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Day 1
ARRIVE AUCKLAND
On arrival in Auckland you will be transferred to your hotel (flights to arrive prior to 4pm). You’re free to explore Auckland before an evening Welcome Reception 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 2
AUCKLAND - BAY OF ISLANDS (2 NIGHTS)
Depart Auckland over the Harbour Bridge then through Orewa and the Hibiscus Coast. Walk among the Kauri trees at Parry Kauri Park. Explore Whangarei, the northern-most city in New Zealand, and then it’s off to the Bay of Islands. Enjoy a cruise to Cape Brett and the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’.
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
BAY OF ISLANDS FREE TIME
You have a free day to experience the Bay of Islands. Go dolphin-watching, take a coach trip to Cape Reinga via idyllic Ninety Mile Beach or a day of sailing or even a guided sea-kayaking trip.
Day 4
BAY OF ISLANDS - AUCKLAND
See the historic Waitangi Treaty Reserve. You’ll have the opportunity to visit and take in highlights such as the Maori War Canoe (Waka) and Meeting House (Marae). Tonight in Auckland you’ll dine 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 5
AUCKLAND - ROTORUA (2 NIGHTS)
After a sightseeing tour of Auckland, head south to trace New Zealand’s longest river, the Waikato, 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 with an orientation tour on arrival. 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 6
ROTORUA SIGHTSEEING
Start the day with a ride on the Skyline Gondola and breakfast with 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.
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Day 7
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 8
WELLINGTON - BLENHEIM
Visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. Later, cruise the Cook Strait into tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound. The seaside village of Picton is next, then Blenheim for a city tour. Enjoy a tasting, tour and Highlight Dinner at Georges Michel Wine Estate.
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
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 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 10
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 Angie and Stan Taylor and their 600 acre garden. Later 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 11
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. The afternoon is free to do as you choose. 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 12
DUNEDIN - TE ANAU
Consider a visit to New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle. Later, cross 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 13
TE ANAU - QUEENSTOWN (2 NIGHTS)
You’ll be awe-struck by the magnificence of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. Your cruise on mystical Milford Sound will take you past Bowen Falls and Mitre Peak. Afterwards, travel over the Devil’s Staircase, along the shores of Lake Wakatipu on your way to Queenstown.
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
QUEENSTOWN FREE TIME
You have a full day to explore action-packed adventure capital 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.
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Day 15
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 on to Franz Josef Glacier, the world’s most accessible 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 16
FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER - PUNAKAIKI
There is time this morning to explore Franz Josef Glacier. Depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade), for a factory visit and jewelry demonstration, a Local Specialty. 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 17
PUNAKAIKI - CHRISTCHURCH
At Arthur’s Pass you’ll board the TranzAlpine train to travel through the Southern Alps to Christchurch. Celebrate your trip with a Farewell Dinner.
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 18
DEPART CHRISTCHURCH
Your vacation concludes this morning after breakfast. You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight (flights anytime).