Tour Dates: February 27th to March 15th, 2021
Discover vibrant cities, secluded beaches and rugged wilderness on this 17-day journey from Auckland to Christchurch.
This journey takes you from New Zealand's largest city through beautiful beach towns, volcanic landscapes and the cool little capital to the South Island. Here you'll discover delicious wine, lush rainforests and ancient glaciers as you travel down the West Coast and through stunning alpine resorts, before ending your journey in the innovative city of Christchurch.
Auckland (1 night), Coromandel (1), Rotorua (2), Wellington (2), Kaikoura (2), Hokitika (1), Fox Glacier (2), Queenstown (2), Mt. Cook (1) and Christchurch (2)
Tour Highlights:
- Tour the exciting and scenic city of Auckland
- Admire miles of spectacular coastline and farming communities on the Coromandel Peninsula
- Visit the Miranda Bird Sanctuary
- Explore Cathedral Cove where the ocean washes through a natural arch onto a white sandy beach
- Learn about New Zealand’s wildlife at the Rainbow Springs Nature Park and visit the National Kiwi Hatchery
- Cruise across the crystal waters of Lake Manapouri, then visit the waterways of a serene fiord
- Visit the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, home to some of the highest mountains and longest glaciers
- Local vineyard and wine cave tour of the Gibbston Valley Winery
- Learn about New Zealand at the Te Papa National Museum
- And more…..
2021 New Zealand Encompassed Tour Dates & Prices
February 27th return March 15th, 2021
Tour Cost per person based on double occupancy: $7955.00 CAD
Air Fare: Flights to New Zealand are available from many Canadian cities. Contact our office for airfares and flight information. Call for airfares from your city.
Single supplement: $2090.00
In order to make each tour, a special experience space is limited to 20 people. We encourage you to book early to avoid disappointment and for the best airfares.
Flights: Call us for flight and airfare information from your closest airport in Canada as we can often access flights not easily found on the Internet and offer alternatives.
Tour price includes:
- 16 nights accommodation based on double occupancy
- Meals: all breakfasts, 1 lunch and 6 dinners
- All admissions and cultural visits listed in the itinerary
- Air-conditioned motorcoach transportation
- Fully escorted by a Canadian Tour Leader and New Zealand guide/driver
Itinerary
Day
1
February 27th
Auckland – Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland City – 1 night
Welcome to New Zealand. Auckland is the largest urban city in New Zealand and has the largest concentration of Polynesian people in the world. As an evolving modern city, Auckland has an ever-changing skyline, pulsating waterfront and new infusion of restaurants and bars.
Arrive and transfer to your hotel.
A welcome dinner is included at a local restaurant.
Day
2
February 28th – Breakfast included
Coromandel – Pacific Harbour Villas – 1 night
Following an orientation we begin with a morning Auckland City sightseeing tour. We will experience many of the best and most scenic sights including Queens Street, Viaduct Harbour, and the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Explore Parnell Village, where historic buildings have been transformed into a trendy shopping area before arriving at the Auckland Domain. With its classic charm, it is the city’s oldest and one of its largest parks, situated on a 62,000-year-old volcano.
Enjoy the drive along the stunning scenic waterfront route of Tamaki Drive to Micheal Joseph Savage Memorial Park, where we stop for lunch.
This afternoon, we travel to the Coromandel Peninsula, with a stop at the Miranda Bird Sanctuary. On the West Coast, the Coromandel has miles of spectacular coastline with never ending beaches, coves and harbours. Formerly a gold-mining and timber town, Coromandel township is now a haven for artists, craftspeople and conservationists.
Day
3
March 1st – Breakfast included
Rotorua –Princes Gate Hotel– 2 nights
After breakfast, we travel to Cathedral Cove, where the Pacific Ocean washes through a natural arch onto a white sandy beach backed by white cliffs. There will be a half hour self-guided downhill walk to the beach.
We continue our journey to the famous Hot Water Beach. This is one of the only places where naturally heated mineral water bubbles up from deep within the earth to emerge through golden sand.
Following lunch, we continue the tour south through the mountain range to an active gold mining town of Waihi. Travel through Tauranga, one of New Zealand’s fastest growing cities to Rotorua, for a 2-night stay.
Day
4
March 2nd – Breakfast and Dinner Included
Situated amongst flourishing native forest and natural springs, today we will see and learn all about New Zealand’s wonderful wildlife. The Rainbow Springs Nature Park is home to many native animal species including birds, reptiles and aquatic life, and offer visitors the opportunity to meet these stunning creatures face-to-face! Also located on site is the National Kiwi Hatchery, the most successful Kiwi hatchery in the world.
Next, we set out on a self guided walk to explore Orakei Korako Geothermal Park, arguably the best thermal area left in New Zealand. Explore a volcanic world of gushing geysers, hot springs, bubbling mud pools and some of the largest and most amazing silica terraces in the world.
After lunch we make our way back to Rotorua for some free time before this evenings Maori Cultural Experience and included dinner.
Day
5
March 3rd – Breakfast and Dinner Included
Wellington – West Plaza Hotel– 2 nights
From Rotorua, the Thermal Explorer Highway takes us south to the heartland of Taupo, famous for its fresh water lake. Just about everywhere you look in the Lake Taupo region, you will see a volcano.
The journey continues as the coach makes its way through the central North Island and National Parks to Wellington. The world’s most southern capital in the “Roaring Forties” latitudes, is perched on the edge of a spectacular harbor surrounded by green, towering hills. Here you will find a unique blend of national treasures, arts and culture, gastronomic delights, shopping and scenic beauty.
Day
6
March 4th – Breakfast Included
Lace up your walking shoes! It’s a full day of exploring the city’s cultural sites. Our first stop is the Te Papa National Museum for a self guided tour. Te Papa is a modern purpose-built museum with interactive and reminiscent displays offering an insight into the people called New Zealanders.
After Te Papa, we walk to the Wellington Cable Car, one of Wellington’s oldest and most popular tourist attractions. The cars run from Lambton Quay in the heart of the central business district, whisking us past corporate towers and parks, to the top of the entrance of the Wellington Botanic Gardens. Enjoy sweeping views of the city and harbour from the lookout during a break for lunch.
This afternoon we participate in a guided tour at Zealandia, the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary. The ground breaking conservation project that has reintroduced over 20 species of native wildlife back into the area, some of which were previously absent from mainland New Zealand for over 100 years.
Day
7
March 5th – Breakfast Included
Kaikoura – Gateway Motor Lodge – 2 nights
An early morning transfer to the Wellington Ferry Terminal for ferry service to the South Island. The 92km voyage takes approximately 3 hours and has been described as “one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world.”
Upon arrival into Picton, we meet our new bus and driver for service to Kaikoura, the whale watching capital of New Zealand. The picturesque coastal town is the perfect place for marine life encounters, coastal walks, and tucking into a plate of crayfish.
Day
8
March 6th – Breakfast Included
Enjoy a relaxing morning stroll through a Lavender Farm admiring tranquil gardens, sipping a coffee or tea and learning about the distillation process of pure lavender and rosemary essential oils.
The balance of the day is at leisure.
Day
9
March 7th – Breakfast and Dinner Included
Hokitika – Beachfront Hotel – 1 night
From the comfort of our motorcoach, we drive through the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland to a High-Country Sheep Farm. Observe a sheep shearing and mustering demonstration followed by a farm-style afternoon tea.
We continue our journey through the Southern Alps to Arthur’s Pass - admire the spectacular gorges and river valleys, pausing for photo stops along the way.
A late afternoon arrival into Hokitika, a ‘frontier town’ famous for Greenstone (Jade) – where you can see it being polished and sculpted. Our beachfront hotel is located in the centre of town within easy walking of the numerous galleries.
Day
10
March 8th – Breakfast Included
Fox Glacier –Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier – 2 nights
This morning before departing Hokitika we will visit the greenstone/pounamu galleries of Hokitika and discover the importance of this stone to Maori. We continue onwards to Franz Josef for a self-guided glacier walk along the ancient river valley.
Overlooking New Zealand’s highest tallest peaks, Mt Cook and Mt Tasman, we spend the night at the cozy Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier which sits in the heart of the old gold rush township of Fox Glacier village.
Day
11
March 9th – Breakfast Included
Today is a free day to explore the great outdoors!
Day
12
March 10th – Breakfast Included
Queenstown –Kamana Lakehouse– 2 nights
Discover the rugged scenery along one of New Zealand’s most awe-inspiring highways as we drive to Queenstown. As we journey via Haast Pass, a region so spectacular UNESCO awarded it the status of being a 'World Heritage' area, we stop for a self guided walk to marvel at the vast rainforests, waterfalls and untouched landscape.
An afternoon break at the Gibbston Valley Winery to experience wine tasting in New Zealand's largest wine cave.
We spend the next two nights at the highest situated hotel in Queenstown, Kamana Lakehouse, offering spectacular views over Lake Wakatipu and the iconic mountain range. Enjoy an exclusive peaceful retreat while discovering the adventure capital.
Day
13
March 11th – Breakfast and Picnic lunch Included
Experience the spectacular, remote wilderness of Doubtful Sound on a full day wilderness cruise tour. Journey across Lake Manapouri, over the breathtaking Wilmot Pass and into the heart of Fiordland National Park. Doubtful Sound is a beautiful fiord. Three times longer than Milford Sound, with twisting arms, it has a surface area ten times larger. With its rugged peaks, verdant rainforest and twisting, hidden inlets, Doubtful Sound will take your breath away. This is a must-do for nature lovers and explorers alike.
Day
14
March 12th – Breakfast and Dinner Included
Mt Cook –The Hermitage– 1 night
Departing Queenstown for Mt Cook, we will travel through ruggedly beautiful landscapes, over passes and into Mt Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s highest mountain.
Spend the afternoon hiking the region and learning more about mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary at the Aoraki/Mt Cook Visitor's Centre complete with a museum and planetarium.
Day
15
March 13th – Breakfast Included
Christchurch –Novotel Christchurch– 2 nights
Depart the Southern Alps for Christchurch, with a stop at Lake Tekapo along the way. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and admire the stunning scenery that surrounds this local landmark.
Upon arrival we have a city orientation tour. Christchurch is one of the world’s most unique destinations, combining urban regeneration and innovation with heritage, culture and exhilarating activity. Expect street art and innovative projects, a bustling hospitality scene and established green spaces.
Day
16
March 14th – Breakfast and Dinner Included
Explore lesser-known paths around Christchurch on this walking tour of the city led by a member of Rekindle — a social enterprise where resourcefulness skills are shared among members to build self-confidence and create art out of under-valued materials. The hands-on, workshop-based environment keeps everyone engaged and helps to strengthen the community.
Discover more of the city at leisure before our farewell dinner situated in picturesque Botanic Gardens.
Day
17
March 15th – Breakfast Included
Goodbye! Today we transfer to the airport for our flights home.
