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New Zealand

Escorted Tours

New Zealand Discovery

Visit the must see sights of New Zealand on AAT Kings’ Cost saver New Zealand Experience, see Christchurch, Queenstown, Franz Josef, Rotorua, Auckland & more.

Day 1: Arrive Christchurch
After your airport transfer and hotel check-in, explore the ‘most English city’ outside of England, your way. You could visit Hagley Park, the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch Cathedral and the Botanic Gardens. Tonight meet your Tour Director for a welcome drink and dinner.  Hotel: Ibis, Christchurch. D

Day 2: Fox Glacier
Travel via Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast, en route to Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. Next stop is Fox Glacier – a rare, still advancing glacier (optional scenic Fox Glacier flight).
Hotel: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier, Fox Glacier. B D

Day 3: Queenstown
Travel through the Haast Pass, view Thunder Creek Falls, take a rainforest walk. Then it’s a trio of lakes - Wanaka, Hawea, Dunstan. Next up sumptuous stone fruit at Cromwell, the stone fruit capital. Later, you’ll visit historic gold mining Arrowtown on the Arrow River, previously one of the world’s richest rivers. Enjoy a Queenstown orientation tour followed by dinner with views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. Hotel: Mercure Queenstown Resort, Queenstown, 2 nights. B D

Day 4: Queenstown ‘Free Time’
Explore exciting Queenstown your way. From wine and garden tours to jet boat rides and white water rafting, Queenstown will keep you occupied and exhilarated. For dinner you have the option to dine at the Skyline Restaurant on Bob’s Peak. Access is via the steepest Gondola in the Southern Hemisphere.  Dinner options include the Kiwi Haka Maori Show.B

Day 5: Milford Sound
Travel along the Devil’s Staircase and the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau. You’ll be awe-struck by great sights from Fiordland National Park – New Zealand’s largest – to Milford Sound, one of the world’s most amazing places, where you will cruise on the waters of this natural wonder. En route you’ll drive through the hand made Homer Tunnel to the abundant photo opportunities afforded by the Mirror Lake, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley, the Chasm, Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Then return to Te Anau. Tonight you have the option to see the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves.  Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel, Te Anau. B D

Day 6: Dunedin
Cross sheep-filled farming land to Dunedin for a city tour. ‘Free Time’ this afternoon – take a wildlife cruise to see the Penguins and Royal Albatross, visit the Cadbury Factory or ride the Taieri Gorge Railway.
Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel, Dunedin. B D

Day 7: Mt. Cook
‘Free Time’ this morning – visit Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle. Travel through Oamaru, famous for its limestone buildings, passing the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and the Benmore Dam.
Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel, Omarama. B D

Day 8: Christchurch
Soak up the scenery of Mt. Cook National Park (optional scenic flight). See Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and travel across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. ‘Free Time’ - ride the Christchurch Tram or just relax.
Hotel: Ibis, Christchurch. B

Day 9: Christchurch - Picton
Travel along the rugged Pacific Ocean coast to Kaikoura, famous for its whales (optional Whale Watching flight). Get up close and personal with some New Zealand fur seals at Ohau Point. Pass the Grassmere Salt Works then travel to the pretty seaside fishing village of Picton for an orientation tour.
Hotel: Beachcomber, Picton. B D

Day 10: Wellington
Cruise on Queen Charlotte Sound and across Cook Strait to Wellington for a city tour. ‘Free Time’ then you visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand.

Hotel: Mercure Wellington, Wellington. B D

Day 11: Rotorua
Travel along the Kapiti Coast, through the dairy farms of Manawatu and Tongariro National Park, discover the alpine scenery of Mt. Ruapehu. Visit Taupo and drive along the shores of New Zealand’s largest lake. View Huka Falls and pass the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station.  Tonight enjoy a traditional Maori Hangi feast and concert and gain an insight into Maori culture.
Hotel: Ibis, Rotorua, 2 nights. B HD

Day 12: Rotorua
Visit the Agrodome Sheep Show for a sample of farm life. See the art of sheep shearing, sheepdog demonstrations, cow milking, bottle feeding lambs and an exciting sheep auction. Then enjoy an afternoon of ‘Free Time’ – visit Rainbow Springs, abundant with Rainbow Trout and native fauna including the kiwi or Te Puia, where a local Maori will guide you through the Geothermal Valley with its mud pools and geysers. B

Day 13: Waitomo Caves
This morning travel through lush Waikato farmland to Waitomo Caves. See the amazing underground Glow Worm Grotto by boat and walk the limestone caves. Later you follow the Waikato River, New Zealand’s longest river, into Auckland. Enjoy views from Mt. Eden before continuing to your hotel.
Hotel: Mercure, Auckland. B D

Day 14: Depart Auckland
Time at leisure until your transfer to Auckland Airport for your onward flight. B

TranzAlpine Train Option
Experience one of the world’s top 6 train trips aboard the TranzAlpine from Christchurch.

INCLUSIONS

• 13 nights accommodation
• Tours as specified
• Tour director and professional driver
• Luxury coach featuring panoramic windows, reclining seats and restrooms
• Welcome drink
• Travel wallet and map
• Airport transfers
Meals:  13 Breakfasts (B), 10 Dinners (D) including 1 highlight dinner

Departure Dates

2011
May: 3, 10
Jun: 14
Jul: 12
Aug 9: 23
Sep: 6, 20, 27
Oct:  4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25
Nov: 1, 8, 15, 22, 25, 29
Dec: 13, 20, 27

2012
Jan: 3, 10, 17, 20, 24,31
Feb: 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 29
Mar: 2