Experience New Zealand Travel Ltd Wellington, New Zealand Phone +64 (4) 473 4470 www.experiencenz.com travel@experiencenz.com New Zealand Guided Tours Kaka Operator: Moa Trek Days: 19 Start: Auckland Finish: Christchurch Itinerary Valid 1 May 2016-30 April 2017 MoaTrek's knowledgeable driver/guides give you that fresh and personal insight into our country and its culture - giving background and local colour to what you are seeing - so much more real than just the sights. They take pleasure and pride in looking after your individual interests. The small group size (passengers never number more than 18) means MoaTrek travellers have the freedom and flexibility to really discover New Zealand - visiting enchanting places even Kiwis haven't discovered. This suits travellers who desire a unique, personable experience and don't want to be "just another tourist" on a "standard" tour Tour Overview Explore roads less travelled on this special small group New Zealand tour and discover country hospitality and nature in the wild. In the North Island we discover authentic Maori culture around Rotorua and visit Tongariro National Park, in the South Island we tour the Mount Cook region and visit famous Milford Sound by land, sea and air. Meet the locals over private lunches at Lake Tarawera, a mid-canterbury farmhouse and Lake Wanaka. Inclusions Attractions Travel the dramatic highway through the Karangahake Gorge. Discover Rotorua s impressive lakes; Rotoiti and Tarawera. Enjoy all the highlights of Rotorua, its cultural and geothermal activities. See the powerful Huka Falls and the Wairakei geothermal power station. See three of New Zealand s active volcanoes with views across Lake Taupo. Explore the sights of Wellington, New Zealand s capital city. On the Kaikoura Coast encounter seals. Stand on the edge of paradise with a visit to Lake Tekapo and the snow-capped, glacier filled Aoraki/Mt Cook region. Page 1 of 7
See landscapes change before your eyes as we drive over the Lindis Pass and Kawarau Gorge. Explore untouched remote wilderness in Fiordland, Mt Aspiring, Tai Poutini Westland and Arthur s Pass National Parks. Learn about the history of gold-mining in leafy Arrowtown. Take in sights of the three Great Southern Lakes - Wakatipu, Wanaka and Hawea. Stroll in Haast Pass where the natural wonders of this secluded area of New Zealand will delight. View Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier, two of the most easily accessible glaciers in the world. Watch as the Tasman Sea meets the Punakaiki Pancake rocks, walk in the rain forests. Drive Otira Gorge highway to Arthur s Pass, where you will be treated to a nature showcase by the cheeky kea birds that have made the towering mountains their home. Transportation All transport by comfortable, air conditioned coach (maximum of 18 travellers). Professionally Escorted Services of your knowledgeable MoaTrek driver/guide. Tour itinerary B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner Day 1: Auckland On arrival in Auckland a stunning city set between two glistening harbours and dotted with dormant volcanoes - you will be met at the airport and transferred to your waterside hotel. Your day is at leisure to take a short walk to the central city shopping district, enjoy the local cafes and restaurants or jump on a ferry to the quaint seaside suburb of Devonport or the boutique vineyards of Waiheke Island. For great views of the city catch the lift to the top of the Sky Tower or take a five minute taxi ride to the Auckland War Memorial Museum where there is an outstanding collection of Maori and Polynesian cultural exhibits. Accommodation: Sebel Suites Day 2: Auckland Rotorua Today our small group New Zealand tour begins with our drive southeast over Auckland s Bombay Hills and across the Hauraki Plains to the Karangahake Gorge where we stretch our legs with a walk through tunnels and native bush to the historic Victoria Battery gold mining site. Travelling through Te Puke we learn about the history of the Kiwifruit industry. A fitting finale for your first day is our cruise on Lake Rotoiti on a 16 metre catamaran Tiua exploring secluded coves with the chance to take the helm, fish for trout, swim in the lake or soak in hot pools. The skipper and crew share local legends and point out historic sites. Accommodation: Novotel Rotorua (two nights). B
Day 3: Rotorua sightseeing The morning is free to relax at your lakeview hotel or enjoy one of Rotorua's many attractions. We drive out of town past the Blue and Green Lakes which are true to their names. Our exclusive lunch is at Pounamu Lodge above beautiful, bush clad Lake Tarawera where you can share your experiences of the morning with our hosts David and Karen, Rotorua locals who have close historic ties to the area. Back in town we visit Rotorua s museum in a former Bath house spa set in stunning gardens. This museum is a treasure trove of Maori cultural exhibits and also provides an insight into Rotorua's early days as a spa town. B L Day 4: Rotorua Tongariro National Park Today our small group New Zealand tours visits one of our favourite destinations, Wai-O- Tapu. At this geothermal wonderland walk across brilliantly coloured silica terraces, see a massive mud pool and watch the Lady Knox geyser erupt. Huka Falls is our next stop, where the might Waikato River rushes through a narrow gorge. Across the lake from Taupo are three active volcanoes of the Central Plateau - Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu - located in our next destination, the World Heritage Tongariro National Park. From your hotel you can walk out to a waterfall or just relax and enjoy this beautiful alpine location. Accommodation: Chateau Tongariro. B Day 5: Tongariro National Park - Napier Returning from the Central Plateau, the road heads north around Lake Taupo then winds south east over the ranges to the ocean side Art Deco city of Napier. We meet our local guide at the Art Deco Centre for our private walking tour of the impressive buildings dating back to 1931 when the city was rebuilt after a catastrophic earthquake. We drive out to the heart of this premier wine growing community dominated by Te Mata Peak. From the top of the peak there are magnificent views across the Hawkes Bay countryside. Your hotel is just across the road from the waterfront park. In the early evening it's a great place for a stroll. Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Te Pania, B Day 6: Napier Wellington Driving south from Napier through a pastoral landscape of orchards, vineyards and farmland we pass through the rural farming centres of Norsewood and Dannevirke, named for the early Scandinavian settlers, before stopping in Greytown, a favourite weekend escape for Wellingtonians. The wooden buildings lining the main street date back to Victorian times. Later we drive cross the Rimutaka Ranges to Wellington, New Zealand's capital city, touring the sights along the waterfront and up Mt Victoria for the harbour views. The cafes and restaurants are within easy reach from our centrally located hotel. Accommodation: The Bolton Hotel, B Page 3 of 7
Day 7: Wellington Cook Strait Picton Blenheim Nelson We cruise on the Interislander ferry across the Cook Strait and up Tory Channel into beautiful Queen Charlotte Sound where holiday homes, reached only by water, dot the bush clad bays. We disembark at Picton in the South Island and a short drive away wine taste at a renowned Marlborough vineyard, famous for Sauvignon Blanc. We climb gradually through vineyards and farmland up the road to Lake Rotoiti, a tranquil mountain lake fringed by beech forests at the heart of the Nelson Lakes National Park. Nelson is our destination, the sunshine capital of New Zealand and the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park. Accommodation: Century Park Motor Lodge (two nights), B Day 8: Nelson Abel Tasman National Park - Nelson We arrive at Kaiteriteri Beach to join either a full day's scenic cruise or a cruise and walk along the stunning Abel Tasman coastline of native bush, beaches and estuaries with wonderful views out to the offshore islands. There are seals and penguins at the Tonga Island Marine Reserve and, if you feel like a swim, a host of golden, sandy beaches to choose from. At 23,000 hectares, The Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand's smallest park but it features one of the longest stretches of easily accessible coastline. After your cruise or walk we return to Nelson for the evening. B Day 9: Explore the Kaikoura Coast From Nelson we drive to Pelorus Bridge, Havelock and Blenheim then down the spectacular Kaikoura coastline where big seas pound the rocks. Kaikoura is a small hamlet beside the ocean and beneath the towering Kaikoura Mountains. Seafood, especially crayfish, is a specialty. We stay right on the waterfront. You have the afternoon free to see the marine wildlife. Optional excursions include swimming with seals and dolphins to whale watching flights and cruises. The local seal colony hangs out close to the shore at Kean Point and across the road Fyffe House, built in 1860 on whale bone piles is a reminder of the town's pioneering days. Accommodation: White Morph Motor Inn. B Day 10: Kaikoura Akaunui Farm Homestead Aoraki/Mt Cook We drive over the Hunderlee Hills and down the Canterbury Plains. Skirting Christchurch we continue to Akaunui to join our hosts Di and Ian Mackenzie for our exclusive lunch in their 110 year old farm homestead. One of the highlights of our New Zealand small group tour is enjoying the warm hospitality of local Kiwis. We pick up farming tips from Ian and lunch on fresh produce from Di s garden. Driving towards the Southern Alps through a landscape of alpine tussock and towering mountains, we stop for photos at aquamarine Lake Tekapo and drive up the valley towards Aoraki/Mt Cook, at 3,754 metres New Zealand's highest mountain. Accommodation: The Hermitage. B Page 4 of 7
Day 11: Aoraki/Mt Cook - Queenstown Stroll out from your hotel to walk in a beautiful valley flanked by mountains. Or take a scenic flight over the Main Divide or a cruise on the Tasman Glacier terminal lake among icebergs calved off the ancient glacier. Later we continue down the Mackenzie Basin, over the Lindis Pass and through the Kawarau Gorge. On arrival in Queenstown we ride the Skyline Gondola up Bob s Peak for a scenic overview of our home for three nights. Your hotel is a couple of minutes walk above the town with views to Lake Wakatipu, Bob's Peak and the Remarkables Range. There's an eclectic mix of cafes and restaurants and your driver will let you know his favourites. Accommodation: Scenic Suites Queenstown (three nights). B Day 12: Queenstown Milford Sound Scenic Flight - Queenstown We travel alongside Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau and Milford Sound deep in the heart of Fiordland National Park. The Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, The Chasm and Homer Tunnel are stunning short walks and photo stops along the Milford Roads, one of the most spectacular roads in New Zealand. We cruise down Milford Sound past Mitre Peak and high, cascading waterfalls. Out on the Tasman Sea fur seals lounge on rocky islets. Flying back to Queenstown over mountains, glaciers and alpine lakes is a breath-taking experience and caps off a day you will always remember. B Day 13: At Leisure in Queenstown You have a full day to explore this picturesque region. Your knowledgeable Kiwi guide can assist in your choice of activities. If you feel like relaxing - browse the town's boutique shops and art galleries, wander the lakefront or cruise on Lake Wakatipu on the vintage steamer, TSS Earnslaw". If you feel like getting out on a river - experience the thrill of jet boating on the beautiful Dart River or white water rafting on the Kawarau River. Other possibilities include taking a guided walk on the famous Routeburn Track or touring Central Otago's premier wine region, renowned for pinot noir. B Day 14: Queenstown Cadrona Valley - Wanaka Leaving the thrills and spills of Queenstown we head to Arrowtown, a leafy village overflowing with history thanks to its role in the gold mining boom of the 1800s. Our small group New Zealand tour drives over the tussock covered Crown Range. From the lookout there are expansive views of the Gibbston Valley. We call in for refreshments at the Cardrona Hotel with a history also traced back to the gold-mining era. In Wanaka we relax over a leisurely private lunch in a Wanaka homestead with our local hosts. From your hotel this afternoon there's time to walk or bike out along the lakefront or paddle a kayak. Accommodation: Edgewater Hotel. B L Day 15: Wanaka Haast Pass Franz Josef Driving by Lake Hawea and the head of Lake Wanaka we enter the beech forests and stunning mountain and river scenery of the Haast Pass in the Mt Aspiring National Park. Short walking tracks through the forests lead us to clear blue pools and waterfalls plummeting into crystal clear water. We continue north through the lush, primeval rainforest of the Westland World Heritage Park. Reaching the coast at Ship Creek we stretch our legs on the beach and on the boardwalk through the rainforest. We stop to view Fox Glacier and Lake Matheson, famous for its reflections of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. Accommodation: Punga Grove (two nights). B Page 5 of 7
Day 16: Franz Josef Okarito Lagoon Franz Josef This morning we drive out to the tiny settlement of Okarito nestled between the wild Tasman Sea coast and the calm, shallow waters of Okarito Lagoon. You can choose to either take a leisurely kayak or boat cruise out on the lagoon, a feeding ground for the rare white heron (kotuku) which breeds nearby. Later in the day there's time to enjoy some of the optional activities available in this World Heritage Park. Perhaps take a helihike on a glacier or an optional flight over the Southern Alps to Aoraki/Mt Cook with a glacier landing included. Or if you want to relax, just sit back and soak in hot pools fed by the glacier. B Day 17: Franz Josef Hokitika - Punakaiki Travelling north to the Paparoa National Park we stop at Hokitika to visit artisan craft galleries known for their Pounamu (jade) carving. Our New Zealand small group tour takes us along the coastal road, part of an ancient trail used by Maori in search of Pounamu. Not far from your hotel is the leading local attraction - the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. The rocks, sculptured limestone sea stacks, are just a short walk through unique coastal flora, including the southernmost nikau palms. If the tide is in our favour, blowholes thunder and there's spray everywhere. We celebrate our travels over dinner tonight. Accommodation: Punakaiki Resort. B D Day 18: Punakaiki Arthurs Pass - Christchurch Returning down the coast, we head east driving up the road cantilevered over the Otira Gorge. The view from the summit is great for photos and so are the cheeky keas (mountain parrots) who hang out there. They have no qualms about getting up close to visitors and pecking at the coach's trim with their beaks. We drive through alpine beech forests to Arthur s Pass village and beside the braided Waimakariri River. It's a short walk across paddocks to the large limestone rocks at Castle Hill. We leave the mountains, descending through Porter s Pass and onto the plains, reaching your hotel in Christchurch in the late afternoon. Accommodation: Chateau on the Park. B Day 19: Depart Christchurch Your New Zealand small group finishes today after breakfast. If you have time before we transfer you to the airport you could walk through Hagley Park and visit the city centre to catch up on last minute shopping. The Re:Start Container shopping mall in Cashel Street is the ideal place to browse - there's a diverse variety of creative boutique shops, food carts and coffee shops. Or if you feel like a lazy day, why not take a punt down the Avon River, a traditional pastime in this very English city. Thank you for travelling with MoaTrek New Zealand Small Group Tours. Ka kite ano See you again. B Page 6 of 7
Booking Terms and Conditions Booking and Payment A payment of 10% of your tour cost confirms your booking and acknowledges your agreement to our terms and conditions The balance of your fare is due 65 days before your tour departs Tour reservations can of course, be made within 65 days provided full payment is made at time of booking All prices are in $NZ and include New Zealand Goods & Services tax (GST) of 15%. Cancellations and Amendments Bookings cancelled more than 60 days before departure incur 10% of tour cost. Bookings cancelled between 60 days and 14 days incur 25% of tour cost. Bookings cancelled within 14 days incur 50% of tour cost. Bookings cancelled within 7 days of the tour s commencement are subject to 100% of tour cost. No refunds will be made after travel has commenced. Brochure valid: 01 May 2016 30 April 2017 Click here to return to the Experience New Zealand website Page 7 of 7