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Day 1
ARRIVE AUCKLAND
On arrival at Auckland Airport you will be transferred to your hotel (flights to arrive prior to 4pm). This evening meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception at your hotel and dinner at the top of the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere, Auckland’s Skytower at Orbit, a revolving restaurant with 360 degree views of the city.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 2
AUCKLAND - ROTORUA (2 NIGHTS)
After a sightseeing tour of Auckland, head south to the Waitomo Caves to visit the amazing Glow Worm Grotto. A Local Guide will lead you through the grotto by boat and you’ll walk in the limestone caves. Your journey continues to Rotorua. Tonight experience The Realm of Tane followed by a Be My Guest Maori Hangi feast and concert at the Tamaki Family Marae.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 3
ROTORUA SIGHTSEEING - FARM STAY*
Start the day with a ride on the Skyline Gondola and breakfast with stunning views over Lake Rotorua. Visit the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. See volcanic craters, steaming ground and bubbling mud pools on an exclusive tour of the geothermal valley with a Local Guide. *Tonight you have a chance to stay with a local family on a nearby farm and enjoy genuine Kiwi hospitality - additional cost $70.
Day 4
ROTORUA - WELLINGTON
Traveling from the mountains to the sea, you’ll view Huka Falls and drive along the shores of Lake Taupo. Discover the alpine scenery of Mt. Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park and the dairy farms of Manawatu. Continue along the Kapiti Coast to Wellington. See the city from Mt. Victoria on your sightseeing tour.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 5
WELLINGTON - BLENHEIM
Visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, with time to discover it yourself. Later, cruise the Cook Strait into tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound. The seaside village of Picton is next, then Blenheim for a city tour. Tonight you’ll enjoy a tasting, tour and Highlight Dinner at Georges Michel Wine Estate, a family owned and run winery in the heart of the Marlborough region.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 6
BLENHEIM - CHRISTCHURCH
En route to the whale-watching haven of Kaikoura, you’ll pass the Grassmere Salt Works and see New Zealand fur seals up close at Ohau Point. Travel to Christchurch over the patchwork Canterbury Plains and see the extensive work carried out to rebuild the city after the earthquake of February 2011.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 7
CHRISTCHURCH - TWIZEL
Join us for a taste of country life at a Be My Guest barbecue lunch on Morelea Farm, a typical working sheep farm. You’ll be welcomed into the home of your hosts Angie and Stan Taylor and their 600 acre garden. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and soak up the alpine scenery of Mount Cook National Park.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 8
TWIZEL - DUNEDIN
Start your day with a drive along the Waitaki River. View the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and Benmore Dam. Travel through Oamaru, with its famous white limestone buildings, to Dunedin for a tour of the city. You’ll have free time this afternoon. Perhaps take a Wildlife Cruise to see the Penguins and the Royal Albatross, visit the Cadbury Factory or ride the historic Taieri Gorge Railway.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 9
DUNEDIN - TE ANAU
This morning you have the opportunity to visit New Zealand’s only Castle, Larnach Castle and its gardens. Travel across rich fertile sheep-filled farming land to Te Anau.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 10
TE ANAU - QUEENSTOWN (2 NIGHTS)
You’ll be awe-struck by the magnificence of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. Amazing photo opportunities await you as you see rainforest, ancient glaciers, mountain ranges and the hand-made Homer Tunnel. Pass the Mirror Lake, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm. Your cruise on mystical Milford Sound will take you past Bowen Falls and Mitre Peak. Afterwards, travel over the Devil’s Staircase and along the shores of Lake Wakatipu on your way to Queenstown. An orientation tour of New Zealand’s adventure capital finishes this highlight day.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 11
QUEENSTOWN FREE TIME
You have a full day to explore Queenstown. This evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard New Zealand’s oldest steamship, the TSS Earnslaw, to Walter Peak Station for a carvery Highlight Dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead. An entertaining after-dinner farm show provides a glimpse into high-country farm life.
Day 12
QUEENSTOWN - FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER
Visit the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown on the Arrow River. Enjoy the tastes of delicious stone fruit at Cromwell, the stone fruit capital, a Local Specialty. See a trio of lakes, Dunstan, Hawea and Wanaka. Travel over the Haast Pass and view amazing Thunder Creek Falls. Then it’s on to Franz Josef Glacier, the world’s most accessible and still advancing glacier.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 13
FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER - PUNAKAIKI
See Franz Josef Glacier from the air on an optional flight or take a glacier hike! Depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade), a Local Specialty, for a factory visit and jewelry demonstration. Later, travel to Punakaiki to view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 14
PUNAKAIKI - TRANZALPINE - CHRISTCHURCH
Travel to Arthur’s Pass where you’ll board the TranzAlpine train to journey through the Southern Alps to Christchurch. Celebrate your trip this evening at a Farewell Dinner with your Travel Director and fellow travelers.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 15
DEPART CHRISTCHURCH
Your vacation concludes this morning after breakfast. You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight (flights anytime).