Your itinerary
1
and 2. London to Auckland
Your door-to-door driver takes you to London Heathrow for your
Air New Zealand flight via Los Angeles to Auckland. You'll regain
the lost day on your return journey.
3. Auckland
Reaching the 'City of Sails' today, unpack for two nights at the
downtown 3 diamond Rydges Hotel - it's just minutes from the
harbour. There's an orientation tour this afternoon.
4. Auckland
A day at leisure. Perhaps visit the Auckland and National
Maritime museums, stroll to the harbour, visit Waiheke Island or
take a trip to Sky City for magnificent views. B
5. Auckland to Paihia (Bay of Islands)
Journey to the Bay of Islands and, reaching Paihia, board a
cruise through big-game fishing waters and the famous 'Hole in the
Rock' before dropping anchor in Otehei Bay to explore Urupukapuka
Island. Join the optional Nautilus subsea adventure or sunbathe on
the beach. Returning to Paihia, check in at the 3 diamond Copthorne
Hotel or similar within the National Trust Reserve, for two nights.
B
6. Bay of Islands
Join the optional Cape Reinga tour or spend the day as you
please. B
7. Bay of Islands to
Cambridge
Travel through Waikato's lush farming area to Cambridge, where
you will be collected by your friendly host for a home-cooked meal
and an overnight farm stay (3 diamond). B D
8. Cambridge to Waitomo and
Rotorua
This morning, visit Waitomo caves for a boat trip illuminated
only by thousands of glow-worms. This afternoon, journey to
Wai-O-Tapu's thermal nature reserve, featuring boiling mud pools
and spouting geysers. The 4 diamond Millennium Hotel, set close to
Lake Rotorua, is your home for the next two nights. B
9. Rotorua
Visit the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute before heading to
Paradise Valley Spring wildlife sanctuary for an afternoon at
leisure; perhaps relaxing in a mineral-rich bath at the Polynesian
Spa or joining the optional tour to Te Wairoa, a village almost
buried during the eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886. This evening,
enjoy a Maori Hangi, a combination of feast and concert, including
a display of the Haka. B D
10. Rotorua to
Wellington
Head south today through the Central Plateau to Wellington, New
Zealand's capital and the political and business heart of the
country. After a brief city orientation tour and a look at the
highlights of the Te Papa Museum, you'll be welcomed at the
centrally located James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel (4 diamond) for
one night's stay. B
11. Wellington to
Christchurch
New Zealand's North and South Islands are divided by the Cook
Strait: sail through Marlborough Sound to Picton. Stopping at the
Brancott Estate Winery in Blenheim for a wine tasting and tour on
the way, continue through the North Canterbury farming district to
Christchurch for a night at the central Copthorne Durham Street (4
diamond)or similar. B
12. Christchurch to The
Glaciers
Cross Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps on your scenic
trans-alpine train journey from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass,
before continuing by road to The Glaciers. Get comfortable at the 3
diamond Franz Josef Hotel (or similar) for a night in Westland
World Heritage Park. B
13. The Glaciers to
Queenstown
Head south to Haast Pass, through a beautiful UNESCO World
Heritage area including Lake Hawea and Wanaka, to the alpine resort
of Queenstown. Settle in for three nights at the 4 diamond
Copthorne Hotel. Situated on Lake Wakatipu's shores, it's close to
the town centre. B
14. Queenstown
Take a cable-car ride to the summit of Bob's Peak this morning
for panoramic views of Queenstown. This afternoon, board the TSS
Earnslaw steamer - cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High
Country Farm for a sheep-shearing demonstration and an opportunity
to see sheep dogs at work. B
15. Queenstown
Make the most of a free day with an optional excursion (bookable
locally): perhaps join the Shotover Jet tour for a jet boat ride
across the fast-flowing waters of the Shotover River, through the
network of rocky canyons and glacial waters of Shotover River
Canyon. Otherwise, explore Queenstown at your own pace. B
16. Queenstown to Doubtful
Sound
Cross Lake Manapouri and the Wilmot Pass into Deep Cove. Board
the 4 diamond Fjordland Navigator for your overnight cruise around
Doubtful Sound. Located in the heart of Te Waipounamu World
Heritage Area, Doubtful Sound is larger and less frequented than
the better-known Milford Sound but no less beautiful. B L D
17. Doubtful Sound to
Dunedin
Returning to Deep Cove, continue your coach journey east to
Dunedin, the 'Edinburgh of the South', for one night at the 3
diamond Southern Cross Hotel in the heart of the shopping district,
or similar. B
18. Dunedin to the Mount Cook
area
After a short morning tour of Dunedin, including Olveston, head
to the Mount Cook regions of Omarama and Twizel. Spend one night at
the 3A Heritage Gateway Hotel (or similar) in the Mackenzie Basin.
B D
19. Mount Cook to
Christchurch
Join the optional flightseeing tour of Mount Cook, known locally
as Aorangi ('cloud piercer'), the highest mountain in New Zealand,
before this afternoon's journey to Lake Tekapo and the town of
Geraldine. Reaching Christchurch, make yourself at home at the 4
diamond Millennium Hotel in Cathedral Square (or similar) for two
nights. B
20. Christchurch
See the highlights of Christchurch on today's tour before taking
a relaxing ride in a punt on the Avon River. The rest of your day
is at leisure. B
21. Christchurch to
London
You've a free morning before your homeward-bound flight with Air
New Zealand, via Los Angeles, to London Heathrow. B
22. London
Your pick-up driver will be waiting to ferry you back to your
door.
Travel notes The flight to
New Zealand is long, so we take things easy to begin with so you
can get your bearings. The rest of the tour is fairly relaxed so
you don't need to worry about being as fit as a Kiwi farmer to
enjoy it - you can decide precisely how active you want to be. To
give you a more personal experience of New Zealand culture, we've
included a night's stay with a local family, where you will be
split into smaller groups. Please note that private facilities
cannot be guaranteed here. Another night is spent cruising the
incredible Doubtful Sound so you can experience its silent beauty
under the stars.
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