New Zealand Splendour Tour
Auckland – Christchurch
Discover New Zealand on this comprehensive and popular 15 Day Premier Tour. Beginning in the harbour city of Auckland, you’ll travel to Rotorua and across the picturesque Marlborough Sounds to the South Island. Here, spend ten days exploring such natural wonders as Franz Josef Glacier, Milford Sound and World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park, before concluding your tour in the Garden City of Christchurch.
TOUR CODE APNCS15
Tour cost low season April 3rd - Sept 11th 2009
Tour cost low season April 2nd - Sept 10th 2010
Without meals nz$4555 per person share twin
With Meals nz$5735 per person share twin
Tour cost high season Sept 18th 2009- March 26nd 2010
Tour cost high season Sept 17th 2010 - Dec 24th 2010
Without meals nz$5565 per person share twin room
With meals nz$6745 per person share twin room
Single supplement nz$1545
Departure dates on request.
Day 1
Arrive Auckland
Upon arrival in New Zealand, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your centrally-located hotel, with the evening at leisure to explore or relax.
Two Night Stay: Auckland, Skycity Hotel
Day 2
Auckland
Freedom of Choice Touring
Today, choose the sightseeing activity that interests you the most from our range of Freedom of Choice Touring options.
Day 3
Auckland - Waitomo, - Rotorua
Leaving the City of Sails, travel to Waitomo and experience a guided tour of the underground limestone and glow-worm caverns. Continue to geothermal Rotorua and tonight immerse yourself in traditional Maori hospitality and culture as you enjoy a Maori hangi feast and performance of song and dance.
Two Night Stay: Rotorua, Heritage Hotel
Day 4
Rotorua
Freedom of Choice Touring
Today, choose the activity that interests you from our Freedom of Choice options. Country Homestay option available tonight
Day 5
Rotorua - Wellington
Follow the Thermal Explorer Highway to the heart of the North Island and view Wairakei Steam Valley, visiting Huka Falls and Lake Taupo before travelling south across the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park on the way to Wellington, the national capital.
Stay: Wellington, James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
Day 6
Wellington – Blenheim
Enjoy a brief city tour then visit the Museum of New Zealand - Te Papa. Later, cruise Cook Strait to Picton on the South Island. Rejoin the coach and travel to Blenheim where tonight, you’ll enjoy a winery tour and tasting before dinner at the Montana Brancott Winery.
Stay: Blenheim Country Hotel
Day 7
Blenheim - Christchurch
Today, journey through the renowned vineyard and orchard region of Marlborough; visit the fishing town of Kaikoura, famous for its whale and dolphin watching, before arriving in Christchurch, the Garden City.
Stay: Christchurch, Copthorne Central Hotel
Day 8
Christchurch – Franz Josef
TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef
This morning board the TranzAlpine Train for a journey known as New Zealand’s greatest rail adventure. Enjoy stunning scenery as you journey through spectacular gorges, river valleys and across the magnificent Southern Alps. Disembark at Arthurs Pass and continue to Hokitika by coach. Continue along the dramatic West Coast to the glacial region of Franz Josef.
Stay: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel
Day 9
Franz Josef - Queenstown
Enjoy a day of incredible scenery as you travel along the Haast River by safari boat, capturing views of the massive glacier-formed Haast River Valley, towering peaks, waterfalls and rainforest. Rejoin the coach and continue to Queenstown, where this evening you’ll choose from four different eateries.
Two Night Stay: Queenstown, Novotel Gardens Hotel
Day 10
Queenstown
Freedom of Choice Touring
Today in Queenstown, you have a selection of activities to choose from.
Day 11
Queenstown - Milford Sound - Te Anau
Journey along the Milford Road, wind down the Eglinton and Hollyford valleys, then through the Homer Tunnel to be met by the sight of Mitre Peak. Here, board a Red Boat and cruise the full length of pristine Milford Sound. Following your cruise, enjoy a relaxing drive to the tranquil lakeside settlement of Te Anau.
Stay: Te Anau, Village Inn
Day 12
Te Anau – Dunedin
Freedom of Choice Touring
Leaving the Fiordland region, journey through rolling Southland countryside, travel via the rural support towns of Lumsden and Gore to the east coast and the city of Dunedin. This afternoon, choose your Freedom of Choice Touring activity.
Stay: Dunedin City Hotel
Day 13
Dunedin - Mt Cook
Freedom of Choice Touring
Today journey north along the coast and stop to view the unique Moeraki Boulders, continue past the azure lakes of Aviemore, Benmore and Pukaki on the way to World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park, where you can choose your activity. Stay: Mt Cook, The Hermitage Hotel
Day 14
Mt Cook - Christchurch
Leaving the snow-capped mountains of Mt Cook National Park behind, travel by coach to picturesque Lake Tekapo, here, you’ll pay a visit to the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built of locally gathered stone and oak and erected as tribute to the early pioneers of the region. Travel through Burkes Pass to Christchurch.
Stay: Christchurch, Copthorne Central Hotel
Day 15
Depart Christchurch, Freedom of Choice Touring
Choose from our range of touring activities in Christchurch. Perhaps take a garden tour, go punting on the Avon, take a bike tour around the city or visit Christchurch’s ‘must see four’, before the tour ends and you transfer to the airport in the afternoon.
Highlights
• Enjoy a tour of the Waitomo caves
• See Lake Taupo and thunderous Huka Falls
• Explore Te Papa, the national museum
• Cruise through the Marlborough Sounds
• Ride on the famous TranzAlpine Train
• Admire the dramatic West Coast glaciers
• Take the thrilling Haast River Safari
• Cruise the length of Milford Sound
• Discover Mt Cook National Park
Premier Accommodation
• Country Homestay available in Rotorua
• Stay overnight at The Hermitage, Mt Cook
Premier Dining
• 14 hot breakfasts (B), 9 dinners (D) and 3 Feature Dinners including:
• Maori Hangi (feast), Rotorua
• Winery tour, tasting and dinner at Brancott Estate Winery near Blenheim
• Queenstown Dine Around Dinner
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