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New Zealand

Escorted Tours

New Zealand Highlighter

This Premier Escorted tour features Auckland, Rotorua and Christchurch. 

INCLUSIONS

• 13 nights accommodation
• Guided tour of Waitomo Limestone and Glow Worm Caves
• Maori Hangi (feast) and Revue
• Te Papa the national museum of New Zealand
• Interislander cruise
• TranzAlpine train journey
• Franz Josef Glacier
• Haast River Safari
• Milford Sound Cruise
• Mt Cook National Park
• Coach transfers throughout
• Meals as indicated below

ITINERARY

DAY 1 Arrive Auckland
On arrival at Auckland Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon you choose the activity it will be included. Perhaps take a trip to the top of the Sky Tower, visit the Auckland museum, enjoy a half day Auckland City sightseeing tour, explore Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World, visit Auckland’s Maritime Museum, cruise aboard the Pride of Auckland, relax with a Bliss Royal Reflexology treatment, or trek through the Waitakere Rainforest.
Accommodation: Auckland, Sky City Hotel.

DAY 2 Waitomo, Rotorua
Travel to Waitomo Caves for a guided tour of the underground limestone caverns. Continue to Rotorua, where tonight you enjoy a Maori Hangi (Feast) and cultural performance.
Accommodation: Heritage Hotel Rotorua, 2 nights. (BD)

DAY 3 Rotorua Sightseeing
Rotorua is New Zealand’s oldest and best known resort, where generations of visitors have enjoyed its waters, marvelled at its fascinating geothermal activity and experienced the regions unique Maori culture. Today, you have the opportunity to choose an activity it will be included. You may choose to visit the “must see three” attractions - Te Puia thermal reserve, the Agrodome sheep show and Rainbow Springs nature park, or perhaps visit the Polynesian Spa for a spa treatment and leisurely soak in a natural thermal mineral pool, a half day ecothermal tour might appeal or a tour of the Rotorua Museum and cultural experience at the Realm of Tane. (BD)

DAY 4 Rotorua, Wellington
See the spectacular Huka Falls and tranquil Lake Taupo, the water-filled crater of an ancient volcano. Cross the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park before continuing to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city.
Accommodation: Wellington, James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel. (BD)

DAY 5 Wellington, Blenheim
Enjoy a brief city sightseeing tour, including Parliament buildings, before visiting Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand. This afternoon, cruise across Cook Strait through beautiful Marlborough Sounds to the South Island.
Accommodation: Blenheim, Blenheim Country Hotel. (BD)

DAY 6 Blenheim, Christchurch
Travel today through the Marlborough region, an area with a growing international reputation for white wines. Arrive in the thriving seaside settlement of Kaikoura, an area offering unique whale, seal and dolphin watching experiences. Travel on to Christchurch, the Garden City, and enjoy a sightseeing tour.
Accommodation: Christchurch, Copthorne Central Hotel. (BD)

DAY 7 TranzAlpine, Franz Josef
Board the award-winning TranzAlpine Train and enjoy stunning scenery as you cross the magnificent Southern Alps. Disembark at Arthurs Pass and continue to Hokitika by coach. Continue to South West New Zealand and view the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier.
Accommodation: Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel. (BD)

DAY 8 Franz Josef, Queenstown
Enjoy a day of incredible scenery as you travel along the West Coast following the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the alpine resort of Queenstown. Tonight enjoy the Dining Options choice in Queenstown, where you get to choose from one of four restaurants and it will be included! Perhaps take a leisurely cruise to Walter Peak to enjoy a candlelight dinner at the Colonel’s homestead or ride the Queenstown gondola to the Skyline Restaurant for dinner and spectacular views over Queenstown. A quiet night may appeal, so perhaps dine at your hotel or a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Queenstown, Novotel Gardens Hotel, two nights. (BD)

DAY 9 Queenstown Exclusive Experiences
Queenstown is an exhilarating, year-round, alpine resort, perfect for adventurers and leisure-seekers alike. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, overlooked by the majestic Southern Alps, the town was named because “...it was fit for a Queen”. Today you will have a selection of activities for you to choose from that are included in the tour. A Queenstown Double Decker Explorer tour, an Original Wine Tour of some of the local and award winning wineries, an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Shotover river or a relaxing garden tour might be for you. Perhaps the Safari of the Scenes tour, an adventure into Skippers Canyon by 4WD might appeal or a leisurely walk around Lake Wakatipu on a Lakeshore Forest and Bird walk.(B)

DAY 10 Milford Sound, Te Anau
View cascading waterfalls, sheer cliffs, dense rainforests and towering mountains in this pristine World Heritage-listed area. The onboard Nature Guide provides commentary throughout the journey.
Accommodation: Te Anau, Village Inn. (BD)

DAY 11 Te Anau, Dunedin Exclusive Experiences
Dunedin was settled by the Scottish in 1848 and is now renowned as the Edinburgh of the South. This afternoon you choose the activity and it will be included. Perhaps a visit to Speights Brewery and Heritage Center where they brew the popular Speights ale. A visit to the Otago Peninsula to see the Royal Albatross Colony or explore Penguin Place to spot the rare yellow-eyed penguins the “Hoiho”, or maybe a visit to New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle, for a tour and stroll around the beautiful gardens.
Accommodation: Dunedin, Dunedin City Hotel. (BD)

DAY 12 Dunedin, Mt. Cook
Stop at Oamaru, a historic town renowned for its distinctive cream limestone buildings then continue inland passing beautiful glacier fed lakes of incredible color. Continue your journey into New Zealand’s highland and Mt Cook National Park, which was awarded World Heritage status in recognition of its qualities and rare beauty. View Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain at 11,200 feet above sea level. You may wish to take an optional scenic flight over this awe-inspiring alpine region (weather permitting, own expense).
Accommodation: Mt. Cook, The Hermitage. (BD)

DAY 13 Mt Cook, Christchurch
This morning depart Mt. Cook and stop at the beautiful Lake Tekapo, once an ancient glacier, and visit the picturesque, tiny stone Church of the Good Shepherd. Leaving the High Country cross the braided Rakaia River and travel through the mixed cropping and sheep grazing holdings of the vast Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
Accommodation: Christchurch, Copthorne Central Hotel. (BD)

DAY 14 Exclusive Experiences, Depart Christchurch
This morning choose from a range of exciting Exclusive Experiences. Christchurch’s Must see Four tour including the Antarctic Center, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Christchurch Tram and Christchurch Gondola. Perhaps a leisurely punt on the Avon River may appeal or a bike ride around Christchurch City or maybe wander around some of Christchurch’s local gardens. The choice is yours and it will be included. On conclusion you will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your departing flight or onward journey(B)