Day 1: Depart Los Angeles for your pacific flight to New Zealand. Arrive Day 3
Day 3. Arrive Auckland.
Haere mai – Welcome to New Zealand! We will be at the airport to greet and transport you to your Auckland hotel. Sky City Hotel.
Day 4. Auckland to Rotorua.
This morning we journey to the crest of Mount Eden, to enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the city. Leaving the ?City of Sails? we travel south to Waitomo Caves to experience a guided tour of the underground limestone caverns, including the magnificent ?Cathedral? cave. Join a silent boat ride and glide through a mystical grotto, carved by an underground river over thousands of years and lit by millions of tiny glow-worms. Emerge into daylight and continue to Rotorua and tonight enjoy a Hangi (Feast) and Maori cultural performance.QV. Park Heritage Hotel D
Day 5. Rotorua. (Your Choice)
Today experience the attractions of Rotorua when you choose an activity and we will include it in your itinerary. Perhaps enjoy a half day sightseeing tour visiting Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and taking a guided tour through Te Puia. You will then enjoy an entertaining sheep show at the Agrodome and walk amongst beautiful native flora and fauna at Rainbow Springs. Perhaps a lunch cruise is more your style or the Museum tour and Polynesian Spa option. Park Heritage Hotel or Country Stay option
Day 6. Rotorua to Wellington.
Follow the Thermal Explorer Highway to the heart of the North Island and view Wairakei Steam Valley, where thermal energy is harnessed in the world?s second largest geothermal power plant. See the spectacular Huka Falls, and tranquil Lake Taupo, the water-filled crater of an ancient volcano. Travel south and cross the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park. Continue to Wellington, New Zealand?s capital city. James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
Day 7. Wellington to Blenheim.
This morning enjoy a brief city sightseeing tour, including Parliament Buildings, before we visit Te Papa Museum. Displayed here is the past, present and future of New Zealand. Stunning displays, complex technology, interactive exhibitions and activities provide serious fun. This afternoon we join our cruise for the journey across Cook Strait to the South Island and Picton.
Here we rejoin our coach and travel to Blenheim. Blenheim Country Hotel
Day 8. Blenheim to Christchurch.
Today is a spectacular scenic journey between mountain and sea. Travel through the Marlborough region, an area with a growing international reputation for white wines. Arrive in the thriving seaside settlement of Kaikoura, an area offering unique whale, seal and dolphin watching experiences. Journey between the Pacific Ocean and rugged Kaikoura Ranges, through North Canterbury to Christchurch, renowned as the "Garden City". Copthorne Central Hotel
Day 9. Christchurch to Franz Josef.
This morning board the award-winning TranzAlpine train, a journey voted as one of the top train journeys in the world. Cross the vast patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains and enjoy stunning scenery as we journey through spectacular gorges, river valleys and across the country?s greatest mountain range, the magnificent Southern Alps. Disembark at Arthurs Pass and continue to Hokitika by coach. Continue along the dramatic West Coast and enter the World Heritage-listed area of South West New Zealand. Nowhere in the world?s temperature zones are glaciers as accessible as here. There may be the opportunity to enjoy a scenic flight over this incredible region (own expense, weather permitting). Franz Josef Glacier Hotel
Day 10. Franz Josef to Queenstown.
Cross the Haast Pass to the glacial lakes of Hawea and Wanaka before reaching Queenstown. Tonight a choice of dining experiences. Copthorne Lakefront Resort (2 nights). D
Day 11. Queenstown. (Your Choice)
Queenstown is an exhilarating, year-round, alpine resort, perfect for adventurers and leisure-seekers alike. Today you choose the activity and we will include it!
Day 12. Queenstown to Te Anau.
Today we follow the Remarkables Mountain Range and trace the shore of Lake Wakatipu to Fiordland National Park. Journey along the Milford Road, renowned as one of the world?s finest alpine drives. We board our Red Boat Cruise and journey the full length of this beautiful fiord. This afternoon we have a relaxing drive to Te Anau. Village Inn
Day 13. Te Anau to Dunedin. (Your Choice)
Travel across the South Island to the East Coast and the city of Dunedin, renowned as the ?Edinburgh of the South?. This afternoon you can choose from a range of activities that we will include in your tour. Journey to the Otago Peninsula for a fascinating experience to either the Royal Albatross Colony or Penguin Place. You may prefer to visit Speights Brewery or Cadbury Chocolate World. Alternatively you could enjoy a spectacular journey on the Taieri Gorge Railway. Dunedin City Hotel
Day 14. Dunedin to Mt. Cook .
Journey north to view the unique Moeraki Beach boulders. We then turn inland and travel to the MacKenzie Country. MacKenzie Country Inn
Day 15. Mt. Cook to Christchurch.
Today we journey into New Zealand's highland and World Heritage-listed Mount Cook National Park. View Mount Cook, New Zealand?s highest mountain. Perhaps take an optional scenic flight over this awe-inspiring alpine region (own expense, weather permitting). Continue to Lake Tekapo and visit the Church of the Good Shepherd. Leaving the High Country we cross the Rakaia River and travel to Christchurch. Copthorne Central Hotel
Day 16 Christchurch.
At leisure until you are transferred to the airport for your flight |
