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15 Days Kiwi Culture Tour Package
Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights 
Itinerary Day 1 Fly USA to Auckland Please note international air from the USA has not been included in the package price.
The International Date Line is an imaginary line on the earth’s surface that approximately coincides with the 180th meridian line (LONGITUDE), and separates the calendar date. Traveling east across the line takes the traveler back one day, traveling west takes the traveler forward. Day 3 Welcome to Auckland, New Zealand On arrival into Auckland, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation. Auckland, 'City of Sails', located between two stunning harbors, enjoys a mild year-round climate Auckland is the country's most visited region and largest urban area, offering exciting activities and great shopping. The City lies across an 11km wide volcanic isthmus separating two harbors. The Waitemata to the east opens into the Hauraki Gulf, and to the Pacific Ocean. The Manukau Harbour to the west offers many estuaries and surf beaches and opens to the Tasman Sea. Day 4 Drive Auckland to Rotorua Collect your rental vehicle from the city depot and commence the leisurely drive to Rotorua. Drive time is around 4 hours, but allow most of the day to take in the sights along the way. You have a couple of options with the road via Waitomo Caves and the Gloworm Grotto being the most popular (if you want to see the caves), or alternatively take the road via the Coromandel Peninsula for some breathtaking scenery (this will take a little longer as you will want to make quite a few extra stops). New Zealand, or Aotearoa, is a mythical land steeped in legend and mystery. The diverse landscape of Rotorua is where adventure abounds. There are great forest trails for mountain biking or hiking. Take your chance to spy from the sky by helicopter, biplane, or floatplane - and maybe land on a dormant volcano - or an active one! Try tandem skydiving or tumble head over heels down a hillside in the revolutionary Zorb. Safaris through native forest and over rugged farmland on horseback or by farm-bike, jetboating and fishing are other activities that abound in the area. Day 5 Tour - Rotorua Hangi dinner & concert This Twilight Cultural Tour offers transport to and from a Marae by coach. Tonight is a spiritual experience you will never forget with Marae protocol, entertainment, Maori culture and feasting. En route to the Marae, the guide explains the protocol to take place. The group on board is prepared for the wero (challenge) and welcome to the Marae. Upon entering the exquisitely carved meeting house, you will hongi (greet - pressing of noses) with your host. The tradition means you are a friend and may consider yourself one of the family. Now sit back and enjoy the culture of the Maori people. See the fierce Haka (war dance), twirling of poi balls, stick games and other entertainment. From here we move to the Hangi pit to see the traditional Maori method of food preparation before heading into the dining room for a Hangi (feast). After the feast, you are transferred back to your Rotorua accommodation by coach. Day 6 Drive Rotorua to Wellington At your leisure for this 5-6 hour drive through the center of the North Island. The main features of the area are the farmlands, the active volcano area of Tongariro National Park and Lake Taupo and the Ruahine Forest Park. The Wellington region of the lower North Island, which includes Wellington City (New Zealand's capital), the Wairarapa, Hutt Valley, Porirua and the Kapiti Coast, is a vibrant new visitor destination. It is a gateway to New Zealand's culture, both urban and rural. Day 7 At leisure, Wellington At your leisure to explore Wellington, New Zealand's National Capital and center of the arts. An excellent city café lifestyle abounds with lots of museums and art centers including the new and incredible Te Papa Museum. Day 8 Drive Picton to Nelson Return your rental vehicle at the Wellington ferry terminal before taking the Interislander ferry from Wellington to Picton. The 82 kilometer journey takes little more than three hours, yet it's one of the world's great scenic cruises. And when you cruise across on the Interislander you'll find a wonderful combination of entertainment and services that will make your Cook Strait crossing even more memorable. On arrival, collect your rental car and enjoy the drive directly across the Richmond Range as you head towards Nelson. Approximate time to allow is 2 hours for this drive. Day 9 At leisure, Nelson The beach, shining sea, cruisy cafés, forest walks, beautiful landscapes, sun and blue skies, a thoroughly relaxed lifestyle, the artists attracted for the same reasons, their amazing art, the seafood, the wine, boutique breweries... this is Nelson. Day 10 Drive Nelson to Christchurch Today's drive will take you through the Marlborough region at the north-east tip of the South island. It is an area of diverse geography containing a complex network of drowned river valleys, textured with myriad islands, coves and bays. As you drive down State Highway 1 you will pass the rugged, snow-capped peaks of the Kaikoura Ranges. The drive is approximately 280 miles and will probably take around 7 hours. Day 11 At leisure, Christchurch Christchurch, the city of parks and gardens, trees and beauty, is also buzzing with street life. Wine bars, street cafes and exciting entertainments give the central city vitality unique in New Zealand. Christchurch is said to be the most English city outside England. The downtown district focuses on Cathedral Square, where you'll find buskers, speakers and the eccentric Wizard of Christchurch (who is classified as a living work of art). You can sedately cruise the Avon River by punt, on its meandering course through town, under many bridges and past historic landmarks, or do your own thing by canoe. Vintage car, horse and carriage, hot air ballooning and guided walking tours: these are just a few ways to explore the Garden City. Day 12 Drive Christchurch to Queenstown The drive today is around 5 hours, but there are many interesting diversions along the way as you pass through the Canterbury Plains into the Southern Alps and finally onto Queenstown. Stop at Lake Tekapo and take a scenic flight over Mt. Cook if you have time. Nestled beside the deep blue waters of Lake Wakatipu, at the foot of the Remarkables Mountain Range, Queenstown is a year round resort, where you can be as active as you want, or just leisurely enjoy the magnificent scenery. Day 13 Tour - Milford Sound full day tour An early start as you leave your hotel and coach through some of the most beautiful countryside in New Zealand. On arrival at Milford Sound, board the vessel for a leisurely cruise along the sound to the Tasman Sea. The vessel stops at various points and plenty of time is available to view waterfalls, rainforests, mountains and seals. You may even see dolphins frolic alongside the boat. A buffet lunch is included during the cruise. Day 14 At leisure, Queenstown At your leisure to explore the adventure capital of New Zealand. Set between the towering Remarkable Ranges and the bottomless Lake Wakitipu, Queenstown has it all - bungy jumping, jetboating, rafting, amazing scenic helicopter flights. You may wish to visit Milford or Doubtful Sound or the old gold mining town of Arrowtown. Day 15 Fly Queesntown to USA (Via Auckland) Drive to Queenstown airport and drop off your rental car before boarding your departure flight Hotels
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: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252 3/09 |
Day 2 You cross the International Date Line|
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