19 DAY ULTIMATE DISCOVERY
NEW ZEALAND NORTH ISLAND TOUR
Relax and enjoy the stunning landscapes of New Zealand all at a leisurely pace.
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Start Location: Auckland
End Location: Christchurch
TOP HIGHLIGHTS
- Kauri Museum
- Waitangi Treaty Ground
- Dolphin / Hole in the Rock Cruise
- Sky Tower
- Hobbiton Movie Set Tour & Lunch
- Skyline Rotorua Gondola & Luge Ride
- Agrodome
- Thermal mud pools & geysers
- Te Puia traditional Maori Hangi & Concert
- Hawke's Bay Express Napier
- Te Papa, NZ's National Museum
- Cruise on the Interislander Ferry
- Marlborough Wine Tasting
- TranzAlpine Rail Journey
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
- Lakes District Museum
- Milford Sound Nature Cruise & Lunch
- Larnach Castle
- City sights tour of Auckland, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch & Dunedin
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DATES & PRICES
We accept 
Interested in this trip? Contact Us for 2021 dates and prices
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 18 nights of accommodation
- Airport transfers
- Luxury small group coach transportation
- Sightseeing and attractions as listed
EXCLUSIONS
- Relaxing dinner cruise (optional)
- Guided walk at your leisure of Napier (optional).
- Scenic flight over Fox Glacier (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
- Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional)
- Tour of the Speight's Brewery (optional)
- Airfare unless specified as included within the itinerary
- Taxes as applicable
- Travel Insurance and Cancellation Protection (strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
- Gratuities for Local Guides, Tour Managers, and/or Bus Drivers
- Meals not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary
- Items (attractions and sightseeing & entrance fees) not listed as included in the itinerary
Can't find what you're looking for?
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1.866.814.7378
Custom Trip Plans
You can see what you want, when you want, how you want.
Unique Experiences
Experiences that help you take in the region in a different way.
Freedom To Explore
Time to take in each place with only the tours you want to do.
Tour Questions
What is the maximum number of travellers in a group?
Anderson Vacations specializes in Small Group Fully Escorted tours. If the tour is classified as a 'Classic Tour', up to of 24 persons may join the tour although tours commonly travel with anywhere between 18 to 24 travellers.
However, if the tour is classified as a 'Tour of Distinction, only up to of 18 persons join the tour and many Tours of Distinction travel with 12 to 18 travellers.
What are Guaranteed Departures?
After dreaming about travel to an exciting destination, arranging for time off work, booking your flights the last thing you need is for your trip to be cancelled. Anderson vacation's Pre-Guaranteed tours take the uncertainty away from planning your travel and give you peace of mind to book our tours.
Pre-Guaranteed Tours are group tours that we have already confirmed as certain to travel on the specified date. All 'Guaranteed Tours' will travel except in the event of a natural disaster or a catastrophic event that is beyond our control. They may already have the minimum number of people booked or else are tours that are known to be popular. Select departures of many tours are 'Pre- Guaranteed'.
What is the average age of passengers for this tour?
Our tours are suitable for all age demographics. The average age of travelers is typically 45+
How physically demanding is this tour? Are you able to accommodate people with mobility restrictions/limitations?
Some tours are mainly coach based and may not be physically demanding while others may require walking inclines or on rough surfaces to access interesting locations. Please check with us and your booking agent carefully and discuss your mobility restrictions before completing any tour booking to ensure this style of travel is right for you.
How much luggage should I bring?
Each passenger may bring one large suitcase and one carry-on bag. The weight limit for baggage is 20 kilograms or about 40 pounds. Baggage handling is provided at the hotels in our tour packages but there may be places where you will be required to wheel in your bags for quicker access. Be sure to advise our reservations staff if you will be bringing additional items such as a cane, walker or wheelchair. You may also bring one small soft-sided carry-on bag, which should easily fit into the overhead shelf of a coach. Each person is responsible for his/her own carryon luggage. Remember to check your airline baggage restrictions if you are flying, as they may differ from Anderson Vacations guidelines.
What is your recommended spending amount for non-included meals?
The suggested allowance for non-included meals is $40.00 – $60.00 CAD per day (with tipping).
Can you accommodate passengers with dietary restrictions (food allergies, vegan, vegetarian etc.)?
Yes, but within reason. There are many meals included on our fully escorted tours. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking so we can ensure there are alternative meal choices.
Booking & Flight Questions
Do you arrange airport transfers?
Yes! We can help with booking airport transfers for you in most locations at a reasonable extra cost. Several tours have airport transfers already included. Please ask for details.
Can you assist with booking additional accommodation?
Yes! We can certainly assist with booking additional nights of hotel accommodation for you before and after your fully escorted tour. Please inquire for further information and prices.
Can you assist with booking airline flights?
Yes! We can help with booking your flights for you. We do not recommend you book any flights until you receive your booking confirmation from Anderson Vacations including specific confirmation that your tour is 'Guaranteed'. Please be aware that you may be liable for airline cancellation costs should your tour not become guaranteed and your travel dates need to be amended or cancelled.
I am a solo traveler. Is there a single surcharge?
There are options for single travelers to join most tours. Solo travellers can choose to pay a Single Supplement and have their own room throughout the tour. For those willing to share with a co-traveller of the same gender, we have a Twin Share option that is offered for most tours where you share a hotel rooms with another same gender traveller. No Single Supplement payment is charged to you in this case.
Is it possible to book a triple share accommodation?
Yes, it is possible to book triple share accommodations on select trips. Please inquire about this option, as prices and availability varies from tour to tour.
Can we book this tour with our exclusive group?
Anderson Vacations works with many private groups and helps to customize a tour to travellers needs. Please ask us for details.
Are gratuities included in the tour cost?
For convenience, gratuities for local guides and meals that are specified in the itinerary are included in the tour price. For meals not included in your tour package please remember that it is customary to tip your server 10-20% in North America. Gratuities for your Coach Driver (where appropriate)and Tour Director are entirely at your discretion. We recommend about CDN $5.00 per person, per day, for your Driver and CDN$7.00 per person, per day for your Tour Leader.
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Over 25 years offering custom trips and small group tours.
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Tour Code
19UD
19 Day Ultimate Discovery
19 days
Created On: 15 Apr 2021
Day 1: Arrive Auckland
Fly from your homeport to Auckland where you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. Meet your travelling companions over a complimentary pre dinner drink.
Overnight: Auckland
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Auckland - 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: Paihia, Bay of Islands
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Bay of Islands at Leisure
Today is a free day. Choose from the many optional activities available, including the Cape Reinga coach trip via Ninety Mile Beach or a spectacular scenic flight. This evening is also free and you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).
Overnight: Paihia, Bay of Islands
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Bay of Islands - 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 via Whangarei to Auckland.
Overnight: Auckland
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Auckland - Rotorua
This morning enjoy a city sights tour of Auckland before travelling to the Zealong Tea Estate, New Zealand's only tea plantation for a tour & tasting. Continue through the picturesque countryside to Longlands Farm & Restaurant to enjoy a delicious home cooked lunch hosted by a rural New Zealand family. This afternoon travel to Hobbiton and discover the real Middle-earth when you visit the Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings film trilogy on a fascinating guided tour.
Overnight: Rotorua
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Rotorua
Today begins with a Gondola ride at the Skyline Rotorua for breakfast with champagne, spectacular views and also time for a thrilling luge ride! Next stop is the Agrodome for an action packed hour of farming entertainment and education that's unlike anything you've seen before. Enjoy some free time this afternoon before travelling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome Geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening experience an entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert.
Overnight: Rotorua
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Rotorua - Napier
Depart Rotorua and travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Huka Falls and Lake Taupo. Continue to Napier known as "The Art Deco Capital", where a city tour will showcase the most comprehensive collection of art deco buildings in the world. Enjoy a tour on board the Hawke's Bay Express and hear informative commentary on the city's fascinating history. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore the MTG Hawkes Bay or to take a guided walk at your leisure (optional).
Overnight: Napier
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Napier - Wellington
Travel south this morning into Wellington for a city tour of the nation's capital which will highlight the history and culture on show here.
Overnight: Wellington
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Wellington - Picton - Blenheim
A highlight this morning will be time to explore Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum, with exhibits that embrace both Maori and European views. This afternoon board the Interislander Ferry and enjoy the scenery as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton where you board your Ultimate Coach for the short journey to Blenheim.
Overnight: Blenheim
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Blenheim - Kaikoura - Christchurch
Tour through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine, then travel to the seaside village of Kaikoura. Continue onto the garden city of Christchurch for an introductory city sights tour.
Overnight: Christchurch
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: Christchurch - Arthur\'s Pass - 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 Ultimate 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: Fox Glacier
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Fox Glaicer - 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: Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13: Queenstown at Leisure
Today is a free day. There are plenty of sightseeing options and your Grand Pacific Tours Local Host 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 get up close to a Kiwi bird. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner which the chef will prepare in front of you at 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.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14: Queenstown - 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. This afternoon you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional).
Overnight: Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 15: Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau
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: Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16: Te Anau - Dunedin
Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the "Edinburgh of the South". Enjoy an informative city tour followed by some free time to explore at leisure. The sweet tooth might like to tour Cadbury World (optional) whilst others might be interested in a tour of the Speight's Brewery (optional).
Overnight: Dunedin
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 17: Dunedin - Mt Cook
Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, hear the tragic and scandalous stories on a guided tour with time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea served in the grand ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you travel to Mt Cook.
Overnight: Aoraki Mount Cook Village
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 18: 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: Christchurch
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 19: Depart Christchurch
Time to say goodbye, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.
Meals: Breakfast
