Your itinerary
Day 1 - 3: Arrive Auckland, New Zealand
Day 2 is spent in flight.
On day 3, arrive in the "City of Sails", Auckland, New
Zealand. This evening, join your fellow
travellers for a welcome dinner. (D)
Day 4: Auckland - Bay of Islands
This morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of
Auckland including America's Cup Village, vibrant
Queen Street
, the Auckland Harbour Bridge, spectacular views from the top of
Mt. Eden (a dormant volcano), a visit to the Auckland War Memorial
Museum, Tamaki waterfront and Waitemata Harbour. Later, travel
north to the Bay of Islands.
(B, D)
Day 5: Bay of Islands
Begin your day with a cruise through the
famous Hole in the Rock and view Cape Brett Lighthouse. This afternoon, visit the Waitangi Treaty House and
enjoy the remainder of your day exploring on your own. (B)
Day 6: Bay of Islands - Rotorua
Depart for the centre of Maori civilization
and home to numerous geothermal springs, the city of
Rotorua. Tonight, enjoy a home stay* and
dinner with one of New Zealand's families.
This is a great way to meet the Kiwis and perhaps make a lifelong
friend. (B,
D)
Day 7: Rotorua
Begin the day at the impressive
Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. You'll see
amazing geysers, hot springs, hot mud pools and the Kiwi
bird! See craftsmen at work in a typical
Maori village, and take part in an interactive demonstration about
the Maori dress and weaving process. Enjoy a sheepshearing
demonstration at the Agrodome, and meet jade carvers at a local
jade factory. HTonight, receive a traditional Maori welcome
at a Hangi meal followed by songs, dances, and many other
festivities. H (B, D)
Day 8: Rotorua - Wellington
Travel south through the rolling
countryside of the North Island to New Zealand's capital city,
Wellington.
(B)
Day 9: Wellington
Enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of
Wellington viewing the Beehive, New Zealand's Parliament, historic
St. Paul's Church, and the government building, the largest wooden
building in the Southern Hemisphere. Following the tour, you visit
the national museum of New Zealand, Te
Papa Tongawera Museum. (B)
Day 10: Wellington - Picton -
Christchurch
Travel by ferry to Picton, on New Zealand's
South Island, and experience the beauty of the eastern coastline as
you head south to the picturesque city of Christchurch. Located on
the Avon River, this charming city is considered "the most English
city outside of England." A sightseeing tour features the
Neo-Gothic Cathedral, the downtown park district, and stunning
Victorian-style buildings. (B)
Day 11: Christchurch - Franz Josef Glacier
Region
Marvel at the rugged snowcapped peaks and
deep river gorges as you wind your way across to New Zealand's
spectacular west coast. An optional ride aboard the Tranz Alpine
Scenic Express offers a unique cross-country
experience. (B, D)
Day 12: Franz Josef - Queenstown
Enjoy a picture stop of the famous Franz
Josef glacier before leaving the South Island's lush west coast.
Take in the stunning scenery as you pass through rain forest
surrounded by the Southern Alps and travel the twisting
coastline. This is a land of one lane
bridges, green glacial lakes, thundering waterfalls and dramatic
landscape changes. After crossing the Haast Pass, arrive in
Queenstown, one of New Zealand's prettiest towns.
Dinner is included at the Skyline Restaurant overlooking
Queenstown, the Remarkable Mountains, and Lake Wakatipu. (B, D)
Day 13: Queenstown
Spend the day at leisure in this charming
South Island town. Or, experience the
optional "Safari of the Rings" adventure travelling into the
spectacular landscape. (B)
Day 14: Queenstown - Milford Sound - Te
Anau
Travel through beech forest into the rugged
grandeur of the Hollyford Valley via the Homer Tunnel to Milford
Sound. Enjoy a leisurely cruise of this spectacular fjord and
experience the breathtaking surroundings. Overnight on the southern
shores of Lake Te Anau.
(B, L, D)
Day 15: Te Anau - Dunedin
Journey through the scenic, unspoiled
countryside of southern New Zealand before arriving in Dunedin,
"The Edinburgh of the South." This
afternoon, visit the Royal Albatross Center, the only mainland
colony of albatross in the world. For
centuries the albatross has been a creature of reverence and
superstition, regularly circumnavigating the globe, sometimes aloft
for days on end. (B, D)
Day 16: Dunedin
A morning tour of this lovely city will
feature some of the best-preserved sites of Edwardian Victorian
architecture in the Southern Hemisphere. View Olveston Manor and
the beautiful university campus. Enjoy an
evening at leisure. (B)
Day 17: Dunedin - Mt. Cook Region
Journey through the spectacular river
gorges aboard the Taieri Gorge Railway this morning. Then, board
your coach to journey further into the countryside, arriving at Mt.
Cook National Park.
Explore this marvelous land with a nature walk or an optional
flightseeing tour, weather permitting, with close-up views of Mt.
Cook and the glaciers. (B, D)
Day 18: Mt. Cook - Christchurch
Travel back to Christchurch this morning.
The day is yours to explore this quaint city: stroll through the
gardens, wander through the shops or simply relax. Tonight,
celebrate the end of your tour as you dine in a restored mansion
which was once the homestead of the first family to settle in
Christchurch. (B, D)
Day 19: Christchurch - Depart for Home
Today your tour ends, leaving you with many
pleasant memories. (B)
Day 20: Arrive Home
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