NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURE - FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 12, 2019

2012 Lerner Lane Santa Ana Ca, 92705
                       (800) 243-7227 · (714) 508 0170 Fax (714) 508-8474 ·
                         info @ escapesltd.com      www.escapesltd.com

            NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURE
                       FEBRUARY 26 – MARCH 12, 2019

Day 1: 28 Feb 2019
Arrive Auckland
Kia Ora and welcome to New Zealand and Auckland, known as the City of Sails!
Included shuttles: Shuttles for all guests to hotel (or the guide will transfer depending on arrival
times)
Included Accommodation: Grand Millennium Hotel Auckland with breakfast
www.millenniumhotels.com/en/auckland/grand-millennium-auckland

Day 2: 1 March 2019
Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo
Breakfast at the hotel.
Head South today to Rotorua, known as the Geothermal Wonderland due to its boiling mud
pools and impressive geysers.
On the way, visit the world famous Waitomo Glow Worm Caves.
Your guided tour will take you through over 250 metres of stunning underground scenery
commencing with the impressive Cathedral. The acoustics in this particular cavern are amazing.
Acclaimed New Zealand Diva, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, has sung here and was delighted with the
purity of the sound. Your tour begins at the upper entrance of the cave and proceeds along a
low narrow passage to the Tomo, a deep limestone shaft. Your tour guide will explain about the
formation and the history of the area. Enjoy a boat trip through the spectacular Glowworm
Grotto.

Marvel at Mother Nature's light display as you glide silently through the starry wonderland of the
Glowworm Grotto. As you enter this galaxy of tiny living lights, you'll be fascinated and intrigued
by tiny glowworms that light your way.
The Ruakuri Walk is a great attraction in the Waitomo Caves area. Based in the Ruakuri Scenic
Reserve, a place of strong cultural significance to Maori, the walk includes limestone outcrops,
native forest and small caves to be explored. Continue to Marokopa Falls. The 35 m high falls
are described as the most beautiful in the country. Here the Marokopa River cascades over the
undercut greywacke basement rock.
Lunch on your own at Huhu Café.
Included Activity: Waitomo Caves Glow Worms Tour
Included Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua www.millenniumhotels.co.nz

Day 3: 2 March 2019 Rotorua

Breakfast at the hotel.
Enjoy a typical New Zealand farm show and tour at Agrodome, a guided tour of a working farm.
Feed the animals and enjoy sampling our Kiwifruit fruit orchard.
Tour in all-terrain vehicles. Hand-feed all sorts of friendly animals, including Romney sheep,
cattle, deer, llamas, ostrich, pigs and alpacas. Explore our fruit orchard and olive grove and
have the chance to taste natural kiwifruit juice and delicious sweet honey that comes from the
farm. Hands-on and entertaining, remember to bring your camera! Witness a live sheep
shearing demonstration and a fun sheep auction with bidding from the floor and audience
participation.
Continue to the Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park, thousands of years in the making, and
showcasing some stunning geothermal activity. Discover at your own pace. The Lady Knox
Geyser is a big feature at this park. At 10.15am each day you will have the opportunity to see
and learn the history and mechanics of this geyser.
Evening Mitai Maori Village cultural performance with Hangi dinner, for an authentic introduction
to Maori culture. Enter the world of Mitai, with warriors in traditional dress paddling an ancient
warrior canoe (waka) down the Wai-o-whiro stream.
This is rated the most spectacular evening dinner show and cultural performance you will see in
New Zealand. Transfer from hotel to Mitai Village with time to explore before dinner. After your
meal you will be treated to a guided bush walk through the Native Forest followed by a breath-
taking Maori performance and cultural show.
Included Activities: Agrodome farm show and tour, Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland,
Mitai Maori cultural performance with hangi dinner
Included Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua -

Day 4: 3 March 2019
Fly Rotorua to Christchurch
Breakfast at the hotel.
Mid-day flight to Christchurch, arriving at about 2pm. Explore this awesome city that has been
rebuilt after its recent earthquakes.
Late afternoon winery tour in the Canterbury region.

Included Activity: Waipara Wine Tour departing from Christchurch, visiting 3 wineries
Included Accommodation: Rendezvous Hotel Christchurch – www.rendezvoushotels.com

Day 5: 4 March 2019
Christchurch
Breakfast at the hotel.
Head out to the coast to Akaroa for a nature cruise around an extinct volcanic crater and to see
Akaroa dolphins, in a 60ft modern catamara. During this 2hr trip, you will receive a commentary
from one of the crew members.
Afternoon city tour. Witness the regeneration that has taken place since the 2011 earthquake,
including a visit to the Botanic Gardens.
Included Activity: Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise, city tour
Included Accommodation: Rendezvous Hotel Christchurch

Day 6: 5 March 2019
Christchurch to Dunedin
Breakfast at the hotel.
Bus travel to Dunedin, known for its Scottish and Maori heritage and Victorian and Edwardian
architecture. Dunedin is home to colonies of albatross, sea lions and rare yellow-eyed penguins.
Stop in Oamaru to see some important archaeological sites.
Join a 90 minute tour at Penguin Place Conservation Reserve. Take a short bus ride to the
reserve and then continue on foot. See lots of native wildlife and interesting flora along the way.
Highlights include native bird species, New Zealand fur seals, nesting or moulting blue
penguins, beautiful native forest, regenerating wetlands and a visit to a rehabilitation facility for
penguins. (Total estimated bus time- 6 hours)
Included Activity: Penguin Place conservation tour
Included Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Dunedin              www.scenichotelgroup.co.nz

Day 7: 6 March 2019
Dunedin
Breakfast at the hotel
Dunedin is NZ’s best kept secret, with abundant wildlife and interesting heritage buildings.
Half day cruise and scenic bus tour to see the sea creatures on the Otago Peninsula and learn
about the early settlers in the area with a local guide.
Visit Larnach Castle for a tour and High Tea.
Included Activity: Half day cruise – Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tour, High Tea plus Castle,
Garden Entry & Audio Pass
Included Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Dunedin

Day 8: 7 March 2019
Dunedin
Breakfast at hotel.
Take the Dunedin Railway to Taieri Gorge. This train ride will show you the ever-changing and
spectacular scenery that the area has to offer.
Included Activity: Taieri Gorge train - Dunedin to Taieri Gorge return with Dunedin Railways
Included Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Dunedin

Day 9: 8 March 2019
Dunedin to Te Anau
Breakfast at hotel
Depart south to Te Anau. (estimated driving time- 4 hours)
Evening magical underground glow worm cave tour.
This underground world is astonishingly beautiful. By geological standards the caves are very
young (12,000 years) and are still being carved out by the force of the river that flows through
them. The result is a twisting network of limestone passages filled with sculpted rock, whirlpools
and a roaring underground waterfall.
Deep inside the caves, beyond the roar of the water, you will be taken by small boat into a silent
hidden grotto inhabited by thousands of glowworms, unique to New Zealand. In the
subterranean darkness, they produce a glittering display that is nothing short of extraordinary.
Duration: 2hrs 15 mins
Includes cruise across Lake Te Anau
Some bending is required at the caves entrance and steps are involved
Included Activity: Te Anau Glow worms cave tour
Included Accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas www.distinctionteanau.co.nz

Day 10: 9 March 2019
Te Anau to Milford Sound, then to Queenstown
Breakfast at the hotel
Milford Sound awaits with its cascading waterfalls, towering valleys, rushing rivers, cheeky Kea
birds and a brilliant scenic cruise to make this day on tour one of your best. (Estimated driving
time- 1 hour 20 minutes)
The Homer Tunnel takes you from one world to another and once you come out the other side
you will be greeted with gorgeous views of the surrounding valleys and mountains.
Short native bush walks along the way. At the Milford Sound wharf you will have time to look
around before boarding your catamaran for an amazing cruise around the Fiord.
Drive to Queenstown after the days activities. It's a long day trip with an early start. (Estimated
driving time- 2 hrs 15 mins)
Included Activity: Milford Sound coach-cruise-coach from Te Anau including picnic lunch
Included Accommodation: Doubletree by Hilton Queenstown
http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/new-zealand/doubletree-by-hilton-hotel-queenstown

Day 11: 10 March 2019
Queenstown
With awe-inspiring mountains, fresh air, bright blue skies and bustling foot traffic, there is a
reason that Queenstown is New Zealand’s most loved city.
Full free day in Queenstown to check out some optional activities such as the Shotover Jet. You
also might like to spend some time walking around the shops and checking out the awesome
eateries in the city. Or you could do an optional winery tour which will take you to the Central
Otago region to taste some of the delicious wines on offer.
Optional Activities: Shotover Jet, Appellation Wine Tours - Afternoon Classic Wine Tour
Included Accommodation: Doubletree by Hilton Queenstown

OPTIONAL
Shotover Jet - Queenstown
Queenstown's world famous jet boat ride, Shotover Jet has thrilled millions of people since
1965. So take a spin in the iconic 'big red' through the spectacular Shotover River Canyons with
us! NZ$149 per person

OPTIONAL
Appellation Wine Tours - Afternoon
Classic Wine Tour
This is a 4 hours tour that will take you to visit 3 wineries around Queenstown and the Gibbston
wine region. The group size will vary from 2-22 guests.
Discover Central Otago’s scenic wine country on this fun and interactive afternoon tour. Enjoy
tastings at 3 varying wineries with a cheese platter included.
Your tour will include:

   •   A tour through New Zealand’s largest wine cave
   •   Stunning drive through the rugged Kawarau Gorge viewing the original AJ Hackett bungy
       bridge
   •   Enjoy panoramic views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu & The Remarkables
   •   Visit the Lord of the Rings filming site: Pillar of the Kings (time permitting)
   •   Knowledgeable guides with fascinating commentary on wine, local sights & early history
       of Central Otago
   •   Choose a glass of wine to sit back and relax with and indulge in some local cheeses
       NZ$159 per person

Day 12: 11 March 2019
Queenstown
Breakfast at hotel.
Day trip to Wanaka, a picturesque lakeside town, with a stop in Arrowtown, ,an old gold mining
town.
Wanaka has several short walks nearby and also some a little further out such as the Blue
Pools which are stunning and totally worth the drive out there.
Evening trip on the TSS Earnslaw over to the Walter Peak Farm for a tour and BBQ farewell
dinner.
Steeped in Queenstown’s pioneering history, cruise across Lake Wakatipu in the 103 year old
steamship, the TSS Earnslaw. Then disembark at Walter Peak High Country Farm, one of the
first farms set up in the region.
Enjoy the unique ambience of the Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant, the heart of the stately
homestead at Walter Peak. Gourmet BBQ dinner with an array of New Zealand and local
produce, from succulent meats cooked on the outdoor rotisserie or grill, a selection of delicious
vegetables and salads. Finish with irresistible desserts, New Zealand cheeses and freshly
brewed tea & coffee.
After dinner, an entertaining and informative demonstration gives you a glimpse of life in the
high country.
On the magical night-time cruise home, you can enjoy the camaraderie of a sing-a-long with the
ship’s pianist or breathe in the fresh night air on the moonlit decks as you watch the lights of
Queenstown draw nearer.
Included Activity: Walter Peak Farm Tour with BBQ dinner
Included Accommodation: Doubletree by Hilton Queenstown

Day 13: 12 March 2019
Depart Queenstown
Breakfast at the hotel
Departure transfer to airport for your flight home.

LAND PRICE PER PERSON:            $4639 PER PERSON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY*

*Prices are subject to change due to currency conversion. This is the current price if the dollar
stays stable. If the dollar gets stronger, we might be able to adjust the price downward. Single
supplement available upon request.

INCLUSIONS:

  •   Your local, professional, knowledgeable guide
  •   Vehicle with at least 22 seats and a trailer for luggage
  •   Airport transfers
  •   Clean and comfortable accommodation at 4 star level hotels
  •   Meals:
          o Breakfast at accommodations each morning (excluding arrival day) or at local
              cafes if not offered at accommodation.
  •   Activities:
          o Waitomo Caves Glow Worms Tour
          o Agrodome Farm Show and Tour
          o Mitai Maori cultural performance with Hangi dinner
          o Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park
          o Waipara Wine Tour departing from Christchurch, visiting 3 wineries
          o Akaroa Harbour nature cruise
          o Penguin Place Conservation Tour
          o Half day cruise – Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tour
          o Larnach High Tea plus Castle tour, Garden Entry & Audio Pass
          o Taieri Gorge train - Dunedin to Taieri Gorge return with Dunedin Railways
          o Te Anau Glow worms cave tour
          o Milford Sound scenic coach-cruise-coach from Te Anau including picnic lunch
          o Walter Peak Farm Tour with BBQ dinner
          o Tours of each town visited

TOUR EXCLUSIONS:

  •   Any international or domestic flights
  •   Any activities not listed above
  •   Any lunches or dinners unless included in the inclusions
  •   Travel Insurance (highly recommended)