Air Travel/Cross International Dateline
Board your overnight flight for Auckland. During your flight, cross the International Dateline.

Day 1 ARRIVE AUCKLAND
You will be met on arrival at Auckland Airport and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 AUCKLAND / ROTORUA
- This morning, board The Overlander train. Journey alongside the Waikato River and pass by Taupiri Mountain, the sacred burial ground of the Maori. Continue to Rotorua. On arrival, visit Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve to view boiling mud pools, soaring geysers and steaming hot springs. This evening enjoy the warmth of the Maori people with a New Zealand Hangi (feast) and cultural performance of Maori song and dance. (B,D)

Day 3 ROTORUA
- Rotorua is New Zealand's oldest and most popular resort, where generations of visitors have enjoyed its waters, marveled at its fascinating geothermal activity and experienced the region's unique Maori culture. Today we give you the opportunity to choose the activity and we will include it. You may choose to visit the "must see three "Te Puia, the Agrodome sheep show and Rainbow Springs or perhaps visit a Polynesian Spa for a treatment and leisurely soak in a thermal mineral pool. Other tours include a half-day Eco-thermal venture or a visit to the Rotorua Museum. Another choice for tonight: Stay with a local family with a Country Homestay option.

Day 4 ROTORUA / TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK
- Travel to Te Kuiti to join the Overlander train for a tour thorugh the heart of the North Island. Travel over the wrld renowned Raurimu Spiral, one of the great surveying and engineering achievements of the main rail line. Spend this evening in the World Heritage-listed park, nestled at the base of majestic Mt. Ruapehu. (B,D)

Day 5 TONGARIRO / WELLINGTON
- This morning, head south to Featherston. Travel through Taihape, renowned as the “Gumboot Capital” of New Zealand. Every year, a festival is held here to celebrate this essential item of rural “kiwi” footwear. Continue through the Manawatu Gorge and the Wairarapa region to arrive in Featherston. Visit the Fell Engine Museum before boarding the TranzMetro train for the short journey to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. (B,D)

Day 6 WELLINGTON
- Begin the day with a ride on the Wellington Cable Car, whose service began in 1902. Later head to Mount Victoria for the best view of the city, harbor and countryside. Next see the Parliament Buildings and the old Government Building, one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. Finally, visit the National Museum of New Zealand. (B)

Day 7 WELLINGTON / CHRISTCHURCH
- Cruise across Cook Strait and through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Here you will board the TranzCoastal train for a scenic trip between mountain and sea on your way to Christchurch.

Day 8 CHRISTCHURCH / FRANZ JOSEF
- This morning, board the award winning TranzAlpine train, voted one of the top rail journeys in the world. Travel through spectacular gorges and river valleys, and across the Southern Alps. Disembark at Greymouth and continue to Hokitika where you will have the opportunity to see native Greenstone (jade). Continue south along the West Coast, traveling through dense rainforest. There is an opportunity for a scenic flight over the renowned glaciers of this region (weather permitting, own expense). (B,D)

Day 9 FRANZ JOSEF / QUEENSTOWN
- Incredible scenery today as you leave this World Heritage region. See spectacular mountain ranges, untouched native forests, lakes and glaciers. Then follow the shores of beautiful Lakes Wanaka and Hawea before arriving in the alpine resort of Queenstown. Tonight, you have a choice of four dining options. Perhaps cruise aboard the steamship TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Sheep Station or ride the Queenstown Gondola to the Skyline Restaurant. Or, you may prefer to dine at your hotel or at a local restaurant. The choice is yours! (B,D)

Day 10 QUEENSTOWN
- Queenstown is an exhilarating, year-round, alpine resort, perfect for adventurers and leisure-seekers alike. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, overlooked by the majestic Southern Alps, the town was named because "... it was fit for a Queen." Today we have a selection of activities for you to choose from and we will include it! Your choice include a Queenstown "Double Decker Explorer" tour, a local winery tour, an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Shotover River or a relaxing garden tour. Other choices include a Lord of the Rings safari, an adventure into Skippers Canyon by 4WD, or a leisurely guided flora and fauna walk around Lake Wakatipu. (B)

Day 11 QUEENSTOWN / MILFORD SOUND / TE ANAU 
 - Enjoy a trip back in time aboard the Kingston Flyer vintage steam train and travel through alpine desert and tussock grasslands. Continue to incredible Milford Sound where you will embark on a cruise for a journey on this glacier-carved fjord (weather permitting). This afternoon, return to Te Anau. (B,D)

Day 12  TE ANAU / DUNEDIN
-Travel across the South Island to Dunedin, the "Edinburgh of the South." This afternoon, you choose the activity and we will include it. Perhaps visit Speights Brewery and Heritage Centre where they brew the popular Speights Ale, or visit the Otago Peninsula to view the Royal Albatross Colony. Other ideas include a tour of New Zealand's only castle - Larnach Castle - and a ride on the Taieri Gorge train through the countryside. The choice is yours! (B,D)

Day 13 DUNEDIN / TWIZEL 
 - Board the "exclusive" Seasider train and follow the spectacular coastline before disembarking at the small township of Palmerston. Continue to Oamaru to view the towns beautifully preserved Victorian stone buildings, which were created with local cream colored limestone. Next, travel towards the High Country, passing wide expanses of tussock grasslands, High Country sheep stations and beautiful glacier-fed lakes. (B,D)

Day 14 TWIZEL / MOUNT COOK / CHRISTCHURCH
 - Journey into Mount Cook National Park and perhaps take the optional scenic flight over this awe-inspiring alpine region (weather permitting, own expense). Visit picturesque Lake Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. Leaving the High Country and its sheep stations, travel through Burkes Pass and descend to the vast Canterbury Plains. Cross the Rakaia River and return to the beautiful city of Christchurch. (B,D)

Day 15 DEPART CHRISTCHURCH
- Enjoy today at leisure in the “Garden City” until it is time for your departure transfer to the airport.

• Arrival and departure transfers
• Accommodation in hotels listed or similar
• 14 breakfasts (B) and 11 dinners (D), including a Maori Hangi feast and concert
• Services of a professional Tour Director
• Luxury motorcoach featuring panoramic windows
• All local taxes
• Brendan flight bag and portfolio of travel documents

Sightseeing program including: Rail journeys on The Overlander, The TranzCoastal, The TranzAlpine, The Kingston Flyer, The Taieri Gorge and The Seasider trains; Rotorua; Waitomo Glow Worm Caves; cable car ride and National Museum in Wellington; Marlborough Sound cruise; Milford Sound cruise; Mount Cook National Park
 

                  Call or e-mail us for more information, or to speak to a guide about this trip.

                                                     

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