If you have always wanted to go to New Zealand, you're in luck! Our in house New Zealander, Geoff Hendren, will be taking a group to one of the most stunning places on Earth in February 2022.
If you prefer to travel on your own or with a private small group, please give Geoff a call and let him help you plan a true "trip of a lifetime".
New Zealand Group Information Sheet February 11-27, 2022
Pricing (does NOT include international flights, round trip transportation to O’Hare or travel insurance): $4700/pp for a double room Additional $1725 for a single room. Availability will be limited
Inclusions: • 14 night’s accommodation as listed with breakfast. • Daily schedule for each tour member. • Touring transport by 2 x Mercedes Sprinter 17 seat vehicles with professional drivers (service begins on arrival and ends at midday on day 12). • Mitai cultural show and Hangi on the evening of day 4. • Abel Tasman day trip with kayak and walk on day 7. • Kaikoura whale watch experience on the morning of day 10. • Lake Tekapo star gazing at Mount John Observatory on the evening of day 10. • Shotover Jet on afternoon of day 12. • Walter Peak Farm cruise and gourmet BBQ on the evening of day 12. • Doubtful Sound cruise on day 13. • Queenstown Airport transfer on departure day. • Air New Zealand flight between Auckland and Nelson (one checked bag per person). • Air New Zealand flight between Queenstown and Auckland on departure day (one checked bag per person)
Payment Schedule: $1000 down payment per person – First come, first served – FIRM Final Payment due November 14, 2021 If paying for tour by credit card, please add 3.5% processing fee. Flights and insurance may be paid by card with no processing fee Other: Working with a New Zealand based company – keep it local This is an active trip! Little to no disability access in New Zealand
Itinerary: February 11, 2022 – Depart Chicago for Auckland
February 13, 2021 - Day 1: Auckland to The Coromandel: Arrive in Auckland off flight. You will be met by your drivers and transfer to Whitianga on The Coromandel (2h). Evening: At leisure on The Coromandel. Accommodation: Admiralty Lodge Whitianga, Studio Rooms x 3 nights (tour is priced based on Puka Park – currently on waitlist)
February 14, 2021 - Day 2: The Coromandel: This morning you will visit Cathedral Cove and Hot water Beach. (Low tide forecast to be 6:30am or 7pm) Evening: At leisure on The Coromandel.
February 15, 2021 Day 3: The Coromandel at leisure on The Coromandel. Your drivers will be available for the touring of choice.
February 16 2021 Day 4:The Coromandel to Rotorua Travel inland to Rotorua (2h 30m). Evening: Matai Maori Show with Hangi dinner – departs the hotel at 6:15pm Accommodation: Novotel Hotel Rotorua, Superior Room x 2 nights
February 17, 2021 Day 5: Rotorua at leisure / touring / activities (additional expense)
February 18, 2021 Day 6: Rotorua to Auckland to Nelson Morning: Travel to Waitomo (2h). Experience glow worm caves (additional expense). Afternoon: Travel to Auckland (2 h 15m) to meet your flight to Nelson. Flight NZ5081 departs Auckland at 4:05pm and arrives in Nelson at 5:35pm (based on 2020 schedule) On arrival in Nelson you will transfer to your central hotel. Accommodation: Rutherford Hotel, Premium Room x 3 nights
February 19, 2021 Day 7: Nelson Wilsons Abel Tasman Beaches, Bays & Seals Plus Walk Your transport will depart the Rutherford Hotel at 7:30am. The trip begins at 9am in Kaiteriteri with a 6pm return. Cruise / kayak / walk / cruise.
February 20, 2021 Day 8: Nelson At leisure.
February 21, 2021 Day 9: Nelson to Blenheim to Kaikoura Morning: Travel to Blenheim (1h 30m) and visit a selection of wineries (tasting at own expense). The group will have lunch at ______. Afternoon: Following lunch you will travel to Kaikoura (2 hours) and spend the evening at leisure. Accommodation: White Morph, Studio Rooms x 1 night
February 22, 2021 Day 10: Kaikoura to Lake Tekapo Morning: The group will check out and transfer the short distance to the Kaikoura Whale Watch office for an 8:30am check in (timings subject to 2021 schedule). The group will enjoy a whale watching experience with approximately 2 hours on the water. Afternoon: Following the whale watch the group will transfer to Lake Tekapo (5h) Evening: Star gazing via the Summit Experience at the Mt John Observatory. Accommodation: Bluewater Resort, One Bedroom Mountain View Suites x 1 night (booked)
February 23, 2021 Day 11: Lake Tekapo to Queenstown Touring day to Queenstown with evening at leisure. Accommodation: Ramada Central Queenstown Hotel, Studio Rooms x 4 nights
February 24, 2021 Day 12: Queenstown Morning: Glenorchy touring. Afternoon: On your return to Queenstown your tour guides will bid you farewell. The group will experience the Shotover Jet during the afternoon. Evening: Walter Peak farm experience with gourmet BBQ travelling on the TSS Earnslaw.
February 25, 2021 Day 13: Queenstown Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise. Your Real Journeys transport will depart the hotel at 7:45am and take the 2-hour journey to Manapouri. You will check in and depart on your cruise at 10:30am. You will return to Manapouri at 5:30pm and travel back to Queenstown (eta 7:30pm) Highlights: - A 3 hour cruise of Doubtful Sound, exploring beautiful waterways on our way to meet the Tasman Sea - Commentary by our knowledgeable onboard nature guide - Wildlife viewing, including dolphins, fur seals and even occasionally penguins - Start with a cruise across Lake Manapouri, followed by a coach trip over the epic Wilmot Pass through Fiordland’s rainforest and into the Sound. Duration: 7 hours 15 mins to 8 hours Please note that the Power Station visit is not included in this tour. Lunch is at additional cost.
February 26, 2021 Day 14: Queenstown Leisure day in Queenstown.
February 27, 2021 Day 15: Queenstown to Auckland Departure day. Your transfer will depart the hotel 90 minutes prior to your domestic flight to Auckland. Domestic flight _________ departs at _______. We will book a flight that arrives in Auckland at least 3 hours prior to your International departure. On arrival in Auckland you will walk to the International Terminal to check on for your departing flight
