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13 Days Ultimate Family Vacation in New Zealand Luxury Tour Package
Duration: 13 Days / 12 Nights
Priced From: $3,596 pp.Dbl.Occ
Dates: Jan - Mar
Springboard Vacations designed it and GMA viewers voted this the Ultimate Family Vacation. Now experience it for yourself!
An action-packed family getaway that takes you through New Zealand's North & South Islands. You'll experience more than just dramatic scenery and the country's finest hotels & resorts. This is a vacation rich in culture, education and amazing family adventures!
Itinerary
Day 1
AUCKLAND
Welcome to Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’. Imagine a family friendly urban environment where everyone lives within half an hour of beautiful beaches, hiking trails and a dozen enchanted holiday islands. Add a sunny climate, a background rhythm of Polynesian culture and a passion for outstanding food, wine and shopping – you’re beginning to get the picture of Auckland.
HYATT REGENCY AUCKLAND
2 BEDROOM RESIDENCE VIEW SUITE - 2 nights
Day 1
A Maori Guided Walk of Auckland
The walk begins at Mt Eden; the site of a majestic Pa (Maori strategic stronghold). You will walk past iconic Auckland landmarks, stopping along the way at places of historical significance to the Maori. After a picnic lunch the journey continues through the heart of the city, before coming to an end at the edge of the Waitemata Harbour on Auckland’s waterfront. Maori guides from the local Ngati Whatua tribe re-tell ancient stories and sacred history on the Tamaki Hikoi, a walking tour through Auckland.
Day 2
AUCKLAND CITY SIGHTS
This morning take a tour of Auckland and discover the sight of this great harbour city – including Kelly Tarltons Underwater World and Stingray Splash where you can enter into the waters of Stingray Bay and get up close and personal with Stingrays.
AMERICA'S CUP SAILING
The America’s Cup is the world’s oldest and most prestigious sporting trophy and ultimate yachting regatta. Usually the domain of billionaires and elite professional yachties, but now you have the unique opportunity to participate sailing on these grand prix racing machines. Become part of the crew! Take the helm, exert energy on the grinders or simply sit back and enjoy the action as we sail down the Auckland Harbour.
Day 3-5
Pick up your 4WD Automatic SUV. Your rental includes GST, unlimited mileage, 24hr roadside assist, vehicle insurance (insurance excess applies;excludes airport location surcharge).
Drive to Matamata
Day 3
LORD OF THE RINGS MOVIE SET
Be on the set of the Lord of the Rings. The remnants of the movie set are on picturesque private farmland near Matamata in the North Island of New Zealand. There are spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges from the rolling green hills of the farm, which is a working sheep and beef unit. The Hobbiton movie set has been returned to its natural state. However, hobbit holes and some structures from the film set are still present. Your tour guide will escort you through the 10-acre site, recounting fascinating details of how the Hobbiton set was created.
Continue on to Rotorua
Day 3
ROTORUA
Voted New Zealand’s Most Beautiful City in 1999, 2000 and 2002, Rotorua’s striking gardens, cobbled streets and fascinating mix of Maori and English Tudor architecture give the city a significant point of difference. Beyond the urban centre, a backdrop of geothermal steam, volcanic mountains and huge crater lakes remind you that this region rests immediately above the Pacific Ring of Fire.
In Rotorua’s geothermal villages, the tradition of guiding and sharing cultural heritage has been passed down through the generations. You'll find it expressed with true warmth and energy
HAMURANA LODGE - 2 nights
Day 3
PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR
You'll be escorted to Rotowhio for ceremonial welcome, escorted within Te Aronui-a-Rua meeting house for Cultural performance. Learn how to do the famous Haka and Poi dance. Your private tour will also include weaving school, how to make a flower from flax, view live kiwi birds, NgamokaiaKoko, mud pool, Pohutu, Prince of Wales geysers, carving school and gallery, Porotiti, musical instrument.
BURIED VILLAGE TOUR
On June 10 1886, a violent and unexpected volcanic eruption was New Zealand's greatest natural disaster. For more than four terrifying hours, rocks, ash and boiling hot mud bombarded the peaceful village. Te Wairoa and 5000 square miles of scenic countryside were buried under hot heavy ash & mud. More than 150 lives were lost. The Museum of Te Wairoa tells the chronological story of lives, lives lost, events and effects of the 1886 eruption of Mt. Tarawera. A Journey through time including; excavated artifacts and exhibits, photographs, models, recorded events and a new audio-visual presentation that recreates the thunderous calamity of 1886.
HELICOPTER FLIGHT TO WHITE ISLAND AND MT.TARAWERA
Fly over Hell’s Gate Thermal Valley and the Northern Lakes to the Pacific Ocean coastline. Circle and view from above the crater and fearsome activity of White Island active volcano. Return over to fly over Mt.Tarawera’s Crater Rift and wonder at the massive destruction caused by the 1886 eruption. See the Steaming Cliffs, Waimangu Volcanic Valley, the Blue and Green Lakes, and the geysers of Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley.
Day 5
Fly to CHRISTCHURCH
CHRISTCHURCH
A unique blend of historic charm and exciting city life. A delicate balance of hustle and bustle with fresh tranquility. All the facilities and none of the frustrations. This will weave a spell on you and leave you enchanted. This is Christchurch...
THE GEORGE HOTEL
2 nights
Day 6
SWIM WITH DOLPHINS
Your going to experience the ultimate marine adventure: go swimming with the smallest, and one of the rarest dolphins in the world. A close encounter you won't soon forget.
Day 7
ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST TRAIN JOURNEYS
CHRISTCHURCH TO GREYMOUTH
Travel from one coast of New Zealand to the other – a journey ranked as one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. From your carriage you’ll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Your train then climbs into the Southern Alps before descending through lush beech rain forest to the West Coast town of Greymouth. An open air viewing carriage allows you to get even closer to the stunning scenery and provides many opportunities to photograph the dramatic landscape.
Pick up your 4WD Automatic SUV. Drive to Franz Josef Glacier.
Day 7
FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER
2 Bedroom Unit
Day 8
HALF DAY GLACIER EXPERIENCE
Franz Josef Glacier, found in the stunning Westland National Park, is one of the most spectacular glaciers in this region. This is a fantastic introduction to an enthralling world of ice, traversing spectacular tracks of only moderate difficulty, this experience is suitable for most agile people. This walk allows you time to enjoy the impressive terrain on the lower reaches of Franz Josef Glacier. (Minimum child ages is 9 years)
Day 9
Drive to QUEENSTOWN
QUEENSTOWN
From crystal clear Lake Wakatipu across to The Remarkables mountain range, Queenstown’s environment is majestic and awe inspiring. Queenstown has always attracted people on a quest. First came the Maori, seeking pounamu (jade). Gold prospectors followed and today, the quest for high adventure and sublime relaxation attracts people to Queenstown. Adventure Capital of the World.
MILBROOK RESORT
2 Bedroom Villa
Day 10
SAIL ON NEW ZEALAND'S FJORDS - DOUBTFUL SOUND
When you discover Doubtful Sound you will be struck by its silence – a silence broken only by birdsong, or maybe the rushing of a distant waterfall. 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 rainforest and to view the colorful alpine moss gardens.
Day 11
SHOTOVER JET BOAT
It's an adrenaline rush you'll never forget! We call it Thrill Therapy! From the moment the accelerator hits the floor, your adrenaline hits the roof as you power through the Shotover River and deep into the Shotover River canyons! It's an amazing ride, as the Shotover Canyon walls tower over you, and your driver skillfully whips the boat past rocky outcrops, and skims around crags and boulders. Rock faces blur in your peripheral vision, the opaque water sprays into myriads of white crystals with every turn, and you grip the safety rail for comfort and reassurance and then let out a whoop of excitement as the driver spins the boat around in its own boat length — wow, you've just experienced the 'trademark' Shotover Jet 360 degree spin!
PICNIC ON A PEAK
Helicopter to a secluded, remote mountain top where you’ll enjoy a leisurely picnic lunch and stunning alpine vistas. From the top of the world, relax and enjoy time in the wilderness before calling on the helicopter to return you to civilization.
SKYLINE LUGE & GONDOLA
From grandkids to grandparents - the Skyline Luge is fun filled gravity ride for all ages and abilities! Choose from two tracks, one scenic and gentle, the other advanced and adventurous. The Luge tracks wind 2600feet down through the trees, with spectacular views of Queenstown & The Remarkable Ranges, to finish beside the main complex.
The free two-seater chairlift takes riders and luge carts back to the top to do it all again, because once is never enough! It's safe too. You're in full control! A unique braking and steering system on your three-wheeled luge cart means you can alter course and speed at will. Go fast, go slow, stop to take photos, you decide.
Return to Queenstown by gondola: One of the steepest lift in the Southern Hemisphere, the gondola will carry you from the Skyline complex on Bob's Peak down to Queenstown.
Day 12
A day to relax
Day 13
Fly Home
Highlights include:
- 12 nights accommodation in some of New Zealand's best hotels & lodges
- Sail an America's Cup yacht
- Close encounters with Stringrays
- Visit the Lord Of The Rings movie set
- Learn Maori Culture & how to do a 'Haka'
- Discover a Buried Village
- Fly over Volcanoes
- Go Swimming with Dolphins
- Ride one of the World’s Greatest Train Journeys
- Hike on a Glacier
- Shotover Jetboat ride
- Picnic on top of a Mountain
- Ride a Luge ride
- Sail on New Zealand’s Fiords
Save time, money and stress!
For reservations: Fill out the vacation planner to be contacted by our New Zealand vacation specialist.
Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-415-446-5252 or 1-800-330-8820
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