ITINERARY:

(B) Breakfast. (L) Lunch. (D) Dinner. (SD) Specialty Dinner.

DAY 1: ARRIVE CHRISTCHURCH (D)
On arrival into Christchurch, you will be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel.
Hotel Quality Hotel Elms

DAY 2: 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, 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. The opportunity is available (time and weather permitting) to enjoy a scenic flight (optional) over the Southern Alps before travelling to Omarama.
Hotel Heritage Gateway Hotel

DAY 3: OMARAMA – DUNEDIN (B,SD)
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.
Hotel Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge

DAY 4: 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. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).
Hotel Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Superior Room)

DAY 5: 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, you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.
Hotel Copthorne Hotel and Resort Lakefront or similar (2 nights)

DAY 6: QUEENSTOWN (FREE DAY) (B,SD)
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown at leisure. Your Coach Captain and Tour Leader are available to assist with the many optional activities available, including the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour to Skippers Canyon or to 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 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.

DAY 7: 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 the township of Fox Glacier. Time is available (weather permitting) to experience a scenic flight (optional) over the spectacular glaciers.
Hotel Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier

DAY 8: 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. On arrival into the elegant city of Christchurch, your coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
Hotel Quality Hotel Elms

DAY 9: 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 will board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington.
Hotel Ibis Wellington (2 nights)

DAY 10: 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.

DAY 11: 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.
Hotel Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua or similar (2 nights)

DAY 12: ROTORUA (B,SD)
Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at the Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a thrilling 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 Mãori Hãngi and Concert.

DAY 13: ROTORUA – AUCKLAND (B,D)
Depart Rotorua and travel north to Auckland to enjoy an afternoon at leisure to discover the ‘City of Sails’. This evening enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Hotel Rydges Auckland

DAY 14: DEPART AUCKLAND (B)
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.

Please note: The day by day descriptions published are intended as an indicative guide only. Travel by nature is unpredictable. Weather patterns, road conditions, public holidays, travel restrictions and a multitude of other factors may necessitate itinerary changes that ultimately are for the client’s benefit. It is essential that clients are flexible and open minded in this regard.