Tour Type: Small Group Tour
Duration: 16 Days
Tour Starts In: Christchurch
Tour Finishes In: Auckland
|
from NZ $6369 pp
|
16 Day Ultimate Explorer Touring Route:
Ultimate Inclusions:
Ultimate Small Group Touring:
- Small group travel – limited to 20 travellers
- Exclusive purpose built luxury touring vehicle
- 15 nights premium hotel accommodation including hotel porterage
- Four 2 night stays
- 4 scenic cruises
- Professional Coach Captain & full commentary
- Fully escorted
- Meet and Greet on arrival in New Zealand
- Personal return airport transfers in New Zealand
- Comprehensive sightseeing and admissions
- Deluxe documentation set travel bag, ticket wallet, toiletry wetpack, travel diary, personal name badge, luggage label, personalised itinerary, touring map, postcard and Optional Tours Directory
Bon Appétit!
- 15 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast at Skyrides Restaurant - Rotorua
- 13 sumptuous dinners including 4 specialty dinners: Maori Hangi & Concert - Rotorua, Haggis Ceremony - Dunedin, Walter Peak Homestead - Queenstown, Farewell Dinner with wine - Auckland (Dinner on Day 1 not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm)
- 1 picnic lunch
- 1 delicious morning tea
Back to top |
Day
1 |
Arrive in Christchurch
On arrival in Christchurch you will be met by a tour representative and transferred to your hotel. Your afternoon is free to explore this wonderful city. Stay: Millennium Hotel Christchurch, Superior Cathedral Square Rooms (D) |
Day
2 |
Christchurch - Twizel
Board the luxurious Ultimate Coach, depart Christchurch and travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and view the Sheep Dog Statue. Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available (time and weather permitting) to enjoy a scenic flight (optional) over the Southern Alps before travelling to Twizel. Stay: MacKenzie Country Inn, Deluxe Rooms (B/D) |
Day
3 |
Twizel - Dunedin
Depart Twizel and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin, a well preserved Victorian city. Enjoy an informative tour including a visit to Olveston House, a prestigious historic home. Tonight a Scottish evening will be presented comprising of bagpipes, great food, special Haggis Ceremony and gift. Stay: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross (B/SD) |
Day
4 |
Dunedin - Te Anau
This morning travel out along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Visit Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens and view the superb collection of flowers, followed by a delightful morning tea. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Tonight you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional). Stay: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (B/D)
|
 |
Day
5 |
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a Milford Sound Cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch. This afternoon travel to Queenstown, overlooking magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year round resort which offers a wide range of activities and attractions. This evening is free and you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants. Stay: Millennium Hotel Queenstown (2 nights) (B/L) |
Day
6 |
Queenstown - Free Day
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown at leisure. Your Coach Captain is available to assist with the many sightseeing options available, whether it be the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour to Skippers Canyon or the helicopter ride of a lifetime. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. On arrival sit back and relax as you are treated to the best of New Zealand’s high country cuisine in the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown. (B/SD) |
Day
7 |
Queenstown - Fox Glacier - Franz Josef
Travel to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the mighty West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow capped peaks of he Southern Alps as you travel to Fox Glacier. Time s available (weather permitting) to experience a scenic flight (optional)
over the spectacular glaciers. Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier, Douglas Wing (B/D) |
Day
8 |
Franz Josef - Arthur’s Pass - Christchurch
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue into Arthur’s Pass and board The TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains to the elegant city of Christchurch. On arrival your coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Stay: Millennium Hotel Christchurch, Superior Cathedral Square Rooms (B/D) |
Day
9 |
Christchurch - Picton - Wellington
Travel along the East Coast to the fishing village of Kaikoura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington. Stay: James Cook Grand Chancellor, Superior Rooms (2 nights) (B/D) |
Day
10 |
Wellington
Today explore this exciting region and enjoy an extensive city tour which explains the history and culture on show in New Zealand’s capital, Wellington. A highlight will be a guided tour of Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum, with exhibits that embrace both Maori and European views of the land, environment and people. Enjoy some free time to explore at leisure this afternoon. This evening is also free and you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants. (B)
|
 |
Day
11 |
Wellington - Taupo - Rotorua
Depart Wellington and view the snow capped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro as you travel to Lake Taupo. Visit the spectacular Huka Falls, then travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua. Stay: Millennium Hotel Rotorua, Lakeview Rooms (2 nights) (B/D) |
Day
12 |
Rotorua
Today begins with a Gondola ride to Skyrides Restaurant where a buffet breakfast and spectacular views are on offer. Travel to the Agrodome where you see performing sheep, a shearing display and sheep dog trial. Next visit Paradise Valley Springs, a superb wildlife park where you can hand feed rainbow trout. Some free time is available before an afternoon transfer to see the boiling mud pools and the awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening you will experience an entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert. (B/SD) |
Day
13 |
Rotorua - Auckland - Bay of Islands
This morning depart Rotorua and travel north via Auckland to the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of a Kauri Tree. Continue via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British. Stay: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands, Deluxe Rooms (2 nights) (B/D) |
Day
14 |
Bay of Islands
This morning travel aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock Cruise. Keep an eye out for bottlenose and common dolphins before returning via Russell to Paihia for a free afternoon. A range of optional activities are available or you may choose to relax and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the waterfront. (B/D) |
Day
15 |
Bay of Islands - Auckland
Depart the Bay of Islands this morning and travel via Whangarei and Dargaville to Matakohe. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum before continuing to Auckland for a city sights tour. This evening you will be treated to a special farewell dinner including wine with your new found friends. Stay: Pullman Auckland (B/SD) |
Day
16 |
Auckland - Homeport
Time to say goodbye. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday. (B) |
 |
Click on the icon to download the 16 Day Ultimate Explorer tour in pdf format. |
 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices are per person, twin share. |
|
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER*
2012 Season Sale! Save $250 per person off the brochure price for this tour & receive a FREE night on us! Exclusive to Relaxing Journeys. Deposit this month to qualify
Valid for bookings made with Relaxing Journeys between 1 February 2012 and 29 February 2012
. Subject to availability at time of booking. |
Tour
Starts |
Tour
Finishes |
Tour
Status |
Brochure
Price |
OUR
SPECIAL |
OUR
PRICE |
| 13 Mar 2012 |
28 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $6619 |
Free Night & $250 |
NZ $6369 |
| 07 May 2012 |
22 May 2012 |
G |
NZ $6619 |
Free Night & $250 |
NZ $6369 |
*Tour Status: 'G' Tours are guaranteed to depart.
|
Single Travellers:
Information for solo travellers. |
| |
| Single Supplement: |
Add |
NZ $1,870 |
*The single supplement above applies for all single bookings.
*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'. |
Travel in Style Merchandise:
A range of stylish accessories that will complement your documentation pack. |
| |
Grand Pacific Tours offer a range of stylish accessories that will complement your documentation pack. These items offer great value for money and will be a memento of your New Zealand holdiay for many years to come. Order any of these items with Relaxing Journeys at the time of booking, as they are not available in New Zealand. Please ask when requesting a quote.
 Jacket $NZ 80, Vest $NZ 70 & Cap $NZ 35 (includes delivery). |
|
        |
