| 12 Day New Zealand Rail Discovery Independent Touring in New Zealand Nights at Destinations: Auckland (1), Rotorua (2), Wellington (1), Christchurch (2), Dunedin (1), Queenstown (3), Franz Josef (1) Price Includes 11 nights accommodation Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Geothermal Rotorua tour Traditional Maori feast and concert Spectacular Milford Sound cruise 3 unique scenic rail journeys: TranzAlpine, TranzCoastal and The Taieri Gorge Railway 1 lunch (L), 1 dinner (D) DAY 1: ARRIVE AUCKLAND You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Use your free time to explore the “City of Sails.” We recommend a visit to Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World, shopping, or a walk around Auckland’s exciting marina and waterfront. Overnight: Auckland, Copthorne Hotel, Anzac Avenue (standard), SKYCITY Hotel (first class) or Heritage Auckland (deluxe) DAY 2: AUCKLAND—WAITOMO—ROTORUA Travel south to Rotorua via the pastoral province of Waikato and visit the fascinating Waitomo Caves. Enjoy lunch and a guided tour of the famous Glowworm Grotto featuring an underground boat ride. Continue on to Rotorua. This evening, enjoy a Maori Hangi (feast) and concert. Overnight: Rotorua, Kingsgate Hotel Rotorua (standard), Heritage Hotel Rotorua (first class) or Millennium Rotorua (deluxe) for 2 nights (L,D) DAY 3: ROTORUA SIGHTSEEING Experience the many varied sights that Rotorua has to offer. Visit the Agrodome Sheep Show and later Te Puia Thermal Reserve. Learn about traditional Maori crafts at the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore Rotorua. DAY 4: ROTORUA—WELLINGTON Fly to Wellington today (airfare not included), New Zealand’s capital city. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Overnight: Wellington, Bay Plaza Hotel (standard), Mercure on Willis (first class) or Duxton Hotel (deluxe) DAY 5: WELLINGTON—CHRISTCHURCH This morning travel across Cook Strait, through Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton. Board the TranzCoastal train which winds its way along the East Coast, to Christchurch. On arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight: Christchurch, The Elms (standard), Copthorne Central Hotel (first class) or Millennium Hotel (deluxe) for 2 nights DAY 6: CHRISTCHURCH AT LEISURE Today is at leisure. Enjoy a historic tram ride or a punt down the Avon River (own expense). DAY 7: CHRISTCHURCH—MT COOK—DUNEDIN Travel by coach to Mt Cook National Park via Lake Tekapo. Continue on to the southern city of Dunedin. Overnight: Dunedin, Kingsgate Hotel (standard), Scenic Circle, Dunedin City Hotel (first class) or Southern Cross Hotel (deluxe) DAY 8: DUNEDIN—QUEENSTOWN Board the Taieri Gorge train to Queenstown and enjoy the rugged, unspoilt landscape. Experience breathtaking views on this historic journey with sightseeing along the way. Option: add an extra day in Dunedin for touring. Overnight: Queenstown, Kingsgate Hotel Terraces (standard), Copthorne Lakefront (first class) or Heritage Hotel (deluxe) for 3 nights DAY 9: MILFORD SOUND DAY EXCURSION (Subject to road and weather conditions) Travel along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland National Park. View the Mirror Lakes and travel through the Homer Tunnel. Join the Milford Sound Red Boat cruise for an unforgettable experience on this majestic fiord. Journey to the mouth of the sound before returning to Queenstown. DAY 10: QUEENSTOWN AT LEISURE A free day to enjoy the many activities available. DAY 11: QUEENSTOWN—FRANZ JOSEF Travel north via Lakes Wanaka and Hawea. Enjoy the rugged West Coast scenery through the Haast Pass and continue on to spectacular Franz Josef. We suggest you take a scenic glacier flight (own expense) to enjoy the stunning scenery this region has to offer. Overnight: Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel (standard, first class and deluxe) DAY 12: FRANZ JOSEF—CHRISTCHURCH Travel to Greymouth to board the TranzAlpine train for a journey traversing the Southern Alps. Travel across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, arriving at approximately 6:40pm. Transfer to the Christchurch Airport for your onward flight (airfare not included). Departs: Daily from Auckland 12 Day New Zealand Rail Discovery 1 Apr 07–31 Mar 08 Twin Single Standard $2504 $3396 First Class $2589 $3566 Deluxe $2841 $4071 Note: Prices are “from” and seasonal surcharges apply. Extra night prices available. Ask for details. Domestic Rotorua–Wellington not included. Tour Code: RC15 |
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