CUSTOM TOUR
​All-Inclusive Tour Overview:

• ​10 days / 9 Nights Accommodation in Upscale 4-5 star hotels
• Tour Starts in Auckland on Monday April 6, 2020.
• Domestic Airfare Between the North and South Island Is Included
• All Airport/Hotel Transfers
• Luxury Transportation and Private Driver (Mercedes SUV/ Sprinter Van)
• All Breakfasts and All Dinners are Included
• Led by a Raspberry Tours Travel Expert and Local Guides
• Small Group Trip - Perfect for Families and Friends
• Special Child Tour Pricing for Ages 14 and Younger

Day 1   - Auckland, North Island

1. Early morning arrival and private transfer to your home base for the first 2 nights (The Spencer on Byron Hotel, Sofitel Auckland Hotel, or similar).
2. Breakfast at Takapuna Beach, voted top 10 Instagram spots in New Zealand, with views out to the volcanic Rangitoto Island. 
3. Visit the historic village of Devonport and hop onto a ferry to the harbor for great views. ​​
4. ​Take a tour of Auckland. Visit One Tree Hill, one of several volcanic peaks protruding from the city. Enjoy other city landmarks and shopping districts like Parnell and Queen Street.
5. Take a trip up the Sky Tower, the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere, and enjoy 360 degree views while dining at the revolving restaurant.  

Included: Breakfast, Dinner, Transportation, Tours, Attractions, Hotels.

Pictures of some of the amazing places you will see on Day 1:

Day 2  - West Coast Auckland, North Island

1. Venture into the Waitakere Ranges to discover a vast world of native rainforests, waterfalls, and spectacular black sand beaches, along the rugged coastline of West Auckland.
2. See why Auckland is known as the "City of Sails", with more boats per capita than anywhere else in the world. Explore Auckland's luxury yacht filled waterfront, Viaduct Harbour, home to the 2021 America's Cup sailing yacht race. ​

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Transportation, Tours, Attractions, Hotels.

Pictures of some of the amazing places you will see on Day 2:

Day 3   - Hobbiton and Lake Taupo, North Island

1. Take a guided tour of Hobbiton, the village movie set location, as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies.
2. Witness the extraordinary hydro power of Huka Falls, the most visited natural attraction in New Zealand. 
3. End the day with a sunset sail on sparkling Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand, created 2,000 years ago by a volcanic eruption. 
4. Taupo is your home base for the next 2 nights (Sacred Waters Hotel, Hilton Hotel, or similar). 

Included: Breakfast, Dinner, Transportation, Tours, Attractions, Hotels.

Pictures of some of the amazing places you will see on Day 3:

Day 4   - Geothermal Rotorua and Maori Culture, North Island

1. Experience Te Whakarewarewa Valley, a guided tour of the geothermal activity in Rotorua formed by thousands of years of volcanic activity. Touch the hot earth, see the bubbling hot mud pools, feel the warm waters from the hot springs, and view the geyser eruptions. 
2. Stroll through Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, an amazing display of the most colorful and unique geothermal landscapes in this area. 
3. Enjoy spectacular views of Lake Rotorua, the city, and the steaming geothermal landscape with trip up Mt. Ngongotaha on the Gondola. Drive the Luge downhill through the Redwoods Forest then take the chair-lift back to the top. Once is never enough.
4. Learn about the NZ Maori people and culture through cultural performances, stories and dance. Visit the Maori arts and crafts institute, and enjoy a traditional Maori Hangi dinner. 

Included: Breakfast, Dinner, Transportation, Tours, Attractions, Hotels.

Pictures of some of the amazing places you will see on Day 4:

Day 5   - Waitomo Glowworm Caves, North Island

1. The glowworm is a tiny creature, unique to New Zealand. Take a boat ride on the underground natural streams that run through the glowworm grotto, as thousands illuminate the cave. 
2. Catch a domestic flight to Queenstown, in the South Island. 
3. Explore the resort town, known as the "Adventure Capital of the World", and settle in to your home base for the next 2 nights (Hilton Queenstown Resort, or similar).

Included: Breakfast, Dinner, Transportation, Domestic Flight to Queenstown, Tours, Attractions, Hotels.

Pictures of some of the amazing places you will see on Day 5:

Day 6   - Mt. Aspiring National Park and Middle-Earth, South Island

1. Drive along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, located in a deep valley carved into the mountains by ancient glaciers. Stop along the way for stunning views of the crystal clear water and snow capped mountains. 
2. Take an exhilarating jet boat guided adventure along a glacier-fed river deep into the heart of Mt. Aspiring National Park. Learn about the area's Maori legends and rich history, as the mesmerizing tall mountain peaks surround you. 
3. Continue with a hike through an ancient beech tree forest that uncovers scenes from The Lord of the Rings films. 
4. Discover parts of Middle-Earth, Narnia, and other famous filming locations on a back-road 4WD adventure. 
5. End the evening with a spectacular view of Queenstown as you ride the gondola up more than 1400 feet to Bob's Peak. Enjoy stunning views of The Remarkables and surrounding mountain peaks, while enjoying a delicious gourmet buffet dinner. 

Included: Breakfast, Dinner, Transportation, Tours, Attractions, Hotels.

Pictures of some of the amazing places you will see on Day 6:

 Day 7   - Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park, South Island

1. ​Journey up the Lindis Pass to reach the Southern Alps, with more than 22 mountain peaks towering over 10,000 feet. ​The tallest is Mt. Cook, towering over 12,000 feet high. ​
2. Stop at the stunning Lake Pukaki with its turquoise blue waters, formed by the melting glaciers.
3. Settle into the historic Hermitage Hotel in Mt. Cook National Park for one night, with prominent views of Mt. Cook.
4. Enjoy spectacular hikes in this rugged land of ice, rock, valleys, and lakes.

​Included: Breakfast, Dinner, Transportation, Tours, Attractions, Hotels.

Pictures of some of the amazing places you will see on Day 7:

Day 8    - Tasman Glacier, South Island

1. ​With the effects of global warming and climate change accellerating the melting of New Zealand's glaciers, experience an amazing encounter with the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand's largest glacier, now about 16.7 miles long.
2. Explore the changing landscape and icebergs as you journey by boat into the rapidly growing lake, with experienced guides. 
3. Journey back to Queenstown, your home base for the last 2 nights of your trip (Hilton Queenstown Resort, or similar).

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Transportation, Tours, Attractions, Hotels.

Pictures of some of the amazing places you will see on Day 8:

 Day 9   - Milford Sound, South Island

1. Named the "eighth wonder of the world" by the famous The Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling, Milford Sound takes your breath away with its towering peaks, cascading waterfalls, and amazing wildlife including deer and sheep. Discover this spectacular region with a guided coach tour through Te Anau and Fiordland in a glass-top coach for optimum viewing of the majestic scenery. The guided tour will include multiple stops for photo opportunities and scenic highlights, plus a chance to try some amazing "venison pie" (deer meat). Next, you'll take a scenic cruise on the sound to witness the fjord carved by ancient glaciers during the Ice Age. This unforgettable tour ends with a scenic flight over the Alps, fjords, and sounds, back to Queenstown. 

​Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Transportation, Tours, Attractions, Hotels.

Pictures of some of the amazing places you will see on Day 9:

 Day 10   - Queenstown Lake Cruise and High Country Farm, South Island

1. Ride the vintage coal-fired steamship across Lake Wakatipu for the best way to see Queenstown's surrounding landscape.
2. Take a guided interactive tour through a high country farm and attend a sheep shearing demonstration. ​

Included: Breakfast, Transportation, Tours, Attractions, Hotels.

Pictures of some of the amazing places you will see on Day 10:

Included Sightseeing:

• Takapuna Beach
  
• Devonport Ferry
• Auckland City Landmarks
• Sky Tower
• Waitakere Ranges
• Hobbiton
• Huka Falls
• Lake Taupo Sailing
• Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley
• Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
• Rotorua Gondola and Luge
• Maori Cultural Experience
• Glowworm Caves
• Queenstown Landmarks
• Mt. Aspiring National Park
• Jet Boat Adventure
• The Lord of the Rings
  
• Middle-Earth
• Queenstown Gondola
• Lake Pukaki
• Mt. Cook National Park
• Tasman Glacier
• Milford Sound
• Lake Wakatipu Steamboat Cruise
• High Country Farm Guided Tour

Included Accommodations:

9 Nights Upscale Accommodations (2 Nights Auckland, 2 Nights Taupo, 4 Nights Queenstown, 1 Night Mt. Cook)

Included Meals:

10 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, and 8 Dinners

Included Transportation:

• Airport/Hotel transfer from Auckland Airport (AKL) upon arrival to New Zealand.
• Devonport Ferry to the Auckland Harbor. 
• Domestic one-way flight to Queenstown Airport (ZQN)  including hotel transfers. 
• Airport/Hotel transfer to Queenstown Airport (ZQN) upon departure from New Zealand. 
• Tour transportation in a luxury vehicle to/from all attractions and cities with a professional driver/guide, throughout the 10 day trip.
• Milford Sound Scenic Flight back to Queenstown.

Included Services:

All planning prior to and during the trip is handled by the Raspberry Tours travel expert. The travel expert will be your personal guide and concierge throughout the trip. 

Frequently Asked Questions About This Tour:

1. Which day does the tour start and which day does it end? Day 1 starts at 9am on Sunday April 5. Day 10 ends at 3pm on Tuesday April 14. Due to the time difference, the flight from LAX will depart on Friday, April 3, in the evening, and will arrive early morning around 6 am on Sunday April 14, Auckland local time. 
2. I am purchasing my own International Flight, which flight should I book? Several airlines fly direct to Auckland (AKL) from Los Angeles (LAX), including Air New Zealand and American Airlines. We recommend booking one of these direct flights, because they will land in Auckland around 6am local time. If you'd like to take a non-direct flight, or are not arriving from LAX, we recommend you book your flight to arrive by April 5 morning (at the latest). For the return leg to LAX, please ensure to select a flight from ZQN, Queenstown Airport. Due to the time difference, an evening flight from ZQN on Tuesday April 14, will arrive at LAX on the same day Tuesday April 14 in the early afternoon. Please let us know your flight details as soon as possible, so that we can arrange airport transfers accordingly. Please contact your Raspberry Tours travel expert for any support or questions regarding booking the international flights to/from New Zealand.  
3. How will we travel between cities and between islands? We will arrange all transportation via luxury Mercedes vans between cities, airports, and hotels. A one-way domestic flight between the North Island and the South Island is also included.  
4. How many pieces of luggage can I bring? Each tour traveller is allocated space for one medium-sized bag and one personal item on the transportation vehicles and on the domestic flights.  
5. Is there anything that I should bring on this trip? We definitely recommend a good sunscreen and very comfortable walking shoes. The temperatures on both islands can change quickly from bright sun to rain to high winds. We recommend you always dress in layers. A light windbreaker jacket and a wool sweater will come in handy for the North Island, and a down puffer jacket with extra layers is recommended for the South Island, especially around the Southern Alps where temperatures could dip into the 40's and rain is common.
6. Will there be access to laundry facilities throughout the trip? Yes, New Zealand hotels are often equipped with a washing machine within each hotel room.
7. What fitness level is required for this tour? This tour is designed for a light fitness level and will proceed at a comfortable pace. It will require the ability to walk short distances, and may require up to one hour of walking at a time. It will also require the ability to travel in the van between different regions, for up to 2 hours at a time. Oftentimes "the journey is the destination", and travel between two regions includes many stops for photo opportunities, coffee breaks, tours, etc.  
8. What is the time schedule for each day? Will there be any free time or any time for shopping? Yes! This guided tour will proceed at a comfortable pace, and there will be times designated for free time and shopping. A "Travel Plan" which includes the daily time schedule will be provided at the start of the tour. Don't worry about planning the logistics of the tour because the Raspberry Tours Travel Expert will manage all those aspects for you and keep you informed so you know what to expect. Also, we are flexible! We want you to experience a fun time in New Zealand, and to enjoy your vacation, so please let us know if there is anything you need. Previous customers that have taken this tour attest to having a great time. We know you will too! 

Please find additional information here on Raspberry Tours inclusions.

Any Questions? Please email us at contact@raspberrytours.com or give us a call at 949-438-6692.