Holidays to New Zealand - New Zealand Insight Escorted Coach Tour Ref: N24

Day 1
UK - Auckland
Depart London Heathrow o­n a scheduled Air New Zealand flight to Auckland via Los Angeles or Hong Kong.

Day 2
In flight

Day 3
Arrive Auckland
You will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel.
Overnight(1): Copthorne Hotel Auckland City - Auckland

Day 4
Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua
This morning we travel south through the rich dairy land of the Waikato Province to Waitomo Caves. Experience a guided tour of the underground limestone caverns. View thousands of tiny glowworms. This afternoon arrive in Rotorua. Tonight immerse yourself in a Maori Hangi (Feast) and cultural performance. Breakfast & Feature Dinner included
Overnights(2): Hotel Ibis - Rotorua

Day 5
Rotorua
Today experience the attractions of Rotorua.We 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 our 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 your leisure to explore geothermal Rotorua. Breakfast included. Country Homestay option available tonight.

Day 6
Rotorua, Taupo, Napier
Depart Rotorua this morning and travel via Wairakei Park and the mighty Huka Falls then o­nto New Zealand's largest lake, Lake Taupo. Continue to Napier and enjoy a city sights tour before a guided Art deco walk around Napier city. Enjoy a visit to the Church Road Winery. Breakfast & Dinner included
Overnight(1): The Nautilus Hotel - Napier

Day 7
Napier, Wellington
Today depart Napier and travel south via Hastings here we turn inland and travel across to the West Coast of the North Island.We follow the Kapiti Coast before arriving in Wellington, the nations capital city. o­n arrival enjoy a city highlights tour. View the Parliament buildings enjoy spectacular panoramic views of this amazing cosmopolitan city. Breakfast & Dinner included
Overnight(1): Kingsgate Hotel - Wellington

Day 8
Wellington, Picton
Experience a self guided tour of New Zealand’s 'National' museum, Te Papa. This afternoon we join our cruise for the journey across Cook Strait to the South Island, renowned as o­ne of the most beautiful crossings in the world. Sail through the scenic Wellington Harbour, across Cook Strait and through the breath taking natural beauty of Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Breakfast & Dinner included
Overnight(1): Beachcomber Inn - Picton

Day 9
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 we enjoy a city sightseeing tour then the afternoon is at your leisure to explore. Breakfast & Dinner included
Overnight(1): Holiday Inn o­n Avon - Christchurch

Day 10
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. Enjoy stunning scenery as we 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 the fascinating pancake rock formations and blowholes. Breakfast & Dinner included
Overnight(1): Kingsgate Hotel - Greymouth

Day 11
Greymouth, Franz Josef, Haast
This morning journey to Hokitika, where you will have the opportunity to see Greenstone (Jade) being carved into jewellery and other artefacts. Continue along dramatic coastline through dense rainforest to World Heritage Westland National Park. Enjoy the incredible scenery as we travel along the West Coast, through a world of mountains and glaciers, limestone landscapes, tranquil lakes, raging rivers and rare bird and plant life. Breakfast & Dinner included
Overnight(1): Heartland World Heritage Hotel - Haast

Day 12
Haast, Queenstown
Cross the snow capped Southern Alps and through Haast Pass, previously an ancient Maori greenstone trail.We trace the beautiful shorelines of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the action packed alpine resort of Queenstown. Enjoy this afternoon at leisure. This evening, experience a relaxed cruise to Walter Peak Sheep Station to enjoy a candlelit dinner at the Colonel's homestead. Breakfast & Feature Dinner included
Overnights(2): Kingsgate Hotel Terraces - Queenstown

Day 13
Queenstown
Queenstown is an exhilarating, year round, alpine resort, perfect for adventurers and leisure seekers alike. Nestled o­n the shores of Lake Wakatipu, overlooked by the majestic Southern Alps, the town was named because "...it was fit for a Queen". Today is free for you to explore the endless scenic attractions available (own expense). Breakfast included

Day 14
Queenstown, Milford Sound Overnight
Today we follow the Remarkables Mountain Range and trace the shore of Lake Wakatipu to Fiordland National Park where lush rainforests meet snow capped mountains. Journey along the Milford Road, renowned as o­ne of the world's finest alpine drives to Milford Sound.We 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 as our o­nboard Nature Guide explains the fascinating history of the region. After reaching the open sea return and anchor for the night in sheltered Harrison's Cove. Explore further o­n the Mariner's kayaks. Breakfast & Feature Dinner included
Overnight(1): Milford Mariner - Milford Sounds

Day 15
Milford Sound, Dunedin
Departing Milford sound we travel through the farming communities of Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin. Scottish heritage is still apparent today in the architecture of the many fine buildings including The University of Otago, modelled o­n the University of Glasgow buildings. Tonight enjoy dinner at Larnach Castle along with a Scottish evening. Feature Breakfast & Feature Dinner included
Overnights(2): Mercure Leisure Lodge - Dunedin

Day 16
Dunedin
This morning we enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Dunedin before touring Larnach Castle, New Zealand's o­nly castle. The remainder of today is at leisure in Dunedin, 'Edinburgh of the South' (own expense) Breakfast included

Day 17
Dunedin, Lake Oahu
This morning visit historic Olveston House with its extensive collection of antiques and New Zealand paintings. Travel north along the coast to view the unique and fascinating Moeraki Beach Boulders. Stop at Oamaru, a town renowned for its distinctive limestone architecture. Pass massive hydro-electric dams and glacier-fed lakes of incredible colour o­n our journey to the pretty settlement of Lake Oahu. This evening enjoy a High Country Hospitality Dinner. Breakfast & Feature Dinner included
Overnight(1): Lake Oahu Lodge - Lake Oahu

Day 18
Lake Oahu, Mount Cook, Christchurch
This morning we travel to beautiful Lake Tekapo and view the picturesque tiny stone Church of the Good Shepherd. Leaving the High Country we cross the braided Rakaia River and travel through the mixed cropping and sheep grazing holdings of the vast Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, the ‘Garden City’. Your tour concludes upon arrival and a departure transfer is included. Check in for your flight to the UK via Hong Kong or Los Angeles. Breakfast included

Day 19
Arrive UK

FREE QUOTATION SERVICE - FREEPHONE 0800-988-4612 - open at weekends
Why not extend your holiday with a stopover in Hong Kong, the Pacific Islands or Los Angeles? These can be included as part of your outward or return journey (or both) and for many the journey thus becomes part of the holiday. Please don't hesitate to contact us to discuss accommodation options, as well as transfers and sightseeing possibilities - we are very happy to tailor make your holiday to your own requirements.

Air New Zealand operates three classes of travel, and you will find wonderful Pacific Rim styled cuisine and fine wines plus outstanding comfort in all.

PACIFIC ECONOMY CLASS offers o­ne of the largest seat pitches o­n long-haul flights for added comfort and relaxation – a roomy 32-34 inches. Enjoy video and audio o­n-demand o­n a seat back 8.4" screen.

UPGRADE YOUR FLIGHT TO PACIFIC PREMIUM CLASS start from £475 each way
Pacific Premium Class customers enjoy a premium check-in. The seat as 50% more recline than in Pacific Economy Class and an increased seat pitch – a roomy 38-40 inches. Enjoy video and audio o­n-demand o­n a seat back 8.4" screen.

UPGRADE YOUR FLIGHT TO BUSINESS PREMIER CLASS start from £1105 each way
Business Premier Class customers enjoy a dedicated check-in and lounge access at London Heathrow and if travelling within a 55 mile radius of the Heathrow Airport, Air New Zealand will organize a limousine to transfer you to and from your home.
Not o­nly can you sleep soundly in a completely lie-flat bed, but the unique design allows passengers to dine with a companion. Luxurious leather armchair that converts to a fully lie-flat 6’7.5” bed. Video and audio o­n-demand with a 10.4” high resolution screen and active noise cancellation headsets. Every seat has direct aisle access. Access to Air New Zealand International Lounges

BRITISH MIDLAND ECONOMY CLASS DOMESTIC ADD-ONS -One way fares from £80.
Available in conjunction with your Air New Zealand flights between London and to/from Aberdeen, Belfast,Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester, Teeside and Dublin. Details o­n request.