New Zealand with Hong Kong pre-tour stopover

Typical of the hotels you will stay in are the Rendevous Hotel in Auckland, the Pacific Hotel in Pahia, the Sudima Hotel in Rotorua, the West Plaza Hotel in Wellington, the Latimer Hotel or similar in Christchurch, the Village Inn in Te Anau, the Mercure Leisure Lodge in Dunedin and the Heritage Hotel in Omarama. All hotels have a restaurant and a bar. All guest rooms have private facilities, TV and telephone.

In Hong Kong, you will stay for two or three nights at the Cityview, Kowloon or similar and a city tour is included.

Day 1: UK

Depart on your scheduled flight to Hong Kong.

Days 2 - 3: Hong Kong

Arrival into Hong Kong. Transfer to your hotel where two nights’ accommodation has been reserved for you and a city tour is included.

Hong Kong’s magnificent natural setting on the tip of the Chinese mainland is a natural gateway to the Orient. It is an intense, vibrant and colourful city of dramatic contrasts. Towering skyscrapers, monuments to Hong Kong’s development as a world financial centre, form the backdrop to the busy harbour, with its constant traffic of ferries, junks, sampans and sea-going vessels. Yet in the teaming alleys, festooned with red and gold signs, street markets remain untouched by western influences, and still provide an intoxicating taste of mystique and intrigue.

Day 4: Hong Kong/Auckland

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Auckland.

Day 5: Auckland

Upon arrival in Auckland, transfer to your hotel. You will stay here for two nights. Rest of the day at leisure. The North Island was shaped originally by the fire of volcanoes. Today you’ll find a subtropical climate, thermal springs and geysers, rich farmland, glorious national parks, luxuriant forests and stunning lakes

Day 6: Auckland

This morning a sightseeing tour of Auckland is included. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the 'City of Sails'.

Day 7: Rotorua

Morning departure for Rotorua. Your journey will take you south through Ngaruawahia, home of the Tuheitia Paki Maori King.

Continue to Rotorua, the focal point of New Zealand’s thermal springs region. Accommodation has been arranged here for two nights.

Day 8: Rotorua

Morning included visit to Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve to view the extraordinary boiling mud pools and spouting geysers. Optional afternoon excursion to the Agrodome to see a display of working sheep dogs and a visit to Rainbow Springs to view the rare Kiwi Bird.

During the evening there will be an opportunity to visit a Maori Hangi and concert.

Day 9: Wellington

Depart Rotorua and travel south through the Wairakei Valley and then past the spectacular Huka Falls to Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest freshwater lake. You will then continue to Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. On arrival you will be taken on a city tour. Overnight accommodation has been arranged.

Day 10: Christchurch

Today you will sail from the North Island to the South Island. The crossing takes approximately three hours and sails through the picturesque Cook Strait to Picton. Here you will board the coach for your drive south along the Kaikoura Coast to the famous city of Christchurch for an overnight stay.

The beguiling South Island is a complete contrast to the North. It’s a land of mountains, glaciers and spectacular fjords. Its sparse population of just one million people shares the island with 40 million sheep. Here amongst the grandeur of the snow-capped peaks, still fjords and rugged coastline, you’ll find a warm welcome.

Day 11: Omarama

Christchurch is known as the most English city outside England with its olde worlde charm, leafy parks and flower gardens. Morning sightseeing tour of Christchurch before continuing into the heart of the South Island. You will see Lake Tekapo, travel across Burkes Pass and then past Lake Pukaki before arriving at Mount Cook. At 12,000ft it is the highest mountain in New Zealand. You will also have the opportunity to take an optional scenic flight before continuing to Omarama for an overnight stop.

Day 12: Queenstown

Depart Omarama and travel through the Lindus Pass to the lakeside resort of Wanaka. Then continue to the historic township of Arrowtown, before arriving in Queenstown. Here two nights' accommodation has been arranged for you.

Day 13: Queenstown

Join our exciting full day optional excursion to Milford Sound, one of the most beautiful locations in New Zealand. The tour takes you to Te Anau, the gateway to Fjordland National Park. You then continue through the lush beech forests of the Eglinton Valley and the eroded glacial canyons of the Hollyford Valley, before arriving at Milford Sound itself. There will be an included cruise (weather permitting) on the sound before returning by coach to Queenstown.

Day 14: Fox Glacier

Depart Queenstown and drive to the west coast and then along one of the most exciting and scenic roads ever built. You cross the Haast River Bridge and Clark Bluff to the renowned Fox Glacier before transferring to the hotel for an overnight stop.

Day 15: Christchurch

Return to Christchurch via Arthur’s Pass National Park. You also have the option to take the Tranz-Alpine express train, one of the most spectacular train journeys in New Zealand. On arrival in Christchurch transfer to your hotel for a two night stay.

Day 16: Christchurch

Today will be free for you to explore Christchurch.

Day 17: Christchurch

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK via Auckland and Los Angeles.

Day 18: UK

Arrival in the UK.