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.

 

Accommodation for 2 nights:	Option one:	Skycity Hotel - Deluxe Room
.	Option two:	Skycity Grand Hotel - Luxury Room
.	B&B Option:	Braemar on Parliament St - Ensuite Room

 

 

Day Two:   Auckland - Paihia

 

Collect your 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.

 

Travel north from the city, crossing the harbour bridge and passing through the North Shore suburbs. The road then takes you along the Hibiscus Coast before arriving in the city of Whangarei. Continue through farmland and coastal regions before arriving in Paihia and the Bay of Islands.

 

Accommodation for 2 nights :	Option one :	Copthorne Bay of Islands - Gardenview Room
.	Option two :	Copthorne Bay of Islands - Waterview Room
.	B & B Option :	Decks of Pahia B&B - Ensuite Room

 

 

Day Three:  Paihia

 

This morning, cruise through the sheltered waters of the Bay of Islands on Dolphin Seeker, a purpose built dolphin and whale watching catamaran. Enjoy the large outdoor viewing decks as you cruise past the islands of the Bay. Keep a look out for common and bottlenose dolphins, whales and other marine life as we get you up close to the action from the comfort of Dolphin Seeker.

 

Enjoy the views as you cruise past the Cape Brett Lighthouse, before arriving at the majestic Hole in the Rock - hold your breath as the skipper navigates through the narrow space and admire the rock walls which soar above you. Take in the Grand Cathedral Cave before heading back into the sheltered waters of the Bay.

 

The afternoon is at leisure.

 

 

Day Four:  Paihia - Auckland

 

Today retrace your journey back to Auckland.

 

Accommodation for 1 night :	Option one :	Skycity Hotel - Deluxe Room
.	Option two :	Skycity Grand Hotel - Luxury Room
.	B & B Option :	Braemar on Parliament St - Ensuite Room

 

 

Day Five:   Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua

 

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 detailts). 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. As one, you will all then move to the opening of the authentic "HANGI" (feast) pit where you will see the traditional Maori method of food preparation. After a short time of socialising you will be seated to 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.

 

Accommodation for 2 nights :	Option one :	Distinction Hotel - Superior Room
.	Option two :	Millenium Hotel - Superior Room
.	B & B Option :	Koura Lodge - Standard Lakeview

 

Day Six:   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 Seven:   Rotorua - Napier

 

Travel through vast planted pine forests until steam clouds rising in the distance will indicate your arrival at Wairakei where deep subterranean bores have been harnessed to provide electricity.  A short distance further is the town of Taupo, situated at the northern end of New Zealand's largest lake.  From Taupo head southeast and after passing through part of the vast Kaingaroa Forest into the Kaimanawa Range, the road descends to the fertile Hawkes Bay Province and the city of Napier.

 

The warm climate of Hawkes Bay makes it a travel destination suitable for all seasons. The region boasts a lively arts scene, rich cultural heritage, fine wine and lifestyle, and the world's most concentrated cluster of Art Deco architecture.

Accommodation for 1 night:	Option one:	Scenic Hotel Te Pania - Superior Room
.	Option two:	Scenic Hotel Te Pania - 1-bed Suite
.	B&B Option:	McHardy House - Superior Room

 

 

Day Eight:    Napier

 

This afternoon, join your wine experience tour and learn the history of New Zealand's oldest winery. Walk the grounds, admire the views, study the Historic photographs, including pre-earthquake. Take time to sample fantastic wines at four various wineries.  You will then be driven back to Napier through the famous "Oak Avenue" on the outskirts of Hastings.

 

 

Day Nine:   Napier - Wellington

 

Leave Napier and travel through some of the best grape growing regions in New Zealand. Reach Hastings and Masterton and then continue over the rugged Rimutaka Ranges to Upper Hutt and then Wellington, New Zealand's capital city.

 

Accommodation for 2 nights :	Option one :	Rydges Hotel - Superior Room
.	Option two :	Intercontinental Hotel - Classic Room
.	B & B Option :	Lambton Heights - Talavera or Wellington Room

Day Ten:  Wellington

 

Today, we have included a scenic bus service which links a range of Wellington city's top attractions on an hour-long round trip. Affectionately known as HOHO (Hop-On, Hop-Off), the bus stops at 12 locations throughout Wellington, including Te Papa, the Cable Car, Wellington Zoo, Carter Observatory and Parliament. Passengers can either take the one-hour round trip or hop on and off at their choice of stops.  The pass is valid for 48hrs.

 

 

Day Eleven:   Depart Wellington

 

Today, return your rental vehicle to Wellington 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	£2751
Option Two	£3157
B&B Option	£2938

 

 

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