Great New Zealand Discovery
Great New Zealand Discovery
Great New Zealand Discovery
27 Days Starting in Christchurch, New Zealand and ending in Auckland, New Zealand
Visiting: Christchurch, Akaroa, Dunedin, Otago Peninsula, Lake Manapouri, Queenstown, Wānaka, Haast River Bridge, Franz Josef / Waiau, Greymouth, Kaikōura, Picton, Wellington, Napier, Taupō, Rotorua, Coromandel Peninsula, Auckland, Waitangi
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TTNNZ
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Physical rating:
Moderate
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact Titan with any specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$9472 (USD) including Flights from the UKTour Overview
Covering the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’ from top to bottom, this New Zealand itinerary includes all the best bits of both islands. There’s whale watching, wine tasting and fiord cruising, plus opportunities to get a real insight into Maori culture, as we make our way from Christchurch up to Auckland. Uncover the Scottish heritage of Dunedin (gateway to the wildlife-filled Otago Peninsula), admire Napier’s art deco architecture, and sip flat whites in the artisan coffee shops of Wellington and Auckland. As New Zealand escorted tours go, this one is truly comprehensive.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 - 2 : Uk - In Flight
Location: Christchurch
Accommodation: Overnight flight
Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flights to Christchurch.
Day 3 : Christchurch
Location: Christchurch
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Christchurch (4.5-star)
Meals Included: No Meals
Our first stop on our New Zealand itinerary is Christchurch. The capital of the South Island is known as the most ‘English’ of New Zealand’s cities. On arrival, you’ll have the remainder of the day free to explore or relax here.
Day 4 : Akaroa
Location: Akaroa
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Christchurch (4.5-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
New Zealand has a distinctive European feel wherever you go and while Christchurch’s architecture is reminiscent of England, Akaroa is undeniably French. In fact, the town strives to recreate the feel of a provincial French village - and it’s utterly charming. We head to the Banks Peninsula and, on arrival in Akaroa, take a two-hour cruise of the harbour and learn how the entire Banks Peninsula was created from a huge volcano. Be sure to keep an eye out for adorable fur seals, dolphins and penguins. After, you’re free to explore this French settlement.
Excursions & visits:
Visit Akaroa with harbour cruise (all day)
Day 5 : Dunedin
Location: Dunedin
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin (4.5-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We travel south to Dunedin. With a strong Scottish heritage, Dunedin is home to New Zealand’s only kilt shop and produces the country’s whisky. We stay here for two nights.
Day 6 : Otago Peninsula
Location: Otago Peninsula
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin (4.5-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our excursion today takes us to the Otago Peninsula, home to many species of magnificent marine life including blue penguins, the rare New Zealand sea lion and endangered yellow-eyed penguin. Wander the walkways to get a closer glimpse of the wildlife and admire the views over the sheer cliff edge. Our visit includes the Royal Albatross Centre.
Excursions & visits:
Visit Otago Peninsula (morning)
Day 7 : Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
Location: Lake Manapouri
Accommodation: Fjordland Cruise
Accommodation Name: Fiordland Navigator (3-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
When you first began dreaming of your New Zealand adventure, it might have been the epic landscapes of the Fiordland National Park that flashed into your mind’s eye. Some of New Zealand’s most iconic landscapes can be found here; giant granite peaks, steely blue waters, frolicking penguins and dolphins. Brace yourself for a journey of a lifetime, deep into the Fiordland. We’ll first journey to Lake Manapouri, before boarding Fiordland Navigator for Doubtful Sound. The rest of the afternoon is spent gliding through the glorious, unspoilt landscapes. This evening our vessel will anchor in a quiet part of the sound where we’ll spend a truly enchanting night in the wilderness.
Excursions & visits:
Fiordland cruise, Fiordland National Park (afternoon/overnight)
Day 8 : Doubtful Sound - Queenstown
Location: Queenstown
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Millennium Queenstown (4.5-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We return to our coach for the journey to Queenstown and our hotel.
Day 9 - 10 : Queenstown
Location: Queenstown
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Millennium Queenstown (4.5-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
These two days are free for you to explore the alpine resort of Queenstown and the sublime wilderness that surrounds it. This cosmopolitan city boasts a great art scene, excellent vineyards and five international-standard golf courses. Keen walkers may like to look into hiking from the city to Queenstown Hill or through the pine forests of Ben Lomond Reserve to Bob’s Peak (with a gondola option available) to enjoy stunning views over the city and Lake Wakatipu.
Day 11 : 4Wd Safari - Wanaka
Location: Wānaka
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Edgewater Resort, Wanaka (4.5-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Departing Queenstown today, we embark on a 4WD off-road safari to explore some of New Zealand’s hidden wonders. Take in stunning mountain and canyon vistas, some of which were used in the Lord of the Rings films, and long abandoned heritage sites. We return to our coach for the journey to the scenic town of Wanaka.
Excursions & visits:
4WD safari through Skippers Canyon (morning)
Day 12 : Wanaka - Haast River - Franz Josef
Location: Haast River Bridge, Franz Josef / Waiau
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (4-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy some time this morning to really take in your spectacular surroundings. Late morning we head out to Haast Bridge to join an exhilarating 30km river safari along the crystal clear, glacial Haast River to Billy Falls, tumbling down the untamed landscape of Mount Aspiring National Park. Our journey continues by coach to Franz Josef.
Excursions & visits:
Haast River safari (afternoon)
Day 13 : Tranzalpine - Kaikoura
Location: Greymouth, Kaikōura
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sudima Kaikoura (4.5-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we travel to Greymouth, where we board a train for the famously scenic TranzAlpine journey. Ascending through thick beech forest, we traverse the mammoth Southern Alps and beautiful Arthur’s Pass National Park to Springfield. On arrival, we board a coach for Kaikoura.
Excursions & visits:
TranzAlpine train journey (all day)
Day 14 : Kaikoura
Location: Kaikōura
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sudima Kaikoura (4.5-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We have a morning whale-watching cruise (weather dependent). The waters off this stunning coast are full of nutrients that attract marine wildlife including the giant sperm whale. The afternoon is free to spend in this quaint coastal town known for its abundant wildlife. Maybe take a leisurely walk along the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway with lovely sea views and the chance to see a colony of New Zealand fur seals.
Excursions & visits:
Whale watching cruise (morning)
Day 15 : Picton - Wellington
Location: Picton, Wellington
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Rydges Wellington (4.5-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We’ll continue to Picton and board an Interislander ferry across the Cook Strait, named after Captain Cook who was the first European to sail the route in 1770. We’re heading for the North Island and the city of Wellington, perched prettily on a craggy harbour. It’s compact with a big-city buzz and we’ll whizz round on an orientation tour when we arrive, before checking into our hotel.
Excursions & visits:
Short orientation tour of Wellington (afternoon)
Day 16 : Wellington
Location: Wellington
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Rydges Wellington (4.5-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day in Wellington where you can relax on the inner-city beach, visit art galleries, or enter Weta Cave to get a look behind the scenes of the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. You could visit Te Papa Tongarewa Museum - New Zealand’s national museum, which tells the country’s fascinating history, cultural and natural heritage. The city is also an ideal base for outdoor adventure, with beautiful walks available.
Day 17 : Napier
Location: Napier
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Scenic Hotel Te Pania, Napier (4-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We leave Wellington and travel north to Hawkes Bay, pausing at the highly acclaimed Church Road winery for a tour and tasting. The first vines were planted here in 1897, making this one of New Zealand’s oldest wineries. We continue to the town of Napier, famed for its beautifully preserved art deco buildings, constructed after a devastating earthquake in 1931. We take a short walking tour of the town before continuing to our hotel for the night.
Excursions & visits:
Visit to Church Road winery (afternoon)
Walking tour of Napier (afternoon)
Day 18 : Taupo
Location: Taupō
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels Taupo (4.5-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We make our way to Lake Taupo, formed in a huge volcanic caldera and one of the largest lakes in the world. We’ll stop en route to witness the crashing, crystal blue waters of Huka Falls as they flow from the lake. We’ll stay overnight in the town of Taupo, situated on the north-eastern shore.
Excursions & visits:
Visit to Huka Falls (afternoon)
Day 19 : Rotorua
Location: Rotorua
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Rydges Rotorua (4.5-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we make our way to Rotorua. Later on today, we’ll get an unforgettable insight into Maori culture at Tamaki Village. Learn ancient Maori customs and protocols as you enter the village, deep in a natural forest, and find out about the distinctive facial tattooing, weaving and carving techniques through demonstrations. You may also have opportunities to participate in warrior training and perform the haka, all before a delicious hangi feast.
Excursions & visits:
Tamaki Village Maori cultural experience (evening)
Day 20 : Rotorua
Location: Rotorua
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Rydges Rotorua (4.5-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is free for you to explore Rotorua, a town where volcanic activity manifests in many forms. Visit the geothermal area to see the bubbling mud pools and sulphur vents, or just relax in the Polynesian Pools, Rotorua’s hot springs located by Lake Rotorua.
Day 21 : Rotorua - Coromandel Peninsula
Location: Coromandel Peninsula
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort, Coromandel Peninsula (4.5-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we make a stop at Te Puia and the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institute, located within Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley. Here you can visit a kiwi enclosure, the world-famous Pohutu Geyser, and more than 500 natural geothermal wonders. The Maori people who live here work hard to keep their ancient skills and heritage alive. We then continue along the coastal highway to the Coromandel Peninsula.
Excursions & visits:
Visits to Te Puia and the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institute (morning)
Day 22 : Coromandel Peninsula - Auckland
Location: Auckland
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Millennium Auckland (4.5-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
A discovery of the stunning Coromandel Peninsula is this morning’s excursion, including Hot Water Beach, before our exploration takes to the water, as we join a ferry from Cooks Beach to Whitianga. There will be free time to explore before we continue to the ruggedly beautiful city of Auckland.
Excursions & visits:
Visit Coromandel Peninsula (morning)
Day 23 : Auckland
Location: Auckland
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Millennium Auckland (4.5-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We discover Auckland, known as ‘The City of Sails’ on a morning sightseeing tour. With water lapping its shores from two harbours, it’s hard to imagine a more attractive city setting. This modern city is easy to navigate, so you can enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore under your own steam. Perhaps visit Parnell Village, home to boutiques and Victorian-styled shops. Or choose to ascend Auckland’s Sky Tower, for incredible views over the city, volcanic cones and farmland beyond.
Excursions & visits:
City tour of Auckland (morning)
Day 24 : Auckland - Bay Of Islands
Location: Waitangi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (4-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We say our goodbyes to Auckland today and head north to the Bay of Islands. New Zealand’s subtropical region is also home to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where in 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi (New Zealand's founding document) was signed.
Day 25 : Bay Of Islands
Location: Waitangi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (4-star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a leisurely morning, we cruise to the Cape Brett Peninsula to visit the famous Hole in the Rock on Motukokako Island. According to Maori legend, local warriors used to paddle through the Hole in the Rock in their canoes before departing for battle and drops of water from the cave roof above were a good omen. If conditions allow, we’ll sail through ourselves. Whales and bottlenose dolphins can be spotted in this area, so keep your camera ready.
Excursions & visits:
Hole in the Rock cruise (afternoon)
What's Included
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International flights. Prices are based on return flights with Singapore Airlines from London Heathrow via Singapore. Supplements may apply from other airports
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23 nights in hotels and 3 in flight (accommodation as specified or similar)
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28 meals: 23 breakfasts (days 4-26) 1 lunch (day 7) 4 dinners (days 7, 11, 13 and 19) 17 excursions and visits
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Akaroa harbour cruise
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Visits to Otago Peninsula (including Royal Albatross Centre); Fiordland National Park; Westland National Park; Church Road winery; Te Puia; and Coromandel Peninsula
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4WD safari through Skippers Canyon
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Haast River jet boat safari
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TranzAlpine train
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Kaikoura whale-watching cruise
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Tours of Wellington, Napier and Auckland
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes, you will be escorted by a Titan tour manager
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes, along with VIP door-to-door pick-up/drop-off service in the UK
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Are flights included in this tour?
Yes, international flights from/to the UK
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
Yes, please ask for details if the Single price is not shown
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Do I have to pay a Single Supplement?
In most cases a single supplement will apply. If the price for a Single room for sole occupancy is not shown, please ask our team for details and we will be able to check the details for you.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
We've been taking our customers across the world on escorted tours for more than 40 years
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Our commitment to sustainable travel is part of our ethos. We love exploring the world and hope that, alongside our customers, we can be part of a bigger change in respecting the people and wildlife on our planet and minimising the impact we have on our environment.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
With some COVID-19 rules and restrictions still in place there are a few details that you need to know. This information is subject to change. It’s your responsibility to monitor changes and ensure you fulfil all relevant criteria for travel. Rest assured that we’re on hand to help and answer any questions you might have.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
You’ll receive your Final holiday documents via email approximately 14 days prior to your departure.
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
Tuesday - Sunday
Oct 08, 2024 - Nov 03, 2024Tuesday - Sunday
Oct 22, 2024 - Nov 17, 2024Tuesday - Sunday
Nov 05, 2024 - Dec 01, 2024Tuesday - Sunday
Jan 28, 2025 - Feb 23, 2025Tuesday - Sunday
Feb 04, 2025 - Mar 02, 2025Tuesday - Sunday
Mar 04, 2025 - Mar 30, 2025Tuesday - Sunday
Mar 18, 2025 - Apr 13, 2025Tuesday - Sunday
Oct 21, 2025 - Nov 16, 2025Tuesday - Sunday
Nov 18, 2025 - Dec 14, 2025Tuesday - Sunday
Jan 27, 2026 - Feb 22, 2026Tuesday - Sunday
Feb 03, 2026 - Mar 01, 2026Tuesday - Sunday
Mar 03, 2026 - Mar 29, 2026Tuesday - Sunday
Mar 17, 2026 - Apr 12, 2026Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Titan Travel allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 75 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Titan Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform titan travel, 75 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Titan Travel requires a minimum deposit of 395 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of titan travel charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.