| Day by Day Itinerary: |
|
|
 |
 |
| Day 1 Arrive Auckland |
|
Day 9 Dunedin - Te Anau |
 |
|
We'll transfer you from the airport to your hotel. Check in and the rest of the day is Auckland, your way. This evening, a welcome drink and dinner with your Tour Director and travel companions.
Hotel: Stamford Plaza, Auckland D
|
|
First up we take a guided tour of New Zealand's only castle - Larnach Castle and its gardens. Time out in town then we head off across rich fertile, sheep-filled farming land on the way to Te Anau, on the shores of Lake Te Anau, the South Island's largest. Tonight you can choose to see the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves. Hotel: Distinction Hotel, Te Anau. B D
|
 |
| Day 2 - Auckland - Rotorua |
|
Day 10 Milford Sound |
 |
|
We travel along the Waikato River to the Waitomo Caves for a guided tour to the amazing Glow Worm Grotto. Then on to Rotorua. Soak up views of Lake Rotorua on our orientation tour. Tonight experience The Realm of Tãne and a traditional Maori Hangi feast and concert. Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua, 2 nights. B HD
|
|
Be awe-struck by the magnificence of the Fiordland National Park, not only a World Heritage Park but also New Zealand's largest. Amazing photo opportunities await as we see rainforest, ancient glaciers, mountain ranges and the hand-made Homer Tunnel. Mirror Lakes, Pop's Lookout. Claudu Valley and The Chasm. Mitre Peak. Bowen Falls. Cruise on Milford Sound. We travel over the Devil's Staircase along the shores of Lake Wakatipu back to Te Anau. On arrival in Queenstown we'll do an orientation tour. Our dinner option is the Skyline Restaurant on Bob's Peak, via the Southern Hemisphere's steepest Gondola! A bonus Kiwi Haka Maori Show makes for a top night - if you so choose! Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 2 nights. B
|
 |
| Day 3 Rotorua |
|
Day 11 Queenstown 'Free Time' |
 |
|
Sparkling wine aboard the Lakeland Queen kicks off our Lake Rotorua breakfast cruise. Then it's the Agrodome Sheep Show followed by a guided tour of Te Puia and the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. In the afternoon relax or explore, it's 'Free Time'. B
Farm Stay Option Experience farm life first hand. For an extra $75 per person enjoy genuine New Zealand hospitality this evening.
|
|
Explore action adventure Queenstown your way. Take it easy with wine or garden tours. Or go wild with jet boat rides or white water rafting. Just be back in time for dinner and a sheep shearing demonstration at Walter Peak Sheep Station. We travel there and back across Lake Wakatipu via the TSS Earnslaw, New Zealand's oldest steamship. B HD
|
 |
| Day 4 Rotorua - Wellington |
|
Day 12 - Queenstown - Franz Josef |
 |
|
From the mountains to the sea. View the Huka Falls. Visit Taupo and drive along the shores of its lake. Travel through the alpine scenery of Mt. Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park, Manawatu, The Kapiti Coast. On our Wellington City Sights Tour see the city from Mt. Victoria. Hotel: Novotel, Wellington. B D
|
|
Today experience Arrowtown, the sensational stone fruit of Cromwell, Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea, Lake Dunstan. Haast Pass, Thunder Creek Falls. A small rainforest walk. Then the 'pièce de résistance' - Franz Josef Glacier - the world's most accessible and still advancing, glacier. Hotel: Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef. B D
|
 |
| Day 5 Wellington - Blenheim |
|
Day 13 Franz Josef - Punakaiki |
 |
|
Explore Wellington for yourself this morning before we visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. Later we'll cruise the Cook Strait into tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound. The seaside village of Picton is next, then Blenheim and a city orientation tour. We'll enjoy a tour, dinner and tasting at Georges Michel Wine Estate, a family owned and run winery in the heart of the Marlborough region. Hotel: Chateau Marlborough, Blenheim. B HD
|
|
Explore Franz Josef Glacier - take an optional flight (weather permitting) or a glacier hike! Then we depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. It's on to our waterfront hotel at Punakaiki, where we'll view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes.
Hotel: Punakaiki Resort, Punakaiki. B D
|
 |
| Day 6 Kaikoura - Christchurch |
|
Day 14 TranzAlpine - Christchurch |
 |
|
On the way to Kaikoura we pass the Grassmere Salt Works with a chance to see New Zealand fur seals at Ohau Point. Explore Kaikoura your way - maybe take a Scenic Whale Watching flight. We head to Christchurch through the Canterbury Plains. A city orientation tour ensures you maximize your 'Free Time'. Hotel: Terrace Downs Resort, Darfield. B
|
|
Enjoy time at leisure before travelling via Greymouth to Arthur's Pass where we'll board the TranzAlpine, one of the top 6 train journeys in the world, to travel through the Southern Alps to Christchurch.
Hotel: Terrace Downs Resort, Darfield. B D
|
| Day 7 Mount Cook |
|
Day 15 - Depart Christchurch |
 |
|
Begin with a ride on the Christchurch Tram. You are Invited - enjoy a taste of country life with a barbecue lunch on a working farm. We see Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and soak up the spectacular alpine scenery of Mt. Cook National Park. Perhaps take a scenic flight over Mt. Cook (weather permitting).
Hotel: MacKenzie Country Inn, Deluxe Rooms, Twizel. B L D
|
|
Explore Christchurch yourself. Make the most of this city, famous for its gardens, until we transfer you to Christchurch Airport for your onward journey. B
|
 |
| Day 8 Dunedin |
|
|
 |
|
We see the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme, Benmore Dam and the white limestone buildings of Oamaru. A Dunedin city tour, then your afternoon is at leisure - maybe take a Wildlife Cruise, a Cadbury Factory visit or ride the Taieri Gorge Railway.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin. B D
|
|
3 DAYS IN BAY OF ISLANDS Add the spectacular Bay of Islands Go dolphin watching, sea-kayaking
Or
sailing (Please request details)
|
 |
 |
|
(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner (HD) Highlight Dinner
|
 |