group Tour
Overview
Available languages
9 hours
Mobile ticket
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. Traveling in a small group, maximum eight participants, allows for an intimate and informative experience. Return to Christchurch in one of our luxury vehicles.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
A percentage of the tour price is used for the conservation of New Zealand's wildlife, environment and it's endangered species
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
We will pick you up from your hotel and then drop you at the train station for the trip to Arthurs Pass on the TranzAlpine. Our guide will then meet you at Arthurs Pass, take you for lunch and a short walk before driving you back to Christchurch in a luxury vehicle.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What‘s Included
Light refreshments
Travel by TranzAlpine train
Local guide
Guided walks of Arthur's Pass National Park
Air-conditioned vehicle
Hotel pickup and drop-off from centrally located Christchurch hotels
Lunch at a country cafe
Cruise port pickup is not available
Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
TranzAlpine Train
Journey across the wide expanses of the Canterbury Plains into high country surrounded by rugged mountain ranges. After leaving the Canterbury Plains, the landscape dramatically changes into sub-alpine we head towards the spectacular Southern Alps. View the Waimakariri River and its unique braided riverbed system. Enter Arthur’s Pass National Park where short walks can be made to experience forests, rivers and mountains vistas.
Arthur's Pass National Park Visitor Centre
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 the Maori in their quest for greenstone. View Cave Stream where it burrows underground in an area of limestone cliffs and gorges, craggy outcrops and a setting of mountains to the east and west. This area was also used as for the filming of C.J Lewis’ story – “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”. The incredible Castle Hill rocks, unique weatherworn, rain smoothed outcrops of limestone are seen from the highway. Lunch at a country hotel, included in cost of tour.
Options
Arthur's Pass National Park with TranzAlpine Train Tour from Christchurch
Pickup included
Reviews
249 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing
Lynn and Margo P,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Normally, We do not write reviews of our trip excursions, however on Oct 1st we experienced an memorable trip on the Arthur's Pass & Tranzalpine tour. Our guide, Hugo picked us up and delivered us to the train station. What started as a rainy snowy day turned into a beautiful sunny day at Arthur's pass. Hugo is a very knowledgeable & experience guide. He showed us to many breathtaking landscapes and explained the history of the area. We had a lovely lunch at The Alpine Cafe, afterwords we enjoyed a 1/2 hr hike. At the conclusion of the hike we stopped to take pictures on a bridge where Unbeknownst to us the eye piece fell off our camara. We discovered this upon our return to the hotel. 2weeks later Hugo was back on that same bridge and there lay the camara eyepiece. Hugo messaged us and arranged to mail us the eyepiece. 10 days after arriving back in Canada the eyepiece was delivered. Thank you Hugo for a day we will remember and for going above and beyond the guidelines of a tour guide. We would highly recommend this tour.
Pure Joy
claudiawM4461IY,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the most delightful 3 days with our guide, Dave Sandford. Our first day was a tour of Christchurch. It happened to snow in the higher elevations so we diverted to a charming stone cafe where we had the world’s best fig scones … Dave’s knowledge of Christchurch was both entertaining and informative. Our second day he drove us to the small French village of Akoroa. There we took a 2 hour boat cruise and got to see penguins, seals and a few saw a couple of tiny dolphins. We then had an exquisite lunch. Our 3rd and final day with Dave was on the famous TranzAlpine train ride. Dave met us at the train station and we proceeded to drive back to Christchurch with some very interesting stops along the way. Dave was not only very kind and personable, he also has a wide breadth of knowledge about all that Christchurch area has to offer. If anyone is lucky enough to come to Christchurch and has Dave as a guide, you will not be disappointed. Thank you Canterbury Trails & Thank you Dave.
Great tour operator
692annieg,
Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mary was our driver - knowledgeable, fun, attentive, and a very nice person. She gave excellent advice on tracks and meals as well as providing local stories and station operations. Lakes, mountains, rain, wind...she got us through it all.
Highly recommend!
paularI7809QI,
Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide, Daniel, was awesome. He kept.us engaged with information of the sights were were to see, made sure we all got onto and off of the train and gave us options throughout the day. I espscially appreciated his working with the kitchen where we had lunch to accommodate my food allergies to ensure that I would have something to eat. Afternoon tea and biscuits was a special treat. Highly recommend! Thanks, Daniel!
Christchurch Arthur's Pass Daytrip
Sightsee55370540280,
Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00It's been a great experience with Dave! This tour that we took can get tricky because of uncertain weather and other odds. But Dave made sure to make it worthwhile despite it. The group took an early lunch which became a very special part of the day since everyone got to chat more than usual. Dave also made sure to keep us all informed and updated with the history and information about the areas we were visiting. Impromptu covered some quirky little spots as well for some memorable photos! Well recommended, cheers!
TranzAlpine and Arthurs Pass tour was wonderful.
592andrewg,
Sep 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Stuart was a knowledgeable and friendly guide who shared a wealth of local information and lore. We had a wonderful day together and would highly recommend Canterbury Trails and Stuart in particular. Thoughtful, patient, and with a dry sense of humor that all combined to make for an unforgettable day.
Personalized tour with outstanding service and great stories
bpdenver90,
Jul 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Simply incredible. We did a small group tour with only 6 people. They picked us up from our hotel lobby, dropped us off at the train station, and then they met us at Arthur's pass where they gave us a personalized tour of the mountainside. Highly informed with lots of history and great stories. We ate lunch at a delicious cafe before going on a couple of short walks through the New Zealand rainforest. We had an outstanding experience from start to finish and would highly recommend.
NZ mountain beauty with a delightful guide
sherylfu,
Apr 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This small group tour through gorgeous scenery with Troels (a friendly, knowledgeable and very enthusiastic guide) started with a train ride (kind of touristy but pleasant and a good way to see the scenery) and ended up at Arthur's Pass with (for most of the group) a short hike. Since walking distances isn't something I can do, Troels devised another shorter walk through the rain forest. We saw a kea (lucky sighting of this somewhat rare bird) and enjoyed the beauty of this mountainous pass with its amazing vistas. More beauty at our stop at the Malvern Ward sacred mountains. It was a whole day event and well worth it.
A Great Day with Dave of Canterbury Trails
Explore798288,
Apr 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Dave was an incredibly knowledgeable and likable guide for our day. He picked us up at our hotel in Christchurch, drove is to the train station and helped us quickly board the train for Arthur's Pass. He was waiting to pick us up just as we arrived and though the weather was too rainy for a hike in Arthur's Pass, he took us to various overlooks before procuring a delicious lunch at the Alpine Parrot. On the ride back to town, he stopped at the Castle Rocks and allowed us to hike among the most amazing rock formations . He explained how the rock formations were once under the sea and we learned much about plate tectonics and how the South Island has a very different geological origin from the volcanic N. Island. He made suggestions for the rest of our southward drive and we have enjoyed every one of them so far. It was such a comfortable ride back as we learned much about the Canterbury plains, as well as Maori culture and history from one of the most affable New Zealander guides we have had. Jenny and Julian
Fantastic Day, don’t miss out!
IanandAnne43,
Mar 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a fantastic day! The train trip is comfortable and you see miles and miles of flat Canterbury Plains before getting into the picturesque mountain passes. The trip absolutely comes alive when your tour guide meets you at Arthur’s Pass Station and takes you to all the places you would’ve missed if you stayed on the train! Stu (our guide) was brilliant. Knowledgeable and entertaining, he really seemed to enjoy the day as much as we did.
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Operated by Canterbury Trails