13 Day New Zealand Highlights Tour
Itinerary 18 Summary:

Day 1 - ARRIVE IN CHRISTCHURCH
Arrive at Auckland Airport and clear Customs and Immigration and fly
on to Christchurch.
You will be met by your tour leader and be taken to your coach. Travel
the short distance to visit the International Antarctic Centre and experience
Antarctica - the coldest, windiest, driest and most remote place on earth.
Experience the four seasons of the Antarctic including a polar blizzard.
Discover a penguin rookery and watch the Southern Lights. You can visit
Scott Base, New Zealand's station in Antarctica, view the continent from
outer space and discover the secrets of this last great wilderness.
Come face to face with Antarctic marine life and wander through the beautiful
and chilling ice-cave. Don't miss the "Great White South" -
an audio visual show of Antarctica that will leave you spell-bound.
We have arranged for a special extended and more extensive educational
experience here. Lecturers, part of the Antarctic Project Force, are teachers
who have been to The South Pole will spend time with you and show you
how to pitch an Arctic tent and how they prepare a meal. You will have
a chance to taste the Antarctic food/rations. One of your group will get
dressed in Antarctic clothing and be toilet trained. Its a hands-on
fun lecture and certainly a great eye opener.
An addition to the International Antarctic Centre is the Antarctic Hägglund
Ride. The Hägglund is a genuine tracked vehicle used in Antarctica
by the US Antarctic program and New Zealand Antarctic program.
Your vehicle will take you on a journey around the International Antarctic
Centre where you will see just what it takes to plan and organise a real
life journey to Antarctica. You will be driven to the American Clothing
Warehouse to see how people are kitted with survival gear for their visit
to the ice. Passengers then view inside the Departure Terminal where scientists
and support staff travelling to Antarctica go to check in and to attend
their crew briefing.
Your vehicle then proceeds to the Hägglund Adventure Course. Buckle
up before taking the all-terrain Hägglund through its paces on an
exhilarating ride as you speed across open ground and over mounds.
Your tour then visits the Antarctic Aircraft Apron where you have a chance
of viewing Antarctic Aircraft* - The Galaxy, The Starlifter or The Hercules
- The Antarctic Workhorse.
You will be taken on a short tour of the inner city. You will see the
old English style buildings that make this a beautiful city. Its Avon
River, Hagley Park, and boulevard style streets and gardens everywhere
all contribute to make this an outstanding City. You will see the Cathedral,
the Art centre , Christs College and the old aged trams which make
the inner city an excitingly different place to be.
*As this tour takes place around a real life working Antarctic campus,
parts of the tour may vary as circumstances demand. Planes are continually
flying back and forth from Antarctica. Antarctic Aircraft are best viewed
between October and February.
Accommodation: Christchurch
1 night, dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
Adults: Twin share, Students: Multi share.

Day 2 - CHRISTCHURCH / WEST COAST
The next two days are all about having fun in an environment which is
quite different from what you are used to.
| 7:30 AM |
Breakfast (Full hot breakfasts are used in our tours).
Today you will gain an understanding of:
- Land form geography with special emphasis on alluvial plains
development, tectonic plate geology, alpine fault lines &
scree slope erosion
- Living organism adaptations to environmental changes through
the study of plant adaptations to both an Alpine and a rainforest
environment.
|
| 8:30 AM |
Board your coach and continue on towards Arthurs
Pass. Cross the alluvial Canterbury Plains, famous for its fat lamb
industry. Travel on towards the Southern Alps and then up into the
mountains. Travel over the upper reaches of the Waimakariri River,
past sparkling snow-fed streams, rock formations and crystal clear
lakes to Arthurs Pass and the Arthurs Pass National Park. Mt Rolleston
towers over the western side of the pass.Notice the starkness, the
steepness and the vast erosion problems sprawled among the alpine
flora.
Stop in the township of Arthurs Pass, view the 'Devils Punchbowl'
and visit the National Park headquarters. See an audio-visual display
of this unique area.
Continuing on through the temperate rainforest and mountain lakes
of the beautiful West Coast you will be met by the boys from Wild
West Adventures. We will spend the next 24 hours with them and experience
one of the worlds finest wildernesses. They will have a Bushmans
lunch waiting for you at Shantytown. This 1860s goldrush village
set in the heart of lowland rainforest comes alive when after lunch
you are immersed into the romance and adventure of the goldfields.
To help you learn about life on the 1860s goldfields you will
dress up in the clothes of the times and join an afternoon session
in a goldfields classroom. Leave your pens and paper behind as they
did not have those on the goldfields! You will take up slate and
chalk for an afternoon of hilarios fun watching each other deal
with everyday tasks of the 1860s but without our modern aids.
Tonights dinner is cooked by everyone on an open fire on the beach
a stunning backdrop of mountains and wild coast line. (An indoor
BBQ will be held if the weather is not suitable).
Accommodation:
Tonight is at a cosy hostel with an open fire lounge not far from
the beach.
1 nights dinner bed and breakfast basis.
Adults: Twin share, Students: Multi share |

DAY 3 - BUSH SKILLS / RAFTING / BUSHMANS LODGE
| 7:00 AM |
Breakfast.
Today we travel in to the Wilderness bush of a West Coast National
Park. There are seven of them. This is in an area that is regarded
as one of the greatest wilderness treks in the world. You will need
sturdy boots or good quality Joggers to assist with your bush walking.
You will need a jumper or a jacket to ensure you stay warm during
your visit here. (full hiking kits & outdoor clothing can be
hired).
Our Mercedes Unimog 4 wheel drive vehicles will drive in from the
main highway through heavy native New Zealand rainforest. Climbing
over mountain foothills to the creeks and rivers of the Taipo Valley
area below you will see some stunning views over the valleys and
mountains.The name Taipo refers to a Mythical Maori
Dragon which was believed to have lived in this area. You will walk
with a guide along the bush tracks in the valley (around 45 / 60
minutes walking).The Unimogs will be used to get you across
rivers and streams and around the tough stuff as you
are making your way further up the river.
You will be split into working groups, each with its own adventure
/ bushman to look after you. We will examine how humankind has used
this particular land form (Alpine valley) in a variety of ways over
the last 1000 years and then get you to suggest other land form
uses as part of your global use studies.
Today we also examine the concept of the World Carbon Bank,
how you personally contribute to it and how international agreements
like this are focussing on long term global ecology.
During your visit you will learn about bush survival and how to
build bush survival huts. Learn how to survive and cook a meal with
your last match.
Today groups will all be involved in the following activities:
Bush shelter building
To provide comfortable survival if necessary. This will be
a competitive activity. (Students have comfortable indoor beds
to sleep in but they are welcome to sleep in the bush shelters
they build if your guide certifies it as habitable.)
Map reading skills
Including what you must do if ever you are lost in the bush. How
to gather survival food from the rainforest and how to light a
cooking fire with one match and only using rainforest materials
to burn.
Goldrush Activities
Learn about the Geology and formation of the earths minerals including
gold. Learn how to pan for and find your own gold flakes from
the Wild West claim. You can take home anything you find in your
pay dirt.
Learn how to cook eggs with no pots and pans and other cooking
and survival food techniques of the Wild West Adventures Bushmen.
This will provide you with an innovative luncheon today.
After Lunch you will try some Shaky-Plate white-water rafting which
is on a grade 3-4 river location.
You will raft over the Alpine fault line from the Pacific Tectonic
Plate to the
Indo-Australis Plate. The canyon walls, as you raft through this
crack in the earths crust, show the striated layers of rock being
tilted and bent as the Indo-Australis pushes under the Pacific Plate.
Further on you will view the layered effect of different sized boulder
layers where the ice-age glaciers advanced leaving smaller stones
of the moraine. While seeing this you will enjoy an excellent rafting
experience. This river is braided most of the way so you can choose
a raft which takes the easier more relaxed route or take an Action
Raft which gives you a roller coaster ride of rapids down
the river. The choice is yours.
You will be based tonight at a rustic but cosy bushmans lodge where
we will be sleeping indoors. The Bushmans Lodge will
keep us cosy with open fire and hot showers. Settle in and feel
the spirit assocoated with this staging post of New Zealands early
explorers and Maori Greenstone Traders. It is traditional here for
visitors to share a part of their own culture by singing a folk
song from home so come prepared. Tonight you will enjoy a New Zealand
Bush and Mountain mans meal. Experience camp oven cooked food and
billy tea made the New Zealand way.
Enjoy some time in the outdoor hot tub as the night goes on and
sit around the Camp fire when you can share some of the things with
others about your culture.
A must at the Bushmans Lodge is a night walk to the
nearby Glow-worms and their eiry star like glows.
Time to sing some songs before you turn in for a good nights sleep.
Accommodation: The Bushmans Lodge Westland.
1 Night, Dinner ,bed and breakfast and 2 lunches.
All camping gear provided. Bring own sleeping bags or we can hire
them for you with notice. |
Notes for your Wild West Experience:
Your Wild West Guides are experienced Outdoor Instructors and they may
alter the programme or its order in consultation with you to suit the
greatest number of tour group members or to accommodate weather conditions
at the time. For example a nearby easier river maybe used if the group
is assessed for their safety and enjoyment as more suiting a different
river. All activities will be participated in but the intensity level
may vary from group to group due to the above factors.

Day 4 - GREYMOUTH / FOX
| 7:30 AM |
Breakfast. |
| 8:30 AM |
Board your coach and continue along the narrow coastal
plain through Hokitika, an old gold mining town and Hari Hari, a
farming support services village, before travelling close to the
Alps and stopping to view the Franz Josef Glacier. At Franz Josef
we will go to the Alpine Adventure Centre to view a special screening
of Flowing West. A 20 minute armchair journey through
glacier country shown on the giant HELIMAX screen.
This movie teaches us about the types of rainfall found in the
area and how it influences the flora, fauna and geography of our
planet. We follow the the path of the water cycle from the Tasman
Sea on a westerly airflow over the alps then watch as it is released
as a load of rain and snow which flows back west as glacier and
river. Along the way we soar along the ridges of Mount Cook and
the Main Divide, go glacier skiing and mountain climbing. We fly
down the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers and fast flowing glacial rivers
and out over the rain forests until we merge with the Tasman Sea.
The water cycle is complete.
Travel the short distance to Fox and the Alpine Guides Hut. Lunch
will be ready for you on arrival at the Hobnail.
|
| 1:00 PM |
Draw on your boots, ice axes, alpenstocks and appropriate
equipment (included) to walk the Fox Glacier. Access is easy and
your glacier guide will take you up onto this massive white glacier,
which flows 2,600 metres, from the top of the mountain to the sea.
Listen to your guide, use your ice axe and walk out on to what is
a very different world.
You will find today quite unique, very educational and a lot of
fun. |
| 5:00 PM |
Return to your Mountain Lodge tonight. You will
have dinner at the Hobnail. |
| 6:30 PM |
Return to the Hobnail for dinner together.
Accommodation: Fox Glacier. |

Day 5 - FOX / QUEENSTOWN / TE ANAU
| 6:30 AM |
An early morning start today. Take a short coach
trip to the board walk which will take you through some wonderful
rainforest to Lake Matheson famous for its reflective properties.
This is on a clear day a truly wonderful site as you will see the
clear reflection of Mt Cook and Mt Tasman in the lake. This is the
site of the world famous photo that appears in travel brochures
everywhere. |
| 8:30 AM |
Breakfast.
Option:
It is worth saving your extra dollars for this wonderful experience.
The cost is approximately NZ$90. |
| 9:00 AM |
Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy the most exciting
20 minutes of your tour.
You will have seen a lot of snow but nothing will compare with
a 20/25 minute helicopter flight over the Southern Alps and across
the face of Mt Cook and Mt Tasman, New Zealand's tallest mountains.
The view is awesome. You just can't imagine how white the ice caverns
are. You can almost touch the mountains as you fly only a few feet
above the huge cracked ice caverns which look like giant ice blocks
in the snow. Fly over the pinnacles and see the waterfalls disappear
into big ice holes and watch the spray turn into ice. You will experience
the glacier up close when you land upon it for a quick photo shoot.
Experience the grandeur of the Southern Alps.
Note: landing will depend upon the day and the flight plan and
conditions of the day.
Continue south, crossing swamplands and river plains and enter
the "Gateway to the Haast" with its rushing rivers, streams
and waterfalls. There are lots of opportunities for bush walking
with 100 metre to 3 km well sign-posted walks. Stop and touch the
rushing ice cold mountain streams. Taste the water from a gushing
mountain waterfall. You will see huge, truly spectacular trees and
wonderful flora spread throughout this region.
See giant escarpments, huge craggy rock slides and washouts caused
by fierce water flowing behind faults and finally tumbling thousands
of tonnes of spoil to the valleys below.
Cross the Pacific-Australian fault line as you climb through the
deep river valleys. A wide river valley emerges at Makarora, a town
with four resident families and a winter temperature that will fall
to 13 degrees below zero. You are in the Mt Aspiring National Park.
Suddenly the rainforest has gone and barren desert emerges as you
pass through the rainshadow region. Continue past the high altitude
glacial Lakes Hawea and Wanaka to the pretty township of Wanaka.
Stop to stretch your legs at "The Puzzle Place", an interesting
maze. Should you get lost and left behind, you only have 70 kms
to walk to Queenstown (just joking), your destination. This place
is incredible and entry is included.
We continue to Frankton and skirt Lake Wakatipu as you travel under
the shadow of the famous Remarkable Mountain Range and continue
south through rolling sheep country to Five Rivers. Journey west
to Mossburn and across to Te Anau that rests on the lake that bears
its name. |
| 5:30 PM |
Check into your hotel. |
| 6:00 PM |
Dinner. |
| |
Option:
|
| 7:30 PM |
Walk the short distance along the lakefront to the
Te Anau Jetty and take the launch to Te Anau Caves. |
| 7:45 PM |
Cruise across lake Te Anau to Cavern House. You
will hear about the life cycle of the glow worms, the history of
the caves their development and operation. Your guide will escort
you along footpaths and in small punts, past incredible lime stone
caverns and waterfalls and finally into the silent darkness of the
glow worm grotto. Complementary tea and coffee is available at Cavern
House before you return. |
| 10:30 PM |
You will be back at your hotel.
Accommodation: Te Anau. |

Day 6 - TE ANAU / MILFORD SOUND / QUEENSTOWN
| 7:30 AM |
Breakfast.
|
| 8:15 AM |
Board your coach. It is difficult to describe in
words the grandeur and beauty of today. Often referred to as the
best in the world. This enchanting land of mountains, forest, fiords
and lakes, as it was in the beginning... quiet, serene, haunting
and mysterious. This is an uninhabited world heritage park.
Cloud capped mountains, calm waters to untold depths, silent, serene
and green. This is beauty never to be exceeded. Standing majestic
is Mitre Peak, towering a mile high! Coach through the Eglinton
Valley with its mountains, lakes and valleys. It's green! Pass through
the avenue of disappearing mountains, see the Mirror Lakes and the
Homer tunnel which we travel through to reach the Hollyford Valley
leading to Milford Sound.
You stop at the Chasm and see water pouring from a hole in the
rock. Travel on to board your cruise boat and today we have ordered
for you a boxed picnic lunch. Today will really demonstrate the
importance of man and the environment working together to preserve
what can never be replaced. |
| 11:00 AM |
Board your cruise boat the Milford Monarch and view
Mitre Peak, one mile high, as you cruise by many waterfalls and
wildlife that abound above and on this calm water sound. Notice
the serenity and stillness of this World Heritage region. Today
will really demonstrate the importance of man and the environment
working together to preserve what can never be replaced. We have
ordered for you a standard tourist buffet, a good lunch as it is
a long day. |
| 1:30 PM |
Return to the ferry wharf and head back to Te Anau.
Theres time for late afternoon shopping. |
| 3:00 PM |
Board your coach and travel back to the Remarkables
and around Lake Wakatipu to Frankton and continue to Queenstown
and check in to your hotel. |
| 5:00 PM |
Arrive and do a brief orientation tour of this unique
mountain resort village.
Check in and settle in. |
| 7:00 PM |
Dinner will be served at your hotel.
Accommodation: Mountain View Lodge
Frankton Road, Queenstown
Phone: (03) 442-8246
2 nights, bed and breakfast. Dinner here tonight.
Adults: Twin share Motel, Students: Multi share in Mountain style
lodges. |
Day 7 - QUEENSTOWN
| 7:30 AM |
Breakfast. |
| 8:30 AM |
Today is your skiing day in season enjoy it. See
separate note at the end of this itinerary.
When not ski season today is at leisure to enjoy some independent
sightseeing. Your coach Captain will be able to advise you here.
This offers time for you to do some adventure items of your choice. |
| 5:30 PM |
Board your coach and travel to the Skyline Gondola
and up to Bobs Peak.
Great viewing is provided from the lookout.Now youre here
you have the opportunity to ride the Luge. Thrill to a ride down
and around the mountain on the little luge trolleys as they skim
along while providing an adrenalin rush....Enjoy! |
| 7:00 PM |
Visit to the unique giant screen super-fast movie
"Kiwi Magic". It features the late Billy T. James, a Maori
comedian, and his activities as a tourist guide. Apart from showing
Maori humour at its best, it provides an excellent overview of New
Zealand and its magnificent scenery. |
| 7:30 PM |
Dine together at the Skyline Restaurant and enjoy probably
the best smorgasbord meal you will find in New Zealand. Return to
the bottom of the skyline and walk home through the town at your leisure. |

Day 8 - QUEENSTOWN / CHRISTCHURCH
| 7:30 AM |
Breakfast together.
|
| 8:30 AM |
Board your coach with your baggage. You will be
transferred to the Jet boating site at Arthurs Point and the Shotover
River where you will be provided with a plastic raincoat and life
jacket before boarding your "Big Red" jet boat for a 20
minute exhilarating ride completing 360 degree turns and reaching
top speeds as you wind through the rock openings ahead. |
| 9:00 AM |
Catch the Canyons with the Shotover Jet. Not for
the faint hearted.
Please note: Wear a hat, gloves and scarf.
Reboard your coach for an early start this morning and travel express
to Christchurch.
Head out to Cromwell and through the McKenzie Country and Lindis
Pass to Oamarama. Continue north through Twizel, Simons Pass and
on to Lake Tekapo. Looking to the left you may see a distant view
of Mt Cook (3764m) in the Southern Alps. See the dog that stands
as a statue, proud to acknowledge the pride and the work of the
sheep dogs of the high country sheep stations. See the Church of
the Good Shepherd and view the mountains through the alter window.
Continue on through the foothills and past large sheep stations
to Fairlie, Geraldine and on to Ashburton. Cross the Canterbury
Plains and the Rakaia River and on to Christchurch. |
| 7:00 PM |
Continue to your accommodation and check in. |
| 8:00 PM |
Dine together at your hotel.
Accommodation: Christchurch |

Day 9 - CHRISTCHURCH / WELLINGTON
| 6:00 AM |
Board your coach for the short trip to Christchurch
Domestic Airport and assemble at the Ansett New Zealand Group Check-in
counter. |
| 7:00 AM |
Your Ansett New Zealand flight AN690 departs for
Wellington. Breakfast will be served in flight. |
| 7:45 AM |
Arrive in Wellington You will be met by a Groups
R Us coach Captain who will stay with you throughout
the rest of your tour. Commence a city sightseeing tour. Explore
Wellington city early this morning. See the Beehive, the New Zealand
Parliament House. Observe the houses built on the sides of the surrounding
hills and the Kelburn cable car (own cost) which provides a quick
and different way up the hill to Kelburn and Victoria University.
A good photo opportunity.
We visit Oriental Bay and climb to the top of Mt Victoria. You
should be able to see the South Island and the Kaikoura Coast from
here. |
| 9:00 AM |
We suggest you make some time to visit Te Papa.
Te Papa is the biggest national museum project currently developed
in the world. It is really special and uses an exciting combination
of displays and leading - edge technology. Te Papa brings to life
the stories of the people that live here - both as individuals and
the broad narratives on which our sense of ourselves is built. Enlivened
by events both planned and spontaneous, Te Papa will entertain and
inform visitors in a uniquely Kiwi way.
Te Papa will have its own Maori Marae which will be fully functional
and a place where you can share in Maori ceremonies. Thrill to the
interactive technology, take an exciting motion - simulator ride
back to the beauty of the land, see prehistoric New Zealand native
birds and animals (some now extinct) and other life. Travel into
the future through virtual reality technology and fly through Wellington
50 years from now. Thrill-seekers may bungy jump, ride a windsurfer,
a whale or shear a sheep, all made possible through simulation technology.
Note: Although general admission is free rides on the Time Warp,
blockbuster and some special exhibits and live shows will from time
to time attract a small low cost (own cost). |
| 10:30 AM |
Depart Wellington and travel through the Manawatu
Plains and Rangatiki. Continue up through high sheep country and
see Mangaweka Gorge and the Mokohino Viaduct.
We pass through Tongariro National Park with its mountain trio
of Ngaruahoe, Tongariro and Ruapehu and then on to Turangi. Past
Lake Taupo and on to view the Huka Falls. We then visit Wairakei
where we see a geothermal power station and then on to Rotorua,
a city of funny smells and wonderful entertainment. Rotorua is the
centre of Maoridom and you will see and learn much of the history
and culture of the Maori people. |
| 6:30 PM |
A guide will join you and travel with you out to
Tamaki Village, and their tribal marae. First the guide will magically
turn your coach into a Waka (a maori canoe) and you will chant and
paddle your way to the marae.
Tonight you will feast together on food cooked the Maori way in
a "Hangi" - (a feast cooked in a hole in the ground).
Experience the Powhiri, Te Wero (challenge), followed by the Karanga
(call). You may now enter the Whare Runanga (meeting house) where
the Whaikorero (speeches), the Hongi (greeting) and pressing of
noses confirms that you are welcome. Enjoy the Taha
Maori (aspects of Maori life linked with Song, Dance, Poi and Haka).
Learn about Maui (fished New Zealand from the sea) and the history
of these proud people. Enjoy this popular Maori concert which finishes
with Whakangahau. (your participation.) You will learn much over
the next 48 hours of the culture and pride of Te Maori.
Learn about the cooking of the Kai (food) from an earthen oven
( Hangi) before entering the Wharekai (dining room) to enjoy the
Hakari (feast). The formal part of the evening will finish with
a short Poroporoaki (farewell speech) and Waiata (song).
The tourists will leave for their hotels but you will be looked
after by these fine people. You have been invited by your hosts
to stay on their Maori Marae. This is, in fact, quite an honour
as it is their Tarangawaewae ( Maori Tribal Home).
'The Maori Marae' - Information You Should Know
This will assist you to understand what is to happen during your
Marae visit.
This requires certain protocol:
- Maraes are alcohol free and generally smoke free. The dining
room here has been re classified for Tourism purposes.
- You must arrive before dark. But again for tourism purposes
this protocol has been amended.
- We will ask your hosts to provide you with a guide prior to
your arrival. You are to be welcomed in the traditional style,
so please wait outside the fence line until you are met by the
chosen person.
- You will then receive a Powhiri, ( traditional challenge) Wero,
from a warrior who will put down a fern leaf (or similar) in front
of you. Your 'Chief' must accept the challenge and pick-up the
leaf, indicating you come in friendship.
- A 'Kuia' (House Manageress) will commence the Karanga, (call)
. Your guide should reply before you walk - in 2 rows - across
the Marae. The 'Komatua' (Elder of the Tribe) will welcome you
in Maori and then in English.
- A member of your group should return the speech (Whaikorero)
by saying how pleased you are to be there. Tell them where you
come from and about your school/town and why you have come. This
is important as all will then know your objectives and can share
with you to the fullest.
- They will then 'Hongi" (press noses and shake hands), this
means you are very welcome. Often they will work along the line
and welcome you all one by one.
|
| 9:00 PM |
Tonight you will be accommodated Maori style in
the Wharemoe (Sleeping house) on the floor traditional Maori 'Marae'
style.
All bedding is supplied. (This is on matrasses on the floor with
doonas or linen and blankets. There are some rules here as to where
you sleep and who sleeps closest to the door and between the men
and the women. This will be all part of your learning process.
Accommodation: Tamaki Village Marae
Adults and Students: 1 night multi share, marae style.
Dinner, bed and breakfast. Lunch included. |

Day 10 - ROTORUA MAORI EXPERIENCE
Today they will break protocol and commence an in depth educational workshop
to learn Taha Maori. Your skilled tutors will take you through a series
of hands on participational activities to give you a deeper view of cultural
sensitivity and pride.
| 7:30 AM |
Breakfast is served in the dining room (wharekai). |
| 9:00 AM |
Board your coach and travel the short distance to
Waiotapu. |
| 9:30 AM |
Arrive at this foremost geothermal attraction with
its hot springs and volcanic activity which date back far beyond
European settlement. It came into its own after the Tarawera eruption
in1886 because of its large mineral terraces contained in the area.
The diverse activities include the champagne pool, the primrose
terrace, active volcanic craters and the Lady Knox Geyser that has
a habit of playing daily around 1000 / 1015. |
| 10:30 AM |
Return the Marae. |
| 10:45 AM |
Your workshops commence and are broken into:
- Weaponry - handling and uses. Their physical and spiritual meanings.
- Learn Maori action songs (Waiata-a-ringa) along with the poi
and dances (haka) and see the demonstration of old Maori instruments
(ie: Putarotaro, pukaia, koauau).
- Understanding the relationship between Maori and Land (Papatuanuku)
and how the God of Forest (Tanemahuta) yields natural food supplies
and medicines (Rongo) for her people.
- Carving and weaving - the intimacy of artist and craft. Both
practical uses and spiritual meanings.
All workshops will rotate, giving you the opportunity to experience
for yourselves, a practical outworking of each activity so you feel
personally involved and in touch with the Maori people and their
lifestyle.
|
| 12:30 PM |
You will have a break for lunch. |
| 1:15 PM |
Workshops resume. |
| 3:00 PM |
Workshops conclude and you will commence a tour
of Rotoruas main Five Star Attractions. Your Coach
Captain will regulate your timing during your visit to ensure you
see it all. The order of the following sights may change and be
done to suit over today and tomorrow.
Continue to Paradise Valley where you will see New Zealand's trout,
kiwis, wild pigs, deer and native flora and fauna. There is a wetlands
area and an opportunity to cuddle a lion cub in the lion enclosure.
You will have a professional guide to instruct you on all animals
and park information.
|
| 5:00 PM |
Travel to the Polynesian Spa a unique spa pool complex
with water from Radium and Priest springs.
Regarded as very therapeutic the particularly soft water containing
mainly sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride. The water comes out
of the ground at boiling point and is cooled with town supply water.
There are large pools, private pools and family pools, some nestled
in a garden setting on the lakes edge. Towels are supplied. Rinse
your swimmers after you have been here and put them in a plastic
bag until you can dry them. Relax here in the therapeutic warmth
and feel the stiffness from travel disappear.
|
| 6:30 PM |
Arrive at your hotel and check in for the night.
Accommodation: Rotorua.
Adults: 1 night, Twin Share, Students: multi share.
Dinner Bed and breakfast basis. |

Day 11 - ROTORUA / AUCKLAND
| 7:30 AM |
Breakfast.
|
| 8:30 AM |
Visit Whakarewarewa and the Maori Cultural Centre.
See the mud pools, geysers, steam pots and boiling crystal pools.
Learn the culture of the Maori people and see them preserving the
ancient crafts which have been passed down through the generations.
Today we visit the Agrodome, a unique farm with an exhibition of
sheep breeds, some shearing and information on wool classification
and production. You will learn about New Zealand farming lifestyles.
Witness a live sheep auction, lambs being fed for they are bred
here year round and are born each month. You might even get to milk
a cow.
Ride the Skyline Gondola System high up Mt. Ngongotaha. Lunch here
(own cost) and ride "The Luge", the fastest Bob Sled ride
you will ever have!
|
| 1:00 PM |
Board your coach and travel to Ngongotaha and climb
over the Mamuku Ranges, pass through Fitzgerald Glade - an archway
of New Zealand native bush - then continue to Matamata on Highway
27.
The lush green pastures are judged to be the best farming land
in New Zealand. It is used for horse studs and the dairy farming
stud and the milking industry. Cross the Hauraki Plains passing
through dairy, deer and sheep farms.
At Pokeno, join the Auckland Motorway on Highway 1, climb the Bombay
Hills and travel through market gardens and then the suburbs of
Auckland. |
| 5:00 PM |
Check in to your Hotel.
Accommodation: Auckland.
2 nights, dinner, bed & breakfast basis.
Adults: twin-share, Students: multi-share. |

Day 12 - AUCKLAND
| 8:00 AM |
Breakfast.
|
| 9:00 AM |
On arrival, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Auckland,
the "City of Sails". Visit Mt Eden, Tamaki Drive, Downtown,
The Domain and Auckland Museum. There is a Maori history area here
and a visit to this will give you an idea of how the early Maori
lived.
See the heavily carved meeting house with its Tuka Tuka wall panels,
the Whare (house), food store house, giant Maori canoe and many
ancient artifacts.
Kelly Tarltons Underwater World - experience fascinating
marine life through the world's largest acrylic tunnel. View an
abundance of colourful sea creatures in their natural habitat. See
stingrays and enormous sharks glide by. This offers you the experience
as though you were scuba diving without getting wet. This is not
just an aquarium but an underwater adventure.
Now you're here you are at Auckland's hottest tourist attraction
which is as cool as ice!!. We will take you through Kelly Tarltons
Antarctic Encounter. Go back to 1911 and Captain Scotts hut, experience
a real white out, ride a snow cat, see real penguins and survive
a killer whale attack. Look at the future Scott Base 2000. Enjoy
this exciting experience.
|
| 11:00 AM |
Reboard your coach for Sky Tower.
|
| 11:30 AM |
Arrive at Sky Tower, at 328 metres is the tallest
tower in the Southern Hemisphere and offers unparalleled views -
coast to coast - from four observation decks. With touch-screen
computers and weather forecasts enhanced by computer graphics, youll
find it both educational and fun. |
| 12:30 AM |
Reboard your coach and head for Mc Donalds (buy
own lunch). |
| 1:30 PM |
Transfer down town to the Pride of Auckland Jetty.
We start with you walking through the Maritime Museum. Here you
will board your cruising yacht Pride of Auckland for
a harbour sail. This will be a wonderful experience as you sail
on the harbour that hosted the 1999 Americas Cup Challenge. Take
some time to inspect the Museum.
|
| 2:30 PM |
Board your yacht for an instant sail. Try your hand
at sailing the boat or sit back and enjoy . Wet weather is not a
problem with this activity as the appropriate wet weather gear is
supplied. You will see Viaduct Basin and the Super Yachts and cruisers,
multi millions of dollars worth of gleaming water craft. See also
the trial yachts of the last Americas Cup series. The
best yesterday and super seeded by new hi-tech technology
of tomorrow. The Americas Cup is a very expensive business. |
| 4:00 PM |
Come ashore. Take advantage of being downtown for
last minute shopping and exploring the inner city.
|
| 5:30 PM |
Reboard your coach at the Pride of Auckland Jetty
and all transfer to your hotel.
|
| 7:00 PM |
Dine tonight together. This is an ideal time to review
your tour, hold your final court session and generally wrap up the
tour. |

Day 13 - AUCKLAND / HOME PORT
| 8:00 AM |
Breakfast.
Today is at leisure to shop and do your final exploring of Auckland.
Board your coast and travel to Auckland International Airport to
join your flight home.
Check in at the .....................Group Check in counter.
Your flight departs for .................... |
Tour ends.

Included In Your Cost:
- All sightseeing and transfers in deluxe standard coaches.
- Accommodation and meals as per itinerary.
- White Water Rafting.
- An overnight bush camp and concentrated bushcraft instruction.
- Entry to the special movie Flowing West.
- Guided walk on Fox Glacier, including Alpine Mountain Guides, Alpenstocks
and all equipment.
- Entry to the Puzzle place...Its a Puzzling World.
- A cruise on Lake Te Anau and an exploration visit of the Te Anau Caves.
- Skyline Gondola, 2 luge rides and the I MAX theatre film Kiwi
Magic.
- Skiing at Coronet Peak (in season) with skis, poles, boots, lessons
and clothing provided.
- Skyline Gondola ride to Dinner at the Skyline New Zealands top
smorgasbord.
- Catch the Canyons and thrill to the fun on the Shotover Jet.
- The International Antarctic Centre, including 2_ hour 'hands on' lecture
and Antarctic food. Plus a Hägglund snow cat ride over the simulated
antarctic terrain and onto the Antarctic departure tarmac.
- A Domestic flight between Christchurch and Rotorua on Ansett New Zealand.
- Sightseeing in Rotorua including entry to Whakarewarewa - The Maori
Cultural Village and Craft Centre, Paradise Valley, 2 Luge rides, Agrodome,
Gondola Ride and Maori Concert and Hangi (Feast).
- A visit to the Polynesian Spa pools.
- A Maori Cultural Education Active session including a Marae sleep-over.
- Entry to Waiotapu Wonderland.
- City sightseeing tour of Auckland city including entry to Kelly Tarlton's
Underwater World/Antarctic Encounter
- Entry to Sky Tower.
- Experience sailing with Pride of Auckland.
- One teacher will be able to travel free of charge throughout the tour
based on one for each 12 students travelling together.
- Goods and services tax in New Zealand due against your tour cost and
inclusions.
- Management throughout by GROUPSRUS and their New Zealand
representatives.

Not Included In Your Tour Cost:
- Personal items (passport, visa, excess baggage, phone calls, laundry
etc).
- Meals not included in itinerary or meal plan.
- Travel Insurance. We can do this and recommend the Ready Plan policy
which we will substantially discount to help your budget.
- Departure Tax, NZD$50.00, when leaving New Zealand.
- Airfares to / from New Zealand and any taxes attached to the ticket
when issued.
- Helicopter option at Fox Glacier.
- Ski Package:
Skiing is a seasonal thing. No snow......no ski and in this case no
charge. This is so we can provide a costing using the same coach cost.
in the event of no snow this will allow you to do some independent sightseeing
in Queenstown.
- Te Anau Caves option:
The Domestic Airfare Christchurch / Rotorua is included as we have a
very competitive rate for this flight.
Price:
Please advise us of your expected group size and we will provide you
with a quote.
Cancellations: Tours paid for and cancelled within 30 days of
or during travel will not be refunded under any circumstances. We recommend
you have travel insurance & can arrange this for you.
[Click here to Request a quote for your
group].
[Click here to return to the School Tours Home page].

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Adventure Caving
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