^{New Zealand}Halfway Around the World

Day 1

We will assemble at London Heathrow,Terminal 3, for our non-stop Singapore Airlines flight to Singapore. Flight SQ 317 is scheduled to depart at 11.00 hours and shortly after take-off lunch will be served. (Passengers who would prefer to fly direct from Manchester to Singapore can take SQ 327, departing at 10.00 hours. This is available at no extra cost but passengers will not be with a Tour Manager during the flight). Enjoy your inflight entertainment system on your personal seatback screen. Beverages with the compliments of Singapore Airlines.
(Meals: Lunch, Refreshments).

Day 2, Singapore - 2 nights

Before landing into Singapore, breakfast is served. Our arrival is scheduled for 07.45 hours local time, (07.00 for those from Manchester) and after customs clearance our waiting coaches will transfer us to the deluxe Pan Pacific Hotel, situated in the heart of Marina Square.Your day has been left at leisure until early evening when we gather for drinks so we may become better acquainted for our forthcoming travels together.
(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 3

After breakfast we shall take a city tour of Singapore, the "crossroads" of Asia where East meets West and vibrant world trading rubs shoulders with typical tourist pastimes. Sights include Merlion Park for great views of Marina Bay,Thian Hock Keng Temple and the Orchid Gardens within Singapore's botanical gardens. We return to the hotel early afternoon and the rest of your day is at leisure.
(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 4

A day at leisure prior to our departure for the airport. Perhaps take a river cruise, or maybe visit the Chinese and Japanese Gardens. All our rooms have been booked until 4 o'clock this evening, enabling us to freshen up before our departure. Flight SQ 285 to Auckland is scheduled to depart at 21.00 and shortly after take off, dinner will be served.
(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 5, Auckland - 2 nights

Breakfast is served before our arrival into Auckland. Our arrival is estimated at 11.45 hours local time and after the normal immigration procedures we shall transfer to the first class Heritage Hotel, situated just a short stroll from Queen Street, Auckland's main shopping area.Your afternoon is at leisure to spend as you please.
(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 6

Today has been left completely free for meeting friends, looking at the city at your own pace, or merely relaxing with your fellow travellers.
(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 7, Bay of Islands - 4 nights

After breakfast we depart via the Harbour Bridge and travel northbound to the Kauri Museum at Matakohe. Our travels continue to the Waipoua Kauri Forest Reserve where we stop to view the giant Kauri tree 'Tane Mahuta' (Lord of the Forest).We then travel across country to the beautiful Bay of Islands where we spend the next four nights at the Copthorne Bay of Islands Resort, situated right on the waterfront. Evening at leisure.
(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 8

Today we take a cruise around the Bay of Islands taking us via Red Head Passage to Cape Brett and Piercy Island where we cruise to the famous 'Hole in the Rock'. In these world-famous deep-sea fishing grounds, porpoise and school fish are frequently seen.The return trip visits historic Russell, once known as "the Hell Hole of the Pacific" but now a peaceful and picturesque township.
(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 9

A visit to New Zealand is not complete without a journey to the top of the land - Cape Reinga. Highlights of today's tour include the drive along Ninety Mile Beach to visit the lighthouse at the tip of New Zealand and a careful negotiation of the Paki Quicksand Stream. Packed lunch included.
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 10

A day at leisure to absorb the beauty that surrounds you at the Bay of Islands. It was at Waitangi that the treaty was signed between the Maoris and the Pakeha (the European settlers); this morning perhaps visit the Treaty House situated behind our hotel and learn a little more of the history. In the afternoon return to Russell, enjoy a round of golf, or simply relax by the poolside.
(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 11, Rotorua - 2 nights

This morning we travel south via the sparkling beaches of the Pacific Ocean along New Zealand's fragrant Hibiscus Coast. Later in the afternoon we arrive at the world-famous thermal region at Rotorua for the next two nights at the first class Millennium Rotorua, situated adjacent to Rotorua's famous Polynesian Spa Pool.
(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 12

Rotorua sightseeing today includes the famous Rotorua bath house and a visit to Te Puia including the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve with its boiling mudpools and spurting geysers. Afternoon at leisure.This evening dinner is followed by an entertaining Maori concert.
(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 13, Christchurch - 2 nights

A leisurely start prior to our departure back to Auckland in time to catch our flight to Christchurch. Our flight, taking an hour and twenty minutes, arrives into Christchurch mid afternoon and upon arrival we transfer to the Heritage Hotel, located in the heart of the city, in Cathedral Square, where we spend our next two nights.
(Meals: Breakfast, Refreshments).

Day 14

A day at leisure to explore Christchurch at your own pace. Often described as 'the most English City outside England', Christchurch is a wonderful city with a great deal of character and so much to see.
(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 15, Franz Josef - 2 nights

After breakfast we transfer to Christchurch railway station in plenty of time to catch the Tranz Alpine Express for a fabulous train journey.We cross the fertile Canterbury Plains before we ascend the rugged mountain ranges, all the while receiving a full commentary of the magnificent sights we see before us. At the Arthurs Pass Station we transfer to our coach and make the spectacular descent down the western side of the Southern Alps.We continue through to Shantytown where an old gold-mining town has been recreated. As we continue, our route takes us alongside striking wild scree-scarred terrain with forests of Crimson Rata and Kahikatea. Just a few miles further south we pass Lake Ianthe and Mapourika before sighting Franz Josef Glacier and entering the Westland National Park. Here we stay two nights at the Franz Josef Glacier Hotel.
(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 16

Today is left completely free to absorb the beauty of Franz Josef. For those that so wish we shall drive to the Franz Josef Glacier terminal where you will have the opportunity to walk to the glacier face.Weather permitting you may also take an optional scenic flight (at an additional cost) over the awe-inspiring Alpine region. A helicopter flight would take you around the peaks of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman and would make a glacier landing on one of the three main glaciers.
(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 17, Wanaka - 2 nights

Incredible scenery today as we travel across the Haast River Bridge and via Clark Bluff along one of the most exciting scenic roads ever built.We travel along the shores of Lake Wanaka and Hawea as we enter New Zealand's Central Otago region.We arrive at the township of Wanaka where we spend our next two nights at the Grand Mercure Oakridge Resort.
(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 18

Wanaka smiles north across Lake Wanaka into an incomparable alpine scene. Poplars and willows surround the lakefront and the lake appears to glisten every shade of blue.Your day is at leisure to spend as you please: fishing, boating, horse riding or just walking around the lake, you will love Wanaka and all it has to offer.
(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 19, Te Anau -2 nights

A leisurely morning takes us via Queenstown and the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau, New Zealand's 'walking capital', where your afternoon and evening are free to spend as you please.The next two nights are spent at the popular Kingsgate Te Anau.
(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 20

Today we visit Milford Sound which could be the highlight of your holiday. Here we take you on a launch trip on The Sound, viewing Mitre Peak and magnificent Bowen Falls. Stops are made en route to view various points of interest such as the Mirror Lakes and the Chasm and late afternoon we return to Te Anau for dinner and a further night.
(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 21, Queenstown - 3 nights

A morning drive takes us to cosmopolitan Queenstown. En route we shall make a brief stop to visit the old steam locomotive, Kingston Flyer, and hopefully if operational, we may have the opportunity for a ride (at a small additional cost). Continue to nearby Arrowtown with its picturesque tree lined streets and miners cottages preserved as they were during the 19th century gold rush era. Mid afternoon we arrive into Queenstown where we check in at the first class Gardens Hotel situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu where we spend our next three nights.
(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 22

A free day to enjoy as you please.There are many activities available in Queenstown. Maybe go horse riding, white water rafting or take a four wheel drive safari over old mining tracks. For those requiring an easier day a garden tour could be more suitable or perhaps just stroll around this lovely township.This evening we relive a bygone era cruising on Lake Wakatipu aboard the vintage steamer 'Earnslaw'.We cruise to Walter Peak Homestead where we enjoy our evening meal before returning back to Queenstown aboard the Earnslaw.
(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 23

Your final day in Queenstown has again been left free to spend as you please. Stroll by the lakeside or take a gondola ride to the top of Bob's Peak for a magnificent panoramic view of Queenstown.
(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 24, Christchurch - 2 nights

Today we travel through Cromwell and Tarras where old gold workings can be seen and over the Lindis Pass to the MacKenzie Country, bordered by the high peaks of the Southern Alps and Mount Cook. Continuing north, we make an early afternoon visit to one of the farms in the Fairlie district where we take lunch.We arrive in Christchurch later in the afternoon and check in at the Heritage Hotel where accommodation is provided for a further two nights.
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch).

Day 25

Your final day is left completely free to further explore the beauty of New Zealand's Garden City.
(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 26

At leisure until we leave for Christchurch airport in time to catch this afternoon's flight via Singapore to London Heathrow or Manchester. The estimated departure time is 12.00 hours and during our flights meals will be served and all drinks are with the compliments of Singapore Airlines.
(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 27

Before our arrival, breakfast is served. Flight SQ 322 arrives into London Heathrow,Terminal 3 at 05.25 hours, whilst SQ 328 arrives Manchester,Terminal 2 at 06.25 hours. After clearing customs it is time to say "Farewell" to our new-found friends, bringing our New Zealand adventure to an end.
(Meals: Breakfast).