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Itinerary
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DAY 1 and DAY 2
LAX or SFO/AUCKLAND |
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Kia Ora! Welcome to New Zealand! Don’t forget that you have crossed the International Date Line and have lost a day during your 13-hour flying time (estimated) to Auckland. You are met at the airport by our representative, who will answer questions, counsel about your trip, and arrange transfer to your hotel. This afternoon, you will have a sightseeing tour of the city, featuring: Views from Mt Eden (one of several extinct volcanoes in the region), a visit to the boutique and specialty shops of Parnell Village, a visit to the Auckland Domain and Auckland War Memorial Museum, and a drive along the waterfront to Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World and Antarctic Encounter. Here you will view marine life from a diver’s perspective through the perspex tunnel and take a vitual trip to the ‘South Pole’ to see the live penguin display and a replica of Scott’s Hut as it is today on the frozen continent. . (Meals Aloft)
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DAY 3
AUCKLAND / WAITOMO / ROTORUA
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| Following breakfast this morning, collect a Mitsubishi Lancer or similar automatic vehicle and drive south over the Bombay Hills through the fertile farmlands of the Waikato Valley to Waitomo in the King Country. You will enjoy a guided tour of the famous Waitomo Cave Limestone Cave, featuring a boat ride on an underground stream into the Glowworm Grotto. Lunch is provided before continuing on through picturesque countryside and across the bush clad Mamaku Ranges to the thermal wonderland of Rotorua. (For an added cost, you may choose a more adventuresome route through the caves, and abseil (repel) into the black abyss, followed by black-water rafting. (BL) |
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DAY 4
ROTORUA
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Morning sightseeing includes a tour of Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and the Maori Arts & Craft Institute – home of the Pohutu Geyser and the Maori Arts and Crafts Centre where young Maori are taught the carving and weaving skill of their ancestors. Also included is the popular sheep show at the Agrodome where you will learn about the sheep industry in New Zealand and see the working dogs demonstrate their skill on these animals. Then enjoy a walk through restful grounds of Rainbow Springs – see the Rainbow Trout swimming freely in the crystal clear pools and streams, view the Tuatara – New Zealand’s living fossil and visit the nocturnal kiwihouse to see this shy creature which is a New Zealand icon. Evening hangi dinner and concert of Maori song and dance included. (BD)
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DAY 5
ROTORUA / CHRISTCHURCH |
Fly to Christchurch where you are met by our rep and transferred to your hotel. Afternoon is free to explore the Garden City. New Zealand was a British colony and Christchurch prides itself for its British heritage and appearance. Your hotel is in the heart of Cathedral Square, which is ideal for exploring the city. Our rep or the concierge will help plan your afternoon. An optional guided sightseeing tour features some of the parks and gardens for which Christchurch is so well known; visit Mona Vale Gardens, Hagley Park, the Avon River, the Cathedral, Town Hall, Canterbury Arts Center and the International Antarctic Center. This evening, you are free to explore the many restaurants and cafes of Christchurch.
(B)
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DAY 6
CHRISTCHURCH / FRANZ JOSEF |
| Board the TranzAlpine for a fabulous train ride through the Southern Alps. Pick up your rental car in Greymouth and continue your journey through the town of Hokitika, well known for its greenstone (jade) studios where jewelery and ornaments of both modern and traditional design are crafted. Continue on the South Islands scenic coastal roads and mountain highways to Franz Josef village. Stop at one of the scenic overlook along the way, and gaze at the beauty of the Tasman Sea as the cold winds from Antartica push it against the shore. On arrival visit the glacier, a huge river of snow and ice flowing from vast snowfields high in the Alps to almost sea level. (For extra cost, we can arrange a short scenic helicopter flight over the 2 glaciers, with a snow landing for photos, or a longer heli-hike with landing on the glacier, and hike into the ice caves.) (B) |
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DAY 7
FRANZ JOSEF / QUEENSTOWN |
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Depart Franz Josef traveling south along the coast through the beautiful, if isolated region of the west coast, turning inland and traveling through magnificent rainforests across the Haast Pass. Visit awesome Mt Aspiring National Park and descend past glacial lakes Hawea and Wanaka. Wanaka is one of the most beautiful of the South Island's popular vacation spots. You will cross the magnificent Crown Range, which includes several sites used in filming the "Lord of Rings" trilogy, or alternatively drive through Otago sheep country and Kawaru Gorge to Queenstown. (B)
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DAY 8
QUEENSTOWN |
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Free day. Many visitors return wishing that they had spent more time in the Queenstown area. Queenstown is a beautiful lakeside resort situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and at the base of the Remarkables mountain range. There is a wide choice of optional tours and activities such as visiting Arrowtown, the gondola to Bob's Peak, lake cruises, jet boating, river rafting, fishing, golf, etc. One option is the 45 minute drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy, which is one of the most beautiful drives on earth. (B)
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DAY 9
MILFORD SOUND DAY EXCURSION
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| A full day tour traveling through Fiordland National Park. The scenery is spectacular with lofty mountains and deep valleys carved out by Ice Age Glaciers. There are clear rushing mountain streams, waterfalls, and dense rainforest. At Milford Sound board the MV Milford Monarch for a cruise down the fiord. Seals and dolphins are often seen. Close up views of Mitre Peak. Buffet lunch served aboard. Arrive back in Queenstown early evening. (B,L) |
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DAY 10
QUEENSTOWN / MT COOK / CHRISTCHURCH |
| Travel north today through Central Otago, the Lindis Pass and the Mackenzie Country, named after a 19th Century Scottish sheep stealer to Mt Cook National Park. Time for a scenic flight over the area (not included and weather permitting). Continue on past the huge Waitaki Hydro scheme and glacial Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo. Descend to the Canterbury Plains driving through important sheep farming and cropping areas into Christchurch. (Depending upon your international flight, an option today, is to fly to Christchurch or Auckland in order to make an easy connection tomorrow.(B) |
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DAY 11
DEPART NEW ZEALAND |
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Morning sightseeing tour features the parks and gardens for which
Christchurch is so well known. Take in whichever of the sights that you
missed on Day 8. Return your rental car at the airport and depart for
home. (B)
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| All rights resetrved: NZ Tour & Travel, and Travel Plans International --- Updated: 6/13/2006 |
