Orient-Travel New Zealand: The Ultimate Experience (13 Days/10 nights)

Day 1 : FLY U.S.A. HOMETOWN TO AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
Depart your U.S.A home town to fly to San Francisco or Los Angeles for a non-stop flight* to Auckland, New Zealand.

*International flights not included in price. Best sales fare available will be advised at time of booking.

Day 2 : CROSS THE INTERNATIONAL DATELINE
Lose this day as you cross the International Dateline.

Day 3 : ARRIVE AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
Early morning arrival into Auckland, New Zealand. You will be met and transferred to your accommodations, where you will have a pre-registered, guaranteed early morning check in.

SkyCity Grand Hotel
Deluxe Harbour View Breakfast Included
Early check in + 2 additional nights
Centrally located in the heart of Auckland City, the SKYCITY Grand Hotel is a 5 star masterpiece of contemporary elegance and style. Facilities include the celebrity chef restaurant, Dine by Peter Gordon, Terrace Breakfast restaurant, a gymnasium, an indoor lap pool, club facilities and the exquisite East Day Spa.

Remainder of this day to explore Auckland, New Zealand s biggest city, but small by world standards. Wherever you are in Auckland, you're never far from breathtaking scenery, beautiful beaches, invigorating walks, idyllic islands, outstanding food and wine, great shopping and exciting nightlife.

Auckland's heart beats to a Polynesian rhythm, its people a melting pot of European, South Pacific and Asian cultures and a strong indigenous Maori heritage. This diversity brings with it an abundance of unique experiences.

Day 4 : AUCKLAND
This day is yours to experience the city that gives you the best of all worlds. We'll provide you with a list of activities in Auckland and its surrounding region. Take a guided tour of Auckland with a local Maori guide, climb the Auckland Harbour Bridge for spectacular harbor views, cruise to an island known for its wineries and artists, race on an America s Cup boat, tour the wild west coast and much more to choose from in New Zealand s City of Sails .

Day 5 : ONE WAY TOUR AUCKLAND TO ROTORUA
Today you will travel south leaving Auckland behind as you cross the fertile Bombay Hills and drop down to the rich farmland of the Waikato Region. Follow the Waikato River, through the city of Hamilton and on to the world famous Waitomo Glow-Worm Caves. Begin a guided tour through the long galleries and lofty chambers to view stalactites formed over thousands of years. Continue with a boat ride through the glow-worm grotto that is illuminated by thousands of tiny lights emitted by glow-worms, suspended from the cave ceiling. After lunch, you will travel on to Rotorua, arriving late this afternoon.

From Rotorua you will be transferred to the award-winning Treetops Orient-Travel Lodge & Estate.

Treetops Lodge
Lodge suite Breakfast Included
3 nights
Treetops Lodge & Estate offers the ultimate in world-class Orient-Travel accommodation, located in the heart of the famed therapeutic thermal region, Rotorua, New Zealand. Nestled amidst magnificent native forests and valleys, Treetops offers a uniquely New Zealand experience. The Lodge with its elegant architectural style derived from this country's pioneering past. Timber and stone finishes echo the beauty and simplicity of the great outdoors at Treetops Lodge. A sanctuary and retreat of breathtaking terrain in 2,500 acres of secluded native forest and game reserve, seven trout streams, four lakes, over 70 kilometers of hiking trails, mountain bike riding, horse riding and the ultimate in tranquility and splendor. Share in one man's dream to preserve a piece of paradise for people to enjoy for generations.

Treetops is a member of Small Orient-Travel Hotels of the World; Grand Award Winner - by Andrew Harpers Hideaway; listed on the Conde Nast Gold List 2009 - and many other worldwide accolades and awards.

Day 6 : TREETOPS AND ROTORUA
In the heart of a forest in the middle of New Zealand s incomparable Volcanic Plateau, Treetops offers an unbeatable range of activities, both on the Estate and further a field, to suit everyone s taste. Spend a day on the property, relaxing in this peaceful tranquility, or participate in one of the many Safaris tours on offer photographic safaris, 4wd safari, horseback safari, bird-watching and nature trail safaris, or try the Maori Indigenous Food Trail and Wild Food Cooking Experience

Day 7 : TREETOPS AND ROTORUA
Explore further a-field on a tour that we can organize for you. Scattered throughout the region are not only some of the most spectacular geothermal features to be seen anywhere in the world, but also an impressive array of volcanoes extinct and active!

Rotorua is also a centre for Maori, the original inhabitants of the land, who s intricately carved Marae (meeting house complexes) are frequently seen. There are many cultural opportunities and experiences throughout this area.

Day 8 :FLY ROTORUA TO CHRISTCHURCH
Today you will be transferred to the Rotorua Airport in time to board your flight* to Christchurch, the gateway city to New Zealand s South Island. On arrival into Christchurch, you will be met and transferred to your Orient-Travel accommodations for a 2-night stay.

The George Christchurch
Executive Room Breakfast Included
2-nights
The George, a Orient-Travel boutique hotel, is the essence of supreme comfort and is renowned for offering a personalized stay and attentive staff as well as two award winning restaurants. Located in the heart of Christchurch overlooking the picturesque Hagley Park and river Avon you will find a peaceful retreat just steps from Christchurch's cultural precinct and key attractions. Impeccable service in an intimate ambience is guaranteed at The George, the only Christchurch Hotel with a one-to-one staff to guest ratio.

The George is a member of Small Orient-Travel Hotels of the World; 'New Zealand's Leading Boutique Hotel' in every year since 2006.

*Domestic flights not included, and will be booked as part of your international ticket in order to secure best possible price.

Day 9 : CHRISTCHURCH & CANTERBURY REGION
This day is yours to explore and discover Christchurch, New Zealand s Garden City and the gateway to the Canterbury region of New Zealand - from white-sanded coastline to the mountain peaks of the Southern Alps. Take a tram ride through the city, go punting on the Avon River, or enjoy Hagley Park and the Botanical Gardens. Catch a local bus out to the Christchurch Gondola and when you get to the top you will have magnificent views of Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains, Banks Peninsula and Lyttelton Harbour.

We'll provide you with a list of unique experiences to include, spectacular train journeys, whale watching, visiting quaint villages and boat trips to view the rare Hector s Dolphin. There are so many experiences to choose from while in the Canterbury Region.

Day 10 : FLY CHRISTCHURCH TO QUEENSTOWN
Today you will be transferred to the Christchurch Airport to board your flight* for a short but very scenic flight, crossing the Southern Alps and landing in spectacular Queenstown.

On arrival into Queenstown, you will be met and transferred to your accommodations at New Zealand's most prominent lakefront address and one of New Zealand s finest hotels.

Eichardt s Private Hotel
Hotel Suite Breakfast Included
3-nights
Eichardt's (I-carts) Private Hotel provides fine accommodation in just five luxurious Hotel Suites located in the historic district on a premium lakefront position at the heart of Queenstown's cafe and restaurant precinct. The Hotel reflects contemporary provincial elegance, its modern features in perfect harmony with the distinctive antiques and luxurious furnishings of this New Zealand icon. Queenstown's premier lakefront address offers a welcoming and stylish environment

Eichardt s is a member of Small Orient-Travel Hotels of the World; Andrew Harper Recommended; Member of Virtuoso

*Domestic flights not included, and will be booked as part of your international ticket in order to secure best possible price.

Day 11 - 12 : QUEENSTOWN
You will need the next two full days to explore the remarkable region of Queenstown. Situated in the heart of the South Island, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by a beautiful mountain range, aptly named The Remarkables, Queenstown has been regularly rated as one of the world s top tourism destinations. It is know as the Southern Hemisphere s premier four-season alpine and lake resort. Queenstown was named because it was fit for Queen Victoria. Certainly it s lived up to that expectation. Today it s an exhilarating alpine resort, perfect for both adventurers and leisure seekers.

We will provide you with a list of unique opportunities and experiences; from jet boating safaris, to wine tasting in Central Otago, to cruising on the stunning Milford sound, 4WD safaris, lake cruises and spectacular flight seeing possibilities. You won t want to leave!

Day 13 :QUEENSTOWN TO AUCKLAND TO U.S.A HOMETOWN
Sadly you will depart Queenstown for your return flight* to Auckland, where you will board your International Flight** for the U.S.A.