Pacific Escapade
18 Days Auckland to Christchurch
At a glance … Explore all the ‘must-see’ areas of New Zealand as well as some of the special lesser-known regions on this classic 18-day holiday. We will take you on an extraordinary journey through some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. This trip includes some exclusive & exciting excursions yet still offers plenty of time for you
to ‘do your own thing’.
TOUR CODE GNZPE
TOUR COST
Twin Single
01 Jan 10-30 Apr 10 $7,945 $10,345
01 May 10-30 Sep 10 $6,753 $8,793
01 Oct 10-30 Apr 11 $7,945 $10,345
Departure Dates
2010:
Aug 08, 22; Sep 12, 26; Oct 10, 24, 31; Nov 07, 14, 21, 28;
Dec 05, 12, 19
2011:
Jan 02, 09, 12, 16, 23; Feb 02, 06, 09, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27;
Mar 06, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27; Apr 03, 10, 17, 24
Day 1
Arrive Auckland
On arrival, you will be met by our representative & transferred by limousine to your city hotel.
Stay Heritage Auckland Hotel
Day 2
Auckland - Coromandel Peninsula
The Coromandel Peninsula is a beautiful, rugged area fringed with dozens of excellent beaches & is a place where many kiwis choose to escape the hustle & hype of city life. At the quaint township of Coromandel, we ride the Driving Creek narrow gauge railway to a fascinating artist colony.
Stay Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort (B)
Day 3
Coromandel - Rotorua
travel along the Bay of Plenty coastline to Tauranga & Mt Maunganui. Then, head inland across the volcanic plateau to the geothermal city of Rotorua, an area that has enchanted visitors from around the world for more than 160 years. On arrival, enjoy a twilight cruise across Lake Rotoiti to the natural mineral springs of Manupirua Pools before enjoying a lakeside BBQ dinner at your resort. (B,D)
Stay Duxton Hotel Okawa Bay (2 nights)
Day 4
Rotorua - Lake Tarawera Cruise & Te Wairoa Buried Village
Today’s highlight is an exclusive cruise across the pristine, clear waters of Lake Tarawera. Experience spectacular scenery and soak in the thermal waters of Hot Water Beach. This afternoon, visit the Blue & Green Lakes and the famous buried village of Te Wairoa. (B,L)
Day 5
Rotorua - Lake Taupo - Napier
This morning, visit Wai-O-tapu, a wonderland of geothermal activity. Walk at your own pace and marvel at the reserve’s unique features that include the world famous Champagne Pool, geysers, bubbling mud, steaming ground, expansive vistas, huge volcanic craters and sinter terrace formations. Stop at the mighty Huka Falls & Wairakei Geothermal project, then wander around the popular lakeside resort of Taupo. Continue on to Napier, one of the world’s fi nest Art Deco cities. Your local guide will bring this fascinating architecture to life on your walk around the town this afternoon. Stay Te Pania Hotel (2 nights(B))
Day 6
At leisure in Napier
Widely regarded as the ‘Tuscany of the South Pacifi c’, this region boasts some of New Zealand’s best and oldest wineries. You can enjoy a guided wine trail and taste some of the great wines produced locally, visit the world’s largest mainland Gannet Colony, play a challenging round of golf at Cape Kidnappers, take to the skies on an early morning balloon ride over vineyards, olive groves and orchards or simply relax
and enjoy your surroundings. (B)
Day 7
Npaier - Wairarap - Mt Bruce - Wellington
Travel through the rural heartland of the Wairarapa region to Pukaha Mount Bruce, New Zealand’s National Wildlife Centre. In this beautiful setting of native forest you will see the finest collection of New Zealand native birds to be found anywhere. Later, continue on to Wellington, the nation’s capital, where you enjoy a brief sightseeing and orientation tour before checking into your accommodation. (B)
Stay James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
Day 8
Wllington - Picton & The Marlborough Sounds
This morning is at leisure to explore what Wellington has to offer. A visit to Te Papa National Museum is highly recommended. Travel across Cook Strait by Interislander ferry to the picturesque fi shing village of Picton. Join your water taxi for the transfer to your accommodation. (B)
Stay The Portage Resort (2 nights)
Day 9
Stunning Kenepuru Sound
A free day to relax & marvel at the magic that is the Marlborough Sounds. Resort staff will share their love of the Sounds with you through the wide range of water and nature based experiences they put at your fi ngertips. There is also the opportunity to visit the vineyards & wineries located in the famous Marlborough wine region. (B)
Day 10
Kenepuru Sounds - Kaikoura Coast - Christchurch
Travel through Blenheim to Kaikoura, the world-renowned whale-watching centre of New Zealand. Later, we continue south to the “Garden City” of Christchurch, regarded as the most English of New Zealand cities. (B)
Stay Heritage Christchurch Hotel
Day 11
Christchurch - TranzAlpine Train - Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers
Today board the TranzAlpine train for “The Great New Zealand Rail Adventure”, rated as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. The TranzAlpine winds its way over massive viaducts, through spectacular river gorges and tracks its way up and across the spectacular Southern Alps via the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass. Travel along the dramatic West Coast to the township of Fox Glacier for our overnight stay. (B)
Stay Te Weheka Inn
Day 12
Fox Glacier - Haast - Wanaka - Queenstown
There is the opportunity to experience an optional scenic fl ight over this remarkable region before our departure this morning (subject to weather conditions). Today, view incredible scenery as you travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass. Time to wander around the popular lakeside townships of Hawea and Wanaka before travelling to Queenstown, a beautiful alpine resort regarded as New Zealand’s premier holiday destination. (B)
Stay Heritage Queenstown Hotel (4 nights)
Day 13, 14 & 15
Explore Queenstown & the Fiordland National Park
Enjoy three full days to experience this magnifi cent resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts adventure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. Here you can take a thrilling jet boat ride, pan for gold, raft the white water rapids, take a wine trail, fish for trout, play golf or 4WD sheer canyons. It is also a great base from which to explore the Fiordland National Park, and optional day tours & overnight cruises to the awesome Milford & Doubtful Sounds are available. (B)
Day 16
Queenstown - Arrowtown - Mt Cook National Park
Set beneath the rugged Crown Range is Arrowtown, a fascinating collection of mining cottages with an atmosphere straight out of last century. Enjoy some time to stroll through this historic village, once a haven for the gold prospectors of the 1860’s. Later, we travel up the western side of Lake Pukaki to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery. Optional ski-plane & helicopter fl ights are available subject to weather conditions. (B,D)
Stay Mt Cook Hermitage – Aoraki Wing
Day 17
Mt Cook - Tasman Glacier - Lake Tekapo - Christchurch
Experience the Tasman Glacier in the most unique way possible. An experienced guide will whisk you away in a stable MAC Boat to explore the melting ice-face of the glacier. Touch & taste 400-year old icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the lake. Visit beautiful Lake Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd before crossing the vast Canterbury Plains to the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch. (B)
Stay Heritage Christchurch Hotel
Day 18
Depart Christchurch
Sadly, your holiday is at an end and you will be transferred to Christchurch airport today for your onward fl ight. Here, we bid you ‘Haere Ra’, a fond farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay. (B)
Highlights & Inclusions
• Group size won’t exceed 16 guests
• 17 nights superior hotel accommodation
• 2 night stopovers in Rotorua, Napier, Marlborough Sounds &
Christchurch
• 4 nights in majestic Queenstown
• Accompanied throughout by professional, experienced Tour Host
• Full breakfasts daily, 1 lunch & 2 dinners
• Spectacular Coromandel Peninsula & Driving Creek Railway
• Twilight cruise across Lake Rotoiti to Manupirua Pools
• Exclusive Lake Tarawera cruise, Blue & Green Lakes and Te
Wairoa Buried Village
• Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Reserve
• Huka Falls, Wairakei Geothermal region & Lake Taupo
• Guided Art Deco Walk, Napier
• Pukaha Mount Bruce, National Wildlife Centre
• Wellington, the nation’s capital & Te Papa National Museum
• Scenic Interislander cruise
• Stunning Kenepuru Sound
• World famous TranzAlpine Train through the magnifi cent
Southern Alps
• Twin Glaciers of Franz Josef & Fox
• Historic Arrowtown and beautiful Southern Lakes District
• Optional tours & overnight cruises of Milford & Doubtful Sounds
• World-Heritage listed Mt Cook National Park
• See & touch glaciers & icebergs up-close on your Tasman Glacier
Explorer expedition
• Lake Tekapo & the Church of the Good Shepherd
• Complimentary airport transfers by limousine
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