Simply New Zealand with Cook Islands add-on

Days 1 – 2: UK
Your adventure to the other side of the world begins as you step aboard your flight to New Zealand via Los Angeles.

Day 3: Auckland
As you cross the International Dateline during your flight you will lose day 2 and arrive in Auckland on the morning of day 3. (You’ll get the day back on the way home). You’ll stay in Auckland, on New Zealand’s North Island for the next two nights, so why not take the rest of the day to relax as your body gets used to the time difference.

Day 4: Auckland
The hundreds of sailing boats in the harbour give Auckland the nickname ‘City of Sails’, and truly are a sight to behold. Join your Tour Manager after breakfast for a sightseeing tour of the city that will introduce you to all its most compelling sights, before spending the rest of the day exploring at your leisure, perhaps heading to Ponsonby Road to do a little shopping.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Rotorua
After breakfast this morning, you will journey southwards through Ngaruawahia, home of the Tuheitia Paki Maori King, to Rotorua, the heart of New Zealand’s thermal springs region. It’s easy to see why the Maori revere this area, with its bubbling mud pools, spurting geysers and hot springs. There will be ample time to explore, as you spend the next two nights here.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Rotorua
Following a leisurely breakfast in your hotel, we include a morning visit to Te Puia Thermal Reserve to view the extraordinary boiling mud pools and spouting geysers that have made this region so famous. This afternoon, there’s the option to join your Tour Manager on an excursion to the Agrodome to see a display of working sheep dogs and a visit to Rainbow Springs to view the rare Kiwi bird – New Zealand’s quirky-looking national symbol.

During the evening there will be an opportunity to visit a Maori Hangi and concert, offering an insight into the traditional way of life for the indigenous population of the islands.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Wellington
A spectacular journey awaits today as you travel southwards through the Wairakei Valley and past the breathtaking Huka Falls to Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest freshwater lake. It’s then on to Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, located in the south of North Island. Discover the highlights of the city on our included tour, before heading to your hotel for a two-night stay.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Wellington
Today you can discover the city of Wellington at your own pace, with high points including Te Papa Museum, the waterfront, the beautiful botanical gardens and even a trip in the famous Wellington Cable Car. Opened in the early 20th century to link Wellington and the suburb of Kelburn, this funicular railway isn’t just a tourist destination, it is used by the locals every day to get to and from work and the university, located in Kelburn.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Christchurch
Leave the North Island behind today as you sail through the Cook Strait to Picton on the South Island. Taking just three hours, this journey gives you plenty of photo opportunities as you cruise away from one land mass towards another. When you arrive in Picton, you’ll step aboard a coach for the southerly drive along the Kaikoura coast to the famous city of Christchurch, where you’ll stay overnight.

The beguiling South Island is a complete contrast to the North. It’s a land of mountains, glaciers and spectacular fjords. Its sparse population of just one million people shares the island with 40 million sheep. Here amongst the grandeur of the snow-capped peaks, still fjords and rugged coastline, you’ll find a warm welcome.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Omarama
Before you leave Christchurch this morning a tour will introduce you to not only its historic sites, but also show you how the city is being rebuilt following the devastating earthquake of 2011.

Your journey then continues to the heart of the South Island, where you’ll see beautiful Lake Tekapo, before travelling across Burkes Pass and past Lake Pukaki to the Mount Cook region. At 12,000ft Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand and truly a sight to behold. The best way to experience it has to be from the air, so why not take the opportunity to join an optional scenic flight before continuing to Omarama for an overnight stop.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 11: Queenstown
Depart Omarama and travel to the historic township of Arrowtown. Wandering around the streets of this gold mining town is like stepping back in time, why not immerse yourself fully in the gold rush era by trying a little gold panning, or perhaps you’d prefer to keep things modern as you explore the charming boutiques of the centre. Leaving Arrowtown behind, it’s on to Queenstown, where you’ll stay for the next two nights.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 12: Queenstown
There are simply no words that can do justice to Milford Sound, which is quite simply one of the most beautiful landscapes in New Zealand, if not the world. Today you will have the option to venture into the picturesque Fiordland National Park, through the lush beech forests of the Eglinton Valley and the eroded glacial canyons of the Hollyford Valley, before arriving at Milford Sound itself. There’s no better way to explore Milford Sound than by water, and (weather permitting), that’s exactly what you’ll do, as you board a boat for a trip around the glacial waters.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 13: Fox Glacier
The drive along South Island’s west coast is both exciting and scenic – very little can compare to crossing the Haast River Bridge and Clark Bluff as you journey to Fox Glacier.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 14: Christchurch
Whilst you could return to Christchurch by coach, travelling through Arthur’s Pass National Park, you could also take the TranzAlpine train for a breathtaking journey through the magnificent, unspoilt landscape. (If you’re taking the add-on to Fiji, then you’ll fly to Auckland this afternoon in preparation for your journey to this idyllic island). Once back in Christchurch, a tour of the city will introduce you to not only its historic sites, but also show you how the city is being rebuilt following the devastating earthquakes. Transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast

Days 15 – 19: Rarotonga, Cook Islands
After enjoying a free morning in Christchurch we transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight to the Cook Islands via Auckland. This idyllic destination, the largest of the 15 Cook Islands, is a glorious blend of dramatic mountains, dense jungle and white-sand beaches lapped by the clear waters of the South Pacific.

Your hotel is located on the beach, where you can indulge in days of rest and relaxation or maybe you’ll take to the waters for a spot of swimming or snorkeling among the colourful fish that dart among the coral reef. Treat yourself to an excursion aboard a glass-bottom boat or sample the water sports on offer. However you choose to spend your days here you are sure to take home plenty of wonderful memories.

Meals: Breakfast

Please note
You arrive in the early hours of your first night’s stay. Late check out is included on your day of departure.

This add-on is not accompanied by a Tour Manager.

Day 20: Cook Islands/UK
Enjoy your final day before your transfer to the airport for your evening return scheduled flight to the UK via Los Angeles.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 21: UK
Arrival in the UK.

Please note
To maximise your enjoyment of this holiday a certain amount of walking is essential.

Accommodation throughout is in hotels of a comfortable standard, typical of the hotels you will stay in are:

4-star Rendezvous Hotel in Auckland
3.5-star Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua in Rotorua
4-star West Plaza Hotel in Wellington
4-star Pavilions Hotel or the 3.5-star Elms Hotel in Christchurch
3-star Heritage Gateway Hotel in Omarama
3-star Goldridge Resort in Queenstown
4-star Scenic Circle Franz Joseph near the Franz Josef Glacier
4-star Sunset Resort in the Cook Islands
Amenities at the hotels include restaurant and bar. All bedrooms have en suite facilities, TV, telephone and tea/coffee-making facilities.

The 4-star Sunset Resort sits in a beautiful position on the beach in Rarotonga. Dine in the open-air restaurant and enjoy cocktails at the poolside bar. You’ll find two swimming pools here, set amid lush tropical gardens, and a personal spa service, which means you can enjoy a treatment (payable locally) on the beach or in the comfort of your room. Standard studio rooms feature king-size or twin beds, air conditioning, basic kitchen facilities, spacious lounges, hairdryer, a patio or balcony and en suite facilities.

All hotels will be confirmed in your final documentation.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Included excursions and visits

Auckland city tour
Waitomo Caves
Te Puia Thermal Reserve
Wellington city tour
Visit Mount Cook region
Arrowtown gold mining town visit
Christchurch city tour

Optional excursions

Rainbow Springs
TranzAlpine Express
Milford Sound (full day)
Maori Hangi dinner and concert

Your holiday includes

Scheduled flights and internal flights
The services of a Local Representative in Rarotonga
Overseas transfers and other transportation
17 nights’ accommodation with breakfast
The services of a Travelsphere Tour Manager and Driver Guide
Hotel porterage (one bag per person)
All airport taxes and security charges
UK Airline Passenger Duty
All state and local taxes

With 50 years’ experience in arranging escorted tours to exciting destinations across the globe, Travelsphere have built an excellent reputation founded on quality and value.

By choosing a Travelsphere escorted holiday you can travel with confidence, knowing that every aspect of your holiday has been carefully planned and arranged from start to finish. Further to this they are ATOL bonded and members of ABTA.

Travelsphere’s thorough planning of travel arrangements, itineraries and accommodation combined with the unique insight of their knowledgeable Tour Managers and Local Guides will enable you to experience the culture, traditions and hidden away places less accessible to other travellers.

Our Opinion
“Travelsphere are one of the biggest names in the Escorted Tour market. Finely tuned over the last 50 years their tours have been tried, tested and refined by thousands of customers.”