PACIFIC ESCAPADE
18 Days Auckland to Christchurch
SMALL GROUP TOURS; THE ULTIMATE IN TOURING; Group size will never exceed 16 guests on any of our tours. This tour includes Auckland, Cormandel Peninsular, Rotorua, Wellington, Marlborough Sounds, Kaikoura Coast, Christchurch, Spectacular Tranz Alpine Train, Franz Josef & Fox Glacier Queenstown & Fiordland National Park and Christchurch
TOUR CODE GNPE
Tour cost nz$7945 per person share twin
Tour cost nz$10,345 for a single traveller
Departure dates
20th Dec 2009
10th 24th 31st Jan, 7th 14th 21st Feb, 7th 21st March 4th 18th April 2010
Day 1
Arrive Auckland
‘Haere Mai’ … welcome to New Zealand
Having cleared customs & immigration formalities, you will be met by our representative & transferred by limousine to your city hotel. The 'City of Sails' is New Zealand's largest and most vibrant, offering an exciting array of cosmopolitan experiences.
Stay Heritage Hotel
Day 2
Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula
Today, travel south to the Coromandel Peninsula, a beautiful rugged area fringed with dozens of excellent beaches that separate the Pacific Ocean from the Hauraki Gulf. It is a place where many kiwis choose to escape the hustle & hype of city life and is home to many arts & crafts people who seek an alternative lifestyle. At the quaint township of Coromandel, we ride the Driving Creek narrow gauge railway to a fascinating artist colony before crossing the divide to the eastern side of the peninsula for our overnight stay in Tairua.
Stay Pacific Harbour Lodge (B)
Day 3
Coromandel, Rotorua
Journey along the Bay of Plenty coastline before heading inland across the volcanic plateau to the geothermal city of Rotorua, passing many of the regions crystal clear lakes en-route, Rotorua’s raw beauty has enchanted visitors from around the world for more than 160 years. At Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Village, you will stand upon volcanoes, peer into massive craters, see boiling mud, exploding geysers and marvel at the unspoiled native forests that cloak the land. This evening, enjoy a twilight cruise across Lake Rotoiti to the natural themal springs of Manupirua Pools before enjoying a lakeside BBQ dinner at your resort.
Stay Duxton Hotel Okawa Bay (BD)
Day 4
Exclusive Lake Tarawera Cruise & Te Wairoa Buried Village
The days highlight is an exclusive cruise across the pristine, clear waters of Lake Tarawera at the base of a gigantic dormant volcano. You’ll experience spectacular scenery & some of the country’s best trout fishing & have the opportunity to soak in the thermal waters of Hot Water Beach before enjoying a gourmet picnic lunch. This afternoon, visit the Blue & Green Lakes and then wander around the famous buried village of Te Wairoa.
Stay Duxton Hotel Okawa Bay (BL)
Day 5
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)
Day 6
At leisure in the Hawke’s Bay (B)
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.
Day 7
Wairarapa, Mt Bruce & Wellington (B)
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 fi nest 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.
Stay Duxton Hotel
Day 8
Picton & the Marlborough Sounds (B)
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 fishing village of Picton. Join your water taxi for the transfer to your accommodation.
Stay The Portage Resort (2 nights)
Day 9
Stunning Kenepuru Sound (B)
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 fingertips. There is also the opportunity to visit the vineyards & wineries located in the famous Marlborough wine region.
Day 10 Kaikoura Coast, Christchurch (B)
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.
Stay Heritage Christchurch Hotel
Day 11
Spectacular TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers (B)
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.
Stay Te Weheka Inn
Day 12
Haast, Wanaka, Queenstown (B)
There is the opportunity to experience an optional scenic flight 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.
Stay Heritage Queenstown Hotel (4 nights)
Day 13, 14 & 15
Explore Queenstown & the Fiordland National Park (B)
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.
Day 16
Arrowtown, Mt Cook National Park (B,D)
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.
Stay Mt Cook Hermitage – Aoraki Wing
Day 17
Tasman Glacier, Lake Tekapo, Christchurch (B)
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.
Stay Heritage Christchurch Hotel
Day 18
Depart Christchurch (B)
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.
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 magnificent 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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