AAT Kings 21 Day Spirit of New Zealand

On arrival into Christchurch airport you will be transferred to your hotel.

Welcome to Christchurch, New Zealand's Garden City. Flights can arrive any time prior to 4.00pm and you will be transferred from the airport to your Christchurch hotel. After you check-in, you can head out and explore Christchurch. Step back in time to a grand era of transport and relax as the Christchurch Tram takes you around the 'must-see' central attractions. The tram drivers provide a live commentary throughout the loop, identifying points of interest, historic architecture and the changes the city is under-going since the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. (Optional Experience - own expense).

Accommodation: Hotel Ibis, Christchurch

Accommodation type: Hotel 3 star

Christchurch to Lake Tekapo and onto Omarama

After a Christchurch city sights tour, you will head out over the patchwork countryside of the Canterbury Plains to soak up some spectacular sightseeing. Sweeping views across the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo framed by a backdrop of rugged hills and snow-capped mountains provide stunning alpine photography opportunities. You will visit the little stone-hewn Church of the Good Shepherd, and stop for a quick photo with the bronze statue of a collie dog, the touching tribute to the sheepdogs which helped develop the Mackenzie Country. You may want to take in Mount Cook National Park from the air this afternoon, on a scenic flight out over New Zealand's highest peak, the Southern Alps and on to Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers (Optional Experience - at own expense). Your day finishes in the heart of the Mackenzie Country at Omarama. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Accommodation: Heritage Gateway Hotel

Accommodation type: Hotel 3 star

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Omarama to Oamaru to Dunedin

Your day starts along the Waitaki River, and a photo stop at the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and Benmore Dam. From the Waitaki Valley you will then travel through to the township of Oamaru, with its stately tree-lined streets and its famous white limestone buildings. This afternoon you will make your way down to the Southernmost New Zealand city, Dunedin. With the rest of your free afternoon you may wish to take part in an optional excursion to see more of the region. Take a Wildlife Cruise out to Otago Peninsula, visit the Speights Brewery - a New Zealand institution or ride the historic Taieri Gorge Railway. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Accommodation: Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin

Accommodation type: Hotel 3 star

Meals included: Breakfast

Dunedin to Milford Sound and an overnight cruise

Today is one of those days where you will want to have your camera battery charged, and ready to go. You will journey through the Fiordland National Park and out to Milford Sound on one of the most scenic roads you could hope for. Travel through native rainforests, beech forests, alluvial flats and meadows. You will stop at Mirror Lakes where, you can see the stunning mountain scenery perfectly reflected in the waters of the lakes. Then on to the Homer Tunnel, man's attempt to master the sheer rocky ranges, still left rough-hewn around the edges. You will have a stop at the Chasm, where the roaring Cleddau River has carved its way through solid rock, and then it's on to Milford Sound, where you will cruise the waters of this natural wonder. Your cruise meanders down the sound, taking in the Bowen and Stirling Falls as these plummet from glacial hanging valleys sharply into the sea, and the sheer pinnacle of Mitre Peak, rising from the deep waters of the fiord for your magical overnight cruise on Milford Sound. (Overnight cruise does not operate 21 May - 15 September. During this period there will be a day cruise on Milford Sound and accommodation in Queenstown or Te Anau).

Accommodation: Milford Mariner

Accommodation type: None (day tour)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Milford Sound to Te Anau, visit the Glow worm caves then onto Queenstown

This morning depart for the township of Te Anau, on the shores of Lake Te Anau, the largest lake on the South Island. Explore the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves by boat with a local guide, before continuing to the adventure capital, Queenstown.

Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront

Accommodation type: Hotel 3 star

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Explore Queenstown at leisure

Explore exciting Queenstown your way! Take the opportunity to encounter a Queenstown legend and ride the Shotover Jet Boat or venture out on a 4WD Skippers Canyon Scenic Tour. If laid-back and relaxed is more your idea of fun then join a Wine Tour and sample some of Central Otago's award-winning wines, or visit our native birds at Queenstown's Kiwi Birdlife Park. Your AAT Kings Travel Director will assist you in booking all of your chosen optional experiences. After a day of activity, why not sit back and enjoy a peaceful evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard New Zealand's oldest steamship, the TSS Earnslaw, to Walter Peak Station (Optional Experience, own expense). Launched in 1912, the TSS Earnslaw is the largest and grandest vessel ever to ply Lake Wakatipu. Today, the TSS Earnslaw is believed to be the only coal-fired passenger carrying vessel still operating in the southern hemisphere. Partake in a gourmet BBQ Highlight Dinner at Walter Peaks Colonel's Homestead and then enjoy an entertaining after-dinner farm show providing a glimpse into high-country farm life. On the cruise back to Queenstown, join in a vintage sing-a-long or grab your partner for a dance across the polished wooden floors of the Earnslaw.

Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront

Accommodation type: Hotel 3 star

Meals included: Breakfast

Explore Queenstown at leisure

While Queenstown wears its Global Adventure badge proudly, it's also the perfect place to relax and explore. The town boasts great shopping with luxury brands, iconic New Zealand design stores and boutique fashion.

Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront

Accommodation type: Hotel 3 star

Meals included: Breakfast

Queenstown to Arrowtown, Wanaka and onto Franz Josef

This morning you will leave the alpine wonderland of Queenstown behind, and begin the passage through Central Otago and out to Westland. On the way out of the Queenstown region, you will stop and visit the faithfully restored gold mining settlement of Arrowtown on the Arrow River, previously one of the world’s richest rivers. From here you will travel over to Cromwell, situated next to the sparkling pristine waters of Lake Dunstan, where you will stop in at a local orchard for a taste of some of the town’s delicious stone fruit. It is a day of gorgeous lakes, as after Dunstan, you will travel further into Central Otago and view the vivid blue waters of Lake Hawea, followed by Lake Wanaka, where the shoreline is charmingly lined by poplars and willows. Following an ancient greenstone trail, you will travel over Haast Pass, marking a change from the alpine scenery of the Southern Lakes, to the rainforest marvel of the wild West Coast. View the sheer drop of Thunder Creek Falls and the grand sight of Mt Hooker, flanked on three sides by extensive glaciers. Your final destination for today is the extraordinary rivers of ice that make up Franz Josef Glacier. You may want to get up close and personal with the glaciers on a helicopter flight. Your flight will hover over the snow face, and may land high up in the valley so that you can walk across the ice fall – subject to weather conditions (optional – at own expense). Tonight, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

Accommodation type: Hotel 4 star

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Franz Josef to Punakaiki

If weather conditions are unfavourable the previous day, you will get another chance to fly up to the glaciers this morning or you might want to take a stroll through the small but lively Franz Josef village. Then you head off to the drift-wood strewn beaches of Hokitika. As well as being one of the few West Coast communities to embrace its coastal landscape, Hokitika struck it rich in the resources stakes. Here you will visit a pounamu factory (native greenstone or jade), for the chance to see master carvers at work creating intricate pieces of jewellery and art. Maori tradition says it is bad luck to buy pounamu for yourself, so if you fancy a trinket of your own, make sure you have someone there to purchase it for you. Then, continue to Punakaiki to view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. Tonight you'll stay in an eco-friendly resort right on the waterfront. Enjoy dinner while watching the thundering surf at your doorstep!

Accommodation: Punakaiki Resort

Accommodation type: Hotel 4 star

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Punakaiki to Nelson via the Buller Gorge

Soak up the scenic wilderness of the Heritage Highway through the impressive Buller Gorge and the Kahurangi National Park before arriving in Nelson. This afternoon you’ll visit the World of Wearable Arts and Collectable Cars.

Accommodation: Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco

Accommodation type: Hotel 4 star

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Explore Nelson or venture to Abel Tasman National Park

On this day at leisure, you’ll have the opportunity to journey to the top of the South Island and enjoy a relaxing cruise in the Abel Tasman National Park, or perhaps take a short bush walk, relax in sunny Nelson or explore the many arts and craft shops. The choice is yours!

Accommodation: Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco

Accommodation type: Hotel 4 star

Meals included: Breakfast

Nelson to Picton, then cruise the Cook Strait to Wellington City

This morning, you'll travel to the pretty seaside fishing village of Picton. Your AAT Kings crew and coach will join you on board the Interislander for a cruise across the Cook Strait, from the South Island to the North. Surprisingly it takes longer to cruise through the Queen Charlotte Sound and up the Tory Channel than it does to cross the open ocean of Cook Strait. You will meander through a maze of arms and inlets out of Picton. Upon arrival, you will head out on a city sights tour of Wellington taking in New Zealand's parliament buildings, and a visit to Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. Discover New Zealand's nature, history, art and heritage, and then enjoy some time at leisure. Indulge in Wellington's renowned coffee culture, or take a walk along Lambton Quay. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Accommodation: Travelodge Wellington

Accommodation type: Hotel 3 star

Meals included: Breakfast

Explore Wellington City at your leisure

You have a day at leisure to see the sights of your choice. Perhaps take a tour of Parliament or one of the Lord of the Rings movie tours, or a cruise to Somes Island in Wellington Harbour. Enjoy the cafe lifestyle in NZ's capital city or simply shop till you drop, there is something in Wellington for everyone!

Accommodation: Travelodge Wellington

Accommodation type: Hotel 3 star

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Wellington to the art deco city of Napier

Travel through the dairy farming land of Manawatu to Napier. In February 1931, Napier was levelled by earthquake and fire but was rebuilt in the depths of the Great Depression in just two years. Nowhere else in the world can you see such a concentration of buildings in the styles of the 1930s: Art Deco, Spanish Mission and Stripped Classical. You'll hear the story of the earthquake that devastated Napier in 1931 and be introduced to the Art Deco style and hear stories of the characters involved in rebuilding this city. A Local Guide will accompany you on a walking tour.

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Te Pania

Accommodation type: Hotel 4 star

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Napier to Taupo to Rotorua and a visit to Maori village this evening

Enjoy a leisurely start to your day before continuing on the journey to Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand. Visit the spectacular Huka Falls, the only outlet of water from Lake Taupo and then it's on to Rotorua. On arrival in Rotorua an orientation tour takes in views of Lake Rotorua. Tonight an evening of culture, history and scrumptious food awaits you at the Tamaki Family Marae. Wander through the ancient forest village and learn about Maori art forms and traditions, followed by a concert featuring local performers. Experience an authentic Maori Hangi meal, steamed underground in the traditional way.

Accommodation: Ibis Rotorua

Accommodation type: Hotel 3 star

Meals included: Breakfast

Explore Rotorua's thermal wonderland

Today is your chance to experience the scenic wonders of the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua. Visit Te Puia, the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, where you'll see demonstrations of wood carving and weaving. Then tour the geothermal valley and hear the importance of the geysers and mud pools to the Maori people. Later, you may wish to travel back to Rotorua township and relax lakeside, or you may prefer to choose from one of the varied Optional Experiences on offer. Take a scenic flight out over Lake Rotorua for a bird's eye view of the region. You may even want to stop at the top of Mt Tarawera, the site of the largest eruption in New Zealand's living memory! Explore Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park, and take a "behind the scenes" tour through the working kiwi nursery and hatchery. Later, why not spend a little more time experiencing the thermal wonders, with a soak in the hot mineral waters of the Polynesian Spas? Your AAT Kings Travel Director will assist you in booking all of your chosen optional experiences.

Accommodation: Ibis Rotorua

Accommodation type: Hotel 3 star

Meals included: Breakfast, Speciality Dinner

Rotorua to Auckland

This morning you will head to the Agrodome Sheep Show, the multi-award winning and highly entertaining stage show, to gain an insight into agricultural life in New Zealand. You'll see the art of sheep shearing, sheepdog demonstrations, cow milking, bottle feeding of lambs and an exciting sheep auction. Later, travel through the dairy farming district of Waikato then continue to Auckland, where your city sightseeing tour takes in Bastion Point, Viaduct Harbour and the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Tonight, speak with your Travel Director about dining recommendations in Auckland's inner city.

Accommodation: VR Queen Street

Accommodation type: Hotel 3 star

Meals included: Breakfast

Auckland to the Bay of Islands and a cruise to the Hole in the Rock

This morning depart Auckland City and travel north over the Harbour Bridge past the sprawling suburbs of the North Shore of Auckland. Your travels then take you through Nothland's lush farmland scenery before arriving into the beautiful Bay of Islands. Experience spectacular scenery as you cruise through game fishing waters to Cape Brett and, weather permitting, through the famous "Hole in the Rock" formation. The return cruise to Paihia meanders through picturesque islands - see deserted sandy beaches and secluded bays and keep your eyes peeled for the marine life. This evening enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands

Accommodation type: Hotel 4 star

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Free time to explore and enjoy the Bay of Islands

Today is a completely free day for you to experience the beauty of the Bay of Islands. Perhaps head back out on to the water and go on a dolphin watching cruise, and maybe even jump in the water for a swim with these magnificent creatures. Or take a coach trip up to Cape Reinga - the very top of New Zealand, via idyllic Ninety Mile Beach. Experience a day of sailing aboard a historic tall ship, enjoy wine tasting around Kerikeri, or join a jet boat Heritage Cruise and learn a little more about the settling of the Bay of Islands. Tonight you are free to dine as you wish. You may want to experience a ‘Kiwi tradition’ – fish and chips on the beach, or glide down the Waitangi River on board the Ratanui for a sumptuous dinner cruise.  Your Travel Director will assist you in booking all of your chosen optional experiences.

Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands

Accommodation type: Hotel 4 star

Meals included: Breakfast

Paihia to Auckland

After a leisurely morning, travel back to Auckland. Your journey south takes you to Whangarei, the northern-most city in New Zealand, where you can wander around the art galleries and through the marina in the Town Basin. Later, enjoy a stop at Parry Kauri Park and take a walk among New Zealand's native forest giants, the Kauri trees before arriving into Auckland late afternoon. Celebrate your holiday at a farewell dinner with your Travel Director and new-found friends.

Accommodation: VR Queen Street

Accommodation type: Hotel 3 star

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Auckland final day and transfer to Airport

Your holiday concludes this morning after breakfast. You will be transferred to Auckland Airport for your onward flight.