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Touring Map
Highlights & Inclusions
- Group size won't exceed 16 guests
- 12 nights superior hotel accommodation
- Full breakfasts daily, 2 lunches and 1 dinner
- Accompanied throughout by professional, experienced Tour Host
- 2 night stopovers in Auckland, Rotorua, Marlborough Sounds & Christchurch
- Spectacular Coromandel Peninsula & Driving Creek Railway
- Twilight crusie across Lake Rotoiti to Manupiura Pools
- Exclusive Lake Tarawera cruise, Blue & Green Lakes and 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 Interislander cruise
- Stunning Kenepuru Sound
- 4WD High Country experience & Jet Boat ride
- World famous Tranz Alpine Train through the magnificent Southern Alps
- Complimentary airport transfers
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Departure Dates
| 2008 |
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October:
November:
December: |
11, 18, 25
01, 08, 15, 22, 29
06, 13, 27 |
| 2009 |
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January:
February:
March:
April: |
03, 10, 13, 17, 24, 31
03, 07, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28
07, 14, 17, 21, 28
04, 11, 18 |
| 2008 |
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October:
November
December: |
18
08, 22
06 |
| 2009 |
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January:
February:
March: |
10, 24
03, 21
07 |
Tour Prices
Per Person in NZ$
| VALID 01 OCT 2008 TO 30 APR 2009 |
| Share Twin |
NZ$5,575 |
| Single Traveller |
NZ$7,060 |
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!! HOT INTERNET OFFER !!
Book the 13 Day Nikau Tour directly with Luxury Vacations NZ, pay your deposit before 30 November 2008 and save NZ$400 per person!
You'll also receive 2 nights accommodation (room only basis) before or after your tour absolutely FREE!
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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 |
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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 (2 nights)
Day 2: Auckland at Leisure (B)
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 to Coromandel Peninsula (B)
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 4: 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 5: 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 6: 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 7: 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 8: 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 9: 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 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. 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 (2 nights)
Day 12: 4WD High Country Tranz Alpine Experience (BL)
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 'Haere Ra', a fond farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
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