8 Days/7 Nights
COMMENCES Auckland (and Christchurch reverse direction)
DAILY YEAR ROUND - minimum 2 passengers

PLEASE NOTE:
This tour links from and to our DISCOVER AUSTRALIA MINI TOUR and DISCOVER THE SOUTH PACIFIC tours.

Day 1. ARRIVE AUCKLAND
Arrive Auckland. After completing customs and immigration formalities you will find our driver waiting in the arrivals area with your names on a signboard. They will transfer you to your accommodation. Arrivals before 4pm receive a complimentary 1 hour tour of introduction to Auckland city en route to your hotel including the summit of Mt Eden for a panoramic view over the city, Domain and Rose gardens, Tamaki Waterfront Drive, Mission Bay, city and university areas, and Albert Park.
Standard: Copthorne Harbourside
1st Class: Hyatt Regency

Day 2. AUCKLAND - WAITOMO CAVES - ROTORUA (B)
Drive south over the Bombay hills and through Ngaruawahia, home of the Maori King, and fertile Waikato dairy farmland to the Waitomo Caves. Enjoy a tour through the main limestone cave and cruise through the glowworm grotto (conditions permitting) before continuing to Rotorua for 2 nights. Visit the Agrodome centre to sheep being shorn and meet some of the animals then drive via the lakefront and Government Gardens to Te Puia Maori cultural centre for a Maori concert and guided tour of the centre and the Whakarewarewa thermal area to see the boiling mud pools and steaming geysers.
Standard: Ibis
First Class: Novotel


Day 3. ROTORUA (B)
The day is free to explore at your leisure with many optional (extra expense) activities. try trout fishing in the lake or streams, golf on a thermal course, or for the adrenalin junkies try whitewater rafting, luge riding, tandem parachute, 4wd off road experience, horse trekking, OR just relax in the soothing thermal waters of the Polynesian Spa!

Day 4. ROTORUA - QUEENSTOWN (B)
You will be transferred to the airport and fly south to Queenstown. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your accommodation.
Standard: A Line Hotel
1st Class: Novotel Lakeside

Day 5. QUEENSTOWN (B)
Our morning tour includes the historic gold mining area of Arrowtown, Coronet Peak lookout for a panoramic view over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkable Mountains and Queenstown area.The afternoon is free with a huge number of optional (extra expense) activities available. Maybe lunch at the Skyline restaurant high above Queenstown, take an exciting jet boat ride, a sedate cruise on the historic steamer "Earnslaw", bungy jump, visit a vineyard, or whatever you wish.

Optional evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak sheep station for dinner - extra cost $99. This should be prebooked if required to avoid disappointment.

Day 6. MILFORD SOUND EXCURSION (B)
A day of magnificent scenery as we drive along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau then on through the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys to Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise to the head of the Sound under majestic Mitre Peak before returning to Queenstown. Optional scenic flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown - weather permitting - extra cost $280)

Day 7. QUEENSTOWN - MOUNT COOK - CHRISTCHURCH (B)
Drive north over the Lindis Pass and through the Mc Kenzie Country and alomng the shores of Lake Pukakai to the hermitage in the heart of the Mount Cook National Park. You have tiome to visit the National Park headquarters and take a scenic flight over the mountains - extra expense and weather permitting before contuinuing to lake Tekapo. Visit the sheep dog monument and Church of the Good Shepherd before continuing across Burkes Pass and the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch arriving early evening. Accommodation
Standard: Latimer Hotel standard rooms
First Class: Latimer Hotel de luxe rooms

Day 8. CHRISTCHURCH DEPART (B)
Transfer to the airport for departure. You are welcome to stay on longer in Christchurch and enjoy more of the garden city and optional tours.

Tour cost per person: Standard hotels: 2 per room $NZ1,960.. Single room $2,490
First Class: 2 per room $2,340.. Single room $2,930

Tour cost includes:
** All travel from Auckland to Christchurch by mini bus or coach, and air.
** Arrival and departure transfers at each point
** 7 nights accommodation at grade chosen - hotels as listed or similar.
** Breakfast daily, 1 lunch
** Admission fees to Waitomo Caves, Te Puia New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, Whakarewarewa thermal area, Maori concert, farm show, Milford Sound cruise.

This tour links to our DISCOVER AUSTRALIA MINI TOUR and DISCOVER THE SOUTH PACIFIC tour