Discover New Zealand

Day by day

The itinerary

1. Day 1 · Auckland

   Auckland

   Upon arrival at airport in New Zealand, you will be warmly met by a representative, who will provide assistance and transfer to your accommodation to check-in. Activities: • The day is free to rest and explore The City of Sails, independently. Overnight: Auckland

2. Day 2 · Auckland

   Auckland

   Activities: • Morning sightseeing tour of Auckland by coach features the Auckland central business district, the University, yacht harbour, Auckland Harbour Bridge, the views from Mt Eden, which is the tallest of the many extinct volcanic cones around which Auckland is sited, and the popular the Domain Gardens. • Also see quaint Parnell Village and the Rose Gardens and drive around the waterfront to Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World and Antarctic Encounter. There is a variety of sea life here including sharks, stingrays and Antarctic Penguins in a special sub zero enclosure. • Afternoon at leisure. Overnight: Auckland – (B)

3. Day 3 · Rotorua

   Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua

   Activities: This morning depart Auckland on a half day tour by sightseeing coach travelling south over the Bombay hills and through the Waikato Valley, which is an important dairying region. On arrival at Waitomo take a guided tour of the famous limestone cave including the Glow-worm Grotto. Packed lunch on board coach arriving Rotorua in early afternoon. Remainder of the day at leisure to explore independently. In the evening enjoy a hangi dinner and concert of Maori song and dance on a marae (Maori Village). Overnight: Rotorua – (B, L, D)

4. Day 4 · Christchurch

   Rotorua - Christchurch

   Activities: • Morning sightseeing tour of Rotorua by coach includes a guided tour of Te Puia – the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve to see the geysers and other weird thermal activity, and the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute where young Maori are being taught traditional carving and weaving skills. • Also features a visit to lovely Rainbow Springs to see the trout and rare kiwis, and the popular Agrodome farm show. • In the afternoon fly to Christchurch on the South Island; and transfer to the hotel. Overnight: Christchurch – (B)

5. Day 5 · Queenstown

   Christchurch - Mt Cook - Queenstown

   Activities: Full day tour by coach travelling south across the sheep and cropping farmlands if the Canterbury Plains and inland through Fairlie and Burkes Pass. See the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo and continue around glacially formed Lake Pukaki into Mt Cook. There are 17 peaks over 10,000 ft asl in Mt Cook National Park including Mt Cook – New Zealand’s highest peak (12,349 ft). In the afternoon drive down from Mt Cook past Lake Pukaki and across the Mackenzie Basin. Cross the Lindis Pass and descend to the Central Otago sheep and cattle raising country. Drive around Lake Dunstan and past the Cromwell fruit and grape growing area and continue through the rugged but scenic Kawarau Gorge into Queenstown. Optional Activities: Opportunities for optional ski plane rides with glacier landings (extra cost). Overnight: Queenstown – (B)

6. Day 6 · Queenstown

   Queenstown

   Activities: • Free day for your own choice of sightseeing in this wonderful alpine resort. • Suggest take the Skyline Gondola to Bob’s Peak for panoramic views across Queenstown to the surrounding mountains. • Other options are a tour out to Arrowtown, which was the site of a major 1860s gold rush, a thrilling excursion on the Shotover Jet, a half or full day tour of the Central Otago wineries or a lake cruise on the vintage lake steamer TSS Earnslaw. (activities at extra cost) Overnight: Queenstown – (B)

7. Day 7 · Queenstown

   Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown

   Activities: • Full day tour by coach travelling around Lake Wakatipu then through Te Anau and Fiordland National Park. The scenery is stunning with high mountains and deep valleys carved out by ice age glaciers. There are clear rushing streams and cascading waterfalls set in magnificent native rainforest. • At Milford Sound take a cruise down the fiord past the Bowen Falls, Mitre Peak and Pembroke Glacier to the open sea. Seals, penguins and dolphins are often seen. • Buffet lunch served aboard. • In the afternoon return to Queenstown by coach travelling via the Cleddau Gorge, Homer Tunnel and the lovely Eglinton Valley. Overnight: Queenstown – (B, L)

8. Day 8 · Franz Josef

   Queenstown - Wanaka - Franz Josef

   Activities: • Full day tour by coach travelling through the Kawarau Gorge to Cromwell and on past Lake Dunstan to Wanaka, which is a popular lakeside resort. • From here travel around glacial Lakes Wanaka and Hawea crossing the Haast Pass through the Southern Alps – the scenery is stunning with high snow-topped mountains all around. • Descend following the Haast River towards the West Coast then travel north through native rainforest and past pretty bush-fringed lakes passing through the Fox Township. • The Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are massive rivers of glacial ice flowing from snowfields high in the Southern Alps almost to sea level ­quite an unusual feature in a temperate climatic zone. Overnight: Franz Josef – (B)

9. Day 9 · Christchurch

   Franz Josef - Arthur's Pass - Christchurch

   Activities: • This morning travel north to Greymouth by coach through forests and farmlands with the Southern Alps rising sharply to the east and vistas of the Tasman Sea to the west. • Time to visit a greenstone factory at Hokitika, where a local jade stone is crafted into jewellery and ornaments of both modern and traditional design. • In the afternoon continue to Christchurch on the award winning Tranz Alpine train travelling travel through Arthur’s Pass and the Southern Alps and down the Waimakiriri Valley. • Transfer to the hotel. Overnight: Christchurch – (B)

10. Day 10 · Christchurch

    Christchurch

    Activities: Morning sightseeing tour of Christchurch by coach features the central city highlights including the botanical gardens, Museum and Art Centre, the Avon river, Bridge of Remembrance, the cities new pop up container mall and many other CBD highlights. On leaving the inner city, the tour travels to Mona Vale a historic homestead and gardens. Up to the Sign of the Takahe, a historic building providing spectacular views over the city, then travel over the hills to the Port of Lyttleton, through the harbour tunnel to the seaside suburb of Sumner and cave rock before returning to the central city. Departure: In the afternoon transfer to Christchurch International Airport and check in for your departure flight. – (B) Meals as per itinerary: (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner) We can personalize this tour just for you! Call: 1 800 263 2995 / 416 391 0334 or complete form