DAY 1: Depart for New Zealand
Cross the international dateline and arrive on Day 3
Day 3: Welcome to Auckland—City of Sails!
On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation. The rest of your day is at leisure. Overnight: Auckland, Hotel Grand Chancellor (standard), SkyCity Hotel (first class) or Langham Hotel (superior)
DAY 4: Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua
(226 miles/4-1/2 hrs) Pick up your car rental. Today, travel to the captivating Waitomo Caves and experience a guided tour through the limestone caves and a boat trip through the Glow Worm Grotto. Continue on to Rotorua. This evening, enjoy a Maori “Hangi” (feast) and concert. Overnight: Rotorua, Ibis Rotorua (standard), Novotel Rotorua Lakeside (first class) or Millennium Hotel (superior) for 2 nights (D)
DAY 5: Rotorua
Today you will experience the sights of Rotorua, starting with a thrilling helicopter flight to the crater of an active volcano. This afternoon is free to explore Rotorua at your leisure.
Day 6: Rotorua - Taupo- Napier
(132 miles/3 hrs)
Travel through forest plantations to Lake Taupo. Visit Huka Falls for a jetboat ride (optional). Continue on to Hawkes Bay, a region where orchards and olive groves are interspersed with award-winning vineyards, and the boundless Pacific delivers fresh seafood daily. Overnight: Napier, Scenic Circle Te Pania Hotel (standard), Country Hotel (first class) or The Nautilus (superior) for 2 nights
DAY 7: Napier at Leisure
Explore Cape Kidnappers Reserve, where the largest gannet colony in the world is located. Enjoy lunch at one of the many wineries in the region. After lunch, a guided walking tour of central Napier to view the many Art Deco buildings is included
DAY 8: Napier - Wellingont via Martinborough
(212 miles/4-1/2 hrs)
Travel south to Martinborough, home to more than 25 boutique vineyards. Continue on to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington, which is compact, cultured and full of character. Overnight: Wellington, Novotel Wellington (standard), Copthorne Oriental Bay (first class) or InterContinental (superior)
DAY 9: Wellington - Blenheim Ferry
(79 miles/1-1/2 hrs) excludes ferry crossing time
Visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum. Then take the ferry across to the South Island and continue on to Blenheim—the heart of Marlborough. Overnight: Blenheim, Heartland Hotel (standard), Hotel D’Urville (first class) or Chateau Marlborough (superior)
DAY 10: Blenheim - Christchurch
(193 miles/4 hrs)
Before leaving Blenheim, visit some of New Zealand’s most famous wineries. Travel on to Christchurch via Kaikoura, famous for whale watching. Overnight: Christchurch, Holiday In on Avon (standard), Chateau on the Park (first class) or The George Hotel (superior)
DAY 11: Christchurch - Aoraki, Mt. Cook
(206 miles/4 hrs) Today you will cross the Canterbury Plains, through MacKenzie Country via Lake Tekapo. Continue on to Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park. Overnight: Aoraki Mt. Cook, Hermitage Hotel (standard, first class or superior)
DAY 12: Aoraki Mt. Cook - Queentown
(163 miles/3-1/2 hrs) During summer, we recommend an optional morning tour with Glacier Explorers to experience the Tasman Glacier aboard an inflatable raft. Later, travel through Lindis Pass to Queenstown, stopping at a fruit orchard in Cromwell. Overnight: Queenstown, Copthorne Hotel Lakefront (standard), Hotel St Moritz (first class) or Sofitel Queenstown (superior)
DAY 13: Milford Sound cuirse
Travel along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau and through the Homer Tunnel. Emerge into the Cleddau Valley and join a Milford Sound cruise for an unforgettable experience exploring this majestic fiord. Return to Queenstown. (L)
DAY 14: Depart Queenstown
Return vehicle to Queenstown airport and check in for your onward flight. |
