10-Day Contrasts of New Zealand

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Today, you'll drive south to Rotorua from Auckland with GreatSights! Departing early, this full-day tour has it all. From the magical glowworms and world-famous limestone formations of Waitomo to the cultural heritage and geothermal bounty of Rotorua. The tour includes a visit to the glowworm caves, a Maori culture performance, the Agrodome, bubbling mud pools and geysers.

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Peppered with natural hot springs, boiling mud pools and steaming geysers, Rotorua sits within one of the worlds most active volcanic regions. You can spike your adrenaline at Velocity Valley Adventure Park on stomach-dropping attractions such as static skydiving. Home to several prominent Maori tribes, a visit to one of the Maori Villages should be high on your agenda. In the evening, you'll head to the Mitai Maori village for an awe-inspiring introduction to the indigenous Maori culture.

This morning, you will be collected from your accommodation and taken to the airport. From here, you'll catch a flight to Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island. You'll then be collected form the airport by your private driver and taken to your hotel. You'll have the rest of the day free at your leisure to explore the city on your own.

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Today, you'll experience two epic journeys of New Zealand. You'll begin with the TranzAlpine Scenic Train, one of the world's greatest training journeys, from Christchurch to Greymouth. From your carriage, you'll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. From Greymouth, you'll board an InterCity coach to Franz Josef, enjoying the scenery on the way and enjoying a shuttle tour to the glacier on arrival.

You'll leave the small village of Franz Josef and journey through the remote and rugged landscape of the West Coast. This is New Zealand at its purest and most untamed, see moody mountain ranges, thick native rainforest and wild rocky shores as you travel in comfort. Feast your eyes on the picture-postcard views of vibrant blue lakes like Lake Hawea, Lake Wanaka and Lake Dunstan as you make your way into scenic Queenstown, arriving in the late afternoon.

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You'll embark on a return luxury journey by coach from Queenstown to Milford Sound with a one hour and 40-minute cruise along the full length of the fiord. You will enjoy a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside of Te Anau. At Milford Sound, you'll board the modern vessel for a leisurely cruise on the fiord. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time to enjoy the many waterfalls, rainforest views, mountains and wildlife.

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Although celebrated as New Zealand's ‘adventure capital’, Queenstown offers far more than a fast-paced action-packed holiday. Settled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath a soaring panorama of the Remarkables Mountain Range, this alpine town is surrounded by a plethora of historic, gastronomic and scenic wonders. You have the option to go on a wonderful art and wine tour today and in the evening, you'll enjoy a gourmet BBQ dinner on the TSS Earnslaw Cruise!

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Today, you'll travel to the foothills of New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook, on a full-day sightseeing tour from Queenstown to Christchurch. Setting off from Queenstown, you'll travel through the ruggedly beautiful landscape and over the Lindis Pass into the Mackenzie Country. You'll enter the amazing Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park to take in the amazing alpine scenery. In the afternoon, you'll travel past Lake Pukaki to Lake Tekapo, over the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.