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16-Day Scenic Train and Glaciers Tour

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Extraordinary Experiences

  • Enjoy a 40-minute ferry ride across the Waitemata Harbour to Waiheke Island, a haven of beaches, eateries and boutique vineyards.
  • Be enriched with a deeper understanding of Māori traditions and absorb the unforgettable sights.
  • Discover the wonders of both the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers in one scenic flight with the advantage of seeing more high peaks and a fantastic overview of the Southern Alps.

Overview

New Zealand is a country known for its superb scenery taking the form of glaciers, lakes, mountains and stunning coastal journeys. One of the best ways to explore New Zealand is by train as the country is home to some of the best train journeys in the world included the TranzAlpine between Greymouth and Christchurch.

Over this 16-day holiday to New Zealand, you'll travel from Auckland on the North Island to Queenstown on the South Island, through the top destinations of both islands. You'll tick several journeys, landmarks and adrenaline-pumping activities off your bucket list and complete the trip with a love for New Zealand, its culture, its food and its scenery.
Outdoors & Nature
Sightseeing
Culture & Arts
Food & Drink
Adventure
Cruising
Wellness

Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Auckland, the City of Sails!

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Welcome to Auckland, the City of Sails!

Upon arrival, you'll be met by your driver and taken to your hotel. You'll check into your hotel and then have the rest of the day free to spend as you wish. Auckland is the main gateway city to New Zealand. You are free to hop on a ferry, bus or in a taxi and spend a few hours exploring the shopping district of Queen Street, the Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium, the panoramic views from the Sky Tower or the vineyards on nearby Waiheke Island.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Heritage Auckland4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    AucklandOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Auckland Airport to Auckland

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Auckland

Day 2

Auckland City Tour & Waiheke Wine Tour

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Auckland City Tour & Waiheke Wine Tour

This morning, you'll explore the city of sails on a guided tour! You'll travel through the city centre, including Auckland's famous Queen Street, Karangahape Road with its chequered past and eclectic vibe and fashionable Ponsonby. In the afternoon, you'll catch a 40-minute ferry over to Waiheke Island. Upon arrival, you'll be picked up by luxury coach and whisked away on a guided tour of three of Waiheke's premier wineries – Mudbrick Estate, Cable Bay and Te Motu.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Heritage Auckland4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Auckland City Tour

    Wine on Waiheke

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Auckland

Day 3

Waitomo Glowworm Caves & Free Time in Auckland

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Waitomo Glowworm Caves & Free Time in Auckland

Leaving Auckland, you'll travel through rolling farmland into the Waikato region. You'll be taken on a guided tour through the world-famous Glowworm Caves. Formed from limestone over 30 million years ago, the caves were first discovered in 1887 and are now one of New Zealand's most popular tourist destinations. Wander through subterranean caverns and learn about stalagmites and stalactites. After driving back to Auckland, you can explore the city and perhaps take on the mighty SkyWalk.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Heritage Auckland4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Waitomo Glowworm Caves

    SkyWalkOptional Activity

    AucklandOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Auckland to Waitomo Glowworm Caves

    Private Driver from Waitomo Glowworm Caves to Auckland

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Auckland

    Waitomo

Day 4

Northern Explorer to Tongariro National Park

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Northern Explorer to Tongariro National Park

Northern Explorer is a long-distance scenic train service running between Auckland and Wellington. The journey through Tongariro National Park, with its three spectacular volcanic mountains – Tongariro, Ngāuruhoe and Ruapehu – is a highlight, a place of extremes and surprises, where snow-blanketed fields, ancient lava flows and dense beech forests can be seen side by side. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to Lake Taupo for an afternoon of adventures.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels Taupo4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Northern Explorer Train to Tongariro National Park

    Hukafalls Jet Taupo

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Tongariro National Park to Lake Taupo

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Auckland

    Manawatu-Wanganui

    Taupo

    Waikato

Day 5

Geothermal Wonderland, Agrodome Farm Show & Te Po Cultural Evening

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Geothermal Wonderland, Agrodome Farm Show & Te Po Cultural Evening

Today, you'll head to the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Sculptured out of volcanic activity and thousands of years in the making, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is considered to be New Zealand’s most colourful and diverse geothermal sightseeing attraction. Afterwards, you'll transfer to Rotorua for a fun-packed few hours of entertainment at the Agrodome Farm Show! After a cultural evening at Te Po learning about Maori culture, you'll return to Taupo.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels Taupo4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland

    Agrodome Farm Show

    Te Po Evening Experience

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Taupo to Rotorua

    Private Driver from Rotorua to Taupo

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Taupo

    Waikato

    Rotorua

Day 6

Northern Explorer Train to Wellington

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Northern Explorer Train to Wellington

This morning, after breakfast at your hotel, you'll hop in a transfer to the train station. Here, you'll board Northern Explorer Train and continue your journey to Wellington (alternatively, you can opt to drive through the Desert Road). You'll arrive in Wellington in the evening and transfer to your hotel. Wellington is popular for its café culture, live music and shopping. In the evening, you can explore Cuba Street and Oriental Parade.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    CityLife Wellington4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Train from Taupo to Wellington

    Private Driver from Wellington to CityLife Wellington

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Taupo

    Wellington

Day 7

Te Papa Museum, Mount Victoria or Parliament Guided Tour

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Te Papa Museum, Mount Victoria or Parliament Guided Tour

Today, you can explore Wellington through its major attractions. The first is the Te Papa Museum where you can learn more about New Zealand's culture and the environment through its national museum. In the afternoon, you climb up to the top of Mount Victoria for a beautiful view over Wellington. You can also opt to explore parts of the Parliament buildings and learn about the parliamentary process while accompanied by one of the knowledgeable tour guides.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    CityLife Wellington4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Te Papa Tongarewa

    Mount Victoria

    Parliament Guided Tour of WellingtonOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wellington

Day 8

InterIslander Ferry to Picton & Coastal Pacific Train to Kaikoura

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InterIslander Ferry to Picton & Coastal Pacific Train to Kaikoura

Today is a big day of travel as you head to the InterIslander Ferry to cross over to the South Island from Wellington. You'll then head to the train station and travel by Coastal Pacific Train to Kaikoura. With the sea stretching to the horizon in the east and the Kaikoura mountains stretching to the sky in the west, the Coastal Pacific journey between Picton and Kaikoura is one of the most astonishingly beautiful in New Zealand.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The White Morph4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Interislander Ferry - Wellington to Picton

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Picton to Picton

    Train from Picton to Kaikoura

    Private Driver from Kaikoura to The White Morph

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wellington

    Kaikoura

Day 9

Whale Watch Kaikoura & Coastal Pacific Train to Christchurch

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Whale Watch Kaikoura & Coastal Pacific Train to Christchurch

In the morning, you'll head to Whale Watch Kaikoura for an exciting whale spotting journey. Afterwards, you'll head to the train station to travel by Coastal Pacific Train to Christchurch. With the Pacific Ocean lapping at its wheels on one side and the Kaikoura ranges rising majestically on the other, the Coastal Pacific is undoubtedly the most picturesque of the scenic journeys. You'll have the evening to relax and explore Christchurch.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Heritage Christchurch4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Whale Watch Kaikoura

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Train from Kaikoura to Christchurch

    Private Driver from Christchurch to Heritage Christchurch

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kaikoura

    Canterbury

    Christchurch

Day 10

Punting on the Avon, International Antarctic Centre & Tramway Restaurant

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Punting on the Avon, International Antarctic Centre & Tramway Restaurant

In the morning, you'll transfer to the Boatshed for one of the iconic Christchurch activities, punting on the Avon Edwardian-style! Next, you'll head to the International Antarctic Centre to be thrilled by a huge range of experiences guaranteed to entertain the whole family. In the evening, you'll experience the luxury of the 36-seater air-conditioned, colonial-style dining tram and be treated to the finest service, cuisine and beverages New Zealand has to offer!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Heritage Christchurch4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Punting on the Avon

    International Antarctic Centre

    Tramway Restaurant

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Heritage Christchurch to Boat Shed Cafe

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Christchurch

Day 11

TranzAlpine Train to Greymouth & Transfer to Franz Josef

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TranzAlpine Train to Greymouth & Transfer to Franz Josef

Along this journey, you’ll see epic vistas, travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, traverse the Southern Alps, and see miles of native beech forest. The TranzAlpine is one of the world's great train journeys covering 223 kilometres (139 miles) one-way, taking just under five hours. You’ll traverse the majestic Canterbury Plains, to the backdrop of the mighty Southern Alps - the journey of a lifetime. You'll then transfer to Franz Josef, the glacier town, to enjoy the hot springs.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Tranz Alpine Train to Greymouth

    Private Pools Franz Josef

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Greymouth to Franz Josef Glacier

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Christchurch

    Franz Josef Glacier

Day 12

Free Day to Enjoy Some Activities at the Franz Josef Glacier

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Free Day to Enjoy Some Activities at the Franz Josef Glacier

With your free day, you can take advantage of the many activities on offer including the Twin Glacier Scenic Helicopter Ride, flying over both the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, soaring first over the townships and then following the ice flow high up into the upper reaches. You can also do the Heli Hike. You’ll land on a section of this 12-kilometre-long glacier with glacier boots and crampons and walk for two hours amongst the ice formations and pinnacles.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Twin Glacier with Snow LandingOptional Activity

    Heli Ice ClimbOptional Activity

    Adventure Quad Franz JosefOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Franz Josef Glacier

Day 13

Scenic Drive to Wanaka, Puzzling World & Continue to Queenstown

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Scenic Drive to Wanaka, Puzzling World & Continue to Queenstown

On this day of your holiday to New Zealand, you'll transfer to Wanaka through Fox Glacier and the Haast Pass. This route is very scenic and there are plenty of photo opportunities. In Wanaka, you'll visit the Puzzling World. With a mix of bizarre buildings, rooms of illusion and the world-famous Great Maze, this attraction is designed to baffle your brain and challenge your perceptions of reality. You'll then transfer to Queenstown where the rest of your evening will be at your leisure.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Heritage Queenstown4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Puzzling World

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Franz Josef Glacier to Wanaka

    Private Driver from Wanaka to Queenstown

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Franz Josef Glacier

    Wanaka

    Queenstown

Day 14

Fun in the Adventure Capital of New Zealand!

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Fun in the Adventure Capital of New Zealand!

Queenstown is the adventure capital. There are plenty of options to entertain you including skydiving, bungee jumping, jet boating, zipline tours, 4WD tours and the Nevis Swing. Today, you can head to the Skyline Gondola and Luge Ride. Take a scenic ride in the iconic Skyline Gondola and take in the stunning views as you ride the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Heritage Queenstown4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Skyline Gondola & Luge Rides

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

Day 15

Milford Sound Nature Cruise

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Milford Sound Nature Cruise

Today, you'll transfer to Milford Sound, situated on the west coast of the South Island, is a world-renowned natural wonder with towering peaks, cascading waterfalls and amazing wildlife. The journey through Milford Road, starting from the beautiful Te Anau Lake, is an experience of a lifetime. For breathtaking, awe-inspiring scenery, you'll go on a Milford Sound cruise and enjoy spacious decks, relaxing lounges and a variety of delicious on-board lunch choices.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Heritage Queenstown4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Milford Sound Nature Cruise

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Queenstown to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi

    Private Driver from Milford Sound / Piopiotahi to Queenstown

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

    Milford Sound

Day 16

Departure from Queenstown

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Departure from Queenstown

After breakfast, you'll transfer tot he airport for your flight to Auckland and your connecting flight home.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Queenstown to Queenstown Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

Included in Price

  • 15 nights accommodation
  • 20 activities
  • 15 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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