Breathtaking New Zealand

Your itinerary

Day 1: UK/Hong Kong

Meet your travelling companions in the executive lounge prior to your scheduled flight to Hong Kong.

Day 2: Hong Kong

On arrival in Hong Kong, transfer to your hotel for a three night stay.

Meals: Breakfast

Days 3 - 4: Hong Kong

Take an included half day sightseeing tour of Hong Kong Island which includes Victoria Peak for its superb views, Repulse Bay and Aberdeen, famous for it floating community; visit the New Territories; or cross the Pearl River to Macau. A ride on the Star Ferry is must to view the city from a spectacular vantage point. Alternatively stroll through the busy streets, shop for bargains and soak up the atmosphere.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Hong Kong/Auckland

We transfer to the airport for our flight to Auckland, New Zealand.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 6: Auckland

We arrive in Auckland and continue to our hotel for a two night stay. You are at leisure to rest and relax after your flight, before we meet up for a welcome drink and dinner this evening.

Meals: Dinner

Day 7: Auckland

The sparkling city of Auckland is the largest in New Zealand, situated on North Island in the spectacular Gulf of Hauraki. After our included city tour, you are free to explore the ‘City of Sails’.

Meals: Dinner

Day 8: Rotorua

The warm, emerald green North Island was shaped originally by the fire of volcanoes, and evidence of this remains in the thermal springs surrounding Rotorua, which is your destination today. En route you will travel through Ngaruawahia, home of the Maori King and Hamilton, to the world-famous Waitomo Caves. Here there will be an included guided tour of the amazing glow worm grotto. An optional flight by either float plane or helicopter will be available over Mount Tarawera Volcano. Two nights’ accommodation has been arranged in Rotorua.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Whakarewarewa

Morning included visit to Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve to view the extraordinary boiling mud pools and spouting geysers. Optional afternoon excursion to the Agrodome to see a display of working sheep dogs and a visit to Rainbow Springs to view the rare flightless Kiwi bird. Alternatively you can relax in one of the thermal baths in Rotorua. This evening we have included a visit to a Maori Concert and Hangi; a meal cooked in centuries-old fashion by underground steam.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 10: Wellington

Drive south through the Wairakei Valley, past the spectacular Huka Falls to stunningly beautiful Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest freshwater lake. Continue to Wellington, New Zealand’s wonderful capital city, which enjoys a beautiful setting on the southern tip of North Island. We have included a city tour on arrival. Overnight accommodation has been arranged.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 11: Picton

Today you will sail from North Island to South Island. The crossing takes approximately three hours as you sail through the Cook Strait to Picton. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel in Picton or Blenheim for an overnight stay. Blenheim is in Marlborough Province, renowned the world over for its fine foods and wine, including the award-winning Sauvignon Blanc. This evening you will be treated to a dinner, including wine.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 12: Christchurch

Today you will drive along the Kaikoura coast to the delightful city of Christchurch, often called the most English city outside England. En route (subject to the season) you may be lucky and have the opportunity to enjoy some whale watching. On arrival in Christchurch you will be taken on a city tour before transferring your hotel for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 13: Tranz Alpine Express

Today you will take the Tranz Alpine Express on a spectacular journey into the Southern Alps. It is the highlight of any visit to New Zealand and we have included it in the price. All the way from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass, the South Island’s highest railway station, you will be delighted by the contrasting scenery of the snow-capped Southern Alps and majestic gorges. At Arthur’s Pass you will rejoin your coach and continue south to the magnificent scenery and glaciers of the Franz Josef and Fox Glacier regions. There is the opportunity to join a twin glacier helicopter flight with a landing on the glacier. Your overnight hotel will be near the Fox Glacier.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 14: Queenstown

Today you will continue through Westland National Park and along one of the most exciting and scenic roads ever built. You will cross Clark Bluff and the Haast River Bridge before continuing to Queenstown for a three night stay.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 15: Milford Sound

We include an exciting excursion to Milford Sound today, one of the most beautiful locations in New Zealand. The tour takes you to Te Anau, the gateway to Fjordland National Park. You then continue through the lush beech forests of the Eglinton Valley and the eroded glacial canyons of the Hollyford Valley, before arriving at Milford Sound itself. There will be a cruise (weather permitting) on the Sound before returning by coach.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 16: Mount Cook & Omarama

Explore Queenstown at your leisure or take an optional excursion; ride on a jet boat, cruise on Lake Wakatipu or take a gondola ride for spectacular views over Queenstown.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 17: Mount Cook & Omarama

Depart Queenstown for another scenic drive to Mount Cook, at 12,000ft the highest peak in New Zealand and famed for its pristine symmetry. Optional scenic flights will be available. Continue to Omarama for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 18: Christchurch

This morning you will cross Burkes Pass and continue to Lake Tekapo. You will then continue across the Canterbury Plains to return to Christchurch. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for a two night stay.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 19: Christchurch

Today will be free to explore the city and finish any last minute shopping. Included this evening will be a farewell dinner and drink.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Days 20 - 21: Christchurch/UK

Transfer to the airport for your return scheduled flight to the UK. By re-crossing the International Dateline you gain time and arrive in the UK the next day.

Meals: Breakfast