AUCKLAND, ROTORUA, WELLINGTON & QUEENSTOWN With Tours Day 1: Depart USA This evening make your way to the Los Angeles International Airport for departure to Auckland. If you require a connecting flight from another city to Los Angeles, please ask our agents for details. Air New Zealand Vacations Depart Los Angeles Flying Time: Approximately 13 hours Dinner, Breakfast and Snacks served Day 2: International Date Line You actually lose day 2 somewhere in the universe as a result of the International Date Line. Don t worry, you will get it back! Day 3: Arrive Auckland Arrive Auckland Welcome to New Zealand! After you clear Immigration collect your luggage and proceed to Customs. After you clear Customs make your way to the pickup area clearly marked at the airport exit. You will be transferred to the Mercure Hotel Auckland where you will check in for three nights. Located in the heart of Auckland s downtown waterfront area, Mercure Hotel Auckland overlooks the bustling city and spectacular Waitemata Harbour. Auckland s shopping, restaurants, theaters, casino and attractions are at the hotel s doorstep. The restaurant and bar on the top floor of the hotel offers the finest views in the city. Most rooms at the feature kitchenettes. The hotel's wellbeing services include a sauna, spa and gymnasium. Haere mai - Welcome to Auckland, New Zealand's biggest city. Wherever you stay in Auckland, you're never far from breathtaking scenery, beautiful beaches, invigorating walks, idyllic holiday islands, outstanding food and wine, great shopping and exciting nightlife. Auckland is the centre of commerce and industry, and is perhaps the most vibrant, bustling and multicultural city in New Zealand. Auckland is the biggest Polynesian city in the world, and this cultural influence is reflected in many different aspects of city life. The city's landscape is dominated by volcanic hills, the twin harbours, bays, beaches and islands. Its nickname 'the city of sails' is very apt. Auckland has more boats per capita than anywhere else in the world. Auckland is dotted with volcanic hills, many of which were once the site of Maori pas, or fortified villages, and which currently afford great views of the city. Auckland lies
between the Waitemata and Manukau harbours, and its geography is such that glistening waters seem to beckon from every point. It is a water lover's paradise, with some of the best beaches, swimming, diving, fishing, sailing, wind surfing and water sports in the country. Day 4: Discover Auckland This afternoon you will be met outside of the Mercure Hotel Auckland for departure on your Half Day Discover Auckland Tour. See firsthand why Auckland is regarded as one of the best cities in the world to live in, as you join this half day tour around the central city and picturesque suburbs. The journey begins with a short trip over the Harbour Bridge to the North Shore before returning to the central city to visit Queen Street and the Auckland Viaduct. Continue on through the Auckland Domain, the city's oldest park, situated on a 62,000 year old volcano to Parnell Village for our morning tea stop. The historic buildings of Parnell have been transformed in to a trendy shopping area featuring many boutiques, antique, craft and specialty shops. Following this brief stop the tour will then take you along the scenic waterfront route of Tamaki Drive to the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park, in Mission Bay. A memorial to the first Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand and the founder of the welfare state, Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park has panoramic views over Whenua Rangatira, Auckland city and Waitemata Harbour. This park is a popular wedding and tourist venue, with formal gardens and perfect venue for flying a fabulous array of colourful and creative kites. The tour then returns to downtown. Day 5: At leisure in Auckland Enjoy a day to explore Auckland on your own. Day 6: Auckland to Rotorua Today you will be met outside of the Mercure Hotel Auckland for your transfer to the Auckland Depart Auckland Arrive Rotorua Flying Time: Approximately 40 minutes- Snacks & drinks available onboard Upon arrival at the Rotorua Airport, collect your luggage and make your way to the pickup area clearly marked at the airport exit. You will be transferred to the Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua where you will check in for two nights. The Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua, previously known as the Lake Plaza Rotorua, is the largest hotel in the area and enjoys a location that is second-to-none. The hotel is set on the very shores of beautiful Lake Rotorua, adjacent to the world famous Polynesian Spa complex and just a short stroll to all the attractions in Rotorua s vibrant city center. Every room features an ensuite bathroom, wireless broadband internet, Sky Television, in-house movies and much more. Rotorua is a smallish city on the shores of Lake Rotorua. The surrounding areas are a geothermal wonderland, with geysers, boiling mud pools, and steaming craters - accompanied by the pervasive smell of sulphur. Rotorua is also a showcase of Maori cultural activities, a center of tourism and a place of extraordinary natural beauty. You won t want to miss the Te Puia Thermal Reserve. Te Puia encompasses the Geothermal Valley, the Maori Cultural Experience, and the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institute. The highlight of the thermal reserve is definitely the effusive Pohutu Geyser. It usually erupts 10 to 25 times a day to a height of 16 to 20m (53-66 ft.). This steamy little valley is also known for its mud pools, which average 194 F to 203 F.
The 1 1/2-hour guided tour is recommended; learn about the culture and the thermal activity. It includes a look through a replica of a Maori village and the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institute, established in 1963 to foster traditional Maori carving and weaving skills. You'll see carvers and weavers at work and ride the Waka Express train into new geothermal areas Tonight you will be met outside of the Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua for departure on your Tamaki Maori Village Hangi & Concert Experience. Experience a magical evening immersed in pre-european Maori culture in a recreated village. You will be greeted in traditional fashion by a Maori warrior performing a "wero" challenge, followed by a "powhiri" welcome by the people of the village. Walk through a native forest and observe performers practising traditional arts such as poi, weaving and weaponry before enjoying a concert show-casing Maori music and lively performance. After the concert, you will dine on Maori "hangi" food cooked in a steam oven buried in the ground. Day 7: Hobbiton Movie Set and Farm Tour Today you will be met outside the Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua for departure on the half-day Hobbiton Movie Set and Farm Tour. After departing the Lake Rotorua area your tour will take you across the scenic Mamaku Rangers into the Waikato region and the rolling green hills of "The Shire". The reason why this area was chosen for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings is readily apparent on arriving at The Shires Rest Cafe. You will commence your tour of The Hobbiton Movie Set and Farm from that point. Before your return trip to Rotorua enjoy a lite snack at The Shires Rest. Day 8: Rotorua to Wellington Today you will be met outside of the Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua for your transfer to the Rotorua Depart Rotorua Arrive Wellington Flying Time: Approximately 1 hours 10 minutes- Snacks & drinks available onboard Upon arrival at the Wellington Airport, collect your luggage and look for your driver or make your way to the Visitor Information Desk. You will be transferred to the Mercure Hotel Wellington where you will check in for two nights. The Mercure Hotel Wellington's prime location at the top of The Terrace offers commanding views over the city and harbor. Recently refurbished, the Mercure Hotel offers all the facilities you'd expect from an international hotel, with friendly and attentive service. Relax and unwind in the pool, gym, sauna or restaurant. Superbly situated in the central business district, the shops, cafes and restaurants of Wellington are within walking distance. Wellington is the cultural center of New Zealand and its capital city. Wellington sits on a beautiful natural harbor below Mt Victoria. A cosmopolitan city, it offers a variety of urban districts with excellent dining, shopping and cultural experiences, and is compact enough to explore on foot. The central city is the place to see performing arts and enjoy sophisticated fine dining, while the waterfront features a landscaped promenade of shops, restaurants and activities.
Wellington boasts several cultural attractions: Te Papa, the ground-breaking interactive Museum of New Zealand; the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra; the Museum of Wellington City and Sea; and the birthplace of the famous writer Katherine Mansfield. There is plenty more to see and do in Wellington. Take a tour of the Parliament Buildings; see the gothic-style Old St Paul s Cathedral, built from native timbers; visit the Wellington Zoo. For a different perspective, catch the cable car to the Botanic Gardens or a bus to the top of Mt Victoria, for stunning views of the harbor, city and hills. Don t forget to take advantage of Wellington s harbor take a cruise across to see the seaside cafés and craft shops of Days Bay; visit Somes/Matiu Island Reserve, a former quarantine and prisoner-of-war island; charter a fishing boat or hire a sea kayak. Day 9: Rover Ring Tour Today you will be met outside the Mercure Hotel Wellington for departure on the Half day Rover Ring Tour. The half day Lord of the Rings location tour brings the best 7 locations in both the North and South of Wellington. This is the best way to see Wellington's Lord of the Rings locations in half a day with the experience of knowledgeable Lord of the Rings specialist guides. You ll cover a lot of ground, but there is enough time to explore, recreate scenes for yourself and work out how the movies were made. The first location is exploring Mount Victoria and the 'recreation greenbelt' where the Hobbits hid and were chased by Ringwraiths. From Mount Victoria you ll drive north to explore the Hutt Valley. Stops include the Hutt River (Anduin) and Harcourt Park (Isengard). In Kaitoke Regional Park morning/afternoon tea under the elevish trees of the Rivendell location is included. You ll also spend time at Minas Tirith and Helms Deep at an old quarry closed to general visitors. Day 10: Wellington to Queenstown Today you will be met outside of the Mercure Hotel Wellington for your transfer to the Wellington Depart Wellington Arrive Queenstown Flying Time: Approximately 1 hours 50 minutes- Snacks & drinks available onboard Upon arrival at the Queenstown Airport, collect your luggage and make your way to the shuttle pickup area clearly marked at the airport exit. You will be transferred to the Mercure Resort Queenstown where you will check in for four nights. Mercure Resort Queenstown is on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, only 3 minutes drive from the center of town. The Resort has panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Mountains. Mercure Resort Queenstown has 148 rooms with most rooms having spectacular views over the lake and the Remarkables Mountain Range. Facilities include an outdoor heated swimming pool, spa, sauna, gymnasium, restaurant, bar, conference rooms and a ski/boot drying room. Queenstown is the New Zealand destination for international visitors. Its natural beauty changes with the seasons, the lake gleans in the summer sun, and snow clad mountains tower above the township in winter. Queenstown is a great place to visit all year round. Nestled in beside the mysterious Lake Wakatipu, in the Southern Lakes district of New Zealand, Queenstown is a cosmopolitan haven, offering a limitless adventure, southern wine and cuisine, and breathtaking alpine scenery. Queenstown doesn't earn its title of Adventure Capital of the World for nothing. Here, you can bungy jump, ski or snowboard, paraglide, jet boat, white water raft, skydive, hang glide, jet ski, and drive quad bikes to your heart's content!
For its remoteness, Queenstown is one the busiest little towns in the country, sporting the equivalent to around half the population of New Zealand in tourists in 2006, who came to experience the unique "Adventure Capital of the World", and to relax on the scenic walks, flights, and cruises, taking in the vast lakes, rushing rivers, and awe-inspiring mountains. Day 11: Safari of the Scenes This afternoon you will be met outside the Mercure Resort Queenstown for departure on the Half-Day Safari of the Scenes - Glenorchy Tour. This scenic tour offers a little off-road action in the 12 Mile Delta area, plus breathtaking mountain and forest views along the shores of Lake Wakatipu towards Glenorchy and on into Paradise. The tour includes the film locations of Isengard and Ithilien Camp, plus beech forests near those used for Lothlorien. You can also visit the area used to film the Seat of Seeing and the battle of Amon Hen. Day 12 & 13: At Leisure in Queenstown Enjoy these days to explore Queenstown on your own. Day 14: Return to USA Unfortunately your great New Zealand vacation concludes today unless you decide to extend for an extra few nights! Today meet shuttle outside of the Mercure Resort Queenstown for your transfer to the Queenstown Depart Queenstown Arrive Los Angeles Flying time: approx 17 hours Lunch, snacks and breakfast served. ~ End of Travel Arrangements ~