| The
Ultimate New Zealand Tour
This 17 day, 18 night tour of the North Island and
South Islands is the ultimate New Zealand tour,
with an all encompassing itinerary, supearb accomodation
and spectacular fare you will wonder why it took
you so long to visit. The Total experience is just
that, everything you could possibly want in a luxury
holiday all at once, it truly is what dreams are
made of.
Your
Tour Itinerary
“Kia Ora” and Welcome
to New Zealand!
After Immigration and Customs
formalities, you will be met by our Travel representative,
who will assist with your private transfer to your
CBD hotel.
Stay at your choice or a first
night optional booking in a 5 star Auckland CBD
hotel.
Day 1 Auckland - Paihia
via the West Coast (L,D)
This morning you will board your luxury coach at
your CBD hotel and travel north to the seaside township
of Paihia. Today’s journey will have you travelling
via the West Coast region including Opononi. Your
first stop will be an interactive journey to the
“Art of Cheese”–
a family owned and operated cheese factory, then
on to The Kauri museum before stopping
for lunch at the spectacular Copthorne Hokianga
Hotel.
After arriving and checking in at the Pahia Beach
Resort a water taxi will transport you to Russell
for dinner at the Kamakura Restaurant.
Stay at the Pahia Beach Resort (2 nights)
Day 2 Bay of Islands (B/D)
Today can be spent at your leisure as you are able
to participate in one of the many optional tours
the Bay of Islands has to offer, such as:
* Cape Brett hole in the Rock cruise
* Swim with the Dolphins Cruise
* Cape Brett hole in the Rock by speed boat
* ½ Day Guided kayak tour (4hours)
* ½ Day tour of Kerikeri, featuring entrance
to the Mission House and Stone Store Historic buildings.
* Waitangi Treaty grounds
In the evening you will be transferred to tonight’s
dinner venue - award winning 'Pure Taste' restaurant.
Day 3 Bay of Islands – Matakana –
Mangatawhiri Valley (B/L/D)
After breakfast this morning you will re-board your
luxury coach and bid the Bay of Islands region farewell,
travelling south on State Highway #1, via the city
of Whangarei and the towns of Ruakaka, Waipu, Kaiwaka
towards the Matakana winery region.
Wine tasting and 2 course luncheon at the fabulous
Ascension Winery awaits you upon
arrival at Matakana before heading further south
to the days final destination, the beautiful Heritage
Hotel & Spa Du Vin. Canapés and NZ wine
will greet you on the lawn before relaxing in the
comfort of your luxurious accommodation.
Stay at Heritage Hotel & Spa du Vin –
‘Selection’ rooms
Day 4 Mangatawhiri Valley
– Waitomo – Rotorua (B/L/D)
After breakfast this morning you will be travelling
through the Bombay Hills, an area known for its
light volcanic soil thus popular for market gardening.
Continuing through the fertile plains of the Waikato
district to Waitomo in the King Country you will
visit the Waitomo Caves.
A choice awaits you in this enchanted location,
you can either silently glide by boat on an underground
river beneath a canopy of lights made by the minute
larvae on the roof above you or be transported to
the crystal cave tapestries in Ruakuri Cave where
you descend a spiral staircase following the rumbling
sound of the hidden waterfall to the stalactite
straws, flowstone and majestic formations that abound
this magical place.
The excitement of the day can then be contemplated
upon when you arrive at the Novotel Lakeside hotel
in Rotorua. Your evening will be spent at The Pepper’s
on the Point Lodge as they welcome you to the region
with canapés and NZ wine before you move
on to your 4 course d’hote style dinner.
Stay at the Pepper's on the Point Lodge
(2 nights)
Day 5 Rotorua (B/D)
vAfter breakfast this morning you will be transferred
from your hotel to the Agrodome complex. The Agrodome
is nothing short of pure New Zealand, as it is here
you will experience the fun and educational Authentic
Working Farm Tour.
The afternoon is spent at your own leisure to experience
any one of numerous activities Rotorua has to offer
before gathering in the evening to be taken to Te
Puia to enjoy a guided tour of the model Maori pa
(village site) and close by, the Institute where
young Maori are taught the skills of traditional
carving. From here, you visit the Thermal Reserve
to see boiling mud pools and geysers including “Pohutu”
(“splashing”), the largest geyser, which
plays several times a day.
The evening meal will consist of a traditional Hangi
and Maori Concert before boarding the luxury coach
back to your Lake View room at the hotel.
Day 6 Rotorua – Taupo
– Napier (B/L/D)
This morning you will awake to a full Buffet Cooked
Breakfast at your hotel restaurant before your luxury
coach journey to Napier, travelling through plantations
of pine forest to Taupo, a township located on the
edge of Lake Taupo. The approach from Wairakei offers
spectacular views over the town, lake and distant
mountains. En route a stop is made to see the pounding
Huka Falls, “hukanui” in Maori meaning
a “great body of spray”. After watching
the waters of the Waikato River forced through a
narrow gap between rocks at great force the relaxing
3 hour ‘home-style lunch’ cruise on
lake Taupo will seem considerably quieter.
The journey across the fertile Esk Valley to Napier
is next on the agenda where you will check in to
the Scenic Circle Te Pania Hotel before moving on
the Sileni Wine Estate for wine and olive oil tasting.
The on-site culinary school will then entertain
you with a cooking demonstration of one the 3 courses
you will be served there that evening.
Stay at the Scenic Circle Te Pania Hotel
Day 7 Napier – Martinborough
– Wellington (B/L)
After breakfast this morning your luxury coach will
be traveling via Woodville and Masterton to the
destination of the day, New Zealand’s capital
city, Wellington.
Several stops will be made on the way including
a stop in the Wairarapa district at the winery town
of Martinborough. Lunch will be served at the beautiful
historic Pepper’s Martinborough Hotel after
which your journey will continue via some of the
regions winery’s before eventually reaching
the nation’s capital city and you hotel for
the next two evenings The Duxton.
Stay at The Duxton Hotel (2 nights)
Day 8 Wellington (B/L/D)
After breakfast the day is yours at leisure to explore
the cosmospolitan city. You could start the day
with the renowned Zest Walking Gourmet tour, visiting
boutique cafes and meeting the baristas, coffee
roasters and chef’s while tasting the multitude
of delicacies before lunching at a top Wellington
restaurant or café.
The afternoon will then be yours to enjoy at your
leisure, of course exciting and unique activities
will be available, such as;
* Red Rock Seals 4WD Excursion
* Tour of Karori Wildlife Sanctuary – 2 hour
duration
* Parliament building & Te Papa Museum guided
tour
You will then meet for at 3 course dinner before
retiring back to the comfort and relaxation of the
Duxton Hotel.
Day 9 Wellington –
Picton – Nelson (B/D)
You awake this morning knowing for the remainder
of the trip will be experiencing the fantastic South
Island of New Zealand. After breakfast you will
be transferred by private coach or mini-coach to
the Inter-islander ferry terminal.
The sailing time from Wellington to Picton is roughly
3-hours to cross the Cook Strait. Be sure to remain
on deck as the ferry leaves Wellington to see the
capital’s skyline. There is no way to miss
the South island as the sight of the Marlborough
Sounds, with its steep bush clad hills rising out
of the sea and the heavily indented coastline, is
nothing short of sensational.
Your new South Island Driver/Guide will meet you
upon arrival as you continue your days travel on
board the luxury coach to Nelson and the Monaco
Hotel & Resort
Stay at the Monaco Hotel & Resort
Day 10 Nelson – Marahau
– Awaroa Lodge (B/D)
After breakfast this morning you will be transferred
from Nelson, to the spectacular Marahau Bay.
Here you will board a private water taxi, for your
1 ½ hour cruise to Awaroa Lodge, which is
situated in the Abel Tasman National Park area.
The Lodge staff will welcome you before you leisurely
explore the walking trails and ambience of the National
Park. By evening you will have earned your 3 course
dinner at the Lodge restaurant.
Stay at the Awaroa Lodge
Day 11 Awaroa Lodge –
Marahau – Punakaiki – Fox Glacier (B/D)
After breakfast at Awaroa Lodge you will depart
by water taxi and re-board your luxury coach at
Marahau to begin your journey to the west coast
of the south island. Travelling past the Wild West
coast you will arrive at the “Pancake Rocks”.
Punakaiki, is where the rocks take on the extraordinary
appearance of a pile of pancakes giving them the
name, The “Pancake Rocks”.
You then travel onto Fox Glacier for the night.
Dinner this evening will be in Te Weheka Inn's restaurant.
Stay at Te Weheka Inn
Day 12 Fox Glacier –
Wanaka (B)
After breakfast today you will enjoy a guided glacier
walk on either the Fox or Franz Josef glaciers.
Travelling through Haast and the wonderful views
of the Southern Alps you will link up with the Southern
Lakes District of Central Otago via the Haast Pass.
As you continue to admire the lush vegetation of
the west and dry tussocked Otago landscape you will
descend to Wanaka and your hotel for the night,
the Grand Mercure Oakridge
Stay at The Grand Mercure Oakridge
Day 13 Wanaka – Te
Anau (B/L/D)
After breakfast this morning the luxury coach will
transfer you to another mode of transport at the
railway station at Kingston. Here you will join
the Kingston Flyer for a short journey on this historic
steam train.
After your experience on the steam train the luxury
coach will greet you at Fairlight to take you for
lunch at the “Five Brothers Station”
café and art gallery where you will enjoy
a sumptuous 2 course lunch.
Te Anau is the next stop where you will check into
the Te Anau Hotel & Villas for a relaxing evening.
Stay at Te Anau Hotel & Villas
Day 14 Te Anau –
Milford Sound - Queenstown (B/D)
You have a memorable day ahead of you after breakfasting
at the hotel as you depart Te Anau for a day of
unsurpassed scenery, beginning with a drive through
the beech forests of the Eglinton Valley before
entering the Hollyford Valley, and descending through
the Homer Tunnel into Milford Sound. During your
journey, there is time for photo stops and short
walks along the way.
On arrival, you will embark on a cruise of Milford
Sound, including the hidden mouth of the Sound,
towering Mitre Peak and the cascading Stirling Falls
while a Gourmet Picnic style lunch is served on
board.
At the end of the cruise, you will be transferred
to the Milford Air strip; here you will board a
fixed wing aircraft to fly to Queenstown. The flight
will be one of most memorable of your lives as you
look down on suspended lakes, the fiords and world
famous Milford Track. On arrival into Queenstown
airport, you will be transferred by luxury sedan
cars to the Sofitel hotel.
The luxurious Sofitel Hotel is where you will meet
your winery host who will discuss with you the samples
of Pinot wines, cheeses and canapés you will
be tasting from their onsite winery.
Stay at the Sofitel Hotel (2 nights)
Day 15 Queenstown (B)
After breakfast you have the choice to make the
day as action packed as possible or to simply enjoy
the serenity of the mountainous setting.
Queenstown is home to some of the most memorable
activities such as;
* Dart River Safari Excursion including Light
BBQ Lunch
* ½ Day Skippers Canyon adventure by 4WD
* Shotover Jet Boat Ride
* Golf at Millbrook – 18holes
* TSS Earnslaw Cruise & BBQ Lunch at Walter
Peak Station
Day 16 Queenstown –
Mt Cook (B/L/D)
The Sofitel breakfast will energize you for your
journey to Christchurch via Mount Cook. Following
the Kawarau River to the township of Cromwell, you
cross the Lindis Pass, which links northern central
Otago with Mt. Cook and the Mackenzie Country. This
inland route winds through some of the most evocative
hill country to be found in New Zealand, with the
forever-present Southern Alps splitting the South
Island distinctly into west and east.
Omarama and The Wrinkly Rams is where you will stop
to enjoy the sheep shearing show, café, art
gallery and wine bar. After lunch you continue the
journey to the southern most tip of Lake Pukaki
before arriving at Mt Cook and your accommodation
for the night the Hermitage Hotel.
Stay at the Hermitage Hotel
Day 17 Mt Cook –
Christchurch (B/L/D)
After breakfast you will depart Mt Cook for Christchurch,
retracing your route along the shoreline of Lake
Pukaki to Lake Tekapo, a turquoise glacial lake.
A stop is made at the lake's edge to look at the
simple stone Church of the Good Shepherd and nearby,
the bronze sheep dog.
Lunch in the Township of Geraldine awaits you before
the luxury coach whisks you into Christchurch to
your central city accommodation, the Heritage Hotel.
Le Bon Bolli restaurant will serve you your 3 course
dinner before your luxury coach returns you back
to the Heritage to enjoy your final night.
Stay at the Heritage Hotel Christchurch
Day 18 Depart Christchurch
Upon waking you have the choice of a full continental
or cooked buffet breakfast at the hotel restaurant
before being taken by limousine to the Christchurch
International Airport.
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Dive
Sail
Surf
Bike
Walk
Kayak
Golf
Food & Wine
Snow Sports
Caving
Adventure
