Itinerary

Day 1 Auckland

Auckland is the largest city in the country, and has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world. It is one of the few cities in the world to have harbours on two separate major bodies of water. Auckland is popularly known as the "City of Sails" because the harbour is often dotted with hundreds of yachts, in fact over 135,000 are registered in the city. Many national treasures are displayed at the Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland War Memorial Museum, the National Maritime Museum, or the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT). Exotic creatures can be observed at the Auckland Zoo and Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World.

Domestic Airport to hotel transfer with private vehicle and driver.

Experience a dinner cruise with delicious New Zealand fare, including some traditional Kiwi favourites, at one of the best times to experience Auckland’s magnificent harbour. Enjoy great sailing while the sun sets, and watch the fairy-tale lights of this photogenic city come alive. Your experienced crew will explain Auckland’s unique sights and those wishing to participate in the sailing can do so.

Centrally located in Auckland, this property is near Queen Street Shopping District, Sky Tower, and Auckland City Hall. Additional nearby points of interest include Auckland War Memorial Museum. Guestrooms have premium bedding, air conditioning, and slippers; rooms also include refrigerators, separate bathtubs and showers, and bathrobes. At Stamford Plaza Auckland recreational amenities include an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a sauna. The property also provides a business center, a concierge desk, and a porter/bellhop.

Overnight at Stamford Plaza .

Day 2 Auckland

After being picked up from your hotel, travel west to the Arataki Centre, doorway to the Waitakere Ranges and from its sweeping decks take in the breathtaking panoramic views extending from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Absorb the area’s history and admire the magnificent traditional Maori carvings that stand guard there. Continue further west with our knowledgeable and highly experienced guides to the wild and rugged West Coast where you get to experience the power of nature. Feel the black sand beneath your feet as you stroll along one of the most awe-inspiring beaches the world has to offer. Unwind by a beautiful cascading waterfall. A short journey brings you to the lush rainforest where you walk the easy bush tracks amongst New Zealand’s giant tree ferns and hear native birds. Visit a magnificent specimen of New Zealand’s famous Kauri trees.

You will have two hours sailing in a real America's Cup yacht on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour. Try your hand at the wheel, or grinding, help to hoist the sails, and enjoy the peace of being on the water, under sail.

Overnight at Stamford Plaza .

Day 3 Rotorua

Rotorua is a city on the southern shore of Lake Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island. It is also home to botanical gardens and interesting historic architecture. Known as a spa town and major tourist resort since the 1800s, many of its buildings hint at this history, particularly Government Gardens at the eastern end of the town. Another of Rotorua's attractions is the mountain biking. Whakarewarewa (also known as the "Redwoods") Forest has been described as 'the Disneyland of mountain biking' and has some of the best mountain bike trails in New Zealand.

Enjoy a day trip from Auckland to Rotorua through lush rolling farm landscape to the mystical Waitomo Glowworm Caves. After lunch (own expense) enjoy a guided tour through the galleries and lofty chambers of the Caves. Your tour culminates with a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto - lit up by thousands of tiny living lights. View the unique Waitomo glowworms, as expert guides provide informative commentary on the Caves historical and geological significance. Enjoy the limestone shafts, stunning Cathedral cavern and then take a unique boat ride through the glowworm grotto.

Escape to The Regent of Rotorua, Rotorua’s newest designer 5 star Boutique Hotel & Spa offering stylish luxury accommodation, restaurant, wine & cocktail bar, all with a touch of glamour. An oasis of understated hip contemporary elegance and comfort amidst the exciting attractions and experiences Rotorua has to offer. Step out of the calm of your gorgeous room or suite and stroll to the vibrant restaurant zone or lakefront area….or simply stay in, relax and savour the hotel's luxury facilities.

Overnight at Regent of Rotorua.

Day 4 Rotorua

The unique geothermal muds and waters of Rotorua are renowned for their curative and invigorating properties—and this is particularly so at “Hells Gate” - Rotorua’s most active thermal park. Hells Gate Geothermal Park is set in 50 acres with a large variety of thermal features. Walk past steaming fumeroles and hot pools of boiling mud so violent they are unnerving. Wai Ora Spa Facility is where visitors can experience the unique geothermal mud and sulphurous waters in privacy as well as in a totally unique environment. There are three private mud baths in the Wai Ora (“Healthy Waters”) Spa Facility – one family and two three-person baths each containing in excess of 70-100kgs of the finest geothermal muds in both suspended and solid form.

On arrival at Mitai Maori Village, you are welcomed by Mitai family members and guided to your table in the dining area. Here, you will receive an introduction into Maori customs and traditions, rituals, beliefs, protocol and language. Mitai are proud to offer you an authentic hangi meal that is cooked in the earth oven known as 'the hangi pit'. Your menu includes a hot selection of succulent New Zealand Lamb & Chicken, Potatoes (Rewai), Sweet Potato (Kumara) and stuffing (a combination of Bread, Mixed Herbs, Corn, Carrots & Peas). Side dishes include scalloped potatoes baked with a cheese topping and freshly baked Garlic Bread.

Overnight at Regent of Rotorua.

Day 5 Queenstown

Queenstown is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It is built around an inlet on Lake Wakatipu, a long thin lake shaped like a staggered lightning bolt, and has spectacular views of nearby mountains. A resort town, Queenstown is a centre for adventure tourism. Skiing, jet boating, bungee jumping, mountain biking, tramping and fly fishing are all strong promotional themes. Queenstown is a major centre for snow sports in New Zealand, with four main mountain skifields (Cardrona Alpine Resort, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Treble Cone).

Enjoy a private airport transfer to your accommodation or v.v. with vehicle and driver.

Enjoy a private airport transfer to your accommodation with vehicle and driver.

Centrally located in Queenstown, this property is near Queenstown Harbour and TSS Earnslaw Steamship. Another nearby point of interest is Steamer Wharf. Guestrooms open to balconies with city, lake or mountain views and feature patios. Other amenities include coffee/tea makers and shower/tub combinations. In addition to a restaurant and a concierge desk, Novotel Queenstown Lakeside features a bar/lounge, complimentary high-speed (wired) Internet access, and 24-hour room service.

Overnight at Novotel Lakeside (4*).

Day 6 Queenstown

You will make the scenic journey by coach to Milford Sound, where you will be transferred to your boat cruise. Explore dramatic, moody Milford Sound in a leisurely and relaxed way with our nature guides. Our vessels are designed along the lines of traditional trading scows. They have been purpose built to operate in the fiords and offer a laid back, extended cruise option. Throughout your cruise, our nature guide provides an engaging commentary about the magnificent scenery and wildlife (English only). Keep a look out for dolphins, seals and penguins. You will then be returned to your hotel, again by coach.

Overnight at Novotel Lakeside (4*).

Day 7 Queenstown

This full day walk in the ancient beech forest of the Mount Aspiring National Park starts with a scenic drive to the northern end of Lake Wakatipu and into the Routeburn Valley. The high snow capped mountains provide a magnificent backdrop for the walk up this beautiful river valley. A journey along the edge of the lake from Queenstown to the head of Lake Wakatipu is the ideal preparation for the splendour of the world-famous Routeburn Track. Your walk begins among towering ancient beech forest, climbing gradually through blankets of forest moss and fern and skirting the thundering Routeburn through the gorge it has carved over the millennia. The woodland eventually parts to reveal the rich grassland of Routeburn Flats, overlooked on all sides by cloud-scraping mountains, some so high they have permafrost and small glaciers. The flats is a pristine sites for us to enjoy a well earned lunch, as is the next stop, Routeburn Falls, a short stride through more alpine forest. You and yours

Overnight at Novotel Lakeside (4*).

Day 8 Franz Josef

Franz Josef is a small town in the West Coast region of the South Island of New Zealand. The town is named after the Franz Josef Glacier. The glacier's terminal face is 5km from the town and its accessibility makes it a major tourist attraction. The town has a population of about 320 people and is 20 minutes walk from the Westland National Park.

Depart Queenstown by coach at 7:40am passing through Cromwell, Wanaka and Hawea before travelling over the magnificent Haast Pass into Westland.

A local shuttle is available to take you to the glacier base (own arrangements, weather permitting). Spectacular photo opportunities abound of these huge ice masses. Watch out for Keas (native parrots) and their inquisitive cheeky play.

Punga Grove offers stylish motel accommodation in the heart of Franz Josef Glacier village. Perfectly positioned in a beautiful rainforest, set amongst native forest against a stunning backdrop of high alpine peaks, Punga Grove is your natural West Coast accommodation choice for your stay in Glacier Country in New Zealand.

Overnight at Punga Grove.

Day 9 Franz Josef

This is a fantastic introduction to an enthralling world of ice, traversing spectacular tracks of only moderate difficulty. After a short walk through regenerating rainforest, the trip continues along the glacier valley with your guide calling stops to explain the unique features of the Franz Josef Glacier and its surroundings. After strapping on crampons you make your way up the terminal face of the glacier, where pre-formed tracks make exploring the lower reaches of the glacier achievable for most agile people.

Overnight at Punga Grove.

Day 10 Christchurch

Christchurch is the regional capital of Canterbury, New Zealand. The largest city in the South Island, situated just north of Banks Peninsula. The large number of public parks has given Christchurch the name of The Garden City. Hagley Park and the 30-hectare (75 acre) Christchurch Botanic Gardens, founded in 1863, are in the central city. Other attractions include; Canterbury Museum, Ferrymead Heritage Park, Orana Wildlife Park, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Air Force Museum, Southern Encounter Aquarium and Kiwi House, International Antarctic Centre.

Join your coach and continue to Greymouth, the largest township and port in the area, rich in gold and coal mining history.

The TranzAlpine scenic train journey travels between Greymouth and Christchurch, from one coast of New Zealand to the other. From your carriage you’ll see the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River fields, followed by the Canterbury Plains and farmland . Your train climbs into the Southern Alps through lush beech rain forest from the West Coast town of Greymouth. Our train journey finishes in Christchurch - New Zealand's largest city on the South Island. The trip is 223.8 kilometres long and takes just four and a half hours. There are 16 tunnels, and 5 viaducts, the highest being the Staircase standing at 73 metres.

Peppers Clearwater Resort Christchurch is a stunning waterfront resort set within beautiful grounds and surrounded by clear shimmering lakes and water ways from which the resort gets its name.  Built with a contemporary boathouse design, all apartments feature the premium facilities and services you expect from a Peppers Resort. Accommodation offers marvellous lake or fairway views while our spacious two bedroom apartment boast's a cosy fireplace designed to warm the soul.

Overnight at Peppers Clearwater Resort.

Day 11 Christchurch

Upon arrival you will be met and taken by private vehicle to your hotel.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard).

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