14 Day New Zealand Highlighter (trip)

14 Day New Zealand Highlighter

  • Airport near Auckland, New Zealand
  • Boats, Barges & Small Ship Cruises
New Zealand, Australia and Pacific

Contact provider for price14 DaysYear-round
Comfort accommodations Exertion level: 3
Operator: Celtic Tours 24 people max
Beginning in the North Island, this 14 Day tour winds its way south, taking in New Zealand's premier attractions along the way. Among other highlights, you'll see the geothermal wonders of Rotorua, cruise Cook Strait and Milford Sound, absorb the majesty of Franz Josef Glacier and explore Mt Cook National Park
Your 14 Day New Zealand Highlighter sightseeing highlights:

    Enjoy Freedom of Choice Touring in Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Queenstown, Dunedin, Mt Cook and Christchurch
    Take a tour of the Waitomo Caves
    Visit Huka Falls and Lake Taupo
    Cruise Cook Strait, through Marlborough Sound
    Visit the coastal town of Kaikoura
    Ride on the award-winning TranzAlpine train through the Southern Alps
    See mighty Franz Josef Glacier
    Cruise the full length of Milford Sound
    Explore the alpine scenery around Mt Cook
    Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd

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Locations visited/nearby

New Zealand, Australia and Pacific

0 testimonials about this trip.

3 testimonials about the provider, Celtic Tours :

  • Reviewer: D.K located in NY
    "I had to send you a personal note to let you know that our trip to Ireland was EXTRAORDINARY!!! Everything about it was amazing. I look forward to our repeat tour!!
  • Reviewer: C.R located in California
    "I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the tour [Single Travel company private group]. We had a fabulous time. Our tour guide, Mick Nolan, was wonderful!!.."
  • Reviewer: K & F located in OH
    "Just back from a long awaited tour of Ireland. It was all I ever dreamed of...

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Special information

  • This is a custom departure, meaning this trip is offered on dates that you arrange privately with the provider. Additionally, you need to form your own private group for this trip. The itinerary and price here is just a sample. Contact the provider for detailed pricing, minimum group size, and scheduling information. For most providers, the larger the group you are traveling with, the lower the per-person cost will be.

Itinerary

Day 1. Auckland, Freedom of Choice Touring
On arrival today, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Then choose the sightseeing activity that interests you the most from our range of Freedom of Choice Touring activity. Options include a city sightseeing tour, a climb up Auckland Harbour Bridge, a cruise aboard the Pride of Auckland on Waitemata Harbour, a visit to Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World and many more.

Stay: Rendezvous Hotel Auckland

Day 2. Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, Hangi Feast
Leaving Auckland, travel to the renowned Waitomo Caves and take a guided tour of the incredible underground limestone caverns. Continue to Rotorua and tonight immerse yourself in Maori hospitality and culture at a Maori hangi feast and performance of song and dance.

Stay: Two Nights: Rotorua, Heritage Hotel
Daily meals included: • Breakfast • Dinner

Day 3. Rotorua, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today choose your touring option from our range of activities. Perhaps visit Rainbow Springs to walk along clear streams teeming with trout and view native flora and fauna. Or learn about the country's sheep farming industry at the Agrodome. Alternatively, indulge in a leisurely soak at the Polynesian Spa.

Stay: Country Homestay option available tonight
Daily meals included: • Breakfast • Dinner*

Day 4. Rotorua, Wellington
Follow the Thermal Explorer Highway to the heart of the North Island and view Wairakei Steam Valley. Visit Huka Falls and Lake Taupo before travelling south across the vast plateau of Tongariro National Park en route to Wellington.

Stay: Two Nights: Wellington, Duxton Hotel
Daily meals included: • Breakfast • Dinner*

Day 5. Wellington, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today choose from our selection of Freedom of Choice activities. Perhaps take a Wellington highlights tour, visit Zealandia: Karori Eco Sanctuary, enjoy a ‘Lord of the Rings' tour or visit the Carter Observatory and Planetarium. Dinner tonight is at your leisure to try one of the local restaurants.

1 meal included

Day 6. Wellington, Kaikoura, Christchurch
Step aboard the Interislander ferry to cruise across Cook Strait and through the stunning Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Visit the fishing town of Kaikoura, famous for its whale watching, before continuing to Christchurch.

Stay: Christchurch, Rydges Hotel
Daily meals included: • Breakfast • Dinner*

Day 7. TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef
This morning board the award-winning TranzAlpine train and take in the stunning scenery as you journey through spectacular gorges, river valleys and across the magnificent Southern Alps. Disembark at Arthurs Pass and continue by coach via Hokitika to the glacial West Coast and Franz Josef.

Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Daily meals included: • Breakfast • Dinner*

Day 8. Franz Josef, Haast, Queenstown, Dine Around Dinner
Enjoy a day of incredible scenery as you travel along the Haast River, capturing views of the massive glacier-formed Haast River Valley, its towering peaks, waterfalls and rainforest. Arrive in Queenstown, where this evening you'll choose from four different restaurants for your Dine Around Dinner.

Stay: Two Nights: Novotel Queenstown Lakeside
Daily meals included: ��� Breakfast • Dinner

Day 9. Queenstown, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today you have the opportunity to choose the activity and we will include it. Perhaps enjoy a garden tour or visit some local wineries. You may join an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Shotover River or choose to join a Double Decker Bus tour through the streets of Queenstown and to the small goldrush settlement of Arrowtown.

1 meal included

Day 10. Milford Sound, Te Anau
Journey along the Milford Road. Wind down the Eglinton and Hollyford valleys and through the Homer Tunnel. On arrival at Milford Sound cruise the full length of this stunning fjord. Following your cruise, drive to the tranquil lakeside settlement of Te Anau.

Stay: Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas
Daily meals included: • Breakfast • Dinner*

Day 11. Te Anau, Dunedin, Freedom of Choice Touring
Journey through rolling Southland countryside to the city of Dunedin. This afternoon you choose an activity and we will include it. Perhaps jump aboard the Taieri Gorge Railway Excursion, or view the magnificent Royal Albatross or Yellow-eyed Penguin colonies on the Otago Peninsula. Or visit Speight's Brewery, a place where some of New Zealand's best-known beers are made.

Stay: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City
Daily meals included: • Breakfast • Dinner*

Day 12. Dunedin, Mt Cook, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today journey north along the coast and stop to view the unique Moeraki Boulders on Koekohe Beach. Continue past Pukaki, Aviemore and Benmore lakes to World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park, where you'll join your selected touring activity. Options include a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, a glacier cruise, or a guided nature walk through the national park.

Stay: Mt Cook, The Hermitage
Daily meals included: • Breakfast • Dinner*

Day 13. Mt Cook Christchurch
Travel via Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd, through Burkes Pass to Christchurch.

Stay: Christchurch, Rydges Hotel
Daily meals included: • Breakfast • Dinner*

Day 14. Depart Christchurch, Freedom of Choice Touring.
Choose from our range of touring activities in Christchurch. Perhaps take a Garden Tour, go punting on the Avon, take a Bike Tour around the city or visit Christchurch's Must See Four. After your activity, the tour ends. Transfer to the airport in the afternoon.

1 meal included

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