Itinerary
Day 1. Auckland, Freedom of Choice Touring
You will be met and transferred to your hotel. Today, personalize your sightseeing by selecting your own touring activity. Options include a cruise on Waitemata Harbour, a sightseeing tour of Auckland, a trip to Auckland Museum, or you can even climb Auckland Bridge for stunning views of the harbor.
Stay: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel
Day 2. Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, Maori Hangi Feast
Leaving Auckland, travel through the Waikato Province. At Waitomo take a tour of the limestone caverns and glow-worm grotto. Continue to Rotorua and tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and cultural performance of song and dance at Mitai Maori Village. You’ll gain an authentic insight into Maori culture and be left in awe.
Two Night Stay: Millennium Rotorua
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Day 3. Rotorua, Freedom of Choice Touring
Your touring options today include a soak in a thermal mineral pool at the Polynesian Spa, encountering native flora and fauna such as the endangered kiwi at Rainbow Springs, a visit to Rotorua Museum or you can take in the Rotorua Icons. At the Agrodome enjoy a Sheep Show and shearing display then visit Te Puia thermal reserve to see boiling mud pools and exploding geysers.
Country Homestay option available tonight
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APT Upgrade! Huka Lodge Stay
Upgrade to the luxurious Huka Lodge for an overnight stay in truly special accommodation.
Day 4. Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington
Journey south and view Wairakei steam valley, a unique geothermal power project. Continue to Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake, and thunderous Huka Falls. Cross the vast volcanic plateau of Tongariro National Park to Wellington, the nation’s capital city.
Stay: Wellington, InterContinental Hotel
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Day 5. Wellington, Nelson, Dine Around Dinner
The Interislander ferry takes you across Cook Strait to the South Island. Cruise through the natural beauty of the Marlborough Sounds to the seaside port of Picton. This afternoon, journey through the pretty orchard and vineyard region of Marlborough to Nelson. Tonight choose from two fine restaurants in your hotel, Miyazu, an acclaimed Japanese restaurant or Oceano, a seafood lovers’ paradise.
Stay: Nelson, The Rutherford Hotel
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Day 6. Nelson, Franz Josef, West Coast Specialities Dinner
Today, follow the Heritage Highway along the West Coast. View the Pancake Rock formations at Punakaiki. Enter World Heritage-listed Westland National Park where you can view Franz Josef and Fox glaciers. This evening enjoy West Coast hospitality as you dine on regional specialties.
Stay: Franz Josef, Te Waonui Forest Retreat
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Day 7. Franz Josef, Wanaka
View incredible scenery as you leave this World Heritage-listed area, traveling through Haast Pass and over the incredible Southern Alps. Continue to Wanaka township, originally settled during the gold rush era and surrounded by Mt Aspiring National Park. Enjoy an overnight stay in this beautiful place.
Stay: EXCLUSIVE! Wanaka, Edgewater Resort
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Day 8. Wanaka, Queenstown, Dine Around Dinner
Today travel through Arrowtown to Queenstown. Tonight enjoy our Dine Around Dinner with a choice of 15 restaurants. You may wish to take a gondola ride to the Skyline Restaurant and enjoy dinner with spectacular views over Queenstown. Perhaps cruise on the TSS Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a sumptuous homestead carvery meal. Or enjoy a meal at one of the many diverse restaurants and cozy cafés in Queenstown.
Two Night Stay: EXCLUSIVE! Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa
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Day 9. Queenstown, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today personalize your sightseeing with your Freedom of Choice activity. You may like to enjoy a relaxing lake shore and forest walk around Lake Wakatipu, viewing native flora and fauna. Or perhaps experience a double-decker bus tour. Maybe you would like to choose a tour of the local wineries, an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Shotover River, a Safari of the Scenes 4WD tour or possibly take a 4WD tour into Skippers Canyon.
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Day 10. Milford Sound, Te Anau
Today travel through Fiordland National Park. On arrival into Milford Sound, cruise the full length of this fiord, traveling below Mitre Peak, past towering mountains, dense rain forest and beneath waterfalls. This afternoon, journey to the pretty lakeside town of Te Anau.
Stay: Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas
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Day 11. Te Anau, Dunedin, Freedom of Choice Touring
Journey to Dunedin, a city with a distinct Scottish feel. This afternoon, choose from a range of Freedom of Choice Touring options, including a ride on the Taieri Gorge Railway, a tour of historic Speight’s Brewery and many more.
Stay: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City
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Day 12. Dunedin, Mt Cook, Freedom of Choice Touring, Dine Around Dinner
Travel along the coast to view the unique Moeraki Boulders. Pass massive hydro-electric dams and glacier-fed lakes on our journey to World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park where you will join your selected Freedom of Choice Touring activity. Options include a guided walk through the National Park, a discovery of the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, or stargazing with expert astronomy guides. Tonight, stay at The Hermitage with Mt Cook views, and choose to dine at either The Panorama Room or Alpine Restaurant.
Stay: EXCLUSIVE! Mt Cook, The Hermitage, with views of Mt Cook from your room
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Day 13. Mt Cook, Depart Christchurch
Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd this morning by the shore of Lake Tekapo. Then continue by coach through the Rakaia Gorge to the Garden City of Christchurch, where your tour concludes with a transfer to the airport.
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