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Luxury Gold
OFFER ID 1504321
The Long White Cloud
See the wonders of New Zealand on this 19-day guided tour. Explore the Southern Alps and see Franz Josef Glacier up close with a Local Expert. On your way to Queenstown, stop by idyllic Arrowtown, where you can choose to take a scenic bike ride along its river, or join a boutique wine tour. Journey through rainforests and meadows to Milford Sound; here, board a catamaran and sail past towering cliffs and gushing waterfalls. See spectacular volcanic craters at Waimangu Volcanic Valley, then travel to Rotorua for a Maori Hangi feast - a flavourful meal cooked underground with geothermal steam. Descend the caves of Waitomo during a exclusive guided experience: see the caverns illuminated by the bioluminescent species. Toast to your travels at a luxurious dinner with a former New Zealand All Black rugby player.The Activity Level of this tour is Leisurely, meaning there is 1 to 2 miles of walking per day on primarily flat surfaces with some stairs.
Dining Summary
18 nights from $12,623 per person
Luxury Gold: The Long White Cloud
Day 1 - Welcome to Christchurch
Your New Zealand luxury tour begins by private car to your boutique hotel located in the heart of Christchurch and just minutes from North Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens. Pay a visit to the blooms at the Botanic Gardens or ride the Christchurch Tram before meeting your Travel Concierge where you’ll raise a glass to a grand journey.
Accommodations: Hotel Montreal, Christchurch.
Day 2 - Christchurch to Franz Josef
Embark on one of the world's greatest scenic railway journeys aboard the TranzAlpine train to the small village of Arthur's Pass. In Franz Josef, your eco-friendly retreat nestled in the wilderness welcomes.
Accommodations: Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - The Mighty Franz Josef Glacier
Explore Franz Josef, where a Local Expert reveals the glacier's impressive history.
Accommodations: Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 - Travel from Franz Josef to Queenstown
Cruise down the Haast River in a jet boat basking in the beauty of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area. Visit the historic gold-mining village of Arrowtown before arriving at your hotel in Queenstown, offering expansive views across Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables.
Accommodations: Edgewater Wanaka Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Explore Queenstown
Take a scenic bike ride on the Arrow River Trail or sample the Central Otago region's best Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc on a boutique wine tour.
Accommodations: The Rees Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 - Queenstown at Leisure
Queenstown’s adventure culture is yours to experience. Take a Locally Available Experience jet boat ride down the mighty Shotover River, or whitewater raft down the Kawarau River. In the evening, dine at one of Queenstown’s exclusive restaurants.
Accommodations: The Rees Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 - Queenstown to Milford Sound
Journey to Milford Sound through Fiordland National Park. View Mirror Lakes, the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel and Cleddau Valley en route to the dramatic Chasm.
Accommodations: Milford Sound Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 - Milford Track Walk and Milford Sound Cruise
Take a guided walk on Milford Track through pristine lakes, sky-scraping mountain peaks, glaciers and deep valleys. Bask in the spectacular scenery of Milford Sound aboard a catamaran before dining at Pio Pio Restaurant.
Accommodations: Milford Sound Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - Milford Sound to Dunedin
Take a scenic journey from Fiordland National Park through rolling green pastures before arriving in Dunedin. Your heritage hotel welcomes you with a cosy atmosphere in the city center. Dine on favourites such as surf and turf, braised lamb, catch of the day, or other modern twists on traditional local dishes at Parcels Restaurant.
Accommodations: Distinction Dunedin Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 - Distillery Tour and Dunedin at Leisure
Enjoy a relaxed start this morning before taking a guided tour at Dunedin Craft Distillers, the first distillery in Aotearoa New Zealand and one of only a handful worldwide, to produce botanical spirits from surplus bread and bakery products that would otherwise go to landfill. Discover on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, how owners, Jenny McDonald and Sue Stockwell do it in a ‘Bread to Bottle Tour’ which takes you through the process used to turn bread into spirits. Venture just next door for a special Chocolate tasting journey at OCHO Chocolate covering the history of chocolate in Dunedin, OCHO's genesis, how 'real' chocolate is made and a 10-sample bean to bar tasting. Relax or continue exploring Dunedin as you wish. Perhaps take a wildlife cruise of the Otago Peninsula or visit the iconic Larnach Castle.
Accommodations: Distinction Dunedin Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 - Dunedin to Christchurch
Travel up the coast though the towns of Oamaru and Timaru to Christchurch to uncover the city’s highlights on a fascinating sightseeing tour. Sample the best of the city over dinner at Polo Bar and Restaurant.
Accommodations: Hotel Montreal, Christchurch.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12 - Christchurch to Wellington
Travel the dramatic rugged coastline to the whale-watching hub of Kaikoura and onto the seaside town of Picton. Cruise on Queen Charlotte Sound and across Cook Strait to Wellington where you’ll get acquainted with the city on an illuminating tour. Unwind this evening with a drink in your hotel’s Lobby Lounge, admiring its famous art collection.
Accommodations: QT Wellington.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13 - Wellington Sightseeing
Today personalise your day. Choose from the the urban eco-sanctuary of Zealandia/Te Mara a Tane or discover the stunning waterfront and hidden lanes of Wellington with a local expert.
Accommodations: QT Wellington.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14 - Wellington to Hawke's Bay
Wind your way through the pastoral dairy farming land of Manawatu to Napier in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand’s Art Deco capital and world-renowned wine country. This evening, savour a tasting and dinner at family-owned Craggy Range Winery in the shadow of Te Mata Peak.
Accommodations: Porters Boutique Hotel, Hawke's Bay.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 15 - Exploring Napier
Partake in a Gannet safari. Your participation on Gannet Overland Safaris contributes to our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® initiative: TTC makes a donation on behalf of each guest to the Cape Sanctuary. Their amazing team is made up of over 300 volunteers that are giving their time to restore our beautiful land and replant grasses and natives to support the return of our wildlife. Take in Napier’s art deco architecture with a Local Expert in a vintage car.
Accommodations: Porters Boutique Hotel, Hawke's Bay.
Day 16 - Geothermal Rotorua
Continue your journey to Rotorua, where this afternoon, armed with a packed lunch, you'll join a local guide for a cultural walking eco-tour to discover the Jurassic Whirinaki Forest, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.
Accommodations: Pullman Rotorua.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 17 - The Sights of Rotorua
Unveil the Californian Coastal Redwoods of Whakarewarewa Forest and go behind the scenes on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at a kiwi bird nursery and hatchery. Tonight, an evening of culture, history and scrumptious food awaits you at Te Pa Tu.
Accommodations: Pullman Rotorua.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 18 - Waitomo and Auckland
Enjoy a private walk through Footwhistle Cave lit up by glow worms. Dine with one of New Zealand’s famous former All Black rugby players.
Accommodations: QT Auckland.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 19 - Farewell Auckland
After one final breakfast, say farewell to your Christchurch to Auckland luxury tour as you are chauffeured to Auckland Airport.
Meals: Breakfast
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
(317) 626-0939