| Day 1 - Sunday 10th January - In Flight
Depart on a direct flight from Manchester or London Heathrow for Singapore.
Day 2 - Monday 11th January - Singapore
Morning arrival in Singapore and transfer by private coach provided by
Novotel Clarke Quay to the hotel. River cruise and visit to the Botanical
Gardens. Welcome reception and dinner in the hotel or local restaurant.
Overnight Novotel Clarke Quay Singapore. D
Day 3 - Tuesday 12th January - Singapore
Free time in Singapore. Evening transfer by private coach for the flight to Auckland. B
Day
4 - Wednesday 13th January - Singapore/Auckland
"Haere Mai" - Welcome to New Zealand. Meet and Greet by AOT representative (our agents in New Zealand) and transfer by private coach to the Stamford Plaza Hotel (Deluxe room). Free time in the afternoon for you to explore Auckland and its delightful harbour, just a stone's throw away.
In the evening
we have a welcome drinks reception in the hotel before taking the five
minute's walk to the Ferry Building where dinner has been booked at the
Harbourside Seafood Bar and Grill Restaurant, located in Auckland's historic
Ferry Building overlooking the harbour. After dinner walk back to the
hotel. Overnight at the Stamford Plaza Hotel. D
The main
gateway city to New Zealand, Greater Auckland, with a population of over
one million, is New Zealand's largest urban area, and centre of commerce
and industry, but within minutes of the city you can experience uncrowded
beaches, rural countryside and forests. The dominating features of the
Auckland cityscape are the graceful lines of the Harbour Bridge, the sparkling
waters of the Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf, and the brooding cone
of Rangitoto Island - the last of the city's 48 volcanoes to erupt - just
600 years ago.
Day
5 - Thursday 14th January - Auckland/Tauranga/Whakatane
This morning leave Auckland by private coach with a driver/guide and travel south over the Bombay Hills. We travel across the Hauraki Plains to Paeroa then through the picturesque Karangahake Gorge to Waihi on the Pacific Coast. From Waihi continue to Katitaki, a town famous for the many colourful murals painted on the shops and offices of the main street, then follow the inner harbour to Tauranga.
Tauranga is located 206km southeast of Auckland and 86km northeast of Rotorua and is the second sunniest place in New Zealand. Average temperatures range from 24°C in summer to 14.5°C in winter. Nearby Mount Maunganui has a beautiful ocean beach, popular with surfers, sunbathers and swimmers.
Optional lunch in Tauranga, followed by our first hike of the holiday to Mount Maunganui (also known as Mauao - meaning 'caught by the light' in Maori mythology), located across the Harbour from Tauranga, it stands at 232m high and offers breath-taking views of the beaches, the city, the nearby islands and the Kaimai Ranges. The Mount has a special significance to the local tribe as it was used as a pa (fort).
Grade Easy. 4 hours.
Depart from
Tauranga and travel to Te Puke, a town that has turned its kiwifruit industry
into visitor entertainment. As you drive eastward fabulous views of the
surf coast are with you nearly all the way. From Matata follow the scenic
coastal route via Thornton and Paroa to Whakatane. Whakatane is one of
the sunniest towns in New Zealand. Just offshore is White Island, a spectacular
active volcano that we visit by launch on Friday. Other Whakatane attractions
include the museum, an observatory and Maori historical sites. Nearby
is beautiful pohutakwa fringed Ohope beach. At the western end there's
a walking track that gives a magnificent panorama of the coastline and
leads down to picturesque Otarawairere Bay. Dinner at the Wharf Shed.
Overnight White Island Rendezous. BD
Day 6 - Friday 15th January - Whakatane
White Island cruise and guided walk. White Island Tours with PeeJay give
you an in-depth guided tour of one of the world's most interesting volcanoes.
The island's history is related in an informative way, with scientific
information explained in an easy-to-understand manner. The tour departs
from the Whakatane Wharf. Embark on PeeJay, a luxury launch specifically
built for the tours to White Island. The trip out to the island is approx.
80mins, depending on conditions, so there is plenty of time to take in
the scenery and marine life and enjoy the commentary.
On the way
out to the island our crew will issue everyone with safety gear consisting
of a hard hat and gas mask. On arrival at White Island we anchor PeeJay
and ferry everyone over to the island via inflatable boat to the jetty.
There is a short ladder to climb, a steel planking system to cross, and
some boulders to negotiate before reaching the shore. Then it is time
to start your exploration of New Zealand's only live marine volcano.
Trained guides
take us through the remains of the old sulphur mining factory where we
take a close view of the bright yellow sulphur crystals. We then venture
right up to the main crater's edge to witness the hissing, roaring, eerie
steam rising from the crater lake. Look out for dolphins on the cruise
back. 4 hours. Grade Easy. BLD
Day 7 - Saturday 16th January - Whakatane the Bay of Plenty walk
(As the visit to White Island is weather dependent these days may be reversed.)
Guided walk
from Whakatane to Ohope. Expect to see superb Pacific Coast and rural
views on this cliff and beach guided walk with one of the country's largest
pohutakawa forests. Panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the off-shore
island of Whakaari Island (White Island) and New Zealand's only marine
volcano. Walking time about 4 hours. Distance 7km. Apart from some steep
ascent/descent at the beginning and end of the walk, the grade of this
walk is EASY. Optional lunch at Café Serfside at Ohope. Return
to Whakatane by taxi. Dinner at the Wharf Shed. Overnight White Island
Rendezous. BD
Day 8 - Sunday 17th January - Rotorua
Depart from Whakatane and travel west over the Rangitaiki River to Te Teko then alongside beautiful lakes Rotoma and Rotoiti to Rotorua.
Rotorua was
once known as the 'Sulphur City', it has the most energetic thermal activity
in the country with boiling mud pools, gurgling hot springs, gushing geysers
and some rather unpleasant smells. All around the city, steam drifts up
from behind the bushes, out of road drains and around rocks. Rotorua also
has the largest Maori population and some of the best trout fishing in
the world. Free time on arrival.
Late afternoon visit Te Puia (Whakarewarewa) that houses the Maori Arts & Craft Institute, for a guided walk. Prepare to be amazed by the beauty and uniqueness of this thermal reserve. It has silica terraces, bubbling mud pools, the famous Pohutu Geyser and more than 500 springs, which may vary in temperature from cold to violently boiling.
Following
the walk enjoy a 'Mai Ora' Maori Hangi dinner and concert. You will be
entertained by a variety of traditional Maori performances and experience
the Haka (war dance) and the twirling of poi, stick games and listen to
action songs that tell stories of old. Another highlight of the evening
is the Hangi dinner cooked in the traditional earth oven. As the evening
ends you have gained a true insight into the world of the Maori as it
was and as it is today. Overnight Novotel Lakeside Hotel. BD
Day
9 - Monday 18th January - Rotorua/Tarawera Waterfalls Hike and
Picnic Lunch
Unexpected sights and magnificent scenery await us on this full day guided
expedition which combines a lake cruise and waterfall walk. On the scenic
lake cruise take in the stunning panoramas of Lake and Mount Tarawera
and enjoy the informative commentary on the 1886 Mount Tarawera eruption
and the area's volcanic past.
Soaked with incredible beauty, the walk follows the path of an ancient lava flow through a rainforest rich with ferns, lichens and mosses in sight of the crystal clear Tarawera River. See the surging river unexpectedly disappearing into subterranean chambers before flowing underground then finally blasting out a sheer cliff face 30m high creating the spectacular Tarawera Falls.
The return
journey to Rotorua is via some of the regions most scenic lakes and a
walk in a magnificent rainforest completes this fascinating day of beauty
and tranquillity. Grade Moderate. Dinner in local restaurant. Overnight
Novotel Lakeside Hotel. BLD
Day 10 - Tuesday 19th January - Rotorua/Wellington/Nelson
We are driven by private coach to the local airport for our flight from Rotorua to Nelson via Wellington. Nelson is a favourite vacation destination for many New Zealanders with the highest sunshine rate in the country. It has its own golden beach at Tahunanui, and Kahurangi, Nelson Lakes, and Abel Tasman National Park are all within easy reach. Nelson is noted for its arts, music, and crafts and there are plenty of outlets for browsing or buying around town. Dinner in the hotel.
Overnight Monaco Hotel and Resort (Deluxe room) www.monacoresort.co.nz. BD
Day 11 - Wednesday 20th January - Abel Tasman Guided Coastal Walk
Bus to Marahau - from Nelson 1.5 hours, walk Marahau to Torrent Bay - 4 hours (13km) Grade Moderate. Includes Morning and Afternoon Tea, Lunch, Dinner.
Pick up Nelson (7.30am). Our guide introduces you to the Park at Marahau.
Walking the gentlest grade on the track, rediscover the pristine bays and headlands named by French explorer, Du'mont Durville in 1827.
Stop for lunch at any one of the bays then walk to Torrent Bay Lodge on the beachfront.
Overnight Torrent Bay Lodge. BLD
Day 12 - Thursday 21st January - Abel Tasman Coastal Walk
Approximate walking time 6-7 hours (17km) Grade Moderate. Includes: Breakfast, Morning and Afternoon Tea, Lunch, Dinner.
Leave Torrent Bay to enjoy a morning walking through native forest with magnificent coastal views, and crossing the swing bridge at Falls River.
Midday, stop for lunch at Bark Bay, or continue on to Onetahuti, taking time out to relax, explore, swim or sunbathe on the golden sands. Visit places of historical and scenic interest, including the abandoned Tonga Quarry.
From Onetahuti, walk over the Tonga Saddle to Meadowbank Homestead - Awaroa. Overnight Meadowbank Lodge. BLD
Day 13 - Friday 22nd January - Abel Tasman Coastal Walk/Nelson
Walk Awaroa to Totaranui - 2 hours (7km) Grade Easy. Cruise Totaranui to Kaiteriteri 2.5hrs; Coach Kaiteriteri to Nelson (1.5hrs). Includes: Breakfast, Morning and Afternoon Tea, Lunch.
Cross the Awaroa Estuary, and be introduced to its fascinating history.
Walk through
the northern forests of the park with magnificent specimens of Nikau Palm
and Rata. At Totaranui, join our comfortable launch to cruise the coastline
you have just walked. Hot drinks, covered or open decks and bathroom facilities
are available on board. The coach meets you to return to Nelson (5.30pm).
Overnight Monaco Hotel. Dinner in the hotel. BLD
Day 14 - Saturday 23rd January - Nelson/Queenstown
Transfer to Nelson airport by private coach.
Depart Nelson on Air New Zealand flight to Christchurch. Arrive Christchurch. Depart Christchurch on Air New Zealand flight to Queenstown. Arrive Queenstown and transfer by private coach to your hotel.
Queenstown,
right on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, is nestled in what is surely one
of the most scenic spots in the world. Queenstown is a year-round resort
offering a whole host of activities focusing on the mountains, lakes,
and rivers of Central Otago. There are over a 100 attractions on offer
from bungy jumping to art trails, and many of these activities are perfectly
well-suited to anyone of whatever age, however fit or unfit they may be.
Queenstown has a compact town centre which is a buzz every night with
a lively café and bar scene and late night shopping. Free time
in Queenstown. Dinner in the hotel. Overnight The Heritage Hotel. BD
Day 15 - Sunday 24th January - Routeburn Track Guided Walk
Full breakfast is included at the hotel. This morning you will be picked
up from the Heritage Hotel by private coach and transferred to 'The Station'.
Check-in at the rear of the Station Building for your 3 Day/2 night Routeburn
Track, Guided Walk. The Routeburn Track traverses wild and scenic, mountain
country between the Hollyford and Dart valleys at the base on New Zealand's
Southern Alps. Since the 1880's the Routeburn Track has proved one of
the more accessible and popular journeys into New Zealand's forests and
mountains.
The Routeburn's
passage through a variety of landscapes offers opportunities to learn
something of New Zealand's forests, its alpine flora, unique wildlife,
and the land-shaping. Between the Milford Road and the Harris Saddle (1277m)
the track lies in Fiordland National Park, and between Harris Saddle and
Routeburn Shelter, within Mount Aspiring National Park. Both parks are
inside the 2.6 million hectares of the south-west New Zealand World Heritage
Area, a vast wilderness (including Mount Cook and Westland National Parks)
recognised for its outstanding natural qualities.
The Divide to Lake MacKenzie - 14km (8.7 miles) 5-6 hours walking. Grade Moderate.
Your adventure begins with a coach ride from Queenstown to the Divide on the scenic Milford Road. From here you climb a well-graded track to Key Summit, where you can sit among the alpine plants and partake in 'The Annual General Meeting of the Mountains'. You then descend to Lake Howden hut for a hot drink and picnic lunch, before gradually climbing through lush silver beech forest to the base of Earland Falls: quite a sight in wet weather! You will look over the Hollyford Valley to the ice capped Darran Mountains before descending to the splendid lodge at Lake Mackenzie where, refreshments, a hot shower, three-course meal and cosy bed are waiting.
Overnight at the lodge at Lake MacKenzie. BLD
Day 16 - Monday 25th January - Routeburn Track Guided Walk
Lake MacKenzie to Routeburn Falls - 15km (9.4 miles) 5 to 7 hours of walking. Grade Moderate.
Today you leave the ancient forest draped in moss and lichen, and enter the alpine world of daisies, buttercups, gentians and edelweiss. Here you have a full vista of the Darran Mountains across the Hollyford Valley, which slices through Fiordland to the distant Tasman Sea at Martins Bay. After lunch at the Harris Saddle (1277m), you can ascend Conical Hill for a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks. After walking around Lake Harris you come into more intimate terms with the mountains towering above the upper basins of the Routeburn River. You spend your second night of luxury at Routeburn Falls, a favoured haunt of the comical alpine parrot, the kea.
Overnight at the lodge at Routeburn Falls. BLD
Day 17 - Tuesday 26th January - Routeburn Track/Queenstown
Routeburn Falls to the Routeburn Road - 10km (6.1 miles) 3-4 hours walking.
Grade Moderate. Take time to enjoy the dramatic landscape around the Falls,
before descending to the alpine pastures of the Routeburn Flats. Your
guides will take the scenic route across the meadows and find the deepest
green pool for you to picnic beside. The track shadows the river as it
roars through a magnificent gorge before plunging beneath the unyielding
rocks at the Sump. From here it is a gentle walk through columns of red
beech trees to the Road End where a comfortable coach awaits to take you
back to Queenstown. Arrive back in Queenstown and get dropped off at the
Heritage Hotel en route. Dinner tonight in Queenstown to celebrate the
completion of the Routeburn Track walk. Overnight The Heritage Hotel.
BLD
Day
18 Wednesday 27th January - Queenstown
This morning a Shotover Jetboat Ride - a thrilling ride - skimming past
rocky outcrops at close range in your Shotover Jet boat, as you twist
and turn through the narrow canyons at breath taking speeds. Hold tight
for the world famous Shotover Jet full 360° spins! Return to Queenstown
and take a Skyline Aerial Gondola Ride up Bob's Peak. The best vistas
in the region are found here, spread out in a spectacular 220° panorama.
Numerous observation decks around the complex offer breathtaking views
of Coronet Peak and the Remarkables mountain range, over Queenstown and
across Lake Wakatipu to Cecil and Walter Peaks.
Optional
helicopter flight to Jura Glacier with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters.
Flights plus Jura - Isobel - Clarke Glaciers - (Flight tour 118). Enjoy
an exhilarating flight by helicopter past spectacular mountains, ice fall,
rivers and lakes before landing on a glacier within the Southern Alps.
Begin your trip of discovery walking amongst ice pinnacles, glacial lakes,
deep blue crevasses and cascading waterfalls.
Time away: Approximately 2½ - 3 hours. Walk time: Approximately 1½ - 2 hours. Grade Easy.
For the remainder of the day you have time at leisure in Queenstown and the opportunity to enjoy some of the many optional activities and sightseeing tours that are available.
Dinner is included tonight at the hotel - The Heritage Hotel. BD
Day
19 - Thursday 28th January - Stewart Island
Drive from Queenstown to Invercargill. Fly to Stewart Island. The flight
to Stewart Island is by light aircraft and the maximum weight for luggage
is restricted to 15kg. Pack whatever you need for two nights on Stewart
Island and leave the remainder of your luggage at Invercargill Airport
in safe keeping for your return in two days' time. New Zealand's third
largest island, Stewart Island in the Maori language is known as Rakiura,
which translates as 'the land of the glowing skies'. This name probably
refers to the aurora australis, an atmospheric phenomenon which is often
seen in the southern sky.
About 85%
of the island is a National Park and there are only 28km of road and only
one settlement of any size - Halfmoon Bay, which offers a variety of accommodation.
The majority of visitors come to hike the well-maintained tracks. Offshore
is Ulva Island, which is a predator-free bird sanctuary. Stewart Island
has the highest number of bird species in New Zealand. The island's interesting
history, including whaling, sealing, tin mining, timber milling and fishing
industries, can be revisited at the Rakiura Museum. Local stores are fully
equipped including having paua pearls (abalone) that have been grown on
the island. There are no banking facilities on the island although credit
cards are accepted. The approximate population of the island is only 420.
Optional lunch in Oban.
Halfmoon
Bay guided walk. Explore Oban and the surrounding bays, the guide will
provide local knowledge of the history and environment of Stewart Island.
Gain an entertaining insight into New Zealand's southernmost community.
2 hours. Grade Easy. Dinner at Church Hill Restaurant. Overnight Bay Motel.
BD
Day
20 - Friday 29th January - Stewart Island
This morning we visit Ulva Island. Located in Waka o te Wera (Paterson
Inlet), with 11km of coastline, Ulva Island is a scenic gem of unsurpassed
beauty; an open bird sanctuary and predator free (since 1997). Ulva Island
is easily accessed by a short watertaxi ride across Paterson Inlet from
Golden Bay. Under the luxuriant green mantle of podocarp forest the Ulva
Island walks are rich with mosses, ferns, liverworts, filmy ferns and
native orchids.
The ancient
rimu tree (dacrydium cupressinum) is seen at all stages of growth: seedlings,
saplings, young juveniles, to the majestic giants that tower to the forest
roof. Totara, kamahi (weinmannia racemosa), southern rata (metrosideros
umbellata) and miro (prumnopitys ferruginea) abound among the uncurling
fern fronds that carpet the forest floor.
Ulva Island is a sanctuary to threatened wildlife, and 30 saddleback (tieke) were released in May 2000 with 16 delightful Stewart Island Robins (toutouwai) released in October of the same year. You will also hear the songs of bellbird and tui, their bursts of melody interspersed with raucous call of the kaka and the chattering native parakeet kakariki. Optional lunch in Oban.
A fishing trip and cruise to Paterson Inlet has been arranged for this afternoon, fishing for the local delicacy, Blue Cod and tonight we get together for a home cooked fish barbeque.
Overnight Bay Motel. BD
Day
21 Saturday 30th January - Christchurch
Fly from Stewart Island to Invercargill to Christchurch. Transfer by private coach to your hotel.
Optional walk to the Botanical Gardens.
Christchurch is a serenely beautiful garden city often described as the most English of New Zealand's cities. Over a third of its central area is devoted to beautiful parks and gardens. The serpentine Avon River, fringed by weeping willows and tall English trees, flows quietly through the city. Walking around is easy as the city is quite compact, or you can just catch a tram. The city has a lively arts and cultural scene, with several theatres, frequent concerts and musical festivals, and probably the greatest concentration of arts and craft talent in the country. Christchurch also has excellent shopping, numerous restaurants, cafes and wine bars.
Dinner is included tonight at your hotel - The Heritage Hotel. BD
Day
22 - Sunday 31st January - Christchurch
Free time in Christchurch. Transfer to the airport by private coach for the flight to Singapore. B
Day
23 - Monday 1st February - Singapore
Arrive Singapore early morning and transfer by private coach to the hotel. Free time in Singapore.
Overnight Novotel Clarke Quay. BD
Day
24 - Tuesday 2nd February - In flight
Free time in Singapore. Evening transfer by private coach for Singapore International Airport for the return direct flight to Manchester or Heathrow. B
Day
25 - Wednesday 3rd February 2010 - In flight
Arrive UK early morning.
B
= Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner |
