New Zealand Splendor 2009
NEW ZEALAND SPLENDOR 2009
14 Days Auckland/Christchurch
from $2695 land only
YOUR TRAVEL VALUE INCLUDES
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Accommodation in hotels listed or similar, in twin-bedded rooms
- 13 breakfasts (B) and 10 dinners (D) including a Maori Hangi feast and concert
- Services of a professional Tour Director
- Luxury motorcoach featuring panoramic windows
- Sightseeing, special features and scenic highlights as indicated in the itinerary, including admission charges where applicable
- All local taxes
- Portfolio of travel documents
ITINERARY
- DAY 1 ARRIVE IN AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel (please book your flight to arrive prior to 4:00 p.m.). The rest of the day is free. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink and Dinner. (D) - DAY 2 AUCKLAND / WAITOMO / ROTORUA
Take a sightseeing tour of Auckland before journeying south to Waitomo. At the Waitomo Caves, take a guided tour and boat ride of the Glow Worm Grotto. Then travel to Rotorua. Tonight experience a Maori Hangi (feast) and performance of traditional dancing and singing. (B,D) - DAY 3 ROTORUA
Take in the Agrodome Sheep Show, complete with sheep dog demonstrations, sheep shearing and a bit of humor mixed in. Your afternoon is free. (B) - DAY 4 ROTORUA / WELLINGTON
This morning, depart Rotorua and travel to Taupo, in the heart of the North Island. Stop to view Huka Falls before following the eastern shoreline of Lake Taupo. Continue through the dairy farming lands of Manawatu to Wellington. An orientation tour shows you the capital city. (B,D) - DAY 5 WELLINGTON / PICTON
After a free morning, visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. This afternoon, join the interisland cruise across Cook Strait and into the tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound, before arriving at the Picton on the South Island. (B,D) - DAY 6 PICTON / CHRISTCHURCH
Visit the Montana Winery and tour its vineyard. Then, travel along the rugged coast to Kaikoura, and perhaps take an optional whale watching flight (weather permitting, own expense). This afternoon, continue to Christchurch for a city tour and a free evening. (B) - DAY 7 CHRISTCHURCH / MOUNT COOK / OMARAMA
Travel over the patchwork plains of Canterbury. Stop at Lake Tekapo and view the Church of the Good Shepherd. Continue to Mt. Cook National Park, a World Heritage site and home to New Zealand’s highest mountain. There is time to take an optional scenic flight (weather permitting, own expense). (B,D) - DAY 8 OMARAMA / DUNEDIN
Follow the Waitaki River, passing the hydroelectric dams at Waitaki and Aviemore. Ride through Oamaru, famous for its white limestone buildings. Continue south to Dunedin, founded by Scottish settlers over 150 years ago. (B,D) - DAY 9 DUNEDIN / TE ANAU
During a morning at leisure, you may want to make an optional visit to Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only authentic castle. Then, cross the rich fertile country of South Otago and continue to Te Anau, situated on the shores of Lake Te Anau. (B,D) - DAY 10 TE ANAU / MILFORD SOUND / QUEENSTOWN
Travel south towards Fiordland National Park, through some of New Zealand’s magnificent alpine country. Drive through the Homer Tunnel. Stop briefly at the Chasm before arriving at Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise of this natural wonder, with Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls high above. Afterwards, continue on to Queenstown. (B,D) - DAY 11 QUEENSTOWN
Today is at leisure for you to enjoy the many scenic delights of Queenstown. This evening, perhaps take the optional ride on the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak for a buffet dinner. (B) - DAY 12 QUEENSTOWN / FOX GLACIER
Visit Arrowtown, a colorful township from the gold rush days. Then see Lakes Dunstan, Hawea and Wanaka. Climb over the Haast Pass and on along the coastal road to Fox Glacier. Enjoy views of the glacier. You may want to take an optional scenic flight (weather permitting, own expense). (B,D) - DAY 13 FOX GLACIER / PUNAKAIKI / CHRISTCHURCH
Travel north along the rugged coast to Hokitika. See the beautiful native greenstone (jade). Then on to Punakaiki, and see the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. Then continue by coach to Christchurch. Perhaps opt to take the TranzAlpine train over the Southern Alps instead (additional expense, please request at time of booking). (B,D) - DAY 14 DEPART CHRISTCHURCH
Transfer to the airport to connect with your flight. (B)
RATES AND DATES
| Departs On | Returns On | Land Price($) |
| April 7, 2009 | April 20, 2009 | $2,815.00 |
| April 14, 2009 | April 27, 2009 | $2,815.00 |
| May 5, 2009 | May 18, 2009 | $2,695.00 |
| May 12, 2009 | May 25, 2009 | $2,695.00 |
| June 16, 2009 | June 29, 2009 | $2,695.00 |
| July 14, 2009 | July 27, 2009 | $2,695.00 |
| Aug 11, 2009 | Aug 24, 2009 | $2,695.00 |
| Aug 25, 2009 | Sep 7, 2009 | $2,695.00 |
| Sep 8, 2009 | Sep 21, 2009 | $2,695.00 |
| Sep 22, 2009 | Oct 5, 2009 | $2,695.00 |
| Sep 29, 2009 | Oct 12, 2009 | $2,695.00 |
| Oct 6, 2009 | Oct 19, 2009 | $2,930.00 |
| Oct 9, 2009 | Oct 22, 2009 | $2,930.00 |
| Oct 13, 2009 | Oct 226, 2009 | $2,930.00 |
| Oct 16, 2009 | Oct 29, 2009 | $2,930.00 |
| Oct 20, 2009 | Nov 2, 2009 | $2,930.00 |
| Oct 23, 2009 | Nov 5, 2009 | $2,930.00 |
| Oct 27, 2009 | Nov 9, 2009 | $2,930.00 |
| Nov 3, 2009 | Nov 16, 2009 | $2,930.00 |
| Nov 10, 2009 | Nov 23, 2009 | $2,930.00 |
| Nov 17, 2009 | Nov 30, 2009 | $2,930.00 |
| Nov 24, 2009 | Dec 7, 2009 | $2,930.00 |
| Nov 27, 2009 | Dec 10, 2009 | $2,930.00 |
| Dec 1, 2009 | Dec 14, 2009 | $2,930.00 |
| Dec 15, 2009 | Dec 28, 2009 | $2,930.00 |
| Dec 22, 2009 | Jan 4, 2010 | $2,930.00 |
| Dec 29, 2009 | Jan 11, 2010 | $2,930.00 |
