16 day Ultimate Highlights New Zealand
Description:
Itinerary:
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
- Day 6
- Day 7
- Day 8
- Day 9
- Day 10
- Day 11
- Day 12
- Day 13
- Day 14
- Day 15
- Day 16
Arrive Christchurch
On arrival into Christchurch, you will be met by a tour representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening, enjoy dinner and a complimentary drink as you meet your traveling companions.
Overnight: The George Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Dinner
Christchurch – Mt Cook
After an introductory city sights tour depart Christchurch and travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, The Church of the Good Shepherd, and the Sheep Dog Statue. Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. There is opportunity available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps.
Overnight: The Hermitage Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
*Please note, dinner not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.
Mt Cook – Dunedin
Depart Mt Cook, see Lake Benmore and follow the Waitaki River to Oamaru. Continue south to Dunedin, enjoy a city tour followed by free time. You might be interested in a tour to see local wildlife in their natural habitat (optional).
Overnight: Distinction Dunedin Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Dunedin – Te Anau
This morning travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will hear of its tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).
Overnight: Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Te Anau – Milford Sound – Queenstown
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy lunch. This afternoon travel to Queenstown, overlooking magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year-round resort which offers a wide range of activities and attractions. This evening is at leisure, you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.
Overnight: Rendezvous Heritage Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Queenstown – Free Day
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with many optional activities available. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride or a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.
Overnight: Rendezvous Heritage Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Queenstown – Franz Josef
Travel to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village, and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to the township of Fox Glacier. Next you will visit Franz Josef, where you will have time available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers before arriving at your hotel.
Overnight: Te Waonui Forest Retreat
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Franz Josef – Arthur’s Pass – Christchurch
Travel to Hokitika to visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue to Arthur’s Pass and board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains. On arrival into the elegant city of Christchurch, your Ultimate Coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
Overnight: The George
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Christchurch – Picton – Wellington
Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikōura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you will board the Interislander Ferry and experience the comfort and intimate setting of the Premium Lounge. Enjoy complimentary refreshments as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Wellington.
Overnight: InterContinental Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Wellington
A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Re-board your coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time following, including your own dining arrangements.
Overnight: InterContinental Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Wellington – Taupo – Rotorua
Depart Wellington and view the snow-capped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro as you travel to Lake Taupo. Visit the spectacular Huka Falls then travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua.
Overnight: Regent of Rotorua
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Rotorua
Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua where spectacular views are on offer. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride! Next stop is the Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education, that is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Free time is available this afternoon before traveling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening, experience an entertaining Māori Hāngi and Concert.
Overnight: Regent of Rotorua
Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner
Rotorua – Bay of Islands
This morning, depart Rotorua and travel north through Whangarei to the Bay of Islands. This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Māori tribes and the British.
Overnight: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Bay of Islands
This morning you will explore the scenic beauty of the Bay of Islands including an island visit aboard a luxury catamaran. Cruise to Cape Brett and the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’, keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. On return to Paihia, enjoy a free afternoon where a range of optional activities are available, or you may choose to relax and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the waterfront. This evening is also at leisure, where you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional) or something else of your choice.
Overnight: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands
Meals: Breakfast
Bay of Islands – Auckland
Depart the Bay of Islands this morning and travel via Whangarei to Matakohe. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum before continuing to Auckland for a city sights tour. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your newfound friends.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza
Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner
Depart Auckland
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions:
- Personalized Meet and Greet on arrival
- Return airport transfers in New Zealand
- Professional Coach, Captain
- 15 nights of 4.5 star accommodation, including hotel porterage
- 4 two night stays
- 1 rail journey
- 4 cruises
- All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
- Extensive Optional Activities
PREPAID ENTRY TO ATTRACTIONS:
- Larnach Castle guided tour
- Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch
- Cruise on Lake Wakatipu
- Lakes District Museum
- TranzAlpine Rail Journey
- Cruise on the Interislander Ferry, Premium Lounge
- Te Papa, NZ’s National Museum
- Skyline Rotorua Gondola and Luge Ride
- Agrodome
- Thermal mud pools and geysers guided tour
- Te Puia traditional Māori Hāngi and Concert
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise
- Kauri Museum
- City sights tour of Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland
MEALS
- 15 cooked breakfasts including 1 specialty breakfast: Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua
- 12 sumptuous dinners including pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 3 specialty dinners: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Māori Hāngi and Concert, Rotorua; Intimate Farewell Dinner, selected beverages, Auckland
- 1 lunch: Milford Sound Cruise
- 1 Ultimate High Tea: Larnach Castle
- 20 Business Class seats on a full-size coach
- 2 door access; dedicated seat storage with tray table; cup holder
- Onboard Restroom
- Daily onboard Wi-Fi allowance
Exclusions:
- Return airfares from your home to New Zealand.
- Meals not defined in the inclusions.
- Any travel insurances.
- Tour guide gratuities.
- Items such as souvenirs, laundry and similar personal expenses.
Optional activities:
*Please note, whilst your tour package includes an extensive range of pre-paid attractions and sightseeing, the Optional Activities outlined are available to enjoy during your free time. They will provide the ‘icing on the cake’ experience that will hold memories for a lifetime. They will be booked with your Crew once on tour.
Bay of Islands:
- Russell Mini Tour
- Tall Ship Sailing – Sundowner Sail
- Darryl’s Dinner Cruise
- Helicopter Scenic Flight
- Thunder Trike Tours
Auckland:
- All Blacks Experience
- Auckland Museum
- Weta Workshop Unleashed
Rotorua:
- Rotorua City and Lakes Tour
- Mount Tarawera/Waimangu via Floatplane
- Mount Tarawera Volcano Landing via Helicopter
- Polynesian Spa
Wellington:
- The Weta Workshop Experience Wellington
Christchurch:
- Christchurch Tram City Tour
- International Antarctic Center
- Christchurch Botanic Gardens Tour
West Coast:
- Haast River Safari
- Westland Greenstone Ltd
- Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight
- Neve Discoverer Helicopter Flight
- Mountain Scenic Spectacular Helicopter Flight
- West Coast Wildlife Center
Queenstown:
- KJet boat ride across Lake Wakatipu
- Time Tripper Underwater Cinematic Experience
- Unforgettable Skippers Canyon
- The Grand Circle Helicopter Flight
- Southern Glacier Experience Helicopter Flight
- Skyline Queenstown
- Shotover Jet
- Best of Queenstown Tour
Te Anau:
- Fiordland Cinema
- Te Anau Glowworm Caves
Dunedin:
- Eco Wildlife Tour
- Speight’s Brewery
- Olveston Historic Home
Mt Cook:
- Alpine Vista Helicopter Flight
- Alpine Explorer Helicopter Flight
Lake Tekapo:
- The Grand Traverse Flight
