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- English
Journey through the North Island of New Zealand and explore Waitomo, Rotorua and Lake Taupo, and discover the natural beauty of Kaikoura and Christchurch on this 5-day trip from Auckland to Christchurch or vice versa. See the glow worms at Waitomo Caves, relax at Rotorua's geothermal wonderland, see Giant Sperm Whales where mountains meet sea and be mesmerized by the natural beauty of New Zealand. This 5-day tour will have you travelling by coach, train and ferry with plenty of time at leisure to make this holiday truly magical.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
We also pick up from Christchurch for those who wish to do a reverse tour (Christchurch to Auckland). Please provide the name of your Christchurch City Hotel when making a booking.
For those staying in an AirBnb, private residency or outside of the the central city limits, then please advise so we can provide you with a central pick up location.
Itinerary
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1Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Today you will depart from Auckland and drive to the magical Waitomo Caves. Here you will have a guided tour of the caves, before taking a short boat ride along the river to the grotto. Be enchanted by the thousands of glow worms emitting tiny lights that twinkle in the darkness. Later, you drive to Rotorua, passing through the Fitzgerald Glade, a section of highway where native bush forms a canopy overhead. Be dropped off at your accommodation and spend the rest of your day at your leisure.
5 hours • Admission ticket included -
2
Afternoon at leisure to explore the central city, lake front and Government Gardens, all a short walking distance from your hotel.
16 hours • Admission ticket free -
3
This morning collected from your accommodation and transferred to Wharewarewa Thermal Reserve and home of a Maori Living Village. The thermal valley surrounded by boiling mud pools, and the famous Pohutu geyser. Here a guided tour and cultural preformance has been arranged for your enjoyment. Returned to your accommodation mid afternoon
3 hours • Admission ticket included -
4
Afternoon at leisure in Rotorua, to explore the Rotorua township, the lake front and beautiful Government Gardens or take in some of the other attractions, such as Rainbow Springs, Skyline Gondola, or the Tamaki Maori Village.
16 hours • Admission ticket free -
5
This morning depart Rotorua by road and travel through to Wellington. Your first stop on route is Lake Taupo.
20 minutes • Admission ticket included -
6
Prior to arriving in Wellington you will travel along the Kapiti Coast with Kapiti Island in view just off the coast and the snow capped mountains of the South Island in view across Cooks Straight on a clear day
Admission ticket free -
7Wellington
Your destination for today, Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. On arrival you will be transferred to your Wellington Hotel
12 hours • Admission ticket free -
8
You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the Interislander Cook Strait Ferry for ferry crossings from Wellington to Picton. See spectacular spectacular sights on the beautiful Marlborough Sounds on your arrival into Picton on the South Island.
3 hours • Admission ticket included -
9
Transfer from the ferry terminal to the Pacific Coast Railway Station and join the Coastal Railway Journey from Picton to the stunning seaside township of Kaikoura, where the mountains meet the sea. You will then be taken to your evening accommodation. (This portion will be replaced by coach if train is unavailable)
2 hours • Admission ticket free -
10Kaikoura
Todays designation, arriving by train late afternoon and transferred to your Kaikoura accommodation. The area is famous for its seafood with may fine restaurants close to your accommodation.
16 hours • Admission ticket free -
11
On this final day you will join a Whale Watch tour in Kaikoura where you will see the Giant Sperm Whale and a host of marine life including dolphins, seals and seabirds. This afternoon continue onto Christchurch where your tour concludes.
3 hours • Admission ticket included -
12
Following your Whale Watch tour you will travel by road through to Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, where your tour will conclude.
Admission ticket free
Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua
Rotorua
Rotorua – Lake Taupo – Wellington
Wellington - Picton - Kaikoura
Kaikoura - Christchurch
Additional info
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
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Additional info
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Each traveler is allowed a maximum of 1 suitcase and 1 carry-on bag. Oversized or excessive luggage (e.g. surfboards, golf clubs or bikes) may have certain restrictions, please inquire with the operator prior to travel to confirm if your excess luggage is acceptable
- This tour is independent touring, different coach and driver each day, all pickups and drop-offs will be at your accommodation.
- Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
- The coach service between Rotorua /Wellington is an Intercity Coach, this is a full size tour coach, (door to door service provided) however, no commentary
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Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 6 full days before the experience’s start time.
- For a 50% refund, you must cancel 2–6 full days before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
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