| Off
The Beaten Track
This special trip allows you to appreciate the best
of the country and its people, giving you the chance
to participate and not just spectate. Well
take you off the beaten track with activities that
focus on nature, landscapes, wildlife or culture,
and sometimes a mixture of them all. And after a
days fun and excitement, return to the comfort
of your carefully chosen hotel to relax and get
ready for the next event packed day!
Plenty of Action
& Adventure
More and more travellers are keen
to partake in and enjoy action-packed adventure
activities. Youll travel by coach, 4WD
Unimog, trains, jet boats, helicopters and yachts.
Walk the Abel Tasman National Park, overnight in
Milford Sound aboard a traditional scow and feel
the power of a mighty volcano beneath your feet.
Age Is No Barrier
The activities weve included do not require
you to be super-fit or to throw yourself over the
side of a mountain (even though such activities
can be arranged!). Rather, this holiday is about
sharing new and unique experiences. The majority
of our guests are aged 45 years or over and are
looking for new personal challenges and genuine
discoveries in the places they visit and the cultures
they encounter.
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Your Small Group Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Christchurch
‘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.
Stay: Millenium
Christchurch Hotel (2 nights)
Day 2 4WD High Country
Tranz Alpine Experience (B,L)
Travel by road through the Canterbury Plains to
the Waimakariri Gorge in the foothills of the rugged
Southern Alps. Travel by jet boat through the gorge
deep into the Southern Alps to areas otherwise inaccessible.
Rendezvous with the Unimog and travel in this unique
4WD vehicle to Flock Hill Station, viewing spectacular
alpine scenery en-route. After lunch, travel by
road to Arthur's Pass National Park where you return
to Christchurch abroad the world-famous Tranz Alpine
train.
Day 3 Hanmer Springs, Kaikoura
(B)
After a leisurely breakfast, we travel inland to
the naturally picturesque and tranquil alpine village
of Hanmer Springs, nestled in a valley surrounded
by a superb expanse of mountains and forest clad
hills. Relax in hot thermal pools at the Hanmer
Springs Thermal Reserve before continuing on to
Kaikoura, located in a narrow strip of stunning
coastline that lies between mountain peaks and the
Pacific Ocean.
Stay White
Morph Inn
Day 4 Whale Watch Kaikoura
or Swim with the Dolphins (B)
Every Whale Watch tour is a unique experience &
sightings may vary from day to day. Giant sperm
whales are the star of the show and are year-round
residents. A typical Whale Watch cruise may encounter
fur seals, pods of Dusky dolphins & the endangered
Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season, you
may also see migrating Hump Back whales, Pilot whales,
Blue whales & Southern Right whales. Continue
north to Blenheim, gateway to the well-known Marlborough
Sounds region before arriving at Nelson, a city
of charm based on a harbour that is home to the
busiest fi shing port in New Zealand.
Stay Heritage
Rutherford Hotel (2 nights)
Day 5 Abel Tasman National
Park Bush 'n' Beach walk (B,L)
Today you can choose from a number of included Cruise
& Walk or Cruise only options in the famous
Abel Tasman National Park. Enjoy a great day on
the water combining cruising, sightseeing, bush
walks, beach stops & plenty of relaxing!
Day 6 Nelson Lakes, Punakaiki
Rocks (B)
Travel south through the Nelson Lakes region before
arriving on the West Coast. Marvel at the bizarre
limestone landscapes that is the Punakaiki Pancake
Rocks & Blowhole.
Stay Punakaiki
Resort Hotel
Day 7 Greymouth, Franz
Josef Glacier (B)
The West Coast is home to towering rainforests,
mountains and glaciers, tranquil lakes and rushing
rivers. It is steeped in history dating back to
the gold rush era of the 1860's. Our overnight stay
tonight is in the glacial village of Franz Josef.
Stay Punga
Grove Lodge
Day 8 Haast, Wanaka, Queenstown
(B)
There is the opportunity to experience an optional
scenic flight over this remarkable region (subject
to weather conditions) before our departure this
morning. 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. We then travel over the magnificent
Southern Alps to the Southern Lakes District. There
is time to wander around the popular lakeside townships
of Hawea and Wanaka before travelling over the spectacular
Crown Range to the historic gold mining village
of Arrowtown. On to Queenstown, a beautiful alpine
resort regarded as New Zealand's premier holiday
destination.
Stay The
Heritage Hotel
Day 9 Explore Queenstown
& its surrounds (B)
Enjoy a free day today to experience this magnificent
resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown
boasts adventure & leisure activities in all
forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. There
are numerous activities from which to choose and
your Tour Host will be pleased to offer advice and
help you in your selection.
Stay The
Heritage Hotel
Day 10 Milford Sound Overnight
Cruise (B,D)
Travel along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through
the rolling countryside to Te Anau. Cruise the entire
length of the Sound to the Tasman Sea & view
spectacular waterfalls, rainforests, mountains &
wildlife. The Milford Mariner is designed along
the lines of a traditional New Zealand trading scow
to reflect Fiordland's heritage and you will be
accommodated in private cabins with en-suite bathrooms
in this purpose-built vessel. It boasts spacious
deck areas for viewing the wilderness, scenery &
wildlife of Milford and activities include kayaking
and excursions in the tender vessels (stabi craft)
to explore the coastline.
Stay in sheltered Harrison Cove.
Day 11 Return to Queenstown,
day at leisure (B)
For those wishing to return to Queenstown by air,
an optional scenic flight is available (subject
to weather conditions). Upon our return, the rest
of the day is free to relax & enjoy all that
this spectacular resort has to offer.
Stay The
Heritage Hotel (2 nights)
Day 12 Mighty Dart River
Jetboat Safari (B)
This morning, we are collected from our hotel &
travel to Glenorchy to join our Dart River Jetboat
Safari. Here you jet boat on crystal clear waters
in a wild and scenic landscape amidst towering peaks,
glaciers and the ancient rainforests of the Mt.
Aspiring National Park. This is far more than a
jet boat ride … it's a rare journey into the
enchanted wilderness of a World Heritage area. This
afternoon is free for further sightseeing.
Day 13 Fly Queenstown -
Rotorua (B,D)
This morning we board our aircraft for the flight
north to the geothermal city of Rotorua. The region’s
raw beauty has enchanted visitors from around the
world for more than 160 years. Here you can stand
upon volcanoes, peer into massive craters, see boiling
mud, exploding geysers and marvel at the unspoiled
native forests that cloak the land. Tonight enjoy
a traditional Maori hangi (feast) & cultural
evening.
Stay Duxton
Okawa Bay Hotel (2 nights)
Day 14 Helicopter to White
Island Volcano (B)
Board your helicopter for an incredible fl ight
over the geothermal region of the Volcanic Plateau
to White Island, New Zealand’s only active
marine
volcano. Located 52kms off the Bay of Plenty coastline,
the islands’ active volcanic vents, steaming crater lake, bubbling hot
streams and desolate
mining ruins combine to create a surreal experience.
When present, the sighting of dolphins in the Pacifi c Ocean over
which you fl y contrast to create an awesome & inspiring excursion.
Day 15 Bay of Plenty, Coromandel
Peninsula (B)
Travel north this morning to the popular beachside
towns of Tauranga & Mt Maunganui. Continue your
journey to Pauanui on the eastern side of the Coromandel
Peninsula, a region where many kiwis choose to escape
the bustle and stress of city life.
Stay Mercure
Grand Puka Park Resort
Day 16 Pauanui Beach, Auckland
(B)
After a leisurely breakfast and a stroll along the
local beaches, travel on to Auckland, the ‘City
of Sails’, New Zealand’s largest and
most vibrant, offering an exciting array of cosmopolitan
experiences. Enjoy a sightseeing & orientation
tour on arrival.
Stay Duxton
Hotel (2 nights)
Day 17 Sail Auckland Harbour
(B)
Today you have the opportunity to crew on an original
America’s Cup racing yacht. You will have
the chance to take the helm, trim on the grinders
or simply sit back and relax and enjoy the action
as you sail down the Auckland Harbour. This afternoon
is free for some last minute sightseeing and shopping.
Day 18 Depart Auckland
(B)
Sadly your holiday is at an end and your tour arrangements
end after breakfast this morning. Here we bid you
farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories
of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

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What's
Included
- Group size won’t exceed 16 guests
- 16 nights superior hotel accommodation
- Overnight Milford Sound Nature Cruise
- Full breakfasts daily, 2 lunches &
2 dinners
- Domestic flight Queenstown to Rotorua
- Accompanied by Tour Host throughout
- 2 night stopovers in Christchurch, Nelson,
Rotorua & Auckland
- 4 nights majestic Queenstown
- 4WD High Country experience & jet
boat ride
- World-famous Tranz Alpine train
- Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve
- Choice of whale watching or swimming
with dolphins
- Cruise & walk Abel Tasman National
Park
- Punakaiki Rocks & Blowhole
- Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers
- Milford Sound Nature Cruise
- Dart River Jet Boat Safari
- Traditional Maori hangi (feast) &
Cultural evening
- Helicopter flight to White Island Volcano
and guided tour
- Hahei Explorer boat excursion
- Explore the Coromandel Peninsula
- Sail a genuine America’s Cup
racing yacht
- Complimentary airport transfers
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Departure Dates
| 2008 |
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November:
December:
|
9, 23
28 |
| 2009 |
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January:
February:
March:
April:
October:
November:
December:
|
11, 25
8, 22
15, 29
12
18
8, 22
6, 20, 27 |
| 2010 |
|
January:
February:
March:
April: |
10, 24, 31
7, 14, 21
7, 14, 21
4, 18 |
Tour Prices
Per Person in NZ$
Share Twin
- Oct 08-Apr 09 |
NZ$9,075 |
Single Traveller
- Oct 08-Apr 09 |
NZ$11,350 |
Share Twin
- Oct 09-Apr 10 |
NZ$9,670 |
Single
Traveller
- Oct 08-Apr 09 |
NZ$12,320 |
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Please
contact
us or complete our online enquiry
form to receive further information
on this tour or to check availability on
your preferred date of travel.
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