Grand Pacific Tours – 14 Day Signature Panorama Itinerary

'Haere Mai’ - Welcome to New Zealand.

From the airport, we’ll take care of the transfer to your hotel where you can settle in before exploring New Zealand’s ‘Garden City’. Take a punt on the Avon River, stroll the Botanic Gardens or visit the Riverside Market, a 7-day-trading indoor market. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink as you meet your travelling companions.

Some suggested activities while in Christchurch:

Meals: Dinner (not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm)

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

Our journey begins with a tour of the top sights in Christchurch before heading down through the southern Canterbury Plains. Get acquainted with the beautiful sights of the South Island as we cruise a highway where the towering Southern Alps soar into the sky on one side and endless fields stretch into the distance on the other. The bright, azure blue of Lake Tekapo will take your breath away; surrounded by golden tussock, the contrast is otherworldly.

See the Church of the Good Shepherd, perched on the edge of the lake and the Sheep Dog Statue. The opportunity is available (Weather permitting) of taking a scenic flight over the Southern Alps before we continue on to Twizel, our destination for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Twizel - 1 Night

Depart Twizel and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone with ornately decorated grand white stone buildings. Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy a city sights tour followed by some free time. 'Dunedin' comes from 'Dun Eideann' the Scots-Gaelic name for Edinburgh, founded largely by Scottish immigrants, who raised the impressive buildings which now add much to the city's charm.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Dunedin - 1 Night

Our morning begins with a fascinating tour of New Zealand’s only castle. Larnach Castle is perched on the edge of the Otago Peninsula and is home to beautiful gardens and panoramic views out to the ocean. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).  

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Te Anau - 1 Night

Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on  this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch.

This afternoon travel to Queenstown, overlooking magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year round resort which offers a wide range of activities and attractions. This evening is free and you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Queenstown - 2 Nights 

Experience Queenstown exactly how you want to today. Famous for adrenaline-pumping activities, choose to embark on a thrilling jet boat ride or white water rafting adventure. For those who prefer to take it easy, stroll the walking tracks of the Botanic Gardens or take a wine tasting tour in the Gibbston Valley.

This evening, we cruise across Lake Wakatipu on New Zealand’s oldest steamship (over 100 years old), the TSS-Earnslaw, before enjoying a special dinner and sheep shearing demonstration at Walter Peak Station.

Recommended Queenstown Excursions:

Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

Our destination this morning is only a short drive from Queenstown the charming, historic village of Arrowtown. Gold mining heritage comes alive on the banks of the Arrow River in the form of restored buildings and the Lakes District Museum. Afterwards, we continue on to the West Coast; driving over Haast Pass and alongside soaring peaks and emerald-green rainforests.

See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to the township of Franz Josef. Time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Franz Josef - 1 Night

We continue north to Hokitika, a creative town with a colourful history, stopping at the Greenstone Factory for an insight into the spiritual beliefs associated with this special semi-precious gem. Afterwards, we arrive at Arthur’s Pass where we board the TranzAlpine railway and embark on a magnificent journey across the width of the country, admiring gorges, forests and soaring peaks on what has been labelled one of the world’s top 6 train journeys. Arriving in Christchurch, we are picked up by the coach and transported to tonight’s hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikōura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you will board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds to Wellington. 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Wellington - 2 Nights

This morning we have time to gain an insight into the unique history, culture and lifestyle of the harbour side capital city of Wellington. We explore Gallipoi: A scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. This evening, explore Wellington’s eclectic and bustling restaurant scene, where you can dine on delicious food accompanied by New Zealand wine or craft beers. As tonight is a free evening to choose your own dining arrangements.

Here are some sightseeing and activity suggestions while in Wellington:

Meals: Breakfast

We bid farewell to the coast this morning, driving north through the rolling farmland of the Manawatu and towards the desolate, otherworldly environment of the Central Volcanic Plateau. Winding through Tongariro National Park we soak up views of three volcanoes – Mount Ruapehu, Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe, standing proud and sentinel over the landscape. We continue past Taupo stopping to witness the magnificent fury of the Huka Falls before arriving in Rotorua, home to geothermal wonders and fascinating Maori legends. This will be our home for the next two nights.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 Nights 

A special breakfast experience awaits us this morning. We ride the Skyline Gondola up a local mountain to dine on a delicious meal with magnificent views over Rotorua, over Rotorua, there is also time for a thrilling luge ride!. Afterwards, we enjoy the kiwi humour on offer at the Agrodome Sheep Show Free time is available this afternoon before embarking on a guided tour of Te Puia. Boiling mud pools and huge geysers decorate the landscape in a restless natural splendour. This evening, we gain an insight into the Maori way of life during an entertaining Concert and Hangi Feast.

Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

This morning depart Rotorua and travel through the picturesque countryside to Hobbiton. A for a guided tour of the 12-acre set will take you past the whimsical Hobbit Holes, the Mill and into the Green Dragon Inn. You can now venture beyond the door and into an authentic hobbit hole interior for a fully immersive experience.  Continue north to Auckland for an orientation tour. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink with your new friends at the farewell dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night 

Haere rā and Bon Voyage!

Today it’s time to bid farewell to New Zealand and your travelling companions. Your transfer will pick you up from the hotel and transport you to the airport to catch your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast

Itinerary Variations:
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