18 days Auckland to Christchurch

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive Auckland
On arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred by limousine to your city hotel. The rest of today is at leisure to explore the ‘City of Sails’.
Stay:     Heritage Auckland Hotel

Day 2: Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula (B)
The Coromandel Peninsula is a beautiful rugged area fringed with dozens of excellent beaches & is a place where many kiwis choose to escape the hustle & hype of city life. At the quaint township of Coromandel, ride the famous Driving Creek narrow gauge railway to a fascinating artist colony.
Stay:     Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort   

Day 3: Coromandel, Rotorua (B,D)
Travel along the Bay of Plenty Coastline to the popular beachside towns of Tauranga & Mt Maunganui. Then head inland across the volcanic plateau to the geothermal city of Rotorua, an area that has enchanted visitors from around the world for more than 160 years. Tonight, enjoy a lakeside BBQ at your hotel.
Stay:   Amora Lake Resort Okawa Bay  (2 nights)

Day 4: Lake Tarawera Cruise & Te Wairoa Buried Village (B,L)
Today’s highlight is an exclusive cruise across the pristine, clear waters of Lake Tarawera. Experience spectacular scenery, try your hand at trout fishing and enjoy soaking in the thermal waters of Hot Water Beach. This afternoon, visit the Blue & Green Lakes and then wander around the famous buried village of Te Wairoa.
 
Day 5: Lake Taupo, Napier (B)
This morning, visit Wai-O-Tapu, a wonderland of geothermal activity. Walk at your own pace and marvel at the reserves unique features that include the world famous Champagne Pool, geysers, bubbling mud, steaming ground, expansive vistas, huge volcanic craters and sinter terrace formations.  Stop to view the mighty Huka Falls & Wairakei Geothermal project and then take time to wander around the lakeside resort of Taupo. Continue on to Napier, one of the world’s finest Art Deco cities. Your local guide will bring this fascinating architecture to life on your walk around the town this afternoon.
Stay:    Te Pania Hotel  (2 nights)

Day 6: At leisure in the Hawke's Bay (B)
Widely regarded as the ‘Tuscany of the South Pacific’, this region boasts some of New Zealand’s best and oldest wineries. Enjoy a free day to experience some of the many optional activities available. Perhaps take a guided wine trail and taste some of the great wines produced locally, visit the world’s largest mainland Gannet Colony, play a challenging round of golf at Cape Kidnappers, take to the skies on an early morning balloon ride over vineyards, olive groves and orchards or simply relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Day 7: Wairarapa, Wellington (B)
Travel this morning through the rural heartland of the Wairarapa region en-route to Wellington, the nation’s capital, where you enjoy a brief sightseeing and orientation tour before checking into your accommodation. A visit to Te Papa National Museum is highly recommended.
Stay:    James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel  

Day 8: Picton & the Marlborough Sounds (B,D)
This morning cruise across Cook Strait by Interislander ferry to the picturesque fishing village of Picton and then transfer by floatplane to your remote resort located in the stunning Kenepuru Sound. A scenic mussel cruise to the resort is also available for those who prefer to travel by boat.   
Stay:    Raetihi Lodge  (2 nights)

Day 9: Enjoy Kenepuru Sound (B,D)
A free day to relax & marvel at the magic that is the Marlborough Sounds. Lodge staff will share their love of the region with you through the wide range of water and nature based experiences they put at your fingertips. Complimentary fishing tackle, kayaks & mountains bikes are provided at the lodge and there is a number of bush walks to enjoy. Nearby is a picturesque 13-hole rural golf course grazed by sheep with fenced greens or you can simply relax with a book & soak in the spectacular scenery.

Day 10: Blenheim, Kaikoura (B)
Return to Havelock by water taxi and rejoin your coach. Travel through Blenheim to Kaikoura, a coastal town nestled between the Kaikoura mountain range & the Pacific Ocean. There is time to enjoy an optional whale-watching adventure, swim with the dolphins or join local Maori for a unique, award winning cultural experience.
Stay:    White Morph Inn  

Day 11: Lake Tekapo, Aoraki Mt Cook (B,D)
Continue your journey south and stop at beautiful Lake Tekapo to view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. Then travel up the western side of Lake Pukaki to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery. Optional ski-plane and helicopter flights are available subject to weather conditions.
Stay:    Mt Cook Hermitage Hotel

Day 12 Tasman Glacier, Queenstown (B)
Experience the Tasman Glacier in the most unique way possible. An experienced guide will whisk you away in a stable MAC Boat to explore the melting ice-face of the Tasman Glacier. Get up close to touch & taste 400-year old icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the lake. Travel through the MacKenzie Country before beginning the assent over the Lindis Pass and emerging into the lush green farmland that surrounds the spectacular alpine village of Queenstown, regarded as New Zealand’s premier holiday destination.
Stay:    Heritage Queenstown Hotel  (4 nights)

Days 13 &14: Explore Queenstown & surrounds (B)
Enjoy two free days to experience this magnificent resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts an incredible array of adventure & leisure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration.

Day 15: Milford Sound Nature Cruise (B, L)
Your highlight today is a leisurely Nature Cruise of the breathtaking Milford Sound, cruising the full length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea. An on-board nature guide will give you detailed information of the region’s history, flora & fauna and you will view spectacular waterfalls, rainforests and towering mountains, including the awesome Mitre Peak. Wildlife includes dolphins, seals, penguins & albatross when in season. A truly memorable experience.

Day 16: Arrowtown, Wanaka, Fox Glacier (B)
Set beneath the rugged Crown Range is Arrowtown, a fascinating collection of mining cottages with an atmosphere straight out of last century. Enjoy time to stroll through this historic village located beside the Arrow River, once a haven for the gold prospectors of the 1860’s. There is time to wander around Lake Wanaka before enjoying incredible scenery as you travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass. On to Fox Glacier where there is the opportunity to experience an optional scenic flight over this remarkable region (subject to weather conditions).
Stay:    Distinction Te Weheka   

Day 17: Spectacular Tranz Alpine Train, Methven (B)
Head north along the dramatic West Coast, steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era of the 1800's.  This afternoon, board the TranzAlpine train for a coast to coast rail adventure through the Southern Alps, rated as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. Disembark at Darfied & travel on to Methven for your last night.
Stay:    Terrace Downs Resort

Day 18: Depart Christchurch (B)
Sadly, your holiday ends today and you will be transferred late morning to Christchurch city or airport to connect with your onward flight.

Highlights & Inclusions:

•    17 nights superior hotel accommodation
•    2 night stopovers in Rotorua, Napier & the Marlborough Sounds
•    4 night stay in majestic Queenstown
•    Accompanied throughout by professional, experienced Tour Host
•    Full breakfasts daily, 2 lunches & 4 dinners
•    Spectacular Coromandel Peninsula & Driving Creek Railway
•    Exclusive Lake Tarawera cruise
•    Blue & Green Lakes, Te Wairoa Buried Village
•    Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Reserve
•    Wairakei Geothermal region & mighty Huka Falls
•    Guided Art Deco Walk, Napier
•    Wellington & Te Papa National Museum
•    Scenic Interislander ferry cruise to the South Island
•    Transfers by floatplane and water taxi to Raetihi Lodge
•    Free use of lodge kayaks, mountain bikes, dinghies & fishing tackle
•    Lake Tekapo & Church of the Good Shepherd
•    World-Heritage listed Mt Cook National Park
•    Tasman Glacier Explorer boat expedition
•    Milford Sound Nature Cruise
•    Historic Arrowtown
•    Beautiful Southern Lakes region
•    Twin glaciers of Fox & Franz Josef
•    World famous TranzAlpine train journey though the Southern Alps
•    Complimentary limousine airport transfer on arrival