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19 Day Aotearoa Adventure
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19 Days Auckland to Christchurch
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Day 1 Hahei Beach, Cathedral Cove & Whakatane
Travel east to the popular beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula. At Hahei, board a state-of-the-art rigid hull inflatable boat that takes you into the coastal islands of this marine reserve. Enjoy time for exploring, relaxing or swimming before continuing along the Bay of Plenty Coastline to Whakatane.
Day 2 Cruise to White Island Volcano, Rotorua
Join your luxury launch for the 80 minute cruise to the active, marine volcano of White Island. On the way out, you'll be issued with your safety gear including hard hat & gas mask. Trained tour guides will take you through the remains of the old sulphur mining factory. To top it all off, you'll venture right up to the main crater's edge. On our trip home you might even be lucky enough to spend some time with dolphins, whales or the NZ Fur Seal. Continue on to the thermal wonderland of Rotorua.
Day 3 Rotorua 'Flexi-Sights'
Discover the delights of Rotorua. Choose one activity from any of the included optionals. They include rafting, kayaking, spa treatments, sightseeing and a cultural experience with local Maori.
Day 4 Lake Taupo, Napier
First stop today is the mighty Huka Falls. Take time to wander around the popular lakeside resort of Taupo before venturing eastwards to the art-deco city of Napier, the result of a thorough rebuilding after a massive earthquake in 1931.
Day 5 Napier 'Flexi-Sights'
Hawkes Bay is widely regarded as the 'Tuscany of the South Pacific'. Today, you have the choice of one of the many exciting inclusions. You can explore the countryside & city pathways on your late model mountain bike (or tanden if you prefer!), enjoy a game of golf, visit the largest mainland gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers, visit local wineries or take in the local city sights.
Day 6 Wararapa, Wellington
Travel through the rural heartland of the Wairarapa region on your way to the nation's capital, Wellington. On arrival, visit Zealandia, a wildlife refuge in a forested valley just minutes from the city centre. It is a safe haven for some of New Zealand's most endangered and iconic native animals including the tuatara, little spotted kiwi, hihi & the giant weta.
Day 7 Fly Wellington to Christchurch
This morning, fly south to the South Island's largest city, Christchurch. The remainder of the day is free to discover the delights of the 'Garden City'.
Day 8 Lake Tekapo & Mt Cook National Park
Travel to the world heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park with over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery. Experience the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake and icebergs up close on the only tour of its kind in New Zealand. Local guides whisk us away in a stable MAC boat to explore the melting ice face of the Tasman Glacier. After dinner, explore the southern sky with expert astronomy guides.
Day 9 On to Dunedin
Journey past Lakes Pukaki, Benmore & Aviemore to Oamaru. Travel south along the coastal highway, stopping at Koekohe Beach to view the unique Moeraki Boulders, formed some 60 million years ago. On to Dunedin, the 'Edinburgh of the South'.
Day 10 Lake Te Anau & Glow Worms Experience
At leisure this morning for some optional sightseeing. This afternoon, travel to Te Anau. Nestled on the edge of the south island's largest lake, it boasts a spectacular backdrop of Mt Luxmore & the Murchison mountains. This evening, join up with your nature guide for your Te Anau-au Glowworm Caves experience both above & below ground. Deep inside the caves, you'll be taken by small boat into a silent, hidden grotto inhabited by thousands of tiny glow worms.
Day 11 Milford Sound Nature Cruise
Travel through the hand-strewn Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound, a spectacular 22km fiord dominated by th awesome Mitre Peak. Here you will board your vessel & cruise its full length to the Tasman Sea. View waterfalls, rainforest, mountains & wildlife with experienced nature guides. Return to Te Anau late afternoon.
Day 12 Queenstown 'Flexi-Sights'
Skirt the shores of Lake Wakatipu as you enter the beautiful alpine village of Queenstown, widely regarded as New Zealand's premiere holiday destination & adventure capital. This afternoon, choose one of a number of included activities. Options include the famous Shotover Jet Boat, the Skyline Gondola & Luge, a luncheon cruise aboard the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and a sightseeing tour to Arrowtown & some local vineyards.
Day 13 At leisure in Queenstown
A full day to experience this magnificent resort. Queenstown boasts adventure activities in all forms ... from extreme to relaxed exploration. Your tour guide will be pleased to offer suggestions on the numerous activities available.
Day 14 Lake Wanaka, West Coast Glaciers
View incredible scenery as you travel past the untouched native forests & pristine lakes of the Westland National Park & Haast Pass as you travel to the glacier townships of Fox & Franz Josef
Day 15 Glacier Walk, Rugged West Coast
Your guide will lead you onto the ice of Franz Josef Glacier via a track through renerating rainforest. You'll be supplied with sturdy leather boots & instep crampons, specially designed for the ice conditions. Make your way up the terminal face of the glacier traversing spectacular tracks of only moderate difficulty. Continue north along the rugged west coast to Greymouth.
Day 16 Punakaiki Rocks, Nelson
At Punakaiki, view the incredible limestone formations that make up the Pancake Rocks & Blowholes. Travel through the Paparoa and Nelson Lakes National Parks to the sunny city of Nelson, gateway to the stunning Abel Tasman National Park.
Day 17 Abel Tasman National Park 'Flexi-Sights'
Choose from a number of included park activities that include sailing, kayaking, cruising & bush walking. There is also the choice of a half day wine or arts & crafts tour.
Day 18 Blenheim, Kaikoura
This morning, travel through the Marlborough wine region before travelling south to the township of Kaikoura, a small village located on a narrow strip of coastline where the mountains meet the sea. This area is renowned for the variety of marine mammals that can be seen, not least of all giant Sperm Whales & the acrobatic Dusky Dolphins.
Day 19 Kaikoura 'Flexi-Sights' - Christchurch
The morning is free to choose from a number of included activities in Kaikoura. You have the option of snorkelling with seals, swimming with dolphins, whale-wach cruising, an award-winning cultural experience with local Maori or a fun quad bike adventure. This afternoon, we make our way back to Christchuch, arriving into the city early evening.
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Highlights & Inclusions
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- 18 nights 3 star hotel accommodation
- Flight from Wellington to Christchurch
- Coromandel beaches & Hahei Explorer
- Cruise & Tour of White Island volcano
- Entry to Zealandia wildlife sanctuary
- World Heritage Mt Cook National Park
- Tasman Glacier Explorer boat expedition
- Stargazing at Mt Cook
- Te Anau-au Glowworm Caves
- Spectacular Milford Sound Nature Cruise
- Half Day Glacier Walk
- Pancake Rockes & Punakaiki Blowholes
- Abel Tasman National Park
- Flexi-Sights in Rotorua, Napier, Queenstown, Nelson & Kaikoura
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Departure Dates
Tour Prices
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