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At a glance …
Discover why NZ remains one of the world's most sought after destinations on this ultimate touring holiday! This leisurely, 24-day journey features a minimum 2 night stay at every stopover point. With such an incredible choice of things to do & places to see, you'll enjoy plenty of time to sightsee, relax and savour the lifestyle that is New Zealand.
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: Rendezvous Hotel (2 nights)
Day 2: Auckland Sightseeing & Harbour Cruise (B)
Enjoy a scenic tour that will introduce you to the sights of Auckland. At the completion of your city sights tour, board a 50-foot yacht for a 90 minute relaxing cruise on the magnificent Waitemata Harbour. You can sit back and watch it all happen or help the professional crew by taking the helm and trimming the sails.
Day 3: Hibiscus Coast, Bay of Islands Overnight Cruise (BD)
This morning travel over the Harbour Bridge and head through the northern suburbs of Auckland with the beachside homes of the Hibiscus Coast to the east & the bush-clad Waitakere Ranges to the west. Enjoy spectacular scenery of native forests & sub-tropical bush as we make our way to Paihia in the Bay of Islands, a seaside town nestled on the foreshore of this National Maritime Park. Early this afternoon, board our overnight vessel, "Ipipiri", for a unique cruise that will immerse you into the region's breathtaking beauty and it's historical & cultural significance. Island walks, snorkelling & kayaking are all available before enjoying a sumptuous dinner.
Stay: Overnight aborad Ipipiri
Day 4: Explore the Bay of Islands (B)
There is time for some optional activities such as fishing or swimming with the dolphins before returning to Opua & disembarking at 11am. The rest of the day is free to explore the local area & enjoy the many fantastic excursions available. Your Tour Host will be pleased to offer suggestions on what is available.
Stay: Copthorne Bay of Islands Resort
Day 5: Bay of Islands, Rotorua (B)
Today travel south to the geothermal city of Rotorua, a region whose raw beauty has enchanted visitors from around the world for more than 160 years. It is also home to a deep-rooted Maori culture and the opportunity to experience a traditional hangi (feast) & cultural show should not be missed.
Stay: Millennium Hotel Rotorua (2 nights)
Day 6: Lake Tarawera Cruise, Te Wairoa 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. 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 7: Lake Taupo, Napier (B)
An hour south of Rotorua is Lake Taupo, itself a gigantic volcanic crater following an enormous explosion in AD183. View 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: The Crown Hotel (2 nights)
Day 8: Explore Hawke's Bay Wine Country (B)
A day to explore the region at your own pace. Walk along Napier's Marine Parade & visit the many attractions along the way, visit Cape Kidnappers - home of the largest & most accessible mainland gannet colony in the world, enjoy a guided wine & gourmet tour of some of New Zealand's leading vineyards & wineries, experience an early morning hot-air balloon ride over vineyards, orchards & olive groves, play an exciting round of gold on one of the countries leading & most challenging courses, fly fish for brown & rainbow trout in the region's many rivers . . . your choices are endless!
Day 9: Fly Napier to Nelson (B)
Today fly to Nelson (flight included), a city of charm based on a harbour that is home to the busiest fishing port in New Zealand. The Nelson region is an area of diverse beauty that enjoys a Mediterranean-type climate & boasts the greatest number of sunshine hours in New Zealand. It is home to a thriving arts & crafts colony where locals enjoy a relaxed & easy-going lifestyle.
Stay: Heritage Rutherford Hotel (2 nights)
Day 10: Abel Tasman National Park (BL)
Today you can choose from a number of included cruise & walk or cruise only options in the famous Abel Tasman National Maritime Park. Enjoy a great day on the water combining cruising, sightseeing, bush walks, beach stops & plenty of relaxing!
Day 11: Blenheim, Kaikoura (B)
Heading east, we make our way to Blenheim on the sunny Wairau Plains. The major urban centre for the Marlborough region, Blenheim is also the centre of a thriving wine industry. Continue on to the coastal town of Kaikoura, a place for unparalleled wildlife adventures.
Stay: White Morph Inn (2 nights)
Day 12: Whalewatch Cruise (B)
Every Whale Watch tour is a unique experience & sightings may vary from day to day. Giant sperm whales are the star of the show and are year-round residents. A typical Whale Watch tour may encounter fur seals, pods of Dusky dolphins & the endangered Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season, you may also see migrating Hump Back whales, Pilot whales, Blue whales & Southern Right whales. Kaikoura also attracts the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland New Zealand including 13 species of Albatross, 14 varieties of Petrel & 7 types of Shearwater.
Day 13: Lake Tekapo, Mt Cook (BD)
Travel across the rich pastoral farmland of the Canterbury Plains & over Burkes Pass. At Lake Tekapo, stop to view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. Travel up the western side of Lake Pukaki to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site.
Stay: Hermitage Hotel (2 nights)
Day 14: Tasman Glacier Explorer (BD)
This morning, you get to 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 500-year old icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the lake. This afternoon is free to enjoy local walks, sightsee or simply relax in your spectacular surroundings.
Day 15: Omarama, Lindis Pass, Queenstown (B)
Journey south through the MacKenzie Country before beginning the ascent over the Lindis Pass into the historical gold mining region of Central Otago. Emerge into the lush green farmland that surrounds the beautiful alpine village of Queenstown, regarded as New Zealand’s premier holiday destination.
Stay: Heritage Hotel Queenstown (3 nights)
Days 16 & 17: Explore Queenstown (B)
Enjoy these days at leisure to experience this magnificent resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts adventure 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, and optional day tours & overnight cruises to the awesome Milford & Doubtful Sounds.
Day 18: Historic Arrowtown, Crown Range, Lake Wanaka (B)
Set beneath the rugged Crown Range is Arrowtown, a fascinating collection of mining cottages. A spectacular scenic drive over the Crown Range brings us to Lake Wanaka with its breathtaking mountain & lake views.
Stay: Edgewater Resort Hotel (2 nights)
Day 19: Wanaka at Leisure (B)
An inspiring place to indulge in tranquillity, Lake Wanaka also has plenty of action-packed activities available for those who can't keep still! We recommend some time out, soaking up the atmosphere & splendour that is Wanaka. Watch the last light fall across the still waters that reflect the snow capped peaks of Mt Aspiring National Park & reflect on life the way it should be.
Day 20: Haast Pass, Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers (B)
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. On to Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers, our stay for the next 2 nights.
Stay: Te Weheka Inn (2 nights)
Day 21: Explore West Coast Glaciers (B)
A full day to enjoy the delights of this region at your own pace. A number of optional glacial adventure and exploration activities are available. Full day & half day glacier walks, heli-hikes & helicopter flightseeing excursions are all possible subject to weather conditions.
Day 22: Spectacular Tranz Alpine Train, Christchurch (B)
Journey north along the wild & rugged West Coastline to Greymouth. Here you board the award-winning Tranz Alpine for a coast-to-coast journey through the Southern Alps. This spectacular train adventure has been rated as one of the 6 most scenic journeys in the world. Having reached the alpine village of Arthur's Pass at 747 metres above sea level, the Tranz Alpine winds its way over massive viaducts, through spectacular river gorges and the stunning Waimakariri River valley before finally crossing the huge and fertile patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
Stay: Heritage Hotel Christchurch (2 nights)
Day 23: Explore Christchurch & Surrounds (B)
Today is at leisure. You can ride a punt down the Avon River through beautiful Hagley Park; enjoy a day excursion to the quaint seaside village of Akaroa, home to the early French settlers of the 1840's; savour a sumptuous dinner aboard the Tramway Restaurant or maybe even try your luck at the Christchurch Casino ... the choices are numerous.
Day 24: Depart Christchurch (B)
At leisure today until you transferred to the airport for your flight home or onward journey to your next destination. Here, we bid you 'Haere Ra', a fond farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand. |
