Classic NZ Vista (PP12)
Duration: 15 Days 14 Nights
Cities:
Auckland > Bay of Islands > Rotorua> Auckland > Christchurch >
Mount Cook > Queenstown > Franz Josef > Greymouth > Christchurch
Day 1 - Arrive Auckland
On arrival at Auckland Airport, the ‘City of Sails’, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. (Self-drive passengers collect your rental car for your exclusive use until the end of the tour package).
Day 2 - Auckland - Bay of Islands
This morning depart Auckland for your journey north to Paihia in the Bay of Islands.
Day 3 - Bay of Islands
Today is free day at leisure for optional tours, we highly recommend you to do one of the following activities – “Hole in the Rock” Cape Brett Cruise or a Cape Reinga Wanderer 90 mile beach tour.
Day 4 - Bay of Islands—Rotorua
After Breakfast at hotel, morning journey from Paihia to Rotorua via Auckland.
Day 5 - Rotorua
Today’s half day city tour includes Te Puia and its Thermal Valley of roaring geysers, steaming rivers and boiling mud pools. Following this, you will travel to Rainbow Springs to view trout and other wildlife and to the famous Agrodome Sheep Show.
Day 6 Rotorua - Waitomo Caves—Auckland
Today’s highlight is a visit to the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves (admission included) here you will see amazing cravens and glow worms. Continue your journey to Auckland and arrive late afternoon, check in to your hotel.
Day 7 Auckland - Air - Christchurch
Transfer to Auckland Airport for your flight to Christchurch where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. (Airfare from Auckland to Christchurch excluded). Rest of the day is free for the many optional activities available in and around Christchurch. (Self-drive passengers return your car at Rotorua Airport and collect your South Island car on arrival at Christchurch Airport).
Day 8 Christchurch
This is a free day for you to pursue your own activities.
Day 9 Christchurch—Mount Cook—Queenstown
Depart Christchurch and travel across the Canterbury Plains and a stunning natural landscape of glacial blue lakes and tussock clad hills. A rare opportunity here to take an optional scenic flight for an overview of Mt Cook’s ice falls, snowfields and glaciers Continue to Queenstown, the ultimate outdoor adventure playground, set against a stunning backdrop of lakes and mountains.
Day 10 Queenstown
This is a free day for you to pursue your own activities.
Day 11 Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown
An early start following the shores of Lake Wakatipu, and through Te Anau where you will be enthralled by the immense landscape. Travel through beech forest, passing majestic mountains, on through the Homer Tunnel in time to board your catamaran for the Milford Sound cruise. Cruise past Mitre Peak, the highest mountain in the world to rise vertically from the sea, and admire the Stirling and Bowen Waterfalls as you cruise out to sea. Return to the pier for the coach back to Queenstown.
Day 12 Queenstown - Franz Josef
Travel through the Kawarau Gorge past Lake Dunstan on towards Wanaka. A stop is made in Makarora before crossing the Southern Alps as you enter the Haast Pass. At Knights Point you can view magnificent seascapes. From here pass Lakes Moeraki and Paringa then past Bruce Bay to arrive at the Glaciers.
Day 13 Franz Josef
This is a free day for you to pursue your own activities.
Day 14 Franz Josef - Greymouth - Christchurch
After breakfast, we will continue our journey up the West Coast via Hokitika to Greymouth. Join the TranzAlpine train at Greymouth for a spectacular journey through gorges, river valleys and farmland plains before reaching Christchurch (coach passengers only). (Self-drivers travel via Arthur’s Pass road en route to Christchurch).
Day 15 Depart Christchurch
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight (Self-drive passengers return your car directly at the airport).
