Day 1: Los Angeles
This evening board your flight bound for Auckland, New Zealand. (D)
|
Day 2: In flight
Cross the International Dateline and “lose” a day. |
Day 3: Auckland
Meet your tour director on arrival in the North Island city of Auckland.
Make an early-morning check-in at your hotel before an afternoon of
sightseeing. Gather this evening for a special Welcome Dinner hosted by your
tour director. Overnight: Auckland, Crowne Plaza (B,D) |
| Day 4: Auckland — Rotorua |
| This morning take a guided boat tour of the
glowworm grotto at Waitomo Caves, then continue to the Rotorua thermal
region where you are invited to a Hangi dinner and Maori concert. Overnight:
Rotorua, Royal Lakeside Novotel for 2 nights (B,D) |
| Day 5: Thermal Reserve |
| Tour Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, then
travel to Rainbow Springs, a sanctuary for giant trout and rare New Zealand
birds. See a sheep-shearing display. Later choose to experience rural living
with a country family and enjoy a hearty home-cooked meal. (B,D)
|
| Country Homestay Option Available (ask when
booking) |
| Day 6: Rotorua — Queenstown
|
| Enjoy a relaxed morning before flying to
Queenstown in the South Island. This evening, enjoy our Dine Around Dinner,
where you choose from an array of restaurants. Overnight: Queenstown,
Novotel Gardens for 2 nights (B,D) |
| Day 7: Milford Sound Cruise
|
| Today brings a memorable experience as you
travel to Fiordland National Park. On arrival, cruise the length of Milford
Sound, sailing below famous Mitre Peak and spectacular waterfalls. (B,L)
|
| Day 8: Queenstown — Franz Josef Glacier
|
| Travel through superb scenery to New
Zealand’s west coast and the beauty of Franz Josef Glacier. There is an
opportunity to take a scenic helicopter flight landing at the head of the
glacier (own expense). Overnight: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel (B,D)
|
| Day 9: TranzAlpine Train — Christchurch
|
| On arrival in Hokitika this morning, see
native greenstone (jade) jewelry and artifacts, then board the TranzAlpine
Express for a rail journey through spectacular Southern Alps alpine scenery.
Overnight: Christchurch, Crowne Plaza (B,D) |
| Day 10: Christchurch — Sydney
|
| Board a flight across the Tasman Sea to the
harbor city of Sydney, Australia. From your luxurious room, enjoy sweeping
views over magnificent Sydney Harbour. Overnight: Sydney, Shangri-La Hotel
for 3 nights (B,L) |
| Day 11: Sydney Harbour Cruise
|
| Take a morning sightseeing tour followed by a
luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour. See the sights that make Sydney so
recognizable including the Harbour Bridge and Fort Denison. This afternoon
enjoy a guided tour of the famed Sydney Opera House. (B,L) |
| Day 12: Sydney at Leisure |
| Today is free to enjoy the many delights of
this cosmopolitan city at your own pace. Perhaps take a sightseeing tour to
Canberra, the Blue Mountains (own expense), or stroll the historic Rocks
area. (B) |
| Day 13: Sydney — Tropical Cairns
|
| A morning flight takes us to Cairns. Enjoy a
guided tour of this tropical city on arrival. Relax at your 5-star
accommodation located on Trinity Bay. Overnight: Cairns, Radisson Plaza
Hotel at the Pier for 3 nights (B,D) |
| Day 14: Great Barrier Reef
|
| An unforgettable experience as we spend the
day on the Great Barrier Reef. At Moore Reef, you can swim or snorkel amid
the tropical fish, or ride aboard a glass-bottom boat over the colorful
coral. (B,L) |
| Day 15: Skyrail and Kuranda Railway
|
| Ride the Skyrail Cableway above The
Rainforest, arriving in Kuranda. See the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers, visit
the wildlife enclosure to view koalas and wander the village at your own
pace. This afternoon, ride the Kuranda Railway down the mountain range to
Cairns. (B) |
| Day 16: Cairns — Darwin |
| Enjoy a free morning before your afternoon
flight to Darwin in the Northern Territory’s Top End. Overnight: Darwin,
Saville Park Suites (B) |
| Day 17: Jumping Crocodile Cruise, Kakadu
National Park |
| Tour Darwin, then travel into World
Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. See a variety of bird life and
crocodiles leaping from the water on our guided Jumping Crocodile cruise.
This afternoon, view ancient Aboriginal art at Nourlangie Rock. Overnight:
Kakadu National Park, Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn (B,D) |
| Day 18: Darwin — Alice Springs
|
| Wander through Bowali Visitor Centre, Kakadu,
for a greater appreciation of this remarkable area. Then it’s on to Darwin
for our flight to Alice Springs. Overnight: Alice Springs Resort for 2
nights (B) |
| Day 19: Alice Springs Town Tour |
| This morning take a tour of Alice Springs.
See the School of the Air, the organization that provides schooling to
children in remote “outback” towns. Visit the base of the Royal Flying
Doctor Service and the historic Telegraph Station; view the West MacDonnell
Ranges and enjoy panoramic views over the township from atop Anzac Hill.
Tonight enjoy a special Camp Oven “outback” dinner. (B,D) |
| Day 20: Ayers Rock and the Olgas
|
| Today head southwest to Uluru-Kata Tjuta
National Park, home of Ayers Rock and the Olgas. Stop to explore the giant
rock domes of the Olgas before continuing to Ayers Rock Resort. Tonight,
dine at the resort or you can enjoy the unique experience of dining in the
desert at the “Sounds of Silence” (additional US$55). Overnight: Ayers Rock
Resort, Sails in the Desert (B,D) |
| Day 21: Ayers Rock — Melbourne
|
| This morning you can choose to climb Ayers
Rock or take a leisurely walk around its base, viewing ancient rock art and
caves. This afternoon, fly to the “Garden City” of Melbourne. Check in to
your elegant accommodations. Overnight: Melbourne, Sheraton Towers Southgate
for 2 nights (B) |
| Day 22: Melbourne |
| A sightseeing tour of Melbourne starts your
day including Victoria Market, Parliament House and beautiful Fitzroy
Gardens. Join the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant for lunch. Enjoy fine cuisine
and wines as you travel the city streets and exclusive suburbs of South
Yarra and Toorak. (B,L) |
| Day 23: Melbourne — Hobart — Port Arthur
|
| Board a morning flight to Hobart, the capital
of Australia’s island state of Tasmania. Then journey across a narrow strip
of land to the Tasman Peninsula. See the rock formations of the Tessellated
Pavement, Tasman’s Arch and Devil’s Kitchen before arriving at Port Arthur
Historic Site. Join a fascinating guided tour of the site, learning of its
convict past and visiting the church, penitentiary and guard tower.
Reboarding the motorcoach, return to Hobart. Overnight: Hobart, Wrest Point
Hotel Casino for 2 nights (B) |
| Day 24: Hobart — Richmond |
| This morning, tour this charming harborfront
city, including colorful Salamanca Place, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical
Gardens and panoramic views over the city from Mt. Wellington. Continue to
Richmond, a quaint Georgian village classified by the National Trust which
is just brimming with antique and craft shops, and inviting cafes and
restaurants. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B,D) |
| 25-Day passengers board your flight to the
United States, arriving in Los Angeles later that day. |
| Day 25–Day 28 (Optional) Day 25: Hobart —
Nadi |
| Your flight today takes us to the beautiful
Fijian Islands. Arrive in Nadi and transfer to the luxurious hotel, your
base for the next three nights. Overnight: Nadi, Sheraton Royal Denarau
Resort for 3 nights. (B) |
| Day 26: Nadi at Leisure |
| The day is totally at leisure to enjoy this
beautiful island. Swim in the crystal ocean waters, take a dip in the pool,
join an optional cruise to an outer tropical island (own expense) or simply
relax in the stunning surroundings of this tropical hideaway. (B)
|
| Day 27: Island Sightseeing
|
| Soak up the warmth of Fiji today as you
explore the island. Visit the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, Fiji’s largest
orchid collection. Then on to the legendary Viseisei Village, where the
first Fijian landed, before having some time at leisure in Nadi Town. (B,D)
|
| Day 28: Nadi — Los Angeles.
Enjoy a late checkout before your evening flight to the
United States. (B) (B,L) |
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