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NEW ZEALAND SAMPLER - 7 days / 6 nights
(Accommodation: 1 night Auckland / 1 night Rotorua / 3 nights Queenstown / 1 night Christchurch )
Day 1: Arrive Auckland: On arrival in Auckland – New Zealand ’s City of Sails - you are met and transferred to your accommodation. If time permits we suggest a sailing cruise on the Waitemata Harbour or a visit to the Auckland Museum to see the world's finest display of Maori artefacts.
Day 2: Auckland - Waitomo Caves- Rotorua: Your rental car will be delivered to your accommodation this morning. Leave the big city behind and travel alongside the Waikato River - lifeblood to the fertile farmlands on the plain. At Waitomo follow your guide past amazing limestone formations before taking your place on the small boat and gliding silently into the glow worm grotto. Cross the Waikato River and continue to Rotorua - New Zealand ’s thermal wonderland and centre of Maori culture.
Day 3: Rotorua - Sightseeing / Maori Concert & Dinner: This morning visit Te Puia and enjoy a guided tour of this fascinating park. Some 500 pools and at least 65 geyser vents, each with their own name, are found on this site. Seven geysers are active, the most famous, Pohutu, meaning big splash or explosion. In front of visitors Pohutu can erupt up to 30 metres high, depending on its mood.
Tonight journey to a local Marae for a Maori Hangi (feast, food cooked in the ground) and cultural concert.
Day 4: Rotorua - Queenstown: This morning visit a nature reserve where you will have the opportunity view many native species of flora and fauna including living examples of New Zealand 's national emblem - the Kiwi bird. See a range of geothermal features from sputtering mud pools, mysterious hot springs , remarkable silica formations and spouting geysers at one of the thermal reserves. Enjoy and amusing and informative farm show. This afternoon transfer to Rotorua airport and connect with your flight to Queenstown.
On arrival in Queenstown you are met and transferred to your accommodation. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu Queenstown is a year-round alpine resort that caters for all interests. It enjoys a magnificent setting amid steep mountain ranges and pockets of native bush with the jagged peaks of the Remarkables Range rising from the lake.
Day 5: Queenstown - Doubtful Sound Tour: A day of natural wonder. Travel by scenic coach to Lake Te Anau and onto Manapouri where you board your cruise across to the West Arm of the lake. Here you board your coach and travel through dense rainforest. Once at Deep Cove board the catamaran for a 3 hours cruise of beautiful Doubtful Sound. On board there are excellent views of waterfalls, rainforest and mountains, and if sighted, there is a resident pod of bottlenose dolphins and fur seals basking on the rocks. Also rare Fiordland crested penguins are sometimes encountered on a seasonal basis. A visit is also possible to the Underground Power station (subject to operational procedures).
Day 6: Queenstown - Day at leisure: Today is a free day to enjoy the many activities available in this region which include jet-boating excursions, golf, bungy jumping, paragliding, gold panning in old gold-mines, cruises on Lake Wakatipu, or simply relaxing beside the lakeside or shopping.
 Day 7: Queenstown - Christchurch: Journey north through tussock country and past alpine lakes to Mount Cook national Park. Continue over the patchworked Canterbury Plains to Christchurch - the Garden City. Christchurch has a vibrant city centre with numerous bars, cafes and excellent boutique shopping. Make time to explore Christchurch ’s many attractions, most of which are easily accessible by foot, tram and bus.
Day 8: Depart Christchurch: A departure transfer is provided to Christchurch International Airport .
Package price: (valid for travel between 1 October 2009 and 31 March 2010)
From NZ$2095,- per person (2 people travelling together).
Single room supplement: NZ$648,-
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Inclusions:
- 7 nights accommodation
- 4 transfers (Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown, Christchurch)
- 3 sightseeing tours (Rotorua x2, Queenstown)
- 2 coach transfers (Auckland/Waitomo/Rotorua, Queenstown/Mount Cook/Christchurch)
- Flight from Rotorua to Queenstown
This itinerary can also be booked as a self drive option. Prices from NZ$1899 per person.
Rental car pick up on day 2 in Auckland, returning it to Rotorua airport on day 4 and collection at Queenstown airport, returning the vehicle to Christchurch on day 8.
Rental car example (other categories on application)
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Group ICAR - Toyota Camry Sportivo, Nissan Primera, Toyota Avensis, Mazda or similar
5 door, 3.8-4.0 litre, 6 cylinder, automatic, air conditioning, radio with CD player, air bags, cruise control, ABS brakes, independent rear suspension, six function trip computer, electric seat adjustment, central locking
Renter qualification: All intending drivers must present a valid full national driving licence, which has been held for at least one year . A current international driving licence must accompany driving licences issued in a language other than English. There is no extra charge for additional drivers. Minimum rental age and other requirements for additional drivers will be the same as for the renter. Additional authorised drivers must be notified to Thrifty and listed on the rental agreement.
Motor Vehicle Insurance: Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Insurance (MVI) including third party and public liability, is included in our rates. An Accident Damage Excess (ADE) does apply however. This excess may be reduced (at the renter's option) at the time of rental by purchasing Accident Excess Reduction (AER),
Fuel: Fuel is not included in the rates. Each vehicle is supplied with a full tank of fuel, which is refilled at the renter's expense on return. If the vehicle is not returned with a full tank, the renter will be charged for the fuel required to refill the tank at the prevailing rate applicable by Thrifty Car Rental at the time.
Restricted Roads: Thrifty vehicles are prohibited from the following roads:
North Island : Ninety-Mile Beach (Northland) / South Island : Skippers Canyon Road (Queenstown)
Driving on these roads constitutes a breach of the rental agreement and the renter would be fully liable for any damage to the Thrifty vehicle or Third party property occurring as a result.
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Other option: on day 6 continue to the West Coast, then to Christchurch.
This itinerary can also be booked in reverse or as an extended or shortened version. Please contact us with your individual request.
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