8 day Iconic Trains New Zealand

Arrive Auckland
Transfer from the airport to your accommodation (included). Your driver will be waiting with a sign. You will then be free to explore as you desire. Here are some recommendations:

• Mount Eden, this sleeping volcano is the highest point of the city at 643 feet. With its splendid views you can see the Pacific Ocean, the Tasman Sea, as well as all the volcanoes in the city.
• Ponsonby is the most lively and trendy district of Auckland! You will find many restaurants and bars, but also dozens of small designer boutiques.
• Sea Trips, Auckland is the city of sails, you can opt for dolphin and whale watching or even sail on America’s Cup sailboat.

Overnight: Sudima Auckland City

Auckland – Wellington
Today you will transfer from your accommodation to the Auckland station (included). Here you will board your first train experience. This remarkable, ever-changing daytime journey between Auckland and Wellington takes you into the North Island’s heartland, through lush green farmland, native forests, over stunning river gorges and across New Zealand’s Volcanic plateau. Highlights include; Tongariro National Park and the Raurimu Spiral, a truly amazing feat of railway engineering.
Included in your Scenic Plus Option:

• Staff assisted boarding and luggage check in.
• Personalized and dedicated host service bringing the experience to life with local stories and insights.
• Regionally inspired cuisine paired with local wines to bring authentic flavors to the journey.
• Choice of complimentary wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages throughout your trip.
• Purpose built galley (kitchen carriage).
• Dedicated Scenic Plus carriage with spacious seating and large panoramic window.

After your scenic 10.5 hour train ride you will transfer from the station to your accommodation in a shared shuttle.

Overnight: Naumi Hotel Wellington

Wellington – Picton

Today you will take a transfer to the ferry terminal (included). You will then take the ferry crossing from Wellington to Picton. You will have access to the Interislander Premium lounge, the most comfortable way to travel across the Cook Strait. You’ll be treated to complimentary magazines, wifi, and a variety of teas, coffees, juices, beer, wine, and snacks.

Overnight: Escape to Picton Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Blenheim – Picton
Following breakfast you will embark on a comprehensive tour of Marlborough the largest wine region of New Zealand (included). During this full day, you will have the opportunity to taste the variety of wines Marlborough has to offer: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Cabernet, Merlot, Shiraz, and Methode Traditionnelle.

Overnight: Escape to Picton Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Picton – Kaikoura
Today you will board the Coastal Pacific from Picton (included). Along about 60 miles of ruggedly beautiful coastline you’ll get astonishingly close to the surging Pacific Ocean and steeply rising Kaikoura Ranges on this experience.

Included in the Scenic Plus Option:

• Staff assisted boarding and luggage check in.
• Personalized and dedicated host service bringing the experience to life with local stories and insights.
• Regionally inspired cuisine paired with local wines to bring authentic flavors to the journey.
• Choice of complimentary wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages throughout your trip.
• Purpose built galley (kitchen carriage).
• Dedicated Scenic Plus carriage with spacious seating and large panoramic window.

Once you arrive in Kaikoura, you will transfer to your accommodation (included).

Your stay: Sudima Kaikoura, breakfast included.

Kaikoura – Christchurch
After breakfast you will embark on a full day of adventure. You will start with whale watching in Kaikoura. Every whale watching trip is a unique experience, with giant sperm whales being the stars of the show as year round residents. In a typical whale watch tour you may also see New Zealand fur seals, pods of dolphins and the endangered albatross. Depending on the season you may also see migrating humpback whales, pilot whales, blue whales, and southern right whales. Your trip includes the Captain’s Cabin, which is an exclusive 12 seat cabin that is higher than other passengers. You will also be provided with food and drink and have an exclusive viewing area on the top deck.

Following your whale watching you will then head to board the Coastal Pacific once again. On this journey towards Christchurch you will travel through beautiful wine growing regions, and across braided rivers. This will also have the Scenic Plus Option available to you.

Once you arrive in Christchurch, you will transfer to your accommodation (included).

Overnight: Mayfair Hotel

Christchurch – Arthur’s Pass
This morning you will transfer from your hotel to the Christchurch station where you will board the TranzAlpine.This train journey will also include the Scenic Plus Option.

This is truly one of the world’s great scenic train trips, through the dramatic contrast of dry beech forests and tussock land on one side of the Alps to lush green landscapes on the other. Enjoy a stop at Arthur’s Pass where a couple of trail walks are available, as well as Punchbowl Falls. You will then depart towards Christchurch in the later afternoon, and transfer to your hotel upon arrival (included).

Overnight: Mayfair Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Depart Christchurch
Transfer from your accommodation to the airport (included).