New Zealand Experience

Sightseeing Highlights
• Pancake Rocks See these on the West Coast in Punakaiki.
• Fox Glacier View the spectacular, still advancing glacier.
• Arrowtown Visit this historic town.
• Queenstown Enjoy a day at leisure in New Zealand's adventure capital!
• Milford Sound Cruise on this natural wonder.
• Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls Take in the spectacle on Milford Sound.
• Dunedin See the sights of the city.
• Mt. Cook View New Zealand's highest mountain.
• Church of the Good Shepherd Admire the picture postcard scenery at Lake Tekapo.
• Te Papa Visit the Museum of New Zealand.
• Maori Hangi feast and concert Learn about the traditional Maori way of life.
• Agrodome Sheep Show For a taste of life on the farm!
• Glow Worm Grotto Take a guided boat tour through the Waitomo Caves.
  
  Dining Highlights
• 13 hot buffet breakfasts.
• Highlight Dinner Maori Hangi and Concert in Rotorua.
• 9 dinners in hotels.

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Day 1 to Day 2 Ireland - Christchurch
We fly over the international date line on our way to Christchurch, New Zealand.

Day 3 Arrive Christchurch 
On arrival in Christchurch you will be transferred to your hotel (flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm). Explore the 'most English city' outside of England, your way. You could visit Hagley Park, the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch Cathedral and the Botanic Gardens. Tonight meet your Tour Director and fellow travelling companions for a Welcome Drink and dinner. (D) Hotel: Ibis

Day 4 Fox Glacier
We'll travel through the West Coast rainforest to Punakaiki to view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. Pass through Greymouth, en route to Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. Next stop is Fox Glacier - a rare, still advancing glacier (optional scenic Fox Glacier flight). Experience one of the world's top 6 train trips aboard the TranzAlpine today. Journey from Arthur's Pass through the Southern Alps to Christchurch. Additional cost per person €55. (B D) Hotel: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier

Day 5 Queenstown 
Travel through the Haast Pass, view Thunder Creek Falls, take a rainforest walk. Then it's a trio of lakes - Wanaka, Hawea, Dunstan. Next is Cromwell and its stone fruit and Arrowtown on the Arrow River. Enjoy a Queenstown orientation tour followed by dinner with views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. (B D) Hotel: Mercure Queenstown Resort (2 nights)

Day 6 Queenstown 'Free Time' 
Explore exciting Queenstown your way. Choose from wine and garden tours to jet boat rides and white water rafting. 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 7 Milford Sound - Ta Anau 
Travel along the Devil's Staircase and the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau. You'll be awe-struck by great sights from Fiordland National Park - New Zealand's largest - to Milford Sound, one of the world's most amazing places, where you will cruise on the waters of this natural wonder. En route we'll drive through the hand made Homer Tunnel to the abundant photo opportunities afforded by the Mirror Lakes, Pop's Lookout, Claudu Valley, the Chasm, Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Then we return to Te Anau. Tonight you have the option to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves. (B D) Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel
Day 8 Dunedin 
We'll cross farming land to Dunedin for a city tour. 'Free Time' this afternoon - take a wildlife cruise to see the Penguins and Royal Albatross, visit the Cadbury Factory or ride the Taieri Gorge Railway. (B D) Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel

Day 9 Mt. Cook - Omarama 
'Free Time' - perhaps visit Larnach Castle, New Zealand's only castle. Travel through Oamaru, famous for its limestone buildings, passing the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and the Benmore Dam. (B D) Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel

Day 10 Christchurch 
Soak up the scenery of Mt. Cook National Park (optional scenic flight). We'll see Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and travel across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. 'Free Time' - ride the Christchurch Tram or just relax. (B) Hotel: Ibis

Day 11 Picton 
Travel along the rugged Pacific Ocean coast to Kaikoura, famous for its whales (optional Whale Watching flight). We'll get up close and personal with some New Zealand fur seals at Ohau Point. Pass the Grassmere Salt Works then travel to the pretty seaside fishing village of Picton for an orientation tour. (B D) Hotel: Beachcomber

Day 12 Wellington 
We'll cruise on Queen Charlotte Sound and across Cook Strait to Wellington for a city tour. 'Free Time' then we visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. (B D) Hotel: Mercure Hotel Willis Street

Day 13 Rotorua
Travel along the Kapiti Coast, through the dairy farms of Manawatu and Tongariro National Park, discover the alpine scenery of Mt. Ruapehu. Visit Taupo and drive along the shores of New Zealand's largest lake. View Huka Falls and pass the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station. Tonight enjoy a traditional Maori Hangi feast and concert and gain an insight into Maori culture. (B HD) Hotel: Ibis (2 nights)

Day 14 Rotorua 
We visit the Agrodome Sheep Show for a sample of farm life. See the art of sheep shearing, sheepdog demonstrations, cow milking, bottle feeding lambs and an exciting sheep auction. Then enjoy an afternoon of 'Free Time' - visit Rainbow Springs, abundant with Rainbow Trout and native fauna including the kiwi or Te Puia, where a local Maori will guide you through the geothermal valley. (B)

Day 15 Waitomo Caves - Auckland
This morning travel through lush Waikato farmland to Waitomo Caves. We'll see the amazing underground Glow Worm Grotto by boat and walk the limestone caves. Later we follow the Waikato River, New Zealand's longest river, into Auckland. Enjoy views from Mt. Eden before continuing to your hotel. (B D) Hotel: Mercure

Day 16 Depart Auckland
You will be transferred to Auckland Airport for your return flight home. (B)

Day 17 Arrive Ireland

 Single supplement €725
*Tour only - International flight prices are not included.