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Tour Operator

Collette Vacations

Offer

Offer valid through 2/28/2009

Duration

19 Days

Itinerary

Day	Destination	Description
Air 1	Depart From Home	Depart from Home: Today you board your flight and begin your New Zealand adventure. En route to New Zealand, you cross the International Dateline, losing a full day.
Day 2	Auckland	Auckland, New Zealand - Tour Begins: Your tour begins in the "City of Sails," Auckland. Rated one of the best places in the world to live, Auckland fuses Polynesian culture with gleaming harbours and a modern city feel. This evening enjoy the perfect introduction to New Zealand with a visit to Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World. Take part in a "behind the scenes" guided tour of Stingray Bay with a feeding, followed by a delightful dinner overlooking the bay.
Day 3	Bay of Islands	Auckland - Bay of Islands : See America's Cup Village, vibrant Queen Street, the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and spectacular views from the top of Mt. Eden, a dormant volcano, during your panoramic city tour. Later, travel north to the Bay of Islands, a beautiful maritime region with more than 144 islands and bays, and famous for its big-game fishing.
Day 4	Bay of Islands	Bay of Islands: Begin your day with a cruise through the famous Hole in the Rock and view the Cape Brett Lighthouse. This afternoon, visit the Waitangi Treaty House where Maori and British leaders signed a treaty in 1844 that resulted in New Zealand's nationhood. The remainder of the day is yours to explore this area at leisure.
Day 5	Rotorua	Bay of Islands - Rotorua: Depart for Rotorua, the center of Maori civilization and home to numerous geothermal springs. The Maori people are the indigenous people of New Zealand, arriving here more than 1,000 years ago. Tonight you'll enjoy a home stay* and dinner with a New Zealand family. Hear about the customs and traditions of the people in this area while building a friendship you are sure to remember.
Day 6	Rotorua	Rotorua: Begin the day at the impressive Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve where you'll see amazing geysers, hot springs, hot mud pools and the Kiwi bird! See craftsmen at work in a typical Maori village, and take part in an interactive demonstration about the Maori dress and weaving process. You may want to practice saying "Kia ora" (or "hello" in Maori), since both Maori and New Zealanders are delighted by visitors attempting the Maori language. You will also enjoy a sheepshearing demonstration at the Agrodome and meet jade carvers at a local jade factory. Tonight you'll experience a traditional Maori welcome at a Hangi meal which is followed by authentic Maori entertainment.
Day 7	Wellington	Rotorua - Wellington: Travel south through the rolling countryside of the North Island to New Zealand's capital city, Wellington.
Day 8	Wellington	Wellington: Enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of Wellington viewing the Beehive, New Zealand's Parliament, historic St. Paul's Church, and the government building which is the largest wooden building in the Southern Hemisphere. Following the tour you will visit the Te Papa Tongawera Museum which is dedicated to art, history and the Maori culture.
Day 9	Christchurch	Wellington - Picton - Christchurch: Travel by ferry to Picton, on New Zealand's South Island, and experience the beauty of the eastern coastline. Enjoy a tour of a local winery during which you will learn what makes the Marlborough region one of the world's best for wine production. Later, you arrive in the picturesque city of Christchurch. Located on the Avon River, this charming city is considered "the most English city outside of England." A sightseeing tour features the Neo-Gothic Cathedral, the downtown park district, and stunning Victorian-style buildings.
Day 10	Franz Josef Glacier Region	Christchurch - Franz Josef Glacier Region: Journey into the heart of New Zealand's South Island aboard the Tranz Alpine train. Marvel at the rugged snowcapped peaks and deep river gorges as you wind your way to New Zealand's spectacular west coast on this fantastic cross-country voyage. Arrive in the breathtaking Franz Josef Glacier Region this evening. This region is unique because there is nowhere else in the world where you will find glaciers in such close proximity to temperate climates.
Day 11	Queenstown	Franz Josef - Queenstown: Enjoy a picture stop of the famous Franz Josef glacier before leaving the South Island's lush west coast. Take in the stunning scenery as you pass through rainforest surrounded by the Southern Alps. You'll enjoy beautiful ocean views as you travel the twisting coastline. This is a picturesque area of one lane bridges, green glacial lakes, thundering waterfalls and dramatic landscape changes. After crossing the Haast Pass, arrive in Queenstown, one of New Zealand's prettiest towns. Dinner is included at the Skyline Restaurant overlooking Queenstown, the Remarkable Mountains, and Lake Wakatipu.
Day 12	Queenstown	Queenstown: Spend the day at leisure in this charming South Island town. Or, experience the optional "Safari of the Rings" adventure and travel the region chosen to reflect the middle-earth of Tolkien's imagination.
Day 13	Te Anau	Queenstown - Milford Sound - Te Anau: Travel through beech forest into the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley via the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Enjoy a leisurely cruise of this spectacular fjord and experience the breathtaking surroundings. Overnight on the southern shores of Lake Te Anau, the largest lake on the South Island.
Day 14	Dunedin	Te Anau - Dunedin: Journey through the scenic, unspoiled countryside of southern New Zealand before arriving in Dunedin, "The Edinburgh of the South." This afternoon, visit the Royal Albatross Center where you will find the only mainland colony of albatross in the world. For centuries the albatross has been the subject of myth and superstition due in part to the fact that it regularly circumnavigates the globe, sometimes soaring for days on end.
Day 15	Dunedin	Dunedin: A morning tour of this lovely city will feature some of the best-preserved sites of Edwardian Victorian architecture in the Southern Hemisphere. View Olveston Manor and the beautiful university campus. Enjoy an evening at leisure.
Day 16	Mt. Cook Region	Dunedin - Mt. Cook Region: Board your coach this morning and journey further into the countryside, arriving at Mt. Cook National Park. Explore this landmark park while on a nature walk. For aerial views, take an optional flightseeing tour (weather permitting) affording close-up views of Mt. Cook and the glaciers.
Day 17	Christchurch	Mt. Cook - Christchurch: Travel back to Christchurch this morning. Upon arrival see the city from a different angle as you take a 'punt' down the Avon River. Punting has its roots in England but has long since been a traditional activity in Christchurch. The remainder of the day is yours to explore this quaint city: stroll through the gardens, wander through the shops or simply relax. Tonight, celebrate the end of your tour as you dine in a restored mansion - once the homestead of the first family to settle in Christchurch.
Day 18	Tour ends	Christchurch - Tour Ends : Your tour ends today in Christchurch.

Dates/Pricing

Disclaimer

Note
Tour prices are Land Only rates based on per person double occupancy. Please call for triple or child occupancy rates. Taxes and fees are additional for tours that feature a cruise; port taxes are not included in the prices shown. Some dates may feature various changes in hotels, sightseeing and inclusions. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking.