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| Day 1 Arrive Christchurch |
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Day 9 Mount Cook - Christchurch |
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 Airport to hotel transfer, then you're free to discover Christchurch your way. Join us this evening for a welcome drink and dinner with your Tour Director and fellow travelling companions.
Hotel: Terrace Downs Resort, Darfield. D
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The sensational alpine landscape of Mt. Cook National Park will 'wow' you today. Maybe take a scenic flight over it. Later we'll see Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo, and the Church of the Good Shepherd.  You are Invited - enjoy a taste of country life with a barbecue lunch on a working farm (from 1 Oct 10). Then travel over the patchwork countryside of the Canterbury Plains to arrive at Christchurch for a city tour and a ride on the Christchurch Tram. You're then free to discover Christchurch your way.
Hotel: Terrace Downs Resort, Darfield. B L
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| Day 2 TranzAlpine - Punakaiki |
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Day 10 Kaikoura - Blenheim |
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Catch the TranzAlpine for a world class journey from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass. Experience the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes on arrival in Punakaiki, where we'll spend the night at our hotel right on the waterfront.
Hotel: Punakaiki Resort, Punakaiki. B D
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Between the mountains and the Pacific, we travel the rugged East Coast to the whale watching haven of Kaikoura. Take an optional Scenic Whale Watching flight. On the way to Blenheim, we may see New Zealand fur seals up close at Ohau Point. On arrival we'll have an orientation tour. Then it's off to George Michel Wine Estate for a tour, some wine tasing and dinner.
Hotel: Chateau Marlborough, Blenheim. B HD
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| Day 3 Punakaiki - Franz Josef |
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Day 11 Wellington |
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 Travel via Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast, to Hokitika to visit a New Zealand native jade factory for a jewellery demonstration. Continue to Franz Josef Glacier. You can see it from the air on an optional scenic flight (weather permitting) or take a glacier hike!
Hotel: Te Waonui Forest Retreat , Franz Josef. B D
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Seaside Picton is our first destination. We'll cruise tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound. Then we head to Wellington. Our City Sights Tour, with views of the city from Mt. Victoria, will get you set for your 'Free Time', until we visit the Museum of New Zealand -  Te Papa - for some Maori culture. A photo at Parliament, then to our hotel for dinner.
Hotel: Novotel, Wellington. B D
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| Day 4 Franz Josef - Queenstown |
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Day 12 Wellington - Rotorua |
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Today you'll experience Haast Pass, Thunder Creek Falls, take a small rainforest bush walk, Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea and Lake Dunstan. We'll stop at historic gold mining Arrowtown then Queenstown. An orientation tour finishes our day. Your dinner option is Skyline Restaurant at Bob's Peak accessed via gondola - treat yourself!  The Kiwi Haka Maori Show makes a top night - if you so choose.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 2 nights. B
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 We travel along the Kapiti Coast, past the dairy farms of Manawatu to Tongariro National Park. Here we'll catch sights of spectacular Mt. Ruapehu. En route to Taupo and Rotorua, we'll see Lake Taupo and the Huka Falls. A Rotorua orientation tour takes in views of Lake Rotorua. The Realm of Tãne, Hangi and concert is our cultural highlight this evening.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua, 2 nights. B HD
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| Day 5 Queenstown 'Free Time' |
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Day 13 Rotorua |
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 Explore action-packed, Queenstown for yourself. Take it easy with wine and garden tours, or walk on the wild side with jet boat rides and white water rafting. Cruise over Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak on board the TSS Earnslaw for dinner and a sheep shearing demonstration. B HD
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We'll start the day with sparkling wine and a breakfast cruise on Lake Rotorua on board the Lakeland Queen. Next is the Agrodome Sheep Show for a sample of farm life. Te Puia offers an insight into Maori culture, and a guided tour of the Geothermal Reserve. The afternoon is yours to relax and do as you please. B
Farm Stay Option
For an extra $75 per person enjoy genuine New Zealand hospitality this evening and spend the night with a local family on a nearby farm.
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| Day 6 Milford Sound |
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Day 14 Rotorua - Auckland |
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 Journey over the Devil's Staircase and along Lake Wakatipu's shore to Te Anau and its lake - the South Island's largest. World Heritage Fiordland National Park is next, travelling through rainforest, sighting glaciers and mountain ranges. We drive through the hand built Homer Tunnel to the abundant photo opportunities afforded by the Mirror Lakes, Pop's Lookout, Claudu Valley and The Chasm. Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls and Milford Sound, where you cruise on the waters of this natural wonder. We return to Te Anau. Tonight you have the option to see the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves.
Hotel: Distinction Hotel, Te Anau. B D
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Travelling through the Waikato region to Waitomo Caves, we tour the Glow Worm Grotto and walk the limestone caves. We travel along the Waikato River to Auckland. Our city tour takes in Mt. Eden, Bastian Point, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland Harbour Bridge and more.
Hotel: Stamford Plaza, Auckland. B D
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| Day 7 Te Anau - Dunedin |
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Day 15 Depart Auckland |
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Across rich, fertile farmland we head to Dunedin for a city tour. This afternoon take a Wildlife Cruise to see the Royal Albatross, visit the Cadbury Chocolate Factory or ride the Taieri Gorge Railway - it's your 'Free Time' to do as you wish.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin. B D
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 Today we'll transfer you to Auckland Airport for your onward flight. B
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| Day 8 Dunedin - Twizel |
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 A guided tour of Larnach Castle and its stunning gardens starts the day. Enjoy some 'Free Time' in town, before we set off to the white limestone buildings of Oamaru and on to the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and Benmore Dam.
Hotel: MacKenzie Country Inn, Deluxe Rooms, Twizel. B D
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3 DAYS IN BAY OF ISLANDS
Add the spectacular Bay of Islands
Go dolphin watching, sea-kayaking
or
sailing (Please request details)
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(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner (HD) Highlight Dinner
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;)
