- Christchurch Tram
- Larnach Castle and Ultimate High Tea
- Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
- Lakes District Museum
- TranzAlpine Rail Journey
- Cruise on the Interislander Ferry, Premium Lounge
- Te Papa, NZ's National Museum
- Skyline Rotorua Gondola and Luge Ride
- Agrodome
- Thermal mud pools and geysers
- Te Puia traditional Māori Hāngi and Concert
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise
- Kauri Museum
- Christchurch City Sights Tour
- Dunedin City Sights Tour
- Wellington City Sights Tour
- Auckland City Sights Tour
17 Day Ultimate Festive Season
Celebrate an ultimate Christmas in the South Island and New Year in the North Island
TOUR CODE: UGPNX17
DURATION: 17 days
STARTS: Christchurch
FINISHES: Auckland
STYLE: Special Interest Group Tours
COACH: 20 seat Business Class
ACCOMMODATION: 4.5 Star
No hidden extras
Prepaid Attractions
Coach Features
- 20 Business Class seats on a full-size coach
- 2 door access; dedicated seat side storage with tray table; cup holder
- Restroom; daily onboard Wi-Fi allowance
Experience
- Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
- Return airport transfers in New Zealand
- Professional Coach Captain
- 16 nights 4.5 star accommodation
- 6 two night stays
- Hotel porterage
- 1 rail journey
- 4 cruises
- All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
- Extensive Optional Activities
- Ultimate Documentation Pack
Meals
• 16 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast: Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua
• 12 sumptuous dinners including complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 4 specialty dinners: Christmas Dinner, Larnach Castle; Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Māori Hāngi and Concert, Rotorua; Intimate Farewell Dinner, selected beverages, Auckland
• 1 lunch: Milford Sound Cruise
• Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks)
Day 1: Dinner not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.
Day-by-day Itinerary
(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (SL) Specialty Lunch (D) Dinner (SD) Specialty Dinner
Arrive Christchurch (D)
On arrival into Christchurch, you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink as you meet your travelling companions.
Hotel The George (2 nights)
Christchurch (Free Day) (B)
Today is a free day to explore Christchurch at leisure. Enjoy a journey on board the Christchurch Tram, one of Christchurch’s leading attractions. The all-day ticket allows you to visit the central city sights onboard a beautifully restored heritage tram. This evening is free to dine at leisure.
Hotel The George
Christchurch - Dunedin (B,D)
This morning enjoy a city sights tour of the Garden City, Christchurch. Travel south to Oamaru, famous for its Limestone before arriving into Dunedin.
Hotel Distinction Dunedin Hotel (2 nights)
Dunedin - Christmas Day (B,SD)
Merry Christmas! Enjoy a leisurely start to the day before experiencing an informative city tour of Dunedin. This afternoon travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle. On a guided tour you will hear the tragic and scandalous tales that make up the castle’s history. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Christmas Dinner in the grand ballroom.
Hotel Distinction Dunedin Hotel
Dunedin - Te Anau (B,D)
Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).
Hotel Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown (B,L)
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy lunch. This afternoon travel to Queenstown, overlooking magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year-round resort which offers a wide range of activities and attractions. This evening is at leisure to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.
Hotel Heritage Queenstown (2 nights)
Queenstown (Free Day) (B,SD)
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with many optional activities available. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride or a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.
Hotel Heritage Queenstown
Queenstown - Franz Josef (B,D)
Travel to Arrowtown, an old goldmining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to the township of Fox Glacier. Next you visit Franz Josef, where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers before arriving at your hotel.
Hotel Te Waonui Forest Retreat
Franz Josef - Arthur’s Pass - Christchurch (B,D)
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue to Arthur’s Pass and board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains. On arrival into the elegant city of Christchurch, your Ultimate Coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
Hotel The George
Christchurch - Picton - Wellington -New Year's Eve (B,D)
Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikōura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you will board the Interislander Ferry and experience the comfort and intimate setting of the Premium Lounge. Enjoy complimentary refreshments as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Wellington. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink to toast the New Year with your fellow travellers.
Hotel InterContinental Wellington (Premium Room) (2 nights)
Wellington (B)
A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Reboard your coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time this afternoon and this evening is also free to choose your own dining arrangements.
Hotel InterContinental Wellington (Premium Room)
Wellington - Taupo - Rotorua (B,D)
Depart Wellington and view the snow-capped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro as you travel to Lake Taupo. Visit the spectacular Huka Falls then travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua.
Hotel Regent of Rotorua (2 nights)
Rotorua (B,SD)
Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua where spectacular views are on offer. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride! Next stop is the Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education that is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Free time is available this afternoon before travelling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening experience an entertaining Māori Hāngi and Concert.
Hotel Regent of Rotorua
Rotorua - Bay of Islands (B,D)
This morning depart Rotorua and travel north via Whangarei to the Bay of Islands. This afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Māori tribes and the British.
Hotel Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (2 nights)
Bay of Islands (B)
This morning you will explore the scenic beauty of the Bay of Islands including an island visit aboard a luxury catamaran. Cruise to Cape Brett and the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’, keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. On return to Paihia, enjoy a free afternoon where a range of optional activities are available, or you may choose to relax and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the waterfront. This evening is also at leisure, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).
Hotel Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands - Auckland (B,SD)
Depart the Bay of Islands this morning and travel via Whangarei and Dargaville to Matakohe. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum before continuing to Auckland for a city sights tour. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your newfound friends.
Hotel Crowne Plaza Auckland
Depart Auckland (B)
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.
Tour Starts |
Tour Ends | Guaranteed Departure |
Brochure Price | Bonus Offer |
Your Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunday 22-Dec-24 |
Tuesday 07-Jan-25 | ON REQUEST |
$11,829 pp, twin share |
- | $11,829 pp, twin share |
Pre & Post Stays
Christchurch | $245 pp, twin share | $490 single |
Auckland | $210 pp, twin share | $420 single |