ITINERARY

D1: DEPART LONDON

Depart London for New Zealand

D2: Singapore – queenstown (inflight meals)

On arrival in Singapore we will transfer to out flight to Queenstown

D3: Queenstown ( D)

On Arrival in Queenstown we will be met and transferred by coach to our Queenstown hotel for 3 nights.
Dinner is at a local restaurant.

D4: QUEENSTOWN (B, L, D)

After breakfast board the coach to visit the historic goldmining settlement of Arrowtown, spend some time wandering the colonial town with it’s boutique shops, interesting museum and other historic landmarks.
Return to Queenstown for a gondola ride up Bob’s Peak including lunch for panoramic views or hiking along scenic trails. Late afternoon, the coach will take you to Steamers Wharf for a lake cruise on TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station, a working high-country farm. Enjoy a Gourmet Dinner at Walter Peak Homestead.

D5: Queenstown (B, L, D)

Spend the day in Queenstown, set amidst majestic mountains and Lake Wakatipu. We Departure by 4WD vehicle for a A Lord of the Rings Tour, Queenstown adventure safari packed with breathtaking Lord Of The Rings filming locations and thrilling 4WD action. Our guides will rediscover the magic of Tolkien’s Middle-earth for you and bring it to life with little known facts and thrilling tales. On this great escapade, you will see the movie trilogy filming locations such as the Misty Mountains, the Pillars of the Kings (Argonath) and many more. You will also follow a historic gold mining road and take the opportunity to plunder gold. Take in all of this while seeing spectacular panoramic views of the Queenstown area. This is a must do LOTR tour for movie fans! Includes morning or afternoon tea.
At the end of the afternoon, return to the hotel..

D6: Queenstown – TE Anau -Milford Sound – Te Anau (B, L, D)

After breakfast we start our trip to visit the iconic Milford Sound. First, we travel through to Te Anau, a lakeside town at the edge of Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue through pristine wilderness to the Homer Tunnel and descend via winding roads to Milford Sound. We enjoy a cruise with lunch onboard to the fiord’s opening to the Tasman Sea, marvelling at its dramatic beauty. Return to Te Anau for the night. (Approx. 410 km)

D7: Te Anau – Dunedin –(B, L, D)

In the morning after breakfast, we travel through South Otago’s fertile farmlands to Dunedin, a lively university town with Scottish heritage. Continue onwards through Dunedin to Tairoa Heads on the Otago Peninsula for a visit to the Albatross Colony
Overnight in Dunedin. (Approx. 300 km)

D8: Dunedin – Moeraki - Oamaru – Mt Cook Region (B, L, D)

In the Morning, we start with a short city sightseeing tour we start to see the Victorian architecture reflecting its prosperity during the gold rush era, see Baldwin St (worlds steepest street). We thent ravel north from Dunedin following the east coast to Moeraki – the beach with mysterious boulders – we take a walk to the water to see them up close. Continue through the historic ‘steampunk’ town of Oamaru. Drive past the hydro lakes in the wide Waitaki Valley via Omarama & Twizel. Arrive Aoraki/Mt Cook, our destination for the night. (Approx. 316 km)

D9: Mt Cook Region - Lake Tekapo – Christchurch (B, L, D)

From Aoraki/Mt Cook we travel through the sparsely populated Mackenzie Country, visit Lake Tekapo, (where you can optionally take a scenic flight over the Southern Alps). Afterward, we journey through pastoral landscapes to Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island of NZ, where we have a brief city tour reveals its recovery and modern transformation after past earthquakes. (Approx. 340 km).

D10: christchurch (B, - , D)

Discover Christchurch, the vibrant Garden City of New Zealand. Explore its blend of heritage and innovation with highlights like the Botanic Gardens, Avon River, and the rejuvenated city centre. Enjoy art, history, and local flavours on this enriching city tour, perfect for first-time visitors and returning travellers alike. We will take a Tram Ride through the town and Punting on the Avon river. Rest of the day free.

D11: Christchurch – Arthur's Pass National Park – Hokitika – Franz Josef (B, L, D)

Today we embark on a scenic mountain tour: We depart at 8.30am on a panoramic train ride on the TranzAlpine Express from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass. The coach/driver will collect us from the train in Arthurs Pass where we will continue the journey to Hokitika. We continue south along the West Coast, passing former gold rush towns like Ross and Harihari. We the enter the Westland National Park, home to glaciers and stunning natural scenery.
Here you have an Optional to take a helicopter flight over glaciers and mountain peaks (at your on Cost). Overnight in Franz Josef (Approx. 450 km)

D12: Franz Josef - Punakaiki (B, L, D)

In the morning, after breakfast we ravel north along the West Coast to Punakaiki in the Paparoa National Park .Here the sea has carved the famous Pancake Rocks from limestone. The rocks look like giant stacks of pancakes. Be careful not to get soaked by the occasional water spray. Overnight in Punakaiki (Approx. 220km

D13: Punakaiki – Blenheim (B, L, D)

After an early breakfast we travel north along the cost and then inland following the Buller River through the rugged Buller Gorge. We continue our journey through the fertile Wairau Valley, with vineyards as far as the eye can see to Blenheim in the heart of the Marlborough wine region. Overnight in Blenheim (Approx. 310 km)

D14: Blenheim – Picton – Wellington (B, L, D)

After breakfast in the hotel our morning starts with a short drive to Picton which precedes a ferry crossing to the North Island. We can relax on board and keep an eye out for schools of dolphins that often accompany the ferry as the ferry sails through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds, Cook Strait, and into Wellington. Upon arrival, in Wellington we enjoy a city tour of New Zealand’s capital. (Approx. 50 km + 3.5 hour ferry trip

D15: Wellington (B, -, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. We Explore New Zealand’s capital, with a stroll along the beautiful harbour promenade and discover well-preserved Victorian architecture in the city. Or enjoy a variety of optional activities:
Te Papa Tongarewa – the richly equipped national Museum of New Zealand Cable Car – a 5 minute ride from the city up through hillside terraced houses from here there is easy access to the Botanic Garden, Cable Car Museum, Space Place (at Carter Observatory) and Zealandia (via free shuttle).

D16: Wellington to Napier (B, L, D)

Today we Embark on the journey from Wellington, along the coastline for some of the way, then venture inland through charming towns and rolling hills before reaching Napier, a coastal gem known for its Art Deco architecture, vineyards, and views of the Pacific Ocean. An Art Deco guided walk (afternoon or evening) included here. Overnight in Napier (Approx. 330 km)

D17: Napier – Rotorua (B, L, D)

The morning after breakfast, Depart Napier and travel to Taupo, continue from there to the view point of Huka Falls.
A visit to Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland which is a spectacular showcase of New Zealand’s most colourful and unique geothermal elements sculpted by thousands of years of geothermal activity (included)

D18: Rotorua (B, L, D)

Rotorua is situated in a geothermal area and serves as an important cultural centre for the Maori. There's plenty to experience in and around Rotorua. In the morning visit the geothermal activity at Te Puia and be guided through the greenstone, wood carving and flax weaving schools at the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institute, Rotowhio Pa, Kiwi Conservation Centre and Te Whakarewarewa geothermal valley including Pohutu geyser. Next stop will be the Skyline Gondola for lunch (included). End the day with a traditional hangi and concert cultural experience.

D19: Rotorua – Hobbiton – Auckland (B, L, D)

This morning we head north from Rotorua, visit the Hobbiton Movie Set & Farm Tour including lunch, the only preserved film set for the successful cinema trilogy "The Hobbit". Continue to Auckland.
Overnight in Auckland (Approx. 400 km)

D20: AUCKLAND - PAIHIA (BAY OF ISLANDS) (B, L, D)

After breakfast, In the morning, travel north by bus on State Highway 1 through Whangarei, the capital of the “winterless north,” to the subtropical Bay of Islands. In the afternoon, board a cruise boat to navigate the picturesque island labyrinth of the expansive bay. Here, colonial exploration of the country began in the 19th century, leaving a trail of adventurous history. At Cape Brett, a rocky island with the famous “Hole in the Rock” catches everyone’s eye. In Paihia, stay near the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where in 1840, a significant treaty between the British Crown and the Maori was signed, forming the nation of New Zealand.
Paihia 2 nights (Approx. 240 km)

D21: Bay of Islands (B, -, D)

This morning after breakfast, Spend the day in Paihia or enjoy optional excursion.
Cape Reinga - venture to New Zealand’s exciting northern tip to witness the tumultuous meeting of the South Pacific and Tasman Sea, and, tide permitting, drive along a stretch of the seemingly endless Ninety Mile Beach (This is a full 11 hours trip by coach If you wish to do this tour please let us know at the time of booking the trip).

D22: Paihia – Auckland (B, L, D)

Today after breakfast, Travel by coach from the Bay of Islands to the west coast, to the serene Hokianga Bay. New Zealand can be so wonderfully secluded! At Opononi, enjoy the sight of the golden sand dunes. The Waipoua Forest reserve is home to ancient giant Kauri trees that can grow over 50 meters tall. Visit the Kauri Museum in Matakohe before continuing to the vibrant metropolis of Auckland, built on 53 volcanoes, is reached in the late afternoon for our final night in New Zealand. Overnight in Auckland. (Approx. 345 km)

D23: Auckland - London (B)

The tour concludes after breakfast. We will be transferred to Auckland airport for your journey home.

D24: LONDON

Today, we arrive back to London and time to say goodbye to our new friends.

End of the program.

- END OF PROGRAMME -

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• International and Domestic flights
• Accommodation – Twin Share based on the Hotels as specified in the itinerary or similar
• Meals as specified as specified in the itinerary
• Private Coach transportation as specified in the itinerary
• Tour manager from UK and English Speaking Guides
• Entry Fees & Excursions as specified in the itinerary
• Goods and Services Tax (GST)
• Tips

TOUR PRICE EXCLUDES:

• Airport Porterage
• Beverages - unless otherwise stated
• Personal items such as phone calls, souvenirs, email, laundry charges, optional tours.
• Early Check in or Late Check Out - unless otherwise stated
• Surcharge for Special Event Periods - Over these periods, you may incur a surcharge and suppliers may also carry additional terms and conditions.
• Optional Tours