Day One: Arrive Auckland
On arrival at Auckland International Airport and after
completion of customs formalities, you will be met by our
representative and transferred to your hotel.
Auckland, the City of Sails, and nestled between the Tasman Sea
and the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy the sparkling harbour,
picturesque bays, and other features of this vibrant, bustling and
multi-cultural city.
Day Two: Auckland
Enjoy a tour of Auckland city. Auckland is set on 48 dormant
volcanic cones and between two harbours, the sparkling Waitemata
and the brooding Manukau. Known as the City of Sails, it is New
Zealand's largest city. Your morning tour includes the main street,
Queen St, stunning views of the harbour and yacht marina from the
Harbour Bridge, a visit to the Auckland Domain, Parnell village,
Paratai Drive - with the most exclusive homes in Auckland - and the
waterfront. Another highlight is a drive up the city's most
prominent volcanic cone, Mt Eden, with 360 degree views of the
city.
The afternoon is at leisure.
Day Three: Auckland - Waitomo -
Rotorua
Collect your Budget Hire Car - Intermediate automatic vehicle
with standard insurance.
Your Budget Car Hire includes unlimited kilometres and Motor
Vehicle/Third Party insurance. For full terms and conditions,
please click here.
Today's journey takes you south and over the Bombay Hills to the
province of Waikato and Waitomo where the famous glow-worm caves
are located. Admission to the caves is included.
Continue on to Rotorua - a city with awesome geothermal activity
and also the heartland of Maori culture.
Optional Sightseeing: Evening Journey of
Ages, Maori Hangi & Concert Show (contact us for pricing
details). Travel to a traditional Marae, a sacred meeting
place just outside Rotorua's city limits. By the time you arrive
you will have been prepared for the spine chilling "WERO" and
welcome on to the Marae. Upon entering the exquisitely carved
meeting house you will "HONGI" (greet) with your hosts. The
tradition of pressing noses means you become "friend" and you may
consider yourself as one with the family. Then you will
experience the unique culture of the Maori people including fierce
haka's (war dances), action dances and stick games. Then ,
move to the opening of the authentic "HANGI" (feast) pit where you
will see the traditional Maori method of cooking,and feast on
a "HANGI" of delicious foods - potatoes, kumara, pork, lamb,
chicken and vegetables, followed by dessert. Vegetarians are also
catered for. Then you will be returned to your hotel.
Day Four: Rotorua
This morning you will be collected for your half day Eco Thermal
Tour. You will be driven through forestry and farmlands
to New Zealand's largest boiling mud pool and a series of colourful
hot springs at Wai-o-tapu. See the Lady Knox Geyser erupt
before moving on to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Here, your guide
will explain the Mt Tarawera eruption which blew open this
spectacular, bush covered, geothermal park.
The afternoon is at leisure.
Day Five: Rotorua -
Christchurch
Today return your rental vehicle to Rotorua Airport and connect
with your domestic flight to Christchurch. (flight
& tax not included).
On arrival at Christchurch Airport, collect your South Island
rental vehicle and make your way to your accommodation.
The city earns its English heritage from the many parks and
gardens that adorn the suburban streets and city centre. The inner
city attractions include the Canterbury Museum and Arts Centre and
Hagley Park and Gardens.
Day Six: Christchurch - Lake Tekapo
Your journey today takes you across the Canterbury Plains to the
foothills of the Southern Alps. Climb over Burkes Pass to the
spectacular expanses of the Mackenzie Country and Lake Tekapo.
Day Seven: Lake Tekapo - Mount
Cook - Queenstown
This morning, continue south to Lake Pukaki and Aoraki, Mount
Cook National Park.
Mount Cook (approximately 3760m) is both the highest and best
known mountain in New Zealand. Rightly it gives its name to
the National Park which surrounds it. In all 70,013 hectares
of ice, snow, rock, subalpine scrub, tussock and riverbed make up
this park. Within the park or located on the boundary ranges
are the majority of New Zealand's great mountains and all except
two are over 3048 metres in height. The park also contains
five of New Zealand's largest glaciers and more than 140 peaks over
2134 metres.
From Mount Cook, enjoy spectacular high country scenery is
evident today as you make your way south. Lindis Pass leads you to
Central Otago, where many large sheep stations are located. As you
approach Cromwell view the vineyards that have been developed over
recent years. Then follow the Kawarau Gorge to Queenstown, New
Zealand's adventure playground.
Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu Queenstown is a
year-round alpine resort that caters for all interests. It enjoys a
magnificent setting amid steep mountain ranges and pockets of
native bush with the jagged peaks of the Remarkables Range rising
from the lake.
Day Eight: Milford Day
Trip
Depart Queenstown and skirt Lake Wakatipu in the shadow of the
rugged Remarkables. Drive to Te Anau, gateway of the Fiordland
National Park then follow Lake Te Anau to the valley of the
Eglinton River. Pass through magnificent beech forests before
a gradual descent into the precipitous Hollyford Valley.
Climb steadily to the gigantic Cirque and the Homer Tunnel.
Pass through the tunnel and down to the Cleddau Canyon where you
will catch your first glimpse of Mitre Peak before finally emerging
into the open at Milford Sound.
This afternoon, join your Milford Sound Scenic Cruise and cruise
the full length of Milford to the Tasman Sea. The luxury
vessel stops at various points and offers excellent viewing of
waterfalls, rainforest and wildlife. The cruise is
accompanied by comprehensive commentaries. Complimentary tea
and coffee are available onboard and a picnic lunch is included.
Following your cruise, rejoin your rental vehicle and return to
Queenstown
Please note, the drive between Queenstown and
Milford Sound is approximately 5 hours each way, making this a very
long day. If you prefer to upgrade to a day trip which
includes coach transfers or scenic flight options then please see
us for pricing.
Day Nine: Queenstown
A free day at New Zealand's premier resort and an almost
overwhelming selection of attractions to choose from.
There are over 70 different activities available: including the
Shotover Jet, bungy jumping, horse riding, golf, parapenting,
gondola and luge.
Day Ten: Depart
Queenstown
Today, return your rental vehicle to Queenstown Airport and
connect with your onwards flight.
Your travel arrangements will conclude today.
The Offer includes:
- All accommodation, with meals as detailed
- Car hire with unlimited mileage and Third Party Insurance (full car terms and
conditions)
- Incorporated tours as detailed
The flight costs to and from New Zealand are not
included in this price, as each clients itinerary
will be different, the airline and routings used will be
different on each occasion. Plus the flight prices
differ between airlines, the time of year and any
stopover cities required. Also, there are often special offer
discounted fares which are offered throughout the year, so please
call us for the current airfares for your desired dates of travel
and routing, which should be added to the following prices to give
you your total cost.
If you want to arrange your own flights and
just book the tour with us thats OK
PRICE PER PERSON (based on 2 adults sharing a twin or
double room)
| Option One |
£1979 |
| Option Two |
£2333 |
| B&B Option |
£2377 |
Available options:
- Extensions to duration can be arranged on request
- Upgrades to other room catagories, or different properties can
be arranged on request
- Additional optional tours or attractions can be added on
request