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Abercrombie & Kent
OFFER ID 1515112
Tailor Made New Zealand: Adventure by Land, Air & Sea
Travel with your private party on this Luxury Tailor Made Journey, departing when you choose and with expert local guides leading the way; you can even customize the itinerary to your interests.
Take in the scope of New Zealand on an introductory departure revealing hidden coves and a geothermal wonderland of geysers, and sample fruits of the winelands set amid a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, ancient forests and glacial valleys.
7 nights from $15,645 per person
Abercrombie & Kent: Tailor Made New Zealand: Adventure by Land, Air & Sea
Day 1 Auckland, New Zealand
Upon arrival into Auckland, you are met by an A&K representative and transferred to your luxurious hotel, with your room ready for immediate check in. After lunch at your leisure, meet your A&K driver-guide for an afternoon tour of Auckland’s West Coast. Experience subtropical rainforest, soaring cliffs, roaring surf and stunning black sand beaches, all against the backdrop of the stunning Waitakere Ranges.
This morning, embark on a private, full-day tour of Auckland as you take in the historic exhibits of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, including an 80-foot Maori war canoe dating from 1836. Enjoy a Maori cultural performance during your visit. Stroll the city’s lush gardens and vibrant waterfront, before lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, board an America’s Cup sailing yacht to cruise the Hauraki Gulf. In the hands of your experienced crew, trim the sails and pilot the yacht, or simply sit back and absorb the serene beauty of Waitemata Harbour. Later, return to your accommodations to enjoy the evening at your leisure.
Today, travel south through the lush pasturelands of Waikato to rural Matamata, home to the iconic “Middle-Earth” filming location featured in the hit adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. After lunch, continue on to the town of Rotorua, New Zealand’s cultural heartland. Marvel as the earth’s crust bubbles and steams from the abundance of geothermal activity roiling just below the surface. Adjourn to your lodge, gathering in the evening to enjoy a private dinner.
Begin your day with a visit to the natural hot springs of Lake Tarawera, soaking in their thermal waters before returning to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast, visit Te Puia, situated in the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley and home to the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, Pohutu geyser and more than 500 geothermal wonders. Immerse yourself in the traditions of the indigenous Maori people and witness nature’s geothermal might as geysers spout and mud pools boil. Next, visit Rainbow Springs Nature Park’s National Kiwi Hatchery, an Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy-sponsored organization committed to preserving this iconic native species. Enjoy insider access to the facility’s hatchery, feeding room, nursery and outdoor enclosures, gaining expert insights into the plight and preservation of this embattled species.
Fly to Queenstown, located on the southern end of New Zealand's South Island. Once a Maori settlement and, later, a gold mining outpost, Queenstown has transformed in recent decades to become a frontier resort town renowned as an adventure destination. On arrival, privately tour the city's best sights, including AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge — famous for bungee jumping — as well as historic Arrowtown. Continue to your luxury hotel. After checking in, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Today, board a helicopter for a shared flight spanning secluded alpine lakes, lush rainforest and rugged mountain peaks. Sweep over Milford Sound, a coastal inlet flanked by sheer mountains. Next, board a nature cruise and follow along as your guide reveals the region’s flora and fauna, as well as its history. Keep a lookout for seals, dolphins and penguins as the majestic coastal scenery floats by. Return to Queenstown aboard the helicopter, enjoying the remainder of the evening at leisure.
Embark on a tour of Gibbston Valley, one of New Zealand’s premier wine regions. Enjoy a wine cave tour, tasting and lunch at a pioneering local wine estate. Later, privately visit the home and gallery of a world-renowned local artist to hear about the artist's history and techniques.
This morning after breakfast, you are transferred to the airport for your international departure.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
529 36th Street
Des Moine, IA 50312
USA
(515) 271-8091