Featuring: North Island and South Island, including Auckland, Christchurch and Milford Sound
| Length: | 16 days |
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| Accommodations: | Lodge, Hotel, Resort, Overnight Cruise as per itinerary
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| Meals: | Dinner, Breakfast as per itinerary
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| Sightseeing: | North Island and South Island, including Auckland, Christchurch and Milford Sound |
| Transportation: | Modern Coach |
Depart for New ZealandFly over the international date line on your way to New Zealand.
Auckland to WaitomoDeparting at midday, we head south past the fertile Waikato River basin and onto our special overnight stay at Waitomo, home of the world famous limestone formations and sparkling Glow-worms. Tonight there's the chance to meet the local characters.
Waitomo to RotoruaThere will be time today, if you wish, to visit the Glow-worm grotto or try underground cave rafting. Then we'll visit the Agrodome farm show, on our way to the thermal area of Rotorua. Maybe try the Zorb or end the day by relaxing in a Polynesian thermal pool, before taking in an optional Maori Hangi meal and concert.
Rotorua to TaupoWhat a day for your travel diary, along the steaming Wairakei Valley to the raging Huka Falls before continuing to our exclusive resort beside New Zealand's largest lake - Taupo. This afternoon you're free to wander the shops, enjoy a parasail high over the lake or challenge gravity on the Rock n' Ropes. Tonight maybe try fishing and later enjoy the famous local nightlife.
Taupo to WellingtonThe mountains of Tongariro National Park provide a spectacular sight on the way to Wellington, New Zealand's capital city. A scenic waterfront drive to the top of Mt Victoria acts as the perfect introduction to this cosmopolitan city famed for its cafes, restaurants and trendy bars.
WellingtonA full day to explore the city and its surrounding area. Take your time to enjoy the amazing Museum of New Zealand, known as Te Papa 'Our House'. Maybe do some shopping or see the sights of the Lord of the Rings trilogy or just relax in one of the city's many cafes. Later this evening join us for a walkabout dinner.
Wellington to ChristchurchBoard the Inter-Island ferry and do the north to south island hop through Marlborough Sound and Cook Strait to Picton. Then make sure your camera has film for the spectacular views along the Kaikoura Coastline. If we're lucky, we'll spot one of the many seal colonies in this area. Then, via the Canterbury Plains, we'll head towards the city of Christchurch.
Christchurch to Franz Josef GlacierWe'll cross the spectacular Southern Alps via majestic Arthur's Pass and take in the jade greenstone carving at Hokitika. Then we'll journey along the South Island's rugged coast to the awesome Westland National Park, home to Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.
Franz Josef Glacier to QueenstownToday there's the chance to explore the incredible Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers with professional guides that will be on hand to show you the beauty of this natural wonder. We'll then journey through Haast Pass to Queenstown and our lodge high above Lake Wakatipu. Hold onto your hat - Queenstown beckons!
QueenstownLeisure is probably the wrong word as Queenstown is known as the 'Adventure-Adrenaline capital of the world', one of those places that you can literally do as much or as little as you like. A number of options to astound you await! Ever tried Bungy jumping, Sky diving, Jet boating, River boarding, White water rafting, Helicopter riding, Luging, Canyon Swinging, Four wheeldriving, Hiking???? Be extreme! Action by day, action by night - that's Queenstown. Yes, when you've dried off and caught your breath, it'll be time to experience Queenstown's legendary nightlife, and there's no shortage of venues for dining and socialising - why not try an optional meal at the world famous Skyline gondola complex.
Queenstown to Milford SoundNeed an adrenalin boost? We'll take you to a bridge to jump off! The bungee jumping bridge provides a hair-raising, gob-stopping adrenalin rush. It is one of the options on this tour that separates the tourists from the purists. Pure fun. Pure rush. Why don't you try it? After this we travel to Fiordland National Park, where we head through the Homer Tunnel (D'OH!) for our first view of Mitre Peak and Milford Sound. Then it's all aboard the Milford Wanderer, for an overnight cruise taking in all the beauty of the fjord. There's the chance to kayak and see whales, dolphins and penguins along with towering mountains and breathtaking waterfalls. It'll be an evening to treasure!
Milford Sound to Lake OhauIn the morning we'll breakfast on board before heading back to the mainland. We travel past Lake Te Anau and the Clutha River to Arrowtown for the chance to find gold. Then we head to the Southern Alps to our lodge at Lake Ohau which affords views over Australasia's tallest peak, Mt Cook.
Lake Ohau to ChristchurchIf heights don't scare you (we saw you bungee jump two days ago), then why not take the option of a spectacular glacier flight over Mt Cook? Later, we'll head through the MacKenzie country, home to the sheep industry. to Christchurch where you may join us for an end-of-tour, we-must-keep-in-touch-what-tour-are-you-taking-next, dinner.
ChristchurchSay a final farewell to your new friends as your trip ends this morning after breakfast.
All these highlights along with city sightseeing are included in your tour price!