13 Day Northern Circle

13 Day Northern Circle Touring Route:

Tour Inclusions:

• 2 night stopovers in Rotorua, Napier, Wellington & Tongariro National Park
• Driving Creek Railway
• Pure Cruise Sailing Excursion
• Admission to the Te Puia geothermal region
• Te Po - Maori cultural experience with traditional hangi
• Admission to the Wai-O-Tapu geothermal region
• Half day wine tour in Napier
• Guided trek of the famous Tongariro National Park Crossing, including transfers
• 12 nights accommodation of your choice
• Full cooked breakfasts daily & 1 dinner
• Rental vehicle of your choice
• Satellite Navigation Included
• Admissions outlined in the Itinerary
• Personal 'Meet & Greet' at the airport, with private transfer to your accommodation
• Comprehensive travel compendium, maps, CD guide, vouchers and travel guides

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Arrive Auckland
On arrival at Auckland airport, you will be personally met by our representative & transferred in an executive sedan to your accommodation. The 'City of Sails' is New Zealand's largest and most vibrant, offering an exciting array of cosmopolitan experiences. Built on an isthmus of 48 volcanoes, Auckland's fertile valleys and islands are home to award-winning wineries. Family attractions abound and the city has plenty of adrenaline for adventure lovers. Indulge in auckland's shopping, nightlife and unrivalled cuisine. Discover why Auckland is one of the best places in the world to live - and visit.

• B&B: The Great Ponsonby Art Hotel
• Hotel: The Heritage Auckland
• Boutique: Hotel DeBrett

Auckland – Coromandel
Your rental car will be delivered to your hotel this morning. Today depart Auckland and enjoy a leisurely drive on The Pacific Coast Highway. Traversing the spectacular East Coast of the North Island, it is classed as one of the great touring routes in the world. Linking the Coromandel with Auckland, The Pacific Coast Highway travels through a unique region where land and sea intermingle. Depart on the Driving Creek Railway in innovatively designed trains. Travel over viaducts (including the unique, double decker), 2 spirals, 3 reverses, tunnels and enjoy a magnificent view from the ridge-top terminus. Here a talk is given about local history, ecology and activities including the potteries. The trainalso passes through a native Kauri Forest replanting project. Continue across the main divide to your accommodation for tonight. (B)

• B&B: Harbour View Lodge (2 nights)
• Hotel: Puka Park Resort (2 nights)
• Boutique: Colleith Lodge (2 nights)

Coromandel
There are many beautiful places in the world and the Coromandel Peninsula is an unspoilt haven. Today you may choose to enjoy the stunning beaches of Cathedral Cove and Hahei and dig your own spa pool using the thermal waters in the sand at Hot Water Beach, which is only a 30 minute drive from your hotel. (B)

Coromandel - Rotorua
Depart today and travel along the Bay of Plenty coastline through the subtropical orchards of kiwi fruit and citrus. Head inland through massive pine forests, passing many of the regions crystal clear lakes en route to Rotorua. The afternoon is at leisure. (B)

• B&B: Koura Lodge (2 nights)
• Hotel: Holiday Inn Rotorua (2 nights)
• Boutique: The Regent of Rotorua (2 nights)

• B&B: Cobden Garden Homestay (2 nights)
• Hotel: Scenic Hotel Te Pania (2 nights)
• Boutique: Mangapapa Lodge (2 nights)

Napier
You have the morning to relax or explore Napier at your leisure. Hawke’s Bay has also become well known as a leading food and wine region in New Zealand, so we have booked you in for a wine tour this afternoon. Meet like- minded people and share an appreciation of Hawke's Bay's fantastic wines. (B)

Napier – Wellington
Drive south today to the Wairarapa, a rural retreat in the very heart of New Zealand. Stop in at Martinborough, a unique wine village with over 20 boutique vineyards before continuing onto Wellington, the nation’s capital. (B)

• B&B: Lambton Heights (2 nights)
• Hotel: Rydges Wellington (2 nights)
• Boutique: The Bolton Hotel (2 nights)

Explore Wellington
The city boasts many fine museums, libraries, art galleries & theatres and there are a number of parks in a greenbelt around the city. Dining, shopping, entertainment & nightlife is centred on Courtney Place and New Zealand’s only working cable car provides panoramic views over the harbour and city. A visit to Te Papa, the national museum, is highly recommended today. (B)

Wellington, Tongariro National Park
Travel north along the Kapiti Coast on State Highway 1 & through the prosperous farming regions of Horowhenua, Manawatu & Rangitikei to Tongariro National Park, centred around the volcanoes of Ruapehu, Tongariro & Ngauruhoe. The park is only one of a handful of sites in the world that has dual World Heritage status in recognition of both its natural & cultural values. (B)

• B&B: Bayview Chateau Tongariro (2 nights)
• Hotel: Bayview Chateau Tongariro (2 nights)
• Boutique: Ruapehu Country Lodge

Guided ‘Tongariro Crossing’ Trek
The Tongariro Crossing Track is often regarded as New Zealand’s most popular one day walks. Enjoy a guided tour today & experience active volcanoes, mountain springs, lava flows, emerald lakes and stunning views - a once in a lifetime experience so remember your camera! (B/L)

Return to Auckland
After a leisurely breakfast, make your way back to Auckland. You might like to travel via Matamata & stop to tour ‘Hobbiton’, one of the film sets for the award-winning ‘Lord of the Rings’ movie trilogy. (B)

• B&B: The Great Ponsonby Art Hotel
• Hotel: The Heritage Auckland
• Boutique: Hotel DeBrett

Depart Auckland
Time for some last minute sightseeing or shopping before making your way to Auckland airport.
Sadly, your holiday is at an end and you leave your car at the rental depot located at the airport today for your onward flight. Here, we bid you a fond farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand. (B)