Tour 10 Day Contrasts Of New Zealand

Accommodation

1 night at a 4-star hotel in Auckland. 1 night at a 4-star hotel in Franz Josef Glacier. 2 nights at a 4-star hotel in Rotorua. 2 nights at a 4-star hotel in Christchurch 3 nights at a 4-star hotel in Queenstown

Meals

8 Breakfasts. 1 Lunch. 2 Dinners.

Guide

English commentary on tourist coaches, local guides on activities and commentary on train.

Transport

Arrival transfer. Coach throughout tour. TranzAlpine Train from Christchurch to Greymouth. Departure transfer.

Others

Te Puia Maori Arts & Crafts. Maori Village Concert & Buffet Dinner. Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. TSS Earnslaw cruise and dinner at Walter Peak high country farm. Real Journeys Milford Sound nature cruise. Christchurch City Sights tour. Shuttle to Glacier Valley (may not be available May-Sep). Arrival and departure airport transfers.

Not included:

Optional

Optional experiences are available on this tour for an additional cost and will be provided to you with your finalised travel documents.

Others

Tipping. Other meals, snacks and drinks. Pre and post tour accommodation. Single supplement (Mandatory). You will need to book your own Rotorua to Christchurch flight or we can help you with that separately. Our team will advise the best flight times.

Insurance

Travel insurance is not included.

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Day 1 Day 1: Welcome To Auckland City
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Welcome To Auckland City

Personal meet and greet, and private transfer to your accommodation

On arrival you will be met by one of our team and driven to your Auckland accommodation.
Day 2 Day 2: Auckland To Waitomo Caves And A Rotorua Experience
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Auckland To Waitomo Caves And A Rotorua Experience

Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo Caves and Te Puia Small Group Tour

On this tour, you will be picked up from the hotel in a comfortable mini-bus and driven through the stunning Waikato countryside on a fully guided journey to Waitomo Caves and Te Puia Geothermal Park. During the journey to Waitomo, you will encounter New Zealand’s longest river, beautiful mountains, and see several different farm animals along the way. Once in Waitomo, you will explore the ancient and amazing caves, with their many different cave formations including Stalactites, Stalagmites, and Lime Columns, before descending even further underground for your glowworm experience. Board your glowworm boat for a cruise on the grotto river with thousands of glowworms glittering above your head. Waitomo Glowworm Caves are a must-see for any traveller. Arriving at your second feature destination, Te Puia, you will receive a fully guided tour to best experience the geothermal and cultural wonders including Pōhutu Geyser, Māori Architecture, The National Māori Arts School, geothermal craters, geothermal events, and even the chance to view a Kiwi bird in the Kiwi viewing house.

Continue your adventure with another fully guided journey south to Rotorua, with many more attractions to see along the way, including hydro dams, rivers, and lots more animals. Once in Rotorua, you will be guided past many of its famous and historical sites, including Lake Rotorua, The Government Gardens, Blue Baths, Thermal Springs, and Polynesian Spa.
Day 3 Day 3: Explore Rotorua At Leisure, Visit Maori Village This Evening
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Explore Rotorua At Leisure, Visit Maori Village This Evening

Peppered with natural hot springs, boiling mud pools and steaming geysers, Rotorua sits within one of the worlds most active volcanic regions. But geothermal landmarks aside, this city of sulphur has a rich indigenous history. Home to several prominent Maori tribes, a visit to the Mitai Maori Village should be high on your agenda, as should an excursion to the Polynesian Spa for an invigorating soak in its natural mineral hot springs. Spike your adrenaline at Agroventures on stomach-dropping attractions such as static skydiving, or a giant swing reaching 130 km per hour. Go up the Gondola for soaring lake views, and ride the luge at night for an extra thrill.

Evening Maori Cultural Experience

New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Attraction, Tamaki Māori Village presents TE PĀ TŪ. Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within the forest Pā (village) –blanketed by towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and a forest-formed amphitheatre. Te Pā Tū shares Māori history, traditions, and cultural aspirations across 4-hours of celebration and feasting. These events change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.
Day 4 Day 4: Fly Rotorua To Christchurch Today, Take A City Tour This Afternoon
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Fly Rotorua To Christchurch Today, Take A City Tour This Afternoon

Rotorua Accommodation to Rotorua Airport

You will be collected from your accommodation and transferred to Rotorua Airport.

Air New Zealand flight Rotorua to Christchurch

Fly from Rotorua to Christchurch. The cost for this is additional to your tour, we will happily book this flight for you.

Private transfer Christchurch airport to your accommodation

On arrival you will be met by a private driver and delivered to your Christchurch accommodation.

Christchurch City Half Day Tour- Need minimum of 4 person

A half day sightseeing tour of Christchurch highlighting both the damage to the city inflicted by several large earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 and the rebuild which is currently in progress, together with the surviving beauty of the city and the historical landmarks. Experience the grand architecture, beautiful gardens and scenic viewpoints on a half-day city tour of Christchurch.

The tour commences in the central city of Christchurch and covers the area which was completely devastated by the Christchurch earthquakes in February 2011. The guide will explain both the history of the city and the effects of the earthquake. On leaving the inner city, the tour travels to Mona Vale a historic homestead and gardens. Then you will travel to the Sign of the Takahe, a historic building with a lookout providing spectacular views over the city, Canterbury Plains and to the Southern Alps. The tour then travels via the Port Hills and Lyttleton Harbour by way of the Sign of the Kiwi and Governors Bay to the Port of Lyttleton. The tour proceeds through the Lyttleton harbour tunnel to the seaside suburb of Sumner and cave rock before returning to the central city where the tour will conclude.
Day 5 Day 5: Christchurch To Greymouth On The Tranzalpine Train, Then Onto Franz Josef
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Christchurch To Greymouth On The Tranzalpine Train, Then Onto Franz Josef

Private transfer hotel to Christchurch train station

A private transfer will collect you this morning and deliver you to Christchurch train station in time for your train journey.

TranzAlpine Scenic Train: Christchurch to Greymouth

Considered one of the world’s great train journeys, the TranzAlpine Scenic Train travels between Christchurch and Greymouth, from one coast of New Zealand to the other. From your carriage you’ll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Your train then climbs into the Southern Alps before descending through lush beech rain forest to the West Coast town of Greymouth - a great base for visits to Punakaiki and the West Coast glaciers.

Greymouth Train Station to Franz Josef with Hokitika Scenic Tours

Leaving Greymouth, you will head south to Franz Josef and Glacier Country. Pass through Hokitika and continue on through Ross, a historic gold mining town where several buildings still remain intact. As you travel further down the coast you’ll also go through Hari Hari, the town where Guy Menzies, the first person to fly solo over the Tasman crash-landed. Follow the coast through several small towns before catching a glimpse of the Franz Josef glacier as you arrive in the town centre.

Glacier Valley Shuttle

You will be met at your accommodation by a representative from Glacier Shuttles and Charters and taken on a short tour to view the glacier. Your shuttle vehicle will transfer you up the Franz Josef valley to the road end. Here you will have the opportunity to walk to view the glacier from a viewing platform. Or enjoy one of the short walks available in this area. You will be returned to your accommodation by the Glacier Shuttles and Charters shuttle. (Please note: the daylight hours in winter do not allow the Glacier Valley Shuttle to connect with this tour.)
Day 6 Day 6: Franz Josef To Queenstown
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Franz Josef To Queenstown

Franz Josef to Queenstown with Glacier Shuttles

Set off from the small village of Franz Josef, set at the edge of Franz Josef Glacier (one of the world’s most accessible glaciers), and travel through the remote and unspoiled scenery of the West Coast. Take the scenic Haast Pass through the Southern Alps, the southernmost pass between the East and West coasts of the South Island. See the clear and pristine waters of Lake Hawea as you travel east, passing Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka as you continue through to New Zealand’s ’Adventure Capital’, Queenstown.
Day 7 Day 7: Milford Sound Day Tour With Real Journeys
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Milford Sound Day Tour With Real Journeys

Milford Sound Nature Cruise with return luxury coach transfers from Queenstown

Return luxury coach transport from Queenstown to Milford Sound, with an extended 2.5 hour Nature Cruise along the full length of the fiord. On board a Real Journeys luxury glass-roofed coach in Queenstown, you will enjoy a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau. The coach driver provides an informative commentary. After a morning tea break in Te Anau, where you have the option of purchasing refreshments, the coach continues along the spectacular Milford Road. There is time for photo stops and short walks along the way. On reaching Milford Sound, you board the Milford Mariner for a leisurely extended cruise of the fiord. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to enjoy waterfalls, rain forest, mountains and wildlife with extensive commentary by the on board nature guide.
Day 8 Day 8: Free Day To Explore Queenstown, Tss Earnslaw Cruise To Walter Peak For Dinner
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Free Day To Explore Queenstown, Tss Earnslaw Cruise To Walter Peak For Dinner

Although celebrated as New Zealand’s ‘adventure capital’ Queenstown offers far more than a fast paced action-packed holiday. Settled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath a soaring panorama of the Remarkables Mountain Range, this alpine town is surrounded by a plethora of historic, gastronomic and scenic wonders. Head down the Gibbston valley wine trail to sample some of the region’s best Pinot or catch a ride on the 100 year old Steamship - the TSS Earnslaw - to Walter Peak Station for dinner and a farm tour. Browse the waterfront cafes and have lunch at Michelin star chef Josh Emett’s ‘Rata.’ Check out nearby historic. Take a leisurely lakeside stroll or ride the gondola for breathtaking views. And after all of that - if you do really want the adrenaline rush Queenstown is known for, take your pick from the Shotover Jet, Nevis Bungy, Canyon Swing, Zipline, Luge or White Water rafting.

TSS Earnslaw cruise to Walter Peak including gourmet BBQ dinner and a farm tour

Go back in time on this return trip to Walter Peak High Country Farm aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship. You’ll be greeted off the boat and guided through beautiful lakeside gardens to the charming homestead. Here you’ll enjoy a Gourmet BBQ dinner which your chef will prepare in front of you. The seasonal menu includes an expansive array of local produce, including succulent meats cooked on the outdoor rotisserie and a selection of delicious vegetables and salads. Finish your meal with an irresistible dessert, New Zealand cheeses and freshly brewed tea and coffee. After dinner, an entertaining and informative demonstration gives you a glimpse of life in the high country.

On your cruise home, enjoy the camaraderie of a singalong with the ship’s pianist or breathe in the fresh night air as you watch the lights of Queenstown draw nearer.
Day 9 Day 9: Christchurch To Mt Cook National Park, Then Onto Christchurch
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Christchurch To Mt Cook National Park, Then Onto Christchurch

Queenstown to Christchurch via Aoraki/ Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo

This small group, fully-guided day trip combines all of the key highlights in the area with the famous Lake Tekapo, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and Tasman Glacier. The ultimate way to get from Queenstown Christchurch. Led by famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety.
Day 10 Day 10: Depart Christchurch Today
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Depart Christchurch Today

Private transfer to Christchurch airport

You will be collected from your accommodation and a private transfer will deliver you to Christchurch airport in time for your departing flight.

10 days tour

10 Day Contrasts Of New Zealand

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip 10 Day Contrasts Of New Zealand

Day 1: Welcome To Auckland City

Day 2: Auckland To Waitomo Caves And A Rotorua Experience

Day 3: Explore Rotorua At Leisure, Visit Maori Village This Evening

Day 4: Fly Rotorua To Christchurch Today, Take A City Tour This Afternoon

Day 5: Christchurch To Greymouth On The Tranzalpine Train, Then Onto Franz Josef

Day 6: Franz Josef To Queenstown

Day 7: Milford Sound Day Tour With Real Journeys

Day 8: Free Day To Explore Queenstown, Tss Earnslaw Cruise To Walter Peak For Dinner

Day 9: Christchurch To Mt Cook National Park, Then Onto Christchurch

Day 10: Depart Christchurch Today

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