Grand Explorer (Auckland
to Queenstown) Trip
for 18 - 35 Year Old College Students and Young Professionals
Overview
Get ready for stunning natural surroundings, chilled out Kiwi culture &
an adrenaline rush! Visit Dunedin, try ‘Speights’ & hit up the action & adventure in Queenstown! Ever
tried a bungy jump, jet boating, canyon swinging or 4-wheel driving? Now's the time! Head north to the land of
the Lord of the Rings, Wellington, try a Hangi & cruise Lake Taupo. Hit Rotorua, go Zorbing & end your
day relaxing in a thermal pool.
Itinerary
Day 1 an
2 Depart for New
Zealand
Fly over the international date line on your way to New Zealand.
Day
3 Auckland to Bay of
Islands
This morning we’ll see the Sky Tower downtown, before crossing the iconic Auckland Harbour
Bridge. There are full-blown vistas of the harbour, Rangitoto, and other neighbouring volcanic islands on
the way. Resort (D)
Day
4 Bay of Islands
A day of adventure and fun. The day is yours to enjoy the overwhelming beauty of the Bay of
Islands. How about a Catamaran cruise through the "Hole-in-the-Rock", maybe sail to a deserted island for
lunch, perhaps travel along Ninety Mile Beach to Cape Reinga at "lands end". Resort (B)
Day
5 Bay of Islands to
Waitomo
We head south, stopping in Auckland for lunch before travelling through the lush Waikato
farming region to Waitomo, home of magical limestone formations and sparkling Glow-worms. Tonight there's
the chance to meet the local characters. Lodge (B,D)
Day
6 Waitomo to
Rotorua
There will be time today, if you wish, to visit the Glow-worm grotto or try underground
cave rafting. Then we'll visit the Agrodome farm show, on our way to the thermal area of Rotorua. Maybe
try the Zorb or end the day by relaxing in a Polynesian thermal pool, before taking in an optional Maori
Hangi meal and concert. Hotel (B)
Day
7 Rotorua to Taupo
What a day for your travel diary, along the steaming Wairakei Valley to the raging Huka
Falls before continuing to our exclusive resort beside New Zealand's largest lake - Taupo. This afternoon
you're free to wander the shops, enjoy a parasail high over the lake or challenge gravity on the Rock n'
Ropes. Tonight maybe try fishing and later enjoy the famous local nightlife. Resort (B)
Day
8 Taupo to
Wellington
The mountains of Tongariro National Park provide a spectacular sight on the way to
Wellington, New Zealand's capital city. A scenic waterfront drive to the top of Mt Victoria acts as the
perfect introduction to this cosmopolitan city famed for its cafes, restaurants and trendy bars. Hotel
(B)
Day
9 Wellington
A full day to explore the city and its surrounding area. Take your time to enjoy the
amazing Museum of New Zealand, known as Te Papa 'Our House'. Maybe do some shopping or see the sights of
the Lord of the Rings trilogy or just relax in one of the city's many cafes. Later this evening join us
for a walkabout dinner. Hotel (B)
Day
10 Wellington to
Christchurch
Board the Inter-Island ferry and do the north to south island hop through Marlborough Sound and
Cook Strait to Picton. Then make sure your camera has film for the spectacular views along the Kaikoura
Coastline. If we're lucky, we'll spot one of the many seal colonies in this area. Then, via the
Canterbury Plains, we'll head towards the city of Christchurch. Hotel (B)
Day 11 Christchurch to Franz Josef
Glacier
We'll cross the spectacular Southern Alps via majestic Arthur's Pass and take in the jade
greenstone carving at Hokitika. Then we'll journey along the South Island's rugged coast to the awesome
Westland National Park, home to Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. Hotel (B,D)
Day
12 Franz Josef Glacier to
Queenstown
Today there's the chance to explore the incredible Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers with
professional guides that will be on hand to show you the beauty of this natural wonder. We'll then journey
through Haast Pass to Queenstown and our lodge high above Lake Wakatipu. Hold onto your hat - Queenstown
beckons! Lodge (B,D)
Day 13 and
14 Queenstown
Leisure is probably the wrong word as Queenstown is known as the 'Adventure-Adrenaline
capital of the world', one of those places that you can literally do as much or as little as you like. A
number of options to astound you await! Ever tried Bungy jumping, Sky diving, Jet boating, River boarding,
White water rafting, Helicopter riding, Luging, Canyon Swinging, Four wheeldriving, Hiking???? Be extreme!
Action by day, action by night - that's Queenstown. Yes, when you've dried off and caught your breath,
it'll be time to experience Queenstown's legendary nightlife, and there's no shortage of venues for dining
and socialising - why not try an optional meal at the world famous Skyline gondola complex. Lodge
(B)(B)
Day
15 Queenstown
The tour ends this morning and it’s time to say goodbye to your
new friends & Contiki crew.
Dates & Prices
| Available Definite Departure |
07 Dec 2011 |
21 Dec 2011 |
$2118 |
| Available Definite Departure |
15 Dec 2011 |
29 Dec 2011 |
$2118 |
| Booked Definite Departure |
19 Dec 2011 |
02 Jan 2012 |
$2118 |
| Booked Definite Departure |
23 Dec 2011 |
06 Jan 2012 |
$2118 |
| Booked Definite Departure |
27 Dec 2011 |
10 Jan 2012 |
$2118 |
| Booked Definite Departure |
31 Dec 2011 |
14 Jan 2012 |
$2118 |
| Booked Definite Departure |
04 Jan 2012 |
18 Jan 2012 |
$2118 |
| Available Definite Departure |
08 Jan 2012 |
22 Jan 2012 |
$2118 |
| Available Definite Departure |
12 Jan 2012 |
26 Jan 2012 |
$2118 |
| Available Definite Departure |
20 Jan 2012 |
03 Feb 2012 |
$2118 |
| Available Definite Departure |
24 Jan 2012 |
07 Feb 2012 |
$2118 |
| Available Definite Departure |
28 Jan 2012 |
11 Feb 2012 |
$2118 |
| Available Definite Departure |
01 Feb 2012 |
15 Feb 2012 |
$2118 |
| Available Definite Departure |
05 Feb 2012 |
19 Feb 2012 |
$2118 |
| Available Definite Departure |
09 Feb 2012 |
23 Feb 2012 |
$2118 |
| Available Definite Departure |
17 Feb 2012 |
02 Mar 2012 |
$2118 |
| Available |
21 Feb 2012 |
06 Mar 2012 |
$2118 |
| Available |
25 Feb 2012 |
10 Mar 2012 |
$2118 |
| Available Definite Departure |
29 Feb 2012 |
14 Mar 2012 |
$2118 |
| Available Definite Departure |
12 Mar 2012 |
26 Mar 2012 |
$2118 |
| Available |
24 Mar 2012 |
07 Apr 2012 |
$2118 |
| Available |
05 Apr 2012 |
19 Apr 2012 |
$2084 |
| Available |
17 Apr 2012 |
01 May 2012 |
$2084 |
| Available |
29 Apr 2012 |
13 May 2012 |
$2084 |
| Available |
11 May 2012 |
25 May 2012 |
$2084 |
| Available |
23 May 2012 |
06 Jun 2012 |
$2084 |
| Available |
04 Jun 2012 |
18 Jun 2012 |
$2084 |
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16 Jun 2012 |
30 Jun 2012 |
$2084 |
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28 Jun 2012 |
12 Jul 2012 |
$2084 |
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10 Jul 2012 |
24 Jul 2012 |
$2054 |
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22 Jul 2012 |
05 Aug 2012 |
$2054 |
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03 Aug 2012 |
17 Aug 2012 |
$2054 |
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15 Aug 2012 |
29 Aug 2012 |
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27 Aug 2012 |
10 Sep 2012 |
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08 Sep 2012 |
22 Sep 2012 |
$2054 |
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20 Sep 2012 |
04 Oct 2012 |
$2054 |
| Available |
02 Oct 2012 |
16 Oct 2012 |
$2108 |
| Available |
14 Oct 2012 |
28 Oct 2012 |
$2108 |
| Available |
22 Oct 2012 |
05 Nov 2012 |
$2108 |
| Available |
30 Oct 2012 |
13 Nov 2012 |
$2108 |
| Available |
07 Nov 2012 |
21 Nov 2012 |
$2108 |
| Available |
15 Nov 2012 |
29 Nov 2012 |
$2158 |
| Available |
23 Nov 2012 |
07 Dec 2012 |
$2158 |
| Available |
01 Dec 2012 |
15 Dec 2012 |
$2158 |
| Available |
05 Dec 2012 |
19 Dec 2012 |
$2158 |
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09 Dec 2012 |
23 Dec 2012 |
$2158 |
| Available |
13 Dec 2012 |
27 Dec 2012 |
$2158 |
| Available |
17 Dec 2012 |
31 Dec 2012 |
$2158 |
| Available |
21 Dec 2012 |
04 Jan 2013 |
$2158 |
| Available |
25 Dec 2012 |
08 Jan 2013 |
$2158 |
| Available |
29 Dec 2012 |
12 Jan 2013 |
$2158 |
| Available |
02 Jan 2013 |
16 Jan 2013 |
$2158 |
| Available |
06 Jan 2013 |
20 Jan 2013 |
$2158 |
| Available |
10 Jan 2013 |
24 Jan 2013 |
$2158 |
| Available |
14 Jan 2013 |
28 Jan 2013 |
$2158 |
| Available |
18 Jan 2013 |
01 Feb 2013 |
$2158 |
| Available |
22 Jan 2013 |
05 Feb 2013 |
$2158 |
| Available |
26 Jan 2013 |
09 Feb 2013 |
$2158 |
| Available |
30 Jan 2013 |
13 Feb 2013 |
$2158 |
| Available |
03 Feb 2013 |
17 Feb 2013 |
$2158 |
| Available |
07 Feb 2013 |
21 Feb 2013 |
$2158 |
| Available |
11 Feb 2013 |
25 Feb 2013 |
$2158 |
| Available |
15 Feb 2013 |
01 Mar 2013 |
$2158 |
| Available |
19 Feb 2013 |
05 Mar 2013 |
$2158 |
| Available |
23 Feb 2013 |
09 Mar 2013 |
$2158 |
| Available |
27 Feb 2013 |
13 Mar 2013 |
$2158 |
| Available |
11 Mar 2013 |
25 Mar 2013 |
$2158 |
| Available |
23 Mar 2013 |
06 Apr 2013 |
$2158 |
*Prices are not guaranteed until time of
booking
Important Trip
Details
- Tour starts in Auckland and ends in Christchurch
- Depart 12:00 noon and finish 8am
- Single supplement available
- All tour prices are land only. Air is available on request
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Only a $200 deposit required to
book.
Full payment not due until 45 days prior to
departure. (So if paying within 45 days please
pay full amount).
You are booking a shared room if you would like a single room please call 877
848-7477.
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Highlights
All these highlights along with city sightseeing are included in your tour
price!
Included
- Auckland: Cross Auckland's Harbour Bridge; See the impressive city skyline & Sky
Tower; See the 'City of Sails' harbor made famous by the America's Cup
- Parry Kauri Park: Walk through native Kauri Forest
- Waitomo: Visit Waitomo & a traditional New Zealand country pub; Enjoy a pizza
party
- Rotorua: City sightseeing tour; Visit the Agrodome farm to see the World renown sheep
show
- Huka Falls: Visit the mighty falls
- Taupo: View Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake
- Tongariro National Park: Dramatic drive through the Volcanic landscape made famous in
the 'Lord of the Rings'; See the active volcano Mt. Ruapehu
- Wellington: City sightseeing tour; Visit Mt. Victoria & enjoy the panoramic views;
See more of the sights made famous in the 'Lord of the Rings'
- Cook Strait: Cruise the scenic Marlborough & Queen Charlotte Sounds
- Picton: Drive through New Zealand's largest wine growing region
- Kaikoura Coast: Spectacular coastal drive & visit a seal colony
- Christchurch: City sightseeing tour
- Arthur's Pass: Scenic drive through Arthur's Pass National Park
- Hokitika: See traditional Maori Greenstone carving
- Franz Josef & Fox Glacier: Coastal drive through Westland National Park with views
of the glaciers & rainforests
- Haast Pass: Stunning drive through the Southern Alps; See Lake Hawea & the Crown
Range
- Queenstown: City sightseeing tour; View the Remarkables Mountains & Coronet Peak;
Stop at AJ Hackett's Kawarau Bridge; Visit Arrowtown, the historic gold mining town
- Milford Sound: Travel through the Homer Tunnel; Unique overnight cruise on Milford
Sound in Fiordland National Park; Cruise past towering cliffs & spectacular waterfalls; See the
awe inspiring Mitre Peak
- Lake Ohau: See Mt. Cook across this beautiful blue glacial lake
- Lake Tekapo: See the beautiful turquoise coloured glacial lake
Accommodations
- Accommodations as per itinerary
- Breakfasts (B) and Dinners (D) as per itinerary
- Experienced Tour Managers and Drivers
- Modern air-conditioned coach
- Free Travellers Guide information book
Optional Excursions
Waitomo
- Ruakuri Caves Tour
- Newly opened caves with a tour that gives you a more extensive insight into cave
formations and glowworm activity. 3 hour. www.tradeinfo-thlonline.com
- Waitomo Caves Tour
- One hour guided tour of the famous glowworm caves at Waitomo. Fully guided, walking
tour with exit by boat. www.waitomocaves.co.nz
- Black Water Rafting
- Following a cave system underground whilst sitting in a tyre inner tube (rubber ring).
Some walking, some floating, some glowworm spotting. 3.5 hour tour. www.blackwaterrafting.co.nz
Taupo
- Rock'N'Ropes
- Adventure 'confidence' course with series of trapezes, high wires, tight ropes etc.
Allow 3 hours.
- Parasailing
- On Lake Taupo, winch system so you don't get wet.
- Huka Jet
- 30 minute jet boat ride on the Waikato River to Huka Falls. Includes 360 degree
turns.
- Huka Combo - Jet Boat & Scenic Flight
- 40 minute jet boat ride on the Waikato River to Huka Falls. Includes 360 degree turns
plus 7 minute scenic helicopter flight.
- Dinner / Party Cruise
- Evening launch trip on Lake Taupo with the opportunity to fish, dine and karaoke.
Approx. 4 hours (6pm - 10pm).
Rotorua
- Rainbow Springs
- Beautiful walk through native bush, aviaries and trout filled streams. Chance to see
Kiwi and Tuatara.
- Zorbing
- Become a zorbonaut as you travel in a large transparent ball down a hillside, either
on your own, with a friend (or two) or with a bucket of water. Prices range from $44 depending on
dry, wet, multiple, with Zorb Pak / without etc. www.zorb.com
- Skyline Gondola And Luge Rides
- Skyline cable car and 2 included rides on the worlds first commercial luging
track.
- Hangi And Concert
- Traditional Maori feast and cultural performance at the Lake Plaza Hotel in Rotorua.
Duration 2 hours.
- Te Puia
- Enter the world of the Maori at the epicentre of native culture in NZ, and discover
what makes this area and it’s people unique. www.tepuia.com
Bay of Islands
- Cape Brett Cruise
- Half day launch trip out to the famous 'Hole in the Rock' with cultural, historical
and geographical content. Also, potentially, the chance to spot dolphins. www.fullers-bay-of-islands.co.nz
- Awesome Adventures
- A full day tour from Pahia in the Bay of Islands to Cape Reinga (NZ's northern most
point) via 'Ninety Mile Beach'. Offroading, sand dune 'surfing', great scenery, fish'n'chips. 0730am
- 1930pm www.awesomenz.com
- Carino Day Sailing
- Catamaran sailing in the beautiful Bay of Islands. Island hop, swim, snorkel, bar-b-q
lunch, search for dolphins. 10am – 1630pm. www.sailingdolphins.co.nz
- Coastal Kayaks
- 4 hour kayaking adventure from the ocean shore through the river system to, and under,
Haruru Falls. Fair standard of fitness required. www.coastalkayakers.co.nz
- Excitor
- 'Fastboat' trip to, and through, the 'Hole in the Rock' and back via
Russell. www.excitor.co.nz
- Dolphin Adventures
- Specifically a tour for those wanting to see dolphins although not guaranteed (85%
success rate) and getting the opportunity to swim with them. Half-day tour. www.awesomenz.com
Wellington
- Optional Dinner
- At 'Blend' restaurant and bar. Lively, funky venue for dining and socialising with
'special' Contiki menu and welcome drink.
- Kapiti Quad Bikes
- Hotel pick up, than along the Kapiti Coast to rugged bushland for an hour and a half
long quad bike experience in the bush. Includes morning / a'noon tea.
- Seal Coast Safaris
- Eco-touring in a 4WD vehicle along DOC (Department of Conservation) coast line,
viewing unusual rock formations, seal colonies and other native bird and animal life. Duration 2
hours.
- Wellington Rover
- An extended Wellington sightseeing tour with the opportunity to 'hop on / hop off'
along the way. Or you can also book the 'Rover Rings Tour' which is an all day tour to LOTR locations
incl. lunch.
- Wairarapr Wine Trail
- A full day excursion from Wellington by taxi, coach and train to Martinborough and
Wairarapa 'wine country'. Includes hotel pick ups / drop offs, lunch, afternoon tea and, of course,
some sampling.
Queenstown
- Nzone Skydiving
- Tandem skydive with a qualified jumpmaster from 9,000 ft. (2,743m) over Lake Wakatipu
and the Remarkables Mountain Range. Chance to upgrade to 12,000 ft. (3,657m) or 15,000 ft. (4,572m)
NB: Video and/or photos additional cost of NZ$245. www.nzone.biz
- Moonlight Stables Horse Riding
- 1.5 hour guided horse trek through Doonholme Farmland in the Wakatipu Basin. Any level
of rider welcome but will only go as fast as the slowest member. www.moonlightcountry.co.nz
- Kawarau Rafting
- Rafting on the Kawarau River (grade 3). 2 hrs www.rafting.co.nz
- Shotover Jet
- 40 minute jet boat ride on the Shotover River. An icon adventure product in NZ with
360's and fast corners etc. www.shotoverjet.co.nz
- Twin Challenge
- 40 minute jet boat ride on the Shotover River, an icon adventure product in NZ with
360's and fast corners etc., plus white water rafting (grade 3) on the Shotover River. 3
hours www.rafting.co.nz
- Triple Challenge
- 40 minute jet boat ride on the Shotover River, an icon adventure product in NZ with
360's and fast corners etc., plus white water rafting (grade 3) on the Shotover River plus 6 minute
helicopter flight. www.rafting.co.nz
- Thrillogy
- All 3 AJ Hackett jumps - Kawarau Bridge, The Ledge & Nevis incl. T
shirt. www.AJHackett.com
- Skyline Restaurant
- Includes large buffet meal, entertainment, gondola (cable car) ride to
restaurant.
- Shotover Rafting
- Rafting on the Shotover River. 2 hrs www.rafting.co.nz
- Heliraft
- Rafting on the Kawarau River (grade 3) and heli flight. www.rafting.co.nz
- Canyon Swing
- Freefall from platform, 109m (360ft) above the Shotover River, then break into a cable
controlled swing. www.canyonswing.co.nz
- AJ Hackett Skyswing - The Ledge
- Swing from the Ledge at the Skyline restaurant, Bobs Peak. 47m (158ft) jump but 400m
(1320ft) above town. www.AJHackett.com
- Aj Hackett Bungy - The Ledge
- Bungy jump from the Ledge at the Skyline restaurant, Bobs Peak. 47m (158ft) jump but
400m (1320ft) above town. Incl. T shirt. www.AJHackett.com
- Aj Hackett Bungy - Nevis
- 134m (440ft) bungy from a platform suspended across a river at Nevis Bluff. Incl. T
shirt. www.AJHackett.com
- Aj Hackett Bungy - Kawarau Bridge
- The original bungy jump in Queenstown and often referred to as 'the home of bungy'.
43m (142ft) jump incl. T shirt. www.AJHackett.com
- Group Photograph
- In specially designed Queenstown souvinier folder. Photo taken by lakeside in warmer
climes, at the Lodge during winter. www.queenstowngroupphotos.co.nz
- Funyaks
- Full day excursion into this beautiful untouched world, known as 'Paradise' and made
famous in the LOTR trilogy. Jetboat in and canoe out at your leisure. Average standard of fitness
required. www.dartriver.co.nz
- Dart River Jet Boat Safari
- 30 km jet boat ride up the Dart River from Glenorchy into the Mt Aspiring National
Park - locations for LOTR. Includes a short bush walk. www.dartriver.co.nz
- 'Mad Dog' River Boarding (
- Swimming with wetsuit, helmet, flippers and 'boogie board' down the Kawarau River.
Allow 3 hrs.
- Fly By Wire
- Feel adrenalin flood your body as you release the tow, diving towards the valley floor
at exhilarating speeds, before you rocket up the other side. Feed the control freak inside, where
you’re firmly in the pilot's seat.
- Paradise Found Hike
- Explore the majestic Mt Aspiring National Park, visit film locations from Lord of the
Rings. Fully guided, half day.
- Routeburn Trail Hike
- A full day hike offering plenty of swing bridge crossings, lush beech forest,
beautiful waterfalls and magnificent alpine scenery, in the Mt Aspiring National Park. Departs
8am.
Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
- Helihike 'Flying Fox'
- Helicopter flight up to and on to the glacier, then brief hike in that area of the
glacier. Not strenuous. 3 hours. www.foxguides.co.nz
- Glacier Hike 'Fox Trot'
- 4 hour trek to the terminal face of the glacier and then climb up onto the glacier
itself. All boots, picks, crampons provided. Reasonable level of fitness
required. www.foxguides.co.nz
- Fox Glacier Heli / Mt Cook
- Helicopter flight to view Mt Cook and Fox Glacier, including glacier
landing. www.scenic-flights.co.nz
- Fox Glacier Heli
- Helicopter flight to discover the twin glaciers with glacier
landing. www.scenic-flights.co.nz
Lake Tekapo
- Air Safaris
- 40 minute scenic flight from Tekapo, taking in many of the regions premier glaciers
including NZ's highest peak, Mt Cook (3,750m / 12,349 ft).
Fox Glacier
- Hukawai Ice Climbing Centre
- Try your hand at something you don’t get to do every day, and that’s climbing a 10m
high ice wall! www.hukawai.co.nz
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