In our opinion the best fully inclusive two week fully escorted tour of New Zealand out there!
Experience the natural beauty and unique culture of both the North and South Islands by modern coach without breaking the budget. This inclusive package features quality accommodations, most meals, the "must do" icons of New Zealand and an extensive list of tours included in your tour price.
Commence your tour in Christchurch, travel across the Southern Alps to Lake Tekapo and the Scottish settlement of Dunedin before arriving at one of the highlights of the South Island – Milford Sound. Continue on to the alpine resort town of Queenstown, across the West Coast Glaciers and board the stunning Tranz Alpine Express Rail Journey, lauded as one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. Head North and crossing from the South to the North Islands by ferry and arrive at the capital city of Wellington, later on to the Maori cultural center of Rotorua and ending in New Zealand’s largest city Auckland having truly experienced the best of New Zealand from South to North.
Escorted Tour Inclusions
- Round trip coach class air travel from Los Angeles to New Zealand
- Personalized Meet & Greet on arrival
- 14 Days of Modern coach travel with 2 door access, restroom, reclining seats and panoramic windows
- Professional Coach Captain operating as your driver/guide
- 13 nights accommodation in 3-3.5* standard hotels
- All sightseeing and pre paid attractions as outlined in itinerary
- Daily breakfast, 11 dinners including 3 specialty dinners, 1 picnic lunch & 1 delicious afternoon tea
- Airport transfers in New Zealand
- All airport & hotel taxes
Touring highlights
- Milford Sound Cruise & Lunch
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
- TranzAlpine Rail Journey across the Southern Alps
- Te Papa, NZ’s National Museum
- Skyline Rotorua Gondola & Luge Ride, Agrodome & Thermal mud pools & geysers
- Traditional Maori Hangi & Concert
- City sights tour of Christchurch, Dunedin & Wellington
Itinerary
(B) Breakfast. (L) Lunch. (D) Dinner. (SD) Specialty Dinner.
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 - Quality Hotel Elms or similar
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 - Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge (formally 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 or Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier
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 - Quality Hotel Elms
Day 11 - Christchurch - Wellington
(B,D)
Travel through the Lewis Pass and enjoy the spectacular scenery as
you continue to the Marlborough Country, famous for it’s food
& 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
(B,D)
This morning depart Rotorua and travel north to Auckland. This
afternoon, use your Auckland Explorer Bus Pass to see all of
Auckland’s highlights. This evening enjoy dinner at your
hotel.
Accommodation - Rydges Auckland
Day 16 - Depart Auckland
(B)
Time to say goodbye. You’ll be transferred to the airport for
your flight home after a memorable New Zealand vacation.
Aspire Tip: This tour is very popular with the Australian traveler. So when you travel on the 16 Day Fully Escorted Tour of New Zealand, your traveling companions are most likely to be Australian which usually means for a fun time with a friendly group of like-minded travelers!
Enquire about departure dates and cost
Single Supplement:
From $1,000
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.
