Luxury New Zealand, experience the mythical grandeur of New Zealand in Luxury
Some of our New Zealand Tour locations are pretty remote
Duration: 14 days
6-10 Travelers: $4975 per person
4-5 Travelers: $5475 per person
2-3 Travelers: $6950 per person
Few places on earth rival the natural splendor of New Zealand. There are the aquamarine waters, pristine beaches, the fiords, glaciers and fairytale wilderness landscapes. There's the range of magnificent marine wildlife and arguably the world's best whale watching site. On our luxury tour, you'll experience the mythical grandeur of New Zealand travel on visits to both coasts of the South Island. Plus you'll experience the country's sophisticated pleasures, its fine wines and picturesque alpine cities. Making a superlative trip even more memorable, you'll find the lodgings much to your liking, since these settings are every bit as spectacular as your New Zealand adventure travel experience. If you find the lure of exotic lands and the familiarity of getting around in a language you speak an appealing vacation idea, then New Zealand is the place and this is the trip.
Private departures for our Luxury New Zealand trip can be arranged; please contact us regarding details and costs.
Luxury New Zealand Tour Itinerary
-
Day 1 (Mon) ARRIVE AUCKLAND / LARNACH CASTLE
View Luxury Dunedin accommodations picture gallery
The first leg of our journey is to Dunedin, the Otago Peninsula and the historic Larnach Castle where we spend a special first night. Depending on your flight schedule, you’ll have time visit the Taeroa Heads Royal Albatross colony where visitors can view the interpretive wildlife displays and experience the unique Taeroa guided tours. Our welcome dinner is tonight, where we meet new friends and celebrate the start of a fabulous New Zealand tour. (D)
-
Day 2 (Tue) DOUBTFUL SOUND / SOUND CRUISE
Cruising Fiordland National Park and Doubtful Sound
This morning you'll depart early with an overnight bag for a boat excursion to dazzling Fiordland National Park and Doubtful Sound. To get there, you'll drive through Southland and on to Lake Manapouri, where by boat, you'll reach the Manapouri power station. A bus will take you the rest of the way over scenic Wilmot Pass. Your overnight excursion vessel, the Fiordland Navigator, is designed for cruising in fiords, with spacious viewing decks and observation areas to take in the magnificent scenery and wildlife. Fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, and the rarest of penguins, fiordland crested penguins, are often seen here. This remarkable journey will take you where few people go, to the very remote Doubtful Sound, a unique New Zealand travel destination. If the weather co-operates, you may be able to kayak along the shoreline with a nature guide or swim in the pristine waters. You'll enjoy delicious meals aboard. (B,L,D)
-
Day 3 (Wed) DOUBTFUL SOUND CRUISE / QUEENSTOWN
View Luxury Queenstown accommodations picture gallery
This day of your magical New Zealand travel adventure contains many unforgettable sights. Wake up in the overwhelming beauty of the fiord and look for Dusky dolphins before heading back to Manapouri, along the shores of Lake Wakitipu and on to Queenstown where you'll spend the night in alpine elegance with deluxe amenities. (B)
-
Day 4 (Thu) QUEENSTOWN / DART RIVER JET BOAT
View Luxury Queenstown accommodations picture gallery
On this morning of your New Zealand travel adventure, you'll depart on a thrilling Dart River Wilderness safari in Mt. Aspiring National Park. You'll be whisked by jet boat down the scenic Dart, surrounded by snowcapped mountains and lush hillsides, stopping for a short easy walk through an eighty million year-old ancient forest. On your return to Queenstown, you'll have a free afternoon and spend another night in your hotel. (B)
-
Day 5 (Fri) FREE DAY QUEENSTOWN
View Luxury Queenstown accommodations picture gallery
This morning starts with a gondola ride, offering panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu. The rest of the day is yours to explore Queenstown's many amenities. We'll help you plan your day according to your interests, whether that means whitewater rafting, bungee-jumping, a helicopter flight or hiking along wine trails. For a glimpse into New Zealand's farming life, this evening you’ll cruise across the lake on the vintage steamship, the TSS Earnslaw, to the Walter Peak station for dinner and an evening of entertainment. On your return cruise, you may relax with a drink from the bar or join a lively sing-along. Spend a final night in your comfortable Queenstown accommodations. (B,D)
-
Day 6 (Sat) FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER / HAAST PASS
View Luxury Franz Josef accommodations picture gallery
After breakfast, your travels continue with a long but spectacular drive north through Haast Pass on the way to Franz Josef. The Otago region is home to high-country sheep stations (ranches), and is considered the New Zealand adventure travel capital. The stark mountains of Mt. Aspiring National Park give way to dense rainforests and the wild-west coast. You'll stop for a short walk around Lake Matheson where on a clear day, New Zealand's highest peak, Mt. Cook (also known as Aoraki, mountain of Maori legends), may be seen reflected in the lake's mirror-like waters. In tonight's lodgings, you'll enjoy serene country elegance surrounded by magnificent views. (B)
-
Day 7 (Sun) MT. AORAKI OVERFLIGHT / HOKITIKA / PAPAROA N.P.
View Paparoa accommodations picture gallery
New Zealand's glacial scenery gets breath-taking-ly beautiful when you get this close
Today you'll witness more natural and manmade marvels. The day starts with a scenic flight over the glaciers, passing Mt. Aoraki. New Zealand's glacial scenery becomes breathtakingly beautiful at close-range. There will also be time to hike along the glacial riverbed for a view of the imposing blue glacier face. The drive north through New Zealand’s most rugged region is spectacular. Snowcapped mountains contrast with crashing waves and rainforest for a unique combination of dramatic scenery found only on this part of the island. Further north on your New Zealand travel adventure, you'll reach the small town of Hokitika, the country's hub for jade carving, where you'll see artists at work and learn about the symbols of their creations. You'll arrive at the stunning shoreline of Paparoa National Park, a lush lowland rainforest of nikau palms, towering native forest giants such as the northern rata, rimu, and miro. Spend a night of beachside comfort in modern accommodations where sunsets are glorious, and nature is right outside your door. (B)
-
Day 8 (Mon) TRANZAPLINE TRAIN
View Christ Church accommodations picture gallery
The morning affords time to explore the area's features, including the famous layered limestone formations called Pancake Rocks. A short drive will take you to the beginning of today's world-class rail journey on New Zealand’s famous coast to coast TranzAlpine Train, a highlight as you travel New Zealand. You'll travel east, crossing alpine rivers winding through lush beech rainforests beneath the snowcapped peaks of the Southern Alps, descending to the Canterbury plains region to arrive in Christchurch, the most British of New Zealand's cities. You'll spend the night in an elegant boutique hotel. (B)
-
Day 9 (Tue) FREE DAY CHRISTCHURCH
View Christ Church accommodations picture gallery
Today you'll discover why Christchurch is known as "the garden city." The day is yours to explore this picturesque metropolis with the River Avon meandering through it. Enjoy the colorful open-air Arts Centre Craft Market, stroll through the botanical gardens and the extensive collection of the adjacent Canterbury Museum. Hire a "punt" (a flat-bottom boat with a "punter" oarsman) on the Avon, or ride the Mt. Cavendish Gondola for panoramic views of the city, the Southern Alps and the Canterbury plains. You'll dine in a very special setting, the old Band Rotunda on the banks of the Avon where some of New Zealand's best cuisine is found. Another pleasurable night in your stylish luxury accommodations. (B,D)
-
Day 10 (Wed) KAIKOURA / PENINSULA HIKE
View Luxury Kaikoura accommodations picture gallery
Today you'll continue north along the dramatic eastern Pacific coast to the seaside hamlet of Kaikoura. Wildlife is prolific here because the off-shore deep ocean Hikorangi Trench attracts diverse species to feed. After settling into your New Zealand travel accommodations, you'll take a spectacular hike around the peninsula. The route offers magnificent views, winding past unusual limestone formations where you may spot some playful New Zealand fur seals. Later, if you're feeling adventurous, you may don a wetsuit and snorkeling gear to get a closer look at these darling but dangerous creatures. In Maori, Kaikoura means "to eat crayfish (lobster)," and tonight you'll have a chance to sample this local delicacy. You'll spend the night in a contemporary lodge surrounded by olive groves between mountain and sea. (B)
-
Day 11 (Thu) WHALE WATCHING FLIGHT or BOAT CRUISE
View Marlborough accommodations picture gallery
Whale watching in New Zealand "Wings over Whales" style
This morning on your New Zealand travel adventure, you’ll behold some of Kaikoura’s astonishing marine species in their natural habitat including the famed sperm whale. Choose a whale-watching flight, aptly named "Wings over Whales," or a fascinating boat trip to the feeding grounds of the area's sea birds, for a unique opportunity to view albatross, shearwaters and other pelagic wildlife at close-range. Departing Kaikoura this afternoon, you'll journey north to the Marlborough wine region, renowned for its world-class Sauvignon Blancs and Chardonnays. In keeping with the vineyard theme, your lodgings tonight are in The Vintners Retreat, with European-style villas overlooking a vineyard set in four acres of park-like grounds, one of the many lovely lodgings as you travel New Zealand. (B)
-
Day 12 (Fri) BOUTIQUE WINERIES TOUR / ABEL TASMAN N.P.
View Abel Tasman accommodations picture gallery
Good food, great wine and awesome scenery help make this part of our New Zealand tour pure luxury
Good food, great wine and awesome scenery help make this leg of your New Zealand tour pure luxury. You'll spend most of the day on a private “Boutique Wineries Tour,” visiting some of the area's finest vineyards, with tastings and a delicious winery lunch before journeying on to the sun-drenched northern coast of the South Island to Abel Tasman National Park. Your lodge near the park overlooks the golden sands of Kaiteriteri Beach. This beautiful seascape will be your base for the last two nights of your New Zealand tour. (B,L)
-
Day 13 (Sat) ABEL TASMAN SEA KAYAKING
View Abel Tasman accommodations picture gallery
There could be no more blissful end to your New Zealand adventure travel than the magnificent Abel Tasman, with its temperate forest, aquamarine waters, and golden sand beaches. Take a guided hike along an easy coastal trail under canopies of gigantic tree ferns, or sea-kayak around secluded bays, stopping to stroll on the beach and take in the sea's tranquil beauty. If you prefer to relax, enjoy an interpretive cruise along the length of the park's coastline instead. Weather permitting, tonight's farewell dinner will be a traditional kiwi barbecue. (B,D)
-
Day 14 (Sun) NELSON - HOME
On your last day in paradise, there will be time for a relaxing swim at Kaiteriteri Beach before a Southern Explorations representative transfers you to the Nelson Airport for your connecting flight home. (B)
-
Key:
(B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
CONTACT US
CALL
1.877.784.5400
TOLL FREE
OUTSIDE
THE U.S.A. CALL
1.206.784.8111
2008-9 SCHEDULED DEPARTURES
Monday Departures
2 person minimum / 10 maximum
Nov
17-30
Dec
None
Jan
01/19-02/01
Feb
02/23-03/08
Mar
03/30-04/12
Private Departures can be arranged. Please contact us regarding private departure costs.
INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS
-
Included in tour cost
-
- Meals as indicated
-
- All hotel accommodations (twin shared basis)
-
- All airport/hotel transfers
-
- Entrance fees for all scheduled tours and sites of interest
-
- All airline flights within New Zealand
-
- English speaking certified guides
-
- Southern Explorations pre departure services.
-
Excluded in tour cost
-
- International round - trip airfare to and from New Zealand
-
- Tips and gratuities
-
- Personal expenses (tips and gratuities etc.)
-
- Alcoholic beverages
-
- Medical or travel insurance
-
- Laundry
-
- Airport taxes etc.
-
- Continental breakfasts are included at all hotels. All other meals are not included unless specified in the itinerary.
PHYSICAL RATING
-
Moderate
NEW ZEALAND ACCOMMODATION
-
Luxury New Zealand:
-
12 nights hotels
1 night cruise
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
-
Additional $1895 *no single accommodations available on Doubtful Sound cruise (1 night only)
-
- Single Supplement is the additional cost of a single traveler not sharing a room in double occupancy. We will match you with another same gender traveler unless you request single accommodations.
Prices based on 3% cash discount
)
)
)
)
)
