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Day 1: Auckland (D)
You will be met and transfered to your accommodation on arrival to Auckland International airport. The rest of the day is yours to relax and recover ahead of the evening’s event – a ‘Meet and Greet Dinner’ to acquaint yourself together with your travel companions whom you will share the next 15 days together on this amazing journey.
Day 2: Auckland – Whangarei - Paihia (B, L, D)
Today we embark on a 'City Sights' tour of Auckland before our travels take us north meandering over the Brynderwyn ranges arriving in Northland's capital, 'Whangarei' where you will be greeted by your Indigenous hosts before embarking on a gentle ‘Eco – Forest Nature Walk’ including New Zealand’s iconic 'Kauri Trees’. Be indicted by the Myths and Legends presented by your own personal Maori Guide as they deliver the Cultural significance and bring to life the story of this amazing tree species through song - 'waiata' and prayer - 'mihi'. After a sumptuous lunch, we continue on, stopping to view the famous "Hunderwasser Toilets" in the small township of 'Kawa Kawa' before arriving at our destination for the next two nights, Paihia in the Bay of Islands. Upon settling into your accommodation, the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy the atmosphere and serenity of this popular beachside resort.
Day 3: Bay of Islands (B)
Today has been set aside for you to enjoy the multitude of optional activities on offer in and around Paihia - maybe a boat cruise to the infamous 'Hole in the Rock', 'Helicopter ride' or 'Paragliding', to name a few or simply relax at your own leisure and pace.
Day 4: Bay of Islands – Auckland (B, L)
This morning we visit the 'Waitangi Treaty Grounds' - which holds an important place in New Zealand's history before we leave the Bay of Islands and Paihia, stopping at 'Ruapekapeka Pa' - one of the most famous battle field sites where your Indigenous hosts will explain the significance of this piece of Northland and Maori history. Lunch will be at a 'local Pub' before arriving early afternoon in Auckland.
Day 5: Auckland - Rotorua (B, D)
Today we make our way over the Bombay Hills and through the Hauraki Plains arriving in the ‘Bay of Plenty’ and ‘Rotorua’ – New Zealand’s premier destination. There is a lot to see, hear and do in this ‘Geothermal & Geyser Wonderland’. We visit the ‘Whakarewarewa Thermal Village’ – the only living Maori Village in New Zealand and view spectacular geothermal activity – ‘Pohutu’ and ‘Prince of Wales Geysers’, pools of boiling water – turned to steam reaching into the heavens and bubbling mud, before settling into our accommodation for the night. This evening, you will be treated to an authentic ‘Maori Cultural Performance’. See ‘Maori warriors’ arrive in their ‘war canoe’, then be entertained in authentic surroundings by Rotorua’s most exciting interactive show casing of traditional ‘song’, ‘dance’, and ‘weaponry manoeuvres’. A traditionally cooked 'Maori hangi' is provided for dinner. The evening finishes with a short 'bush walk' to the ‘crystal clear water springs’. We capture glimpses of ‘glow worms’ along the way.
Day 6: Rotorua - Christchurch (B, D)
The morning is 'FREE' for you to explore and enjoy Rotorua at your own pace. You may want to try the many optional activities this popular destination has on offer - maybe take a Helicopter flight over the Lakes or treat yourself to a Mud bath or Spa? We then depart Rotorua early afternoon and fly to Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island. On arrival, a 'City Sights tour' will be made before checking into our accommodation. The rest of the evening is yours to explore what this city has on offer.
Day 7: Christchurch – Kaikoura - Christchurch (B)
Today we will make our way north-east to ‘Kaikoura’ and board a vessel to view ‘Giant Sperm Whales’ as part of a unique and popular ‘eco – experience’. Kaikoura is a special place of lush pastures and towering, snow covered peaks that fall into the sea. This rare magic continues just offshore where a deep undersea canyon combines with unusual sea currents attracting an extraordinary abundance of marine life, the most famous being the 'Sperm Whale'. ‘Whale Watching’ in Kaikoura is the ‘must-do activity’ while in this wondrous, peaceful town. Not only do you get a rare chance to get up close with these majestic mammals, you also get to appreciate the importance of the environment they reside in.
Day 8: Christchurch – Lake Tekapo – Wanaka (B)
This morning we take in the sights in and around the city before departing Christchurch heading through the rich irrigated farmlands of the ‘Canterbury Plains’, into the ‘McKenzie basin’ toward the mighty ‘Southern Alps’ stopping along the way at ‘Lake Tekapo’ where we will lunch. We leave Lake Tekapo and make our way towards Wanaka our destination for the day.
Day 9: Wanaka (B)
‘Wanaka’ is primarily a resort town with many outdoor opportunities. Nestled behind the ‘Southern Alp’s, ‘Wanaka’ has something for everyone, whatever age, ability or sense of adventure. You will have the whole day here to explore on your own and try the different activities on offer.
Day 10: Wanaka – Queenstown – Te Anau (B, L, D)
Leaving Wanaka we closely follow the course of the mighty ‘Kawarau River’ making a brief stop at the picturesque settlement of ‘Arrowtown’, before arriving at a ‘Vineyard’ for our group ‘Wine Cave Tour’ We will travel into the hillside through underground caves which have been blasted out of the solid mountain schist rock in order to provide the perfect natural environment to mature their award-winning wines before sampling some of the local product. Travelling on we arrive at the Resort town of ‘Queenstown’ – New Zealand’s adventure capital, before making our way to the ‘Skyline Gondola’ and enjoy a ‘Buffet lunch’ with panoramic views of 'Lake Wakatipu' as your backdrop. Following lunch we stop at the ‘Kawarau Bridge’ the site of the world's first commercial ‘Bungy jumping’ operation - A J HACKETT – for those adventurous enough to experience the ‘original’ Bungy jump as an option, or maybe just to watch others do so before arriving late afternoon in the small township of ‘Te Anau’ – situated on the shores of ‘Lake Te Anau’.
Day 11: Te Anau – Doubtful Sounds (B)
Today we embark on an amazing day tour of ‘Doubtful Sounds’ and ‘Lake Manapouri’. We join our cruise across island-studded ‘Lake Manapouri’. On arrival at ‘West Arm’ we board our coach for the 2km journey underground into the machine hall of the amazing ‘Manapouri Power Station’. Thereafter we travel by coach for a spectacular journey over the ‘Wilmot Pass’ road to ‘Deep Cove’ in ‘Doubtful Sound’.
On arrival into ‘Doubtful Sound’ you board your well appointed catamaran awaiting you in ‘Deep Cove’. During the afternoon, you will cruise the full length of the ‘fiord’, weaving through hidden coves and waterways. ‘Bottlenose dolphins’ are often encountered, ‘fur seals bask on the rocks’ and, at times, ‘rare penguins’ can be seen. After this ‘full-day’ cruise, the rest of the evening is yours for you to spend at your own leisure.
Day 12: Te Anau - Dunedin (B)
Today we leave ‘Te Anau’ and make our way to ‘Dunedin’. Along the way, we pass through ‘Lumsden’ and across the river plains to ‘Gore’ before arriving in ‘Balclutha’ with it’s distinctive arched concrete bridge and museum, where we stop for lunch. The fresh, green farm scenery will accompany us as we travel past the historic mill town of ‘Milton’ – the unusual kink in the main road is where two surveyors didn’t quite meet, arriving early evening in ‘Dunedin’ – home to ostentatious Victorian architecture, wild-life and heritage. On arrival, we enjoy a ‘City Sights tour’ of Dunedin taking in 'Signal Hill', 'Baldwin Street', (world’s steepest street), 'Settlers museum', 'Railway station', 'Otago University' before retiring for the day.
Day 13: Dunedin - Oamaru (B, D)
The morning is we depart for the 'Otago peninsula' to observe 'Yellow-eyed penguins' with their young in the nesting area and a visit to New Zealand’s widely known castle. As the afternoon rolls on we journey west leaving Dunedin in our wake stopping at the ‘Moeraki Boulders’ before continuing on arriving in Oamaru.
Day 14: Oamaru – Christchurch (B,D)
Today we make our way north returning to Christchurch early afternoon. The rest of the day is yours for you to explore the city or catch up on some last minute shopping. Later this evening, a ‘FAREWELL DINNER – HAERE RA’ Group party will be part of a ‘special dinner’ arranged for YOU to indulge in a union of comradeship and friendship before departing New Zealand. Hosts for the night will be your ‘Indigenous Guides’, and a customary – ‘Poroporoaki – Maori Farewell’, performed in acknowledgement that soon you will be leaving these shores to venture onwards …
Day 15: Christchurch (B)
After check-out. you will be transfered to the airport for your international flight.
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