Join us on a unique journey to uncover the wonders of New Zealand
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18 15 Day New Zealand Mosaic Day 1 Arrive Auckland (D) "Kia Ora" and welcome to New Zealand! You will be met upon arrival and transferred^ to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the City of Sails. This evening meet your Tour Director and fellow travelling companions for a welcome reception and dinner. Overnight Stay: Rydges Auckland Day 2 Hobbiton Movie Set – Rotorua (B,HL) Head south through rolling countryside and take a tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set followed by indulging in a traditional and delicious kiwi barbecue lunch. Continue to Rotorua, the heartland of New Zealand's Maori culture and explosive geothermal activity. Two Night Stay: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua Day 3 Gondola– Kiwi Encounter – Thermal Reserve HM (HB,HD) Take a Gondola ride up Mt Ngongotaha where a champagne breakfast and spectacular views are on offer. Visit Rainbow Springs Nature Park and Kiwi Encounter to hand feed rainbow trout and get up close to the Kiwi. We then visit Te Puia Thermal Village, a place of bubbling mud pools and spectacular geysers. This evening embark on a journey to Tamaki Maori Village to experience traditional Maori cultural ceremonies and performances followed by a hearty Hangi feast. Discover More: Amphibious Rotorua Duck city and lakes tour or railcruising journey or Polynesian Spa (see page 24). Day 4 Lake Taupo – Tongariro National Park – Wellington (B,D) Travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway before arriving at the geothermal power station at the Wairakei Steam Valley. Proceed on to see spectacular Huka Falls before continuing to the immense Lake Taupo. This afternoon travel to Tongariro National Park, an area steeped in Maori tradition and scenically stunning with Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro. In the evening we arrive in Wellington, New Zealand's capital. Two Night Stay: Rydges Hotel Wellington Day 5 Wellington (B) This morning enjoy a tour to the city's most well- known destinations and leading attractions. Travel up Brooklyn Hill and Mt Victoria for stunning panoramic views of the town and coastline. Pass by the beautiful Old St Pauls Cathedral and the Parliament buildings before being dropped at Te Papa for a tour of one of New Zealand's best museums. Day 6 Marlborough Sounds – Kaikoura – Christchurch (B,D) This morning we board the Interislander Ferry and cruise through the picturesque Marlborough and Queen Charlotte Sounds. Enjoy a short stop at the Kaikoura seal colony before continuing to Christchurch. Overnight Stay: Novotel Christchurch Day 7 Lake Tekapo – Twizel (B,D) This morning learn how Christchurch is recovering from the 2011 earthquake, before travelling to the beautiful glacier fed Lake Tekapo. See the Church of the Good Shepherd before continuing to a Mt Cook viewpoint and your chance to see New Zealand's largest mountain (weather permitting). Overnight Stay: MacKenzie Country Hotel Twizel Day 8 Mt Cook – Moeraki Boulders – Dunedin HM (B,HD) Travel today to see the intriguing Moeraki Boulders before arriving into Dunedin. Visit Larnach Castle and take a tour where you will hear its tragic and scandalous history. Tonight experience a special Haggis ceremony. Two Night Stay: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City Day 9 Dunedin (B) Today is free to explore at your own pace. Discover More: Heritage Walking Tour followed by Speight's Brewery and lunch or take a train trip through Taieri Gorge or embark on a Wildlife Tour (see page 25). Day 10 Larnach Castle – Te Anau – Glowworm Caves (B,D) Make our way to Te Anau where we cruise across Lake Te Anau to witness the Glowworm Caves. Overnight Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel Te Anau Day 11 Milford Sound Cruise – Queenstown (B) Journey through the majestic forests, waterfalls and mountains of Fiordland National Park. On arrival to Milford Sound enjoy an unforgettable cruise through a unique and pristine environment. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak before making our way to Queenstown in the evening. Discover More: Scenic flight into Queenstown (see page 24). Two Night Stay: Scenic Suites Queenstown Day 12 Queenstown at Leisure – TSS Earnslaw HM (B,HD) Queenstown is an incredibly beautiful place with endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. This evening board the steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Be treated to New Zealand high country cuisine then enjoy a short farm tour before reboarding the TSS Earnslaw for the cruise back to Queenstown. Discover More: Skippers Canyon tour or take a jet boat, helicopter and gondola ride or Dart River Safari (see page 25). Day 13 Arrowtown – Wanaka – Franz Josef (B,D) Take a step back in time and enjoy the traditional street scenes and shops on a visit to the quaint and historic gold mining town of Arrowtown. Make our way to Wanaka, known as one of the most beautiful lakeside towns in New Zealand. Travel over the Haast Pass to Thunder Creek Falls and the spectacular Franz Josef Glacier. Overnight Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier Day 14 Franz Josef TranzAlpine Rail – Christchurch HM (B,HD) Explore Franz Josef Glacier before embarking on one of the most famous rail journeys in the world. Cross dramatic river gorges, sub-tropical rainforest and lakes on one side of the Southern Alps, then dry forests and patchwork farmland on the other. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant with local produce as you recall all the wonderful Auckland skyline by night