DAY WISE ITINERARY

Day 1 : 
Arrive into Auckland International Airport. Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand! Travel into central Auckland, the “City of Sails” and New Zealand’s largest city with a population of around 1.7 million people.
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Day 2 : 
Meet your tour manager after breakfast and tour the city, including its renowned bays. There will be a hance to stretch your legs on Mt Eden, taking in panoramic views of the city, the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean. Break for lunch in the vibrant waterfront area and see where New Zealand retained
the America’s Cup sailing trophy against international competition. After time to relax or explore this afternoon, enjoy a Welcome to New Zealand dinner at your hotel.
(B – D)

Day 3 : 
Depart Auckland and travel south to a dairy farm milking around 400 NZ-Friesian cows. This farm is pasture based with some maize and grass silage supplementation during periods of slow growth. Dairying is currently New Zealand’s leading agricultural industry and principal driver of its export-based economy. After a lunch break in the pretty riverside town of Cambridge, visit an organic Kiwifruit orchard, growing both green and gold varieties, and learn about one of New Zealand’s signature horticultural products. Later continue to lakeside Rotorua, an interesting geothermal region and home of native Maori culture. This evening, at Te Puia Whakarewarewa, meet members of the local Maori tribe and see steaming geysers and boiling mud pools. Enjoy a Maori cultural evening – an entertaining introduction to their customs, handicrafts and the Haka – the warrior challenge made famous by the All Blacks rugby team – and experience a delicious Hangi feast!
(B – D)

Day 4 : 
This morning we visit the beautiful Government Gardens and take a short forest walk before visiting a mixed farm in a picturesque position overlooking Lake Rotorua. Enjoy a late morning tea with our hosts, inspect their crossbred sheep and the bulls that are leased to dairy farmers prior to finishing for the beef market. Later return to Rotorua where you have the rest of the day at leisure – enjoy the lakeside setting, perhaps take a fishing trip or even a relaxing soak at the renowned Polynesian spa
(B L -)

Day 5 : 
This morning travel south and visit an Angus or polled Hereford stud and enjoy morning tea with our farm hosts. Next we stop at Huka Falls where the mighty Waikato River – normally 330ft wide – is forced through a 65ft wide gorge. The name Huka is the Maori word for ‘foam’, which is appropriate when you see the falling water and powerful rapids. Take a break for lunch (perhaps even a dip in the lake!) at the scenic resort town of Taupo. After lunch, continue south alongside the Lake through the vast Volcanic Plateau – a scenic area of three large and active volcanoes, with the largest being Mt Ruapehu at 2,797m (9,177ft). Next visit a sheep and beef-finishing farm in the Manawatu region. Each year 1,000 head of cattle and 15,000 sheep are finished on grass on this property. Later arrive at the small city of Palmerston North for the evening. Enjoy dinner at a very good steakhouse tonight
(B – D)

Day 6 : 
This morning travel south via the scenic Kapiti Coast to the seaside Capital City of Wellington where we take in sights including the excellent Te Papa, Museum of New Zealand, and pretty waterfront area. This afternoon board the Interislander ferry for a three-hour crossing of the Cook Strait and through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds to the South Island. Arrive at the Port of Picton and take a short drive to Blenheim in the heart of Marlborough’s wine country for dinner and the evening – naturally sampling a fine local Sauvingon Blanc over dinner!
(B – D)

Day 7 : 
Depart and drive through the surrounding region and stop for a tasting at one of the local vineyards – the sauvignon blanc grape variety is dominant in this region. Continue south to Kaikoura – a small town set in a spectacular position between the high peaks of the coastal mountain range and the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean. After some free time, travel on to the rolling farmlands of North Canterbury and arrive into Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island, for the evening. Christchurch, “the Garden City”, so called due to the many attractive private and public gardens the city has to offer. Take an orientation tour of the city and enjoy dinner at your hotel tonight
(B – D)

Day 8 : 
Time for an early stroll through the Botanic Gardens before we travel to the picturesque Banks Peninsula region and the charming French settlement of Akaroa. Enjoy lunch at one of the seaside restaurants as well as time to visit the stores and galleries. This afternoon take a harbour cruise, spotting the rare Hector’s dolphins (smallest in the world), pelagic birdlife, penguins, seals and other marine life inhabiting the area. Return to Christchurch for a free evening
(B L -)

Day 9 : 
This morning depart south across the Canterbury Plains showcasing a patchwork of farming enterprises including sheep, beef, dairy and cropping. Visit a large irrigated dairy farm near Ashburton. This property is a great example of the large-scale developments common on the Canterbury Plains in the last 15 or so years. Also visit a leading arable farmer growing grain and pulse crops with irrigation. Continue south via the foothills before entering the Mackenzie Country – a high, dry inland region of austere beauty, punctuated by the large aqua-blue glacier-fed lakes that generate much of New Zealand’s hydroelectricity. The beautiful Southern Alps, including Aoraki Mount Cook 3,754m (12,313ft), provide a dramatic backdrop to this area. Later this afternoon, arrive at your Mackenzie hotel and enjoy dinner and overnight.
(B L D)

Day 10 : 
This morning continue south to the scenic Otago Lakes region. Make a brief visit to an interesting family-owned salmon farm in the hydro canal. Continue south to a 5,000ha High Country Station with fine-wool and meat producing sheep, beef cattle and deer. New Zealand has around 2,800
deer farms with national farmed herd of over 1 million head producing venison meat and deer velvet, the immature antler highly valued in Asia. Enjoy lunch with your farm hosts in this stunning lakeside location. Travel on via the fruit orchards and vineyards of Central Otago to the lakeside town of Queenstown, one of New Zealand’s most beautiful destinations. Evening free in this lively resort town
(B L -)

Day 11 : 
After breakfast, tour the surrounding area including the historic gold-mining village of Arrowtown and past the Kawerau Bridge, where commerical bungy-jumping was first created. The rest of the day you are free to explore Queenstown. Perhaps take a relaxing cruise on the historic TSS Earnslaw steamer or an exhilarating jet-boat ride through the Shotover Gorge. There are plenty of shopping options, chances to savour local food and wine, paraglide, golf, or walk or cycle the lakeside tracks. This evening ride the gondola high above Queenstown at Bob’s Peak, with stunning views of the town, the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu. A great spot for your ‘Farewell to New Zealand’ dinner.
(B – D)

Day 12 : 
(Three options, not included in price and weather dependent.)
• A magical day trip option: discover magnificent Milford Sound amidst the awesome grandeur of Fiordland National Park. Depart Queenstown by coach via the famous Homer Tunnel into Milford Sound and embark on a nature cruise amidst steep mountains plunging into the fiord. A packed lunch and hot beverages are included. Return to Queenstown by coach or, weather and wallet permitting, scenic flight options are available.

• From Glenorchy, take a half day Wilderness Jet Boat Adventure on an unforgettable journey along the braided, glacier-fed Dart River. Experience the unique combination of breath-taking scenery and an exhilarating ride as you explore deep into Mount Aspiring National Park – a UNESCO World
Heritage Area.

• A Scenic Flight of Milford Sound via Mt Aspiring, overflying at least five major glaciers with fantastic aerial views of the Southern Alps, glaciers, waterfalls and the majestic Milford Sound, Fiordland. OR Spend the day relaxing in Queenstown.
(B L -)

Day 13 : 
Breakfast and time to pack before departing for Queenstown Airport and onward travel.

(B – -)

(Meal basis: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

TOUR INCLUDED

• ACCOMMODATION IN GOOD QUALITY 4 STAR HOTELS AND MOTOR LODGES
• SPECIALIST PROFESSIONAL TOUR MANAGER WITH AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCE
• ALL LAND TRAVEL IN MODERN COACHES AND INTERISLANDER FERRY FROM WELLINGTON
• TIPS AND GRATUITIES FOR GUIDES AND DRIVERS
• ALL SIGHTSEEING AND TECHNICAL VISITS AS PER ITINERARY
• MEALS AS DETAILED IN ITINERARY AND SHOWN AS BLD (B= BREAKFAST, L= LUNCH AND D= DINNER)
• TRAVEL BAG AND TOUR BOOK WITH DETAILED ITINERARY.

TOUR NOT INCLUDED

• INTERNATIONAL AIRFARES TO AND FROM NEW ZEALAND
• MEALS NOT SPECIFIED IN THE ITINERARY
• ALL ITEMS OF A PERSONAL NATURE, SUCH AS LAUNDRY, PHONE CALLS AND BEVERAGES
• PASSPORT FEES AND VISA CHARGES, TRAVEL INSURANCE, CANCELLATION FEES
• OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS