FULL ITINERARY ARRIVING AUCKLAND AND DEPARTING CHRISTCHURCH

DAY 1

Today is about arriving in Aotearoa-New Zealand, transferring from the airport to your hotel, and relaxing after the journey to adjust to the time change.

● Accommodation: LANGHAM HOTEL.  Meals: cocktail and dinner included in the package.

DAY 2

After breakfast at the famous Langham buffet we head south to Waitomo, renowned worldwide for the labyrinth of limestone caves that honeycomb the region. Here we will visit the Ruakuri cave. Ruakuri (two dogs), was first discovered by local Maori 400-500 years ago. It takes its name from the wild dogs that made their home in the cave entrance.

Newly reopened after 18 years, Ruakuri cave offers a captivating blend of Waitomo's most compelling subterranean experiences: your guide will bring you up close to glow-worms, elaborate cave formations, underground rivers, myths, legends and sacred Maori sites. You begin your experience with a spiral descent from ground level via an incredible drum entrance and walkway. You then continue on a 1.6 kilometre guided tour underground.

From Waitomo we then traverse the Mamaku Ranges to the geothermal city Rotorua. This is Te Arawa homeland where the presence of Maori is more evident than elsewhere in the country through the images, art and through tourism and the performing arts.

Rotorua sits on the "Pacific Ring of Fire" and here the volcanic and geothermal activity comes right to the surface. Before visiting the famous Te Puia Thermal Park with its spectacular Ruamoko entranceway and Pohutu Geyser, we call briefly through Ohinemutu village where Maori people go about their daily lives as they have done in this place for hundreds of years.

The centre piece of the village is Tamatekapua Marae and the adjacent, St Faiths Church. Steam rises from spa and backyard cooking holes as well as gutters and streams that contain the hot water that is ever present.

● Accommodation: HERITAGE HOTEL.  Meals: today’s breakfast and dinner included in the package.

DAY 3

Our first stop today is the Rotorua Museum for a film show which gives a very visual presentation on  the volcanic history of the region and the legends of Maori that bring this natural heritage to life.

Then it is on around the beautiful blue and green lakes shores to the village of Te Wairoa just above spectacular Lake Tarawera and under the brooding presence of Mt Tarawera. The story of Te Wairoa and the lake and mountain and the tragic loss of life in 1886 when the mountain erupted is cast in the remains of the Buried Village.  

Nearby in a reserve are ancient ochre paints on a cave wall that are reminders of a time before the eruption which not only destroyed human lives but caused the loss of one of the great natural wonders of the world - the Pink and While Terraces of Tarawera.

● Accommodation: HERITAGE HOTEL.  Meals: today’s breakfast included in the package.

DAY 4

Following a "lazy Sunday" start this morning we get on the road south and on our way south to Taupo, stopping-off on the way at two awesome thermal parks, each exceptional in its own right and with a different story to convey. Passing through the edges of the world's largest exotic forest we arrive on the shore of the country's largest lake for the start of another completely authentic and traditional experience that once again has primarily to do with food.

A HANGI COOKING SCHOOL at WAIRAKEI TERRACES: On arrival at Wairakei Terraces you are welcomed to the Marae with a special personalized greeting. Following the welcome you are then taken through the Terraces and your guide will speak about the history of this place where sacred silica pools were used for hundreds of years for healing and how the village was removed to make way for a power station and then returned to the people and reinstated in the manner you see today.

A special treat will be helping prepare an authentic hangi dinner, cooked in the ground, for this evening's meal. You get to help place the food on the hot rocks and cover it with soil which enables it to steam for the three hours before it is removed.

After checking in at the hotel you are welcome to come back to the Terraces and soak in the Honeymoon pool - we guarantee you will feel like you are bathing in warm milk.  

Because you are now Tangata Whenua (people of the land - having been welcomed onto the marae you qualify as a local) we will get you to assist with removing the hangi from the ground before joining this evenings guests for dinner and entertainment.

● Accommodation: WAIRAKEI RESORT HOTEL.  Meals: today’s breakfast and dinner included in the package.

DAY 5

Today we journey south through the central North Island past Lake Taupo and then across the "Desert Road" alongside Ngauruhoe 2291m (7516 ft) and Ruapehu 2797m (9,177 ft). The latter has a crater lake at its summit, permanent snow, and two popular winter ski fields.

Our first stop is at the Waiouru Army Museum where you will have the chance to engage with real life soldiers' stories, discover New Zealand's military history, learn the campaigns of the NZ Army, and reflect on how conflict has shaped our nation. The Museum is right next door to the Waiouru base, one of two major military camps in the North Island and site for many of the army's training exercises.

At Waiouru we run alongside the narrow gauge railway that is the North Island Main Trunk Line from Auckland to Wellington which follows our route today. It is quite a feat of engineering with many viaducts across streams and rivers. We pass through many small settlements as we journey south, including Mangaweka with its DC3 café, Bulls (with many dubious puns) and Foxton, in the 19th century a thriving hub of flax milling.

Then it is further on down the coast passing Kapiti Island. Once the redoubt of the much feared Maori chief Te Rauparaha (to whom the famous haka "Ka mate, ka mate" is attributed by some) it is now a conservation area. The final stage of the journey takes us into Wellington, the country's capital.

● Accommodation: HOLIDAY INN WELLINGTON.  Meals: today’s breakfast included in the package.

DAY 6

This morning we begin with some of the icons of Wellington including the spectacular views from Mount Victoria both north to the City and south the Cook Strait and the South Island.

One of the highlights will be a guided tour of Te Papa Tongarewa - the Museum of New Zealand. The Museum has a range of permanent collections including "Awesome Forces" where you can find out about the powerful geological forces that shape New Zealand's landscape - Experience a real-life shake-up in the Earthquake House; "Mana Whenua" which explores the world of Maori, the first discoverers of Aotearoa New Zealand; "Mountains to Sea" where you can enjoy the amazing variety of New Zealand's animals and plants; "The Marae" which is a contemporary rendering of the traditional meeting place; "Golden Days", an amazing junkshop that transports you through 100 years of New Zealand history on film; and John Britten's world-beating bike, a speed record breaker.

Around lunchtime we will board the Cook Strait Ferry for the crossing to the South Island. This 3 ½ hour cruise takes us through the picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton where we board our coach for Blenheim.

HOME HOSTED DINNER: This is an exclusive hosted dinner with local family at their Cloudy Bay Homestead. To match this great food and cultural experience, we introduce you to our distinctive wines.  The New Zealand wine industry is a quality-driven, niche producer.  It involves over 500 wineries, of which the majority are small and boutique, family-owned vineyards. Within a relatively short time our wines have acquired a reputation that is the envy of much larger wine producing countries. International critics rate New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc as among the world's best, and the growing acclaim for New Zealand Chardonnay, Merlot Cabernet blends and Pinot Noir is helping to secure New Zealand's position as a producer of top quality wines.

Our Hosts own a wine company and vineyards in Marlborough. They produce an award winning Sauvignon Blanc, can talk knowledgeably about the New Zealand wine industry - are well involved in the industry at all levels. Additionally they are from a well known and respected Maori family with historic ties in the region.   Also joining you for dinner will be local artist Andrew Panoho who has exhibited works in London, New York and San Francisco. Other guests may also be invited to share dinner and good conversation with you.

● Accommodation: BLENHEIM COUNTRY HOTEL. Meals: today’s breakfast and dinner included in package.

DAY 7

The spectacular ecology of Aotearoa comes to the fore this morning as we head down the coast to Kaikoura passing the salt ponds of Lake Grassmere. Here, seawater is pumped into huge shallow ponds and strong winds and hot summer days are used to evaporate the water so only the salt from the seawater is left.

At Kaikoura we will board a custom built whale watching boat and go out into the bay. A typical tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky Dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season you may also see migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales and Southern Right Whales. Kaikoura often hosts the world's largest dolphin - the Orca - and is home to the world's smallest and rarest - the Hector's Dolphin. Kaikoura also attracts the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland New Zealand including 13 species of Albatross, and 14 varieties of Petrels.

Whale Watch is a multiple award winning nature tourism company owned and operated by the indigenous Kati Kuri people of Kaikoura, a sub-tribe of the South Island's larger Ngai Tahu Iwi.

From Kaikoura we travel south to Christchurch.

This is the South Island's largest city with just over 350,000 people. It is considered by some to be more English than England. It is an entertaining mix of refined lifestyle and cultural excitement. The tranquil Avon River meanders through the city. Historic buildings house a lively arts community. Restored trams make it easy to get around the city centre.

● Accommodation: THE CHATEAU ON THE PARK. Meals: today’s breakfast included in the package.

DAY 8

We start our day by crossing the Canterbury Plains, tiny by US standards, but still the largest area of flat land in New Zealand. We pass through serene rural areas and friendly towns including Kirwee, Darfield, Sheffield and Springfield. The road then winds up into the skiing areas of Porter Heights and Craigieburn. Then it is on through the valleys of the Waimakariri and Bealey Rivers to Arthur's Pass.

The route we follow through the Southern Alps was first used by Maori tribes crossing to the West Coast to find pounamu (jade). Today it's a sophisticated mountain pass, memorable for its scenery as well as its breathtaking civil engineering.  Near the summit we pass through the settlement of Arthur's Pass. This is a base for climbing, hiking, hunting and skiing adventures in the surrounding national park. Native birds commonly seen include the Kea, Tui and Bellbird.

Once down and out of the pass, the misty mountains gradually give way to river and forest scenery dominated by Beech and mixed podocarp trees standing up to 100 feet tall. Turning south at the exotically named Kumara Junction we are now on the West Coast with its farms hewn from primeval forest on a narrow coastal strip between the mountains and the sea. The (at times winding) coastal route travels down avenues of native trees, past down the beautiful Lake Okarito with its white heron colony, and around rocky promontories before reaching the small settlement of Franz Josef where the glacier was first discovered in 1865.

● Accommodation: FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER HOTEL.  Meals:  today’s breakfast and dinner in the package.

DAY 9

The Franz Josef Glacier and nearby Fox Glacier are unique relics of the last ice age. At Franz Josef you can walk up to the base of the river of solid ice, tumbling down from the high mountains. Stand among the moraines which bear witness of previous advances of the ice through the ice-hewn "U" shaped valley and contemplate the power of Nature. Nowhere else in the world have glaciers advanced so close to the sea at this latitude.

Leaving Franz Josef we pass through the settlement of Fox Glacier and then follow the coastal road south to Haast, named for one of the early explorers. The long one-lane bridge over the Haast River then leads us to the start of an incredibly beautiful journey up into the mountains. The settlement of Haast was once a construction camp for the Ministry of Works (the government department responsible for road and bridge building). It's a town with a touch of the wild west - helicopters fly deer hunters into the rugged ranges and local pubs make a feature of stuffed animal trophies.

This time the climb is much more gentle than the Arthurs Pass but no less scenic as the road snakes through the Aspiring National Park, with the vegetation becoming more and more sparse as we travel inland.

Out in the middle of nowhere is the hamlet of Makarora. Watch for the famous 'bra fence' - it has become a local legend.  Travelling further east we first pass beautiful Lake Wanaka before hopping over a ridge to the equally scenic Lake Hawea.

Now back east of the alpine ranges we travel down to Cromwell where the town was moved to make way for the waters of a hydro lake. The restored heart of Cromwell is a treasure for visitors. The area also has old gold workings at Bannockburn.  Then it is the final leg of the journey up through the valley of the Kawarau River, with the Roaring Meg power station, the vineyards of the Gibbston area, and the famous bungy jump.

● Accommodation: NOVOTEL GARDENS HOTEL.  Meals: today’s breakfast included in the package.

Day 10

The alpine resort of Queenstown is exciting, sophisticated and fantastically scenic. It promotes itself as the adventure capital of New Zealand and has a wide range of activities including bungy jumping, jet boating, horse trekking, rafting and river surfing. It's also a destination for luxury experiences - gourmet food and wine, spa treatments, leisurely games of golf and a cruise on the lake on the steamer Earnslaw.

Optional activities can be organized at your own expense, such as a day-excursion to Milford Sound or any one of a number of soft adventures in and around Queenstown.

● Accommodation: NOVOTEL GARDENS HOTEL.  Meals: today’s breakfast included in the package.

Day 11

We begin our journey today with a reverse view of the journey through the Kawarau Gorge before making our way through Tarras to the Lindis Pass. Don't be fooled by the low altitude compared with Arthurs Pass. With or without snow on the ground it is beautiful, if a little bleak.

WINE EXPERIENCE: The Big Picture-Wine Adventure is an interactive, wine, film, tasting and aroma room experience. A 25 minute film takes you on a journey of discovery, highlighting the wineries and vineyards of Central Otago; meet the winemakers as they take you through a personalised tasting of five wines. An Aroma Room uncovers 200 individual aromas that make up the different wine styles. As well as tasting some fantastic wines you will also have a delicious lunch at the Big Picture Restaurant.

Then it is on to Omarama. You'll know you're there when you see the giant merino sheep statue. The area famous for gliding. The north-westerly wind blows steadily to form the famous "Northwest Arch", a thermal current that can take the glider pilots to 30,000 feet.

Then it is an easy drive through picturesque sheep farming country on to Twizel. Once a hydro construction town it has been transformed into a base for mountain climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, horse trekking and hiking. It also has the rarest wading bird in the world - the Black Stilt.

Heading on north the next major scenic attraction is Lake Pukaki. Its exquisite opaque turquoise waters come from fine, glacier-ground rock particles held in suspension. The lake stands below Aoraki (the cloud piercer) also named Mt Cook. At 12,316 feet Aoraki is the highest peak in the whole of New Zealand and Australia. The region attracts mountain climbers, hikers and scenery fanatics. Heli-skiing, heli-hiking and aerial sightseeing provide visitors with amazing sights.

Travelling north again we leave the Mackenzie Country, named after the legendary Scottish sheep rustler who once roamed the area, and enter South Canterbury Plains. Our route passes through the historic country towns of Fairlie and Geraldine, and back onto the plains.

It is then on through the farms and fields of the Canterbury Plains passing through the rural centres of Ashburton and Rakaia (watch out for the braided river, which is split into a multitude of channels) and past the fast-growing settlement of Rolleston, before returning to Christchurch.

● Accommodation: THE CHATEAU ON THE PARK.  Meals: today’s breakfast and lunch included in package.

Day 12

CHRISTCHURCH ICONS: Local Maori guide joins the morning tour to provide an Iwi overview of Maori occupation pre-European, history and heritage in the Canterbury region. We start the story with a visit to an icon of Otautahi, Ta Kauka

“Imagine a distant past where the mist and fog shrouded flatlands, that spread out towards the sea, were rich with bird and water life. There were few landmarks emerging from the mists of what was then essentially swampland. If the hills were obscured by weather there was no way of knowing where you were. That is if it were not for the ta kauka (cabbage trees) that were carefully planted in significant places to mark out routes across the land like spiky beacons.

Ta kauka were prized trees for the Maori of Te Wai Pounamu. Aside from their use as navigational markers, they provided the favoured fibre for fishing due to superior strength and the kouru or new shoots were an important source of protein in a land where kumara was difficult if not impossible to grow.

We start by visiting the site of the ancient Waitaha pa, Puari on the banks of Atakaro (Avon River). This place is home to a very old stand of cabbage trees that cluster together in an enduring circle. These trees are the mokopuna (grandchildren) of a great ta kauka who grew in their place before them. These mokopuna today mark out the circumference of the ancient tree from which they sprung. They are a living memorial to their ancestor. The growth pattern of the ta kauka mirrors the concept of whakapapa and the connectedness of tribal and local history. Our ancestors are closer to us than we may think.

In the depths of winter in the low lying areas of Otautahi it is not hard to recall that the city was originally a swamp. That was its attraction to Maori, for the sprawl of wetlands that linked Kaiapoi to Christchurch and extended out to Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere) provided abundant food sources and defensive positions.

Source: Terry Ryan M.B.E., J.P. Te Rananga o Ngai Tahu

There are only minimal visual reminders of any history prior to colonial settlement. However guided to places like the Puari Pa site, you will discover that there is a rich and intriguing past that extends back many hundreds of years before 1840 and the founding treaty between the European settlers and the indigenous Maori. Your tour of the city then continues with a visit to the Christchurch Arts Centre and some spectacular views of the city and the region stretching from ocean to the Southern Alps from the Sign of the Takahe.

This afternoon relax in the City, stroll in the Square or do some last minute shopping.

This evening, as at the beginning of your journey, you will be joined by TERRA NOVA staff and local Maori family for dinner. We call this time "Poroporoaki" - a time to remember and reflect and to give thanks to all who hosted and looked after you on your New Zealand Journey. It is a farewell and a time of looking forward to returning home.

● Accommodation: THE CHATEAU ON THE PARK. Meals: today’s breakfast and dinner included in package.

Day 13

A leisurely breakfast (included in the package) is followed by a transfer to the airport and your international connections.

Haere Ra e te manuhiri tuarangi.   Haere Mai Ra!

Copyright© 2007/2008. Navigator Tours Ltd.