New Zealand Vacations

Adventure Vacations

14 Days Active New Zealand (Auckland to Christchurch) Tour Package

Duration: 14 Days / 13 Nights
Priced From: Contact Travelwizard

A 14 day 'active' holiday of New Zealand, designed for you to see and actively participate in a number of activities at your level! You go sailing, 4 wheel driving, caving, native bird watching, rafting, jet boating, sea kayaking, glacier walking, hiking, be dropped on an active volcano and introduced to the Maori culture. Plus lots more!

Day 2. Rotorua. After a leisurely breakfast, we travel to Whakatane for our launch ride to the active volcano, White Island. The climax of the day is the hike to the crater rim. En route back to Rotorua, you will experience a formal Maori welcome onto a Marae performed by our Ngati Rongomai hosts. They will then entertain us with a Maori concert, followed by a hangi (food cooked in an earth oven). BLD

Day 3. Rotorua to River Valley. On the way to Taupo we stop at a fascinating thermal valley to explore boiling mud pools, mineral terraces and steaming volcanic lakes. Later we visit the Wairaki geothermal area and then stop at the Huka Falls en route to our remote riverside lodge. River Valley Lodge. BL

Day 4. River Valley to Kapiti Coast. The Rangitikei River is home to some high class, river rafting. Dependant on the degree of challenge sought, there are two options available. By mid afternoon a relaxing drive to the small coastal town of Paraparaumu. Wrights by the Sea. BL

Day 5. Kapiti Coast to Wellington. Access to Kapiti Island, a conservation gem, is strictly limited, in order to preserve the island birdlife. By mid afternoon we return to our coach and complete the drive to New Zealand's capital, Wellington. Kingsgate Wellington. BL

Day 6. Wellington to Marlborough Sounds. After almost a full day exploring Wellington, we board the Inter Island ferry and sail across Cook Strait to Picton, via the scenic Marlborough Sounds. Portage Hotel (2 nights). BL

Day 7. Queen Charlotte Track. The Queen Charlotte Walkway follows down the spine that separates the Pelorous Sound from the Queen Charlotte Sound. A glorious walk, and whilst you won't have time to walk the whole track, there is time to do a section of up to 15 km. BL

Day 8. Punga Cove to Nelson. This morning starts with a water taxi and the journey back to Picton. Nearby at Anakiwa we take up the challenge of a half day paddle in the sheltered waters in our stable double kayaks. And so on to Nelson. Delorenzos. BL

Day 9. Nelson to Punakaiki. Our adventure today is cave rafting. After a walk up the bush clad valley we enter the cave and explore the underground world before floating downstream on tubes - an ideal way to view this amazing underworld. Onwards to Punakaiki home of the famous Pancake Rocks. Punakaiki Rocks Villas. BL

Day 10. Punakaiki to Fox Glacier. Today we continue along the rugged coastline, bordered by dense temperate rainforest. After lunch we depart for a 4 hour walk onto the Fox Glacier. An evening option is to take a leisurely stroll around Lake Matheson, a photographer's paradise. Te Weheka. BL

Day 11. Fox Glacier to Queenstown. We join the awesome Waiatoto Jet boat experience deep into the mountains of the Mt Aspiring National Park. Once back in the bus we head inland over the scenic Haast Pass, over the Crown Range to end this wonderful day with views over the Wakatipu Basin, before heading down to Queenstown. Aspen on Queenstown (2 nights.) BL

Day 12. Queenstown. Free day. B

Day 13. Queenstown to Fairlie. Today we travel through to Mount Cook National Park, with a stop at Lake Tekapo for a look at the Church of the good Shepherd and Bronze dog. In Fairlie we stay at a farmstay - hosted by a local farming family, for the night. Farmstay. BLD

Day 14. Fairlie to Christchurch. We head north onto the fertile Canterbury Plains enjoying a winery lunch en route. We arrive around midday in the garden city of Christchurch. BL

• 13 nights quality accommodation on a twin or double basis
• experienced Adventure South driver/guide
• transport using comfortable modern vehicle
• 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 3 dinners
  
  Note - not included dinners are usually eaten with the group but clients have the option of an own/quiet meal if they wish all hikes as indicated including National Park fees
  
• farm-stay on a New Zealand farm with your "Kiwi" hosts
• Waiatoto Jetboat tour
• Guided glacier hike
• Cave rafting tour
• Buller Gorge Swing Bridge
• Visits to Church of Good Shepherd, Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
• Sea kayak tour at Anakiwa
• Water taxis & ferry to the North Island
• Hike on Queen Charlotte track
• Kapiti Island boat trip, visit & permit
• Guided rafting tour or horse trek option
• Visits to Huka Falls & Craters of the Moon
• Boat trip & guided tour of White Island
• Maori Cultural experience & Hangi meal
• 4WD experience
• Sailing on Waitemata harbour in Auckland
• Visits to Te Papa and Rotorua Museum
• Specialist guides for non-walking activities
• Use of Adventure South packs & hiking poles if required
• Local taxes (G.S.T)

• 10 dinners & 1 lunch
• activities on free day in Queenstown (day 3)
• other extra activities on the route
• items of a personal nature e.g. drinks, wine with meals, phone calls etc
• tips & gratuities

Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252

12/09

Expert New Zealand Adventure
Vacation Planners

Book your New Zealand Adventure Vacation or Tour Here