Ultimate Discovery - 19 Days

Discover the best of New Zealand’s North and South Islands on this all inclusive small group holiday. Travel in comfort onboard a full sized coach which has just 20 luxury leather reclining seats. You will experience a blend of culture and cosmopolitan living in the North Island and then be overwhelmed by the awe inspiring beauty of the South Island. Enjoy sumptuous meals, premium accommodation and many pre paid attractions.

Tour Highlights

- Travel onboard the Ultimate Touring Coach

- See the highlights of New Zealand's North & South Islands

- Many sightseeing attractions included in the price

- 37 meals

This tour departs on the following dates:

27 September 2013

17 February 2014

Day 1  Arrive Auckland
On arrival in Auckland you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening meet your travelling companions for dinner*. Overnight at the Hotel Crowne Plaza.

Meals included: dinner*.

Day 2  Auckland to Bay of Islands

Board the luxurious Ultimate Coach, depart Auckland and travel to the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of a Kauri Tree. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum in Matakohe then travel via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British. Overnight at the Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (Deluxe Room).

Meals included: breakfast & dinner.

Day 3  Bay of Islands (Free Day)
Today is a free day. Choose from the many optional activities available, including the Cape Reinga coach trip via Ninety Mile Beach, a lunchtime cruise or a spectacular scenic flight. The choice is yours and your Coach Captain will be available to assist. Overnight at the Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (Deluxe Room).

Meals included: breakfast & dinner.

Day 4  Bay of Islands to Auckland
This morning travel aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. Keep an eye out for bottlenose and common dolphins before returning to Paihia. Travel south to Auckland via Whangarei. Overnight at the Hotel Crowne Plaza.

Meals included: breakfast & dinner.

Day 5  Auckland to Rotorua
This morning enjoy a city sights tour including a visit to Sky Tower, one of New Zealand’s most spectacular attractions. Continue to Longlands Dairy Farm for a delicious home cooked lunch. Then travel to Hobbiton and discover real middle-earth with a visit to the movie set from the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Overnight at the Regent Hotel of Rotorua.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Day 6  Rotorua
Today begins with a Gondola ride to Cableway Restaurant where a buffet breakfast and spectacular views are on offer. Travel to the Agrodome where you see performing sheep, a shearing display and sheep dog trial. Enjoy some free time before travelling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome Geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening you will experience an entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert.
Overnight at the Regent Hotel of Rotorua.

Meals included: breakfast & dinner.

Day 7  Rotorua to Masterton
Depart Rotorua and travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Huka Falls and Lake Taupo. Continue to Napier, “The Art Deco Capital”, for a tour of this city that was destroyed by an earthquake in 1931. Enjoy some free time to explore the fascinating architecture before travelling through the Wairarapa, an emerging cool-climate wine region. Overnight at the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Solway Park (Superior Room).

Meals included: breakfast & dinner.

Day 8  Masterton to Wellington
Enjoy a leisurely start to the day then travel Greytown to see the most complete example of original Victorian wooden architecture. Drive through the Rimutaka Mountain Range into Wellington. Enjoy a city tour of the nation’s capital which will highlight the history and culture on show here. Overnight at the Hotel Intercontinental.

Meals included: breakfast & dinner.

Day 9  Wellington to Blenheim
Enjoy free time this morning to explore Wellington at leisure.  Suggested options include a visit to Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum or a tour through the Parliament Buildings. This afternoon board the Interislander Ferry, cross Cook Strait and travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton where you board your coach for the short journey to Blenheim. Overnight at the Hotel Chateau Marlborough.

Meals included: breakfast & dinner.

Day 10  Blenheim to Kaikoura & Christchurch
Tour through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine then travel to the quaint fishing village of Kaikoura. Continue onto the garden city of Christchurch and take an introductory tour. Overnight at the George Hotel.

Meal included: breakfast.

Day 11  Christchurch to Fox Glacier
This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur's Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing via Franz Josef to Fox Glacier where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers. Overnight at the Distinction Fox Glacier.

Meals included: breakfast & dinner.

Day 12  Fox Glacier to Queenstown
See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free and you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants. Overnight at the Millennium Hotel Queenstown.

Meals included: breakfast.

Day 13 Queenstown (Free Day)
Today is a free day. There are plenty of sightseeing options and your Coach Captain is available to assist. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon or the helicopter ride of a lifetime. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. On arrival sit back and relax, as you are treated to the best of New Zealand's high country cuisine in the Colonel's Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown. Overnight at the Millennium Hotel Queenstown.

Meals included: breakfast & dinner.

Day 14 Queenstown to Te Anau
Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before travelling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Tonight after dinner you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional). Overnight at the Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas.

Meals included: breakfast & dinner.

Day 15  Milford Sound Excursion
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch onboard. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. Overnight at the Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Day 16  Te Anau to Dunedin
Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the "Edinburgh of the South" and enjoy an informative city tour followed by some free time to explore at leisure. Overnight at the Scenic Hotel Southern Cross.

Meals included: breakfast & dinner.

Day 17  Dunedin to Twizel
Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Visit the Garden of International Significance followed by morning tea in the grand ballroom. Continue to Oamaru famous for its limestone. After a true Victorian welcome, enjoy an informative update on this unique precinct where several amazing buildings and shops are on show. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you travel to Twizel for your overnight stay. Overnight at the MacKenzie Country Inn (Deluxe Room).

Meals included: breakfast & dinner.

Day 18  Twizel to Mt Cook & Christchurch
This morning marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest peak.  The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and see the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving into Christchurch. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your new found friends. Overnight at the George Hotel.

Meals included: breakfast & dinner.

Day 19  Depart Christchurch
Time to say goodbye. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight after a memorable New Zealand Holiday.

Meal included: breakfast.

This tour is operated by Grand Pacific Tours.

Small Group Touring

Ultimate Tours are limited to just 20 passengers travelling aboard a purpose built full size coach. The beauty of travelling in a smaller group is that every aspect of your tour is more personal. You will enjoy a close bond with your travelling companions and as there are smaller numbers, travel is at a more relaxed pace with more free time to explore at your leisure.

The Ultimate Coach

Purpose built for the Ultimate Tour Series, this is a vehicle in a class of it’s own. A full size coach fitted with just 20 deluxe leather seats (normal coaches seat 49). Your deluxe coach features:

- Leather seats, fully reclining with extra width calf and footrest support for added comfort.
- Panoramic viewing, air conditioning & seat belts
- Wood grain timber panelled storage to store your onboard travel bag
- A centre galley equipped with fridge for drinks storage
- Individual 240 volt power outlets available to charge your camera or mobile phone.
- State of the art music system with multiple music channels, radio, CD & DVD with your own personal set of headphones.

Premium Accommodation

Your accommodation is in a carefully picked collection of stylish hotels chosen to enhance your Ultimate tour. All hotels are highly regarded for their superior level of comfort, extensive guest facilities and excellent locations.

Ultimate Tour Extras

As part of every Ultimate Tour you will receive a number of exclusive extras;
- A deluxe documentation pack made of a fine Ruskin material, designed to last a lifetime (this will waiting for you on arrival in New Zealand).
- An intimate farewell dinner on your final night including selected beverages It’s easy to spot the tours in the exclusive “Ultimate” range - they’re all called Ultimate!

Because these tours are exclusive they all sell out fast, so be sure to book early.

Tour Price Includes:

- Ultimate touring coach with 20 luxury leather reclining seats on a full size vehicle, 2 door access and panoramic windows
- Professional Coach Captain
- Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
- Return airport transfers in New Zealand
- 18 nights hotel accommodation
- 4 cruises
- All sightseeing and pre paid attractions as stated in the itinerary
- 18 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast at Cableway Restaurant, Rotorua
- 17 sumptuous dinners including 3 specialty dinners in Rotorua, Queenstown & Christchurch.
- 2 lunches including 1 specialty lunch at Longlands Dairy Farm - Matamata
- Luggage handling at hotels (one suitcase per person)

Not included
- Flight to/from New Zealand - We can arrange these for you, please ask us for an airfare when making your enquiry.
- Gratuities for driver/guide