NEW ZEALAND HIGHLIGHTS
ESCORTED
14 Days Auckland/Christchurch
from $3370 land only
ITINERARY
Day 1, Tue. ARRIVE AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND.
On arrival at the hotel, your day is at leisure. This evening enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director. (D)
Day 2, Wed. AUCKLAND / WAITOMO CAVES / ROTORUA.
Travel south to Waitomo for a guided tour of the famous Waitomo Caves, and discover the incredible Glow Worm Grotto on an underground boat trip. Continue on to Rotorua. Tonight, enjoy a special cultural evening with a visit to The Realm of Tane followed by a Maori Hangi (feast). You will be greeted with a traditional Maori welcome ceremony, called a Powhiri, before experiencing a night of authentic, traditional culture, entertainment and cuisine. (B,D)
Day 3, Thu. ROTORUA.
Begin the day with a ride on the Skyline Gondola and breakfast enjoying panoramic views over Rotorua. Next, visit Paradise Valley Springs and the Agrodome. Later, tour Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve where a local Maori guide escorts you past geysers and pools of boiling mud. This afternoon is free you to relax, explore or join an optional tour. (B)
Day 4, Fri. ROTORUA / WELLINGTON.
Head south to beautiful Taupo, in the heart of the North Island. Stop for pictures at mighty Huka Falls. Then continue on a picturesque drive into the capital city of Wellington. (B)
Day 5, Sat. WELLINGTON / BLENHEIM.
This morning take a sightseeing tour of Wellington and enjoy the panoramic view from the top of Mount Victoria. Visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum, and explore the fascinating exhibits at your leisure. Later, board the inter-island cruise across Cook Strait and tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound. Upon arrival on the South Island, travel to Blenheim. Tonight, relish a wine tasting and dinner at the Montana Winery. (B,D)
Day 6, Sun. BLENHEIM / CHRISTCHURCH.
Experience the stunning scenery of the east coast on the drive today. Visit Kaikoura, set between the mountains and the ocean. Watch for New Zealand fur seals and whales. You may want to take an optional whale watching flight (own expense), before continuing on to Christchurch. (B)
Day 7, Mon. CHRISTCHURCH / MT. COOK.
Discover the sights of Christchurch this morning on the Christchurch Tram. Then, visit beautiful Lake Tekapo and see the Church of the Good Shepherd. Admire the scenery of Mt. Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s highest mountain and perhaps take a spectacular optional scenic flight (weather permitting, own expense). (B,D)
Day 8, Tue. MT. COOK / DUNEDIN.
See the pretty Oamaru region today before traveling on to Dunedin. This afternoon is free for you to explore this charming town founded by Scottish settlers. Perhaps visit Cadbury World or take an optional Albatross & Yellow Eyed Penguin Cruise. (B,D)
Day 9, Wed. DUNEDIN / TE ANAU.
This morning enjoy a guided tour at Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle. Next, see the highlights of Dunedin on a sightseeing tour. Then travel across the island to pretty Te Anau. (B,D)
Day 10, Thu. TE ANAU / MILFORD SOUND / QUEENSTOWN.
Discover the magnificent alpine scenery of Fiordland National Park today. Enjoy a cruise on Milford Sound passing Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Then on to Queenstown. Why not experience the entertaining Kiwi Haka & Dinner tonight (own expense)? (B)
Day 11, Fri. QUEENSTOWN.
A day at leisure in beautiful Queenstown, set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Explore this charming city on your own, shop or join an optional excursion. Tonight, board the historic steamship T.S.S. Earnslaw for a cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station for a sumptuous carvery dinner. (B,D)
Day 12, Sat. QUEENSTOWN / FRANZ JOSEF.
The historic gold rush town of Arrowtown is your first stop today. Then see rugged Kawarau Gorge, stunning Lake Wanaka, and travel over Haast Pass. After a stop at Thunder Creek Falls, continue along the coastal road to Franz Josef. (B,D)
Day 13, Sun. FRANZ JOSEF / TRANZALPINE TRAIN / CHRISTCHURCH.
Discover magnificent Franz Josef Glacier this morning. Then journey north to Hokitika, where you can see beautiful native greenstone (jade) jewelery and artifacts. On to view the fascinating Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki. Later, at Arthur’s Pass, board the TranzAlpine train for a spectacular journey over the Southern Alps to Christchurch, the “most English city outside of England.” (B,D)
Day 14, Mon. DEPART CHRISTCHURCH.
You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. Extra nights are available if you wish to extend your stay in New Zealand. (B)
RATES AND DATES
| Departs On | Returns On | Land Price($) | Guaranteed Departure | Availability |
| Jan 01, 2008 | Jan 14, 2008 | $3,370.00 | --- | Open |
| Jan 15, 2008 | Jan 28, 2008 | $3,370.00 | GD | Open |
| Jan 22, 2008 | Feb 04, 2008 | $3,370.00 | --- | Open |
| Jan 29, 2008 | Feb 11, 2008 | $3,370.00 | GD | Open |
| Feb 12, 2008 | Feb 25, 2008 | $3,370.00 | GD | Open |
| Feb 19, 2008 | Mar 03, 2008 | $3,370.00 | GD | Open |
| Mar 04, 2008 | Mar 17, 2008 | $3,370.00 | GD | Open |
| Mar 11, 2008 | Mar 24, 2008 | $3,370.00 | --- | Open |
| Mar 11, 2008 | Mar 24, 2008 | $3,370.00 | --- | Open |
| Mar 18, 2008 | Mar 31, 2008 | $33.00 | --- | Open |
| Apr 08, 2008 | Apr 21, 2008 | $4,260.00 | --- | Open |
| Apr 15, 2008 | Apr 28, 2008 | $4,260.00 | --- | Open |
| May 06, 2008 | May 19, 2008 | $3,710.00 | --- | Open |
| May 13, 2008 | May 26, 2008 | $3,710.00 | --- | Open |
| Jun 17, 2008 | Jun 30, 2008 | $3,710.00 | --- | Open |
| Jul 15, 2008 | Jul 28, 2008 | $3,710.00 | --- | Open |
| Aug 12, 2008 | Aug 25, 2008 | $3,710.00 | --- | open |
| Aug 12, 2008 | Aug 25, 2008 | $3,710.00 | --- | Open |
| Aug 26, 2008 | Sep 08, 2008 | $3,710.00 | --- | Open |
| Sep 09, 2008 | Sep 22, 2008 | $3,710.00 | --- | Open |
| Sep 23, 2008 | Oct 06, 2008 | $3,710.00 | GD | Open |
| Sep 30, 2008 | Oct 13, 2008 | $3,710.00 | --- | Open |
| Oct 07, 2008 | Oct 20, 2008 | $4,470.00 | --- | Open |
| Oct 14, 2008 | Oct 27, 2008 | $4,470.00 | --- | Open |
| Oct 21, 2008 | Nov 03, 2008 | $4,470.00 | GD | Open |
| Oct 28, 2008 | Nov 10, 2008 | $4,470.00 | --- | Open |
| Nov 04, 2008 | Nov 17, 2008 | $4,470.00 | GD | Open |
| Nov 11, 2008 | Nov 24, 2008 | $4,470.00 | --- | Open |
| Nov 25, 2008 | Dec 08, 2008 | $4,470.00 | --- | Open |
| Dec 02, 2008 | Dec 15, 2008 | $4,470.00 | GD | Open |
| Dec 16, 2008 | Dec 29, 2008 | $4,470.00 | --- | Open |
| Dec 23, 2008 | Jan 05, 2009 | $4,470.00 | GD | Open |
| Dec 30, 2008 | Jan 12, 2009 | $4,470.00 | --- | Open |
| Jan 13, 2009 | Jan 26, 2009 | $4,470.00 | GD | Open |
| Jan 20, 2009 | Feb 02, 2009 | $4,470.00 | --- | Open |
| Jan 27, 2009 | Feb 09, 2009 | $4,470.00 | GD | Open |
| Feb 10, 2009 | Feb 23, 2009 | $4,470.00 | GD | Open |
| Feb 17, 2009 | Mar 02, 2009 | $4,470.00 | GD | Open |
| Mar 03, 2009 | Mar 16, 2009 | $4,470.00 | GD | Open |
| Mar 10, 2009 | Mar 23, 2009 | $4,470.00 | --- | Open |
| Mar 17, 2009 | Mar 30, 2009 | $4,470.00 | --- | Open |
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 program as detailed in the itinerary including admission charges where applicable
- All local taxes
- Portfolio of travel documents
BRENDAN HOTELS
AUCKLAND - Stamford Plaza (DLX)
ROTORUA - Millennium Hotel (F)
ROTORUA - Farm Stay Option
WELLINGTON - Novotel Capital (F)
BLENHEIM - Chateau Marlborough (F)
CHRISTCHURCH - The Heritage Hotel (F)
MT. COOK - MacKenzie Country Inn at Twizel – Deluxe Rooms (F)
DUNEDIN - Southern Cross Hotel (F)
TE ANAU - Village Inn (F)
QUEENSTOWN - Millennium Hotel (F)
FRANZ JOSEF - Franz Josef Glacier Hotel (F)
CHRISTCHURCH - The Heritage Hotel (F)
Judith Kitzes:
Judith Kitzes is a four-time Opal Award winner; Premier Aussie Specialist and active since 1993 . In addition to that, she is also a New Zealand Specialist, Tahiti Tiare Specialist, Fiji Matai Specialist, and Cook Islands Specialist. She's travelled all over the South Pacific, and knows all kinds of little secret places to stay and things to do. She's passionate as ever about Australia and New Zealand, and wants to help you plan your vacation of a lifetime. So sharpen your spirit of adventure and grab your hat. Give Judith a call to book your trip now.
Explore a new itinerary from this Opal Award Winning Aussie specialist.
