New Zealand Vista from $3,750

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Day 1: Welcome to Auckland
Transfer from the airport to your hotel for check-in, then you’re free to see Auckland for yourself. An evening Welcome Reception is followed by dinner with your Tour Director and fellow travellers.

Hotel: VR Queen Street, Auckland. D
Day 2: Auckland – Rotorua
See Auckland on a city sights tour. Later, trace the Waikato River travel to Waitomo Caves to tour the amazing Glow Worm Grotto. At Rotorua, you’ll take in views of Lake Rotorua and more on your orientation tour.

Tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and concert for an insight into Maori culture at the Tamaki Family Marae.

Hotel: Ibis Hotel, Rotorua, 2 nights. B HD
Day 3: Rotorua Sights
Watch the Agrodome sheep Show to gain an insight into agriculture in new Zealand. Then the afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps visit Rainbow Springs Nature Park, abundant with Rainbow Trout and native fauna including the kiwi, or Te Puia where you can join a tour of the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve with a Local Guide. B

Day 4: Rotorua – Wellington
Heading south, you’ll view the Huka Falls. Visit Taupo and drive along the shores of New Zealand’s biggest lake through the alpine scenery of Mt. Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park and the dairy farms of Manawatu. Then it’s along the Kapiti Coast to Wellington for a city sights tour.

Hotel: Travelodge, Wellington. B D
Day 5: Wellington – Picton
It’s a morning at leisure in Wellington, then visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, where you’ll have time to explore New Zealand’s nature, art, history and cultural heritage. There’s time for a photo at Parliament House. Then cruise on Queen Charlotte Sound and across the Cook Strait. Later you’ll travel to the seaside village of Picton for an orientation tour.

Hotel: Beachcomber, Picton. B D
Day 6: Picton – Christchurch
It’s your chance to get up close and personal with some New Zealand fur seals at Ohau Point and watch whales at Kaikoura, (optional scenic whale watching flight). Travel along the rugged Pacific Ocean coast and across the colourful Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
Hotel: Ibis Hotel, Christchurch. B
Day 7: Christchurch – Omarama
After a morning at leisure travel over the patchwork countryside, where the spectacular sightseeing begins. Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki are first up. Next you’ll visit the Church of the Good Shepherd before soaking up the sensational alpine landscape of Mt. Cook National Park (optional scenic flight available).

Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel, Omarama. B D
Day 8: Omarama – Dunedin
Your day starts along the Waitaki River with the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and Benmore Dam. Travel through Oamaru with its famous white limestone buildings to Dunedin, for a city tour. Then you’ve got the afternoon to yourself – perhaps take a Wildlife Cruise, visit the Cadbury Chocolate Factory or ride the historic Taieri Gorge Railway.

Hotel: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City. B D
Day 9: Dunedin – Te Anau
It’s a morning at leisure, during which you might like to tour New Zealand’s Larnach Castle, head off across South Otago’s fertile, sheep-filled farming land en route to Te Anau, on the shores of the largest lake in the South Island. Tonight you may choose to travel by boat to the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves.

Hotel: Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau. B D
Day 10: Te Anau – Queenstown
You’ll be awe-struck by great sights from Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound, where you’ll cruise on the waters of this natural wonder. On the way to Queenstown, see the Mirror Lake, Cleddau Valley, the Chasm, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, then travel along the Devil’s Staircase and the shores of Lake Wakatipu. In Queenstown, an orientation tour on arrival will complete your highlight day.

Hotel: Copthorne Hotel & Resort, 2 nights. B
Day 11: Queenstown ‘Day at Leisure’
Explore exciting Queenstown your way, all day – from wine and garden tours to jet boat rides and white water rafting – Queenstown will surprise and exhilarate. This evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard New Zealand’s oldest steamship, the TSS Earnslaw, to Walter Peak Station for a carvery ‘Highlight Dinner’ at the Colonel’s Homestead. An entertaining after-dinner farm show provides a glimpse into high-country farm life. B HD
Day 12: Queenstown – Franz Josef
First stop, Arrowtown, on the Arrow River. Second stop is Cromwell and its sensational stone fruit. Then it’s a trio of lakes – Dunstan, Hawea and Wanaka. Through the Haast Pass, view Thunder Creek Falls and enjoy a rainforest walk. Final stop, majestic Franz Josef Glacier – a rare, still advancing glacier.

Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Graham Wing), Franz Josef. B D
Day 13: Franz Josef – Christchurch
Visit Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade), for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. Travel to Arthur’s Pass to board the TranzAlpine, one of the top six train journeys in the world. This spectacular journey takes you through the Southern Alps and across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

This evening celebrate your holiday at dinner with your Tour Director and new-found friends.

Hotel: Ibis Hotel, Christchurch. B D
Day 14: Farewell from Christchurch
Your Vacation concludes this morning after breakfast. You’ll be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. B