Day 01: KIa Ora Welcome to Auckland New Zealand
Be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel - Private Transfer Accommodation for 1 night at: SkyCity Auckland Hotel & Casino (Superior, 3.5 star). Many Indian Restaurant nearby.
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Day 02: Coach Auckland to Paihia
After Early Breakfast, Be collected from inner city hotel Auckland to Bay of Islands –this tour takes you to north via the Hibiscus Coast. See the magnificent native Kauri trees at the Parry Kauri Park and take a short morning tea break (beverages / food not included) in the settlement of Kaiwaka. Journey through spectacular scenery of native forests and sub-tropical bush to the foreshores of the National Maritime Park, arriving at your destination seaside town of Paihia. Overnight stay at Hotel in Paihia.
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Day 03: 90 Mile Beach & Cape Reinga Day Tour
A full day trip that takes you to New Zealand’s northernmost tip, and on the way you will encounter fascinating landscapes, legends and ancient and modern history, with a dash of fun and adventure. Starting in Paihia we travel to the Coopers Beach café on the beautiful east coast where we will have our morning tea stop. This is also an opportunity for you to buy your lunch. A short drive on to Waiharara we arrive at the ancient buried Kauri forest.
Marvel at trees that were buried thousands of years ago, to be uncovered in the gum digging boom that lasted 150 years and help found the culture and diversity of the Northland area as we know it today. Moving to the Aupouri pine forest with its herds of wild horses, we arrive at the famous Ninety Mile Beach*. Enjoy breathtaking views that go on forever as you ride this “highway of the North”. We take an exhilarating ride through the Te Paki stream; known locally as ‘Quick Sand’ stream for good reason. Then give yourself a workout by climbing the giant sand dunes and toboggan back down. Great fun and well worth the effort. Back in the bus and off to Cape Reinga. The magnificent sweeping views of Te Werahi beach down to Cape Maria Van Dieman, the crashing turmoil as the Tasman Sea and the mighty Pacific Ocean collide, the splendid isolation of the lighthouse and the location of the Spirit Tree are just some of the highlights of this extremely spiritual place. We continue our journey to Awanui and the Ancient Kauri Kingdom. Here you can browse the finished products made from ancient and massive Kauri timber. To round off your spectacular day we visit the ‘world famous’ Mangonui Fish shop for afternoon tea/dinner. Grab the freshest fish and chips as the sea washes gently beneath your feet. Another night at Hotel in Paihia.
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Day 04: Self Drive Paihia to Coromandel
Extremely Scenic Self-Drive from Paihia to Coromandel seeing beautiful waterfalls on the way. Rental Vehicle will be delivered to hotel at Paihia (subject to staff availability) and to be returned after 3 Days at Rotorua Airport. Accommodation for 1 night/s at: Coromandel. Many Indian Restaurants nearby
(You must have your driver's license, credit card and voucher with you to get the rental car)
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Day 05: Self Drive Coromandel / Waitomo / Taupo
Guided Tour of Waitomo Caves. When you reach the Caves office (after approx. 4 hr. drive from Coromandel), hand your voucher over and join the next tour through the Caves. The Caves are open daily from 9.00am until 5.00pm. Guided Tours at the Caves depart every 30 minutes and take approximately 45 minutes. Discover the magic that has been attracting visitors for over 100 years. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you through the limestone chambers with their stunning features. The highlight is a silent boat trip through the glowworm grotto when you glide quietly beneath the lights of thousands of glowworms which live on the cave ceiling. Drive further 2 hours to the magnificent Lake Taupo. Enjoy activities or relax. Overnight stay at Hotel in Taupo, Many Indian Restaurants nearby.
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Day 06: Self Drive Taupo to Rotorua
Start self-drive at your convenience after breakfast. On the way from Taupo to Rotorua (1 hr drive), just before entering Rotorua, enjoy Tour Te Puia & Maori Arts & Crafts Institute. Guided tours depart every hour from 8.00 am until 5.00 pm. Allow 2 hours to this place. Please ensure you arrive 5-10 minutes before the start time for the tour you wish to join.
The Te Puia Thermal Reserve is renowned for the famous Pohutu Geyser which erupts 10 to 25 times each day to heights of 16 to 20 metres. The reserve is also filled with boiling mud pools generated by the extreme thinness of the earth's crust in the area. Follow your reserve experience with entry to the Maori Arts & Crafts Institute which is preserving the remarkable heritage of our Maori people and teaching the young craftspeople the traditional arts of bone and greenstone (jade) carving and weaving etc.
While entering Rotorua, first visit Polynesian Spa, understand various treatments and book your reservation accordingly. Entry to Rainbow Springs. Visit at your leisure today.
Step inside Rainbow Springs Nature Park for a refreshing natural New Zealand experience. A place that soothes your senses. Here is a combination of natural elements working together. The quiet majesty of the native bush, ferns, trees and plants that defines Rainbow Springs Nature Park as uniquely New Zealand. Its the crystal clear cold water that flows tirelessly from subterranean springs. Its the silent grace of the magnificent specimens of Rainbow, Brown and Tiger trout cruising the deep fern fringed pools. We are also home to many of New Zealand's native birds, the 'cheeky' kaka, the inquisitive kea, the majestic keruru (wood pigeon) plus many more delightful characters.
This experience also includes the educational static display and kiwi nocturnal house at the park, Agrodome Sheep Show. Please ensure you arrive at the Agrodome 5-10 minutes before the show you wish to enter begins. During the show you will see nineteen sheep breeds introduced onto the stage, the art of sheep shearing, sheepdog demonstrations, cow milking, bottle feed lambs and an exciting sheep auction. Audience participation is a major part of the show highlighting the significance of agriculture in New Zealand.
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Day 07: Return Rental at Rotorua Airport / Flight to Queenstown
Return rental vehicle at Rotorua Airport prior to check-in for your flight to Queenstown. Private Transfer from Queenstown Airport to Hotel. On arrival, you will be met by your driver. After collecting your luggage, be transferred to your Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel in Queenstown.
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Day 8: Coach Milford Sound Day Tour inc Cruise
Depart Queenstown and travel alongside Lake Wakatipu, through Kingston, Garston and Mossburn before arriving Te Anau. Departing Te Anau follow the shores of Lake Te Anau before entering Fiordland National Park which covers 1.2 million hectares. Drive through the 1200 metre long Homer Tunnel before emerging into the Cleaddeau Valley and continuing down to Milford Sound. Board the catamaran and embark on a 1.5 hour cruise out to the Tasman Sea and back with superb views of towering peaks, close ups of the cool mists of tall waterfalls, as well as southern fur seals and the spectacular Mitre Peak. Returning to Milford Wharf where you reboard your coach for your return journey to Queenstown arriving around 7.45pm. Another night at Hotel in Queenstown.
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Day 9: Free Day at Queenstown for Activities (on your own)
Free Day at your Leisure. Another night at Hotel in Queenstown.
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Day 10: Coach Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier Village
Today you will make a short visit to Lake Wanaka and then follow the shore of Lake Hawea through to Makarora. From here you are on the Haast Road which follows the ancient Maori trail to the West Coast. From the Haast Township the scenery changes as you pass through small settlements and lakes full of Trout and Salmon. Once you reach Fox Glacier it is only another 25 minutes to your destination Franz Josef Glacier. Overnight stay at Hotel in Franz Josef Glacier.
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Day 11: Free Day at Franz Josef Village
Free day at your own. Another night at Hotel in Franz Josef Glacier.
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Day 12: Coach & Train Franz Josef Village to Christchurch
Today you will make a short visit to Lake Wanaka and then follow the shore of Lake Hawea through to Makarora. From here you are on the Haast Road which follows the ancient Maori trail to the West Coast. From the Haast Township the scenery changes as you pass through small settlements and lakes full of Trout and Salmon. Once you reach Fox Glacier it is only another 25 minutes to your destination Franz Josef Glacier. Overnight stay at Hotel in Franz Josef Glacier. 9:15 am Franz Josef to Greymouth
This morning continue up the West Coast travelling through the gold rush town of Ross where the largest gold nugget found weighed 2.8 kilograms. We will make a stop at Hokitika where time is available to view the Greenstone (Jade) and Glass Blowing studios. From here, pass through Kumara Junction before arriving at Greymouth which is where the Tranz Alpine train departs from. The award winning Tranz Alpine train is rated as one of the top six scenic train journeys in the world. The train crosses the huge and fertile farmlands of the Canterbury Plains, winds its way over massive viaducts, through spectacular river gorges and the stunning Waimakariri River valley. The highest point is 737 metres at the alpine village at Arthur's Pass. From Arthur's Pass to or from Greymouth the scenery is lush beech forest and tranquil Lake Brunner. On arrival at Christchurch Railway Station, you will be met and transferred to your Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel in Christchurch
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Day 13: Christchurch
Free Day at your Leisure. Overnight stay Hotel in Christchurch
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Day 14: Farewell Christchurch New Zealand
Today, after Breakfast you will be Transferred from Hotel to Airport to board the flight.
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