Includes airfare, fuel surcharges, great hotels, transfers, many meals, touring and more!
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New Zealand Adventure
Maori Dancers
If you've ever dreamed of traveling to far away lands and seeing once-in-a-lifetime natural wonders, you simply can't afford to miss New Zealand Adventure! New Zealand is a land of diversity, both in landscape and culture. From the stark beauty of the Franz Josef Glacier to the flora and fauna of Rainbow Springs in Rotorua, you will experience the very best New Zealand has to offer. For example, you'll view the Canterbury Plains from the TranzAlpine Railway. You'll sail Milford Sound and the Glowworm Grotto in Waitomo. And that's just for starters. Add to the stunning scenery, cultural adventures and magnificent wildlife a comprehensive array of included features, such as great hotels, many meals and plenty of included guided touring, and you've got a vacation that's a winner at a price you won't believe. But don't wait too long to reserve your spot, because at prices like these, our New Zealand Adventure tour is sure to sell out quickly!
Our Touring Program
Day 1: Depart USA. Your fascinating journey begins today as you board your flight bound for New Zealand.
Day 2: En Route. Cross the International Date Line and lose one day en route.
Day 3: Arrive Christchurch. Late morning arrival into Christchurch Airport where you will be met by our representative and driver then transferred to your hotel.
Avon river
Enroute to your hotel, discover why Christchurch is known as the "Garden City" on an orientation sightseeing tour. Enjoy the charm of the award winning gardens, the tranquility of the historic buildings which blend gracefully with the modern. See Cathedral Square, Mona Vale and the University of Canterbury, the Avon River and Hagley Park.
Check into your hotel located in the center of the city and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. There are many excellent cafes and restaurants located along the Avon riverbank, adjacent to your hotel. Rydges Christchurch Hotel.
Christchurch Cathedral
Day 4: Christchurch, Franz Josef Glacier. After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the Railway Station and board the Tranzalpine Train for your journey to the Southern Alps. The TranzAlpine is world renowned as "The Great New Zealand Rail Adventure". Crossing the huge and fertile patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains, the TranzAlpine winds its way over massive viaducts, through spectacular gorges and river valleys to the settlement of Arthur's Pass.
Christchurch Tramway Photo by David Wall
On arrival at Arthur's Pass, board your coach once again and travel over the amazing viaduct that links the east and west coasts of the South Island. Continue through the native beech forests of this region to Kumara then head south and travel down the spectacular West Coast to Franz Josef Glacier, regarded as the gem of New Zealand’s West Coast Glaciers. From its origins high in the Southern Alps, the Franz Josef Glacier descends deep into the lush rainforest of Westland’s National Park, plunging from a height of 2700m above sea level to only 240m in as little as 11 km. The steep gradient makes the Franz Josef one of the most spectacular glacier viewing sites in the world.
Glacier Hotel (B,D)
Ice Hiking Photo by Gareth Eyres
Day 5: Franz Josef Glacier, Queenstown. Depart Franz Josef and travel through a former saw milling area to Fox Glacier which, like Franz Josef, is among the most accessible glaciers in the world. Continue through the forests of red and white pine to Bruce Bay, an old gold mining settlement.
Queenstown Photo by Chris McLennan
Pass through attractive bush scenery and see tranquil Lakes Paringa and Moeraki, the home of the Potuku (white heron), to the township of Haast. Drive through the Haast Pass Highway viewing en route Mt Brewster Glacier. There is a long descent of 82 km to Wanaka, passing Lake Hawea Dam, water storage for the Roxburgh Hydro-Electric Station. From Wanaka, continue over the undulating countryside and skirt Lake Hayes to descend via the Lower Shotover Bridge to Queenstown.
Copthorne Lakefront Hotel. (B).
Queenstown from above
Day 6: Queenstown. Today is free to relax and explore this pristine region at your leisure. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is a year-round alpine resort that caters to all interests. It enjoys a magnificent setting amid steep mountain ranges and pockets of native bush with the jagged peaks of the Remarkables Range rising from the lake. The town is compact enough to travel around on foot and features over 100 restaurants.
The lake was scooped out by glacial action thousands of years ago. A mysterious phenomenon causes the lake to vary several inches in depth every few minutes, giving credence to a Maori legend of an ancient Taniwha (demon) still breathing beneath the surface.
Your hotel is conveniently located within walking distance to the center of Queenstown, and your hotel offers many activities for your pleasure, including swimming, horse back riding, ballooning and many other adventures. Your guide will be happy to make suggestions, and several optional tours will be available as well. (B)
Milford Sound Photo by Holger Leue
Day 7: Queenstown, Milford Sound. After breakfast, depart Queenstown and skirt Lake Wakatipu in the shadow of the rugged Remarkable Ranges until you arrive at the township of Five Rivers. Turn off the main highway towards Mossburn and into the tussock covered hills. Once the highest point is reached, there are magnificent views of the mountains of Fiordland to the north, south and west. After a few miles the wide panorama of Lake Te Anau comes into view.
Hollyford Valley Photo by Mick Wheeler
Depart Te Anau and follow the valley of the Eglinton River into a magnificent beech forest before descending into the precipitous Hollyford Valley. Tussock and scrub replace the bush as the road climbs steadily up the Hollyford to the gigantic cirque where sheer rock faces dwarf the Homer Tunnel portal beneath.
Beyond the tunnel is a rapid zigzag descent into the Cleddau Canyon, between towering, rugged mountains and forest, until the road comes out into the open at Milford Sound.
On arrival, board your boat for a cruise on Milford Sound all the way to the Tasman Sea. The luxury vessel stops at various points and offers excellent viewing of waterfalls, rainforest and wildlife. The cruise is accompanied by comprehensive commentaries. Complimentary tea and coffee are available onboard. Return to your hotel in Queenstown when your cruise is complete. (B).
Day 8: Queenstown, Aoraki/Mt. Cook, Ashburton. After breakfast, depart for Mt. Cook and Ashburton.
Cooking indigenous herbs Photo by David Wall
Follow the Kawarau River to Cromwell and travel over the Lindis Pass to Omarama. Enjoy magnificent views of the rugged Southern Alps and the surrounding, glacial formed terrain. Pass Twizel, the location of a large hydro electric scheme, to reach Lake Pukaki. Follow the shores of the lake into the heartland of Mt Cook National Park, which encompasses 15 peaks, all towering over 3,000m. The settlement of Mount Cook is nestled at the head of the Tasman River, providing visitors with access to the spectacular mountains or the native bush covering the lower slopes.
Canterbury Plains
There will be a short stop at Mount Cook Village before continuing your journey across the Mackenzie Country passing by Lake Tekapo where you will make a stop at the historic Church of the Good Shepherd. You will then descend Burkes Pass and the foothills of South Canterbury before arriving in the rural town of Fairlie and Geraldine. The main road from the south is met at the Orari River and from here you will continue northwards to Ashburton, the centre of a large sheep and wheat farming area. Here you will be met by your farm hosts.
Your accommodation this evening will be in the private home of a New Zealand family. Your meals will be included for the duration of your stay while you have the opportunity to learn about daily life of a New Zealand farmer and perhaps share some of the chores! Farmstay. (B,D)
Maori Children Photo by Tim Whittaker
Day 9: Ashburton, Christchurch, Rotorua. Say farewell to your hosts this morning as you regroup in Ashburton and depart for your short journey across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch where you will board your flight to Rotorua.
On arrival you will be met by your driver and depart on a sightseeing tour of Rotorua which will include Rainbow Springs and the Agrodome Stage Show.
Kiwi Photo by Chris Mclennan
At Rainbow Springs, take a tour through the park which displays Rainbow Trout in their various stages of development and is involved in the preservation of New Zealand's national heritage - some of the other birdlife in the park include pigeons, pukekos, keas, kakarikis, moreporks, paradise ducks, wekas and harrier hawks. Rainbow Springs contains over 135 different native trees and ferns, from 60 foot tall tree ferns to tiny delicate maidenhair ferns. Take the opportunity to view a live "kiwi" - New Zealand's naturally elusive national emblem, or hand feed and photograph the tame rainbow trout swimming in crystal clear pools.
Feeding the sheep Photo by Hiroshi Nameda
The next visit is to the Agrodome, where the stars of the show are the 19 rams of different breeds. You will witness demonstrations of sheep shearing, a "huntaway" sheep-dog as a commentator describes the different commercial uses for each breed of sheep and the various grades of wool. A dairying display follows, during which those who wish may try their hand at milking a cow. Travel to your hotel to check –in and freshen up.
Maori greeting Photo by James Heremaia
This evening, transfer to Te Puia, where you will be guided through the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute which gives an insight into Maori customs and history. While in the Whakarewarewa thermal reserve you will view shooting steam geysers and bubbling mud pools. Following your tour, a welcome ceremony will be performed which will grant you entry into the meeting house as women chant a welcome.
The Maori performing the Haka Photo by James Heremaia
The performance in Te Aronui a Rua (house of learning) commences with an explanation of the main features of the meeting house, the playing of typical musical instruments, the use of poi, weapons, songs, games and dances. You will then be guided by a Maori host to view and try your own hand at various activities.
You are welcomed into the hangi house to see the lifting of the hangi, and then guided into the dining room where you are served a buffet style menu. Millenium Hotel. (B,D).
Auckland skyline
Day 10: Rotorua, Waitomo, Auckland. This morning your journey crosses over the bush-clad Mamaku Range through the Fitzgerald Glade to an area of planted pine forests, the most notable being Putaruru with its rapidly growing timber milling industry. Pass by the Arapuni Hydro Scheme, to the provincial farming centers of Kihikihi and Otorohanga, situated in the richest dairying region in New Zealand. From the turn off at Hangatiki it's a short drive to Waitomo.
Waitomo Caves Photo by Chris Mclennan
At Waitomo, enjoy a guided tour that will take you through over 250 meters of stunning underground scenery commencing with the impressive Cathedral with its amazing acoustics. The tour then proceeds along a low narrow passage to the Tomo, a deep limestone shaft. Other magnificent cave formations are viewed including the Banquet Chamber, the Pipe Organ and the Catacombs. The highlight of the tour is an unrivalled boat trip through the spectacular Glowworm Grotto. The roof sparkles with the lights of glowworm larvae as you glide silently through the grotto with the tiny lights also reflecting off the water.
Afterwards, travel north through Ngaruawahia, home to the Maori King, and Huntly one of New Zealand's most important coal mining centers. Continue on through the rolling farmlands of the Waikato River Valley, across the Bombay Hills, to join the Southern Motorway for a direct run through to Auckland city. Sky City Grand Hotel (B).
Sky Tower
Day 11: Depart Auckland/Arrive USA. This morning is at leisure. This afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Auckland enroute to Auckland Airport.
Your tour will include the Auckland Memorial Museum, reputed to have one of the largest and most significant collections of Maori artifacts in the world. You will also view harbor suburbs and enjoy magnificent views of Auckland from Mt Eden. Upon your arrival at Auckland Airport, our representative will assist with your departure.
Bid farewell as you board your early evening flight. Your exciting journey comes to an end as you touch down in Los Angeles later today.
Destination FAQs
For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to New Zealand, click here.
Day 1: Depart USA. Your fascinating journey begins today as you board your flight bound for New Zealand.
