17 Days Natural New Zealand Tour Package
Duration: 17 Days / 16 Nights
Priced From: $6530 pp dbl. occ.
Dates: May - Dec/ Jan - Mar 
Itinerary
Day 1 Fly USA to Auckland
Please note international air from the USA has not been included in the package price.
Day 2 You cross the International Dateline
The International Date Line is an imaginary line on the earth’s surface that approximately coincides with the 180th meridian (LONGITUDE), and separates the calendar date. Traveling east across the line takes the traveler back one day; traveling west, takes the traveler forward one day.
Day 3 Welcome to Auckland, New Zealand
You will be met by your driver outside the customs and immigration area. You will be transferred to your Auckland city 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 Auckland to Coromandel to Rotorua tour
Depart Auckland for a three day experience to visit the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. Your Kiwi hosts make the tour fun, entertaining and filled with knowledge - their love and respect for the mountains, forest coastline and creatures within is evident from the moment you meet them. Travel is in a small group of up to six people.
These three magical days focus on the Coromandel area and are designed to suit many age groups and a wide range of interests. People of any fitness level may enjoy this tour, though please be prepared for the outdoors.
Day 5 Gloworms, Beaches, Maori and Cook
Take a rainforest walk to see glow worms in old caves, and an underground jail! Be prepared for fun at this time! Bring good walking shoes, camera and a sense of humor. From the mountains to costal scenery. One of the most beautiful costal tours in the world. At stunning Hahei beach we walk to a historic Maori Pa (fortified village) which overlooks islands, beaches and volcanic peaks. Follow the coast to Cooks beach, named after Captain Cook's visit where he observed the transit of Mercury in 1769. See 'treasures' from nature including gold, crystals, petrified wood, Kauri gum and other minerals. Tide permitting, we will stroll to unique Hotwater Beach where you can dabble your feet in hot springs.
Day 6 Islands, Craters and Lakes
Ever changing panorama of forests, mountains, beaches and islands until we leave the Coromandel and enter the Bay of Plenty, home to plantations of Kiwi fruit, citrus, avocados, flowers, emu and deer farms to name a few. See New Zealand's 'mural town', Katikati, with its open-air art and visit a plantation to see kiwifruit, avocados, and export flowers. We drive south passing lakes to Rotorua, a city built in the crater of a huge volcano with steam rising from the ground in every part of this fascinating place. You will be dropped off at your hotel on completion of your Coromandel tour.
Rotorua is a thermal fantasy-island where geysers of boiling water erupt in the air, mud bubbles in mysterious pools and steam wafts in eerie clouds from the surface of the lake.
Day 7 Fly Rotorua to Christchurch
You will be transferred by private vehicle to the airport for your flight to Christchurch. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel, again by private transportation.
Christchurch is the South Island's largest city, beautifully encapsulates the best of what New Zealand has to offer. This is a vibrant city of exciting festivals, art galleries, theatres and great shopping. Award-winning attractions are available within the city and the surrounding countryside.
Find out what variety really means; explore our unspoilt corner of the globe, where wilderness, adventure and sophisticated urban living can be found in perfect balance.
Day 8 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 9 Nature and Wilderness tour from Christchurch to Queenstown
Explore New Zealand's spectacular South Island on a small group personal tour. In groups of just 2-6 guests, your local guide will help you experience the natural wonders and heritage of the 'Land of the Long White Cloud'. You will meet the local people, walk the countryside's quiet trails where larger tour groups do not venture, and visit wild and remote places.
The nine day fully guided tour includes meet and greet on arrival to Christchurch, 8 nights superior accommodation at lodges and small hotels, Guided walk on the Fox Glacier, Milford Sound cruise, guided nature and forest walks, daily breakfast, four lunches and seven dinners and departure transfer at Queenstown.
City, Plains and Alps
After a free morning, your Canterbury Trails guide will take you onto the Port Hills, the flanks of the ancient volcanoes from where there are spectacular views of the city, the vast Canterbury Plains and the distant Southern Alps. This is an opportunity to get to know everyone and to talk about where we are going on the tour and what everyone's expectations are. We will the depart Christchurch and cross the Catnerbury Plains and travel into the high country surrounded by mountains to the Wilderness Lodge Arthurs Pass.
Day 10 High Country, Sheep, Valleys and Keas
Discover the real high country - a day where you can explore and discover the alpine plants and animals and take in the spectacular Southern Alps. Experience the workings of a high country sheep farm and help with the day activities such as feeding out, mustering or working sheep farm dogs. Walking, canoeing and mountain bike riding are available or perhaps just relax in the lounge and gaze at the surrounding peaks.
Day 11 Mountains, Moas, Pioneers and Ice
After breakfast we will travel through the Arthur’s Pass National Park and cross the pass used as a gold rush link and by the Maori in their search for greenstone. Great mountain valleys, history and home of the kea - the world’s only alpine parrot. Down the spectacular Otira Gorge we follow rivers to the west coast, travel backcountry and walk through an old gold miners trail. Visit Hokitikal, once a very large gold mining town and walk through an ancient coastal forest.
At the Bushman's Centre, meet a 'Coaster' and some of the locals. Heading further south see the west coast bush kettle lakes created by the melting ice sheets at the end of the last ice age and travel to Franz Josef. Upon arrival at Franz Josef, a short walk up to a look out for a magnificent view of this glacier pushing into rainforest - truly incredible!
Day 12 Geology - Ice Age and Podocarps
Depart Franz Josef Glacier for a dramatic drive through the glaciated landscape to Fox Glacier where a hike can be made up on to the ice with an experienced alpine guide - this is a highlight of the tour. For those who would like something a little more passive, perhaps a walk to a glacier viewpoint or an optional helicopter ride to view the Alps and land on the upper reaches of the glacier. After lunch, a beautiful and tranquil walk can be taken to Lake Matheson where incredible reflections of Mts. Cook and Tasman can often be seen.
Day 13 Wilderness, Wildlife and Rainforests
A day spent at Lake Moeraki - a nature lover's paradise. Spectacular beaches that are home to fur seals and crested penguins, untouched lowland rain forests spread between pristine lakes and rivers which drain the snow capped Southern Alps. Few places on earth can match the unique natural setting of Lake Moeraki in the heart of the 2.7million hectare Southwest NZ World Heritage Area. Activities include guided walks to get close to the wildlife, learn about the forest and experience amazing scenery.
Day 14 Coastline, Explorers, Tussocks and Gold
From Moeraki to Ship Creek where from a viewing tower there is a good chance of seeing the rare Hectors Dolphin playing beyond the surf. Walk through a primeval swamp forest to see ancient 'dinosaur' trees, view costal lagoon and fossick for greenstone on the remote pristine beach. Turning east, we follow the Haast Highway over the Haast Pass and see how the land changes dramatically as the road climbs from the dense rainforest of the West Coast to the drier tussock lands of Otago. Enjoy short walks to waterfalls before we reach Wanaka, a quiet mountain resort on the shores of Lake Wanaka. From Wanaka, we head over the rugged and remote Crown Range, sight of gold miners' settlement and view this quaint old miners' village before reaching Queenstown.
Day 15 Milford Sound, Glacial Lakes and Alps
The road to Milford through the Fiordland National Park is absolutely breathtaking with sheer U shaped glaciated valleys and waterfalls everywhere. The rain forests are Jurassic Park and the Honer Tunnel, entry to the Cleddau valley and Milford Sound is tribute to the engineer's skills in the 1930's. Explore the fiord on a cruise before heading back to Queenstown. Catch a glimpse of the extremely rare Takahe, a flightless bird at a sanctuary in Te Anau and we can take short walks to see waterfalls, alpine views and lakes.
Day 16 Adventure and Relaxing in the Mountains
A free day to experience some of the many optional activities which Queenstown has to offer. Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the old steamship Earnslaw - the lady of the lake or perhaps try an exhilarating jetboat trip through the Shotover Canyon. Shopping, spectacular views from the gondola, bush walking or an art and craft trail are just some of the things you can do. Your guide will be available to assist with transfers as required and for those who wish to climb up Queenstown Hill offers spectacular views.
Day 17 Fly Queenstown to USA (Via Christchurch)
After breakfast, time for last minute shopping or to experience that last piece of adventure before you are bid farewell to New Zealand as you transfer to the airport for your departure flight back to the USA.
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Contact : Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252
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