9 DAY SELF-DRIVE AOTEAROA 9 DAY / 8 NIGHT AUCKLAND TO QUEENSTOWN

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1 DOLPHIN EXPERIENCE 9 DAY SELF-DRIVE AOTEAROA 9 DAY / 8 NIGHT AUCKLAND TO QUEENSTOWN from $3919 per person Superbly positioned between two stunning harbours, Auckland is a thriving cosmopolitan city in a truly beautiful setting. In Maori Auckland is known as Tamaki Makau Rau or 'The maiden with a hundred lovers', as it was an area desired by many tribes. This is not surprising as its location alone makes it amazing. Add a sunny, warm climate, a pulsating business district, the exotic influence of Polynesian culture and a passion for sensational food, entertainment and shopping and it is little wonder that Aucklanders enjoy a lifestyle that is ranked amongst the best in the world. DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN AUCKLAND ITINERARY On arrival to Auckland Airport please make your way to the Budget Rental Car counter located within the arrivals hall to collect your Budget Rental car and make your way to your accommodation. 1

2 Overnight: Standard Studio Apartment Scenic Hotel - Auckland DAY 2: AUCKLAND Today is at your leisure to explore Auckland. As part of your city orientation, we ve included the Total Tower Experience admission. From this 328 meter high structure you will get a birds-eye view of the whole city. Overnight: Standard Studio Apartment Scenic Hotel - Auckland DAY 3: AUCKLAND/MATAMATA (approximately 162kms) Depart Auckland and travel south on the Southern Motorway past Manukau and Papakura. At the base of the Bombay Hills join State Highway 2 which leads to the Coromandel. Once you reach Ngatea travel South on to State Highway 27 which leads you through the rural towns of the Waikato and on to Matamata. MATAMATA - a rural town nestled at the base of the scenic Kaimai Ranges. It is well known for its thoroughbred industry, dairy farming heritage, and historic Firth Tower Museum. Centrally situated, Matamata offers a range of walking and tramping options, golf courses, and an extensive selection of Cafés, and accommodation options. Be sure to plan a stop at the Hobbiton Movie Set where you ll experience the real Middle-earth. Hobbiton was the bucolic setting for The Shire that featured in the Peter Jackson directed films, The Lord of the Rings. Tour this ten acre site to learn the fascinating details of how the Hobbiton set was created. The Hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn, Mill and other structures created for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films can be viewed and you will see how this beautiful piece of Waikato farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle Earth. Matamata / Rotorua (approximately 87kms) ROTORUA - 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. On arrival in Rotorua, check into your hotel and get ready for tonight s activity. 2

3 Te Puia Guided Tour + Te Po Hangi & Concert Tonight we ve booked a Te Puia Guided Tour and Te Po Hangi and Concert. Enjoy a guided tour of the valley with one of Te Puia s world renowned 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 and then be invited to have a short rest prior to the beginning of the evening experience. Traditionally, Te Pō is an intimate time for sharing knowledge. Te Pō is also Te Puia s authentic evening cultural experience a feast of food, culture and friendship. It begins every night at Te-Heketanga-a- Rangi (The Heavenly Origins). The space comprises twelve monumental carvings reaching skywards, each one representing a Māori diety. Hear the stories of the past and see how these traditions live on today. Feeding guests is regarded by Māori as an honour and a sign of a tribe s mana (standing), so a sumptuous banquet is provided during the evening. This banquet combines contemporary cuisine with a traditional hangi (earth-cooked oven meal), where kai (food) is steam-cooked by hot rocks in the earth, giving it a delicious smoky flavour. Following dessert, you will be transported by our people movers to enjoy the spectacular lighting of the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley. Guests can wander around the illuminated natural attractions, including Pohutu geyser. Overnight: Superior Room Sudima Lake Rotorua DAY 4: ROTORUA Return your rental car to Rotorua airport before boarding your flight to Christchurch (not included) After collecting your luggage from the Christchurch airport go to the Budget Car Rental desk to pick-up your new vehicle and start your drive to Lake Tekapo. Christchurch / Lake Tekapo (approx. 230kms) The scenic route to Lake Tekapo begins at Rangiora, a rural centre north of Christchurch city. Small towns appear regularly as you travel across the Canterbury Plains through fields and farms. Explore the old coal mining settlement of Glentunnel before the road climbs over the braided Rakaia River and up to Mount Hutt. There are historic lime kilns at Staveley and Mt Somers, and the pretty town of Geraldine has an interesting car 3

4 museum. After Fairlie you ll ascend to the region known as the Mackenzie Country, named after the legendary Scottish sheep rustler who once roamed the area. LAKE TEKAPO - located in the Mackenzie country, with fantastic views of the surrounding Alps. The Lake's unusual turquoise colour is given by fine rockflour, which is dust ground by glacial movement and held in suspension by the Lake's waters. The Lake is also well known for its brown and rainbow trout. Overnight: Hotel Room Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo DAY 5: LAKE TEKAPO / WANAKA (VIA MT. COOK) (approximately 198kms) The road to Mt Cook takes you through high country tussock to beautiful Lake Pukaki. You ll hug the edge of the lake for most of the way up the Tasman Valley to Mount Cook Village. The Aoraki Mount Cook National Park includes the highest peak in Australasia (Mt Cook m). The region attracts mountain climbers, hikers and scenery fanatics. Heli skiing, heli hiking and aerial sightseeing provide visitors with amazing memories. A variety of walking trails begin in or near Mount Cook Village most take only a couple of hours. In the bar of the local hotel, huge windows provide a perfect view of Mt Cook. The road to Twizel hugs the edge of Lake Pukaki. The exquisite opaque turquoise colour of this lake and others in the area is caused by fine, glacier-ground rock particles held in suspension. The landscape is a mixture of high country tussock, farmland and snow-capped mountains. The easy drive to Omarama takes you through picturesque sheep farming country fringed with mountain ranges. You ll have the chance to detour to the fascinating Paritea cliffs, which are constantly being exposed by the active Osler fault line. 4

5 WANAKA - faces north across Lake Wanaka, to views of the surrounding mountains, which are often reflected on the Lake's surface on calm days. Poplars and willows grow around the Lake's edge, affording a colorful show during autumn. Wanaka is best known for boating, fishing and skiing at the Cardrona and Treble Cone ski-fields. Overnight: Standard Room Mercure Oakridge Resort - Wanaka DAY 6: WANAKA / QUEENSTOWN (approximately 117kms) Today depart Wanaka and take State Highway 6 through Lowburn, Cromwell and Gibbston to Queenstown. On arrival take the time to enjoy a return Gondola ride to the summit of Bob s Peak where you can enjoy panoramic views of Queenstown. 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. Overnight: Standard Room Heartland Hotel - Queenstown DAY 7: QUEENSTOWN Today is your leisure to explore this lovely lakeside city. We have, however, included a gondola ride which will afford you amazing views over the lake and city. The gondola operates from 9am until 11pm daily so you can have a leisurely breakfast, explore the city and still have lots of time to travel up the mountain. Overnight: Standard Room Heartland Hotel - Queenstown 5

6 DAY 8: MILFORD SOUND Today, you will be collected from your hotel by Real Journeys and travel from Queenstown along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, and through rolling countryside to Te Anau. After a short break at Te Anau, continue via the spectacular Milford Road, to Milford Sound. Board the Milford Mariner for a relaxing cruise of Milford Sound. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to enjoy waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife. An on board nature guide provides interpretation in English only. Return transport by luxury coach to Queenstown. MILFORD SOUND: 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. Picnic lunch included on board your cruise (L) Overnight: Standard Room Heartland Hotel - Queenstown DAY 9: DEPART QUEENSTOWN It s time to say farewell to this picturesque city as you head to the Airport to return your rental car to before checking in for your departure flight. 6

7 INCLUSIONS Inclusions: 8 night s accommodation in 3* hotels All taxes Budget rental car throughout (1-2 passengers compact automatic / 3-4 passengers full-size automatic Welcome documentation Admissions to: Auckland Sky Tower, Te Puia and Skyline Gondola Queenstown Milford Sound Nature Cruise including return coach and lunch Exclusions: Airfares National or International Airport Tax Personal expenses & tips Drinks during meals (except water/tea/coffee) Any items of personal nature Optional activities Foreign speaking assistance Parking fee at hotel, if applicable Road toll and car-ferry fee, if applicable Fuel for car Additional rental car charges (e.g. Airport pickup charges) Insurance excess an and additional accessories (e.g. GPS unit, child car seat) Prices are per person based on double occupancy and are valid for selected travel dates from Nov. 1/18 to Mar. 31/19. Package price is based on hotel availability at the time of booking and may change depending on hotel occupancy levels and any special event periods. This package is available using 4 and 5* hotels ask for details. 7