15 Days :: Contiki's New Zealand Grand Explorer

Featuring: North Island and South Island, including Auckland, Christchurch and Milford Sound A brilliant mix of sophisticated cities and panoramic landscapes, New Zealand is "the way the world was meant to be... a slice of heaven. See it all on this trip. Accomodation and Meals 13 or 14 nights in special Contiki accommodation based on quad share (twin share also available) NB: Milford Overnight quad-share only · Breakfasts (B) and Dinners (D)

Contiki Specials
Experienced Tour Manager and Driver . Modern air-conditioned coach . Free Contiki ‘ Travellers Guide’ information book . Free Contiki document wallet

HIGHLIGHTS:

Visit Parry Kauri Park
Sightseeing tour of Rotorua
New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, Whakarewarewa
Huka Falls and Wairakei geothermal area
View Lake Taupo
Explore ‘Craters of the Moon’ thermal area
Guided tour of Wellington, NZ’s capital
Inter-Island cruise through the Marlborough & Queen Charlotte Sounds
Picturesque Picton coast drive including view of a Seal Colony
Kaikoura
Drive spectacular Arthur’s Pass
Locally carved greenstone demonstration
Drive through the Haast Pass
Stop at the original Bungee Jump Bridge
Visit historic Arrowtown
Through the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound
Overnight cruise on the Milford Sound
View Mitre Peak
View Mt Cook across glacial Lake Puk
Sightseeing tour of Christchurch
Scenic drive through these National Parks: Tongariro, Arthur’s Pass, Westland, Mt Aspiring and Fiordland

Trip Itinerary

Auckland to Bay of Islands – Kiwi Kickoff: Today will be the day awesome scenery, great fun and extreme adventure take on new meanings! Join your tour and other Contiki pioneers as we begin the Grand Explorer! View the beauty of Auckland’s famous harbour when we cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge. As we head towards the subtropical region of Northland, we’ll explore Parry Kauri Park before we check into our Resort in Paihia. In the evening we’ll get to know one another better. Resort Hotel (D)

Bay of Islands – Fun in the Sun: This day is yours to enjoy the overwhelming beauty of the Bay of Islands. How about a Catamaran cruise through the “Hole-in-the-Rock”, maybe sail to a deserted island for lunch, perhaps travel along Ninety Mile Beach to Cape Reinga at “lands end” or just relax by the resort’s pool and have a drink with your fellow travellers. Resort Hotel (B)

Bay of Islands to Waitomo – Overground to Underground: In the morning we head south, stopping in Auckland for lunch before travelling through the lush Waikato farming region to Waitomo, home of magical limestone formations and sparkling Glow-worms. (B,D)

Waitomo to Rotorua – Cool Caves, Hot Springs: Maybe take time today to visit the Glow-worm grotto or try Underground Cave Rafting before visiting the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, Whakarewarewa, on our way to the thermal area of Rotorua. End the day with a swim in the lodge hot pool, before taking in an optional Maori Hangi meal and concert. Lodge (B)

Rotorua to Taupo – Thermal Wonderland: Mark today in your travel diary as the day you’ll see the “Craters of the Moon” thermal area, the raging Huka Falls and the steaming Wairakei Valley on the way to our exclusive resort beside New Zealand’s largest lake – Taupo. Resort Lodge (B)

Taupo to Wellington – The city not the boot: The mountains of Tongariro National Park provide a spectacular sight on the way to the capital city of Wellington. A scenic waterfront drive to the top of Mt Victoria acts as the perfect introduction on our guided tour of one of the largest cities on the North Island of New Zealand. Hotel (B)

Wellington at Leisure – What a ‘capital’ city: A full day to explore the country’s capital. Take your time to enjoy the amazing Museum of New Zealand, known as Te Papa ‘Our House’. Later this evening join us for a walkabout dinner. Hotel (B)

Wellington to Christchurch – Ferry tales: Board the Inter-Island ferry and do the north to south island hop through Marlborough Sound and Cook Strait to Picton. Then make sure your camera has film for the spectacular views along the Kaikoura Coastline. If we’re lucky, we’ll spot one of the many seal colonies in this area. Then, via the Canterbury Plains, we’ll head towards the city of Christchurch. Hotel (B)

Christchurch to Fox Glacier – No, this is not Switzerland: We’ll cross the Southern Alps via majestic Arthur’s Pass taking in the jade greenstone carving at Hokitika. Then we’ll journey onward to the awesome Fox Glacier on the South Island’s rugged West Coast. Hotel (B,D)

Fox Glacier to Queenstown – Nice ice. You may wish to explore the Fox Glacier with the professional guides that will be on hand to show you the beauty of this natural wonder. We’ll then journey through Haast Pass to Queenstown and our lodge high above Lake Wakatipu. Hold onto your hat – Queenstown beckons! Lodge (B,D)

Queenstown at Leisure – Too much is never enough: You will rest up won’t you? You’ll need to. The next two days are yours. Be extreme! A number of options to astound you await! White water rafting, parachuting, jet boating, or hiking are on offer. Once you’re dry and breathing again the next portion of our Contiki decathalon takes place. Yes, it’s time to experience Queenstown’s legendary nightlife. Lodge (B,B)

Queenstown at Leisure: Continued.
Or… Ski Queenstown: July and August winter departures offer the chance of two full days skiing on some of New Zealand’s finest slopes. Ski equipment and lessons can be organized on arrival at your resort.

Queenstown to Milford Sound –Vertical and nautical: Need an andrenalin boost? We’ll take you to a bridge to jump off! The bungee jumping bridge provides a hair-raising, gob-stopping adrenalin rush. It is one of the options on this tour that separates the tourists from the purists. Pure fun. Pure rush. Why don’t you try it? After this, we’ll head to the amazingly beautiful Milford Sound where you’ll love the night we spend cruising on the Milford Wanderer. Overnight Cruise. (B,D)

Milford Sound to Lake Ohau – Phew … what a view: In the morning we’ll breakfast on board before heading back to the mainland. We travel past Lake Te Anau and the Clutha River to the Southern Alps, then head to our lodge at Lake Ohau which affords views over Australia’s tallest peak, Mt Cook. Lodge (B,D)

Lake Ohau to Christchurch – Flying high: If heights don’t scare you (we saw you bungee jump two days ago), then why not take the option of a spectacular glacier flight over Mt Cook? Later, we’ll head back to Christchurch where you may join us for an end-of-tour, we-must-keep-in-touch-what-tour-are-you-taking-next, dinner. (B)

Includes Return airfare to New Zealand