Best of New Zealand - Auckland to Christchurch Low Cost Escorted Tour priced from €2140 excluding flights See the north & south island including all the highlights:  Bay of Islands ~ Auckland ~ Glow worm Grotto ~ Hangi Feast and Concert  ~ Agrodome Sheep Show  ~  Te Papa  ~ Montana Winery  ~ Christchurch  ~ The Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo  ~ Dunedin  ~ Milford Sound  ~ Queenstown  ~ Arrowtown  ~ Fox Glacier  ~ Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki  ~ Opportunity to journey on the TranzAlpine train

Tour Itinerary
	Day 1: Arrive Auckland After your airport transfer and hotel check-in, explore Auckland your way. Evening Welcome Drink with your Tour Director and fellow travellers. Hotel: Mercure Hotel, Auckland. Day 2: Bay of Islands We head out of Auckland over the Harbour Bridge, travelling along the scenic Hibiscus Coast. Explore Whangarei, the northern- most city in New Zealand.On to Paihia and the Bay of Islands where we’ll tour the historic Waitangi Treaty Reserve. Hotel: Hotel Paihia, Bay of Islands, 2 nights. B D Day 3: Bay of Islands Explore the Bay of Islands your way. Dolphin watch, catch a ferry to Russell, drive along the Ninety Mile Beach, sail or sea-kayak - it’s up to you. Dine at your leisure in town. B Day 4: Auckland Enjoy a scenic cruise through the Bay of Islands to Cape Brett and the ‘Hole in the Rock’. We’ll explore Urupukapuka Island then return to Auckland. Hotel: Mercure Hotel, Auckland. B D Day 5: Waitomo Caves After an Auckland city sights tour we trace the Waikato River to Waitomo Caves. We tour the amazing Glow Worm Grotto. Then arrive at Rotorua for an orientation tour, with views of Lake Rotorua. Tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and Concert and gain an insight into traditional Maori culture. Hotel: Hotel Ibis, Rotorua, 2 nights. B HD Day 6: Rotorua Today we visit the Agrodome Sheep Show then enjoy an afternoon of ‘Free Time’ - visit Paradise Valley Springs, abundant with Rainbow Trout and New Zealand farm animals or Te Puia, where a local Maori will guide you through the Geothermal valley with its mud pools and geysers. It’s your choice. B FARM STAY OPTION For an additional cost, enjoy genuine New Zealand hospitality. Day 7: Rotorua - Wellington En route to Wellington we’ll view the Huka Falls, visit Taupo and drive along the shores of New Zealand’s largest lake. Discover the alpine scenery of Mt Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park and the dairy farms of Manawatu. Travel along the Kapiti Coast into Wellington, for a city tour with views from Mt Victoria. Hotel: Mercure Willis Street, Wellington. B Day 8: Wellington - Picton A morning of ‘Free Time’ in Wellington, followed by a visit to Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. A photo opportunity at Parliament House. Then we cruise tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound. Later we travel to the seaside village of Picton for an orientation tour. Hotel: Beachcomber, Picton. B D Day 9: Picton - Christchurch We start the day with a tour and tasting at Montana Winery. En route to Christchurch, we’ll get up close and personal with some New Zealand Fur Seals at Ohau Point, watch whales at Kaikoura, (optional scenic Whale Watching flight), travel along the rugged Pacific Ocean coast and across the Canterbury Plains. A city tour of Christchurch, the ‘most English city’ outside of England, then it’s ‘Free Time’. Hotel: Hotel Ibis, Christchurch. B Day 10: Mt Cook Start the day your way - shop, ride the Christchurch Tram or just relax. Later we’ll see Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and soak up the alpine scenery of Mt Cook National Park (optional Mt Cook scenic flight). Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel, omarama. B D Day 11: Dunedin From the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and Benmore Dam, we travel through Oamaru to Dunedin for a city tour. The afternoon is yours to explore Dunedin as you wish. Hotel: Cargill’s Hotel, Dunedin. B D Day 12: Dunedin - Te Anau After a morning of time to yourself, we’ll cross sheep- filled farming land to the South Island’s biggest lake - Lake Te Anau and the town of Te Anau. Optional Glow Worm Caves tour tonight. Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel,Te Anau. B D Day 13: Milford Sound From Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound, witness Mirror Lakes, Claudu Valley, The Chasm, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls and more. Travel along the Devils Stair Case and the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Enjoy a Queenstown orientation tour and group photo, followed by an alpine dinner with views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Mountain range. Hotel: Aspen Hotel, Queenstown, 2 nights. B D Day 14: Queenstown Explore exciting Queenstown your way, all day. From wine and garden tours to jet boat rides and white water rafting, Queenstown will keep you occupied and exhilarated. For dinner you have the option to dine at the Skyline Restaurant on Bob’s Peak. Access is via the steepest Gondola in the Southern Hemisphere. Dinner options include the Kiwi Haka Maori Show. B Day 15: Fox Glacier Our first stop is Arrowtown. Next is Cromwell and its sensational stone fruit. Then it’s a trio of lakes - Lake Dunstan, Lake Hawea, Lake Wanaka. Travel through Haast Pass, view Thunder Creek Falls, take a rainforest walk. Final stop is Fox Glacier - a rare, still advancing glacier (optional Fox Glacier scenic flight). Hotel: Fox Glacier Hotel, Fox Glacier. B D Day 16: Christchurch First we visit Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. We travel through coastal Greymouth then view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki before returning to Christchurch. Hotel: Hotel Ibis, Christchurch. B D TRANZALPINE TRAIN Join one of the top six train journeys in the world. Additional cost. Day 17: Depart Christchurch Explore Christchurch at your leisure until your transfer to Christchurch Airport. B Tour Inclusions: SPECTACULAR SIGHTSEEING EXPERIENCES Visit the Bay of Islands See the sights of Auckland Cruise through the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’ Tour the Glow worm Grotto Hangi Feast and Concert Agrodome Sheep Show Visit Te Papa Visit Montana Winery Stay in beautiful Christchurch See the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo Sightseeing in Dunedin Cruise on Milford Sound Day at leisure in Queenstown Visit historic Arrowtown Spectacular Fox Glacier Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki Opportunity to journey on the TranzAlpine train Quality Touring Rooms with private facilities in quality hotels, on a twin share basis Tour by luxury coach, air-conditioned, restroom equipped, reclining seats and panoramic windows All purpose travel bag, wallet and touring map Airport transfers included Porterage at your tour hotels Professional Team Experienced services of a professional Tour Director and Tour Driver Included Meals Welcome Drink Full buffet breakfasts (16) B Exciting Highlight Dinner (1) HD Hotel Dinners (9) D Your Choice Accommodation Twin share rooms with private facilities in centrally located hotels  DEPARTURE DATES 2008 * denotes guaranteed date Departure  Date Departure  Date Departure Date Sat 05 Jan* Sat 12 Jan* Sat 19 Jan* Tue 22 Jan   Sat 26 Jan   Sat 02 Feb* Tue 05 Feb* Sat 09 Feb   Tue 12 Feb Sat 16 Feb* Tue 19 Feb* Sat 23 Feb   Tue 26 Feb   Sat 01 Mar* Tue 04 Mar   Sat 08 Mar* Tue 11 Mar* Sat 15 Mar Tue 18 Mar  Sat 05 Apr*   Sat 12 Apr  Sat 03 May* Sat 10 May   Sat 14 Jun* Sat 12 Jul   Sat 09 Aug   Sat 23 Aug*      Sat 06 Sep   Sat 20 Sep* Sat 27 Sep*  Tue 07 Oct   Sat 11 Oct   Tue 14 Oct   Sat 18 Oct   Tue 21 Oct   Sat 25 Oct* Sat 01 Nov   Sat 08 Nov   Sat 15 Nov   Sat 22 Nov* Sat 29 Nov   Sat 13 Dec   Sat 20 Dec* Sat 27 Dec   Price listings Departure date Twin 05 Jan - 18 March €2,220 05 & 12 April €2380 03 May - 27 Sept €2285 04 Oct - 27 Dec €2495   PLEASE NOTE: Optional activities are at own expense.