New Zealand Escorted Tours

16 Days: Discover the wonders of the North and South islands of New Zealand over 16 unforgettable days. Beginning in the garden city of Christchurch, head to Dunedin and Queenstown before continuing to the North Island and the nation's capital, Wellington. You'll also explore the delights of Rotorua, Auckland, and the Bay of Islands.

Highlights

• Travel to Lake Tekapo and view the Church of the Good Shepherd
• See Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest peak in Mt Cook National Park
• Visit Oamaru, known for its cream coloured limestone architecture
• Enjoy a Scottish evening in Dunedin
• Tour historic Larnach Castle
• Cruise the full length of Milford Sound
• Spend a day at leisure exploring the alpine resort town of Queenstown
• Travel through spectacular Haast Pass
• View Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers
• See Pounamu (jade) being carved into jewellery in Hokitika
• Opportunity to ride the award-winning TranzAlpine train
• Stay in Christchurch, the Garden City
• Cruise Cook Strait, through Marlborough and Queen Charlotte sounds
• Enjoy a guided city tour of Wellington, the national capital
• Travel past pretty Lake Taupo
• Enjoy a traditional Maori hangi feast
• Visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve in Rotorua
• Take a dolphin watching cruise on the Bay of Islands, and cruise through the Hole in the Rock
• Stay in Auckland, the ‘City of Sails'
• 15 nights quality accommodation
• Up to 25 delicious meals* – 15 breakfasts (B) and 10 dinners (D)
• Air-conditioned coach travel
• An experienced Tour Director & Driver
• All must-see attractions
• Local airport transfers on the first and last day of your tour
• A convenient travel bag and wallet containing touring documents
• Land content only
• At the time of booking let our experts secure the best airfares available at the time

Day 1. Arrive Christchurch

On arrival be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2. Christchurch, Lake Ohau

Journey to Lake Tekapo and view the small Church of the Good Shepherd. Continue to Mt Cook National Park, before arriving at Lake Ohau where you'll enjoy a High Country dinner. Stay: Lake Ohau Lodge.

Day 3. Lake Ohau, Dunedin

Travel to the east coast today and visit Oamaru, renowned for its cream limestone architecture. Continue to the 60 million-year-old Moeraki Boulders on Koekohe Beach. Later, in Dunedin enjoy a city tour including a visit to historical Olveston House, a Jacobean manor that features a collection of antiques and paintings. Tonight, enjoy a Scottish evening and dinner.
Dunedin, Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin

Day 4. Dunedin, Te Anau

Tour historical Larnach Castle, New Zealand's only castle, built by William Larnach for his wife, the castle took 200 workmen five years to complete. View the restored rooms filled with New Zealand antiques. This afternoon depart Dunedin and travel through lush countryside to the lakeside settlement of Te Anau.

Day 5. Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown

Enjoy one of the world's finest alpine drives as you wind through the Eglinton and Hollyford valleys. On arrival in Milford Sound, board your boat for a cruise along the full length of the fiord. As you glide over the tranquil waters, take in the beautiful surrounds of cascading waterfalls, dense rainforest and towering mountains.

Day 6. Queenstown, Day at Leisure

Today enjoy free time in this exciting alpine resort city. Known as the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown is an adventure-seeker's paradise, with a wide range of activities available (own expense). Tonight, take the opportunity to cruise on the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for dinner (own expense).

Day 7. Queenstown, Fox Glacier

Travel towards the South Island's west coast, past Lake Hawea, Lake Wanaka and over the Southern Alps. Continue through spectacular Haast Pass and enjoy incredible scenery as you travel past mountains, tranquil lakes and raging rivers.

Day 8. Greymouth, Christchurch

Journey to Hokitika and watch a pounamu (jade) carving demonstration. This afternoon, take the opportunity to join the TranzAlpine train in Greymouth for a journey that has been voted one of the top train journeys in the world.

Day 9. Christchurch, Wellington

Today enjoy a spectacular trans-coastal drive between the Pacific Ocean and rugged Kaikoura Ranges. Continue to the charming port of Picton, where you'll board the Interislander ferry for a cruise across Cook Strait, through the stunning Marlborough and Queen Charlotte sounds to Wellington. On arrival, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of the city.

Day 10. Wellington, Taupo

Depart Wellington this morning and travel to the scenic Hawke's Bay region. Travel past tranquil Lake Taupo, see the spectacular Huka Falls en route to Rotorua, the centre of Maori culture and a geothermal wonderland. This evening, experience authentic Maori cuisine for dinner with a hangi feast and a traditional performance of song and dance.

Day 11. Rotorua, Agrodome

This morning, experience the wonders of Rotorua, beginning with a visit to the Agrodome for an entertaining farm show to learn about New Zealand's sheep industry. Continue to Te Puia Thermal Reserve, a major geyser field consisting of more than 500 hot springs, boiling mud pools and geysers, followed by a guided tour through the Maori Arts & Crafts Institute. The rest of today is at your leisure. Tonight, you also have the opportunity to experience a Country Homestay in Rotorua (contact us for details).

Day 12. Rotorua, Auckland

Departing Rotorua, travel north to Auckland, stopping en route at Waitomo to explore the famed caves. Join a guided tour of the labyrinth of underground limestone caverns, which formed more than 30 million years ago. See the magnificent Cathedral cave and marvel at amazing stalactites and stalagmites. On a silent boat ride, glide through the mystical Glow-worm cave lit by thousands of tiny glow-worms. This afternoon arrive in Auckland, the City of Sails.

Day 13. Auckland, Bay of Islands

This morning, depart Auckland and travel north to the Bay of Islands, a region full of history and spectacular scenery. It was in the Waitangi Reserve where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840. Today the region is a popular holiday destination for both locals and international travellers alike.

Day 14. Bay of Islands, Day at Leisure

Home to 144 stunning islands, the Bay of Islands offers nature experiences, marine adventures and scenic cruises. Today is at your leisure to explore this beautiful region for yourself or perhaps join an overnight cruise (own expense).

Day 15. Bay of Islands, Auckland

Today, take a catamaran cruise to Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock. Watch for dolphins and schools of fish as you wind through the inner islands. This afternoon return to Auckland.

Day 16. Depart Auckland

Your tour concludes this morning after breakfast with a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.