St. Mortiz Hotel







Delicious cuisine awaits
you in New Zealand







Auckland is New
Zealand's largest
urban city







The Pohutu Geyser, at
the Whakerewarewa
Thermal Reserve,
erupts daily







Lake Manapouri is
believed to be one of
New Zealand's most
beautiful lakes







Watch a workshop on
sheep shearing at
Walter Peak High
Country Sheep Station


The Discovery Journey to
New Zealand

 

Discover the magical islands of New Zealand and its rich heritage of cultures, from Auckland’s Polynesian, Rotorua’s Maori, Dunedin’s Scottish and to the English charm of Christchurch – this country is a melting pot of traditions and waterways. Cruises along fjords and lakes created from volcanoes and glaciers expose the hidden delights of unspoiled wilderness teeming with native plants, trees and wildlife.  Majestic mountains tower overhead while geysers spew water towards the skies. It’s no wonder that the’ Lord of the Rings’ film trilogy was filmed in this mystical land. 

Days 1/2/3/4 - Los Angeles/Auckland
Board your flight to Auckland losing one day as you cross the International Dateline. Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to one of the country’s premier hotels, enjoying en route a city tour. The next day ascend to the top of Maungakiekie, an ancient volcano with stunning views. Maori tribes can trace their ancestry back to this sacred mountain. In a kauri grove receive a lesson in traditional Maori flax preparation and weaving. Discover plants used in traditional Rongoa-Maori medicine during a hike in the Waitakere Ranges. Your day ends with a barefoot walk on the black sands of Whatipu Beach. STAMFORD HOTEL. (Meals Aloft; B; B, L)

Day 5 - Waitomo/Rotorua
Explore the cavernous wonders of Waitomo Caves by foot and boat, and see tens of thousands of glow worms clinging to the walls and ceilings. Continue on to Rotorua, the second largest geothermal wonderland of geysers, mineral pools, lakes and bubbling mud, outside of Yellowstone National Park, and the perfect backdrop for your stylish hotel. Indulge in a traditional Hangi feast at a Maori meeting house. The food is cooked below ground in earthen ovens while villagers celebrate with tribal songs, dances and activities.  PARK HERITAGE HOTEL. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Rotorua/Waimungu Thermal Valley
Watch the famed Pohutu Geyser erupt to heights of 90 feet at the Whakerewarewa Thermal Reserve.  At Rainbow Springs Nature Park see a living dinosaur from the Triassic Period, the reptile tuatara lurking in the park’s native bushes and trees, and feed the large rainbow, brown and tiger trout gliding through fern-fringed pools. Watch for Kiwi foraging for food in the always-nocturnal Kiwi House. Enter the Waimungu Thermal Valley and cruise around Lake Rotomahana, formerly a shallow lake home to the Eighth Natural Wonder of the World – the Pink and White terraces – destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1886 that created the current deep crater lake. PARK HERITAGE HOTEL. (B)

Days 7/8 - Dunedin/Otago Peninsula
Fly to Dunedin and tour the city’s mix of Edwardian and Victorian architecture.  Settle into your lodge with spectacular ocean views on the grounds of Larnach Castle, built in 1871, and explore its magnificent carved ceilings, beautiful gardens and antiques. Next day enter Otago Peninsula at Glenfalloch, a pioneer homestead ablaze with colorful flowers and graceful peacocks. Investigate marine life at the Aquarium and Marine Biological Station. Respectfully view the resting place of three great Maori chiefs. At the tip of the peninsula is Taiaroa Head, home to a rare colony of one of the world’s largest birds – the Northern Royal Albatross. See the Blue Penguin and if lucky, the rare Yellow-eyed Penguin at Penguin Bay. Observe fur seals lounging on rocks along the rugged coastline.  Your day ends with a Monarch Cruise around Wellers Rock and the inaccessible cliffs of Taiaroa alive with huge flocks of shearwaters, petrels and the mighty albatrosses. LARNACH CASTLE LODGE. (B,D Daily)

Day 9 - Lake Manapouri/Fiordland Navigator Cruise
Go by boat across beautiful Lake Manapouri, then by motorcoach over Wilmot Pass to arrive at Doubtful Sound and your overnight cruise. Discover the hidden arms of the mysterious sound from spacious viewing decks, kayak alongside bottlenose dolphins or go exploring by small craft - sun drenched blue skies one minute, mist-shrouded the next, with the sounds of leaping fish or distant waterfalls as background music.  FIORDLAND NAVIGATOR. (B,L,D)

Day 10 - Queenstown/Walter Peak High Country Sheep Station
One last morning trek before continuing onto the alpine village of Queenstown. Relive the days of gold fever in the historic mining town of Arrowtown. Then it’s all aboard the vintage steam ship TSS Earnslow to Walter Peak High Country Sheep Station. Watch sheep dogs in action and learn about sheep shearing. A delicious dinner completes your visit before returning via the TSS Earnslow to your luxury hotel. ST. MORITZ HOTEL. (B, D)

Day 11 - Queenstown
Begin your day with a jet boat safari on the Dart River through Mount Aspiring National Park comprised of centuries-old forests, glistening waterfalls and rocky canyon walls. Revel in the timeless beauty of snow-capped mountain peaks and ancient glaciers. Disembark for a quiet stroll along a mountain stream. Return to Queenstown this afternoon where the rest of your day is at leisure. ST. MORITZ HOTEL. (B)

Day 12 - Mount Cook/Fairlie
Drive to Mount Cook and explore by boat the huge dripping iceface of Tasman, New Zealand’s largest glacier. Taste, touch and walk on 500-year-old ice and snow. Watch as it splits off from the rockface with a thunderous roar crashing into the tranquil surface of the lake. Afterwards, head east to the country town of Fairlie, where you will meet with your farm hosts and return to their farm for late afternoon activities.  FARM STAY IN FAIRLIE. (B,D)

Days 13/14/15 - Christchurch/Los Angeles
Sample the famous jams, pickles and chutneys at Barker’s before arriving in Christchurch. Tour the city replete with Gothic revival cathedrals, grey-stone 19th century buildings and English gardens before retiring to your resort. Next day, travel by train to where the mountains meet the sea – the Kaikoura Peninsula.  Embark on a whale-watching voyage for possible sightings of the giant sperm whale, dusky dolphin and the endangered Wandering Albatross. Return to Christchurch for a farewell dinner. The next morning tour the International Antarctic Centre, return in the afternoon to a dayroom. Later this evening, bid farewell to New Zealand as you board your flight home. CHATEAU ON THE PARK HOTEL. (B; B,D)

Optional Pre-Extension to Northland
Get a jump on your New Zealand adventure as you explore the sub-tropical peninsula of Northland with vast areas of kauri forest and natural thermal pools. Stand on a windswept cape to see where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean converge, see spectacular Whangerei Falls and Ninety Mile Beach and embark on a full-day fly/drive tour of the area.

Optional Post-Extension to Stewart Island
 Extend your stay in New Zealand and explore Stewart island – a Mecca for birdwatchers and nature lovers. Walk along coastal tracks through forests with lush tree ferns, smell the fragrance of blue gum trees on the night air and watch Kiwi on a remote beach.

Your Journey Includes:

  • Flights within New Zealand as specified.
  • Superior accommodations throughout as indicated or similar.
  • Breakfast daily, all other meals as specified.
  • All sightseeing by deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoach.
  • Waitomo Cave tour and Dart River Jet Boat Safari.
  • Lake Rotomahana, Monarch, Glacier Boat, Whale Watch and TSS Earnslow cruises.
  • 2-Days/1-Night Cruise on the Fiordland Navigator.
  • Accompanied by professional naturalist throughout with minimum of 15 travelers.
  • All entrance fees to places of interest.
  • All applicable hotel/lodge taxes and gratuities for baggage handling.
  • Complimentary backpack and luggage tags.

For reservations or more information, please contact:
Classic Escapes Inc. at (800) 627-1244