Essential New Zealand

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow
Board your flight at London’s Heathrow airport.

Day 2 Los Angeles to Christchurch
You can choose to break the journey in Los Angeles with a 2 night stopover, or continue straight on to New Zealand.

Day 3 Christchurch
You’ll fly via Auckland, where you’ll check in to the Heartland Hotel Christchurch for 1 night. The rest of the day is free for you to relax.

Day 4 Christchurch to Franz Josef
You’ll head into snow-capped mountains on a spectacular drive through Arthurs Pass and Hokitika to the world famous glacier, and stay 2 nights at the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 5 Franz Josef
You have a full free day today, and we’d recommend an optional helicopter flight for a bird’s eye view of the magnificent glacier.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 6 Franz Josef to Queenstown
Driving through Mount Aspiring National Park and Haast Pass, you’ll arrive in Queenstown; a serene and beautiful resort surrounded by majestic mountains and nestled on the shores of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu. You’ll stay at the Heartland Hotel Queenstown for 2 nights.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 7 Queenstown
For your full free day, we’ve arranged a choice of optional excursions, such as a cruise on nearby Milford Sound or an exhilarating canyon ride on the Shotover Jet.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 8 Queenstown to Christchuch
You’ll journey along the Lindis Pass to turquoise Lake Tekapo, which obtains its striking colour from glacial melting water. Crossing the Canterbury Plains, you’ll return to the city of Christchurch for 1 more night at the Heartland Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 9 Christchurch to Wellington
You’ll travel via the Kaikoura to the port of Picton where you’ll cross the Cook Strait to the North Island for 2 nights at the Travelodge Wellington.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 10 Wellington
You have a free day to explore, and you might like to see the capital’s varied architecture at Parliament House and the ‘Beehive’, or head up to the top of the Mount Victoria for stunning views of the pretty harbour.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 11 Wellington to Rotorua
After breakfast, you’ll travel via the Desert Road to Tongariro National Park with its three active volcanoes, then Lake Taupo, the country’s largest freshwater lake, and Rotorua where you spend 2 nights at the Sudima Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 12 Rotorua
It’s a morning of gushing geysers and gurgling mud pools at Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, where you’ll explore this natural phenomenon before visiting the Maori Arts and Crafts Centre.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 13 Rotorua to Auckland
Driving through more magnificent scenery, you’ll arrive the ‘City of Sails’ for an afternoon tour around the major sites, the fashionable suburb of Parnell and the stylish Viaduct Harbour before staying at the Scenic Hotel Auckland for 2 nights.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 14 Auckland
You’ll enjoy a free day in Auckland to explore, shop or relax.

Day 15 Auckland to Bay of Islands
You’ll journey via the stunning Kauri Coast, the harbour at Hokianga and Tane Mahuta ,‘Lord of the Waioupa Forest’ and continue to Paihia for 3 nights at the Scenic Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 16 Bay of Islands
Your tour takes you cruising to Cape Brett via the Hole in the Rock where dolphins play, and then to the famous Waitangi Treaty House.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 17 Bay of Islands
This free day allows you time to relax in beautiful surroundings, or you can opt for an extra excursion to Cape Reinga and 90 Mile Beach.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 18 Bay of Islands to Auckland
Later today you’ll transfer to Auckland airport and fly home via Los Angeles with an optional stop in the Cook Islands.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 19 Arrive London Heathrow
You’ll land back in UK this morning.

Tour includes

Maximum group size: 25
Local expert guides in resort
All flights specified
Inspirational sightseeing programme
15 breakfasts

On a Journey of Distinction, you are not merely a bystander. They believe that the wonders, customs and cultures you experience will live on in the core of your being. They even go so far as to say that one of their holidays will change your life forever.

Their combination of Tour Managers and Local Guides is what makes Journey of Distinction so distinctive. When you’re embarking on a voyage of discovery, it’s reassuring to know that a seasoned traveller is with you every step of the way; planning, organising, checking details and offering their advice and support. Their groups all depart from the UK, and no one joins us along the way, so you have the reassuring constancy of always knowing your travelling companions.

Our Opinion
“Limited to just 25 travellers per departure, every Journeys of Distinction escorted tour has an intimate, personal feel that makes for a more enjoyable experience.”