Scenic Explorer
Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown, Milford Sound,
Mt Cook, Premier Plus Escorted
- Cruise across Cook Strait and picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound
- Cruise the length of Milford Sound beneath mile-high Mitre Peak
Day 1. Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, Hangi (Feast).
This morning start your tour by ascending to the crest of Mt Eden for views of
the city. Then travel south to Waitomo Caves and take a guided tour of the
underground limestone caverns lit by millions of tiny glow worms. Continue to
Rotorua and tonight, enjoy a Maori Hangi (feast) and cultural performance.
Two Night Stay: Rotorua, Millennium Rotorua.
Day 2. Rotorua, Freedom of Choice Touring.
Today you choose the activity and we will include it. Perhaps visit Te Puia
Thermal Reserve and see bubbling mud pools and exploding geysers, the Maori
Arts and Crafts Institute and the Agrodome for an entertaining sheep and farm
show, perhaps visit Rotorua´s Museum or relax in natural thermal springs
at the Polynesian Spa.
Country Homestay option available tonight.
Day 3. Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington.
Today journey south and see Wairakei Steam Valley, a unique
geothermal power project. View Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s
largest lake, and the thunderous Huka Falls. Cross the
vast volcanic plateau of Tongariro National Park to Wellington,
New Zealand’s capital city and home to New Zealand’s
parliament buildings.
Stay: Wellington, Hotel InterContinental.
Day 4. Wellington, Nelson, Dine Around Dinner.
Today our Interislander cruise takes us from Wellington Harbour, across Cook
Strait and into the breathtaking natural beauty of the Marlborough Sounds.
View magnificent scenery before arriving in the picturesque seaside port of
Picton. This afternoon we journey through the world-renowned orchard and
vineyard region of Marlborough to Nelson. Tonight you may choose from two fine
restaurants. Miyazu, acclaimed as the best Japanese restaurant in New Zealand,
or Oceano, specialising in superb seafood delicacies. Take your pick!
Stay: Nelson, The Rutherford Hotel.
Day 5. Nelson, Franz Josef, West Coast Specialities Dinner.
Journey along the West Coast and enter the World Heritage
listed area of South West New Zealand and view the magnificent
glacier of Franz Josef. Perhaps enjoy a flight over this
alpine region (own expense, weather permitting). Tonight
enjoy a West Coast Specialities Dinner.
Stay: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel.
Day 6. Franz Josef, Wanaka.
View incredible scenery today as we leave this World Heritage
listed area, travelling through Haast Pass and over the
stunning Southern Alps to Wanaka for our overnight stay.
Stay: EXCLUSIVE! Wanaka, Edgewater Resort.
Day 7. Wanaka, Queenstown, Dine Around Dinner.
This morning we depart the lovely lakeside settlement of Wanaka and journey to
the delightful village of Arrowtown, an old goldrush village with a rich
history. Continue to the alpine resort town of Queenstown, the Adventure
Capital of the World, situated on the banks of beautiful Lake Wakatipu.
Tonight we explore Queenstown with our Dine Around Dinner. Perhaps cruise on
the TSS Earnslaw steamboat across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Sheep Station
for a carvery dinner, or enjoy a meal at one of fifteen restaurants and savour
the local flavours.
Two Night Stay: EXCLUSIVE! Queenstown, Sofitel
Hotel.
Day 8. Queenstown, Freedom of Choice Touring.
Today you have the opportunity to personalise your sightseeing. You might like to enjoy a lakeshore and forest walk including morning tea by the lake, venture into Skippers Canyon or relax with a massage.
Day 9. Milford Sound, Te Anau.
This morning we enter Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage-listed area,
and travel along the Milford Road, renowned as one of the world´s finest
alpine drives. On arrival into Milford Sound we board our boat and cruise the
full length of this beautiful fiord. This afternoon we have a relaxing drive
to the pretty lakeside settlement of Te Anau.
Stay: Te Anau Hotel and Villas.
Day 10. Dunedin, Freedom of Choice Touring.
Departing from Te Anau, we journey to Dunedin. This afternoon you choose an
activity that suits you and we will include it, perhaps visit Speights Brewery
or ride the Taieri Gorge Railway.
Stay: Dunedin, Southern Cross Hotel.
Day 11. Dunedin, Mt Cook, Dine Around Dinner.
Travel north along the coast to view the unique and fascinating Moeraki Beach
boulders. Stop at Oamaru, a town renowned for its distinctive limestone
architecture. Pass massive hydro-electric dams and glacier-fed lakes of
incredible colour on our journey to Mt Cook National Park. This evening select
from three outstanding restaurants located within The Hermitage and indulge in
local delicacies, prepared from gourmet produce.
Stay: EXCLUSIVE! Mt Cook, The Hermitage,
with guaranteed views of Mt Cook from your room.
Day 12. Mt Cook, Christchurch.
This morning we journey to the beautiful glacier-fed lake of Tekapo and view
the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. We leave the high country and cross the
vast Canterbury Plains. On the way to Christchurch, you may choose to take the
scenic TranzAlpine Train from Arthurs Pass or continue with the coach through
the Rakaia Gorge to Christchurch. Your tour concludes upon arrival and a
departure transfer to the airport is included.
- Experience Maori culture and thermal activity in Rotorua; discover the beauty of the West Coast and explore the alpine resort of Queenstown.
- Perhaps the most unforgettable moment of your tour will be the Milford Sound cruise.
- Journey along the Milford Road, one of the world´s finest alpine drives.
- Wind down the Eglington and Hollyford valleys, then through the Homer Tunnel to see Mitre Peak rising from the waters of Milford Sound.
- We board our cruise and journey the full length of this beautiful fiord.
- Enjoy a guided tour of Waitomo Caves to see the glow worms
- Experience the geothermal wonders of Rotorua
- Experience Nelson and view the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier
- Visit historic Arrowtown and the alpine resort of Queenstown
- Visit breathtaking Mt Cook National Park
- 11 Breakfasts (B) and 9 Dinners (D)
- 2 Feature Dinners:
- − Maori Hangi (feast) in Rotorua
- − West Coast Specialities Dinner
- EXCLUSIVE! Stay at the iconic Hermitage, Mt Cook, with views of Mt Cook
- EXCLUSIVE! Two nights in the luxurious Sofitel Queenstown
- Two nights in geothermal Rotorua at the Millennium Hotel
- Stay at the Hotel InterContinental in Wellington
-
Twin Share with featrue meals.
- APT´s Recommended Tour Price from
NZ $5,645.00 - Acrossnz Tour price from
NZ $5,363.00
Twin Share with featrue meals.
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If you would like to confirm this tour please click on the enquire button
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- Cultural touring experiences
- Land Content: Fully inclusive of all sightseeing, entrance fees, cruises, meals as specified and accommodation
- Fully trained Tour Director and Tour Driver
- Luxury coaches featuring large panoramic windows, reclining seats and rest room
- $5 Million Consumer Protection Guarantee
- Free travel kit including stylish travel bag
