Auckland, Rotorua, queenstown, and christchurch
New Zealand's landscapes and people leave an indelible impression on its visitors. From the Mauri home of Rotorua to the singular beauty of Queenstown, Milford Sound and beyond, this trip will fill your mind and picture book with memories to be cherished.
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Program
SOLD OUT |
Land Only per person based on Double Occupancy: $2,999
For Single Occupancy, Add: $875 Round trip Air New Zealand Airfare: $2,055.97 (Comprised of $1,825 base airfare and $230.97 in taxes, fees and surcharges) See Land Only pricing notes Printable Itinerary |
Program
SOLD OUT |
Mon., May 15 – Depart Home
Tue., May 16 – Cross the International Dateline
Wed., May 17 – Arrive Auckland: Early morning arrival. Our day begins with a tour of central Auckland. Regularly named as one of the best lifestyle cities in the world, Auckland is a vibrant cosmopolitan city. Arrive at our accommodations at Stamford Plaza Auckland in the heart of the city which will include daily breakfast. Balance of the day is free.
Thu., May 18 – Auckland: Our half-day exploration of the “City of Sails” includes views of the city and harbor from Bastion Point as well as a visit to the Auckland Museum. The museum offers an excellent introduction into the legacy and cultures of the peoples of the Pacific and Maori art and culture. The balance of the day is free for your independent enjoyment and exploration.
Fri., May 19 – Auckland/Rotorua: Our day begins by traveling over the Bombay Hills and through the lush Waikato Valley, famous for its productive dairy industry, before arriving in the Waitomo Cave region. We visit the Ruakuri Cave and get up close to glowworms, elaborate cave formations, underground rivers, myths, legends of these sacred Maori sites. Lunch is included as a tour service.
Afterwards, we continue our travels through picturesque farmland and across the bush clad Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua. Accommodations at Novotel Hotel Rotorua which includes daily breakfasts.
Sat., May 20 – Rotorua: Located on the shorts of Lake Rotorua, and in the heart of New Zealand’s famous thermal region, Rotorua forms part of the geologically active ‘Pacific Rim of Fire.’ Our journey includes a visit the Agrodome to learn about how sheep and wool are one of New Zealand’s premier exports and see the working sheep dogs at the entertaining Sheep Show. We continue with a visit to the National Kiwi Hatchery. The Kiwi, New Zealand’s national icon, is an endangered species. Our visit showcases how Kiwi recovery programs are playing their part to bring this treasured icon back from the brink of extinction on the New Zealand mainland.
Lunch is included as a tour service with a panoramic view of Lake Rotorua and a transfer by aerial gondola. This afternoon, we take a guided tour of Te Puia to visit the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve to see the boiling mud pools, steaming silica terraces and the geyser activity and the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute where young Maori are learning traditional carving and weaving skills.
This evening, we become immersed in the Maori culture when we visit a local village and enjoy a "hangi" or "feast" and experience traditional Maori cultural entertainment.
Sun., May 21 – Rotorua/Queenstown: We transition from our time on the North Island by flying to Queenstown on the South Island. Surrounded by majestic mountains and set on the shores of crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu, the natural beauty and unique energy of the Queenstown region create a perfect backdrop for exploration or relaxation. Upon arrival, we enjoy a brief tour of Queenstown and continue on to our accommodations at Millennium Hotel Queenstown which include daily breakfasts.
This evening is free for you to explore Queenstown on your own to discover some of the cities culinary gems.
Mon., May 22 – Queenstown/Milford Sound: We depart early this morning to travel around Lake Wakatipu and through Te Anau and the Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound. Fiordland National Park, part of the UNESCO Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area, is one of the great wilderness areas of the Southern Hemisphere. The scenery is spectacular with lofty mountains and deep valleys carved out by Ice Age glaciers.
At Milford Sound, we board a comfortable vessel for a scenic cruise down Milford Sound past towering Mitre Peak to the Tasman Sea. After our cruise, we return to Queenstown, where the balance of the day is free for your individual exploration.
Tonight is free so that you can rest from a satisfying day of exploration, a quick meal, or dining at a local restaurant.
Tue., May 23 – Queenstown: Our half day tour will visit the historic Arrowtown, a quaint village set on the banks of the Arrow River which was once a rip-roaring gold rush town. Our exploration will include the Edith Cavall Bridge spanning the narrow canyon of the rugged Shotover River, Lake Hayes and drive out to the Kawarau Bridge to see the dare-devils bungy jumping from the original AJ Hackett site. Next, we visit a local central Otago winery to sample some of the excellent wines being produced in this cool climate region and enjoy a leisurely lunch as a tour service. The balance of the day is free for your individual exploration and enjoyment.
Tonight’s highlight will be a taste of rural life in New Zealand. Steeped in Queenstown’s pioneering history, the experience commences with a cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the 1912 vintage steamship, the TSS Earnslaw. We disembark at the Walter Peak High Country Farm, one of the first farms set up in the region and still a working farm. In the ambience of the Colonel’s Homestead, enjoy a delicious gourmet BBQ dinner which the chef will prepare in front of you.
Wed., May 24 – Queenstown/Christchurch: We transition to the east coast of New Zealand via a full day’s drive to Christchurch through the rugged Kawarau Gorge, past Lake Dunstan, across the distinctive Central Otago countryside to the Lindis Pass, etc. Lunch is provided as a tour service at a private local home set on the shores of picturesque Lake Tekapo where we learn the secrets of Pavlova, a truly Kiwi dessert.
Thu., May 25 – Christchurch: Stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Southern Alps, the Canterbury region is a land of plains and peaks, and its center, Christchurch is a city rebuilding itself, as it emerges following the earthquake that devastated much of the city in February 2011.
This morning, we enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Christchurch. Highlights include the River Avon, Hagley Park, etc. We visit the International Antarctic Centre to learn about life at the South Pole and the New Zealand Antarctic program. The balance of the day is free for individual enjoyment and exploration.
Fri., May 26 – Christchurch/Melbourne: Our time in New Zealand, and our time together, come to a close as we depart for Melbourne.
Sat.-Wed., May 27 – May 31 - Melbourne: Attend the Rotary International Convention. No Howard Tours’ events are scheduled in deference to the Rotary Convention activities.
Thu., June 01: Melbourne/Depart for Home.
Tue., May 16 – Cross the International Dateline
Wed., May 17 – Arrive Auckland: Early morning arrival. Our day begins with a tour of central Auckland. Regularly named as one of the best lifestyle cities in the world, Auckland is a vibrant cosmopolitan city. Arrive at our accommodations at Stamford Plaza Auckland in the heart of the city which will include daily breakfast. Balance of the day is free.
Thu., May 18 – Auckland: Our half-day exploration of the “City of Sails” includes views of the city and harbor from Bastion Point as well as a visit to the Auckland Museum. The museum offers an excellent introduction into the legacy and cultures of the peoples of the Pacific and Maori art and culture. The balance of the day is free for your independent enjoyment and exploration.
Fri., May 19 – Auckland/Rotorua: Our day begins by traveling over the Bombay Hills and through the lush Waikato Valley, famous for its productive dairy industry, before arriving in the Waitomo Cave region. We visit the Ruakuri Cave and get up close to glowworms, elaborate cave formations, underground rivers, myths, legends of these sacred Maori sites. Lunch is included as a tour service.
Afterwards, we continue our travels through picturesque farmland and across the bush clad Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua. Accommodations at Novotel Hotel Rotorua which includes daily breakfasts.
Sat., May 20 – Rotorua: Located on the shorts of Lake Rotorua, and in the heart of New Zealand’s famous thermal region, Rotorua forms part of the geologically active ‘Pacific Rim of Fire.’ Our journey includes a visit the Agrodome to learn about how sheep and wool are one of New Zealand’s premier exports and see the working sheep dogs at the entertaining Sheep Show. We continue with a visit to the National Kiwi Hatchery. The Kiwi, New Zealand’s national icon, is an endangered species. Our visit showcases how Kiwi recovery programs are playing their part to bring this treasured icon back from the brink of extinction on the New Zealand mainland.
Lunch is included as a tour service with a panoramic view of Lake Rotorua and a transfer by aerial gondola. This afternoon, we take a guided tour of Te Puia to visit the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve to see the boiling mud pools, steaming silica terraces and the geyser activity and the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute where young Maori are learning traditional carving and weaving skills.
This evening, we become immersed in the Maori culture when we visit a local village and enjoy a "hangi" or "feast" and experience traditional Maori cultural entertainment.
Sun., May 21 – Rotorua/Queenstown: We transition from our time on the North Island by flying to Queenstown on the South Island. Surrounded by majestic mountains and set on the shores of crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu, the natural beauty and unique energy of the Queenstown region create a perfect backdrop for exploration or relaxation. Upon arrival, we enjoy a brief tour of Queenstown and continue on to our accommodations at Millennium Hotel Queenstown which include daily breakfasts.
This evening is free for you to explore Queenstown on your own to discover some of the cities culinary gems.
Mon., May 22 – Queenstown/Milford Sound: We depart early this morning to travel around Lake Wakatipu and through Te Anau and the Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound. Fiordland National Park, part of the UNESCO Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area, is one of the great wilderness areas of the Southern Hemisphere. The scenery is spectacular with lofty mountains and deep valleys carved out by Ice Age glaciers.
At Milford Sound, we board a comfortable vessel for a scenic cruise down Milford Sound past towering Mitre Peak to the Tasman Sea. After our cruise, we return to Queenstown, where the balance of the day is free for your individual exploration.
Tonight is free so that you can rest from a satisfying day of exploration, a quick meal, or dining at a local restaurant.
Tue., May 23 – Queenstown: Our half day tour will visit the historic Arrowtown, a quaint village set on the banks of the Arrow River which was once a rip-roaring gold rush town. Our exploration will include the Edith Cavall Bridge spanning the narrow canyon of the rugged Shotover River, Lake Hayes and drive out to the Kawarau Bridge to see the dare-devils bungy jumping from the original AJ Hackett site. Next, we visit a local central Otago winery to sample some of the excellent wines being produced in this cool climate region and enjoy a leisurely lunch as a tour service. The balance of the day is free for your individual exploration and enjoyment.
Tonight’s highlight will be a taste of rural life in New Zealand. Steeped in Queenstown’s pioneering history, the experience commences with a cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the 1912 vintage steamship, the TSS Earnslaw. We disembark at the Walter Peak High Country Farm, one of the first farms set up in the region and still a working farm. In the ambience of the Colonel’s Homestead, enjoy a delicious gourmet BBQ dinner which the chef will prepare in front of you.
Wed., May 24 – Queenstown/Christchurch: We transition to the east coast of New Zealand via a full day’s drive to Christchurch through the rugged Kawarau Gorge, past Lake Dunstan, across the distinctive Central Otago countryside to the Lindis Pass, etc. Lunch is provided as a tour service at a private local home set on the shores of picturesque Lake Tekapo where we learn the secrets of Pavlova, a truly Kiwi dessert.
Thu., May 25 – Christchurch: Stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Southern Alps, the Canterbury region is a land of plains and peaks, and its center, Christchurch is a city rebuilding itself, as it emerges following the earthquake that devastated much of the city in February 2011.
This morning, we enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Christchurch. Highlights include the River Avon, Hagley Park, etc. We visit the International Antarctic Centre to learn about life at the South Pole and the New Zealand Antarctic program. The balance of the day is free for individual enjoyment and exploration.
Fri., May 26 – Christchurch/Melbourne: Our time in New Zealand, and our time together, come to a close as we depart for Melbourne.
Sat.-Wed., May 27 – May 31 - Melbourne: Attend the Rotary International Convention. No Howard Tours’ events are scheduled in deference to the Rotary Convention activities.
Thu., June 01: Melbourne/Depart for Home.
