Abstract
This program consists of the "Aotearoa" tour, which remains unchanged until Queenstown, and an extension that visits the glacier area, with subsequent stops in Kaikoura and Christchurch.,
Characteristics
- Group tour with local courier / guide
- accompanist/guide in Italian/Spanish during the tour (but driver/guide in Italian/Spanish for small groups). Transfers upon arrival/departure with an English-speaking driver.
- departures are guaranteed (min 2 participants). Subject to availability
- American breakfast and a few meals included. Minimum age: 2 years,
Itinerary
Day 1 — Auckland
An Italia speaking assistant will meet you upon arrival; transfer to your hotel, Rooms will be available from 15, the rest of the day is free. An exciting, sporting and cultural city, sprawled on a narrow isthmus, between two harbours. The Waitemata and Manukau Harbours, are a main feature of the city, along with numerous volcanic cones such as Mount Eden and Rangitoto Island. The city's many beaches, marinas and parks, make it ideal for outdoor pursuits such as yachting, rugby, cricket or a day at the beach. The Auckland metropolitan area is New Zealand's biggest city, and the population mix of European, Maori, and Pacific Islander, make Auckland the largest Polynesian city in the World. Accommodation HACIENDA CAYARA - FD - DPESHCFD
Day 2 — Auckland
American breakfast, full day tour of and surroundings, return to the hotel, free evening and night. Accommodation
Day 3 — Auckland → Rotorua
American breakfast, Departure for Waitomo to visit the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. We will start our journey south of Auckland, passing through the rich agricultural region of Waikato. Upon arrival in Waitomo, a guided tour awaits you, taking you through 250 meters of breathtaking underground landscapes. The highlight of the visit is a boat ride along the Waitomo River, where you can admire thousands of larvae illuminating the Glowworm Grotto. As you enter this galaxy of small living lights, you will experience an exciting atmosphere and be fascinated and intrigued by the little luminous beings that shine along your path. At the end of the tour, you can enjoy a traditional New Zealand-style barbecue at a local restaurant., continue to Rotorua, accommodation
located on a volcanic plateau, and formerly a spa town, Rotorua is most famous for its geothermal activity. Rotorua is the main place in New Zealand where aspects of Maori traditions can be seen, from wood carvings, and meeting houses, to a Hangi Dinner and Maori dances. Native and introduced tree species abound locally and combined with several picturesque lakes, Rotorua is a fascinating mix of culture and nature.. Enjoy a guided tour of the valley with one of Te Puia’s guides. As part of the tour you will visit New Zealand’s national carving and weaving schools and witness these disciplines in practice, under the guidance of our full-time master carvers and weavers. You will visit award winning interactive galleries, see a kiwi bird up close, and most importantly, hear our stories as told by the descendants of the valley. To conclude the tour you will visit the geyser and mud pools. Experience the Maori culture and indulge in a hangi feast (featuring assorted meats and vegetables), cooked in a pit over river rocks and steamed to perfection. The buffet consists of a soup, vegetables, meat & fish dishes, salads, and desserts. The hangi & buffet meal is followed by a Maori cultural performance where you can try the poi dance or learn the haka.. Accommodation
Day 4 — Rotorua → Christchurch
American breakfast, Morning visiti to Waimangu Volcanic Valley, with its unique history and legacy, spectacular volcanic craters, enormous hot water springs, beautiful geothermal features, rare and unusual plant life, brilliantly coloured micro biology and a wide array of birds. You will hear the stories of the Mt Tarawera volcanic eruption, its people, and the resulting dramatic landscape changes that created the world's youngest geothermal system.. Transfer to the airport, flight to Christchurch, visit of the city, transfer to the hotel. Accommodation
Day 5 — Christchurch → Lake Tekapo
American breakfast, departure to Lake Tekapo, Stop at Lake Tekapo, a beautiful alpine lake with crystal clear turquoise waters and surrounded by stunning mountains, visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd. Next, stop at a New Zealand house where you can also taste the most famous local dessert, Pavlova. Leave Tekapo and continue south, with views of the breathtaking landscapes of Mount Cook, the highest peak in the country (3750 m), between turquoise glacial lakes and rivers. Before reaching Wanaka, you will cross the MacKenzie region.. Accommodation
Day 6 — Lake Tekapo → Te Anau
American breakfast, Visit Tekapo, to admire the beautiful alpine lake with crystal clear turquoise waters and surrounded by stunning mountains. Leave Tekapo and continue south, with views of the breathtaking landscapes of Mount Cook, the highest peak in the country (3750 m), amidst turquoise glacial lakes and rivers. Before reaching Wanaka, you will cross the MacKenzie region.. In the afternoon, continue to, transfer to the hotel. Accommodation Executive Inn Kamloops
Day 7 — Te Anau → Queenstown
American breakfast, full day excursion to, stunning surroundings at the heart of Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area. In Maori legend, the fiords were created not by rivers of ice, but by Tu Te Raki Whanoa, a godly figure who came wielding a magical adze uttering incantations. Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) is without doubt his finest sculpture. Luxuriant rainforest clings to sheer rock walls washed with waterfalls. In the foreground stands Mitre Peak, dominating the skyline. Whatever the fiord’s mood, teeming with rain or with sun glistening on deep water, it will inspire you.. Departure for Milford Sound fjord passing through Lake Wakatipu, the town of Te Anau and the Fiordland National Park. Upon arrival in Milford, enjoy a splendid cruise in the fjord until reaching the Tasman Sea. Return to Queenstown by bus. There is also the possibility of returning to the city with an exciting scenic flight (additional cost; to be booked on-site with the local guide, subject to weather conditions)., lunch during sightseeing. Accommodation Atlantis Submarine excursion (40 mnts). IMPORTANT:
In case of bad weather, the excursion to Milford Sound may be cancelled. Alternatively, an excursion to Doubtful Sound can be arranged (the price difference is paid on-site), but only if there are available spots. Therefore, the alternative is not guaranteed.
Day 8 — Queenstown
American breakfast, Queenstown is the South Island's most popular resort, set alongside the shores of Lake Wakatipu, under the gaze of the Remarkables Ranges. See the contrast of smooth glacier rounded hills, and jagged mountain summits that reach high above the ancient ice floor. The town is renowned for its jet boating, bungy-jumping, skiing and awe-inspiring scenery. Local story has it, that the gold prospectors of the 19th century pronounced the town as "fit for any Queen", and so she was called Queenstown. Morning visit of, free afternoon. Accommodation
Day 9 — Queenstown
American breakfast, free day. Accommodation
Day 10 — Queenstown → Wanaka
American breakfast, departure to Wanaka, Stop in Hokitika for a walk (weather permitting) in the rainforest, among the ancient Rimu and Kamahi trees and the marvelous snow-capped mountains that reflect in the Tasman Sea.. Accommodation City Express Ebc Reforma
Day 11 — Wanaka → Franz Josef
American breakfast, departure to Franz Josef, Stop in Hokitika for a walk (weather permitting) in the rainforest, among the ancient Rimu and Kamahi trees and the marvelous snow-capped mountains that reflect in the Tasman Sea., originally named Victoria, after Queen Victoria of England, geologist Julius Von Haast, renamed it, Franz Josef, after the current Emperor of his homeland, Austria. The Glacier is pale blue/green ice that has retreated and advanced many times over the years. A walk from the carpark to the Glacier terminal will give you some impressive views and an idea of the immense size of the Glacier itself. The township of Franz Josef is a small town based around the tourist and supply trade. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation Alamo Alaska Luxury Car LDAR
Day 12 — Franz Josef → Punakaiki
American breakfast, morning at leisure. Your guide can help you with excursions and activities, possibility to go on a hike in the glacier valley or take a panoramic helicopter flight, with a landing on the snow (flight and landing subject to weather conditions), in the afternoon, continue to Punakaiki, Stop in Hokitika for a walk (weather permitting) in the rainforest, among the ancient Rimu and Kamahi trees and the marvelous snow-capped mountains that reflect in the Tasman Sea., Punakaiki is the gateway to the dramatic limestone country of the Paparoa National Park. It lies halfway between Greymouth and Westport on one of the most spectacular coastal highways. The Pancake Rocks that Punakaiki is famous for are limestone formations that began forming 30 million years ago. The seabed was raised above sea level by earthquakes to form the coastal cliffs and coastline. The sea, wind and rain have since etched out the soft layers to form the unusual rock formations we see today. When conditions are right, large ocean swells thunder into the caverns beneath the rocks and huge water spouts blast skywards through the blowholes creating a spectacular sight. Tourism activities in the area include canoe adventures, horse trekking, caving and guided walks to name just a few, arrival and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation
Day 13 — Punakaiki → Kaikoura
American breakfast, departure to Kaikoura, You cross the island from the west coast to the east coast, crossing the Lewis Pass (907 m), where pastures give way to forests of red and silver beech trees. Stop in Hanmer Springs, an alpine village famous for its hot springs at various temperatures. Rainwater filters through the rocks, enriching itself with minerals and heating up with the natural heat from underground, before resurfacing as hot springs., dinner at the hotel. Accommodation No. 82 B&B
Day 14 — Kaikoura → Christchurch
American breakfast, the old whalers village of Kaikoura, wedged between the mountains and the ocean, enjoys a spectacular setting; offshore the kilometre-deep Kaikoura Canyon brings whales, dolphins, orcas and sea lions in large numbers, making Kaikoura the premier location for whale watching, morning whale watching tour, subject to weather conditions, departure to, arrival and transfer to the hotel, free afternoon. Accommodation
Day 15 — Christchurch
American breakfast, Rooms have to be vacated in the morning, transfer to the airport
Notes
BAGGAGE: One medium-size baggage (max. 23 kg) per person is allowed. Due to limited storage room, we cannot assure you can bring along extra baggage on the bus.. Triple rooms: it is important to consider that the third bed may be of lower quality compared to the existing beds. Especially during the Southern Cross tour, there are cases where the third bed is a folding bed and therefore potentially less comfortable. It is essential to take this into account when booking the tour. During the trip, it will not be possible to request a room change or a refund for this reason.. DISABLED PEOPLE: disabled travellers can take part to the tour as long as they are self-sufficient. This is because means of transport are not equipped with a wheelchair platform; in addiction, due to insurance and security reasons, neither the guide nor the driver are allowed to help passengers getting on board. Disabled passengers must thus travel with an assistant of their own, to provide them all the help they might need during the tour. All bookings are on request.. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: before the start of the tour, all the participants must make sure they possess the required documents to enter the destination countries, and that such documents are comprehensive and valid.. MINIMUM AGE: 2 years old. SMOKING: smoking is prohibited in hotels and on coaches.. HOTEL, CHECK-IN: rooms are usually assigned starting from 3pm. Earlier check-in is at the hotel’s discretion. If you request earlier assignation, you must book an extra night at the beginning of your stay.. HOTEL, CHECK-OUT: rooms must be left in the morning (the exact time will be provided by the hotel). Supplements for late check-outs amount to an extra night's charge. FINAL HOTEL LIST: as in the travel documents. HOTEL / ITINERARIO, MODIFICHE: La società organizzatrice si riserva il diritto di modificare l'itinerario e/o le sistemazioni previste, se richiesto da circostanze impreviste e se necessario per la sicurezza e il normale proseguimento del viaggio. INTOLERANCES AND SPECIAL DIETARY REGIMES: food intolerances (allergies, celiac disease, etc.) and special dietary regimes (vegan, etc.) must be communicated at the time of booking. Special menus or treatments are not provided or guaranteed, but we will do our best to accommodate the needs of participants. Notifications made after arrival will not be taken into consideration.. MEALS: not included when not specified. PUNCTUALITY: you are advised to be punctual. No refund is issued to passengers failing to meet at designated time.. REFUNDS: If the tour or any part thereof cannot be conducted due to Force Majeure or Vis Majeure, the Company shall not be responsible to give any refund; also, no refund will be given for any portions of the tour unused by the traveler. TRANSFERS: transfers on arrival/departure are always included only on the specific start/end days of the tour, regardless of the flight. The transfer will be either individual or shared, in case there are other participants on the same flight. The Italian-speaking guide may not necessarily be the same one accompanying the participants during the tour. In case of arrival/departure on different days from the start/end of the tour, an additional fee must be paid for the transfer, with the option to choose between an Italian or English-speaking driver.,
Starts from
15 days / 11 nights – from Auckland to Christchurch,
Meals
Key: B breakfast, L lunch, D dinner
Price includes
Italian-speaking courier/guide during the coach tour, admissions, visits and excursions: as scheduled, accommodation at the scheduled hotel (or similar), meals: 14 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners,
Price does not include
Administration fees and “no-risk” coverage, trip cancellation, medical expense & baggage coverage, meals that have not been specified; beverage; any extra, tips, air travel and taxes, everything not expressly mentioned in "The fee includes",
Optional visits
We recommend those who wish to take the scenic flight from Milford to Queenstown to book on-site with the guide, as the flight is weather-dependent and often gets cancelled. Additionally, the guide is able to obtain group discounts in case there are more people interested.. Optional scenic flight across the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park – a magical world of permanent ice and snow, New Zealand’s highest mountains and largest glaciers – including Aoraki Mount Cook and the Tasman Glacier, and Westland Tai Poutini National Park encompassing the magnificent Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers spilling down to the rainforests of the west coast,
Important notes
Departures are scheduled on the indicated dates and subject to a minimum of 6 Italian participants in order to guarantee the service of an Italian-speaking guide in addition to Spanish. In case the minimum number of participants is not reached, we propose to still carry out the tour with the Punakaiki/Kaikoura/Christchurch portion in Spanish., The high season in New Zealand runs from October to March, but also from July to September in the ski areas of Queenstown and Wanaka (South Island). It is therefore important to book well in advance., The north of New Zealand is subtropical whilst the south is temperate.
• The warmest months are December, January and February, and the coldest June, July and August.
• The weather in New Zealand can change unexpectedly as cold fronts or tropical cyclones quickly blow in. Because of this, you should be prepared for sudden changes in weather and temperature, particularly if doing outdoor activities., The domestic flight Rotorua / Christchurch NZ5783 or 5785 depending on the seasonality (departure time 12:30) is sold as an additional supplement. We will take care of the booking in order to avoid any inconvenience or problems for the rest of the group. IMPORTANT: if the issuance of the international flight is not covered by Naar, we kindly ask you to provide us with the international ticket number (12 digits) in order to avoid paying the GST. If this information is not provided, the GST cost will be added to the tour cost.,
Honeymoon Special
Cancellation policies
EXCEPTIONS TO THE GENERAL AGREEMENT,
