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| Day by Day Itinerary: |
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| Day 1 - Christchurch / Mt Cook / Omarama |
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Your tour departs from the Pavilions Hotel, 42 Papanui Road at 8.00am.
A city sights tour will highlight the main attractions of Christchurch before traveling across the Canterbury Plains into the MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Collie Dog statue at Lake Tekapo. Opportunity to fly over the Southern Alps with Air Safaris (optional), before continuing to Mt Cook National Park. Admire the majesty of Mt Cook before traveling on to Omarama.
Heritage Gateway Hotel. (1 night) |
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| Day 2 - Omarama / Dunedin |
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 Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin – the “Scottish” city. An early arrival allows the choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newton’s Citibus tour to see the albatross, penguins and seals. Enjoy the historic and scenic Taieri Gorge train excursion or explore the city only a few minutes walk away. This evening prior to Dinner you will be treated to a traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony, complete with piper, address to the Haggis and gift.
Cargills Hotel. (1 night) |
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| Day 3 - Dunedin / Lake Manapouri / Te Anau |
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Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri before arriving at Lake Te Anau.
Fiordland National Park Hotel. (1 night) |
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| Day 4 - Te Anau / Milford Sound / Queenstown |
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| Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, pass through the Homer Tunnel and descend into the Cleddau Canyon to reach majestic Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and the Bowen and Stirling Falls. Return to Te Anau and on to Mossburn, then skirt the shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach Queenstown. Dinner tonight is at the Skyline Restaurant, where both the dining and the views are unsurpassed. Rydges Hotel (2 nights) |
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| Day 5 - Queenstown |
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 A day to explore the delights of this alpine resort at your leisure. Your Coach Captain will happily advise on the many sightseeing activities available. We recommend the world famous Shotover Jet Boat ride, take a Gondola to the Skyline high above, a tour to the gold mining area of Skippers Canyon or for the adventurous – white water rafting. Alternatively browse in the many shops and galleries. |
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| Day 6 - Queenstown / Haast Pass/ Fox Glacier |
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Pass picturesque Lake Hayes on to an area steeped in fascinating history relating to early settlement and the goldmining era, to Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Pass Lake Hawea and the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora into Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the coast to the glacier region. Explore the township or take the optional guided walk to the glacier’s terminal face.
Fox Glacier Hotel. (1 night) |
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| Day 7 - Fox Glacier / Greymouth / Christchurch |
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Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glacier then on to Franz Josef. Snowcapped Southern Alps dominate the skyline as you pass dense bush, tiny landlocked lakes and small pockets of farmland. Visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory where craftsmen cut and polish giant boulders to create fine jewellery. Now join the Tranz Alpine train for one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world. Through rainforests to Otira, snowcapped peaks of the Southern Alps, the rugged Gorges of the Waimakariri river and across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
Pavilions Hotel. (1 night) |
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| Day 8 - Christchurch / Kaikoura/ Blenheim |
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Join the Tranz Coastal train for a kaleidoscope of scenery across fertile Canterbury farmland through the Hundalee Ranges. Follow the Pacific coastline, with the Kaikoura mountains forming a rugged backdrop to the west, passing tiny holiday settlements and Kaikoura, famous for whale-watching. Arrive in Blenheim early afternoon. A short tour of the area includes a visit to Montana Winery. Enjoy a hosted tour of the winery, learn about and taste a range of the famous local wines (purchase if you wish) followed by afternoon tea.
Blenheim Country Hotel (1 night) |
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| Day 9 - Blenheim / Picton / Wellington |
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 Drive to Picton, nestled on the shores of the Marlborough Sounds, to board the Interislander ferry. Sail through picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound, sheltered waterways, remote bays and isolated holiday homes. Across Cook Strait and into Wellington Harbour for spectacular views of New Zealand’s Capital City. A city tour will incorporate the summit of Mt Victoria for panoramic views of the city and harbour, the Houses of Parliament and the distinctive “Beehive”, Wellington Cathedral, city centre and Oriental Bay. Also explore the city yourself. Don’t miss Te Papa, the “Museum of New Zealand” or take a ride on the famous Cable Car.
Bay Plaza Hotel. (1 night) |
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| Day 10 - Wellington / Taupo / Rotorua |
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| Drive to Paekakariki with views of Kapiti Island and on a clear day, the South Island. Cross the Himitangi Plains, through the towns of Levin and Foxton to Bulls. Across rolling farmland to the central North Island National Park, dominated by the volcanic cone of Mt Ruapehu. Follow the Desert Road to Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake and famous for trout fishing. Stop at Huka Falls skirting massive pine forests to reach Rotorua, centre of Maori culture. Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua. (2 nights) |
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| Day 11 - Rotorua |
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 A sightseeing tour visits the Agrodome for a display featuring New Zealand’s various sheep breeds with a shearing demonstration. See pools of brown and rainbow trout at Rainbow Springs Park and native birds including the Kiwi. Visit Te Puia, the Maori Arts and Crafts Center and Thermal Reserve, with boiling mud, silica terraces and Pohutu Geyser. The spectacular Skyline Gondola offers superb views over city, lake and mountains and for a little excitement, try a Luge ride with compliments. Time for optional activities this afternoon before a Maori hangi (meal) with a selection of traditionally prepared meats and vegetables plus conventional dishes, followed by a concert featuring Maori songs, chants and the stirring haka. |
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| Day 12 - Rotorua / Waitomo / Auckland |
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Cross the Mamaku Ranges to the Waikato region, noted for dairy farming and world famous horse studs. At Waitomo, a guide will escort your group underground to the limestone caverns and glow worm grotto. On through Hamilton to Ngaruawahia, centre for the region’s Maori people, then alongside the Waikato River before crossing the Bombay Hills to reach New Zealand’s largest city – Auckland. A city tour will visit the summit of Skytower, at 328m the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere for superb city and harbour views, the downtown area and Waterfront Drive.
Your tour concludes at approximately 5.30pm. |
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| Departure Dates: |
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| TOUR |
START MON
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FINISH FRI
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| TOUR |
START MON
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| J28 |
05 Jan 2009 |
16 Jan 2009 |
| J29 |
12 Jan 2009 |
23 Jan 2009 |
| J30 |
19 Jan 2009 |
30 Jan 2009 |
| J31 |
26 Jan 2009 |
06 Feb 2009 |
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| J32 |
02 Feb 2009 |
13 Feb 2009 |
| J33 |
09 Feb 2009 |
20 Feb 2009 |
| J34 |
16 Feb 2009 |
27 Feb 2009 |
| J35 |
23 Feb 2009 |
06 Mar 2009 |
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| J36 |
02 Mar 2009 |
13 Mar 2009 |
| J37 |
09 Mar 2009 |
20 Mar 2009 |
| J38 |
16 Mar 2009 |
27 Mar 2009 |
| J39 |
23 Mar 2009 |
03 Apr 2009 |
| J40 |
30 Mar 2009 |
10 Apr 2009 |
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| J41 |
06 Apr 2009 |
17 Apr 2009 |
| J42 |
13 Apr 2009 |
24 Apr 2009 |
| J43 |
20 Apr 2009 |
01 May 2009 |
| J44 |
27 Apr 2009 |
08 May 2009 |
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| J46 |
11 May 2009 |
22 May 2009 |
| J48 |
25 May 2009 |
05 Jun 2009 |
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| J50 |
08 Jun 2009 |
19 Jun 2009 |
| J53 |
29 Jun 2009 |
10 Jul 2009 |
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| J54 |
06 Jul 2009 |
17 Jul 2009 |
| J55 |
13 Jul 2009 |
24 Jul 2009 |
| J57 |
27 Jul 2009 |
07 Aug 2009 |
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| J58 |
03 Aug 2009 |
14 Aug 2009 |
| J11 |
10 Aug 2009 |
21 Aug 2009 |
| J14 |
31 Aug 2009 |
11 Sep 2009 |
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| J15 |
07 Sep 2009 |
18 Sep 2009 |
| J16 |
14 Sep 2009 |
25 Sep 2009 |
| J17 |
21 Sep 2009 |
02 Oct 2009 |
| J18 |
28 Sep 2009 |
09 Oct 2009 |
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* Starts Saturday, finish Wednesday
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