New Zealand Escorted Tours

16 Days: A highlight of this 16 Day ‘New Zealand Insight' is the TranzAlpine Train journey from Christchurch across the dramatic Southern Alps to Greymouth, one of the world's best train experiences. It's a wonderful introduction to the South Island's sky-scraping peaks, glistening glaciers, primeval rainforest and the magnificent Milford Sound. You can stay overnight on this world-renowned fiord. Also on your travels, you'll experience the North Island's wide range of landscapes, from turquoise waters to boiling mud pools.

Highlights

• Visit World Heritage Westland National Park and view mighty Franz Josef Glacier
• Cruise Cook Strait through Marlborough and Queen Charlotte sounds
• Take a guided tour of the Waitomo Caves
• Visit geothermal Rotorua
• Tour the Art Deco city of Napier
• Visit Church Road winery in Hawke's Bay
• Cruise Cook Strait through Marlborough and Queen Charlotte sounds
• Visit World Heritage Westland National Park and view mighty Franz Josef Glacier
• Explore the alpine resort of Queenstown
• View the unique Moeraki Boulders
• Exclusive! Overnight on Milford Sound aboard the Milford Mariner
• Two nights in geothermal Rotorua at the Hotel Ibis
• Enjoy two nights in the exciting alpine resort of Queenstown
• 14 Breakfasts (B) and 12 Dinners (D) including
• Maori Hangi feast in Rotorua
• Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm
• Dinner and breakfast on Milford Sound aboard the Milford Mariner
• Scottish Evening in Dunedin
• High Country Dinner, Lake Ohau
• 11 Day South Islander Christchurch to Christchurch, refer to tour code NET11
• 14 Day New Zealand Highlighter Auckland to Christchurch, refer to tour code NCA14
• 19 Day New Zealand Wanderer Auckland to Christchurch, refer to tour code NEC19
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• Land content only
• At the time of making your booking, let APT's experts secure you the best airfares available
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Day 1. Auckland

You will be met and transferred to your centrally-located hotel. Enjoy the rest of today at leisure.

Day 2. Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, Hangi Feast

This morning travel south through the rich dairy land of the Waikato Province to Waitomo Caves. Take a guided tour of the limestone caverns and view thousands of glow-worms. This afternoon arrive in Rotorua. Tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and cultural performance of song and dance.

Day 3. Rotorua

Today experience the attractions of Rotorua. Visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve, New Zealand's major geyser field. The area has over 500 hot springs and most forms of geothermal activity, including steaming ground, boiling mud pools, hot springs and impressive geysers. Enjoy a guided tour through the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute where your guide will explain the history and origins of the Maori. Continue to the Agrodome to enjoy an entertaining sheep show and learn about New Zealand's important sheep industry. The remainder of today is at leisure for you to explore geothermal Rotorua.

Day 4. Rotorua, Taupo, Napier

Depart Rotorua this morning and travel via Wairakei Park and mighty Huka Falls to New Zealand's largest lake, Lake Taupo. Arrive in Napier for a city sights tour and a guided Art Deco walk around Napier city. Afterwards, enjoy a tour and wine tasting at Church Road Winery.

Day 5. Napier, Wellington

Today depart Napier and travel south via Hastings. Here, you'll turn inland and travel across to the West Coast of the North Island. Follow the Kapiti Coast before arriving in Wellington, the nation's capital city. On arrival enjoy a city highlights tour. View Parliament Buildings and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of this amazing cosmopolitan city from the summit of Mt Victoria.

Day 6. Wellington, Picton

Today, visit New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa. This afternoon, join the Interislander cruise for the journey across Cook Strait to the South Island. Sail from scenic Wellington Harbour, across Cook Strait and through Marlborough and Queen Charlotte sounds to Picton.

Day 7. Picton, Christchurch

This morning arrive in the thriving seaside settlement of Kaikoura, an area offering unique whale, seal and dolphin watching experiences. Journey between the Pacific Ocean and rugged Kaikoura Ranges, through North Canterbury to Christchurch. On arrival, enjoy a city sightseeing tour before the afternoon is at your leisure to explore this Garden City.

Day 8. TranzAlpine Train, Greymouth

This morning board the award-winning TranzAlpine train. Cross the vast patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury plains before climbing up into the Main Divide. Journey through spectacular gorges, river valleys and across the country's greatest mountain range, the magnificent Southern Alps. On arrival in Greymouth, rejoin your coach and travel north along the dramatic coastline to Punakaiki to view its Pancake rock formations and blowholes.

Day 9. Greymouth, Franz Josef, Haast

This morning after breakfast, journey to Hokitika, where you will have the opportunity to see Pounamu (jade) being carved into jewellery and other artefacts. Continue along the coast through dense rainforest to World Heritage Westland National Park. Travel along the West Coast, through a world of mountains and glaciers, limestone landscapes, tranquil lakes, raging rivers and rare bird and plant life.

Day 10. Haast, Queenstown, Walter Peak Dinner

Today your journey takes you through the snow-capped Southern Alps and Haast Pass, previously an ancient Maori greenstone trail. Trace the beautiful shorelines of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the action-packed alpine resort of Queenstown. This evening, experience a relaxed cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the vintage steamship the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Enjoy a candlelit dinner at the Colonel's Homestead.

Day 11. Queenstown at Leisure

Queenstown is perfect for adventurers and leisure-seekers alike. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, this beautiful town is overlooked by the majestic Remarkables Range. Today is free for you to explore the endless scenic attractions available (own expense).

Day 12. Queenstown, Milford Sound

Today follow the Remarkables mountain range and trace the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Fiordland National Park. Journey along the Milford Road, renowned as one of the world's finest alpine drives, to Milford Sound. Here, board the Milford Mariner and cruise the full length of this beautiful fiord. View the cascading waterfalls, sheer cliffs, dense rainforest and towering mountains of this World Heritage-listed area. After reaching the open sea, return and anchor for the night in sheltered Harrison's Cove. Explore further on the Mariner's kayaks.

Day 13. Milford Sound, Dunedin, Scottish Evening

Departing Milford Sound, travel through Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin. A Scottish influence is still apparent today in the architecture of the many buildings, including the University of Otago. Tonight enjoy dinner along with a Scottish-themed evening at your hotel.

Day 14. Dunedin City Sightseeing Tour

This morning enjoy a guided tour of Dunedin before touring Larnach Castle, New Zealand's only castle. The remainder of today is yours to spend at leisure in Dunedin, known as the Edinburgh of the South.

Day 15. Dunedin, Lake Ohau, High Country Dinner

This morning visit Olveston house with its extensive collection of antiques, then travel along the coast to view the unique Moeraki Boulders on Koekohe Beach. Stop at Oamaru, a town known for its limestone architecture, then continue to the settlement of Lake Ohau. Tonight enjoy a High Country Hospitality Dinner.

Day 16. Lake Ohau, Mt Cook, Depart Christchurch

This morning travel to beautiful Lake Tekapo and view the picturesque tiny stone Church of the Good Shepherd. Travel through the vast Canterbury plains to Christchurch, the Garden City. On arrival here, your tour concludes upon arrival and a departure transfer to the airport is included.