SAVE nz$640 PER COUPLE, if you book and pay in full for your tour before 31st August 2010 (see below for details)

NEW ZEALAND ENCOUNTER
18 Day Fully Escorted Premium Tour
Christchurch - Auckland

A 18 day Premium New Zealand Encounter Tour, See both the North & South Island including Bay of Islands, Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch, Milford Sound & much more, also includes Tranz Alpine Train Journey

TOUR CODE PA-ZSBN

Tour cost from nz$5520 May – Sept 2010 per person share twin
Tour cost from nz$6455 Oct – April 2011 per person share twin
Tour cost from nz$5795 May – Sept 2011 per person share twin
Tour cost from nz$6715 Oct – Dec 2011 per person share twin

DEPARTURE DATES FOR 2010
27 JUNE;     25 JULY;     5 12 19 26 SEPT;     3 10 17 24 31 OCT;
7 14 21 NOV;     5 12 19 DEC
 
DEPARTURE DATES FOR 2011
2 9 23 30 JAN;     2 6 9 20 23 27 FEB;     2 6 9 13 16 20 23 27 30 MARCH
17 24 APRIL;     15 22 MAY;     26 JUNE;     24 JULY;     21 AUG;     
4, 11 18 25 SEPT;    2 9 16 23 30 OCT;     6 13 20 NOV;     4 11 18 DEC        

Single supplement nz$1765

Day 1
Arrive Christchurch
Transfer from airport to hotel, check-in, and then see Christchurch your way. In the evening enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director and fellow travellers.
Hotel: Novotel,
Christchurch.

Day 2
Christchurch - TranzAlpine – Punakaiki
We catch the TranzAlpine for a world class journey from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass. Experience the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes on arrival in Punakaiki, where we’ll spend the night at our exclusive resort right on the waterfront.
Hotel: Punakaiki Resort,
Punakaiki B

Day 3
Punakaiki – Franz Josef
Travel via Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast, to Hokitika to visit a New Zealand native jade factory for a jewellery demonstration. Continue to Franz Josef Glacier. You can see it from the air on an optional scenic flight (weather permitting) or take a glacier hike!
Hotel: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel,
Franz Josef. B

Day 4
Franz Josef – Queenstown
Today take in Haast Pass, Thunder Creek Falls, a small rainforest bush walk, Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea, Lake Dunstan, the stone fruit capital of Cromwell, historic Arrowtown and finally Queenstown, for an orientation tour on arrival. Your dinner option, Skyline Restaurant at Bob’s Peak, is accessed via gondola. The Kiwi Haka Maori Show makes a top night – if you choose.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, 2 nights. B
Queenstown,

Day 5
Queenstown ‘Free Time’
Explore action-packed, adventure-capital, Queenstown, for yourself. Wine and garden tours, jet boat rides, white water rafting – it’s up to you. Dinner and a sheep shearing demonstration are at Walter Peak Station. We’ll cruise Lake Wakatipu, on board the TSS Earnslaw, to get there and back.B HD

Day 6
Queenstown - Milford Sound - Te Anau
Over the Devil’s Staircase, along Lake Wakatipu’s shores to Te Anau, World Heritage Fiordland National Park is next.We travel through rainforest, see glaciers and mountain ranges, pass through the hand built Homer Tunnel, to the abundant photo opportunities of the Mirror Lakes, Pop’s Lookout, Claudu Valley, The Chasm, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls and Milford Sound, where you’ll cruise on the waters of this natural wonder. Tonight’s option - a visit to the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves
Hotel: Distinction Hotel,
Te Anau. B

Day 7
Te Anau – Dunedin
Travel from Te Anau to Dunedin over farmland. A city tour, then Dunedin is yours to enjoy – take a Wildlife Cruise, visit the Cadbury Factory – it’s your call!
Hotel: Southern Cross Hotel,
Dunedin. B

Day 8
Dunedin
A guided tour of Larnach Castle starts the day. Then enjoy some free time before heading to Twizel via Oamaru, famous for its limestone buildings, and the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and Benmore Dam.
Hotel: MacKenzie Country Inn, Deluxe Rooms,
Twizel. B

Day 9
Mt. Cook – Christchurch
Mt. Cook National Park is today’s highlight. Take an optional scenic flight. En route to Christchurch we’ll see Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the patchwork Canterbury Plains. We’ll have a Christchurch city tour, ride the Christchurch Tram then it’s your time.
Hotel: Novotel,
Christchurch. B

Day 10
Christchurch – Blenheim
Travelling along the rugged East Coast we reach Kaikoura for some whale watching. Take an optional Scenic Whale Watching flight. See New Zealand fur seals up close at Ohau Point. Pass the Grassmere Salt Works and arrive at Blenheim for an orientation tour before a tour, tasting and dinner at Allan Scott Wines.
Hotel: Chateau Marlborough,
Blenheim B HD

Day 11
Wellington
A visit to Picton and a cruise of tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound get things going, before we head to Wellington. A view filled city sights tour then it’s free time – until we visit the Museum of New Zealand – Te Papa – for some Maori culture.
Hotel: Novotel,
Wellington. B

Day 12
Wellington – Rotorua
Traversing the coast and the dairy farming land of Manawatu en route to Tongariro National Park we’ll sight Mt. Ruapehu. Lake Taupo, Huka Falls and Rotorua, an orientation tour takes in views of Lake Rotorua. The Realm of T–ane, Hangi and concert is our evening cultural highlight.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, 2 nights. B HD
Rotorua

Day 13
Rotorua
Sparkling wine and a breakfast cruise on Lake Rotorua starts our day, followed by the Agrodome Sheep Show. Te Puia gives us an insight into Maori culture. We take a guided tour of the Geothermal Reserve then the afternoon is yours. B

Day 14
Rotorua – Auckland
We tour the Glow Worm Grotto at Waitomo Caves. Then trace the Waikato River into Auckland for a tour of Mt. Eden, Bastian Point, Viaduct Harbour and more.
Hotel: Stamford Plaza,
Auckland. B

Day 15
Auckland – Bay of Islands
Over the Auckland Harbour Bridge, we travel up the Hibiscus Coast. Walk amongst the Kauri trees at Parry Kauri Park. We have time to explore Whangarei. Then it’s off to Paihia in Bay of Islands. We cruise to Cape Brett, through the ‘Hole in the Rock’ and stop at Urupukapuka Island before returning to Paihia.
Hotel: Copthorne Hotel & Resort (Water View),
Bay of Islands, 2 nights B

Day 16
Bay of Islands ‘Free Time’
The Bay of Islands is yours to explore. Dolphin watch, catch a ferry to Russell, walk the Ninety Mile Beach, whatever takes your fancy. Finish off with dinner in town – it’s all your choice. B

Day 17
Bay of Islands – Auckland
We visit the Waitangi Treaty Reserve which includes the Maori War Canoe (Waka) and Marae (Meeting House). We’ll then return to Auckland.
Hotel: Stamford Plaza,
Auckland. B

Day 18
Depart Auckland
Today we’ll transfer you to Auckland Airport for your onward flight. B

Premium holiday inclusions
• Dinner at Allan Scott Wines
• The Christchurch Tram
• Larnach Castle Dunedin
• Famous TranzAlpine Train
• See the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki
• View Franz Josef Glacier
• Cruise on Milford Sound
• View mighty Mt. Cook
• Thermal Reserve Rotorua
• The Realm of Tãne
• Maori Hangi and concert
• The 'Hole in the Rock'
• Waitangi Treaty Reserve
• Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach with 2-door access, restroom, seatbelts, reclining seats, panoramic windows
• Professionally Escorted