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| Day 1 Arrive Auckland |
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Day 9 Dunedin - Te Anau |
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We'll transfer you from the airport to your hotel. Check in and the rest of the day is Auckland, your way. This evening meet your Tour Cirector and fellow travellres for a Welcome Reception and dinner at the top of the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere, Auckland's Skytower at Orbit, a revolving restaurant with 360 degree views of the city.
Hotel: Skycity Grand Hotel, Auckland D
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First up we take a guided tour of New Zealand's only castle - Larnach Castle and its garden, then we head off across rich fertile, sheep-filled farming land on the way to Te Anau, on the shores of Lake Te Anau, the South Island's largest.
Hotel: Distinction Hotel. B D
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| Day 2 Auckland - Rotorua |
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Day 10 Milford Sound |
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After a sightseeing tour of Auckland, head south to trace New Zealand's longest river, the Waikato, to the Waitomo Caves to visit the amazing Glow Worm Grotto. A local guide will lead you through the grotto by boat and you'll walk in the limestone caves. Then on to Rotorua. Soak up views of Lake Rotorua on our orientation tour. Tonight experience The Realm of Tãne and then you are invited to a Maori Hangi feast and concert at the Tamaki Family Marae.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua, 2 nights. B D
Farm Stay Option Experience farm life first hand. For an extra $85 per person enjoy genuine New Zealand hospitality this evening.
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Be awe-struck by the magnificence of the Fiordland National Park, not only a World Heritage Park but also New Zealand's largest. Amazing photo opportunities await as we see rainforest, ancient glaciers, mountain ranges and the hand-made Homer Tunnel. Mirror Lakes, Pop's Lookout. Claudu Valley and The Chasm. Mitre Peak. Bowen Falls. Cruise on Milford Sound. We travel over the Devil's Staircase along the shores of Lake Wakatipu back to Te Anau. On arrival in Queenstown we have an orientation tour.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 2 nights. B
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| Day 3 Rotorua |
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Day 11 Queenstown 'Free Time' |
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Start the day with a ride on the Skyline Gondola and breakfast with stunning views over Lake Rotorua. VIsit the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. See volcanic craters, steaming ground and bubbling mud pools on an exclusive guided tour of the geothermal valley. B
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Explore action adventure Queenstown your way. Take it easy with wine or garden tours. Or go wild with jet boat rides or white water rafting. Just be back in time for dinner at Walter Peak Sheep Station. We travel there and back across Lake Wakatipu via the TSS Earnslaw, New Zealand's oldest steamship. B HD
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| Day 4 Rotorua - Wellington |
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Day 12 - Queenstown - Franz Josef |
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From the mountains to the sea. View the Huka Falls. Visit Taupo and drive along the shores of its lake. Travel through the alpine scenery of Mt. Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park, Manawatu, The Kapiti Coast. On our Wellington City Sights Tour see the city from Mt. Victoria.
Hotel: Travelodge . B D
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Today experience Arrowtown, the sensational stone fruit of Cromwell, Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea, Lake Dunstan. Haast Pass, Thunder Creek Falls. A small rainforest walk. Then the 'pièce de résistance' - Franz Josef Glacier - the world's most accessible glacier.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef. B D
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| Day 5 Wellington - Blenheim |
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Day 13 Franz Josef - Punakaiki |
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Explore Wellington for yourself this morning before we visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. Later we'll cruise the Cook Strait into tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound. The seaside village of Picton is next, then Blenheim and anorientation tour. We'll enjoy a tour, dinner and tasting at Georges Michel Wine Estate, a family owned and run winery in the heart of the Marlborough region. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Marlborough B HD
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Explore Franz Josef Glacier - take an optional flight (weather permitting) or a glacier hike! Then we depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. It's on to our waterfront hotel at Punakaiki, where we'll view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. You'll stay in an eco-friendly resort right on the waterfront.
Hotel: Punakaiki Resort, Punakaiki. B D
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| Day 6 Kaikoura - Christchurch |
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Day 14 TranzAlpine - Christchurch |
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On the way to Kaikoura we pass the Grassmere Salt Works with a chance to see New Zealand fur seals at Ohau Point. Travel to Christchurch and see the extensive work carried out to rebuild the city after the earthquake of Feb 2011. Hotel: Rendezvous. B
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Enjoy time at leisure before travelling via Greymouth to Arthur's Pass where we'll board the TranzAlpine, one of the top 6 train journeys in the world, to travel through the Southern Alps to Christchurch. Joun your Tour Director this evening for a farewell dinner.
Hotel: Rendezvous Hotel. B FD
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| Day 7 Mount Cook |
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Day 15 - Depart Christchurch |
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Depart the city and head for the Canterbury Plains. . You are Invited - enjoy a taste of country life with a barbecue lunch on a working farm. We see Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and soak up the spectacular alpine scenery of Mt. Cook National Park.
Hotel: Heritage Gateway, Omarama . B L D
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The tour concludes after breakfast. You'll be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward journey. B
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| Day 8 Dunedin |
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We see the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme, Benmore Dam and the white limestone buildings of Oamaru. A Dunedin city tour, then your afternoon is at leisure - maybe take a Wildlife Cruise, a Cadbury Factory visit or ride the Taieri Gorge Railway.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City. B D
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3 DAYS IN BAY OF ISLANDS Add the spectacular Bay of Islands Go dolphin watching, sea-kayaking or sailing. Ask for details.
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(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner (HD) Highlight Dinner
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