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New Zealand Small Group Touring - limited
to 20 persons |
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| Luxury small
group touring – maximum 20 passengers |
Ultimate New Zealand
Tour Discover the tranquil wilderness of Rotorua, take in the
stunning sights of the Marlborough Sounds, delight in the ‘Alpine
Resort’ township of Queenstown, visit beautiful Mt Cook, be dazzled by the
sparkling city of Sydney, unwind in the famous Whitsundays, drink in the
delights of Hayman Island and explore the oldest living rain forest on earth,
the Daintree on this once in a life time South Pacific adventure.
Accommodation Distinctive Hotels and Lodges Tour Code NQC13
Tour Duration 13 Group Size 20 Style Platinum Collection in Australia and New
Zealand Superb Dining Waiheke Island lunch at a local winery with wine tasting
Outstanding Places to Stay Stay two nights at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Auckland
Package 13 Day Ultimate New Zealand (Platinum 2006) Select Another Date Range
Apr. 2006 - Mar. 2007
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive Auckland Your international flight arrives at Auckland
Airport, where you are met and transported by private transfer to Hyatt Regency
Auckland, on University Hill overlooking both city and harbour. Relax in your
elegant Residence Apartment before sharing a welcome cocktail and welcome
dinner this evening. Get to know your fellow travelers. Two Night Stay:
Auckland, Hyatt Regency (Residence Apartments). Dx1
Day 2. Waiheke Island Day Excursion This morning travel by helicopter to
Waiheke Island, the largest and most popular island and long known as a
maritime playground for Aucklanders. Enjoy spectacular views of the Auckland
Harbour and city. Waiheke Island’s microclimate enables the production of
some outstanding speciality grape varieties and our tour today includes visits
to some of the more unique wineries each with their own specialities. Enjoy a
superb lunch at one of the leading Wineries and experience samples of local
vintages together with a variety of fresh cuisine or seafood specialities. This
afternoon return to Auckland by catamaran and enjoy the remainder of the day at
your leisure. You may like to venture some more around New Zealand’s
largest city. Perhaps start with a walk down Queen Street, Auckland's shopping
and business district; stroll down to the America's Cup Village; browse the
boutique shops in trendy Parnell Village or visit the famous Kelly Tarlton's
Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World. Your options are endless. Bx1 Lx1
Day 3. Auckland, Rotorua, Explore Geothermal Rotorua After a sumptuous
breakfast this morning we travel by coach to Rotorua. Journey on the Thermal
Explorer Highway through the rich farming district of the Waikato. On arrival
you will be taken on a brief tour of this thermal wonderland. Visit Te Puia
Thermal Reserve and enjoy a geothermal experience, boiling mud pools and
exploding geysers. View an extraordinary journey of Maori Culture and mythology
at “The Realm of Tane” before continuing to Peppers on the Point, a
luxurious retreat with superb views of the sparkling waters of Lake Rotorua.
Peppers on the Point offers discerning travelers both a haven of relaxation and
tranquility and an unparalleled experience. Once a Maori Pa site, this Rotorua
lakeside accommodation is steeped in local history – of ancient battles,
love and life – and looks out towards the historic Mokoia Island. The
luxury lodge retreat is a converted 1930s mansion filled with beautiful
antiques. This is the ultimate destination to indulge and refresh your senses,
exemplified by the finest cuisine and boutique wines. Two Night Stay: Rotorua,
Peppers on the Point. Bx1 Dx1
Day 4. Discover Rotorua at Leisure Enjoy your breakfast at leisure in
this spectacular thermal region. Peppers on the Point offers a number of
optional activities that you may wish to participate in, around Rotorua.
Perhaps enjoy a soak in the therapeutic thermal waters of a natural mineral
pool or witness the power of nature viewing boiling mud pools and soaring
geysers. Perhaps a leisurely round of golf or be entertained and educated about
the farming history of New Zealand at a sheep show and shearing display, you
may like to look around the stores and indulge in some retail therapy. Or
simply sit back, relax and enjoy the tranquility of the lodges beautiful
surroundings (own expense). Bx1 Dx1
Day 5. Rotorua, Blenheim, Marlborough Sounds Today transfer from Peppers
on the Point to Rotorua airport for your flight to Blenheim. On arrival in
Blenheim you will be met and taken on a short journey to Picton where we board
a water taxi to take us to Torea Bay. In pre-european days, Maori discovered
the best way to access unrivalled fishing treasures in Kenepuru Sound was to
take the Torea Saddle across to Portage Bay, today we follow that same route to
take us to The Portage Resort. This evening relax and enjoy award winning wines
and regional delicacies of the Marlborough Region. Two Night Stay: Marlborough
Sounds, The Portage Resort. Bx1 Dx1
Day 6. Marlborough Sounds Today you may like to partake in one of the
many activities available in the Marlborough Sounds (own expense) –
departing from Portage Bay. Perhaps cruise the beautiful and picturesque
Marlborough Sounds and visit a local Mussel Farm to sample the produce along
with a glass of Marlborough sauvignon blanc wine. Maybe cruise to the start of
the Queen Charlotte Track and walk part of the track stopping for a sumptuous
lunch en route. A winery tour to some of New Zealand’s finest producers of
sauvignon blanc or perhaps a guided sea kayaking excursion including lunch. The
choice is endless. Bx1
Day 7. Marlborough Sounds, Blenheim, Christchurch Today is a spectacular
scenic journey between mountain and sea. Travel through the Marlborough region,
an area with a strong international reputation for white wines. Arrive in the
thriving seaside settlement of Kaikoura, an area offering unique whale, seal
and dolphin watching experiences. Here, there is an opportunity for an optional
whale watching experience, view giant sperm whales and acrobatic dusky dolphins
in their natural habitat (own expense). Journey between the Pacific Ocean and
rugged Kaikoura Ranges, through North Canterbury to Christchurch, the largest
city in the South Island and renowned as the ‘Garden City’. Tonight
enjoy a sumptuous dinner at the award-winning Canterbury Tales Restaurant,
located in your hotel. Christchurch, Crowne Plaza (Club Rooms). Bx1 Dx1
Day 8. Christchurch, Queenstown Depart Christchurch airport for your
flight to Queenstown, nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, overlooked by the
majestic Southern Alps. On arrival enjoy a brief orientation tour of this
magnificent ‘Alpine Resort’. Tonight explore Queenstown further with
our Dine Around Dinner offering a selection of dining experiences. Three Night
Stay: Queenstown, Sofitel Queenstown. Bx1 Dx1
Day 9. Queenstown, Doubtful Sound Cruise Your Doubtful Sound adventure
begins as you cruise the crystal clear waters of Lake Manapouri. Then it's over
Wilmot Pass, stopping along the way to experience some of Fiordland's densest
rain forest and to view the colorful alpine moss gardens. On reaching Deep
Cove, you will board our spacious catamaran for a three hour cruise that takes
in the most dramatic scenery of Doubtful Sound. Our skippers provide a detailed
commentary and point out highlights. Keep a look out for wildlife as bottlenose
dolphins frequently come alongside our vessel, fur seals bask on the rocks
around the fiord and rare penguins can at times be observed. Bx1 Lx1 Day 10.
Explore Queenstown at Leisure Queenstown is a year-round destination, with
events and activities determined by the season, in winter a snowfield
playground, in summer an adventure-lover’s paradise. Today is at your
leisure to discover this beautiful region. There are endless activities
available for you to experience. Whether you choose to venture out of the
region on a day excursion or wander around the streets of Queenstown, viewing
the stores and enjoying a coffee overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables.
You may like to partake in some of Queenstown’s well known activities, the
Shotover Jet, 4WD safari or a cruise on Lake Wakatipu. (All activities at own
expense.) Bx1
Day 11. Queenstown, Mount Cook After breakfast we join our coach and
appreciate the spectacular scenery as we journey between Queenstown and Mt
Cook. This afternoon a unique insight into the workings and movement of the
glacial environment. We travel on a guided walking and boat journey to the
spectacular Tasman Glacier ice face amongst breaking and melting ice
formations. Our accommodation tonight is at The Hermitage, a re-created Alpine
Lodge hotel, set amidst pristine snowfields and surrounded by the highest peaks
in Mt Cook National Park. Mt Cook, The Hermitage. Bx1 Dx1
Day 12. Mt Cook, Christchurch Scenic flights over the national park region
are available as an option this morning for those who wish (weather
permitting). This morning we visit the beautiful glacier-fed lake of Tekapo and
view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1935 of locally gathered
stone and oak. Leaving the High Country and its sheep stations we travel
through Burkes Pass to the patchwork plains of Canterbury. Continue via the
Rakaia Gorge to the charming garden city of Christchurch, South Island’s
largest city. Tonight our special Farewell Dinner is at the Sign of the Takahe,
a Christchurch landmark, which is set high on the Cashmere Hills with stunning
views over the city of Christchurch. Christchurch, The Crowne Plaza (Club
Rooms). Bx1 Dx1
Day 13. Christchurch Your tour concludes this morning after a sumptuous
breakfast. A private transfer between Christchurch City and the airport is
included. Farewell, Haere Ra from the people of New Zealand, we wish you safe
and enjoyable trip traveling to your onward destination. Bx1
Ultimate New Zealand Tour Summary Discover the tranquil wilderness of Peppers
on the Point a sanctuary and retreat of breathtaking views overlooking the
sparkling water of Lake Rotorua. While staying in the ‘Alpine Resort’
township of Queenstown, revel in the luxury and relaxed atmosphere of the
Sofitel which is close to all the main attractions. Located in the heart of
stunning Marlborough Sounds and some of New Zealand’s best wine-making
county, The Portage Resort Hotel offers peace and tranquillity for the most
discerning traveller
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Australia Escorted Tours
