Spotlight on New Zealand 2017

10 days
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USTOA

Small Group Tour
Travel by private air charter on Tauck's New Zealand-only trip. From Maori cultural traditions to regional culinary experiences, great wine to great adventure, our New Zealand trip offers an in-depth look at life on the North and South Islands.

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Charter flights in New Zealand
    • Marlborough Sounds cruise
    • Waiheke Island
    • Maori cultural presentation
    • Shotover Jet Boat ride
    • Milford Sound cruise
    • wine tastings
    • farm visit and barbecue dinner
    • farewell dinner on Auckland's Viaduct Harbour

What's this trip about?

    Travel by private air charter on Tauck's New Zealand-only trip. From Maori cultural traditions to regional culinary experiences, great wine to great adventure, our New Zealand trip offers an in-depth look at life on the North and South Islands.

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityWellington, New Zealand
End CityAuckland, New Zealand

Travel Themes

  • Cultural

Destinations

Attractions

  • Auckland
  • Fiordland National Park
  • Queenstown

Activities

  • Culture

Trip includes

    • Exclusive charter flights in New Zealand - more sightseeing, less waiting Visit to the high-tech Te Papa Tongarewa National Museum Cruise the Marlborough Sounds, celebrating bounteous beauty with a luncheon of wine and steamed green-lipped mussels Lunch at a winery and bistro known for its Pinot Noir and stunning views of Lake Hayes and the surrounding mountains Jet boat ride on the Shotover River rapids & a helicopter ride to the top of Bob's Peak in Queenstown Scenic cruise by vintage steamship on Lake Wakatipu for a sheep-shearing demonstration and barbecue dinner at Walter Peak Country farm Presentation of Maori culture and entertainment at the Auckland Museum Farewell cocktail reception and dinner at Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted 22 meals (9 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 8 dinners); gratuities to local guides & drivers, service charges, taxes, and porterage

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Wellington
Tour begins: 5:30 PM, Copthorne Hotel Wellington, Oriental Bay. A transfer is included from Wellington International Airport to the Copthorne Hotel Wellington, Oriental Bay, overlooking Wellington's harbour and convenient to the city center. Join us for a welcome reception followed by dinner at the hotel. MEALS : D LODGING : Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay PORTOFCALL : Wellington, New Zealand

Day 2 Wonders of Wellington
Discover Wellington on a tour that begins with a cable car ride from Lambton Quay, in the commercial heart of the city, up to the Botanic Garden. You'll see the award-winning rose garden and great views of the city, harbour and Parliament Buildings. Next up is Te Papa T...
Day 3 Fly to the South Island, cruise Marlborough Sounds & fly to Te Anau
Hop aboard Tauck's charter flight to Blenheim, then head to the Marlborough Sounds on New Zealand's South Island; the area is known for its seafood and wine-growing expertise. You'll get a taste of both, along with experiencing the area's tranquil beauty, on a luncheon c...
Day 4 Visit Fiordland National Park & Cruise Milford Sound
Enjoy a morning drive through the breathtaking scenery of New Zealand's Fiordland National Park, encompassing mountain, lake, fjord and rainforest environments, as well as plants and animals that are completely unique to the area. Join a naturalist guide aoard a private ...
Day 5 To Queenstown for a winery visit and more
Travel across lovely South Island landscapes to Queenstown, then sample the good life during a wine-pairing lunch at a local winery that boasts scenic treasures and culinary pleasures. Your hotel for the next three nights, the Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa, exudes Fre...
Day 6 Adventures by jet boat and helicopter in Queenstown
Queenstown is known for outdoor adventures, as you'll discover for yourself on today's exciting jet boat excursion* through the rapids of the Shotover River in Skippers Canyon, followed by yet another thrill - a helicopter ride* to the top of stunning Bob's Peak. Afterwa...
Day 7 A Lake Wakatipu steamer & South Island country life
Climb aboard the TSS Earnslaw today, crossing Lake Wakatipu to reach the Walter Peak High Country Farm. Here, in the heart of New Zealand's South Island countryside, you'll watch farm dogs rounding up sheep, learn how shearing has been done through the ages in a private ...
Day 8 Charter flight to Auckland & Maori culture
Travel via Tauck's private charter flight from Queenstown to Auckland today for a two-night stay, arriving in time for lunch at a local restaurant. Enjoy an afternoon visit to the Auckland Museum with a Maori cultural presentation and music concert. Have dinner at your hotel tonight. MEALS : B, L, D LODGING : Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour PORTOFCALL : Auckland, New Zealand

Day 9 A wine tasting & more on Wahiheke Island, and a farewell evening in Auckland
Take a ferry to nearby Waiheke Island, a free-spirited mecca of farmland, forests and beaches - and boutique vineyards. A sightseeing drive around the island takes you to Mudbrick Vineyard for lunch and a wine tasting, before returning to Auckland by ferry. Join us this ...
Day 10 Journey Home
Tour ends: Auckland. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour to Auckland Airport. You should allow three hours for check-in at the airport. MEALS : B PORTOFCALL : Auckland, New Zealand

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,490
Price per day$449
Last Updated: 2/22/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Tauck.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Tauck Reviews & Ratings

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Other Tauck Reviews

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Kurlyk40

May 2024

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Great Scenery but Accommodations Lacking for cost

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Susan

Jun 2023

Written on

Nine Tours and Done

Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done o...

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Cougess

Jan 2023

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Skip this cruise - not worth it

My husband and I went on the Treasures of the Mediterranean Isles Trip jn October 2022. This was our third Tauck cruise with Ponnant but our first post covid and the...

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Tauck

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It's easy to see the world's sights. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. We believe that travel should be easy. It should be fun. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. It should re-energize and transform. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. Because how you see the world matters.

In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from Germany in search of the American dream. His determination and values were passed on to his son, Arthur Tauck, who would realize that dream. With ingenuity and an innovative spirit, Arthur started Tauck Motor Tours, a travel company that would give birth to a new industry. The first tour, through the back roads of New England, was created by this 27-year-old in 1925. It embodied the same successful formula used by Tauck today: do the right thing. Craft a life-enriching travel experience; provide it at a single all-inclusive price; ensure there is great value for money; and rely on recommendations of satisfied customers to build a following and grow the business.

Two elements that did change over the next 90+ years – and three generations of Taucks – were the scope of destinations served and the variety of modes of travel used. Today Tauck delivers life-enriching travel experiences to every corner of the globe, incorporating small cruise ships, premium riverboats, trains, helicopters and more. What started as a New England motor coach tour company has truly evolved into an extraordinary global travel company. The fourth generation of Taucks is now involved in the company. While remarkable in any business, this seamless continuity across generations speaks to shared vision and values.

Throughout its history, the concept of “family” at Tauck has gone far beyond those sharing the surname to include hundreds of valued employees, and hundreds of thousands of loyal guests. The story of Tauck is the story of a unique American family company celebrating a passion for travel – a story that will continue to inspire generations to come.

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What they’re known for
Fun group tours and cruises that are culturally-focused and great for families and seniors on vacation.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
tauck-NAN2017

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