Affordable Festive Season

4.0/5 Based on 1 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Fully Guided Group
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 Trip Length
17 Days
 Trip Starts
Christchurch
 Trip Finishes
Auckland
17 Day Affordable Festive Season Itinerary (Grand Pacific)
Countries Explored: New Zealand
Trip Style
Special Interest
Accommodation
3 - 3.5 Star
Max. Group Size
48
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
CGPNX17

Overview

Read reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Grand Pacific's 17 Day Affordable Festive Season. Enjoy the festive season in New Zealand this year as you travel through this spectacular Country. Celebrate Christmas Day in true Kiwi style with a sumptuous traditional lunch and celebrate New Year's Eve in Rotorua, a geothermal wonderland.

Itinerary

Enjoy the Festive Season kiwi style on this fully escorted tour. On arrival into Christchurch you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening meet your travelling companions. (D) Stay Two Nights: Heartland Hotel Cotswold

Today is a free day to explore Christchurch. Enjoy a journey on board the Christchurch Tram at your leisure, one of Christchurch 's leading attractions. (B/D)

After an introductory city sights tour depart Christchurch and travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue. Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest peak. The opportunity is available (time and weather permitting) to enjoy a scenic flight (optional) over the Southern Alps before travelling to Omarama. Stay: Heritage Gateway Hotel (B/D)

Depart Omarama and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy a city sights tour followed by some free time. Tonight a Scottish evening will be presented comprising of bagpipe, great food and special Haggis Ceremony and gift. Stay: Dunedin Leisure Lodge – A Distinction Hotel (B/SD)

This morning travel out along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Tonight you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional). Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Superior Room) (B/D)

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. This afternoon travel to Queenstown, overlooking magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year-round resort which offers a wide range of activities and attractions. Stay Two Nights: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Queenstown Lakefront (B/L/D)

Merry Christmas! Today board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Enjoy a gourmet Christmas lunch and the best of NZ's high country cuisine in the Colonel's Homestead. Reboard the TSS Earnslaw and enjoy a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown. This evening is free to dine at leisure. (B/L)

Travel to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the mighty West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel to Fox Glacier. Time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers. Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier – Graham Wing (B/D)

Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue to Arthur's Pass and board The TranzAlpine, one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains to the elegant city of Christchurch. On arrival your coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Stay: Heartland Hotel Cotswold (B/D)

Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikoura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you continue to the Marlborough Country, famous for it's food & wine. Continue to Picton, where you board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington. Stay Two Nights: Ibis Wellington (B/D)

A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Reboard your coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time this afternoon and this evening is also free to choose your own dining arrangements. (B)

Depart Wellington and view the snow-capped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro as you travel to Lake Taupo. Visit the spectacular Huka Falls then travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua. Stay Two Nights: Distinction Rotorua (B/D)

Today begins with a Gondola ride and breakfast at the Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride! Next stop is Agrodome for an action packed hour of farming entertainment and education that's unlike anything you've seen before. Visit Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and the awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. Enjoy some free time this afternoon. This evening experience an entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert and see in the New Year. (B/SD)

This morning depart Rotorua and travel north via Auckland. Continue via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy an introduction to the Bay of Islands, location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British. Stay Two Nights: Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge (B/D)

Today you will explore the scenic beauty of the Bay of Islands aboard a luxury catamaran. Cruise to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock, keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. Return to Paihia for a free afternoon where a range of optional activities are available or you may choose to relax and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the waterfront. This evening is also free, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional). (B)

Depart the Bay of Islands this morning and travel via Whangarei and Dargaville to Matakohe. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum before continuing to Auckland for a city sights tour. This evening you will be treated to a farewell dinner with your new found friends. Stay: Rydges Auckland (B/D)

Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • Christchurch Tram
  • Haggis Ceremony & Gift
  • Larnach Castle
  • Milford Sound Cruise & Lunch
  • Lakes District Museum
  • Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
  • TranzAlpine Rail Journey
  • Cruise on the Interislander Ferry
  • Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum
  • Skyline Gondola & Luge
  • Agrodome
  • Thermal mud pools and geysers
  • Traditional Maori Hangi & Concert
  • Hole in the Rock Cruise
  • Matakohe Kauri Museum
  • City sights tour of Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington & Auckland

  • 48 seat modern coach travel with 2 door access, restroom, reclining seats and panoramic windows
  • Professional Coach Captain and Tour Leader
  • Personalised Meet & Greet on arrival
  • Return airport transfers in New Zealand
  • 16 nights 3 - 3.5 star accommodation
  • 5 two night stays
  • Hotel porterage
  • 1 rail journey
  • 4 scenic cruises
  • All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
  • Comprehensive documentation pack

  • 16 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast at Stratosfare Restaurant - Rotorua
  • 13 sumptuous dinners including 2 specialty dinners: Maori Hangi & Concert - Rotorua, Haggis Ceremony - Dunedin
  • Christmas Day Lunch - Walter Peak Homestead - Queenstown
  • 1 picnic lunch
  • 1 delicious Devonshire Tea: Larnach Castle

  • Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included

Trip Reviews (1) Most Recent 'Affordable Festive Season' Reviews

4.0
AVG. RATING 4.0 / 5
1 Review
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100%
3 Star
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1 Star
Loved it all 0 , TAS, Australia, Dec 2019
Loved it all even when a little "busy" and occasionally suffered from scenic overload. Exceptional driver and Christmas dinner. Remainder was very good with one or two very minor gripes. Normal start time very early and we would have preferred an extra day rather than a 2am night at an expensive hotel. Coffee and wine were pretty expensive. (Global ...read more Journeys: This itinerary has been updated for the 2023 season)
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Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Grand Pacific. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Grand Pacific. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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