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, is 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 price
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. 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.
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 - 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 in a southeasterly direction 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.
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. Then 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 Six: 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.
Day Seven: Wellington
Today, we have included a hop-on, hop-off 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, ZEALANDIA, 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 Eight: 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 |
£1772 |
| Option Two |
£2029 |
| B&B Option |
£1920 |
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