14 Day Ultimate Panorama Small Group Tour

Note on meals included: (B) Breakfast | (L) Lunch | (D) Dinner | (SD) Specialty Dinner

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A Grand Pacific Tours representative will meet you on arrival in Christchurch and transfer you to your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a welcome drink while getting to know your fellow travellers.

Start the day with a city sights tour before travelling through the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. Admire the stunning turquoise waters, visit The Church of the Good Shepherd, and see the famous Sheep Dog Statue. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Southern Alps, including Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. An optional scenic flight over the region is available (weather permitting).

Travel past Lake Benmore, following the Waitaki River to Oamaru before continuing south to Dunedin. After a city tour, enjoy free time to explore. Optional excursions include a wildlife tour to see native species in their natural habitat.

Venture along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, where a guided tour reveals its fascinating and scandalous past. Stroll through the Garden of International Significance before enjoying Ultimate High Tea in the Grand Ballroom. Travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. You may wish to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).

Enjoy a scenic journey to Milford Sound, where a cruise showcases the breathtaking landscapes, including Bowen Falls and Mitre Peak, with lunch served on board. Later, travel to Queenstown, set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Spend the evening at leisure, with a variety of dining options to explore.

Take advantage of a free day to explore Queenstown at your own pace. Optional activities include a jet boat ride, a Scenic Skippers Canyon tour, or a wine tasting experience. In the evening, board the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship for a cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead, followed by a farm tour. On the return cruise, relax with a live piano singalong.

Visit Arrowtown, a charming goldmining village, and explore the Lakes District Museum. Travel through the Haast Pass to the West Coast, an area of stunning natural beauty. Stop in Fox Glacier before arriving in Franz Josef, where an optional scenic flight over the glaciers is available (weather permitting).

Stop in Hokitika, famous for its pounamu (greenstone), before continuing to Arthur’s Pass. Board the TranzAlpine, one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys, and travel through dramatic gorges, over viaducts, and across the Canterbury Plains. Your Ultimate Coach will be waiting in Christchurch for the transfer to your hotel.

Journey along the East Coast to Kaikōura, known for its marine life and spectacular scenery. Travel through Marlborough wine country to Picton, where you’ll board the Interislander Ferry. Relax in the Premium Lounge, enjoying complimentary refreshments as you sail through the Marlborough Sounds to Wellington.

Begin the day at Te Papa Museum, where the Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition brings history to life with state-of-the-art technology. A city tour follows, showcasing Wellington’s vibrant culture and heritage. The afternoon and evening are free to explore at your own pace.

Head north, passing the snow-capped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro before arriving at Lake Taupō. Stop at Huka Falls, then continue along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Rotorua, renowned for its geothermal activity.

Start the day with a gondola ride up to Skyline Rotorua, where you’ll enjoy breakfast with breathtaking panoramic views. For those seeking adventure, there’s time for a thrilling luge ride down the scenic tracks. Next, visit the Agrodome for an entertaining and interactive farm experience, showcasing New Zealand’s rich agricultural heritage. The afternoon is free to explore at your leisure before heading to Te Puia, home to boiling mud pools and the famous Pōhutu Geyser. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Māori Hāngi feast and cultural performance.

Travel through picturesque countryside to Hobbiton, where a guided tour of the 12-acre movie set takes you past charming Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and into the Green Dragon Inn. For the first time, visitors can step inside an authentic Hobbit Hole for a truly immersive Middle-earth experience. Continue to Auckland, where the evening features a special farewell dinner.