Tour Type: Independent Coach Tour
Duration: 9 Days
Tour Starts In: Auckland
Tour Finishes In: Christchurch
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from NZ $2999 pp
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9 Day Majestic New Zealand Touring Route:
Tour Inclusions:
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Day
1 |
Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua
From Auckland travel past the Bombay Hills which signal the end of sprawling city as the lush Waikato pasturelands take you past Hamilton and on to Waitomo caves for a subterranean boat ride under an eerie canopy of glow worm lights. On across the Waikato and the Mamaku Hills to fiery Rotorua. Tonight we enjoy a Maori Hangi (feast) and Concert, a quintessential New Zealand experience. Stay 2 nights in Rotorua.
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Day
2 |
At Rotorua
This morning you will be met at your accommodation for your morning sightseeing tour of this city. Rotorua sits calmly atop some remarkable cracks in the earth's crust - sometimes giving the impression that the town is on fire. This impression is reinforced by the hot mists of Te Puia, roaring geysers and boiling mudpools heated to unbearable temperatures. Other highlights on your tour of Rotorua are the native and exotic vegetation at Rainbow Springs, which are world renowned for their pools of tame trout. The Agrodome Farm display features a vital section of New Zealand's agriculture, sheep shearing and a sheep dog display. This afternoon is free and there are many activities to attract you. |
Day
3 |
Rotorua - Wellington
Drive south through exotic forests, past Wairakei's permanent mantle of steam, then to Lake Taupo. The ominous peaks of Tongariro, Ngaruahoe and Ruapehu watch over our drive to Waiouru, drop down to the fertile Manawatu plains, past coastal horticultural farms, and rocky seascapes to Wellington. Stay overnight in Wellington.
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Day
4 |
Wellington - Picton - Christchurch
Catch the ferries across Cook Strait and through the tranquil Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Board the Coastal Pacific Train to edge down a narrow coastal strip where the surf pounds the rugged Kaikora Ranges. Cross the dry North Canterbury sheep country to Christchurch where you will overnight. As you will arrive in the evening, consider adding an extra day to explore our most 'English' city.
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Day
5 |
Christchurch - Mt Cook - Queenstown
Cross the manicured Canterbury Plains, over Burkes Pass to Lake Tekapo, home of the Church of the Good Shepherd. The tussocky plains of the Mackenzie Country lie before you as you head towards Mt Cook village in the heart of the Southern Alps. You have a brief stop here for optional flightseeing or lunch (not included). Follow the southern Alps southward through the Lindis Pass and Kawarau Gorge to Queenstown, where you will stay 3 nights.
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Day
6 |
Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown
An early start takes you alongside Lake Wakatipu to Kingston then onto Mossburn and Lake Te Anau. Travel through the Fiordland National Park, passing the Mirror Lakes, the Chasm, the Homer Tunnel and the Cleddau Canyon. A cruise on Milford Sound beneath lofty Mitre Peak, waterfalls and out to the mouth of the Tasman Sea is included. Then you climb out of Milford Sound to return to Queenstown by evening. |
Day
7 |
At Queenstown
Today is at your leisure to enjoy the many sights of Queenstown. This world renowned alpine resort offers something for everyone - you can enjoy the quiet beauty and tranquility of this mountain retreat and enjoy several walking trails in the town area. For sheer excitement there is white-water rafting, helicopter rides, the famous jet boats, bungy jumping to pump your adrenalin, and offroad 4WD tours with plenty of river crossings. There are cruises on the lake and a visit to a high country sheep station, and wine tasting tours. We have included the Skyline Gondola ride in your tour package. Overnight in Queenstown. |
Day
8 |
Queenstown - Glaciers
Travel to Cromwell and on through the Southern Lake district to the Haast Pass. Dense rainforest contrasts with rugged coastal vistas as you travel north towards the glaciers. A shuttle will take you to the viewing platform to see one of these massive rivers of ice. Overnight at Fox or Franz Josef Glaciers.
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Day
9 |
Glaciers - Christchurch
Travel North past Hokitika, where you can see jade carvers at work, to Greymouth. Here you board the renowned TranzAlpine Train and travel through the lengthy Otira Tunnel, over Arthur’s Pass and across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch once more. Arrive at approximately 6:15pm. |
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9 Day Majestic New Zealand Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys.
4 Reviews,
Average Rating 3.5
of 5.
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We had an outstanding time in this trip :) Everything was perfectly organized without any glitches. Every detail was taken care of! The team helped us out tirelessly with all the customization we did with the trip. We managed to get some extra time in Rotorua and I am glad we chose to do that. Don't miss out on the Polynesian Spa and a visit to at least one of Waiotapu and Waimangu is a must in Rotorua. The accommodation was fantastic and our room had a beautiful view of Lake Rotorua. The location of the Queenstown hotel was also extremely beautiful! Don't forget to ask for a lake-view room upgrade, you won't be sorry for it! I just wish we had more time at the Glaciers to get a guided tour and/or helicopter ride. Overall, it was an awesomely scenic tour but it was a bit hectic for me. I wish we had spread it over more days and I wish we had more time to explore the places we missed. Thanks a lot Relaxing Journeys for all the perfect arrangements. With everything taken care of, we could relax and enjoy even better. It is a beautiful country and we would definitely love to visit again. Undoubtedly, this is going to be one of my most memorable trips ever!
[More+]
Value For Money
Accommodaton
Tour Pace
Our Service
Ashwini Dyahadray (India)
Tour Date 27/12/2011 |
Tour arrangements were excellent - hotels, bus conncetions, activities were all made and arranged smoothly. Only issue we had was ith location of Adorian Motel in Christchurch. The motel itself was fine, it was just far from the city centre. To their credit, Relaxing Journeys did change our hotel for the second night, upon our request, without any charge. However there another slight miscommunication as the next morning, the airport shuttle was waiting for us at the first hotel. Perhaps better communication between the shuttle company and the tour is needed. Despite these minor hiccups, the tour went off without a hitch and we all enjoyed it. Thanks again.
Brian Wong (Singapore)
Tour Date 25/12/2010 |
We really enjoyed the tour. The South Island in particular was amazing. A lot of time was spent travelling, but we knew this before we started. The TranzCoastal train was a lovely experience. We were constantly asked for vouchers, we didn't receive any vouchers until we arrived in Christchurch roughly half way through the journey. While I understand time is of the essence, in both Auckland and Rotorua we were collected early from our hotels, only to be driven to a very near by bus station and then had to wait for a further hour in one case and 90 mins in the other to join a connecting service, this wasn't the most productive use of time. The bus drivers were all friendly and very knowledgeable, which was a real asset. While the hotels in Wellington and Christchurch were perfectly fine, they were located quite a distance from the city centres, this required additional costs for taxis etc. The highlight of the tour was Queenstown, it's such a lovely place, it was an ideal location to have had the free day.
Brian Seery & Lorraine Cox (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 03/07/2009 |
We had a wonderful time! The tours were awesome. The drivers informative. The hotel rooms adequate (exception was Kingsgate in Wellington, which should have had 2 twin beads in our room instead of 1 twin and 1 king. It made the room much too small.) The studio apartment in Queenstown was great. All in all, we loved New Zealand! Thanks for all of your e-mails to set it up so fast.
Shirley Hedberg & Elaine Kohlwey (United States)
Tour Date 08/03/2009 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices below are per person. |
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| Stay |
Twin Share |
Single |
Triple |
Breakfasts |
| Motel |
NZ $2,999 |
NZ $3,879 |
NZ $2,849 |
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| Bronze |
NZ $3,239 |
NZ $4,349 |
NZ $3,099 |
NZ $210 |
| Silver |
NZ $3,509 |
NZ $4,859 |
NZ $3,189 |
NZ $245 |
| Gold |
NZ $3,569 |
NZ $5,069 |
NZ $3,299 |
NZ $273 |
| Apartment |
NZ $3,499 |
NZ $4,799 |
NZ $3,209 |
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EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER
2012 Autumn & Winter Sale! Take $200 per person off the prices shown, for tours departing before 30th September! Deposit this month!
Valid for bookings made with Relaxing Journeys between 1 May 2012 and 31 May 2012
with your tour starting between 1 May 2012 and 30 September 2012 . Subject to availability at time of booking. |
*Prices above are valid 01 November 2011 to 30 September 2012. Prices before or after this period are on request.
*Terms & Conditions apply to any discounts and/or specials above. Your designated tour consultant will apply the appropriate discounts automatically to your quote and detail any currently applicable 'Exclusive Specials'. |
Tour Information
This is an independent coach tour and operates daily. |
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Independent New Zealand Coach Tours
Independent coach tours are
the ideal way to explore New Zealand. We pre-book all your travel arrangements including coach, rail and ferry transport, accommodation, transfers between your transport and accommodation and key sightseeing activities. We can add and take off days in the middle, start or end of your tour and you can choose to add meals and/or pre and post tour accommodation. You also choose the level of accommodation that suits you best, from 3 star to 5 star! While the coaches do not have dedicated tour guides, the multi-talented coach drivers provide excellent onboard commentary. You will receive an informative touring wallet which will include brochures, detailed maps, tour vouchers and comprehensive itinerary.
Accommodation Levels
Your coach tour accommodation is in specially chosen properties, centrally located and of a high standard. Choose from 5 levels of accommodation - Motel, Bronze, Silver, Gold & Apartments. All accommodation is subject to availability at the time of booking so get in early!
Daily Departures
Our independent coach tours operate daily, using regular coach, train and ferry services. This provides you with excellent flexibility when planning your coach tour start date to coincide with your flights or other holiday arrangements.
General Information
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