7 Day AAT Kings Iconic North 23/24

Welcome to Auckland, New Zealand’s City of Sails. Flights can arrive any time prior to 4.00pm and you will be transferred from the airport to your Auckland hotel in your private car. Tonight, enjoy a welcome reception and dinner at your hotel.

Staying in:

• The Cordis (1 night)

Enjoy a relaxed start to the day before heading to the New Zealand Maritime Museum for an exclusive America’s Cup tour. Afterwards, enjoy an extended city sights tour of Auckland. Travel around Auckland’s waterfront from central city out to Mission Bay. Prepare your camera for the stop at Bastion Point and the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial, as you will get stunning shots of Auckland, the North Shore and the Waitemata. This afternoon is at leisure.

Staying in:

• The Cordis (1 night)

You’re invited to a Be My Guest lunch at the home of Lance and Bridgette O’Sullivan, New Zealand horse racing royalty. Enjoy a sumptuous country-style lunch at the Red Barn on their beautiful Waikato farm. Later, travel to the harbourside city of Tauranga, in the Bay of Plenty.

Staying in:

• Trinity Wharf Tauranga (1 night)

Travel through Te Puke, the kiwifruit capital of New Zealand, which grows around 80% of the country’s kiwifruit. You’ll stop at Kiwifruit Country, a family owned business that is set amongst a 60-hectare orchard.  This afternoon, it’s on to Rotorua for an orientation tour that takes in views of Lake Rotorua followed by a visit to Te Puia for a tour through the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. Then an evening of culture, history and a Hangi feast Highlight Dinner awaits you at the Tamaki Maori Village.

Staying in:

• Millennium Hotel, Rotorua (1 night)

Today choose from a range of Optional sightseeing experiences. You could take a fascinating guided tour through the long galleries and lofty chambers of the world-famous Waitomo Glow worm Caves. Or explore Rotorua and its three lakes in an amphibious WWII era Duck. Your Travel Director will assist you in booking all your chosen optional experiences.

Staying in:

• Millennium Hotel, Rotorua (1 night)

Say Haere Ra (goodbye) to Rotorua this morning and journey out through pine forests and farmland to a little hidden spot, the turquoise torrent of rapids known as Huka Falls. The road ahead unfolds in a broad panorama of Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. The stunningly blue fresh water of Lake Taupo is home to some of the best Trout fishing in the world. You will then journey south over the Central Plateau, New Zealand’s main volcanic area, and along the Kapiti Coast to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington. Tonight, you are free to dine as you wish.

Staying in:

• James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (1 night)

Why not discover more of Wellington this morning? There’s time to visit the Parliament buildings and the Beehive, home to New Zealand’s politicians. Next, you’ll visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand and explore the fascinating exhibits at your leisure, including their unique Marae (Meeting House). Later, you will be transferred by private car to Wellington Airport for your onward flight.