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!!! EARLYBIRD SPECIAL !!!
Book before 20 June 2011 and save the following per person
off the brochured price.
9 Day Nikau - NZ$800 per person
13 Day Nikau - NZ$900 per person
All bookings must be paid in full by 25 June 2011.
Standard terms & conditions apply and special is subject to availability. |
Download Trip Brochure
Departure Dates
| 2011 |
|
May:
June:
July:
August:
September:
October:
November:
December: |
14
11
09
06, 20
N/A
29
05, 12, 19, 26
03, 10, 17, 31 |
| 2012 |
|
January:
February:
March:
April: |
07, 10, 14, 21, 28, 31
04, 07, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25
03, 10, 13, 17, 24, 31
07, 14, 21 |
Tour Prices
(Per Person in NZ$)
9 DAY OPTION
Share Twin/Double
01 May 11 to 30 Sep 11
01 Oct 11 to 30 Apr 12
|
NZ$3,355
NZ$3,945
|
Single Traveller
01 May 11 to 30 Sep 11
01 Oct 11 to 30 Apr 12
|
NZ$4,275
NZ$5,029
|
13 DAY OPTION
Share Twin/Double
01 May 11 to 30 Sep 11
01 Oct 11 to 30 Apr 12
|
NZ$4,855
NZ$5,710
|
Single Traveller
01 May 11 to 30 Sep 11
01 Oct 11 to 30 Apr 12 |
NZ$6,135
NZ$7,315 |
|
| 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: Heritage Hotel Auckland for 2 nights |
| Day 2 - Auckland |
| Auckland's blend of islands, rainforest, Polynesian culture, glistening harbours and modern city environment creates an unbelievable lifestyle that is ranked amongst the highest in the world. Auckland provides visitors with so many wonderful experiences, plenty within easy reach of the downtown city centre. Today is a free day at leisure to relax & explore what Auckland has to offer. Perhaps visit Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World and Antarctic Encounter; take a cruise on Auckland Harbour or make your way to the top of the Sky Tower for spectacular views of Auckland city. |
| Day 3 - Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula (B) |
This morning you meet your Tour Host and 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 a place where many kiwis choose to escape the hustle & hype of city life. At the quaint township of Coromandel, we ride the Driving Creek narrow gauge railway to a fascinating artist colony.
Stay: Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort for 1 night |
| Day 4 - Coromandel, Rotorua (B,D) |
Today you travel along the Bay of Plenty coastline to Tauranga & Mt Maunganui. Then, head inland across the volcanic plateau to the geothermal city of Rotorua, an area that has enchanted visitors from around the world for more than 160 years. On arrival, enjoy a twilight cruise across Lake Rotoiti to the natural mineral springs of Manupirua Pools before enjoying a lakeside BBQ dinner at your resort.
Stay: Duxton Hotel Okawa Bay for 2 nights |
| Day 5 - Lake Tarawera Cruise & Te Wairoa Buried Village (B,L) |
| The days highlight is an exclusive cruise across the pristine, clear waters of Lake Tarawera at the base of a gigantic dormant volcano. Your skipper will explain the early Maori and volcanic history of the area and talk about the 1886 eruption. You’ll also 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 6 - Lake Taupo, Napier (B) |
This morning, visit Wai-O-Tapu, a wonderland of geothermal activity. Walk at your own pace and marvel at the reserve’s unique features that include the world famous Champagne Pool, geysers, bubbling mud, steaming ground, expansive vistas, huge volcanic craters and sinter terrace formations. Stop at the mighty Huka Falls & Wairakei Geothermal project, then wander around the popular lakeside resort of Taupo. Continue on to Napier, one of the world’s finest Art Deco cities. Your local guide will bring this fascinating architecture to life on your walk around the town this afternoon.
Stay: Scenic Circle Te Pania Hotel for 2 nights |
|
Day 7 - Leisure Day (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 8 - Wairarapa, Mt Bruce & Wellington (B) |
Travel through the rural heartland of the Wairarapa region to Pukaha Mount Bruce, New Zealand’s National Wildlife Centre. In this beautiful setting of native forest you will see the finest collection of New Zealand native birds to be found anywhere. Later, continue on to Wellington, the nation’s capital, where you enjoy a brief sightseeing and orientation tour before checking into your accommodation.
Stay: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor for 1 night |
| Day 9 - Picton & the Marlborough Sounds (B) |
There is free time this morning to enjoy the delights of Wellington and a visit to Te Papa Museum is recommended. Later travel across Cook Strait, the stretch of water that separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The journey across Cook Strait has a dramatic beauty all of its own. On arrival in Picton, join your water taxi transfer to your accommodation.
(Passengers leaving the tour in Wellington today will be transferred to the airport for their onward flight).
Stay: The Portage Resort for 2 nights |
| Day 10 - 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 11 - 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. Then continue south to the "Garden City" of Christchurch, thought of as the most English of New Zealand cities.
Stay: Heritage Hotel Christchurch for 2 nights |
| Day 12 - 4WD High Country Tranz Alpine Experience (B,L) |
| Travel by road through the Canterbury Plains to the Waimakariri Gorge in the foothills of the rugged Southern Alps. Travel by jet boat through the gorge deep into the Southern Alps to areas otherwise inaccessible. Rendezvous with the Unimog and travel in this unique 4WD vehicle to Flock Hill Station, viewing spectacular alpine scenery en-route. After lunch, travel by road to Arthur's Pass National Park where you return to Christchurch abroad the world-famous Tranz Alpine train. |
| Day 13 - 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. | |
Tour Highlights & Inclusions
- Group size won’t exceed 16 guests
- 12 or 8 nights superior hotel accommodation
- 2 night stopovers in Auckland, Rotorua, Napier, Marlborough Sounds & Christchurch
- Accompanied throughout by professional, experienced Tour Host on days 3-11
- Full breakfasts daily, 2 lunches & 1 dinner
- Spectacular Coromandel Peninsula & Driving Creek Railway
- Twilight cruise across Lake Rotoiti to Manupirua Pools
- Exclusive Lake Tarawera cruise, Blue & Green Lakes and Te Wairoa Buried Village
- Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Reserve
- Huka Falls, Wairakei Geothermal region & Lake Taupo
- Guided Art Deco Walk, Napier
- Pukaha Mount Bruce, National Wildlife Centre
- Wellington, the nation’s capital & Te Papa National Museum
- Scenic Interislander cruise
- Stunning Kenepuru Sound
- 4WD & TranzAlpine Train High Country excursion with jetboat ride
- Complimentary airport transfers by private vehicle
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