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New Zealand

Escorted Tours

Scenic Sights

Travel south from Auckland to Christchurch. Along the way, discover remarkable scenery as you travel to Mt Cook, cruise the length of Milford Sound, travel below Mile-High Mitre Peak and beneath spectacular waterfalls.

INCLUSIONS

• 1 night Auckland, Skycity Hotel
• 2 nights Rotorua, Heritage Hotel
• 1 night Wellington, James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
• 1 night Blenheim, Blenheim County Hotel
• 2 nights Christchurch, Copthorne Central Hotel
• 1 night Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel
• 3 nights Queenstown, Novotel Gardens Hotel
• Exclusive Experiences in Auckland, Rotorua and Queenstown
• Guided tour of Waitomo Caves
• Maori Hangi (feast) and Revue in geothermal Rotorua
• Wairakei Steam Valley
• Huka Falls and Lake Taupo
• Tongariro National Park
• Te Papa the Museum of New Zealand
• Wellington City Sights Tour
• Cruise Cook Strait between the North and South Island
• Seaside settlement of Kaikoura
• TranzAlpine Train journey
• See Jade being carved into jewelery in Hokitika
• West Coast Glaciers
• Haast River Safari
• Breathtaking Milford Sound Cruise
• Amazing Mt Cook National Park
• Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd
• Arrival and departure transfers
• Coach transfers throughout
• Dining Option in Queenstown choose from 4 restaurants
• 20 meals (11 Breakfasts (B), 7 Dinners (D) and 2 Feature Dinners (FD)

ITINERARY

DAY 1 Arrive Auckland, Exclusive Experiences
On arrival at Auckland Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon you choose the activity and it will be included at no extra cost. 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 Tarltons 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, Skycity Hotel

DAY 2 Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua (B, FD)
This morning, journey to the crest of Mt Eden, one of Auckland’s extinct volcanoes, to enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the city and its beautiful harbors. Leaving the City of Sails travel south through the rich dairy land of the Waikato Province to Waitomo Caves. Here you will experience a guided tour of the underground limestone caverns, including the magnificent Cathedral cave. Join a silent boat ride and glide through a mystical grotto, carved by an underground river over thousands of years and lit by thousands of tiny glow worms. Emerge into daylight and continue to Rotorua, a city built on an area of geothermal activity and an important center for North Island Maori culture. Tonight immerse yourself in culture as you enjoy a Hangi (feast) and Maori cultural performance of traditional dances accompanied by song.
Accommodation: Rotorua, Heritage Hotel Rotorua for 2 nights.

DAY 3 Rotorua, Exclusive Experiences (BD)
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 region’s unique Maori culture. Today you have the opportunity to choose the activity and 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 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. Country Homestay option available tonight.

DAY 4 Rotorua, Wellington (BD)
Follow the Thermal Explorer Highway to the heart of the North Island traveling through green countryside, beautiful native bush and some of the largest alpine forests in the Southern Hemisphere. View Wairakei Steam Valley, where thermal energy is harnessed in the world’s second largest geothermal power plant. See the spectacular Huka Falls, mouth of the mighty Waikato River, and tranquil Lake Taupo, the water filled crater of an ancient volcano. Travel south and cross the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park. The three mountains at the heart of the park, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, have cultural and religious significance for the Maori people. Continue to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city and journey to the top of Mt Victoria. Enjoy a stunning panoramic view of this busy cosmopolitan city and its sparkling harbor.
Accommodation: Wellington, James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor.

DAY 5 Wellington, Blenheim (BD)
This morning enjoy a brief city sightseeing tour, including Parliament buildings, before there is an opportunity to visit Te Papa the National Museum of New Zealand. Displayed here is the past, present and future of New Zealand. Stunning displays, complex technology, interactive exhibitions and activities provide serious fun. This afternoon you will join a cruise for the journey across Cook Strait to the South Island, renowned as one of the most beautiful crossings in the world. Sail through the scenic Wellington Harbour, across Cook Strait and through the breath taking natural beauty of Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Rejoin the coach and travel to Blenheim for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Blenheim, Blenheim Country Hotel.

DAY 6 Blenheim, Kaikoura, Christchurch (BD)
Today is a spectacular scenic journey between mountain and sea. Travel through the Marlborough region, an area with a strong international reputation for white wines. Arrive in the thriving seaside settlement of Kaikoura, an area offering unique whale, seal and dolphin watching experiences. Journey between the Pacific Ocean and rugged Kaikoura Ranges, through North Canterbury to Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island and renowned as the Garden City. On arrival, enjoy a city sightseeing tour then the afternoon is at your leisure to explore the English flavor of this beautiful city (own expense).
Accommodation: Christchurch, Copthorne Central Hotel.

DAY 7 TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef (BD)
This morning board the award winning TranzAlpine Train. This journey has been voted one of the top train journeys in the world, and is renowned as New Zealand’s Great Rail Adventure. Cross the vast patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains before climbing up into the Main Divide. Enjoy stunning scenery as you journey through spectacular gorges, river valleys and across the country’s greatest mountain range, the magnificent Southern Alps. Disembark at Arthur’s Pass and continue to Hokitika by coach. Here take the opportunity to see Pounamu (Jade) being carved into beautiful jewelery. Continue along the dramatic West Coast and enter the World Heritage-listed area of Te Wahipounamu—Southwest New Zealand. View the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier. Nowhere in the world’s temperate zones are glaciers as accessible as here. There may be the opportunity to enjoy a scenic flight over this incredible region (own expense, weather permitting).
Accommodation: Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel.

DAY 8 Franz Josef, Queenstown Dining Option (B, FD)
Enjoy a day of incredible scenery as you travel along the West Coast, through a world of mountains and glaciers, limestone landscapes, tranquil lakes, raging rivers and rare bird and plant life. At Haast experience a unique river safari, capturing breathtaking views of the massive glacier formed Haast River Valley, flanked by towering peaks, cascading waterfalls and dense temperate rainforest. Follow the shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the action packed 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 for 3 nights.

DAY 9 Queenstown, Exclusive Experiences (B)
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 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.

DAY 10 Milford Sound, Queenstown, Independent Touring (BD)
This morning you say farewell to your escorted tour for your independent touring to Milford Sound.

You begin today by following the Remarkable’s Mountain Range and trace the shore of Lake Wakatipu to Fiordland National Park where lush rainforests meet snow capped mountains. Journey along the Milford Road, renowned as one of the world’s finest alpine drives. Wind down the Eglington and Hollyford valleys, then through the Homer Tunnel to be met by Mitre Peak rising sheer from the glassy waters of Milford Sound. Board your Red Boat cruise and journey the full length of this beautiful Fiord. View cascading waterfalls, sheer cliffs, dense rainforest and towering mountains in this pristine World Heritage-listed area. This afternoon enjoy a relaxing drive as you return to Queenstown.

DAY 11 Queenstown, Christchurch, Independent Touring (BD)
Today continue with your independent touring as you depart Queenstown and travel through the rugged and beautiful landscape of Otago. Cross the Lindis Pass into the Mackenzie Country to visit Mount Cook Village and the base of New Zealand’s highest mountain Aoraki/Mount Cook. Here there is time to experience an optional scenic helicopter or skiplane flight with a snow landing (own expense, weather permitting). Continue your journey with a stop at the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo, before continuing to your destination of Christchurch.
Accommodation: Christchurch, Copthorne Central Hotel

DAY 12 Depart Christchurch (B)
Today is at leisure in Christchurch. Your transfer to Christchurch Airport for your departing flight is included.