15 Day New Zealand Splendour
Visit the must see sights of New Zealand on AAT Kings 15 Day New Zealand Splendour, see Christchurch, Queenstown, Franz Josef, Rotorua, Auckland & more.
- Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
- Maori Hangi feast and concert
- Agrodome Sheep Show
- Visit Te Papa
- Cruise across Cook Strait
- Church of the Good Shepherd
- See mighty Mt. Cook
- Tour the sights of Dunedin
- Cruise on Milford Sound
- Day at leisure in Queenstown
- Spectacular Fox Glacier
- TranzCoastal Train Option
- TranzAlpine Train Option
- INCLUDED Maori Cultural Experience
- ‘You are invited’ experience
PREMIUM HOLIDAY INCLUSIONS
Quality Touring
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Professional Team
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» Tour also available in reverse: Christchurch to Auckland » Click here to view the tour
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DATES & PRICES |
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2013 » From $4795 per person |
2014 » From $4550 per person |
Travel Dates are subject to change due to bookings and availability. Please contact us for Rates and Available Travel Dates.
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SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive Auckland
Airport transfer and hotel check-in, then you’re free to see Auckland for yourself. An evening welcome drink followed by dinner with your Tour Director.
Hotel: SKYCITY Grand Hotel, Auckland. HD
Day 2: Auckland – Rotorua
See Auckland on our City Sights tour. Tracing the Waikato River you’ll travel to Waitomo Caves to tour the amazing Glow Worm Grotto. At Rotorua, you’ll take in views of Lake Rotorua and more on our orientation tour.Tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and concert for an insight into Maori culture.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua, 2 nights.BC D
Day 3: Rotorua
Watch the Agrodome Sheep Show then the afternoon is yours. Our option tonight isThe Realm of Tane, a journey through Maori mythology and our story of creation. BC
Day 4: Rotorua – Wellington
Heading south, you’ll view the Huka Falls. Visit Taupo. Drive along the shores of New Zealand’s biggest lake, through the alpine scenery of Mt. Ruapehu. Tongariro National Park and the dairy farms of Manawatu. Then it’s along the Kapiti Coast to Wellington for a City Sights tour.
Hotel: James Cook Grand Chancellor, Wellington.B D
Day 5: Wellington – Blenheim
This morning you can explore Wellington before you visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, with time to discover it yourself. Later, cruise the Cook Strait into tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound. The seaside village of Picton is next, then Blenheim for a city tour. Tonight you'll enjoy a tasting, tour and Highlight Dinner at Georges Michel Wine Estate, a family owned and run winery in the heart of the Marlborough region.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Marlborough, Blenheim. B D
Day 6: Blenheim – Christchurch
En route to the whale-watching haven of Kaikoura, you'll pass the Grassmere Salt Works and see New Zealand fur seals up close at Ohau Point. Explore Kaikoura or take an optional scenic whale-watching flight. Travel to Christchurch over the patchwork Canterbury Plains and see the extensive work carried out to the rebuild the city after the earthquake of February 2011.
Hotel: Novotel, Christchurch. B
Day 7: Christchurch – Twizel
After a morning at leisure travel over the patchwork countryside of the Canterbury Plains, where the spectacular sightseeing begins. Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki are first up. Next you’ll visit the Church of the Good Shepherd before soaking up the sensational alpine landscape of Mt. Cook National Park (optional scenic flight).
Hotel: MacKenzie Country Inn, Twizel. B L D
Day 8: Twizel – Dunedin Included Choice
Our day starts along the Waitaki River with the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and Benmore Dam. Travel through Oamaru with its famous white limestone buildings to Dunedin, where you tour the city. Then you’ve got the afternoon to yourself – take a Wildlife Cruise, visit the Cadbury Chocolate Factory or ride the historic Taieri Gorge Railway.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City, Dunedin. B D
Day 9: Dunedin – Te Anau
After a morning of time to yourself, during which you might like to tour New Zealand’s Larnach Castle, head off across South Otago’s fertile, sheep-filled farming land en route to Te Anau, on the shores of the largest lake in the South Island. Tonight you may choose to travel by boat to the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves.
Hotel: Distinction Hotel, Te Anau. B D
Day 10: Te Anau – Queenstown
You’ll be awe-struck by great sights from Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound, where you will cruise on the waters of this natural wonder. Along the way to Queenstown, see the Mirror Lake, Cleddau Valley, the Chasm, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, travel along the Devil’s Staircase and the shores of Lake Wakatipu. At Queenstown you’ll have an orientation tour on arrival and enjoy dinner with views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 2 nights. BC
Day 11: Queenstown ‘Free Time’
Explore exciting Queenstown your way, all day – from wine and garden tours to jet boat rides and white water rafting. A delicious buffet at the Skyline Restaurant on Bob’s Peak is your spectacular dining option. Access is via the steepest Gondola in the Southern Hemisphere.Optional Kiwi Haka Maori Show post-dinner. BC HD
Day 12: Franz Josef
Visit the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown on the Arrow River, previously one of the world's richest rivers. Enjoy the tastes of delicious stone fruit at Cromwell, the stone fruit capital. See a trio of lakes, Dunstan, Hawea and Wanaka. Travel over the Haast Pass, view amazing Thunder Creek Falls and take a small rainforest walk. Then it's on to Franz Josef Glacier, the world's most accessible glacier.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier, Franz Josef. B D
Day 13: Franz Josef – Punakaiki
There is time this morning to explore Franz Josef Glacier. You can see it from the air on an optional flight (weather permitting) or take a glacier hike! Depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade), for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. Later, travel to Punakaiki to view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. You'll stay in an eco-friendly resort right on the waterfront.
Hotel: Punakaiki Resort, Punakaiki. B D
Day 14: TranzAlpine – Christcurch
Enjoy some free time before travelling via Greymouth to Arthur's Pass where you'll board the TranzAlpine train, one of the top six train journeys in the world, to travel through the Southern Alps to your accommodation in Christchurch. Join your Tour Director and new-found friends this evening for a Farewell Dinner.
Hotel: Novotel, Christchurch. B FD
Day 15: Depart Christchurch
Your tour concludes this morning after breakfast. You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. B
