20 meals-11 breakfasts (B), 9 dinners (D) (with meal plan)Domestic and International airfare not included.
Country Homestay Option on Day 3 (must be pre-booked)
Day 1: Arrive Auckland, Exclusive Experiences
On arrival in Auckland you will be transferred to your hotel. This afternoon you choose the activity and we will include it. Ride to the top of the Sky Tower, visit the Auckland Museum, enjoy a half-day city tour, visit Auckland's Maritime Museum, explore Kelly Tarltons Underwater World, cruise aboard the "Pride of Auckland," relax with a reflexology treatment or trek through the Waitakere rainforest. Overnight: Auckland, SKYCITY Hotel
Day 2: Auckland-Waitomo-Rotorua
Journey to one of Auckland's extinct volcanoes, to enjoy spectacular panoramic city views. Leaving the "City of Sails," travel south to Waitomo Caves for a tour of the underground limestone caverns. Glide by boat through a mystical grotto lit by thousands of tiny glow worms. Continue to geothermal Rotorua. Tonight, enjoy a Hangi (feast) and Maori cultural performance. Overnight: Rotorua, Heritage Hotel for 2 nights (B,D)
Day 3: Rotorua, Exclusive Experiences
Rotorua is New Zealand's oldest resort, famous for its fascinating geothermal activity and unique Maori culture. Today you choose the activity and we will include it. Visit Te Puia thermal reserve, the Agrodome Sheep Show and Rainbow Springs; enjoy a spa treatment and soak in a thermal mineral pool; take an ecothermal tour or a trip to the Rotorua Museum-the choice is yours. (B,D)
Country Homestay option is available tonight
Day 4: Rotorua-Wellington
Follow the Thermal Explorer Highway to the heart of the North Island. See the spectacular Huka Falls, mouth of the Waikato River, and Lake Taupo, the water filled crater of an ancient volcano. Cross the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park. Continue to Wellington, New Zealand's capital city and journey to the top of Mt Victoria. Enjoy a stunning panoramic view of this cosmopolitan city and its sparkling harbor. Overnight: Wellington, James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (B,D)
Day 5: Wellington-Blenheim
After a brief city sightseeing tour visit Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand. Displayed here is the past, present and future of New Zealand. Later, cruise to the South Island across Cook Strait and through the breathtaking Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Travel by coach to Blenheim. Overnight: Blenheim, Blenheim Country Hotel (B,D)
Day 6: Blenheim-Kaikoura-Christchurch
Enjoy a spectacular journey between mountain and sea. Travel through the Marlborough region to the seaside settlement of Kaikoura. Journey between the Pacific Ocean and rugged Kaikoura Ranges to the garden city of Christchurch. After a city sightseeing tour, the remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight: Christchurch, Copthorne Central Hotel (B,D)
Day 7: TranzAlpine Train-Franz Josef
Board the TranzAlpine Train for one of the world's great train journeys. Travel through spectacular gorges, river valleys and across the magnificent Southern Alps. Disembark at Arthur's Pass and continue to Hokitika. Travel along the West Coast to the World Heritagelisted area of Te Wahipounamu. View the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier. Enjoy a scenic flight over this incredible region (own expense, weather permitting). Overnight: Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel (B,D)
Day 8: Franz Josef, Queenstown Dining Option
Continue along the West Coast through mountains and glaciers, limestone landscapes, tranquil lakes and raging rivers. A river safari captures breathtaking views of the Haast River Valley. Follow the shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the action-packed alpine resort of Queenstown. Tonight enjoy our Dining Options, where you choose from one of four restaurants and we'll include it! Cruise to Walter Peak to enjoy a candlelight dinner at the Colonel's homestead or ride the gondola to Skyline Restaurant for dinner and spectacular views. Overnight: Queenstown, Novotel Gardens Hotel for 3 nights (B,D)
Day 9: Queenstown, Exclusive Experiences
Today you choose the activity and we'll include it! Try a "Double Decker Explorer" tour, an "Original Wine Tour" of some award-winning wineries, a jetboat ride on the Shotover river, a relaxing garden tour, the "Safari of the Scenes" tour, a 4WD adventure into Skippers Canyon or a leisurely walk around Lake Wakatipu. (B)
Day 10: Milford Sound-Queenstown*
Your independent touring to Milford Sound begins today. Follow the Remarkables Mountain Range along the shore of Lake Wakatipu to Fiordland National Park. Witness Mitre Peak rising from the glassy waters of Milford Sound. Enjoy a Red Boat cruise of this beautiful fiord before your return trip to Queenstown. (B,D)
Day 11: Queenstown-Christchurch*
Your independent tour continues as you depart Queenstown and travel through the rugged landscape of Otago. Cross the Lindis Pass into the Mackenzie Country to Mt Cook Village. Take a scenic helicopter or skiplane flight with a snow landing (own expense, weather permitting). Then stop at the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo en route to Christchurch. Overnight: Christchurch, Copthorne Central Hotel (B,D)
Day 12: Depart Christchurch*
Today is at leisure in Christchurch until your airport transfer (included) for your departing flight. (B)
Departure Dates
2008: Apr 8, 15, 19, 22, 29; May 6; Jun 17; Jul 15; Aug 5, 26; Sep 16, 23, 30; Oct 11, 18, 21, 25, 28; Nov 8, 11, 15, 22, 25, 29; Dec 9, 20, 23
2009: Jan 6, 10, 17, 20, 24, 27, 31; Feb 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 21, 24, 26, 28; Mar 3, 7, 10, 17, 31
Itinerary also available in reverse (NDH12)
2008: Apr 7; Sep 8; Oct 6, 20; Nov 3, 17; Dec 8
2009: Jan 5, 19; Feb 2, 6, 16; Mar 2, 16
