EYE CATCHING NEWZEALAND
Duration: 8Nights | 9 Days
Places Covered: Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch, Glacier Region and Queenstown
Overview
New Zealand enthralls a traveller with its outlandish scenery, fabulous festivals, superb food & wine, and magical outdoor experiences. Equally impressive is the country's potent, mainstream Maori culture. This is a country that recognizes and celebrates its indigenous people - the world is a kinder, gentler, more respectful place down here! Auckland's blend of harbour, islands, Polynesian culture and modern city environment has created a lifestyle ranked amongst the best in the world. Rotorua is one place where the turbulent forces that formed New Zealand are most evident. This city, on the Volcanic Plateau, has one of the world's most lively fields of geothermal activity. Christchurch is a beautiful city, a city where you can cycle alongside the river, indulge in fine sophisticated dining, and a city where, just 15 minutes from the center you can scramble up mountain bike tracks or ride a wave at a surf beach. Queenstown sits on the shore of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu among dramatic ranges. The lake and mountain landscape make it suited to all kinds of adventure.
Day 1: Arrive Auckland
On arrival in Auckland, ‘The City of Sails’, seat in coach passengers will be met by our local representative and privately transferred to your hotel. Self- drive passengers will pick-up your rental car at the airport and drive to your hotel.Overnight at the hotel in Auckland.
Day 2: Auckland - Waitomo – Rotorua
After Breakfast 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. This evening enjoy an authentic Maori Hangi (feast) and Concert. Overnight at the hotel in Rotorua .
Day 3: Rotorua
After Breakfast visitTePuia 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. This afternoon or evening, enjoy a relaxing soak in the tranquil setting of the Lake Spa Retreat at the Polynesian Spa. Overnight at the hotel in Rotorua.
Day 4: Rotorua – Christchurch
After Breakfast, depart on your domestic flight from Rotorua to Christchurch (airfare is NOT included). Tonight enjoy a romantic dinner on the iconic Christchurch Tram Restaurant. Overnight at the hotel in Christchurch.
Day 5: Christchurch – Mt. Cook – Queenstown
After Breakfast travel across the fertile Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo and the ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’ before continuing on to New Zealand’s highest mountain - Mt Cook. Depart Mt Cook and follow the shores of Lake Pukaki south through the historic Central Otago region to the ‘Alpine Resort’ of Queenstown. Overnight at the hotel in Queenstown.
Day 6: Queenstown
After Breakfast, a free day to explore the endless optional attractions available in Queenstown - bungy jumping, jetboating, white water rafting, gondola rides and much more. Optional activities are not included in the tour price. Overnight at the hotel in Queenstown.
Day 7: Queenstown - Glacier Region
After Breakfast, depart to Queenstown this morning, travel along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the Haast Pass, gateway to 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. For self-drive passengers, entry to the Glacier Hot Pools is included’.Overnight at the hotel in Glacier Region.
Day 8: Glacier Region - Christchurch
After Breakfast travel north to Greymouth today and board the 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 beside the Waimakariri River to Christchurch.Overnight at the hotel in Christchurch.
Day 9: Departure
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for seat in coach passengers or self-drive passengers drive to the airport and return your rental car. Return home with wonderful memories.
Best time to visit: New Zealand is a mountainous island nation sitting isolated in the Southwest Pacific, and so the weather tends to be pretty unpredictable. That said, it means that you can come at any time of year and still get glorious days! Here at the bottom of the world (or top, depending on how you look at it!) our seasons are opposite to the Northern Hemisphere’s and most people who visit New Zealand choose to come during our summer season. New Zealand truly does come into its own in the summer, as an outdoor lover's paradise. Particularly between the months of December to February you'll see people at the beach, hiking in the forest or biking on our cycling trails. It's a popular time of year for getting outdoors in nature, and experiencing life at a slower pace.