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Grand Traverse
offered by supplier M15616 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 1
- 18
day(s)
Group Size: 2
- 10
people
Destination(s):
New Zealand
Specialty Categories:
Cultural Journey
Walking Tours
Season: April - October
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 1170 New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 1170 New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
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This trip starts in Auckland and heads south from there. For the majority of people Queenstown is the end of the road but if you want, for a little extra we'll organize transport back to Christchurch or Auckland. To complete a circuit of the South Island you can add on a Flying Kiwi "Wild West" trip.
You get to see - Coromandel, thermal mud pools, Marlborough Sounds, Mount Cook, Milford Sound, Queenstown, and many more sights.
You get to try - more cycle rides, hikes, dolphin swimming, sea kayaking, whale watching, skydiving, rafting, cruise Milford Sound, Routeburn Track bungy jumping, paragliding and more.
Here is the itinerary for the Grand Traverse tour. Blue text indicates some of the optional activities available at an additional cost, while red text indicates main departure Days.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Return to the "City of Sails". Depart Auckland at 10am. The beautiful Coromandel Peninsula awaits us. Cycle scenic route following Pohutukawa-lined shores with magnificent views of the peninsula. A relaxing afternoon at Cathedral Cove beach or dig pools where thermal waters spring from the sands of fascinating Hot Water Beach. Camp at the Coromandel for the night. Please note for Beach It and Reverse Traverse the tour finishes in Auckland and includes breakfast only. (B), (L), (D)
Day 2: Cycle off ahead. On to steaming Rotorua with its thermal wonders. Town visit and Polynesian Pools. Cycle to lake side camp nestled below the dormant Mt. Tarawera. (B), (D)
Day 3: A relaxed start at our lake-side camp. walk, cycle the route ahead, optional flight over this volcanic region. We visit Wai-O-Tapu, mud pools & geysers. We drive on to the Huka Falls & Taupo for time in town. Optional Skydiving. Majestic Mts Ngauruhoe, Tongariro and Ruapehu dominate the skyline as we journey along the shores of one of the largest crater lakes in the world. To Turangi and our camp. (B), (L), (D)
Day 4: Optional early start to NZ's most popular day hike, the "Tongariro Crossing". Alternatively visit the Volcanic Centre museum or cycle around the mountain. Pick up the hikers at the end of the track and drive on to our camp on the Kapiti Coast. (B), (L), (D)
Day 5: For those who are heading south we travel by ferry (cost included) or if you are heading north rejoin us at 1pm (see Day 26). We arrive in Wellington by 11am. The capital offers café culture, good bars and Te Papa Museum, which is worth a visit. We do not provide accommodation but will help you make a booking in the place of your choice. (B)
Day 6: Depart Picton 10 m. Pacific Coast to Kaikoura, cycle stunning coastal route. Close encounters with fur seals and a myriad of sea birds on the Peninsula Walk. Optional Whale Watch. Camp at a beach camp on the Kaikoura coast. (L), (D)
Day 7: Optional Dolphin Swim or Seal Swim if you prefer! Cycle or walk along coast. Explore Christchurch, the "Garden City". Depart Christchurch 4pm. Backcountry road to Rangitata River camp, nested below the Southern Alps. Scenic cycle ride into camp. Excellent walks. (B), (D)
Day 8: Optional White Water rafting on the Rangitata river. Morning cycle or walk. Travel through Geraldine and Mackenzie Basin with great views of the Main Divide. Walk or Cycle to Lake Tekapo. Cycle scenic hydro canals. Lake Pukaki camp with stunning views of Mt. Cook. Time for a swim in the lake. (B), (L), (D)
Day 9: Morning Cycle Day spent enjoying Mt. Cook National Park. Hooker Valley walk and glacier. Cycle down the Waitaki River Valley, and cycle coastal route to beach camp near Oamaru. (B), (L), (D)
Day 10: Morning coastal walk or cycle. Bizzare Moeraki Boulders. Picturesque Scottish Dunedin.explore the town! Optional entry to Yellow-Eyed Penguin Reserve and Royal Albatross Colony on the rugged Otago Peninsula. Cycle scenic route into camp. Travel into the spectacular natural beauty of the Catlins for the night. (B), (D)
Day 11: Through southern pastures. Scenic route, lunch in Manapouri. cycle or walk to Te Anau. Cycle the shores of Lake Te Anau to a wilderness camp in Fiordland National Park. (B), (L), (D)
Day 12: One of the world's most scenic routes into Milford Sound! Cycle magnificent descent from Homer Tunnel (3000ft)! Highly recommended optional Boat Cruise to experience the grandeur of the fiord. The Routeburn, Caples, Greenstone Track walkers depart at The Divide. Return to camp by the stunning Lake Te Anau. The drive into Milford is dependent on weather conditions. (B), (L), (D)
Day 13: Explore Te Anau. Walk, fish or cycle in the area. Optional overnight hike on the Keppler Track with panoramic views from Mt Luxmore. Same lakeside camp in Te Anau. (B), (L), (D)
Day 14: Journey to Queenstown, cycle shores of Lake Wakatipu. Camp overlooking the lake and town. Track walkers re-join group. A big night out. Excellent restaurants, bars and live music. (B), (L)
Day 15: Queenstown optional adrenalin activities. Bungy, Fly-by-wire, Jet Boat, Rafting, Horse Trekking, Maori Concert, Parapenting, Gondola ride and many more. Cycle and walk in alpine areas. Depart Queenstown at 3pm. Camp beside a tranquil lake with hikes, cycling and swimming. (B), (D)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Australia and Oceania
New Zealand
Cultural Journey
Walking Tours
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