New Zealand Intensive Introduction This journey will truly through the land of the white cloud-Aotearoa, such as New ZealandMaori, thelanguageof the nativesis,.New ZealandIntensiveis a fantastictour thattakes into account allaspects of the country: lush rainforests, opengrass plains, mightymountains, hot springs and volcanoes, crystal clear lakes and streams, fjords, caves,massive glaciers, turquoise sea and of course theoldMaori culture.
Travel Time 19 Days/18 Nights Bay of Islands | Cook Strait | Moeraki Boulders
From/to Auckland to Christchurch
Highlights Bay of Islands | Cook Strait | Moeraki Boulders
Itinerary: Day 1:
Auckland
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After your individual arrival in Auckland you will meet the other participants to a welcome dinner at 07.00pm at the Orbit Restaurant Auckland. Day 2:
Auckland - Bay of Islands
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On this day, you go via Whangarei to the Bay of Islands. When you arrive in the Bay of Islands you will first visit Waitangi, a region with a nice history. On 6 February 1840 was the Contract of Waitangi by representatives of Britain and some Maori leaders, ratified together in a tent in front of the Treaty House. Through this international contract New Zealand became officially a colony and belonged to the British Empire. This date is regarded as the “birth” of modern New Zealand. Therefore, the 6 February is called Waitangi Day and is the National Day of the Country. In the afternoon you take a boat trip through the island maze of Bay of Islands. Often you can see dolphins or orcas from the boat. The tour today ends in Russell, one of the oldest cities in the country, and then you drive back to Paihia. Day 3:
Bay of Islands
(B/-/-)
On the third day of the tour you can enjoy a lot of leisure time. Just some information what you can do: You get the chance to make an excursion to the top north to Cape Reinga. The route leads over the Ninety Mile Beach and you will return to the Bay of Island in the afternoon (approx NZD 140). Another very recommend thing to do is a trip on a Maori canoe to the Haruru falls and a look insight a traditional Maori village (approx NZD 135).
Day 4:
Bay of Islands - Waipoua Wald - Auckland
(B/-/-)
From the Bay of Islands you drive to the dreamy bay of Hokianga on the west coast. Further you go to the Waipoua-Kauri forest, where you will find the over 2000 years old Kauri trees. Before you go to you final destination for today, your expedition continues to the historical pioneering - and kauri museum Otamatea, in Matakohe. Day 5:
Auckland - Coromandel-Peninsula
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Take a short city tour through the „City of Sails“ in the morning before you drive to Coromandel Peninsula in the afternoon. The hot water beach is a place where hot spring water came throughout the sand to the surface. Day 6:
Coromandel-Peninsula - Rotoura
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Over the area of the Bay of Plenty your voyage ends up in the afternoon in Rotorua. It is the thermal center of New Zealand and also the center of the Maori culture. On your visit of the thermal area from Te Puia, you see boiling mud pools and geysers. In the evening you can look forward to traditional shows with a typical dinner from the Maoris. Day 7:
Rotoura - Taupo - Napier
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First thing in the morning will be to become familiar with the Maoris from the Ngati Tuwharetoa clan, where you get the unique opportunity to talk with a tribal elder. On the way to the south you inspect the impressive Huka falls and the Taupo Lake. The overnight will be in Napier, a city which was built in Art Deco style. Day 8:
Napier - Wellington
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Today you drive through a fertile farming area to Wellington. Upon arrival is following a city tour up to the Mount Victoria, from where you can enjoy a spectacular view. Day 9:
Wellington - Picton - Nelson
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In the morning you will be transferred to the ferry port of Wellington. The approximately three-hour boat ride through the Cook Strait and the fjords will bring you to the south island, in the province of Marlborough. Here you have the possibility to discover the high quality of New Zealand wine, because you will visit a winery. Via Havelock you finally reach your destination the artist town Nelson. Day 10:
Nelson (Abel Tasman NP)
(B/-/-)
On our scheduled today you will make a day trip to the famous Abel Tasman National Park, with its idyllic beaches, impressive forests and turquoise sea. On a boat trip you can not only enjoy the coastal scenery, often you can observe seals and sometimes even dolphins. You can relax while you are walking along the beach, go swimming or hike through the National Park. Day 11:
Nelson - Paparoa NP - Westland NP (Franz Josef)
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First you travel through the awesome gorge of the Buller before you drive along the Tasman Sea on the wild west coast of the south Island. In the Paparoa National Park you gaze on the known “Pancake rocks” of Punakaiki. Afterwards you visit a jade factory in Hokitika. Subsequent your trip goes along the evergreen west coast, pass the forgotten gold mining towns of Ross and Harihari, until you arrive in the small town of Franz Josef.
Day 12:
Westland NP (Franz Josef Glacier)
(B/-/D)
Franz Josef is located in the Westland National Park and is recognized for the imposing glacier landscape, the huge rainforest and the giant mountain scenery. The protected rainforest is homeland of rare bird species. If the weather conditions are really good, you have the chance to make a helicopter flight over the Alpine panorama (approx NZD 200). Nearby the hotel are some hot water pools which can also be explored by you. Day 13:
Westland NP - Queenstown
(B/-/-)
After the green rainforests you will see a completely other area after passing the HaastPass. There will wait the tawny region of central Otagos. Along the quaint lakes of Wanaka and Hawea you reach in the afternoon the lovely restored gold mining town of Arrowtown. From there it is just a short hop to Queenstown. Day 14:
Queenstown
(B/-/-)
On the day in Queenstown you have a lot of leisure time. Just some information what you can do: Go for example a boat trip on the old steamboat “TSS Earnslaw” on the Wakatipu Lake (approx NZD 55) or take a cable car ride to Bob’s Peak (approx NZD 30). Day 15:
Queenstown - Fiordland NP - TeAnau
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Further you drive to an untouched landscape into the Fiordland National Park to the Milford Sound. A boat trip through the fiords until you are almost out to the open sea, will show you all the unsophisticatedness of this area. Day 16:
TeAnau - Dunedin
(B/-/D)
You continue your journey with a ride through the farmlands of South Otago until you arrive in a Scottish embossed city, called Dunedin. In the afternoon drive further to the Otago Peninsula, where you take an interesting, natural history boat trip. Day 17:
Dunedin - Oamaru - Lake Ohau (B/-/D)
The day begins with a city tour in Dunedin. Along the Coastline it goes on to the legendary y Otako Moeraki Boulders, oddly shaped stone balls that look like giants played with marbles. Over Omaru and a lot of water reservoirs you will reach the inland. You spend the night here in a cozy, idyllic Lodge high above the Lake Ohau. If the weather is good you have a fantastic view on the Mount Cook. Day 18:
Lake Ohau - Lake Tekapo - Christchurch
(B/-/-)
The tour goes on to the Tekapo Lake, where you have once again the possibility to make an Alpine flight (approx NZD 340). Forward you will get on the way to Christchurch where you become the first impressions about the city during a city tour. Day 19:
Christchurch (B/-/-)
After a rich breakfast in the Hotel Heartland Cotswold in Christchurch the tour will ends here.
Included:
German speaking tour guide Travel by air-conditioned vehicle Program and sightseeing as per itinerary 18 Nights in middle class hotels Meals as per itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner) Entrance fees Guided book per Room
Excluded:
Optional excursions Tips and personal expenses Journey to Auckland and from Christchurch
Additional Information: Luggage information: Baggage limit is max. 20 kg per Person (a soft bag is recommended) You can do this tour also as a private tour.
