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New Zealand

Rail

Grand Rail Experience

A completely escorted tour from one end of New Zealand to the other.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 Arrive Auckland, Exclusive Experiences
On arrival at Auckland Airport, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation.

This afternoon choose from a selection of touring options 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 Reflexology Treatment, or trek through the Waitakere Rainforest. The choice is yours.
Accommodation: Auckland, Sky City Hotel

DAY 2 Auckland, Rotorua (BD)
This morning you will board the Overlander Train. Journey alongside the Waikato River and pass by Taupiri Mountain, the sacred burial ground of the Maori. Continue through Ngaruawahia before disembarking at Otorohanga. Then travel south to the world famous Waitomo Caves and discover stunning underground scenery as you are guided into an ancient labyrinth of limestone caverns and grottos. Traveling onto goethermal Rotorua, this evening enjoy the warmth of the Maori people with a New Zealand Hangi (feast) and cultural performance of Maori song and dance.
Accommodation: Rotorua, Park Heritage Hotel, 2 nights.

DAY 3 Rotorua, Exclusive Experiences (BD)
Rotorua is New Zealand’s oldest and best known resort town, where generations of visitors have enjoyed its waters, marvelled at its fascinating geothermal activity and experienced the regions unique Maori culture. Today you may choose to visit the must see three: Te Puia, the Agrodome sheep show and Rainbow Springs. Or perhaps a visit to the Polynesian Spa for a spa treatment and leisurely soak in a natural thermal mineral pool might appeal.
Accommodation: Country Homestay option available tonight.

DAY 4 Rotorua, Tongariro National Park (BD)
Join the Overlander Train and journey through the heart of the North Island. Disembark at the ski village of Tongariro National Park surrounded by three mighty mountains: Mt Raupehu, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro. Spend this evening nestled at the base of majestic Mt Ruapehu in the grand old Chateau Hotel.
Accommodation: Tongariro National Park, Chateau Tongariro Hotel

DAY 5 TranzMetro Train, Wellington (BD)
This morning head south to Featherston. Travel through Taihape, renowned as the Gumboot Capital of New Zealand. Every year a festival is held here to celebrate this essential item of rural kiwi footwear. Continue through the Manawatu Gorge and the Wairarapa region to Featherston. On arrival into Featherston, visit the Fell Engine Museum before boarding the TranzMetro train for a short journey to Wellington, via the 5.5 mile Rimutaka Tunnel.
Accommodation: Wellington, James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel, 2 nights

DAY 6 Wellington (B)
Today take a short stroll to the Wellington Cable Car whose service from Lambton Quay to Kelburn began in 1902. Ascend to the top by cable car and perhaps visit the Cable Car Museum or take a tranquil walk around the Botanic Gardens. Rejoin your coach and journey to Mount Victoria for the best view of the city, harbor and surrounding regions. Continue on to Te Papa (the Museum of New Zealand) where the morning sightseeing tour concludes. The remainder of today is at leisure in Wellington.
Accommodation: Wellington, James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel

DAY 7 The TranzCoastal, Christchurch (BD)
A morning cruise across Cook Strait and through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Join the TranzCoastal train for a scenic trip along the east coast. Journey between mountain and sea as you travel along a thin ledge of land pinned between the Pacific Ocean and the rugged Kaikoura Ranges. Continue to Christchurch.
Accommodation: Christchurch, Holiday Inn City Center

DAY 8 The TranzAlpine, Franz Josef (BD)
This morning board the award winning TranzAlpine train, voted one of the top rail journeys in the world. Travel through spectacular gorges, river valleys and across the country’s greatest mountain range, the mighty Southern Alps. Disembark at Greymouth and continue to Hokitika where you will have the opportunity to see beautiful native Pounamu (jade). Continue south along the west coast, traveling through dense rain forest. There is an opportunity for a scenic flight over the glaciers this region is renowned for (own expense, weather permitting).
Accommodation: Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel

DAY 9 Franz Josef, Queenstown (BD)
Enjoy incredible scenery today as you leave this World Heritage-listed area. See spectacular mountain ranges, untouched native forests, lakes and glaciers. Journey along the shores of beautiful Lakes Wanaka and Hawea. Continue to the year-round, alpine resort of Queenstown.

Tonight enjoy the dining choice in Queenstown, where you get to choose from one of four restaurants. Perhaps enjoy 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, Gardens Hotel, 2 nights

DAY 10 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 there is a selection of activities for you to choose from that will be included. 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 Lord of the Rings safari or an adventure into Skippers Canyon by 4WD might appeal, a leisurely walk around Lake Wakatipu on a Lakeshore Forest and Bird walk or a winery and cheese sampler—the choice is yours!

DAY 11 Kingston Flyer, Milford Sound Cruise (BD)
Trip back in time today aboard the Kingston Flyer, New Zealand’s famous vintage steam train. Travel from Kingston to Fairlight through alpine desert and tussock grasslands. Continue to Milford Sound and on arrival into Milford join a cruise for a journey on this magnificent, glacier carved fiord (weather permitting). Enjoy views of stunning natural scenery and cascading waterfalls. This afternoon return to the delightful town of Te Anau.
Accommodation: Te Anau, Luxmore Hotel

DAY 12 Dunedin, Exclusive Experiences (BD)
Travel across the South Island through small farming communities to Dunedin. The city was settled by the Scottish in 1848 and is now renowned as the Edinburgh of the South - Dunedin is the old Gaelic name for Edinburgh. The Scottish heritage is still apparent today in the architecture of the many fine buildings including the University of Otago, modeled on the University of Glasgow buildings.

This afternoon a variety of activities are available to choose from that are included in this tour. Perhaps a visit to Speights Brewery and Heritage Center where they brew the popular Speights ale. Try visit to the Otago Peninsula to see the Royal Albatross Colony or combine it with a trip to Penguin Place to visit the rare yellow-eyed penguins the Hoiho. Or maybe visit New Zealands only castle, Larnach Castle, for a tour of and stroll around the beautiful gardens. Or perhaps join the Taieri Gorge Train at Dunedin’s stately railway station and journey through the heart of Otago. The choice is yours!
Accommodation: Dunedin, Dunedin City Hotel

DAY 13 Dunedin, Mt Cook (BD)
This morning you will board The Seasider at Dunedin’s railway station and journey north along the east coast. View the spectacular eastern coastline before disembarking at Palmerston. At Oamaru view the town’s beautifully preserved Victorian stone buildings, which were created with local cream colored limestone. Turn inland and travel to Mt Cook National Park. This World Heritage-listed area is home to New Zealand’s highest mountain. You may wish to enjoy a scenic flight over this awe-inspiring alpine region (own expense, weather permitting).
Accommodation: Mt Cook, The Hermitage

DAY 14 Mt Cook, Christchurch (BD)
Visit picturesque Lake Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd built of locally gathered stone and oak in 1935. Leaving the High Country and its sheep stations, you will travel through Burkes Pass and descend to the vast Canterbury Plains. Cross the braided Rakaia River, through mixed cropping and sheep grazing holdings to return to the beautiful city of Christchurch.
Accommodation: Christchurch, Holiday Inn City Center

DAY 15 Depart Christchurch, Exclusive Experiences (B)
This morning choose from a range of exciting activities. 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.

On conclusion of your morning sightseeing you will be transferred to Christchurch airport for your departing flight.