Destinations:
North Island
Auckland
Bay of Islands
Napier
Rotorua
Wellington

South Island
Christchurch
Dunedin
Marlborough
Milford Sound
Mount Cook
Queenstown
Stewart Island
Wanaka


Cook Islands
Fiji
Hawaii
Tahiti & Islands
Western Samoa

Specialist Tours

Reservations:
0870·416·0290


  
        
Ultimate New Zealand

25 Days/24 Nights - Gateway: Auckland
£3395pp (valid 1 Oct - 31 Mar 08)

 
 

Day 1: Arrive in Auckland
Welcome to New Zealand. On arrival you will be met and tranferred to your hotel.
Accommodation: 2 nights in Auckland

Day 2: Auckland / Scenic Free Choice
Scenic FreeChoice Inclusions: choose from the Skytower, the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere; visit Kelly Tarlton’s underwater world; discover Auckland on a morning sightseeing tour; cruise on Auckland Harbour including morning tea; walk through the Waitakere Rainforest and on the west coast’s black sand beaches; experience the thrill of sailing on an authentic America’s Cup yacht. Must be pre-booked.
Day 3: Auckland / Bay of Islands
This morning head north along the Hibiscus Coast to Matakohe. Visit the unique Kauri Pioneer Museum for a stimulating insight into the mighty Kauri Tree, its timber, its gum and the pioneering settlers of New Zealand. Continue up the Northland peninsula through the breathtaking Waipoua Forest where you will view the giant Kauri tree ‘Tane Mahuta’. Head east to the sub-tropical paradise of the Bay of Islands. Arrive at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where in 1840 the founding document of New Zealand as a nation was signed.
Luxury Lodge Upgrade: Opportunity to upgrade to 2 nights at Bay of Islands Lodge. Must be pre-booked, surcharge applies.
Accommodation: 2 nights in the Bay of Islands
Day 4: Bay of Islands / Scenic Free Choice
Scenic FreeChoice Inclusions: choose from On the Edge, the ultimate day sail in the bay; cruise and tour historic Russell and Pompallier; full day tour to Cape Reinga, the northern most tip of New Zealand; cruise and swim with the dolphins; play 18 holes of golf at Waitangi Golf Club; try your hand at fishing in the bay
Day 5: ‘Hole in the Rock’ cruise / Auckland
This morning cruise through the scenic waters of the Bay of Islands to Cape Brett Lighthouse and through the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’ (weather permitting). Meander back through the inner islands, stopping at a secluded bay with time for lunch. This afternoon return to Auckland.
Accommodation: 1 night in Auckland
Day 6: Longlands Homestead / Rotorua
This morning we travel to the top of Mt Eden then journey south to Goldfields Railway. This vintage train will carry you through the upper reaches of the stunning Karangahake Gorge. Visit a working dairy farm for a guided tour, followed by a delicious roast lamb lunch. After lunch visit Whakarewarewa Forest for a relaxing stroll through the towering Redwoods before continuing to Rotorua. Tonight get a taste of Maori life at the ‘Realm of Tane’ cultural performance and Hangi feast.
Luxury Lodge Upgrade: Opportunity to upgrade to 2 nights at Hamurana Country Estate or Treetops Lodge & Estate. Must be pre-booked, surcharge applies.
Accommodation: 2 nights in Rotorua
Day 7: Rotorua / Scenic Free Choice
This morning enjoy a guided tour of Te Puia Thermal Reserve and the Maori Arts & Crafts Institute. See the bubbling mud pools, thermal valley and the Pohutu Geyser which explodes from the ground shooting boiling water up to 30 metres into the air. Scenic FreeChoice Inclusions: choose from the entertaining Agrodome sheep shearing and farm dog show; explore Rotorua’s city and lakes on an amphibious duck tour; relax in the geothermal mineral pools of the Polynesian Spa; take a thrilling 4WD Safari adventure; visit the Buried Village; enjoy trout fishing on one of Rotorua’s many lakes; visit Rotorua Museum.
Day 8: Napier / Winery Dinner
Visit Huka Falls, Wairakei Steam Valley and Lake Taupo. Continue on to the coastal township of Napier. This afternoon enjoy a guided walk around this unique city renowned for its Art Deco architecture. Your walk finishes at the Hawkes Bay Museum where you will learn about Napier’s history. Tonight enjoy wine tasting and dinner at Church Road Winery.
Accommodation: 1 night in Napier
Day 9: Napier / Wellington
This morning depart Napier and head south to Wellington. On arrival enjoy a guided tour of Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum.
Accommodation: 1 night in Wellington
Day 10: Marlborough Sounds / Christchurch
Board the InterIslander Ferry for a cruise through the breathtaking beauty of the Marlborough Sounds to Picton on New Zealand’s south island. Continue southward along the spectacular east coast to Christchurch, including a short stop at the Kaikoura seal colony.
Accommodation: 1 night in Christchurch
Day 11: TranzAlpine / Franz Josef Glacier
Today’s touring takes you on an unforgettable journey through the magnificent Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine. Disembark at Arthurs Pass and continue on by coach to Hokitika to see skilled craftsmen carving Pounama (Jade) into jewellery and other artefacts. Stop and view the awesome Franz Josef Glacier, a stunning landscape hewn by ice and a living remnant of the last Ice Age. Tonight settle into your accommodation in the charming little village of Franz Josef.
Accommodation: 1 night at the Franz Josef Glacier
Day 12: Franz Josef / Queenstown / Scenic Free Choice Dining
Enjoy a day of beautiful scenery as you travel through the Haast Pass and on to picturesque Queenstown. Scenic FreeChoice Dining: choose from Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw historic steamship then dine at Walter Peak Station; ride the gondola up to Skyline Restaurant and dine with views of Queenstown; enjoy a relaxing a-la-carte dinner at Lombardis Restaurant.
Luxury Lodge Upgrade: Opportunity to upgrade to 3 nights at Evergreen Lodge. Must be pre-booked, surcharge applies.
Accommodation: 3 nights in Queenstown
Day 13: Dart Wilderness Adventure / Scenic Free Choice
This morning begins with a breathtaking drive to Glenorchy for your exclusive Stockman’s breakfast. After breakfast board your jet boat for an unforgettable trip up the Dart River. Weave through labyrinths of fast flowing water channels, dart up shingle river terraces, glide into tranquil deep rock chasms and see towering snow-capped peaks, glaciers and waterfalls. Scenic FreeChoice Inclusions: choose from indulging yourself with a therapeutic massage or foot revival; tour local country gardens including morning tea; take a guided walk through Mt Aspiring National Park and the Routeburn Valley; enjoy a guided tour of local wineries with lunch; take an xhilarating ride through Shotover Canyon in a jet boat; see the beautiful scenery of the Southern Lakes region on a 4WD tour; discover the secrets of bungy jumping followed by lunch or a bungy jump; enjoy a scenic guided tour to historic Skippers Canyon.
Day 14: Queenstown Free Day
Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Southern Alps, Queenstown was named because ‘it was fit for Queen Victoria’. Today Queenstown is recognised as New Zealand’s premier visitor destination. With its rugged mountains, majestic lakes and crystal clear air there is just so much to do. So today we give you an extra day to explore Queenstown at your own pace
 
Day 15: Milford Sound / Te Anau
Enjoy scenic splendour today as you travel through the breathtaking Fiordland National Park. Experience an unforgettable cruise on Milford Sound, the most accessible of Fiordland’s magnificent glacier carved fiords. Grand, brooding, serene and wild, Milford Sound is simply stunning. Tonight stay in the village of Te Anau.
Milford Sound Upgrade: Upgrade to the Milford Mariner and overnight on spectacular Milford Sound. Must be pre-booked.
Accommodation: 1 night in Te Anau
Day 16: Te Anau / Dunedin
Enjoy a scenic cruise across Lake Te Anau to the western side of the lake. Here explore a mysterious underground world of rushing water before drifting in silent darkness beneath the luminous shimmer of thousands of glowworms at the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. Continue on to Dunedin, a university city of Scottish heritage and New Zealand's oldest city.
Home Stay: Opportunity to experience the warmth of the local people during an overnight ‘Home Stay’ (included in tour at no extra cost, must be pre-booked).
Accommodation: 1 night in Dunedin
Day 17: Dunedin / Twizel
This morning experience a Dunedin city sights tour. Take a drive to Signal Hill for sweeping views of Dunedin, and then it’s on to Baldwin Street, the world’s steepest street. Depart Dunedin and head north to Twizel, stopping at the famous Moeraki Boulders en-route.
Accommodation: 1 night in Twizel
Day 18: Mt Cook / Lake Tekapo / Christchurch
Travel to the beautiful Mt Cook National Park where you will stop and view Mt Cook (subject to weather). Continue your journey over tussock plains to visit the picturesque glacier-fed lake of Tekapo. Stop and view the Church of the Good Shepherd, situated right on the lakes edge. This tiny church was built in 1935 from locally gathered stone and oak. Continue on to the ‘City of Churches’, Christchurch. A tour highlight is tonight’s dinner. Begin aboard the historic Christchurch Tram for Cocktail Hour with drinks and canapés then continue dining at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: 1 night in Christchurch
Day 19: Christchurch / Hanmer Springs / Scenic Free Choice
Scenic FreeChoice Inclusions: choose from gliding through picturesque Christchurch on a punting trip along the Avon River; enjoy a leisurely guided bike tour through the streets of Christchurch; explore the city at leisure with a historic tram sightseeing pass; visit a local garden. This afternoon travel to the unique alpine village of Hanmer Springs. Nestled in forested hills and surrounded by towering mountains, this region has natural hot springs, crisp mountain air and stunning scenery. Relax and spend the rest of the day unwinding in one of the many mineral pools of the Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve.
Accommodation: 1 night in Hanmer Springs
Day 20: Abel tasman Cruise / Nelson
Today journey up to the top of the South Island and enjoy a scenic cruise along the coast of the Abel Tasman National Park. Time to relax or take a stroll at Anchorage Beach before cruising back to Kaiteriteri. Continue on by coach to Nelson, known for its year round sunshine, golden beaches, boutique wineries and large community of working artists.
Accommodation: 2 nights in Nelson
Day 21: Nelson
Scenic FreeChoice Inclusions: choose from Savour a variety of wines and gourmet delights whilst touring Nelson’s vineyards; discover the fascinating World of Wearable Arts and the Collectable Car Gallery; discover more of Nelson on a guided walking tour
Day 22: Marlborough Sounds Cruise / Wellington
This morning continue your journey northward, with a breathtaking inter island cruise to Wellington. This afternoon is free to explore New Zealand’s capital city.
Accommodation: 1 night in Wellington
Day 23: Wellington / Taupo
Today travel across the vast volcanic plains of Tongariro National Park to the impressive Lake Taupo, created by the largest volcanic eruption of the past 5,000 years. This afternoon you will have time to enjoy the many facilities of your resort.
Accommodation: 1 night in Taupo
Day 24: Waiotapu / Mt Maunganui / Auckland
Marvel at the amazing colours of the thermal pools during your guided tour at Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland. Continue on to Mt Maunganui and then Auckland. Tour concludes this afternoon on arrival into Auckland. (Please book flights from 7pm onwards. Own expense, pre-book with Travel Agent.)
Day 25: Auckland
Tour concludes after breakfast. Transfer to the airport. We trust that you enjoyed your Scenic experience!
Price includes scenic freechoice activities and 43 quality meals (excludes international flights). Minimum numbers may apply to some optional activities. Some activities are seasonal and not available all year round.