21 Day - Total NZ
Round trip across New Zealand! Starting and finishing in Christchurch your adventure includes a breadth of stunning scenery, culture, wildlife and activities throughout the North and South Island.
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| TOTAL NEW ZEALAND | |
| TOUR CODE: TNZ21 HIGHLIGHTS :: Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach :: Traditional Maori Hangi Meal :: and Cultural Experience :: Waiotapu & Huka Falls :: Eco-Wilderness Region :: Kayaking :: Tongariro Crossing :: Te Papa National Museum :: Abel Tasman National Park :: Hanmer Springs Hot Pools :: Kahurangi National Park & Kaikoura :: Tranzalpine Train Journey (optional) :: Franz Josef Glacier :: Mount Aspiring National Park :: Two Free Days in Queenstown :: Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise :: Central Otago Historic Mining Area :: Otago Rail Trail Mountain Biking ITINERARY DAY 1 :: CHRISTCHURCH TO PICTON/WELLINGTON We leave Christchurch this morning for an express trip to Picton and Wellington. Enjoy the beautiful Marlborough Sounds and some great harbour shots of our capital city Wellington from the ferry. (B) DAY 2 :: WELLINGTON TO AUCKLAND Today is an express journey from Wellington to Auckland. We will stop on the way to have lunch in Taupo for a short walk and for you to see New Zealand’s largest lake. (B) DAY 3 :: AUCKLAND Today is free to explore New Zealand's biggest city. Enjoy one of the many harbour sailing trips, head up the Sky Tower for panoramic views or just relax. (Meals at own expense) DAY 4 :: AUCKLAND TO HAHEI (Coromandel) We head south east to the 'Coromandel region' enjoying views of Waikato farmland. From our remote beach area we hike to the stunning Cathedral Cove, and have a chance to bathe in the natural hot pools of Hot Water Beach (tide dependent). We stay in our exclusive campsite at the beach and enjoy a BBQ. Quad share cabins only. (D) DAY 5 :: HAHEI TO ROTORUA Travelling along the stunning Coromandel Coast we stop for some great walks then head to our uniquely developed Maori cultural stop at Whakarewarewa. Set amidst a landscape of erupting geothermal activity, hot thermal springs and bubbling mud pools is the living Maori village. We have tailored an experience for our groups to provide insight into the culture and history, which includes a down-to-earth cultural show and a hangi lunch traditionally cooked in the steam from the natural hot pools! From here we have the afternoon to explore Rotorua with optional activities for everyone from free walks to white water rafting. (B, L) DAY 6 :: ROTORUA TO WHAKAHORO We leave early this morning, stopping for a swim in a natural hot river, then onto the impressive Huka Falls. We drive around Lake Taupo towards the Central Plateau. We go deep into the wilderness to our exclusive environmental award-winning stop at Blue Duck Lodge. You can kayak the last 8kms, take a historical walk, or if you want you can take part in a hunt for dinner! The lodge is an old homestead nestled right on the edge of Whanganui National Park surrounded by breath-taking views, amazing walks, and natural beauty. We cook a traditional bush dinner over an outdoor wood-fire using local produce, while learning about the rich early-settlement history and the owner's huge efforts to restore the local plants and birdlife to their former glory (D) DAY 7 :: WHAKAHORO TO NATIONAL PARK This morning we head back towards the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park with the chance to hike the Tongariro Crossing, rated as NZ's best one-day walk. For those less active there will be shorter walks and a visit to the Volcanic Centre Museum. Tonight we stay at our exclusive alpine lodge 'The Park' (B, D). DAY 8 :: NATIONAL PARK TO WELLINGTON Following the great day we have had in National Park we head to Wellington, New Zealand's capital city. We have the afternoon to explore "Te Papa", NZ's national museum and strongly recommend the walk along Oriental Parade and/or up Mt Victoria to get the best view of the city. We stay in central Wellington accommodation tonight (B). DAY 9 :: WELLINGTON/PICTON TO ABEL TASMAN From Wellington we catch the inter-island ferry to the South Island port of Picton for the trip through to Marahau. We stop for a wine tasting in NZ's premier wine region world-famous for its Sauvignon Blanc then head across to Nelson and out to the Tasman region for the picturesque beaches and bays of the Abel Tasman National Park. We stay in our exclusive campsite located adjacent to the national park where your group gets the chance to plant a native tree or seedling to leave a legacy of your stay! Dinner tonight includes a taste of local seafood (B, D). DAY 10 :: ABEL TASMAN An entire day to explore the Abel Tasman National Park. We have included a boat transfer out of the park so you can walk this famous coastal track, incorporating some of the NZ's best beaches. You can upgrade to one of the other great options including sea kayaking or sailing. We self-cater tonight with BBQ facilities available and stay again at our campsite right beside the National Park (B). |
DAY 11 :: ABEL TASMAN TO HANMER SPRINGS Today we set off early passing through two more national parks en route to the tranquillity of Hanmer Springs. The Kahurangi and Nelson national parks boast fabulous scenery and some great small hikes with craggy mountain ranges draped with forest to the lake's edge. We will have a picnic on the lake edge today. We arrive at Hanmer Springs in the afternoon and have a relaxing soak in the hot pools. We go out for a group meal tonight (B,D). DAY 12 :: HANMER SPRINGS CHRISTCHURCH VIA KAIKOURA The day begins with a small drive to the coast heading to Kaikoura, a stop that offers a sanctuary of marine life. Regardless of what you choose to do you will encounter marine life in many forms. There are seals, dolphins, whales or the king of the skies, the Royal Albatross. There is a fantastic walk starting from the seal colony around the cliff tops where you will get amazing views. We give you time to do even the longest of options here then we express south to the South Island's largest city, Christchurch (B). DAY 13 :: CHRISTCHURCH TO FRANZ JOSEF We start early for a stunning journey across the Canterbury Plains, over Arthur's Pass and down to the West Coast. Along the way the scenery changes constantly so we stop often for walks and photo opportunities. We stop in Hokitika, famous for pounamu (jade) and at the Bushman's centre to learn about the local history, before heading down to Franz Josef for its majestic glacier. We stay in a lodge in the rainforest at Franz Josef (D). DAY 14 :: FRANZ JOSEF Today is free for exploring this World Heritage area. There are many great walks but we highly recommend that you pay to go on one of the guided trips (where they provide you with specialised equipment) so that you can get further onto the glacier. Self-cater tonight - there are great local cafes and a kitchen at the lodge (B). N.B. in winter a half day guided glacier hike in included. DAY 15 :: FRANZ JOSEF TO MAKARORA We follow the coast further south today for even more amazing scenery (including NZ's most photographed lake), some great walks, waterfalls and a breathtaking alpine pass. We arrive at our wilderness accommodation at the foot of Mount Aspiring National Park by mid-afternoon. The locals provide some of the most spectacular activities from scenic flights to wilderness jet boating. Our accommodation tonight is in chalets (B, D). DAY 16 :: MAKARORA TO QUEENSTOWN We journey on to the adventure capital of the world today, Queenstown, the spiritual home of bungy jumping. On the way we stop in the scenic town of Wanaka for a walk and lunch before heading to the bungy bridge. Everyone has the option of observing or jumping themselves. We arrive at our accommodation in the afternoon ready for two days of whatever activities you choose to do from the relaxing to full-on adrenaline. Your guide will take you on an orientation of the resort when we arrive and a tour of the town's night spots in the evening. (B). DAY 17 + 18 :: QUEENSTOWN Enjoy Queenstown! optional activities and meals at own expense. DAY 19 :: QUEENSTOWN TO DOUBTFUL SOUND This morning we head into the awe-inspiring Fiordland National Park. Doubtful Sound is truly an amazing place; one of the most remote and untouched places on earth where you will see fur seals, Fiordland Crested Penguins and dolphins. We spend the day and night on a purpose-built boat, which includes a dedicated nature guide and sea kayaks. We overnight in a secluded bay in the fiord (D). N.B. In winter we do the Doubtful Sound day cruise and stay overnight in Te Anau. DAY 20 :: DOUBTFUL SOUND TO CENTRAL OTAGO The morning is spent departing Doubtful Sound. We board our own mini-coach at midday and head through the beautiful Otago region. We explore relics of the gold rush, which was responsible for the European settlement of this area. We stay in our own exclusive accommodation in the middle of Otago gold country. You have the option of curling tonight (like bowling but with big stones on an ice rink), we challenge you to try and beat your guide (B, D). DAY 21 :: CENTRAL OTAGO TO CHRISTCHURCH In the morning we grab our mountain bikes and head out to sample part of the old Otago Gold Mining Rail Trail. It is an ideal activity for riders of all abilities and a great way to soak up the incredible scenery and history of the area. We then express our way along the Canterbury Plains flanked by the Southern Alps to Christchurch, the garden city (B). BRING Sturdy Walking shoes (ankle high), swimming gear, hat and sunscreen, motion sickness tablets, water bottle, towel and toiletries, warm clothing and waterproof jacket, insect repellent, camera. INCLUDED Experienced tour guide, accommodation transfers, accommodation, meals as indicated including a Maori hangi meal and cultural experience, Te Papa Museum, inter-island ferry, Abel Tasman boat transfer, a winery visit, Hanmer Springs pools, Doubtful Sound overnight cruise (Milford Sound overnight cruise in winter), mountain biking on the Otago Rail Trail and kayak through Whanganui National Park. NOTE The night in the Coromandel has multishare accommodation only. Most cabins on the Doubtful Sound are multi-share and therefore private accommodation is limited. We will confirm at time of booking if twin/double/single is available. |
| 21 DAYS |
Adult $2860 (quad share) ACCOMMODATION UPGRADE! Twin/Double $3295 pp Single $3730 pp DEPARTS Christchurch 7:30am from accommodation 01-06APR ... Wed Sat 07APR-08NOV ... Sat 09NOV - 31MAR ... Wed Sat FINISHES Christchurch 6:30pm MAX PEOPLE - 24 Valid till 31 March 2012 |
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Hikes up to 6-8kms per day. |
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Maximum 24 front facing seats, air-conditioned vehicle |
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