December 20, 2020 - Guided Tour North and South Island - Winter Escape - 15 Days

$5,000.00 - $6,900.00

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All-Inclusive Tour Overview:

• ​15 days / 14 Nights Accommodation in Upscale 4-5 star hotels
• Tour Starts on December 20, 2020
• Domestic Airfare Between the North and South Islands Is Included
• All Airport/Hotel Transfers
• Luxury Transportation and Private Driver (Mercedes SUV/ Sprinter Van)
• Experience over 10 Cities/Regions and over 20 Attractions and Tours
• 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. Discover 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, and your hotel for the night (Sofitel Hotel).
2. ​​Venture into the Waikatere Ranges to discover a vast world of native rainforests, waterfalls, and spectacular black sand beaches, along with rugged coastline of West Auckland.
3. ​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.
4. 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  - 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). 

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

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

Day 3   - 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 3:

Day 4   - Otago Peninsula, South Island

1. Catch a domestic flight to the South Island's Dunedin, known as the "Edinburgh of the South" (Distinction Dunedin Hotel). 
2. Explore the spectacular Otago Peninsula, rugged coastline and beaches, and unique wildlife on a guided tour. 

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

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

Day 5   - Southland and Catlins Forest

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

1. Dramatic scenery, beautiful waterfalls, and sweeping coastlines frame the Southland, as you explore this unspoiled region. With views out to the Southern Ocean, your drive through Invercargill will take you to the southern most points of the South Island; this is as close to Antarctica as you can get.
2. Your journey ends in the Fiordland region, your home base for the next 2 nights (Te Anau Distinction Hotel). 

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

Day 6   - Milford Sound, South Island

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

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 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.
2. Next, you'll take a scenic cruise on the sound to witness the fjord carved by ancient glaciers during the Ice Age.

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

Day 7   - Glowworm Caves and Queenstown, South 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. Explore the resort town, known as the "Adventure Capital of the World", and settle in to your home base for the next night (Hilton Queenstown).
3. Take an exhilarating jet boat guided adventure through the Shotover Canyon. 
4. 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 7:

 Day 8   - 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 8:

Day 9    - 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 night of your trip (Hilton Queenstown).

Included: Breakfast, 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:

• Auckland City Landmarks
• Sky Tower
• Waitakere Ranges
• Hobbiton Guided Tour
• Huka Falls
• Lake Taupo Guided Sailing Tour
• Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley Guided Tour
• Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
• Rotorua Gondola and Luge
• Maori Cultural Experience
• Glowworm Caves Guided Tour
• Otago Peninsula Tour
• Catlins Forest
• Jet Boat Guided Adventure
• Queenstown Gondola
• Lake Pukaki
• Mt. Cook National Park
• Tasman Glacier Guided Boat Experience
• Milford Sound Cruise
• Lake Wakatipu Steamboat Cruise
• High Country Farm Tour

Included Accommodations:

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

Included Meals:

All Breakfasts and Dinners.

Included Transportation:

• Airport/Hotel transfer from Auckland Airport (AKL) upon arrival to New Zealand.
• 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.

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.