New Zealand: Kiwiana Panorama 14 Days From R24 900 (Auckland to Queenstown Summer) - Contiki Tour
The one that takes you from scenery to spa to skydiving for the ultimate 2-week adrenaline rush!
Ready for the ultimate 2 week adrenaline rush? Eat with the Māori in Rotorua, hike up an active volcano, cruise on Lake Taupo and head to the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown. Ever tried bungy jumping, sky diving, canyon swinging? Now's your chance.
Itinerary
DAY 1 - AUCKLAND TO ROTORUA
Auckland
Laters Auckland! Today we drive through the lush farmlands of Waikato, an area that produces many of New Zealand's best Rugby players for the All Blacks, on route to Hobbiton Village. That's right, it wouldn't be a complete experience without a stop at the "Shire".
Rotorua
When you catch your first whiff of that .. 'unusual' sulphur smell, you'll know we've arrived in Rotorua. Famed for its spurting geysers, boiling mud pools & hot springs, gondola and speeding luge rides, Rotorua is a natural wonderland, and then some. Tonight the culture will sky rocket with a traditional Maori hāngi dinner & dance performance, and perhaps best of all, the chance to get involved in the world-famous HAKA. Tongues at the ready peeps.
Stay
The Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua (or similar)
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
Visit Hobbiton and take a guided tour of the set made famous by the "Lord of the Rings & Hobbit" movies
Experience a traditional Maori cultural performance and feast on a ground-smoked hangi dinner
See (and smell) Rotorua's bubbling geothermic mud pools
DAY 2 - ROTORUA
Rotorua
The day is yours to roam free in this geothermal paradise. Soak in a hot spring, go white water rafting or hike up a volcano. The options are limitless and the decisions are yours. If you're travelling after October 2020, we recommend the Rotorua Dawn Canopy Tour, exclusive to Contiki, where you'll watch the sun rise, eat some breakfast and drink coffee up in the towering trees as the birds make start their morning calls. Then, you'll get to soar 1200m through the forest on the ultimate zipline adventure.
Stay
The Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua (or similar)
FREE TIME ADD-ONS
Go white water rafting down the crashing Kaituna River
NZ$99
Hike the unique volcanic landscape of Mt Tarawera, Rotorua
NZ$149
Explore native rainforest at dawn with breakfast & coffee followed by ziplining on a Contiki Exclusive Rotorua Rainforest Canopy tour
NZ$149
Cook your kai (food) the traditional way over an active steam vent at Te Puia Maori Village, followed by a guided tour & hands-on weaving experience
NZ$84
DAY 3 - ROTORUA TO LAKE TAUPO VIA HUKA FALLS
Rotorua
Our Rotorua adventures are (almost) at an end, but not before we stop by the Rainbow Springs Nature Park, where you’ll get the chance to learn about New Zealand's national bird, kiwis. Like nice surprises? Here’s one for you - your included entrance fee goes towards the kiwi rehabilitation project, a Contiki sponsored initiative. Plus, as part of the project Treadright sponsors an incubator to hatch eggs, so every year we get naming rights to two new baby kiwis. Cute, huh?
Huka Falls
220,000 litres (that's 58 000 gallons) of water gush over Huka Falls per second. Just let that sink in for a minute. Wild, right? Even wilder still is the Hukafalls Jet experience - a thrilling ride that will get you experiencing the full force of the falls and leave you with even more of a taste for adventure. A good thing really, given Lake Taupo is on the horizon.
Lake Taupo
Volcanic peak views & trout fishing will seamlessly slip us into quaint lake life. But don't be fooled by the seemingly still scenery - a bungy jump or skydive are both on the menu if that adrenaline itch needs scratching.
Stay
Lakeland Hotel (or similar)
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
Take a behind the scenes tour of the of a Kiwi conservation project at the Rainbow Springs Kiwi Encounter
FREE TIME ADD-ONS
Chris Jolly Dinner & Party Cruise
NZ$80
Take a leap over the lakeside town of Taupo with a tandem skydive
From NZ$299
Experience the rush of a Huka Falls Jet boat ride
NZ$115
DAY 4 - LAKE TAUPO TO MOUNT RUAPEHU
Lake Taupo
We drive through the central plateau to the southern end of the Tongariro National Park, Ohakune is known as the aprés ski capital of the North Island.
Today you have the option to go mountain biking along one of NZ's most picturesque track, "the Old Coach Rd".
Mount Ruapehu
Tonight we stay in a heritage listed building built in 1913 which is now a vibrant modern ski lodge, located at the base of a volcano, Mt Ruapehu with views unlike any other you've seen.
Stay
Kings Hotel Ohakune
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
See an active stratovolcano with Mt Ruapehu
See more of the sights made famous in the The Lord of the Rings
DAY 5 - MOUNT RUAPEHU TO WELLINGTON
Mount Ruapehu
These landscapes are unique and the sights will leave you breathless. On route to the windy capital Wellington where we'll show you the sights of this city.
Wellington
As much as we've been loving the nature time, the change of scenery to New Zealand's well-cultured capital will prove an utter delights. After an orientation through the narrow streets of Wellington a night on the town will be on the cards, plus an optional dinner to start the night off as we mean to go on.
Stay
Mercure Abel Tasman Hotel (or similar)
DAY 6 - WELLINGTON
Wellington
The day is yours to explore Wellington! In the early evening we'll head to a local cafe and try the famed flat white coffee in its city of origin (sorry Australians). Then you'll have a free afternoon, or (from Oct 2020) we'll meet Parris Quinn our 2019 changemaker, and try some of her Heart Parcels brownies. Heart Parcels is a charity that Parris started to ensure Wellington's homeless have enough food to eat. Buy a delicious brownie here and the proceeds go straight towards feeding people living on the streets of Wellington. If it's a Monday night, you're welcome to join Paris as she hands out donations. It's inspiring stuff.
Stay
Mercure Abel Tasman Hotel (or similar)
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
Tuck into coffee and cake in one of Wellington's cafes, including a 'Heart parcels' brownie with proceeds going towards supporting the homeless
Join our 2019 Changemaker Parris Quinn in handing out 'Heart Parcels' food to Wellington's homeless (from Oct 2020 - selected departures)
Check out the cafe & restaurant scene in Wellington, voted the coolest little capital in the world
DAY 7 - WELLINGTON TO CHRISTCHURCH
Wellington
So long north island! Today we're making tracks for your southern brother, darting across the Tasman via the Inter-Island ferry.
Picton
Our first port of call on the South Island will be Picton, the gateway to wine country. Sauv blanc, anyone?
Kaikoura
Our next drive takes us through Marlborough’s wine country along the rugged east coast. Arriving in Kaikoura will see us amongst a seaside settlement known for whales & dolphins, so the camera needs to be on 110% charge as we roll around the coast. We'll stop at a seal colony, where you'll struggle not to break into a collective 'cuuuute' as you watch these guys sunning themselves on the rocks.
Christchurch
Tonight we sleep well in Christchurch, drifting off to the pleasant memories of NZ's natural beauty that seasoned our day.
Stay
The Breakfree on Cashel Hotel (or similar)
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
Spectacular drive along the Kaikoura Coast and visit to a seal colony
DAY 8 - CHRISTCHURCH TO FRANZ JOSEF
Christchurch
Christchurch, it was short and sweet, but with with ice age action on the horizon we gots to move on.
Arthurs Pass
Take in the beautiful scenery as we wind our way across the highest and most spectacular mountain pass across the Southern Alps.
Hokitika
In the gold rush town of Hokitika we'll watch authentic carvers get to work on green jade and take a look at traditional Maori art. Back on the coach we're coastline bound to one of the islands most jaw-droppingly beautiful spots...
Franz Josef Glacier
We'll pull up for the night in glorious Franz Josef, probably one of the most beautiful places you'll ever of clapped eyes on. A bold statement we know, but well deserved.
Stay
Rainforest Retreat (or similar)
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
Take a guided city tour of a city in transition: Christchurch
View a native greenstone carving demonstration in the goldrush town of Hokitika
DAY 9 - FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER
Franz Josef Glacier
This morning will be another big ol' tick off the list as we take to the ice of Franz Josef Glacier. We've got a heli ride over the glacier up for grabs, or the opportunity to carve your own Pounamu (jade) pendant, under the tuition of a Maori mastercraftsman. Pounamu is sacred to the Māori people, and this is a great way to learn about its cultural significance, while also creating a beautiful please of jewellery. An optional highlight today is a boat cruise across Lake Mapourika. But this ain't your ordinary boat cruise. You'll cruise up the glassy lake, framed by glaciers and mountains, before switching to a stand up paddle board and gliding along a narrow estuary. This takes you to your journey's destination, the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary, where you'll get to meet New Zealand's adorable but vulnerable national bird.
Stay
Rainforest Retreat (or similar)
FREE TIME ADD-ONS
Glacier Country Kayaks
NZ$115
Across Country Quad Bikes
NZ$160
Scenic Helicopter Flight and Glacier Landing
From NZ$245
Heli Hike
NZ$439
DAY 10 - FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER TO QUEENSTOWN
Franz Josef Glacier
Armed with a new found appreciation for frozen water, we'll hop back on the coach & start making our way to Queenstown, making a few cheeky stops along the way.
Haast Pass
Our first piece of NZ eye-candy comes in the form of Haast Pass, beautified by ancient rainforests, small glaciers and waterfalls. Note how the scenery changes as we roll towards Queenstown through the Southern Alps and region of Otago.
Wanaka
Intermitting our scenic drive we'll stop for lunch in Wanaka, a pretty ski resort town situated on a lake front and dwarfed by mountains. This town is fast becoming one of NZ's most popular spots, and a trip to the 'Dough Bin' for a luscious pie should be high on the list today.
Queenstown
Welcome to the adventure capital of the world. Rest up tonight - the next few days are going to be BIG.
Stay
Jucy Snooze Hotel (or similar)
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
Stop at AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge
Take a scenic drive through Haast Pass & see Thunder Creek Falls
DAY 11 - QUEENSTOWN
Queenstown
Today is yours to get acquainted with Queenstown and spend some time mulling over the activities up for grabs in the next two days. To get you warmed up, we'll be treating you to an exhilirating Shotover Jet experience (until Sep 2018), so throw those hands in the air as you fly through narrow Shotover canyons at speeds of up to 85 kph.
Stay
Jucy Snooze Hotel (or similar)
FREE TIME ADD-ONS
Group Photograph
NZ$19
DAY 12 - QUEENSTOWN
Queenstown
It's times like this that you really start to work out what sort of traveller you are. And human for that matter. You might be the one trailing through wine country and doing a spot of horse back riding, or you may be that guy that crams in a bungy jump, a skydive and a heliraft & still craves more. It's your holiday - run wild as you see fit.
Stay
Jucy Snooze Hotel (or similar)
FREE TIME ADD-ONS
Take the plunge on the world's OG bungy at Kawarau Bridge, Queenstown
NZ$205
Jump off the third highest bungy platform in the world at AJ Hackett's Nevis Bungy in Queenstown
NZ$275
Get a thrilling perspective of Queenstown's skyline with the famous AJ Hackett Ledge bungy
NZ$205
Go all out with Thrillogy - 3 of Queenstown's world class bungy jumps including the historic Kawarau Bungy, the freestyle Ledge Bungy, and the hair-raising Nevis Bungy
NZ$420
Take the swing of your life on the 300m Nevis Swing, one of the world's biggest canyon swings in Queenstown
NZ$210
Get your adrenalin pumping with AJ Hackett's Ledge Swing with sweeping views of Queenstown
NZ$165
Queenstown Adventurer Canyoning
NZ$199
Cruise the glassy waters of the Milford Sound on a day trip from Queenstown
NZ$139
DAY 13 - QUEENSTOWN
Queenstown
With our last day in adrenalin city ahead of us, this is the time to push yourself to the limits and hurl over any mental barriers you've put up around yourself. Jump into #NOREGRETS spirit and conquer those niggling fears once and for all. For those who did their dash yesterday, a day staying mellow and enjoying this beautiful region will prove more than sufficient.
Stay
Jucy Snooze Hotel (or similar)
FREE TIME ADD-ONS
Swing through the tree tops on a Ziptrek Zipline tour in Queenstown
NZ$189
Enjoy dinner with unparallelled views at Queenstown's Skyline restaurant
NZ$85
Canyon Swing
NZ$215
Funyaks
NZ$359
Take your happy hour in sub-zero temperatures at Queenstown's Ice Bar experience
NZ$20
Canyon Fox
NZ$150
DAY 14 - QUEENSTOWN
Queenstown
This morning our adventure comes to an end (sob). Hug it out with your new bff's, with plans no doubt in place for Contiki 2.0. NZ, you've been real.
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