Affordable New Zealand Panorama
VALUE ESCORTED TOUR
CHRISTCHURCH | LAKE TEKAPO | OMARAMA | DUNEDIN | TE ANAU | MILFORD SOUND QUEENSTOWN | ARROWTOWN | FRANZ JOSEF | TRANZALPINE TRAIN | PICTON | WELLINGTON | TAUPO | ROTORUA | AUCKLAND
Stunning scenery and cultural delights await on this two week tour of New Zealand as rural beauty combine with bright city lights; ancient culture with modern living. You’ll be amazed at the turquoise beauty of Lake Tekapo and majesty of Mount Cook and the Southern Alps; delight in the Scottish style of Dunedin and the beauty of the Marlborough wine region. Quaint Arrowtown, the eerie silence of Milford Sound and the cruise across the Cook Strait are sure to delight you whilst the cultural experiences and geothermal magic of Rotorua, and the nation’s capital Wellington, will be sure to amaze you.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Explore Auckland, known as the “City of Sails”
- Learn all about the Maori Culture in Rotorua
- See the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo
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Your Itinerary
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Day 1
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Day 2
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Day 3
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Day 4
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Day 5
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Day 6
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Day 7
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Day 8
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Day 9
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Day 10
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Day 11
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Day 12
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Day 13
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Day 14
Day 1 : Arrive Christchurch
On arrival into Christchurch you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel.
Hotel: Heartland Hotel Cotswold
Please note: Dinner on Day 1 is not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.
Day 2 : Christchurch - Omarama
After an introductory city sights tour depart Christchurch and travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. On the shores of the lake you’ll see the beautiful Church of the Good Shepherd, where the altar window frames a perfect view of the Southern Alps beyond the lake. The church was built in 1935 for the pioneer families of the Mackenzie district, and it’s a popular photo spot for visitors, so popular in fact, that it is one of the most photographed places in New Zealand! Make sure to see the Sheep Dog Statue. Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available (time and weather permitting) to enjoy a scenic flight (optional) over the Southern Alps before travelling to Omarama.
Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel
Day 3 : Omarama - Dunedin
Depart Omarama and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Enjoy time at this unique precinct where several amazing buildings and shops are on show. Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy a city sights tour followed by some free time. Tonight a Scottish evening will be presented comprising of bagpipes, great food, special Haggis Ceremony and gift.
Hotel: Mercure Leisure Lodge
Day 4 : Dunedin - Te Anau
This morning travel out along the Otago Peninsula to New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle, where you’ll gain an insight into a wealthy Victorian lifestyle and hear of its scandalous history on a guided tour. Then enjoy a delightful Devonshire Tea. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Tonight you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional). Here you’ll experience a mysterious underground world of rushing water before drifting in silent darkness beneath the luminous shimmer of hundreds of glowworms.
Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Day 5 : Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive through the mountains, with a different view at every twist in the road, to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch; experience the sheer beauty of the cascading waterfalls and rainforest clad rock faces. This afternoon travel to Queenstown, set on the shore of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu among dramatic alpine ranges. It’s rumoured that gold prospectors - captivated by the majestic beauty of the surrounding mountains and rivers - gave this now cosmopolitan town its name. Spend the next two nights at this year round resort which offers a wide range of activities and attractions. This evening is free and you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.
Hotel for 2 nights: Mercure Queenstown Resort
Day 6 : Queenstown
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown at leisure. Your Coach Captain and Tour Guide are available to assist with the many sightseeing options available, whether it be the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour to Skippers Canyon or the helicopter ride of a lifetime. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. On arrival sit back and relax as you are treated to the best of New Zealand’s high country cuisine in the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.
Day 7 : Queenstown - Arrowtown – Fox Glacier
Travel to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the mighty West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel to Fox Glacier. Time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
Hotel: Heartland Hotel Glacier Country
Day 8 : Fox Glacier - Arthur’s Pass - Christchurch
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue into Arthur’s Pass and board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains to the elegant city of Christchurch. On arrival your coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
Hotel: Heartland Hotel Cotswold
Day 9 : Christchurch - Picton - Wellington
Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikoura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you will board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington
Hotel for 2 nights: Ibis Wellington
Day 10 : Wellington
A highlight this morning will be time to explore Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum with exhibits that embrace both Maori and European views. Re-board your coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time this afternoon and this evening is also free to choose your own dining arrangements.
Day 11 : Wellington - Taupo - Rotorua
Depart Wellington and view the snow-capped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro as you travel to Lake Taupo. Visit the spectacular Huka Falls, a thundering 11-metre high waterfall is the most visited and photographed natural attraction in New Zealand. The sheer volume of water flowing over the falls amounts to 220,000 litres per second - enough to fill one Olympic sized swimming pool in 11 seconds! Then travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua.
Hotel for 2 nights: Distinction Rotorua
Day 12 : Rotorua
Today begins with a Gondola ride to Cableway Restaurant where a buffet breakfast and spectacular views are on offer. There is also time for a luge ride! Travel to the Agrodome where you see performing sheep, a shearing display and sheep dog trial. Some free time is available before travelling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome Geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening experience an entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert. Experience ceremonial rituals, powerful performances and hangi feasting featuring assorted meats and vegetables cooked in a pit over river rocks and steamed to perfection. Learn about the customs, protocols and stories that have been passed through the generations of time.
Day 13 : Rotorua - Auckland
This morning depart Rotorua and travel north to Auckland. Enjoy time at leisure to discover Auckland. The stunning views of the Waitemata Harbour are only a short walk away. This evening enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Hotel: Rydges Auckland
Day 14 : Depart Auckland
Time to say goodbye today and you’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight after a memorable New Zealand holiday. Or perhaps you’ll stay on a while and explore Auckland. We would be delighted to make arrangements for you.
