15 Days: Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, Wellington, Cook Strait, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Glacier Region, Tranz Alpine Train

Tour Overview:
While it is almost impossible to capture the beauty of this marvellous island nation in just a few days, we’ve tried our best to give you an essence of New Zealand with this itinerary. Explore all that New Zealand is famous for – the busting cities of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, the stunning thermal reserves & geysers of Rotorua, and the out-of-a-fairytale like Queenstown, also known as the adventure capital of the world.

DAY 1 – ARRIVE AUCKLAND

On arrival in Auckland, ‘The City of Sails’, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

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DAY 2 – AUCKLAND

Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Auckland city including a visit to Kelly Tarlton’s Sealife Aquarium and Antarctic Encounter. The remainder of the day is free. (B)

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DAY 3 – AUCKLAND / WAITOMO / ROTORUA

Travel south through the fertile Waikato region to arrive at Waitomo. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. On completion continue over the Mamaku Ranges to reach the ‘Thermal City’ of Rotorua. (B)

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DAY 4 – ROTORUA

Visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see boiling mudpools and roaring geysers. Following this, visit Rainbow 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. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening enjoy an authentic Maori Hangi (feast) and Concert. (BD)

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DAY 5 – ROTORUA / WELLINGTON

Travel south to reach the popular lake resort of Taupo before continuing on the Desert Road, dominated in the background by the three peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. Continue south through farmland before arriving in the ‘Capital City’ of Wellington (B)

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DAY 6 – WELLINGTON

Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Wellington and a short guided tour of Te Papa (the ‘Museum of New Zealand’) before enjoying a free afternoon to explore New Zealand’s capital city. (B)

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DAY 7 – WELLINGTON / COOK STRAIT / KAIKOURA

Journey across Cook Strait and into the Marlborough Sounds before arriving in Picton. Travel south through the town of Blenheim, before reaching Kaikoura – here you might like to take an optional whalewatch cruise or scenic flight. (B)

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DAY 8 – KAIKOURA / CHRISTCHURCH

Leave Kaikoura behind as you turn inland and travel through North Canterbury to reach the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch. (B)

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DAY 9 – CHRISTCHURCH / MT COOK / QUEENSTOWN

Travel across the fertile Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd before continuing on to New Zealand’s highest mountain – Mt Cook. Depart Mt Cook and follow the shores of Lake Pukaki south through the historic Central Otago region to the ‘Alpine Resort’ of Queenstown. (B)

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DAY 10 – QUEENSTOWN – MILFORD SOUND

Follow the southern arm of Lake Wakatipu to Lumsden, and onward to Lake Te Anau. Enter the Eglinton Valley and travel through the Homer Tunnel to reach Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on this world famous fiord. Return to Queenstown. (B)

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DAY 11 – QUEENSTOWN

A free day to explore the endless optional attractions available. Queenstown offers bungy jumping, jetboating, gondola rides and much more. (B)

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DAY 12 – QUEENSTOWN / GLACIER REGION

Depart Queenstown and travel via Lake Wanaka and through the historic Haast Pass, gateway to the 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)

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DAY 13 – GLACIER REGION

A full day at leisure to explore this magnificent glacier region. Optional activities include a scenic flight or guided walk on one of the glaciers. (B)

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DAY 14 – GLACIER REGION / GREYMOUTH / TRANZ ALPINE TRAIN / CHRISTCHURCH

Travel north to Greymouth and board the world famous Tranz Alpine train. Ascend through lush beech forests past the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass before crossing the spectacular Southern Alps. Travel over Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. (B)

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DAY 15 – DEPART CHRISTCHURCH

Transfer to the airport for your departing flight. (B)

* This tour is also available on self-drive basis

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