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New Zealand's Best

17 Days / 16 Nights from $3089
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Duration: 17 days, 16 nights

Accommodations: Superior

Style: Escorted Coach Tour
Highlights: Auckland, Bay of Islands, Waitomo Caves, Rotorua, Wellington, Dunedin, Mt. Cook. Milford Sound, Queenstown, Christchurch

 

Description

On this 17-day tour of New Zealand you'll visit the beautiful Bay of Islands, tour the Glow-worm Grotto at the Waitomo Caves, see the sights of Auckland, and visit Te Papa - New Zealand’s National Museum in Wellington. Enjoy a traditional Maori Hangi Feast and cultural performance and cruise the Milford Sound and behold the spectacular, rare, and still advancing Fox Glacier!

 

Learn more about our Tailor-Made Itineraries

Itinerary

 

Day 1 - Arrive Auckland

After being transferred to your hotel, the remainder of the day is yours to explore Auckland at leisure. This evening enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director.

Stay: Mercure Hotel, Auckland

Day 2 - Auckland – Bay of Islands

Cross the Auckland Harbor Bridge, and take in the amazing scenery of the Hibiscus Coast, enjoying these once in a lifetime photo opportunities, on your way to the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a catamaran cruise through Cape Brett and, weather permitting, through the famous Hole in the Rock formation. The return cruise through Paihia winds through picturesque islands and secluded bays. Keep your eyes out for marine life, too.

Stay: Copthorne Hotel & Resort, Bay of Islands (2 nights)

 

Day 3 - Bay of Islands

Today enjoy the Bay of Islands at your leisure. Perhaps charter a fishing boat, go scuba diving or snorkeling, explore these beautiful islands via a guided sea kayak tour, or take a coach trip to Cape Reinga.

 

Day 4 - Auckland

This morning visit the Waitangi Treaty Reserve which is of great historical importance, as this is where New Zealand's founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed. You will have time to explore the Reserve and take in highlights such as the magnificent Maori War Canoe and Meeting House. This afternoon enjoy the relaxing farmland scenery on the way back to Auckland.

Stay: Mercure Hotel, Auckland

Day 5 – Waitomo Caves

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Auckland this morning, then journey south to Waitomo. We will visit the Waitomo Caves and experience a guided tour and boat ride through the amazing Waitomo Glow-Worm Grotto. This afternoon arrive in Rotorua for an orientation tour. Tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and cultural performance.

Stay: Hotel Ibis Rotorua (2 nights)

Day 6 - Rotorua

This morning you will visit the Agrodome Sheep Show to get an entertaining look at New Zealand farm life. This afternoon is free time, to enjoy Rotorua however you please. Perhaps take a guided tour by a Maori guide of Te Puia Thermal Reserve and the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute.

 

Day 7 – Wellington

On the way to Wellington, we will have a photo opportunity at Huka Falls, visit Taupo and drive along the shores of tranquil Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. See the alpine scenery of Tongariro National Park and the dairy farms of Manawatu. Then we’ll travel along the Kapiti Coast before arriving in the capital city of Wellington. Upon arrival in Wellington, enjoy a scenic city tour.

Stay: Mercure Wellington Willis Street, Wellington

 

Day 8 - Wellington and Picton

Enjoy the morning at leisure in Wellington, with a visit to Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum, late morning and a photo opportunity of the Parliament Buildings. This afternoon we take the inter-island cruise across Cook Strait to arrive at the pretty fishing village of Picton, on the South Island for an orientation tour.

Stay: Beachcomber, Picton

 

Day 9 – Picton and Christchurch

En route to Christchurch, we’ll get up close and personal with some New Zealand Fur Seals at Ohau Point, watch whales at Kaikoura, (optional scenic Whale Watching flight), travel along the rugged Pacific Ocean coast and across the Canterbury Plains. A city tour of Christchurch, the ‘most English city’ outside of England, then it’s ‘Free Time'
Stay: Heartland Hotel Cotswold

 

Day 10 – Mt. Cook

Start this day however you wish, relaxing, shopping or ride the Christchurch Tram. Later we will travel over the beautiful patchwork plains of Canterbury, visit Lake Tekapo and view the Church of the Good Shepherd. We will continue to Mt Cook National Park, and also New Zealand’s highest mountain. Spend this evening at your leisure, or take the optional flight over this gigantic mountain.

Stay: Heritage Gateway Hotel, Omarama

 

Day 11 – Dunedin

This morning we will follow the Waitaki River, passing hydro-electro dams and going through Oamaru, which is famous for its white stone buildings, as we head east to Dunedin. Upon arrival in Dunedin we will enjoy a city tour. The evening is yours to explore Dunedin as you wish. 

Stay: Cargills Hotel, Dunedin

 

Day 12 – Dunedin and Te Anau

After the morning to yourself, we’ll visit historic Larnach Castle, cross the sheep filled farming land to the South Island’s biggest lake, Lake Te Anau and the town of Te Anau. Optional: Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour tonight.

Stay: Kingsgate Hotel, Te Anau

 

Day 13 – Milford Sound and Queenstown

Travel north towards Fiordland National Park, along the Milford Road, one of the world’s finest alpine drives, to Milford Sound. Milford is the best known of all the fiords and the only one that can be accessed by road. See the beautiful Mirror Lakes, Claudu Valley, The Chasm and Bowen Falls before arriving in Queenstown. Once in Queenstown, enjoy an orientation tour, followed by an Alpine Dinner with views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Mountain Range.

Stay: Mercure Queenstown Resort, Queenstown (2 nights)

 

Day 14: Queenstown

Today is at your leisure to enjoy New Zealand’s adventure capitol of Queenstown on your own. Some options might be wine and garden tours, a jet boat ride or a day cruise on the Milford Sound. Dinner options include Skyline Restaurant on Bob’s Peak, access is via the steepest gondola ride in the Southern Hemisphere. Or the Kiwi Haka Maori Show.

 

Day 15 – Fox Glacier

Today as we travel to Fox Glacier enjoy a visit to Arrowtown, a colorful town steeped in local history. Then onto the trio of lakes: Lake Dunstan, Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka. The tour will wind through Mount Aspiring National Park and the beautiful mountain and forest scenery. Continue north along the coastal road until arriving at Fox Glacier, a rare, still advancing glacier.

Optional: Fox Glacier scenic flight

Stay: Heartland Hotel, Fox Glacier

 

Day 16 – Christchurch

First visit Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. Travel through coastal Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast, before returning to Christchurch.
Optional: Tranz Alpine Train
Stay: Heartland Hotel Cotswold, Christchurch

 

Day 17 – Depart Christchurch
You will be transferred to the Christchurch Airport for your flight home.

Call a Travel Team Agent at 1.800.788.0829 to book this New Zealand Tour Package and International Airfare Today! 

Departure Dates:


2012: Jan. 28, Feb. 4, 11, 18, 21, 25, 28, Mar. 3, 6, 10, 13, 31, Apr. 7, 28

Prices:
Starting from $3089 per person, based on double occupancy.

NOTE:
Airfare is not Included

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What's Included

 

  • Professional Tour Director
  • Professional Luxury Coach Driver
  • Welcome Drink in Auckland
  • Catamaran Cruise through Cape Brett to Hole in Rock Formation
  • Sightseeing Tour of Auckland
  • Guided Tour of Waitomo Caves
  • Boat Ride through Glow Worm Grotto
  • Maori Hangi Feast and Cultural Performance
  • Agrodome Sheep Show
  • Sightseeing Tour of Wellington
  • Admission to Te Papa Museum
  • Inter-island Cruise from North Island to South Island
  • Tour of Picton
  • Tour and Tasting at Montana Winery
  • City Tour of Christchurch
  • Visit Larnach Castle
  • City Tour of Dunedin
  • Tour of Queenstown
  • Visit Fox Glacier
  • 16 Breakfasts
  • 10 Dinners
  • Airport Transfers
  • Hotel taxes and fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click Here for a Custom Quote
or call 1.800.788.0829 to speak with
one of our travel experts.

Notes:

  • Prices in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
  • We have limited space on this package and it is subject to availability and prior sale.
  • All package prices are per person based on double occupancy unless otherwise noted
  • Prices reflect cash discount.
  • Due to constantly changing policies to baggage restrictions, please check with your airline directly for latest updates and restrictions.
  • Information, including prices are subject to change without notice
  • Restrictions and change and/or cancel penalties apply.
  • Taxes and airport fees not included.
  • UBI-600-307-872-WA