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| Outstanding Places
to Stay Superior Accommodation Stay in World Heritage-listed Tongariro
National Park at the Chateau Tongariro Two nights in the heart of Wellington at
the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor Feature Benefits Met on arrival in New
Zealand and hotel transfer Cultural Touring Experiences r. |
Sample Rates and Dates.
| Start Date |
End Date |
Twin |
Single |
Triple |
| 12-Sep-08 |
25-Sep-08 |
$4,385.00 |
$5,415.00 |
$4,166.00 |
Ask for rates/dates in:
Sep 2008 | Oct 2008 | Nov 2008 | Dec 2008 | Jan 2009 | Feb 2009 | Mar 2009 |
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2 week New Zealand Grand Rail Experience
Tour |
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Grand Rail Experience Tour Summary Enjoy 7 spectacular scenic rail journeys
through the heart of the New Zealand. Highlights on this 14 day tour include
the TranzAlpine Train, rated one of the world's greatest; the Kingston Flyer,
indulge in the luxury of a bygone era and the TranzCoastal Train for a scenic
journey between the mountains and the sea.
Itinerary
Day 1. Auckland, Freedom of Choice Touring Be met and transferred to your
hotel. Later choose from a range of activities available. Stay: Auckland,
Skycity Hotel.
Day 2. Auckland, The Overlander, Rotorua. This morning board the Overlander
Train and journey to Otorohanga. Continue to the world-famous Waitomo Caves and
be guided into an ancient labyrinth of limestone caverns to see the thousands
of glow worms that call these caverns home. Continue to Rotorua by coach. This
evening enjoy a Maori Hangi (feast) and cultural performance. Two Night Stay:
Rotorua, Heritage Hotel. Bx1 Dx1
Day 3. Rotorua, Freedom of Choice Touring Rotorua is New Zealand’s oldest
and best known thermal resort, where generations of visitors have enjoyed its
waters and learnt of its proud Maori heritage. Our Freedom of Choice Touring
presents a range of options for you to select from today, including a thermal
reserve tour, a visit to the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, time at Rotorua
Museum or a relaxing soak in a thermal mineral pool. Alternatively, you might
like to head for the pristine rain forest of Rainbow Springs and get up close
to New Zealand’s native and endangered kiwi bird. Other options are also
available. County Homestay option available tonight. Bx1 Dx1
Day 4. Rotorua, The Overlander, Tongariro National Park. This morning travel to
Te Kuiti by coach and join the Overlander Train for a tour through the heart of
the country’s North Island. Travel over the world-famous Raurimu Spiral
before arriving to spend the night in the World Heritage-listed Tongariro
National Park, nestled at the base of the majestic Mt Ruapehu. Stay: Tongariro
National Park, Chateau Tongariro. Bx1 Dx1
Day 5. TranzMetro Train, Wellington This morning we head south to Featherston.
Travel through Taihape, renowned as the Gumboot Capital of New Zealand. Every
year a festival is held here to celebrate this essential item of rural kiwi
footwear. Continue through the Manawatu Gorge and the Wairarapa region to
Featherston. On arrival into Featherston, visit the Fell Engine Museum before
we board the TranzMetro Train for a short journey to Wellington, via the
Rimutaka Tunnel. Two Night Stay: Wellington, James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor.
Bx1 Dx1
Day 6. Wellington. Today take a short stroll to the Wellington Cable Car whose
service from Lambton Quay to Kelburn began in 1902. Ascend to the top and
perhaps visit the Cable Car Museum or take a walk around the tranquil Botanic
Gardens. These gardens contain native bush including the Lady Norwood Rose
Garden with over 100 rose species. Rejoin the coach and journey to Mt Victoria
for the best view of the city, harbor and surrounding regions. View the
Parliament Buildings including the Beehive. Continue on to Te Papa the National
Museum of New Zealand. Here is the past, present and future on display. Our
morning sightseeing tour concludes and the remainder of today is at leisure for
you to explore Wellington. Bx1
Day 7. Wellington, TranzCoastal Train, Christchurch. This morning join a cruise
for a journey between the North and South islands. Travel across Cook Strait
and through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds and Queen Charlotte Sound to
Picton. On arrival join the TranzCoastal Train for a scenic journey between
mountains and sea. Continue to Christchurch, known as the Garden City. Stay:
Christchurch, Holiday Inn City Centre. Bx1 Dx1
Day 8. TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef This morning board the award-winning
TranzAlpine Train, voted one of the top rail journeys in the world. Travel
through gorges, river valleys and across the Southern Alps. Disembark at
Greymouth and continue to Franz Josef. Stay: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel. Bx1 Dx1
Day 9. Franz Josef, Queenstown Dine Around Dinner Enjoy incredible scenery
today as leave this World Heritage-listed area. See spectacular mountain
ranges, untouched native forests, lakes and glaciers. Journey along the shores
of beautiful lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the alpine resort of Queenstown with the
Remarkables mountain range close by. Tonight choose from four different dining
experiences. Two Night Stay: Queenstown, Novotel Gardens Hotel. Bx1 Dx1
Day 10. Queenstown, Freedom of Choice Touring Queenstown is an exhilarating,
year-round, alpine resort, perfect for adventurers and leisure-seekers alike.
Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and overlooked by the majestic Southern
Alps, the town was named because ‘...it was fit for a Queen’. Today
we have a selection of activities for you to choose from. These include a
Queenstown Double Decker tour, an Original Wine Tour of some of the local and
award-winning wineries, an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Shotover River or a
relaxing garden tour might appeal. Perhaps take the Safari of the Scenes, an
adventure into Skippers Canyon by 4WD or a Lakeshore Forest and Bird Walk. Bx1
Day 11. Kingston Flyer Steam Train, Milford Sound, Te Anau. Take a trip back in
time today aboard the Kingston Flyer, New Zealand’s famous vintage steam
train. Travel from Kingston to Fairlight through alpine desert and tussock
grasslands. Continue to Milford Sound and on arrival in Milford, join a cruise
for a journey on this magnificent, glacier-carved fiord. This afternoon return
to the delightful lakeside town of Te Anau. Stay: Te Anau, Luxmore Hotel. Bx1
Dx1
Day 12. Dunedin, Freedom of Choice Touring Arrive in the charming town of
Dunedin. Today your sightseeing choices include the Taieri Gorge Railway
Excursion, a trip to the Otago Peninsula to view the magnificent Royal
Albatross or Yellow-eyed penguin colonies, a visit to Speight’s Brewery,
historic Larnach Castle and more. Stay: Dunedin City Hotel. Bx1 Dx1
Day 13. Dunedin, Seasider Train, Mt Cook This morning board the Seasider Train
at Dunedin’s stately railway station, and journey north along the east
coast. Travel into World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park, home to
Australasia’s highest mountain, Mt Cook. You may wish to take an optional
scenic flight over this alpine region for a sensational aerial view of the
dramatic landscape below (weather permitting, own expense). Stay: Mt Cook, The
Hermitage. Bx1 Dx1
Day 14. Lake Tekapo, Christchurch. Today visit Lake Tekapo and view the tiny
Church of the Good Shepherd, built from locally gathered stone and oak in
tribute to the hard working early pioneers of the land. Dwarfed by the
surrounding mountains, the church is a definite photographic highlight. After
stopping to breathe some of the country’s freshest air, continue through
Burkes Pass to the Garden City of Christchurch, with its distinctive English
feel. Your tour concludes on arrival in Christchurch and a departure transfer
to the airport is included. Bx1 |
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