NEW ZEALAND PANORAMA
24 Days Auckland to Christchurch
At a glance …Discover why NZ remains one of the world’s most sought after destinations on this ultimate touring holiday! This leisurely, 24-day journey features a minimum 2-night stay at every stopover point. With such an incredible choice of things to do & places to see, you’ll enjoy plenty of time to sightsee, relax and savour the lifestyle that is New Zealand. Limited to 16 guests
TOUR CODE GNZP
TOUR COST Twin Single
01 Sep 10-30 Apr 11 $10,880 $14,475
DEPARTURE DATES
2010:
Sep 25; Oct 09, 23; Nov 13, 27; Dec 11, 18
2011:
Jan 01, 15, 29; Feb 05, 19, 26; Mar 12, 26; Apr 09
Day 1
Arrive Auckland
On arrival at Auckland airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your city hotel.
Stay Rendezvous Hotel (2 nights)
Day 2
Auckland sightseeing & Harbour Cruise
At the completion of your city sights tour, board a 50-foot yacht for a 90-minute relaxing cruise on the magnifi cent Waitemata Harbour. You can sit back and watch it all happen or help the professional crew by taking the helm and trimming the sails. (B)
Day 3
Auckland - Hibiscus Coast - Bay of Islands overnight cruise
This morning, we travel over the Harbour Bridge and head through the northern suburbs of Auckland with the beachside homes of the Hibiscus Coast to the east & the bush-clad Waitakere Ranges to the west. Enjoy spectacular scenery of native forests & sub-tropical bush as we make our way to Paihia in the Bay of Islands, a seaside town nestled on the foreshore of this National Maritime Park. Early this afternoon, we board our overnight vessel, “Ipipiri”, for a unique cruise that will immerse you into the region’s breathtaking beauty and it’s historical & cultural signifi cance. Island walks, snorkelling & kayaking are all available before enjoying a sumptuous dinner.
Overnight aboard Ipipiri (D)
Day 4
Explore the Bay of Islands
There is time for some optional activities such as fi shing or swimming with the dolphins before returning to Opua & disembarking at 11am. The rest of the day is free to explore the local area & enjoy the many fantastic excursions available. Your Tour Host will be pleased to offer suggestions on what is available. (B)
Stay Copthorne Bay of Islands Resort
Day 5
Bay of Islands - Rotorua
Travel south to the geothermal city of Rotorua, a region whose raw beauty has enchanted visitors from around the world for more than 160 years. It is also home to a deep-rooted Maori culture and the opportunity to experience a traditional hangi (feast) & cultural show should not be missed. (B)
Stay Millennium Rotorua Hotel (2 nights)
Day 6
Lake Tarawera Cruise, Te Wairoa Buried Village
Today’s highlight is an exclusive cruise across the pristine, clear waters of Lake Tarawera. Experience spectacular scenery & soak in the thermal waters of Hot Water Beach. After lunch, visit the Blue & Green Lakes and then wander around the famous buried village of Te Wairoa. (B,L)
Day 7
Rotorua - Lake Taupo - Napier
View Huka Falls & the Wairakei Geothermal project and take time to walk around the popular lakeside resort of Taupo. Journey on to Napier, often referred to as the Art Deco capital of the world. On arrival, enjoy a locally guided walking tour. (B)
Stay The Crown Hotel (2 nights)
Day 8
Explore Napiers Wine country
A day to explore the region at your own pace. Visit the many attractions along the Marine Parade, take a tour to Cape Kidnappers, enjoy a guided wine & gourmet tour of some of New Zealand’s leading vineyards & wineries, experience an early morning hot-air balloon ride over vineyards, orchards & olive groves, or play an exciting round of golf on one of the countries leading & most challenging courses … your choices are endless! (B)
Day 9
Fly Napier to Nelson
The Nelson region is an area of diverse beauty that enjoys a Mediterranean-type climate. It boasts the greatest number of sunshine hours in New Zealand and is home to a thriving arts & crafts colony where locals enjoy a relaxed & easy-going lifestyle. (B)
Stay Heritage Rutherford Hotel (2 nights)
Day 10
Abel Tasman National Park Cruise & Walk
Choose from a number of included cruise & walk or cruise only options in the famous Abel Tasman National Park. Your Tour Host will give you details of the various choices available. (B,L)
Day 11
Nelson - Blenheim - Kaikoura
Travel to Blenheim, the centre of a thriving wine industry. Continue on to the coastal town of Kaikoura, a place for unparalleled wildlife adventures. (B)
Stay White Morph Inn (2 nights)
Day 12
Kaikoura - Whale Watch Cruise
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. (B)
Day 13
Kaikoura - Lake Tekapo - Mt Cook
Travel across the rich pastoral farmland of the Canterbury Plains & over Burkes Pass. At Lake Tekapo, stop to view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. Travel up the western side of Lake Pukaki to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. (B,D)
Stay Aoraki Mt Cook Hermitage Hotel (2 nights)
Day 14
Tasman Glacier Explorer
Experience the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s largest, in the most unique way possible. An experienced guide will whisk you away in a stable MAC Boat to explore the melting ice-face of the Tasman Glacier, This afternoon is free to enjoy local walks, sightsee or simply relax in your spectacular surroundings. (B,D)
Day 15
Mt Cook - Omarama - Lindis Pass - Queenstown
Journey south through the MacKenzie Country before beginning the ascent over the Lindis Pass into the historical gold mining region of Central Otago. Emerge into the lush green farmland that surrounds the beautiful alpine village of Queenstown, regarded as New Zealand’s premier holiday destination. (B)
Stay Heritage Queenstown Hotel (3 nights)
Day 16 & 17
Explore Queenstown and Fiordland National Park
Enjoy two full days to experience this magnifi cent resort. Queenstown boasts adventure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. It is also a great base from which to explore the Fiordland National Park, gateway to the awesome Milford & Doubtful Sounds. (B)
Day 18
Queenstown - Arrowtown - Crown Range - Lake Wanaka
Set beneath the rugged Crown Range is Arrowtown, a fascinating collection of mining cottages. A spectacular scenic drive over the Crown Range brings us to Lake Wanaka with its breathtaking mountain & lake views. (B)
Stay Edgewater Resort Hotel (2 nights)
Day 19
Wanaka at leisure
An inspiring place to indulge in tranquillity, Lake Wanaka also has plenty of action-packed activities available for those who can’t keep still! We recommend some time out, soaking up the atmosphere & splendour that is Wanaka. (B)
Day 20
Wanaka - Haast Pass - Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers
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 before reaching the twin glaciers of Fox & Franz Josef. (B)
Stay Te Weheka Inn (2 nights)
Day 21
Explore West Coast Glaciers
A full day to enjoy the delights of this region at your own pace. A number of optional glacial adventure and exploration activities are available. (B)
Day 22
Fox Glacier - Spectacular TranzAlpine Train - Christchurch
Journey north along the wild & rugged West Coastline to Greymouth. Here you board the award-winning TranzAlpine train for a spectacular coast-tocoast journey through the Southern Alps to Christchurch. (B)
Stay Heritage Christchurch Hotel (2 nights)
Day 23
Explore Christchurch & surrounds
Christchurch is the nation’s second largest city. It is a city alive with colour, atmosphere and world class attractions. (B)
Day 24
Depart Christchurch
At leisure today until you transferred to the airport for your fl ight home or onward journey to your next destination. (B)
Highlights & Inclusions
• Group size won’t exceed 16 guests
• 22 nights accommodation in superior hotels
• Overnight Bay of Islands Cruise
• Minimum 2 night stay at every stopover
• 3 nights majestic Queenstown
• Accompanied throughout by experienced, professional Tour Host
• Domestic air travel Napier to Nelson
• Full breakfasts daily, 2 lunches & 3 dinners
• Historic Bay of Islands
• Exclusive Lake Tarawera cruise & Te Wairoa Buried Village
• Blue & Green Lakes & Rotorua sightseeing
• Huka Falls, Wairakei Geothermal area & Lake Taupo
• Guided Art Deco Walk, Napier
• Abel Tasman National Park Cruise & Walk
• Whale Watch Cruise, Kaikoura
• Lake Tekapo & Church of the Good Shepherd
• World-heritage listed Mt Cook National Park
• See & touch glaciers & icebergs up-close on your Tasman Glacier
Explorer expedition
• Arrowtown & Southern Lakes district
• Optional day & overnight tours to Milford & Doubtful Sounds
• Mt Aspiring & Westland National Parks
• Twin Glaciers of Franz Josef & Fox
• Spectacular coast to coast journey through the Southern Alps on
the TranzAlpine train
• Complimentary airport transfers by limousine
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