South Island Sojourn - 14 Day Travel Package from $2,180.00 per person

Day 1. Depart Los Angeles

In Flight – Cross the International Dateline (and therefore skip 1 day ahead) as you travel over the Pacific Ocean, on your way to the Southern Hemisphere.

Day 2. Arrive Dunedin. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 3. Otago Peninsula Package. Otago Harbour and Taiaroa Heads wildlife cruise. Scenic Otago Peninsula bus tour and guided tours of the Royal Albatross Colony, the Yellow Eyed Penguin Reserve and a visit to wading bird habitats. Guided tour of Lanarch Castle. On all cruises jackets, binoculars, explanatory wildlife sheets in a variety of languages and full commentary are provided. (B)

Day 4. Dunedin Gourmet Food Walk Tour. Walk through this quirky city with its architecture and boutique stores, meeting local food lovers and tasting their gourmet specialities. Tastes may include gourmet ice cream, local seafood, freshly roasted coffee, and locally baked treats. Saturday is special, visiting the renowned Otago Farmers' Market. Finish with a delicious taste of regional wine or a whisky. (B)

Day 5. Free day to explore Dunedin on your own. (B)

Day 6. Transfer to Queenstown – stay in Queenstown for 5 nights. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)

Day 7. Essential Queenstown. An action filled 3-hour tour combining two of Queenstown's premier activities. The trip features the full Shotover Jet experience - World famous as the ultimate jet boat experience, Shotover Jet has thrilled over 2.5 million people since 1970, and now it's your turn! Take a unique breathtaking ride through dramatic and narrow canyons, and hold on tight for Queenstown's only exhilarating full 360 degree spins. 'Can you handle the Canyons?' with award winning Shotover Jet, The World's Most Exciting Jet Boat Ride, and the only company permitted to operate in the spectacular River Canyons. Next you climb on board for a custom Nomad Safaris 4WD off road tour. Experience a personalized adventure tour in the New Zealand backcountry with Nomad Safaris in their specialized 4x4 vehicles. One of New Zealand's most established and awarded tour operators with over 20 years experience. With Nomad Safaris you will explore the abandoned gold mining area of the Arrow River and film locations used in 'Lord of the Rings'. Travel the rugged road and experience true off roading as you explore the pioneer trails guided by the professional adventurers. (B)

Day 8. TSS Earnslaw Walter Peak Farm & BBQ Lunch. A return scenic cruise Queenstown to Walter Peak High Country Farm on board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. Following the 40 minute outward voyage from Queenstown, passengers disembark at Walter Peak where they are warmly welcomed. The barbeque is cooked on the terrace in front of the Colonel's Homestead overlooking Lake Wakatipu. The barbeque is served either on the terrace, or when the weather is not suitable, inside the charming Colonel's Homestead. Before, or after the barbeque, visitors may wander amongst the farm animals (sheep, red deer, Scottish Highland cattle) and join in the farmyard walking tour, which includes dog handling and sheep shearing demonstrations. There is also plenty of opportunity to relax in the magnificent lakeside gardens. Good value souvenir shopping is available at Walter Peak from the Woolshed'. Note: Passengers are welcome to stay on at Walter Peak and connect with the next TSS Earnslaw sailing to Queenstown (2 hours later). (B, L)

Day 9. Free Day to explore on your own.

Day 10. Discover Milford Sound including Lunch. Journey along the edge of Lake Wakatipu, through Kingston and Mossburn, to Te Anau. "The Key", an aptly named village, opens the door to the Fiordland National Park. Continue on through the Eglinton Valley to the Mirror Lakes, before following the "Avenue of the Disappearing Mountain", past Cascade Creek and Lake Gunn and on to The Divide. Proceed through the Hollyford Valley to the Homer Tunnel, a man-made tunnel cut out of the rock wall, to emerge into the Cleddau Valley, and on to Milford Sound. Join your Milford Sound Cruise and explore the wonder of this majestic fiord. After your cruise, return to Queenstown via coach. (B, L)

Day 11. Fly to Nelson – Stay in Nelson for 3 nights

Day 12. Full Day Kayak, Seals, & Walk Guided Day Trip. Your guide will introduce you to safe paddling techniquies and settle you into a stable double kayak then, it is onto the water to explore and have fun. Beginning with the "Split Apple Paddle Guided Half Day Kayak trip. A perfect adventure for first time paddlers. This relaxing paddle explores the spectacular Kaiteriteri coastline with golden beaches and sculpted granite features, including the famous "Split Apple Rock". Stop on the golden sand beach for a short break before heading back to Kaiteriteri by 12:pm. Swapping your kayak for walking shoes, join the 1:00pm Vista Cruise to the golden sands of Onetahuti, visiting the fascinating seal colony at Tonga Island on the way. Arrive Tonga Quarry at 2:30pm, disembark and walk the coastal track 2h15m to Medlands Beach. Rejoin the Vista Cruise 4:45pm to cruise back to Kaiteriteri, arriving 5:45pm. The ideal time for a celebratory drink and maybe dinner at a local cafe if self driving, or board the connecting bus. (B, L)

Day 13. Explore the Plains Gourmet Half-day Wine Tour. Taste wine from four vineyards on the Waimea Plains. There is a superb lunch stop on every tour. Stafford Lane (Oct to April) where you will sample their range of wines with a central platter of bread for dipping into locally grown and produced olive oil, olives, dukkahs and chutneys. And between April to Oct with a central cheese platter at the first stop. If beer is your passion, we will visit a brewery on request when booking. We will give you an informative but fun afternoon. (B, L)

Day 14. Farewell New Zealand. Until next time…

Departures:
Join any day

Package Includes:
12 nights hotel accommodation, breakfast daily, 4 lunches, ground transportation, tours as specified above

Prices:
Standard Hotel (3*) - $2,180 per person
First Class Hotel (4*) - $2,465 per person
Deluxe Hotel (5*) - $3,077 per person

Prices are from per person, based on low seasonality, prices will vary depending on what time of year you travel.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

If you would like additional information regarding this Vacation Idea please call 800.409.8496 ext. 7008 or Contact Us to work with a Certified Destination Specialist for travel to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands, & Tahiti.