Best of New Zealand

Highlights

• Arrive Auckland
• Auckland City Sightseeing
• Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua
• Rotorua
• Rotorua - Wellington

Day by day

1. Day 1
   Arrive Auckland

   Upon arrival in Auckland, `The City of Sails', seat in coach guest will be met by local representative and privately transferred to your hotel. Self drive guest will collect your rental car at the airport and drive to your hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel in Auckland.

2. Day 2
   Auckland City Sightseeing

   This morning enjoy sightseeing tour of Auckland city including a visit to Kelly Tarlton's Sealife Aquarium and Antarctic Encounter. Rest of the day is free. Overnight at the hotel in Auckland. (B)

3. Day 3
   Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua

   Proceed to travel south through the fertile Waikato region to arrive at Waitomo. Enjoy a guided tour of the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves including an underground boat ride viewing the millions of glow worms on the cavern roof. On completion continue over the forested Mamaku Ranges to reach the 'Thermal City' of Rotorua. Overnight stay in Rotorua. (B)

4. Day 4
   Rotorua

   Today visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see boiling mudpools and roaring geysers. Following this, visit Rainbow Springs to see New Zealand's trout, birds and wildlife before continuing to the Agrodome for a New Zealand farm show featuring sheep dog demonstrations, cow milking and an introduction to the stars of our sheep industry. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening enjoy an authentic Maori Hangi (feast) and Concert. Overnight at the hotel in Rotorua. (B, D)

5. Day 5
   Rotorua - Wellington

   Proceed to travel south to reach the popular lake resort of Taupo and along the shores of Lake Taupo to Turangi, before continuing on the Desert Road, dominated in the background by the three peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. Continue south through lush farmland before arriving in the 'Capital City' of Wellington. Overnight at the hotel in Wellington. (B)

6. Day 6
   Wellington

   This morning enjoy sightseeing tour of Wellington and a short guided tour of Te Papa (the `Museum of New Zealand') before enjoying a free afternoon to explore New Zealand's capital city. (Optional activities not included in tour price) (B) Optional Sightseeing / Activities at an additional cost : Zealandia by Night Tour : Zealandia is the only place to see the KIWI bird in wild. Enjoy the nocturnal sights, sounds and smells of the sanctuary valley. A night tour at Zealandia is a unique experience you will never forget. Overnight at the hotel in Wellington. (B)

7. Day 7
   Wellington - Picton - Kaikoura

   Proceed for Journey across Cook Strait, which separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand, and into the Marlborough Sounds with its sparkling clear waters and lush forests, before arriving in Picton. Travel south through the town of Blenheim, before reaching Kaikoura. Overnight at the hotel in Kaikoura. (B)

8. Day 8
   Kaikoura - Christchurch

   Proceed to Christchruch travel through North Canterbury to reach the 'Garden City' of Christchurch. Overnight at Christchurch. (B) Optional Sightseeing / Activities at an additional cost : Whale Watching at Kaikuora : Off the Kaikoura coastline is a marine environment so rich in nutrients that it attracts some of the most magnificent creatures with which we share our planet. Among them are Giant Sperm Whales that can grow up to 20 metres and weigh over 50 tons. These whales can be seen all year round making Kaikoura one of the most popular whale watching locations in the world. Overnight at the hotel in Christchurch. (B)

9. Day 9
   Christchurch - Mount Cook - Queenstown

   This morning travel across the fertile Canterbury Plains before arriving at Lake Tekapo. Visit the 'Church of the Good Shepherd' before continuing onto New Zealand's highest mountain - Mt Cook. Depart Mt Cook and follow the shores of Lake Pukaki south throughthe historic Central Otago region to the 'Alpine Resort' of Queenstown. Overnight at the hotel in Queenstown. (B)

10. Day 10
    Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown

    Today follow the southern arm of Lake Wakatipu to Lumsden, and onward to Lake Te Anau. Enter the Eglinton Valley and travel through the Homer Tunnel to reach Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on this world famous fiord, dominated by Mitre Peak and the cascading Bowen Falls. Return to Queenstown. Overnight at the hotel in Queestown. (B)

11. Day 11
    Queenstown

    Today the day is at leisure (Optional Activities : endless optional attractions available. Queenstown offers bungy jumping, jetboating, white water rafting, gondola rides and much more.) Optional Sightseeing / Activities at an additional cost : 1) Nzone Skydiving : Embrace the fear, at Nzone Skydive enjoy scenic flight (depending on your feet selection) to altitude, then you will nudge towards the edge of the plane before being thrown out! Keep your head up, smile at your skydive photographer and take in the stunning surroundings. After an exhilarating freefall, you will experience a 5 minute parachute ride, floating safely back down to the skydive drop zone. (Weight limit is 100kg) 2) Ziptrek Ecotours : Experience New Zealand's original zipline tour. It is a spectacular guided eco-adventure through the forest canopy high above Queenstown. Between the ziplines, Ziptrek guide deliver educational information with an ecological focus stories of Maori legends. Overnight at the hotel in Queenstown. (B)

12. Day 12
    Queenstown - Glacier Region

    Depart Queenstown and travel via Lake Wanaka and through the historic Haast Pass, gateway to the World Heritage Westland National Park. Continue up the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native forests and lakes to the glacier region of Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Overnight at the hotel in Glacier Region. (B)

13. Day 13
    Glacier Region

    Today the day is at leisure to explore this magnificent glacier region. Optional activities include a scenic flight or guided walk on one of the glaciers. Optional activities not included in the tour price. Overnight at the hotel in Glacier Region. (B)

14. Day 14
    Glacier Region - Greymouth - Christchurch

    Today travel north to Greymouth and board the world famous Tranz Alpine train (seat in coach passengers only). Ascend through lush beech forests past the alpine village of Arthur's Pass before crossing the spectacular Southern Alps. Travel over Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Overnight at the hotel in Christchurch. (B)

15. Day 15
    Christchurch - Hometown

    This morning proceed to airport to board the flight for your next destination or your hometown with fond memories to cherish for a lifetime. (B) Tour Concludes !!