13-DAY NEW ZEALAND RAIL AND SELF-DRIVE TOUR

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INCLUDED FEATURES:

SUGGESTED DAY TO DAY ITINERARY:

Day 3 Arrive Auckland
On arrival, be met and transferred to the hotel. Use free time to explore the “City of Sails.” We recommend a visit to Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World, shopping, or a walk around Auckland’s exciting marina and waterfront.

Day 4 Auckland / Waitomo / Rotorua
(Optional meal plans begin today) Travel south to Rotorua via the rich pastoral province of Waikato. Visit the fascinating Waitomo Caves and enjoy lunch and a guided tour of the famous Glow Worm Grotto featuring an underground boat ride. Continue on via Lake Karapiro to arrive in Rotorua. This evening, enjoy a Maori Hangi (feast) and concert.

Day 5 Rotorua Sightseeing
Experience the many varied sights that Rotorua has to offer. Visit the Agrodome Sheep Show and later Te Puia Thermal Reserve. Learn about traditional Maori crafts at the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. This afternoon enjoy some leisure time. Perhaps take a tour to Mt Tarawera or the Buried Village or enjoy a swim at the Polynesian Spa (own expense).

Day 6 Rotorua / Wellington
Fly to Wellington (airfare not included), New Zealand’s capital city. The remainder of the day is to enjoy at leisure.

Day 7 Wellington / Christchurch
This morning travel on the Interislander ferry across Cook Strait, through Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton. Board the TranzCoastal train which winds its way along the East Coast, to Christchurch. On arrival, be met and transferred to the hotel.

Day 8 Christchurch at Leisure
Today is at leisure in the “Garden City.” Enjoy a historic tram ride, shopping or maybe or a punt down the Avon River (own expense).

Day 9 Christchurch / Mt Cook / Dunedin
Travel by coach to Lake Tekapo, continuing to Mount Cook National Park. Continue on to the southern city of Dunedin.

Day 10 Dunedin / Queenstown
Board the Taieri Gorge train to Queenstown and enjoy the rugged, unspoilt landscape. Experience breathtaking views of this historic journey with sightseeing along the way. Option: add an extra day in Dunedin for touring.

Day 11 Milford Sound Day Excursion
(Subject to road and weather conditions) Travel along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland National Park. View the Mirror Lakes as you continue through the Eglinton Valley. From the Homer Tunnel, emerge into the Cleddau Valley. Join the Milford Sound Red Boat cruise for an unforgettable experience of this majestic fiord. Journey to the mouth of the sound to see the seals and dolphins. Return to Queenstown.

Day 12 Queenstown at Leisure
A free day to enjoy the many leisure activities available.

Day 13 Queenstown / Franz Josef
Travel north via Lakes Wanaka and Hawea. Enjoy the rugged West Coast scenery through the Haast Pass and continue on to spectacular Franz Josef. We suggest a scenic glacier flight (own expense) to enjoy the stunning scenery this region has to offer.

Day 14 Franz Josef / Christchurch
Travel to Greymouth to board the TranzAlpine train for a journey famous for its spectacular mountain scenery as it traverses the Southern Alps which divide the East and West coasts of the South Island. Travel across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, arriving at approximately 6:40pm

PRICE: From $3650 per person.  Based on double occupancy. Taxes extra. Upgrades available..

DEPARTURES 2008: Departs daily

BREAKFAST: Breakfast supplement is an additional $241