New Zealand Highlighter

13 night premier escorted tour from $4495 per person
based on double occupancy

Explore New Zealand and visit all the highlights on this escorted tour.



INCLUSIONS
ITINERARY

DAY 1  Arrive Auckland.  You will be met on arrival and transferred to your centrally-located hotel. This afternoon, you choose an activity and we will include it. Overnight: Auckland, Rendezvous Hotel.

DAY 2 Auckland–Waitomo–Rotorua.  Travel to Waitomo Caves for a guided tour of the underground limestone caverns. Continue to Rotorua, where tonight you enjoy a Maori Hangi (feast) and cultural performance. Overnight: Rotorua, Heritage Hotel, 2 nights. (B, D)

DAY 3 Rotorua Touring Choices.  Today, you choose the activity and we will include it. Perhaps visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve and take a guided tour through the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, the Agrodome, Rainbow Springs or many other choices. Overnight:  Homestay option available tonight. (B, D)

DAY 4  Rotorua–Wellington.  See the spectacular Huka Falls, and tranquil Lake Taupo. Cross the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park before continuing to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city.  Overnight: wellington, Duxton Hotel. (B, D)

DAY 5  Wellington Touring.  Today choose from a selection of freedom of choice activities.  Dinner tonight has been left free for you to choose from one of the many restaurants available in this fabulous city.  (B)

DAY 6  Wellington–Kaikoura– Christchurch.  Step aboard the Interislander ferry to cruise across across Cook Strait and through stunning Marlborough Sounds to Picton on the South Island.  Rejoin the coach and journey through the renowned vineyard region of Marlbourough.  Visit the fishing town of Kaikoura, famous for its whale and dolphin watching, before arrive in Christchurch.  Overnight: Christchurch (B, D)

DAY 7  Christchurch–TranzAlpine Train–Franz Josef.  Board the TranzAlpine train and enjoy stunning scenery as you cross the Southern Alps. Disembark at Arthur’s Pass and continue to Hokitika by coach. Continue southwest and view the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier.  Overnight: Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier hotel. (B, D)

DAY 8  Franz Josef–Queenstown.  Enjoy a day of incredible scenery as you travel along the West Coast following the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea. At Haast River enjoy a jet-boat.  Overnight:  Queenstown, Novotel Queenstown Lakeside (B, D)

DAY 9  Queenstown Touring Choices Today, you have a selection of tours to choose from. Perhaps take a 4WD adventure, jet-boat ride or unwind with a massage. (B)

DAY 10  Queenstown–Milford Sound–Te Anau.  View cascading waterfalls, sheer cliffs, dense rainforests and towering mountains in this pristine World Heritage-listed area.  Overnight: Te anau, Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas. (B, D)

DAY 11  Te Anau–Dunedin.  Settled by the Scottish in 1848 Dunedin is renowned as the ‘Edinburgh of the South.’ More activities on offer today. Overnight: Dunedin, Dunedin City Hotel. (B, D)

DAY 12  Dunedin–Mount Cook.  Journey to Mackenzie Country and view New Zealand’s Mount Cook. Overnight: Mount Cook, The Hermitage. (B, D)

DAY 13  Mount Cook–Christchurch.  Stop at beautiful Lake Tekapo, once an ancient glacier. Cross the Rakaia River and travel on to Christchurch. Overnight: Christchurch (B, D)

DAY 14 Depart Christchurch.  Time-permitting, choose from a range of tours today.  Afterward, you’ll be transferred to the airport. (B)

Departure Dates
2011:
May:  3, 10, 24
Jun: 21
Jul: 12
Aug: 16, 23, 30
Sep: 6, 13, 20, 29
Oct: 8, 11, 20, 29
Nov: 1, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29
Dec:  6, 13, 20, 24

2012:
Jan:  7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, 31
Feb:  7. 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28
Mar:  1, 3, 6, 10, 13, 20, 27
Apr: 3, 10, 17, 24
May: 1. 8, 15
Jun:  12
Jul: 17