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Ultimate Highlights

16 days/15 nights

Guided Small Group Journey
Guide Price €6,765 per person (based on 2 adults sharing)

Enjoy the majestic South Island and diverse North Island of New Zealand in style on this ultimate small group journey. Travel through spectacular scenery, discover Maori culture and explore diverse cities as you experience the best this country has to offer.    

Highlights:
  • Travel through valleys and mountains onboard the TranzAlpine train
  • Cruise on the magnificent fiord of Milford Sound
  • Discover geothermal wonders in Rotorua
  • Marvel at the spectacular Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak
  • Visit ground-breaking exhibitions at Te Papa
  • Learn about New Zealand’s history at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
  • Admire impressive glaciers, lakes and snow-capped mountains
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Itinerary

Day 1  Christchurch      
On arrival into Christchurch you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink as you meet your travelling companions.      

Day 2  Christchurch to Mount Cook      
After an introductory city tour depart Christchurch and travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, The Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue. Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps.      

Day 3  Mount Cook to Dunedin      
Depart Mt Cook, see Lake Benmore and follow the Waitaki River to Oamaru. Continue south to Dunedin, enjoy a city tour followed by free time. You might be interested in a tour to see local wildlife in their natural habitat (optional).      

Day 4  Dunedin to Te Anau        
This morning travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea in the Grand Ballroom. Depart Dunedin and travel to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).      

Day 5  Te Anau to Queenstown    
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy lunch. This afternoon travel to Queenstown, overlooking magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year-round resort which offers a wide range of activities and attractions. This evening is at leisure, you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.      

Day 6  Queenstown      
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with many optional activities available. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride or a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.    

Day 7  Queenstown to Fox Glacier      
Travel to Arrowtown, an old goldmining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to the township of Fox Glacier. Time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers before arriving at your hotel.    

Day 8  Fox Glacier to Christchurch    
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue to Arthur’s Pass and board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains. On arrival into the elegant city of Christchurch, your Ultimate Coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.  

Day 9  Christchurch to Wellington        
Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikoura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you will board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington.  

Day 10  Wellington        
A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Reboard your coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time this afternoon and choose your own dining arrangements this evening.      

Day 11  Wellington to Rotorua        
Depart Wellington and view the snow-capped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro as you travel to Lake Taupo. Visit the spectacular Huka Falls then travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua.    

Day 12  Rotorua      
Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua where spectacular views are on offer. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride! Next stop is the Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education that is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Free time is available this afternoon before travelling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening experience an entertaining Maori Hangi and concert.

Day 13  Rotorua to Bay of Islands      
This morning, depart Rotorua and travel north to the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of a Kauri Tree. Continue through Whangarei to the Bay of Islands. This afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British.

Day 14  Bay of Islands        
This morning you will explore the scenic beauty of the Bay of Islands including an island visit aboard a luxury catamaran. Cruise to Cape Brett and the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’, keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. On return to Paihia, enjoy a free afternoon where a range of optional activities are available, or you may choose to relax and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the waterfront. This evening is also at leisure, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).    

Day 15  Bay of Islands to Auckland        
Depart the Bay of Islands this morning and travel via Whangarei and Dargaville to Matakohe. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum before continuing to Auckland for a city sights tour. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your newfound friends.  

Day 16  Depart Auckland        
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.

Departs: Selected departures, Jan - May & Sep - Dec    

Price & Inclusions

Guide Price €6,765 per person (based on 2 adults sharing)

Inclusions
  • Return airport transfers in New Zealand
  • 15 nights 4star+ accommodation
  • Journey by luxury coach and rail
  • 15 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 12 dinners
Not Included
  • International flights
New offers every day!

We negotiate new offers daily from discounted flights, tours and vehicle hire to free upgrades, added value and unique inclusions. Please call for our latest offers.

The tour itinerary, inclusions and departures are based on travel from 01/09/2023 to 31/12/2025. Guide prices are based on twn/dbl share, are subject to availability and may vary by departure date. For travel outside of these dates, the itinerary and inclusions may vary to that shown above - please ask for details.
Offers are subject to availability and restrictions may apply.

Flights

As we can offer you such a flexible choice of flights, we don't include international airfares with our tour prices. The price you pay will be determined by the time of year you travel, your departure airport, airline and availability.

Your Trailfinders Travel Consultant will be able to find the best flights to suit you and your choice of tour. Contact us for our latest flight offers or take a look at our flights pages for a general idea of prices.

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