Grand Pacific Tours – 14 Day Ultimate Panorama Itinerary

'Haere Mai’ - Welcome to New Zealand.

From the airport, we’ll take care of the transfer to your hotel where you can settle in before exploring New Zealand’s ‘Garden City’. Take a punt on the Avon River, stroll the Botanic Gardens or visit the Re Start Mall, made entirely of colourful shipping containers. Relax at your hotel this evening before we begin our journey tomorrow.

Some suggested activities while in Christchurch.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Quality Hotel Elms Christchurch or similar - 1 night

After an introductory city sights tour depart Christchurch and travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, The Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue. Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Omarama - 1 night

We farewell Omarama before driving onwards to pretty Lake Benmore and making a stop in Oamaru. A picturesque seaside town, Oamaru is home to some of the most impressive 19th century architecture in the country. Later, we make our way further south to Dunedin, touring the city’s sights before enjoying a little free time and then a very special evening.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Dunedin - 1 night

This morning travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Te Anau - 1 night [from 1 Sept 2023 stay at Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas]

Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on  this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch.

This afternoon travel to Queenstown, overlooking magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year round resort which offers a wide range of activities and attractions. This evening is free and you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Queenstown - 2 nights (or similar)

Experience Queenstown exactly how you want to today. Famous for adrenaline-pumping activities, choose to embark on a thrilling jet boat ride or white water rafting adventure. For those who prefer to take it easy, stroll the walking tracks of the Botanic Gardens or take a wine tasting tour in the Gibbston Valley.

This evening, we cruise across Lake Wakatipu on New Zealand’s oldest steamship (over 100 years old), the TSS-Earnslaw, before enjoying a special dinner and sheep shearing demonstration at Walter Peak Station.

Recommended Queenstown Excursions:

Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner

Our destination this morning is only a short drive from Queenstown the charming, historic village of Arrowtown. Gold mining heritage comes alive on the banks of the Arrow River in the form of restored buildings and the Lakes District Museum. Afterwards, we continue on to the West Coast; driving over Haast Pass and alongside soaring peaks and emerald-green rainforests.

Arriving in Fox Glacier Village, we make our way to the impressive glacier itself – tumbling down from the Southern Alps almost to the sea, Fox Glacier is a magnificent showcase of the tremendous natural forces that shape the region. For a different perspective, you have the option to soar above the glacier on a scenic flight, provided the weather cooperates.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Fox Glacier - 1 night

We continue north to Hokitika, a creative town with a colourful history, stopping at the Greenstone Factory for an insight into the spiritual beliefs associated with this special semi-precious gem. Afterwards, we arrive at Arthur’s Pass where we board the Tranz Alpine railway and embark on a magnificent journey across the width of the country, admiring gorges, forests and soaring peaks on what has been labelled one of the world’s top 6 train journeys. Arriving in Christchurch, we are picked up by the coach and transported to tonight’s hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 night

Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikoura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you will board the InterIslander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Wellington - 2 nights

This morning we gain an insight into the unique history, culture and lifestyle of the harbour side capital city of Wellington. We visit the national museum of Te Papa, which showcases an impressive array of exhibitions, artifacts and stories, helping to shed light on both the Maori and European history of New Zealand and its people. This evening, explore Wellington’s eclectic and bustling restaurant scene, where you can dine on delicious food accompanied by New Zealand wine or craft beers.

This evening you have free time to explore Wellington.

Here are some sight seeing and activity suggestions while in Wellington:

Meals: Breakfast

We bid farewell to the coast this morning, driving north through the rolling farmland of the Manawatu and towards the desolate, otherworldly environment of the Central Volcanic Plateau. Winding through Tongariro National Park we soak up views of three volcanoes – Mount Ruapehu, Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe, standing proud and sentinel over the landscape. We continue past Taupo stopping to witness the magnificent fury of the Huka Falls before arriving in Rotorua, home to geothermal wonders and fascinating Maori legends. This will be our home for the next two nights.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 nights (or similar)

A special breakfast experience awaits us this morning. We ride the Skyline Gondola up a local mountain to dine on a delicious meal with magnificent views over Rotorua. Afterwards, we enjoy the kiwi humour on offer at the Agrodome Sheep Show before embarking on a guided tour of Te Puia. Boiling mud pools and huge geysers decorate the landscape in a restless natural splendour. This evening, we gain an insight into the Maori way of life during an entertaining Concert and Hangi Feast.

Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner

This morning depart Rotorua and travel through the picturesque countryside to Hobbiton for a guided tour of the Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Your guide will recount details of how this beautiful piece of farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle Earth. Continue north to Auckland for an orientation tour. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your newfound friends.

Some Activities and sightseeing options if you have time:

Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 night 

Haere rā and Bon Voyage!

Today it’s time to bid farewell to New Zealand and your travelling companions. Your transfer will pick you up from the hotel and transport you to the airport to catch your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast

INCLUSIONS

14 Day New Zealand Panorama

PRE PAID ATTRACTIONS

• Larnach Castle*
• Milford Sound Cruise & Lunch
• Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
• Lakes District Museum
• TranzAlpine Rail Journey
• Cruise on the Interislander Ferry
• Te Papa, NZ’s National Museum
• Skyline Rotorua Gondola & Luge Ride
• Agrodome
• Thermal mud pools & geysers*
• Traditional Maori Hangi & Concert
• Hobbiton
• City sights tour of Christchurch, Dunedin & Wellington 

*Guided tour is included with 1 guide per 24 travellers.

TOURING

• Personalised Meet & Greet on arrival
• Return airport transfers in New Zealand
• Modern coach travel with 2 door access, restroom, reclining seats and panoramic windows
• Professional Coach Captain & Tour Guide
• 13 nights 3.5 star hotel accommodation
• 3 two night stays
• Hotel porterage
• 3 cruises
• All sightseeing and pre paid attractions
• GST (New Zealand Goods and Services Tax)
• Comprehensive documentation pack 

MEALS

• 13 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast: Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua
• 11 sumptuous dinners including 3 specialty dinners: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Maori Hangi & Concert, Rotorua, Auckland Farewell Dinner
• 1 picnic lunch
• 1 delicious Devonshire Tea: Larnach Castle

Note: Dinner on Day 1 not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.