Magnificent New Zealand – Summer

Itinerary :

Day 1: Auckland: (Tue and Wed only): Welcome to New Zealand! You’ll arrive in the largest city in New Zealand that is set between two harbour with gentle sandy shores on the east coast and black sand, wild surf beaches on the west coast. Get transferred to your hotel and check-in. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Auckland.

Day 2: Auckland-Hobbiton-Rotorua: Today depart Auckland on a fully guided journey through the rolling green hills to the iconic Hobbiton Movie Set. See where the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies were filmed as your tour guide shares behind-the-scenes tales. You’ll see sights like Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and The Green Dragon Inn, and learn how farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle-earth. After exploring Hobbiton, tuck into a delicious lunch in the Party Marquee before continuing to Rotorua. Your journey then continues on to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua. Overnight in Rotorua. (L)

Day 3: Rotorua: Today, you will be transported to Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland for a two hour visit. Wai-O-Tapu is considered to be New Zealand’s most colourful and diverse geothermal sightseeing attraction. Later, you will continue your journey to Te Puia for an Indigenous Evening Experience including a buffet dinner and cultural performance. The evening culminates with hot chocolate and pudding on the geyser terrace. Overnight in Rotorua. (D)

Day 4 Rotorua-Christchurch: Today depart from Rotorua on your domestic flight to Christchurch (flight not included). Christchurch set on New Zealands south island is a vibrant, ever-changing city with inner city parks and gardens delightfully interwoven by the meandering Avon River. Upon arrival check into your hotel, you can enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight in Christchurch.

Day 5: Christchurch – Greymouth: Today, transfer to the Christchurch Railway Station for the Tranz Alpine train crossing the vast expanses of the Canterbury Plains, through the dramatic gorge of the Waimakariri River to Arthur’s Pass National Park. On arrival in Greymouth, you will be met and transferred to the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes for a short self-guided walk to view the fascinating pancake-shaped rock formations before being delivered to your accommodation. Overnight in Greymouth.

Day 6: Greymouth – Franz Josef (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun only): This morning, you will get transferred to Shantytown Heritage Park for a sense of what it was like to live in New Zealand during the gold rush before returning to Greymouth for your transfer to Glacier Country. The temperate climate at a low altitude makes Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers among the most convenient to visit in the world. Steep valleys bear scars from where glaciers have retreated and advanced over millennia and here, the ice age is still underway. Overnight in Franz Josef.

Day 7: Franz Josef – Queenstown (Tue, Thu, Sat, Mon only): Today you will be picked up from your hotel for your transfer through wilderness towns, waterfalls and river scenery on the journey to Queenstown Adventure Capital of the World. Overnight in Queenstown.

Day 8: Queenstown: Today is a free at leisure for you to explore the Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town and with such an expansive natural physical environment on your own. Overnight in Queenstown.

Day 9: Queenstown – Milford Sound – Queenstown: Fiordland is one of the world’s last great wildernesses. Today’s stunning tour takes you past mirror lakes and waterfalls into Milford Sound, carved by ice age glaciers and famously described as the eighth wonder of the world. On arrival, board your vessel for a cruise of the fiord surrounded by towering mountains and cliffs that plunge into the sea. Feel the refreshing spray of a waterfall as you cruise close to sheer rock faces before returning to shore. After a big day out, reflect on memories of a lifetime on your coach return to downtown Queenstown. Lunch is included. Overnight in Queenstown.

Day 10: Queenstown – Mt Cook/Tekapo – Christchurch: Today you will depart Queenstown, your driver guide will bring todays journey to life, sharing stories and rich background knowledge. Pass through the stunning Kawarau Gorge, fruit and wine growing region of Cromwell, following beautiful Lake Dunstan and through the dramatic Lindis Pass. Travel the vast plains of the Mackenzie district alongside magnificent turquoise blue lake framed by Aoraki Mt Cook and the spectacular Southern Alps to Mt Cook Village where you have some free time. Leaving Mt Cook it’s not hard to see why many Lord of the Rings scenes were filmed nearby. Your driver guide will point them out on the journey to Lake Tekapo where you will make a stop close to the popular Church of the Good Shepherd before continuing on through the amazing countryside to Christchurch. Overnight in Christchurch.

Day 11 Christchurch: Your tour concludes today with a departure transfer to Christchurch Airport for your flight to next destination.