18 day/15 nights: Best value for money including the beautiful sub-tropical region of the Bay of Islands. Experience all the iconic attractions of the North and South islands including the breathtaking Milford Sound and world famous rail journey, The TranzAlpine. Includes two night stays in Queenstown, Wellington, Rotorua and the Bay of Islands.
No Hidden Extras - Pre-Paid Attractions
- Haggis Ceremony & Gift
- Larnach Castle
- Milford Sound Cruise & Lunch
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
- Lakes District Museum
- TranzAlpine Rail Journey
- Cruise on the Interislander Ferry
- Te Papa, NZ’s National Museum
- Skyline Rotorua Gondola & Luge Ride
- Agrodome
- Thermal mud pools & geysers
- Traditional Maori Hangi & Concert
- Dolphin / Hole in the Rock Cruise
- Kauri Museum
- City sights tour of Christchurch, Dunedin & Wellington
Touring
- Modern coach travel with 2 door access, restroom, reclining seats and panoramic windows
- Professional Coach Captain
- Personalised Meet & Greet on arrival
- Return airport transfers in New Zealand
- 15 nights 3 – 3.5 star hotel accommodation
- 4 two night stays
- Hotel porterage
- 4 cruises
- All sightseeing and pre paid attractions
- GST (New Zealand Goods and Services Tax)
- Comprehensive documentation pack
Meals
- 15 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast: Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua
- 13 sumptuous dinners including 3 specialty dinners: Haggis Ceremony, Dunedin; Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Maori Hangi & Concert, Rotorua
- 1 picnic lunch
- 1 delicious Devonshire Tea: Larnach Castle
Itinerary
DAY 1 - Depart
US
Ask about our options with Premium Economy and Business class
airfare.
DAY 2 - Cross International Date Line
DAY 3 - Arrive Christchurch
(D)
On arrival into Christchurch you will be met by a Grand Pacific
Tours representative and transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation - Hotel Heartland Hotel Cotswold
DAY 4 - Christchurch - Omarama
(B,D)
After an introductory city sights tour depart Christchurch and
travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See
the brilliant turquoise water, visit The Church of the Good
Shepherd and view the Sheep Dog Statue. Marvel at the spectacular
mountain ranges including Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest
peak. The opportunity is available (time and weather permitting) to
enjoy a scenic flight (optional) over the Southern Alps before
travelling to Omarama.
Accommodation - Hotel Heritage Gateway Hotel
DAY 5 - Omarama - Dunedin
(B,S,D)
Depart Omarama and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki
River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to
Dunedin and enjoy a city sights tour followed by some free time.
Tonight a Scottish evening will be presented comprising of
bagpipes, great food, special Haggis Ceremony and gift.
Accommodation - Hotel Mercure Leisure Lodge
DAY 6 - Dunedin - Te
Anau (B,D)
This morning travel out along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle
where you hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided
tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International
Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Farewell
Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway
to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Tonight you may like to visit
the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional).
Accommodation - Hotel Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Superior Room)
DAY 7 - Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown
(B,L)
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 a
picnic 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 free and you may choose to dine at one of the many
fine restaurants.
Accommodation - Hotel Mercure Queenstown Resort
DAY 8 - Queenstown (Free Day)
(B,SD)
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown at leisure. Your
Coach Captain is available to assist with the many sightseeing
options available, including the thrill of a jet boat ride, a
heritage tour to Skippers Canyon or get up close to a Kiwi bird.
This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise
across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and
enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner which the chef will prepare in
front of you 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.
Accommodation - Hotel Mercure Queenstown Resort
DAY 9 - Queenstown – Arrowtown – Fox
Glacier (B,D)
Travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue
via the Haast Pass to the mighty West Coast, an area of stunning
beauty. See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you
travel north to Fox Glacier. Time is available (weather permitting)
to experience a scenic flight (optional) over the spectacular
glaciers.
Accommodation - Hotel Heartland Hotel Glacier Country
DAY 10 - Fox Glacier - Arthur’s Pass -
Christchurch (B,D)
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue into
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 to the
elegant city of Christchurch. On arrival your coach will be waiting
to transfer you to your hotel.
Accommodation - Hotel Heartland Hotel Cotswold
DAY 11 - Christchurch – Picton - Wellington
(B,D)
Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikoura.
Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough
Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where
you board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the
Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington.
Accommodation - Hotel Ibis Wellington
DAY 12 - Wellington
(B)
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. Reboard your coach for an extensive city tour which
showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time this
afternoon and this evening is also free to choose your own dining
arrangements.
Accommodation - Hotel Ibis Wellington
DAY 13 - Wellington - Taupo - Rotorua
(B,D)
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.
Accommodation - Hotel Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua
DAY 14 - Rotorua
(B,SD)
Today begins with a Gondola ride and breakfast at the Skyline
Rotorua. There is also time for a luge ride! Next stop is Agrodome
for an action packed hour of farming entertainment and education
that’s unlike anything you’ve seen before. Visit Te
Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome Geysers that Rotorua
is famous for. Enjoy some free time this afternoon. This evening
experience an entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert.
Accommodation - Hotel Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua
DAY 15
- Rotorua - Auckland - Bay of Islands (B,D)
This morning depart Rotorua and travel north via Auckland. Continue
via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay
of Islands. Enjoy an introduction to the Bay of Islands, location
of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the
British.
Accommodation - Hotel Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge
DAY 16 - Bay of Islands
(B,D)
This morning cruise through the beautiful Bay of Islands on board a
luxury catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock.
Keep an eye out for bottlenose and common dolphins before returning
via Russell to Paihia for a free afternoon. A range of optional
activities are available or you may choose to relax and enjoy the
pleasant atmosphere of the waterfront.
Accommodation - Hotel Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge
DAY 17
- Bay of Islands - Auckland (B,SD)
Depart the Bay of Islands this morning and travel via Whangarei and
Dargaville to Matakohe. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the
Kauri Museum before continuing to Auckland for a city sights tour.
This evening you will be treated to a farewell dinner with your new
found friends.
Accommodation - Hotel Copthorne Auckland City or similar
DAY 18 - Depart Auckland
(B)
Time to say goodbye. You’ll be transferred to the airport for
your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.
Enquire about departure dates and cost
Single Supplement:
From $1,300
Additional Charges:
NZETA & IVL to enter New Zealand $50 per person. Before committing to your trip please ensure you hold a valid passport with at least six months’ validity from the date you plan to return to the USA.
Additional departure gateways & pricing:
- Depart on Air New Zealand’s non-stop Houston or Chicago
– Auckland flight for a supplement of $150 per person
- Add on airfares available from most major airports - Add $200
from Dallas, Add $320 from Denver, Seattle, Add $400 from Chicago,
Minneapolis, Add $450 from NYC, Boston, Miami, Washington
Conditions
Package from pricing is based on double occupancy (2 people sharing a room) from Los Angeles. Add on fares are available from other cities. Seats are limited and may not be available on every flight. Tours are fixed departure dates and are subject to availability. All prices reflect a discount for purchases made by cash/wire transfer/check, please see terms and conditions for credit card payments. Cancellation penalties and other restrictions apply.
