Best of New ZealandGuided Tour, New Zealand

An intoxicating fusion of natural beauty, big-city cool and Maori culture, New Zealand is well worth the long journey. The Best of New Zealand tour introduces the dramatic scenery of South and North Island – the snow-capped Southern Alps, fjords, glaciers, natural hot springs, and award-winning wine regions. You’ll spend time in laid-back cities, including two nights each in capital city Wellington and the ‘City of Sails’, Auckland. You’ll finish your New Zealand itinerary with three nights in the subtropical Bay of Islands, home to soaring sand dunes and a rugged coastline.

What’s Included

17 nights in hotels and 3 in flight (accommodation as specified or similar)

International flights. Prices are based on return flights with Singapore Airlines from London Heathrow via Singapore. Supplements may apply from other airports

23 meals: 17 breakfasts (days 4-20) 1 lunch (day 7) 5 dinners (days 4, 8-9, 13 and 17)

VIP door-to-door travel service

Tour manager

Travel in destination by coach

Porterage

16 excursions and visits

Visits to Fiordland National Park; Gibbston Valley Winery; Mount Cook; Huka Falls; Rainbow Springs Wildlife Park; Agrodome farm show; Waitomo glow-worm caves; and Kauri Museum

Milford Sound cruise

TSS Earnslaw cruise

City tours of Wellington and Auckland

Tour of the Whakarewarewa Thermal Village

Tamaki Maori Village Cultural Experience

Bay of Islands cruise

Tour of the Waitangi Treaty House

Itinerary

Days 1-2 – Fly from UK to Christchurch via Dubai

Day 3 – Christchurch

On arrival, the remainder of the day is free. You might choose to stretch your legs strolling through Hagley Park to the wonderful botanical gardens, fringed by the River Avon.

Day 4 – Dunedin

You’ll travel south to Dunedin, clustered around an attractive harbour. Known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ for its strong Scottish influence, the city is home to New Zealand’s only kilt shop and produces the country’s whisky. You’ll follow the theme this evening with a grand, Scottish-style dinner.

Day 5 – Dunedin

Today you’re free to explore more of Dunedin. Admire the Edwardian and Victorian architecture, visit the botanical gardens or perhaps follow the Street Art Trail in the quirky Warehouse Precinct.

Day 6 – Te Anau

You journey across the rich Southland plains to Te Anau. It’s the gateway to Fiordland National Park, known for its spectacular waterfalls, dense native forest and rare birds.

Day 7 – Milford Sound and Queenstown

You’ll make your way through the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, one of the most scenic drives in the country. Then, a cruise on spectacular Milford Sound takes you along the fiord, past the spectacular Mitre Peak, out to the open sea and back again. This majestic area was described by Rudyard Kipling as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’. You may catch a glimpse of seals frolicking in their natural habitat.

Your drive to Queenstown skirts Lake Wakatipu, the only land-locked lake in the world with its own tide – its name translates as ‘the lake that breathes’.

Day 8 – Queenstown

Queenstown, dominated by the majestic Remarkables, is a favourite with those who love the great outdoors. After a free day, you take an evening cruise aboard the beautiful vintage TSS Earnslaw. Travel across Lake Wakatipu to the high country sheep station of Walter Peak where you’ll dine in the elegant Colonel’s Homestead.

Day 9 – Mount Cook

This morning you visit Gibbston Valley Winery to sample their wine, before journeying into the heart of the Southern Alps. Your first glimpse of majestic Mount Cook, towering 3,754 metres above sea level, reveals why it’s known to Maori people as ‘Cloud Piercer’. The Tasman Glacier, nudging one side of Mount Cook, is one of the longest glaciers outside the Himalayas.

Day 10 – Christchurch

Skirt the glacial blue waters of Lake Pukaki and pass Lake Tekapo en route to Christchurch.

Day 11 – Wellington

Head north across the plains to the coastal town of Kaikoura, famous for its crayfish. At Picton, you leave the South Island and steam across the spectacular Cook Strait on the comfortable inter-island ferry. Wellington Harbour offers your first view of the capital city, your home for the next two nights.

Day 12 – Wellington

Take a morning tour of the ‘Windy City’ of Wellington. The afternoon is free to explore and there are several attractions worth a visit, none more so than New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa.

Day 13 – Rotorua

Head north, stopping at Huka Falls where the wide Waikato River squeezes through a narrow gorge and tumbles down into a beautiful aquamarine pool. Continue to one of the jewels of the country, Rotorua, known for its awe-inspiring geothermal activity.

This evening, you’ll enjoy a Maori cultural experience, an authentic Maori concert and a traditional ‘hangi’ feast.

Day 14 – Rotorua

This morning you’ll visit the Agrodome for a fascinating farm show, where the skills of mustering, shearing and milking and the use of sheep dogs are demonstrated. Then you’ll head to Rainbow Springs, one of the world’s most magnificent trout and wildlife habitats, where you have a chance to see the rare, flightless kiwi.

This afternoon, take a tour of Whakarewarewa Thermal Village, where the Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahiao tribe have opened their doors to share their way of life for over 200 years.

Day 15 – Waitomo Caves – Auckland

At Waitomo Caves, you take a boat along the underground river to see the thousands of glow-worms – spectacular in the darkness of the grotto. The tiny blue-green lights shine brighter if the glow worms are hungry! You’ll travel on via the dairy centre of Hamilton to Auckland.

Day 16 – Auckland

Today you’ll be introduced to the ‘City of Sails’, the largest metropolis in New Zealand. The city tour highlights include Old Customhouse, the shoppers’ delight of Lower Queen Street, and Parliament Street. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 17 – Bay of Islands

Crossing the bridge spanning the Waitemata Harbour this morning, you can look back at Auckland’s famous landmark, Rangitoto Island, before heading to Northland, the birthplace of the nation.

You drive along the west coast, passing sleepy harbourside hamlets and native forests. The Waipoua Forest is home to huge kauri trees, the largest of which – ‘Tane Mahuta’ (Lord of the Forest) – stands 30 metres tall. You’ll learn more about these ancient trees at the Kauri Museum.

Day 18 – Bay of Islands

Embark on a delightful cruise around the bay to see Cape Brett lighthouse and hopefully spot seals, dolphins or whales. You’ll also cruise into the grand Cathedral Cave and through the ‘Hole in the Rock’.

This afternoon, you visit Waitangi Treaty House, where the historic signing between Maori and British formed the nation of New Zealand in 1840. Your visit includes a guided tour of Waitangi.

Day 19 – Bay of Islands

The charm of this region is the solitude and outstanding scenic beauty; and today, you’re free to soak it all up. Visit historic Russell, the country’s first capital, or perhaps join a launch cruise to see where Captain Cook first anchored on his voyage of discovery. The sand dunes and hillocks of shells along Ninety Mile Beach also captivate the hearts of visitors.

Day 20 – Bay of Islands – Auckland – In flight

Head south along the Hibiscus Coast and return to Auckland for your return flight to the UK.

Day21 – Arrive back in the UK

Best of New Zealand is located in Guided Tour, New Zealand. Accommodation rating is the operators own rating and may not be the official rating. Hotel details correct at 24/03/2021