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New Zealand Panorama tour
16 nights
Small, remote and sparsely populated, the islands of New Zealand are blessed with outstanding scenery, excellent food and wine and stunning outdoor experiences. With views that photographs struggle to do justice to, the diverse landscape includes mountainous and volcanic peaks, age-old forests, rich green plains and glistening lakes, before reaching golden sandy beaches along the coastline. And with vibrant, celebrated Maori culture and heritage entwined through the land, you can expect a unique experience. The North and South islands share many common features, but also differ in many ways. The North Island is rich and fertile, cloaked in dense forest and edged with spectacular coastlines. The South Island is less developed and more extreme, with the jagged Alps dotted with placid lakes cutting through it. Finally, the tiny Stewart Island, a national park in its own right, is home to some of the country’s most treasured and protected wildlife.
Holiday idea
| Day 1 | Arrive Auckland and connect with an onwards flight to Kerikeri in the Bay of Islands. On arrival at Kerikeri Airport collect your rental car and drive to your hotel in Paihia (approximately 15 kms) where you will stay for two nights. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in the Bay of Islands. |
| Day 2 | A full day coach tour to Cape Reinga is included today. Highlights of your journey include the Ninety Mile Beach and a careful navigation of the Te Paki quicksand stream beneath gigantic sand dunes. At Cape Reinga wander out to the lighthouse and enjoy the spectacular views. Visit the magnificent Puketi Forest and enjoy an easy twenty minute boardwalk through the mighty Kauri tree. Lunch is included today during your tour. |
| Day 3 | This morning enjoy a Dolphin swimming cruise and get up close to the dolphins. Watch their antics and get fantastic photos. After the cruise return to Auckland (approximately 236 kms). |
| Day 4 | This morning enjoy a cruise to Rangitoto Island where you will be met by your guide. Journey through Pohutukawa forest, lava trails and fern glens during a guided 2 hours 4WD road train tour and hear about the unique flora and fauna as you journey through the rich and diverse landscape. Enjoy panoramic views of Auckland City and the Hauraki Gulf. Travel back on board the road train to the wharf around the west coast side of the island. Return to Auckland by ferry and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. |
| Day 5 | Depart Auckland early this morning and drive to Waitomo (approximately 201 kms). On arrival in Waitomo you have the choice of either a Black Water Rafting excursion or a guided tour of the Waitomo Glow-worm Caves. Continue on to Rotorua (approximately 166 kms). On arrival in Rotorua make your way to your hotel where you will stay for one night. Later this evening you will be collected from your hotel for your traditional Hangi Dinner & Concert. |
| Day 6 | Spend the morning at leisure in Rotorua before making your way to Taupo approximately 80 kms). Enroute enjoy a Waimangu Volcanic Valley Walk and scenic boat cruise. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Taupo. Stay for one night in Taupo. |
| Day 7 | This morning you have the choice of a 1.5 hour scenic cruise on Lake Taupo or a Huka Jet Boat Ride (approx. 30 mins). Later make your way to Wellington (approximately 404 kms). Stay for one night in Wellington. |
| Day 8 | This morning return your rental car and take the Interislander ferry to Picton. On arrival in Picton collect a second hire car and make your way to Kaikoura (approximately 157 kms) where you will stay for one night. |
| Day 9 | Early this morning enjoy either a 3.5 hour Whale Watch Tour by boat or a 30 minute Wings Over Whales Flight. Enter a world of one of nature's most magnificent mammals - the Giant Sperm Whale. You will depart Kaikoura by boat or air and travel offshore to view these mammals and others. Please note that these tours operate subject to weather conditions. After your tour make your way to Oamaru (approximately 430 kms) and stay for one night. At sunset this evening watch the Blue Penguins returning from the sea. Dinner is included this evening at your lodge. |
| Day 10 | Spend the morning at leisure before driving to Queenstown (approximately 319 kms) where you will stay for two nights. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Queenstown. |
| Day 11 | Spend the day at leisure in Queenstown. |
| Day 12 | Depart Queenstown early this morning and drive to Manapouri (approximately 185 kms) for your Doubtful Sound excursion. Commencing at Pearl Harbour, Manapouri, cruise across picturesque Lake Manapouri to West Arm. Travel by coach through dense rainforest across Wilmot Pass. Once at Doubtful Sound, board the catamaran, the "Commander Peak" for a three-hour cruise of Doubtful Sound to the Tasman Sea. Onboard there is excellent viewing of waterfalls, rainforest and mountains. Picnic lunch is included today during your cruise. On return to Manapouri drive to Te Anau (approximately 15 kms). |
| Day 13 | Depart Te Anau and make your way to Wanaka (approximately 273 kms). Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Wanaka. |
| Day 14 | This morning make your way up the West Coast to Fox Glacier (approximately 262 kms). On arrival enjoy a Fox Glacier Heli-hike excursion. This fly-in, fly-out Helihike combines the excitement of walking on Fox Glacier with the thrill of helicopter flights. By flying in you are able to access and explore a part of the glacier that is otherwise very difficult to get to. Ice time, weather permitting, is about 2.5 hours. Please note: helicopter flights operate subject to weather conditions. Some fitness and agility is required. |
| Day 15 | Depart Fox Glacier and head further up the West Coast to Greymouth (approximately 202 kms). Return your rental car and board the TranzAlpine Train to Christchurch. On arrival in Christchurch early this evening you will be met at the Rail Station and transferred to your hotel for your final two nights. |
| Day 16 | Spend the morning at leisure in Christchurch. This afternoon you will be collected from your hotel for a Waipara Wine Tour. This tour explores four of North Canterbury's boutique vineyards, Canterbury House, Mark Rattray, Pegasus Bay and Waipara Springs all producing a fine selection of both white and red wines. Tour duration approximately three-and-a half hours. Should any of the above named wineries be unavailable on the day of the tour, an alternative winery in the Waipara area will be included. |
| Day 17 | Transfer from your hotel today to Christchurch Airport to connect with your departing flight. Depart Christchurch. |
More information
| Dates | Contact us for further information. |
| Prices | Contact us for further information. |
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