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Great Rail Experience - Land package from $3,950 per person
14 days, 13 nights - Auckland to Christchurch
 Enjoy 7 spectacular scenic rail journeys through the heart of the New Zealand. Highlights on this 14 day tour include the TranzAlpine Train, rated one of the world's greatest; the Kingston Flyer, indulge in the luxury of a bygone era and the TranzCoastal Train for a scenic journey between the mountains and the sea.
Add airfare to complete your package and
save 5% off your land arrangements!
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Highlights - Map
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Included Rail Journeys
The Overlander Train
- Auckland to Otorohanga
- Te Kuiti to Tongariro National Park
TranzMetro Service
- Featherston to Wellington
The TranzCoastal Train
- Picton to Christchurch
The TranzAlpine Train
- Christchurch to Greymouth
The Kingston Flyer Vintage Steam Train
- Kingston to Fairlight
The Seasider
- Dunedin to Palmerston
Sightseeing Highlights
Take a guided tour of the Waitomo caves
Ride the famous Wellington Cable Car
Cruise the full length of Milford Sound
Travel into Mt Cook National Park |
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Auckland
Be met and transferred to your hotel. Then choose a sightseeing activity from a range of options including a cruise of Waitemata Harbour, a visit to Auckland Museum and many more.
Stay: Auckland, Skycity Hotel.
Day 2 - Auckland, The Overlander, Rotorua
Board the Overlander train and journey to Otorohanga. Continue to the Waitomo caves and be guided into a labyrinth of limestone to see the thousands of glow worms that call these caverns home. Continue to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua by coach. This evening enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and cultural performance.
Two Night Stay: Rotorua, Heritage
Day 3 - Rotorua, Freedom of Choice Touring
Rotorua is New Zealand’s oldest and best known thermal resort, where generations of visitors have enjoyed its waters and learnt of its proud Maori heritage. Our Freedom of Choice Touring presents a range of options for you to select from today, including a thermal reserve tour, a visit to the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, time at Rotorua Museum or a relaxing soak in a thermal mineral pool. Other options are also available.
County Homestay option available
Day 4 - Rotorua, The Overlander, Tongariro National Park
This morning you will travel to Te Kuiti by coach and join The Overlander train for a tour through the heart of the North Island. Travel over the world-famous Raurimu Spiral before spending the night in World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park, nestled at the base of the majestic Mt Ruapehu.
Stay: Tongariro National Park, Chateau Tongariro
Day 5 - TranzMetro Train, Wellington
This morning head south to Featherston. Travel through Taihape, renowned as the gumboot capital of New Zealand. Every year a festival is held here to celebrate this essential item of rural kiwi footwear. Continue through the Manawatu Gorge and the Wairarapa region to Featherston. On arrival in Featherston, visit the Fell Engine Museum before boarding the TranzMetro train. Journey to Wellington via the Rimutaka Tunnel.
Two Night Stay: Wellington, James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
Day 6 - Wellington
Today take a short stroll to the Wellington Cable Car whose service from Lambton Quay to Kelburn began in 1902. Ascend to the top and perhaps visit the Cable Car Museum or take a walk around the tranquil Botanic Gardens. These gardens contain native bush including the Lady Norwood Rose Garden with more than 100 rose species. View the parliament buildings including the Beehive. Continue onto Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. Here, the past, present and future is on display. At the conclusion of your sightseeing tour the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 7 - Wellington, TranzCoastal Train, Christchurch
Join a cruise for a journey between the North and South islands. Travel across Cook Strait and through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds and Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton. On arrival join the TranzCoastal Train for a scenic journey between mountains and sea. Continue to Christchurch, known as the Garden City.
Stay: Christchurch, Holiday Inn City Centre.
Day 8 - TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef
Board the award-winning TranzAlpine train, voted one of the top rail journeys in the world. Travel through gorges, river valleys and across the Southern Alps. Disembark at Greymouth and head to Franz Josef.
Stay: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel.
Day 9 - Franz Josef, Queenstown, Dine Around Dinner
Enjoy incredible scenery leaving this World Heritage-listed area. See spectacular mountain ranges, native forests, lakes and glaciers. Journey along the shores of beautiful lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the alpine resort of Queenstown, with the Remarkables range nearby. Tonight choose from four unique dining experiences.
Two Night Stay: Queenstown, Novotel Lakeside.
Day 10 - Queenstown, Freedom of Choice Touring
Queenstown is an exhilarating, year-round alpine resort, perfect for adventurers and leisure-seekers alike. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, overlooked by the majestic Southern Alps, the town was named because ‘it was fit for a Queen’. Today we have a selection of activities for you to choose from. A Queenstown double decker explorer tour, a wine tour of some of the award-winning local wineries, an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Shotover River or a relaxing garden tour might appeal. Alternatively, take the Safari of the Scenes, journey into Skippers Canyon by 4WD or take a lake shore forest and bird walk.
Day 11 - Kingston Flyer Steam Train, Milford Sound, Te Anau
Take a trip back in time today aboard the Kingston Flyer, New Zealand’s famous vintage steam train. Travel from Kingston to Fairlight through alpine desert and tussock grasslands. Continue to Milford Sound and on arrival into Milford join a cruise on this magnificent, glacier-carved fiord. This afternoon return to the delightful lakeside town of Te Anau.
Stay: Te Anau, Luxmore Hotel
Day 12 - Dunedin, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today you will arrive in the charming city of Dunedin. The range of sightseeing choices on offer includes a Taieri Gorge Railway Excursion, a trip to the Otago Peninsula to view the magnificent royal albatross or yellow-eyed penguin colonies, a visit to Speight’s Brewery, a tour of historic Larnach Castle and many more.
Stay: Dunedin City Hotel.
Day 13 - Dunedin, Seasider Train, Mt Cook, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning board the Seasider Train at Dunedin’s stately railway station, and journey north along the east coast. Then travel into World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park, home to Australasia’s highest mountain, Mt Cook. On arrival, join your selected Freedom of Choice Touring activity. Choose from a guided walk through the national park, a discovery of the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, or stargazing with expert astronomy guides.
Stay: Mt Cook, The Hermitage.
Day 14 - Lake Tekapo, Christchurch
Today visit Lake Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built from locally gathered stone and oak in tribute to the hard working early pioneers of the land. Dwarfed by the surrounding mountains, the church is a definite photographic highlight. After stopping to enjoy some of the country’s freshest air, continue through Burkes Pass to the Garden City of Christchurch, with its distinctive English feel. Your tour concludes on arrival in Christchurch and a departure transfer to the airport is included.
Tour Departure Dates:
2009: Jan 9; Feb 6,20; Mar 6, 13; Apr 10; Sep 11; Oct 2, 16; Nov 6, 20 & Dec 4
2010: Jan 8; Feb 5, 19; Mar 5, 19; Apr 2; Sep 10; Oct 8, 22; Nov 12, 26 & Dec 3
Low season rates are highlighted in BOLD
Most dates are guaranteed - ask when booking
Tour Rates:
Low Season including two feature dinners from $3,950 per person
Low Season including 23 meals from $4,820 per person
No single supplement if willing to share with another traveler of the same gender or pay $925 to guarantee your own room
Regular Season including two feature dinners from $4,390 per person
Regular Season including 23 meals from $5,355 per person
No single supplement if willing to share with another traveler of the same gender or pay $1,025 to guarantee your own room
Package price & availability will be confirmed at time of booking. All prices reflect a 3% discount for purchases made by cash/check. There are no discounts for payment made by credit cards. Cancellation penalties and other restrictions apply.
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Journey Pacific LLC ® TM
5660 N. Fort Apache Rd, Las Vegas NV 89149
(800) 704-7094 / (702) 655-9849
(702) 655-2548 - fax
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