Price Includes

Country Homestay Option on Day 3, (must be pre-booked)

Note: Itinerary effective 1 Apr 2009.
Tours prior follow different itinerary. Ask for details or refer to 2008 brochure.

Day 1: Arrive Auckland, Personalized Sights

On arrival at Auckland airport, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation. Overnight: Auckland, SkyCity Hotel

Day 2: Auckland-Rotorua

Board the Overlander Train this morning and journey south alongside the Waikato River to the Waitomo Caves and discover stunning underground scenery through ancient limestone caverns and grottos. Tonight enjoy a traditional Hangi (feast) and cultural Maori performance. Overnight: Heritage Hotel, Rotorua for 2 nights (B,D)

Day 3: Rotorua, Personalized Sights

Rotorua is New Zealand's oldest and best-known resort. Enjoy its waters, marvel at its fascinating geothermal activity and experience the region's Maori culture. Today you choose the activity and we will include it. Visit Rotorua's icon attractions: the Agrodome Sheep Show, Te Puia Thermal Reserve and Rainbow Springs; enjoy a treatment and soak in a thermal mineral pool at Polynesian Spa; or take a half-day Eco thermal tour.
Country Homestay option is available tonight (B,D)

Day 4: Rotorua-Tongariro National Park

We continue our journey aboard the Overlander Train through the heart of the North Island. Spend this evening in World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park, at the base of Mt Ruapehu. Overnight: Tongariro National Park, Chateau Tongariro (B,D)

Day 5: Tongariro-Wellington

This morning we head to Featherston through Taihape, the "Gumboot Capital" of New Zealand, the Manawatu Gorge and the Wairarapa region. In Featherston, we visit the Fell Engine Museum before we board the TranzMetro Train for a journey to Wellington, via the 5.4-mile Rimutaka Tunnel. Overnight: Wellington, James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel for 2 nights (B,D)

Day 6: Wellington Sightseeing

Today take a short stroll to the Wellington Cable Car and ascend to the top to visit the Cable Car Museum and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Rejoin your coach and journey to Mount Victoria for the best views of the city, harbor and surrounding areas. Continue on to Te Papa where our sightseeing tour concludes. The remainder of today is at leisure in Wellington. (B)

Day 7: Wellington-Christchurch

This morning cruise across Cook Strait to Picton, gateway to the stunning South Island, to join the TranzCoastal Train for a spectacular journey. Overnight: Christchurch, Holiday Inn City Centre (B,D)

Day 8: Christchurch-Franz Josef

This morning board the award-winning TranzAlpine Train. Travel through spectacular gorges, river valleys and across the magnificent Southern Alps. Continue south, view spectacular Franz Josef Glacier. There's an opportunity for a scenic flight over this breathtaking region (own expense, weather permitting). Overnight: Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel (B,D)

Day 9: Franz Josef-Queenstown

See spectacular scenery as you journey along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea to Queenstown. Tonight enjoy our dining choice in Queenstown, where you choose from one of four restaurants and we'll include it! Cruise to Walter Peak to the Colonel's Homestead or ride the gondola to the Skyline Restaurant. Or dine at your hotel or a local restaurant. Overnight: Queenstown, Novotel Lakeside Hotel for 2 nights (B,D)

Day 10: Queenstown, Personalized Sights

Queenstown is an exhilarating, year-round, alpine resort. Today you choose from a selection of activities and we'll include it! A double-decker bus tour; a tour of award-winning wineries; an exhilarating jetboat ride or a relaxing garden tour. Perhaps the "Safari of the Scenes" tour, a 4WD adventure into Skippers Canyon or a leisurely walk around Lake Wakatipu- the choice is yours! (B)

Day 11: Queenstown-Milford Sound

This morning take a trip back in time aboard New Zealand's vintage steam train, The Kingston Flyer. On arrival into Milford, cruise on the most famous and accessible of the grand glacier-carved fiords. Overnight: Te Anau, Luxmore Resort (B,D)

Day 12: Te Anau-Dunedin, Personalized Sights

Travel across the South Island to Dunedin, the "Edinburgh of the South." This afternoon you choose the activity and we will include it. Visit the Speights Brewery & Heritage Center, head to the Otago Peninsula to see the Royal Albatross Colony, or check out New Zealand's "Larnach Castle." Or journey on the Taieri Gorge Train through the heart of Otago. The choice is yours! Overnight: Dunedin, Dunedin City Hotel (B,D)

Day 13: Dunedin-Mt Cook, Personalized Sights

Board the Seasider Train for a journey along the East Coast. Disembark at Palmerston and continue on to Oamaru and journey into New Zealand's high country and Mt Cook National Park. On arrival the activity choice is yours, perhaps a guided nature walk, explore the Sir Edmund Hillary Center or stargazing. Overnight: Mt Cook, The Hermitage Hotel (B,D)

Day 14:Mt Cook-Christchurch

Visit picturesque Lake Tekapo and view the Church of the Good Shepherd. Travel through Burkes Pass to the Canterbury Plains, crossing the braided Rakaia River, en route to Christchurch. Overnight: Christchurch, Holiday Inn City Centre (B,D)

Day 15: Personalized Sights, Depart Christchurch

This morning discover Christchurch with your selection of activity, before its time for your transfer to the airport and your onward flight. (B)

Departure Dates

2009: Apr 10; Sep 11; Oct 2, 16; Nov 6, 20; Dec 4
2010: Jan 8; Feb 5, 19; Mar 5, 19

Note: All prices, itineraries and routings are subject to change.