22-DAY SOUTH PACIFIC SPECTACULAR TOUR

INCLUDED FEATURES:

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY:

Day 1, Mon. DEPART LOS ANGELES.
Board your overnight flight for Auckland, New Zealand.

Day 2, Tue. EN ROUTE.
During your flight, cross the International Dateline.

Day 3, Wed. ARRIVE AUCKLAND.
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel, where rooms are ready for early check-in. This afternoon, join your Tour Director for a brief orientation, with the rest of the day at leisure. (D)

Day 4, Thu. AUCKLAND.
Enjoy a morning city tour of Auckland, known as the "City of Sails," located between two magnificent harbors, the Waitemata and Manakau. Cross Auckland’s busy Harbour Bridge and view the beautiful Waitemata harbor and yacht marina. Explore the War Memorial Museum, enjoy the lovely gardens of Domain Park and visit charming Parnell Village. Continue to famous Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World and Antarctic Encounter. Your afternoon is free and your Tour Director will have a wealth of information on things to see and do. (B)

Day 5, Fri. AUCKLAND / GLOW WORM CAVES / WAIKATO FARM STAY.
Travel south through the Waikato Valley to the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. Take a short boat ride through the fascinating caverns of the grotto to view the tiny blue glow worms reflected in the stillness of the underground river. Overnight at a local farm where your hosts entertain you with home cooked meals and tell stories of their lives in rural New Zealand. (B,D)

Day 6, Sat. WAIKATO / HOBBITON VILLAGE / ROTORUA.
Bid farewell to your hosts and continue to Matamata, home of the original Hobbiton village set from The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. A guided tour of the site will showcase the details on the creation of the Hobbiton set. Whether you have seen the movies or not, you will find the story and unusual setting of the village fascinating. Afterwards, head to the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve with its bubbling mud pools and spouting geysers. On to the Agrodome, where you will watch sheep sheering, mustering and auctioning. Tonight enjoy a traditional Hangi, a dinner and performance by New Zealand's Maori. (B,D)

Day 7, Sun. ROTORUA / QUEENSTOWN.
This morning fly to Queenstown, located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. After your orientation tour there is plenty of free time for exploration on your own. Your Tour Director can arrange a jet boat ride, white water rafting or perhaps bungy jumping! (B)

Day 8, Mon. MILFORD SOUND EXCURSION.
Journey via Te Anau into Fjordland National Park to Milford Sound. Enjoy lunch while cruising on the tranquil waters of this beautiful fjord. Sheer rock walls rise thousands of feet from the water’s great depth with majestic Mitre Peak and cascading waterfalls dominating the scene. (B,L)

Day 9, Tue. QUEENSTOWN / MOUNT COOK.
This morning, depart for Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. Afternoon in this scenic wonderland. Take a guided walk of this spectacular area or enjoy an optional once-in-a-lifetime flight-seeing experience of the glacier-clad Southern Alps of New Zealand. The evening is yours to enjoy nature at its best. (B,D)

Day 10, Wed. MOUNT COOK / CHRISTCHURCH.
Continue your journey to picturesque Lake Tekapo and visit the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. Leaving the High Country and its sheep stations, travel through Burkes Pass to the patchwork plains of Canterbury and the "Garden City" of Christchurch. Your afternoon sightseeing tour includes Cathedral Square, the Canterbury Museum, the Avon River and Cashmere Hills. (B,D)

Day 11, Thu. CHRISTCHURCH / MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA.
Enjoy a free morning for independent activities. This afternoon, transfer to the airport for the flight to Melbourne, cultural capital of Australia. The balance of the day is free. (B)

Day 12, Fri. EXPLORE MELBOURNE.
See Melbourne’s Victorian architecture on your morning sightseeing tour that includes Melbourne University, Parliament House, Queen Victoria Market and Captain Cook’s Cottage in Fitzroy Gardens. The balance of the day is at leisure. Later, perhaps take an optional outing to see the Fairy Penguin parade. (B)

Day 13, Sat. MELBOURNE.
A full free day to do as you please. This attractive city boasts some of the world’s finest museums, and shopping is some of the country’s best. You may wish to take the optional outing to the picturesque Yarra Valley, whose rolling vineyards produce some of Australia’s finest wines. Other ideas include a trip on Puffing Billy, Australia’s best known narrow gauge railroad or a day outing to historic gold rush country. Tonight enjoy dinner aboard a 1927 tram that has been converted into an elegant restaurant, traveling the scenic streets of Melbourne. Afterward, you’ll attend a first-class performance at one of the many theatres. (B,D)

Day 14, Sun. MELBOURNE / ALICE SPRINGS.
Head to the airport this morning for the flight to the vast red land of the Outback. This afternoon’s sightseeing tour includes a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Overland Telegraph Station and Panorama Guth. Enjoy an evening Bush Dinner in a traditional outback setting and listen to classic Australian music while you dine under the stars. (B,D)

Day 15, Mon. ALICE SPRINGS / AYERS ROCK (ULURU).
A leisurely drive to Ayers Rock and then on to the Olgas, 36 giant red rock domes which dominate the Western sky. Later, enjoy a short walk to the base of the Olga Gorge. This evening, visit the "Sunset Strip" for a glass of champagne while watching the subtle color changes as the sun sets over Ayers Rock. (B,D)

Day 16, Tue. AYERS ROCK / CAIRNS.
Rise early this morning to view the grandeur of Ayers Rock. Hikers may have the opportunity to climb to the top of the Rock, or tour the caves at its base and hear an explanation of the Aboriginal Dreamtime Legends. This afternoon, fly to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, where your hotel room overlooks the ocean. Dinner tonight is at a favorite “locals” restaurant. (B,D)

Day 17, Wed. GREAT BARRIER REEF EXCURSION.
Today board the "Big Cat" for your leisurely journey to the edge of the Barrier Reef. You can unwind and experience your day with supervised snorkeling trips, glass bottom boat rides, semi-submarine coral viewing tours, underwater observatory, or scuba diving. Your outing includes an Aussie BBQ lunch. Late this afternoon, return to Cairns for a relaxing evening on your own. (B,L)

Day 18, Thu. CAIRNS.
A full day at leisure. Your Tour Director will be happy to arrange an optional excursion on the Kuranda Railroad and the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Other activities include river rafting, kayaking, a rainforest walk, a hike or cruise through the Daintree Rainforest, or perhaps an outing to spot crocodiles. (B)

Day 19, Fri. CAIRNS / SYDNEY.
Board your flight to Sydney this morning. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your harborside hotel, with the balance of your day is free to begin exploring this exciting city. (B)

Day 20, Sat. SYDNEY.
This morning, visit a wildlife park to see some of Australia’s unusual fauna – koalas, kangaroos, wombat and emus. Next, enjoy a luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour. See offshore views of the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, Fort Denison and beautiful waterfront homes. Afterwards, take a guided tour of the world famous Sydney Opera House. (B,L)

Day 21, Sun. SYDNEY.
A free day to relax, shop or sightsee. Perhaps join an optional tour to the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, or take the famous Bridge climb over Sydney Harbour. Tonight, reminisce with fellow travelers at a Farewell Dinner at one of Sydney’s well known restaurants. (B,D)

Day 22, Mon. SYDNEY / LOS ANGELES.
Morning at leisure prior to your transfer to the airport for the flight home. Cross the International Dateline and arrive in Los Angeles the same morning. (B)

MILFORD SOUND: OPTIONAL OUTTING
Prebook before you go & save!

Journey via Te Anau into Fiordland National Park and on to Milford Sound. Enjoy lunch while cruising on the tranquil waters of this beautiful fjord. Sheer rock walls rise thousands of feet from the water’s great depth with majestic Mitre Peak and cascading waterfalls dominating the scene. This is truly a day you will never forget! Ask your Tour Director about the fly back option (weather dependent)

Select his Optional Fiji island extension. You can choose to stay on the mainland or on an island resorts. Request additional cost by phone or email.

EXTEND YOUR VACATION TO TASMANIA
25 Days • Locally Hosted

Days 1-21, Mon-Sun.

Day 22, Mon. SYDNEY / HOBART. Fly to Tasmania and meet your local host. Transfer to Hobart Pier to board a cruise to Peppermint Bay. See giant kelp forests and sea life on the ocean floor with unique underwater cameras, and perhaps spot sea eagles, seals, dolphins and whales. Visit a bird sanctuary, a salmon farm and more. Your evening is free. (B,L)

Day 23, Tue. PORT ARTHUR EXCURSION. Depart on a full day
excursion to Port Arthur. En route, see Eaglehawk Neck, Tasman Arch, Devils Kitchen and the Blowhole. Upon arrival at the Port Arthur Historic Site, once a penal settlement, take a tour and learn of its history. There is time to explore the site on your own. Rejoin the group for a short harbor cruise, viewing the boys prison of Point Puer, the Isle of the Dead and a magnificent coastline. Following the cruise, return to Hobart. (B)

Day 24, Wed. HOBART. A full day at leisure to explore Hobart and its surrounding areas on your own. Ask your host for about optional outings. (B)

Day 25, Thu. DEPART HOBART. Transfer to Hobart Domestic airport for the short flight to Melbourne to connect with your onward flight. (B)

PRICES : From $7650 per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement fee is $1820.

DEPARTURES 2008:  Jan 21, Feb 04, 18 Mar 10, 17 & more

HOTELS: Superior First Class (SF) to First Class (F)

Auckland - Langham Hotel (DLX)
Waikato - Farmstay
Rotorua - Royal Lakeside Novotel (SF)
Queenstown - Heritage Hotel (SF)
Mount Cook - The Hermitage (SF)
Christchurch - Heritage Hotel (SF)
Melbourne - Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens – premium level (SF)
Alice Springs - Crowne Plaza - deluxe room (SF)
Ayers Rock - Desert Gardens (F)
Sydney - The Sebel Pier One (SF))