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!! SPECIAL OFFER 1 !!
Book one of the following departures
directly with Luxury Vacations NZ and save NZ$1,000 per person!
January: 11, 18, 25
February: 01, 04, 08, 15, 22
March: 08, 29
Applies to all new bookings received between 01 November
and 31 December 2008. Not available in conjunction with any other special offers.
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!! SPECIAL OFFER 2 !!
Book the 18 Day Pacific Escapade directly with Luxury Vacations NZ, pay your deposit before 31 December 2008 and save
NZ$500 per person!
You'll also receive 2 nights accommodation (room only basis) before or after your tour absolutely FREE!
Applies to all new bookings
received after 26 October 2008.
Not available in conjunction with any other special offers.
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Highlights & Inclusions
- Group size won't exceed 16 guests
17 nights superior accommodation
Full cooked breakfasts daily, 1 lunch & 2 dinners
Accompanied by professional expeienced Tour Host
2 night stopovers in Rotorua, Napier & Marlborough Sounds
4 nights majestic Queenstown
Spectacular Coromandel Peninsula & Driving Creek Railway
Twilight crusie across Lake Rotoiti to Manupiura Pools
Exclusive Lake Tarawera cruise, Blue & Green Lakes & Te Wairoa Buried Village
Whakarewarewa Thermal Village
Huka Falls, Wairakei Geothermal region & Lake Taupo
Guided Art Deco Walk
Village Farmers Market
Wellington, the nation's capital
Scenic Interisland cruise
Stunning Kenepuru Sound
Award winning Tranz Alpine train journey
Magnificent Southern Alps
Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers
Historic Arrowtown & beautiful Southern Lakes District
World Heritage Mt Cook National Park
See & touch glaciers on your Tasman Glacier Explorer tour
Lake Tekapo & Church of the Good Shepherd
Complimentary airport transfers |
Departure Dates
| 2008 |
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November:
December: |
02, 09 16, 23, 30
07, 14, 28 |
| 2009 |
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January:
February:
March:
April: |
04, 11, 14, 18, 25
01, 04, 08, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25
01, 08, 15, 18, 22, 29
05, 12, 19 |
| 2008 |
|
October:
November
December: |
19
09, 23
07 |
| 2009 |
|
January:
February:
March: |
11, 25
04, 22
08 |
Tour Prices
Per Person in NZ$
| VALID 01 OCT 2008 TO 30 APR 2009 |
| Share Twin |
NZ$7,839 |
| Single Traveller |
NZ$10,199 |
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Please contact us to receive further information on this tour or to
check availability on your preferred date of travel.
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Your Small Group Tour Itinerary |
Day 1: Arrive Auckland
On arrival at Auckland airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your city hotel. The 'City of Sails' is New Zealand's largest and most vibrant, offering an exciting array of cosmopolitan experiences.
Stay: The Duxton Hotel
Day 2: Auckland to Coromandel Peninsula (B)
Please meet with your Tour Host in the hotel foyer at 8.30am this morning for an 8.45am departure. Today, travel south to the Coromandel Peninsula, a beautiful rugged area fringed with dozens of excellent beaches that separate the Pacific Ocean from the Hauraki Gulf. It is place where many kiwis choose to escape the hustle & hype of city life and is home to many arts & crafts people who seek an alternative lifestyle. At the quaint township of Coromandel, we ride the Driving Creek narrow gauge railway to a fascinating artist colony before crossing the divide to the eastern side of the peninsula for our overnight stay in Tairua.
Stay: Pacific Harbour Lodge
Day 3: Coromandel to Geothermal Rotorua (BD)
Journey along the Bay of Plenty coastline before heading inland across the volcanic plateau to the geothermal city of Rotorua, passing many of the regions crystal clear lakes en-route. Rotorua's raw beauty has enchanted visitors from around the world for more than 160 years. At Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, you will stand upon volcanoes, peer into massive craters, see boiling mud, exploding geysers and marvel at the unspoiled native forests that cloak the land. This evening, enjoy a twilight cruise across Lake Rotoiti to the natural thermal springs of Manupirua Pools before enjoying a lakeside BBQ dinner at your resort.
Stay: Duxton Okawa Bay (2 nights)
Day 4: Lake Tarawera Cruise & The Buried Village (BL)
The days highlight is an exclusive cruise across the pristine, clear waters of Lake Tarawera at the base of a gigantic dormant volcano. You'll have the opportunity to soak in the thermal waters of Hot Water Beach and experience some of the country's best trout fishing before enjoying a gourmet picnic lunch. This afternoon, visit the Blue & Green Lakes and then wander around the famous buried village of Te Wairoa.
Day 5: Rotorua to The Hawke's Bay via Taupo (B)
Rotorua's raw beauty has enchanted visitors from around the world for more than 160 years. At Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Village, you will stand upon volcanoes, peer into massive craters, see boiling mud, exploding geysers and marvel at the unspoiled native forests that cloak the land. Then an hour south of Rotorua is Lake Taupo, itself a gigantic volcanic crater following an enormous explosion in AD183. View Huka Falls & the Wairakei Geothermal project and take time to walk around this popular lakeside resort. Journey on to Napier, often referred to as the Art Deco capital of the world following a thorough rebuilding after a massive earthquake in 1931. On arrival we embark on a guided walking tour of the town before touring the local surrounds.
Stay: Scenic Circle Te Pania Hotel (2 nights)
Day 6: Explore Hawke's Bay & Surrounds (B)
Widely regarded as the 'Tuscany of the South Pacific', the region boasts some of New Zealand's best and oldest wineries. You can enjoy a guided wine trail & taste some of the great wines produced locally, visit the world's largest mainland Gannet Colony, play a challenging round of golf at Cape Kidnappers, take to the skies on an early balloon ride over vineyards, olive groves & orchards or simply relax & enjoy your surroundings.
Day 7: Village Farmer's Market, Wairarapa to Wellington (B)
This morning visit the very popular Village Farmers market where local growers & crafts people sell their goods. Visit Te Mata Peak for spectacular views over the area & enjoy time in Havelock North, possibly the 'richest little town' in New Zealand. We then head south into the rural heartland of the Wairarapa. Continue through the rural townships of Masterton, Carterton & Greytown before arriving in Wellington, the nation's capital. Enjoy a brief sightseeing & orientation tour before checking into your accommodation.
Stay: Duxton Hotel Wellington
Day 8: Wellington to Picton & The Marlborough Sounds (B)
Free time this morning to explore Wellington at leisure and a visit to Te Papa National Museum is highly recommended. This afternoon, we board the Interlsland ferry for the leisurely and scenic crossing of Cook Strait to Picton, via the Marlborough Sounds. On arrival, join our water taxi for the short cruise to Kenepuru Sound where a warm welcome at our resort awaits us in this remote, picture-perfect bay.
Stay: The Portage Resort (2 nights)
Day 9: Stunning Kenepuru Sound (B)
A day to relax & marvel at the magic that is the Marlborough Sounds. Resort staff will share their love of the Sounds with you through the range of water and nature based experiences they put at your fingertips. The wide beach access is great for fishing, boating, sailing, swimming & sea-kayaking and there is a wealth of walks and meanderings in the immediate vicinity. There is also the opportunity to visit the vineyards & wineries that are located in the famous Marlborough wine region.
Day 10: Kaikoura Coast, Christchurch (B)
After breakfast, we return to the picturesque fishing village of Picton and reboard our coach and travel through Blenheim to Kaikoura, world renowned as the whale watching centre of New Zealand. Optional excursions include the opportunity to view giant sperm whales by boat or air; see dolphins, fur seals & Royal Albatross at close range in their natural habitat; or swim with pools of Dusky Dolphins . . . wetsuits provided! Later, we continue south to the "Garden City" of Christchurch, thought of as the most English of New Zealand cities.
Stay: Hotel Grand Chancellor
Day 11: Spectacular Tranz Alpine Train, Franz Josef & Fox Glacier (B)
Regarded as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world, the famous Tranz Alpine train will take you deep into the heartland of the South Island . . . a coast to coast journey through some of the world's most extreme and beautiful scenery. This afternoon, travel along the dramatic West Coast, steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era of the 1800's, to the glacier township of Fox Glacier.
Stay: Te Weheka Inn
Day 12: Haast, Wanaka, Queenstown (B)
There is the opportunity to experience a scenic flight over this remarkable region (subject to weather conditions) before our departure this morning. Today, view incredible scenery as you travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass. We then travel over the magnificent Southern Alps to the Southern Lakes District. Time to wander around the popular lakeside townships of Hawea and Wanaka before travelling over the spectacular Crown Range to the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown. On to Queenstown, a beautiful alpine resort regarded as New Zealand's premier holiday destination.
Stay: Heritage Hotel Queenstown (4 nights)
Days 13, 14 & 15: Explore Queenstown & Its Surrounds (B)
Enjoy three full days to experience this magnificent resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts adventure & leisure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. Here you can take a thrilling jet boat ride, pan for gold, raft the white water rapids, take a wine trail, fish for trout, play golf or 4WD sheer canyons. It is also a great base from which to explore the Fiordland National Park, gateway to the awesome Milford & Doubtful Sounds. There are numerous activities from which to choose and your Tour Guide will be pleased to offer advice and help you in your selection.
Day 16: Arrowtown & On To Mt Cook National Park (BD)
Set beneath the rugged Crown Range is Arrowtown, a fascinating collection of mining cottages with an atmosphere straight out of last century. Enjoy some time to stroll through this historic village located beside the Arrow River, once a haven for the gold prospectors of the 1860's. Later, we travel through the towns of Omarama & Twizel before driving up the western side of Lake Pukaki to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. (Optional Ski-plane & helicopter flights are available subject to weather conditions).
Stay: Hermitage Hotel
Day 17: Tasman Glacier, Lake Tekapo, Christchurch (B)
Experience the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand's largest, in the most unique way possible. An experienced guide will whisk you away in a stable MAC Boat to explore the melting ice-face of the Tasman Glacier where you will also get to touch & taste 400-year old icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the lake. Later we visit beautiful Lake Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built of local stone and oak in 1935. Leaving the High Country, cross the vast Canterbury Plains to the 'Garden City' of Christchurch.
Stay: Hotel Grand Chancellor
Day 18: Depart Christchurch (B)
Sadly, your holiday is at an end and you will be transferred to Christchurch airport today for your onward flight. Here, we bid you a fond farewell to your homeland and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand. |
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