Stunning New Zealand – 10 nights / 11 days (Departs daily)

 
Includes • World Heritage Westland National Park • Beautiful Marlborough Sounds • Art Deco City of Napier
 
Arrive: Auckland

Depart: Christchurch

If no activities are listed, this means there is time to wonder and explore on your own until your assigned departure time. If there are optional sites and activities to see your tour operator will inform you of these.
 
The itinerary below can be made longer / shorter / cities and destinations can be added etc, for a complete custom itinerary please contact me anytime
  
DAY 1: ARRIVE AUCKLAND On arrival in Auckland, you will be met by our local representative for either a private transfer to your hotel or collection of your rental car.
 
DAY 2: AUCKLAND ¬ WAITOMO - ROTORUA Travel south through the fertile Waikato region to arrive at Waitomo. Enjoy a guided tour of the world famous Waitomo Glow-worm Caves including an underground boat ride viewing the millions of glow worms on the cavern roof. On completion continue over the forested Mamaku Ranges to reach the `Thermal City' of Rotorua. (B)
 
DAY 3: ROTORUA - NAPIER This morning visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see boiling mud pools and roaring geysers. Following this visit Paradise Valley Springs to see New Zealand's trout, birds and wildlife before continuing to the Agrodome for a New Zealand farm show featuring sheep dog demonstrations, cow milking and an introduction to the stars of our sheep industry. Depart Rotorua and travel south via the Wairakei Geothermal area to arrive at New Zealand's largest lake, Lake Taupo. Continue over rugged mountain ranges and well cultivated farmland to arrive in the `Art Deco' city of Napier. (B)
 
DAY 4: NAPIER - WELLINGTON Travel through the Manawatu Gorge and Takapau Plains to Palmerston North,famous for its agricultural university. Continue south to arrive in Wellington, New Zealand's capital city. (B)
 
DAY 5: WELLINGTON - CHRISTCHURCH Journey across Cook Strait, which separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand and into the Marlborough Sounds with its sparkling clear waters and lush forests, before arriving in Picton. Travel south through Blenheim and Kaikoura to reach the `Garden City' of Christchurch. (B)
 
DAY 6: CHRISTCHURCH ¬ MT COOK - DUNEDIN Cross the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo and the `Church of the Good Shepherd' before arriving at Mt Cook. Leaving Mt Cook, travel through the historic Victorian precinct of Oamaru and the Waitaki Valley before continuing cross country to the Scottish influenced city of Dunedin. (B)
 
DAY 7: DUNEDIN ¬ QUEENSTOWN This morning is free for optional activities. Leaving Dunedin, travel through South Otago,through Balclutha and Gore and across the fertile Southland Plains to Lake Te Anau. Continue around the southern arm of Lake Wakatipu to reach Queenstown. (B)
 
DAY 8: QUEENSTOWN An opportunity today to explore the endless optional attractions available. Queenstown offers bungy jumping, jet-boating, white water rafting, gondola rides and much more. Optional activities not included in tour price. (B)

DAY 9: QUEENSTOWN ¬ GLACIER REGION Travel along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the Haast Pass, gateway to World Heritage Westland National Park. Continue up the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native forests and lakes to the glacier region of Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. (B)
 
DAY 10: GLACIER REGION GREYMOUTH CHRISTCHURCH Travel north to Greymouth and board the world famous Tranz Alpine train (coach passengers only).Ascend through lush beech forests past the alpine village of Arthur's Pass before crossing the spectacular Southern Alps. Travel beside the Waimakariri River to Christchurch. (B)
 
DAY 11: DEPARTURE DAY Your arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer. We trust you enjoyed your Travel-the-Real-NZ vacation! (B)