New Zealand Escorted Tours

16 Days: Discover the natural wonder that is New Zealand on this 16 day tour. Experience Maori culture with a Hangi (feast) in Roturua, cruise Cape Brett and the ‘Hole in the Rock' in the Bay of Islands and explore the Alpine town of Queenstown.

Highlights

• Cultural Touring Experiences
• Freedom of Choice Touring
• Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
• Bay of Islands overnight cruise option
• Enjoy a Maori hangi feast in Rotorua
• Country Homestay available
• Cruise across Cook Strait
• Marvel at Franz Josef Glacier
• Cruise the length of Milford Sound
• Discover Mt Cook National Park
• Ride on the famous TranzAlpine train
• Enjoy Freedom of Choice Touring in Auckland, the Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Queenstown, Dunedin and Mt Cook
• Enjoy three Dine Around Dinners
• EXCLUSIVE! Stay at the Edgewater, Wanaka, a tranquil lakeside haven
• EXCLUSIVE! Two nights at the luxurious Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa
• EXCLUSIVE! Stay at the iconic Hermitage, Mt Cook, with views of Mt Cook
• 15 Breakfasts and 14 Dinners including
• Maori Hangi feast and cultural performance in Rotorua
• West Coast Specialties Dinner in Franz Josef
• Dine Around Dinner in Queenstown
• 13 Day New Zealand Phenomenon Auckland to Christchurch, refer to tour code NAC13
• 18 Day All New Zealand Auckland to Auckland, refer to tour code NAA18
• 21 Day Great New Zealand Experience Auckland to Auckland, refer to tour code NAA21
• Fully inclusive of all sightseeing, entrance fees, cruises, meals as specified and accommodation
• Land content only
• At the time of making your booking, let APT's experts secure you the best airfares available
• Contact us for more details

Day 1. Auckland, Freedom of Choice Touring

You will be met and transferred to your hotel. Today, personalize your sightseeing by selecting your own touring activity. Options include a cruise on Waitemata Harbour, a sightseeing tour of Auckland, a trip to Auckland Museum, or you can even climb Auckland Bridge for stunning views of the harbor.

Day 2. Auckland, Bay of Islands

Visit the Matakohe's Kauri Museum. Continue to the majestic Waipoua Kauri Forest Reserve. Travel to the subtropical Bay of Islands and enjoy a visit to the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

Day 3. Bay of Islands, Freedom of Choice Touring

Touring. Today in the Bay of Islands, you choose the activity that most interests you from a range of options. These include a dolphin encounter, sailing on a tall ship before a BBQ lunch, or an insightful evening cultural show of light and sound.

Day 4. Bay of Islands, Auckland

This morning a cruise takes you to Cape Brett and the Hole in the
Rock. Watch for dolphins and schools of fish. Return this afternoon to Auckland.

Day 5. Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua

Leaving Auckland, travel through the Waikato Province. At Waitomo take a tour of the limestone caverns and glow-worm grotto. Continue to Rotorua and tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and cultural performance of song and dance at Mitai Maori Village. You'll gain an authentic insight into Maori culture and be left in awe.

Day 6. Rotorua, Freedom of Choice Touring

Your touring options today include a soak in a thermal mineral pool at the Polynesian Spa, a tour of Hobbiton, encountering native flora and fauna such as the endangered kiwi at Rainbow Springs, a visit to Rotorua Museum or you can take in the Rotorua Icons. At the Agrodome enjoy a Sheep Show and shearing display then visit Te Puia thermal reserve to see boiling mud pools and exploding geysers.

Day 7. Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington, Dine Around Dinner

Journey south and view Wairakei steam valley, a unique geothermal power project. Continue to Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake, and thunderous Huka Falls. Cross the vast volcanic plateau of Tongariro National Park to Wellington, the nation's capital city.

Day 8. Nelson, Dine Around Dinner

The Interislander ferry takes you across Cook Strait to the South Island. Cruise through the natural beauty of the Marlborough Sounds to the seaside port of Picton. This afternoon, journey through the pretty orchard and vineyard region of Marlborough to Nelson. Tonight choose from two fine restaurants in your hotel, Miyazu, an acclaimed Japanese restaurant or Oceano, a seafood lovers' paradise.

Day 9. Nelson, Franz Josef

Today, follow the Heritage Highway along the West Coast. View the Pancake Rock formations at Punakaiki. Enter World Heritage-listed Westland National Park where you can view Franz Josef and Fox glaciers. This evening enjoy West Coast hospitality as you dine on regional specialties.

Day 10. Franz Josef, Wanaka

View incredible scenery as you leave this World Heritage-listed area, traveling through Haast Pass and over the incredible Southern Alps. Continue to Wanaka township, originally settled during the gold rush era and surrounded by Mt Aspiring National Park. Enjoy an overnight stay in this beautiful place.

Day 11. Wanaka, Queenstown, Dine Around Dinner

Today travel through Arrowtown to Queenstown. Tonight enjoy our Dine Around Dinner with a choice of 15 restaurants. You may wish to take a gondola ride to the Skyline Restaurant and enjoy dinner with spectacular views over Queenstown. Perhaps cruise on the TSS Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a sumptuous homestead carvery meal. Or enjoy a meal at one of the many diverse restaurants or cozy cafés in Queenstown.

Day 12. Queenstown, Freedom of Choice Touring

Today personalize your sightseeing with your Freedom of Choice activity. You may like to enjoy a relaxing lake shore and forest walk around Lake Wakatipu, viewing native flora and fauna. Or perhaps experience a double-decker bus tour. Maybe you would like to choose a tour of the local wineries, an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Shotover River, a Safari of the Scenes 4WD tour or possibly take a 4WD tour into Skippers Canyon.

Day 13. Milford Sound, Te Anau

Today travel through Fiordland National Park. On arrival into Milford Sound, cruise the full length of this fiord, traveling below Mitre Peak, past towering mountains, dense rain forest and beneath waterfalls. This afternoon, journey to the pretty lakeside town of Te Anau.

Day 14. Te Anau, Dunedin, Freedom of Choice Touring

Journey to Dunedin, a city with a distinct Scottish feel. This afternoon, choose from a range of Freedom of Choice Touring options, including a ride on the Taieri Gorge Railway, a tour of historic Speight's Brewery and many more.

Day 15. Dunedin, Mt Cook, Freedom of Choice Touring, Dine Around Dinner

Travel along the coast to view the unique Moeraki Boulders. Pass massive hydro-electric dams and glacier-fed lakes on your journey to World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park where you will join your selected Freedom of Choice Touring activity. Options include the Glacier Explorer cruise, a guided walk through the national park, a discovery of the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, or stargazing with expert astronomy guides. Tonight, stay at The Hermitage with Mt Cook views, and choose to dine at either The Panorama Room or Alpine Restaurant.

Day 16. Mt Cook, Depart Christchurch

Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd this morning by the shore of Lake Tekapo. Then continue by coach through the Rakaia Gorge to the Garden City of Christchurch, where your tour concludes with a transfer to the airport.