AAT Kings Best Buys 14 Day Southern Spirit.pdf - Experience New ...

Experience New Zealand Travel Ltd
Wellington, New Zealand
Phone +64 (4) 473 4470
www.experiencenz.com
travel@experiencenz.com
New Zealand Guided Tours
Southern Spirit
Operator: AAT Kings Best Buys
Days: 14
Start: Christchurch
Finish: Wellington
AAT Kings is a multi-award winning company with over 80
years experience in the coach tour industry. It’s one thing to
have the best coaches and itineraries, but entirely another
when it comes running a professional tour and that’s where AAT Kings staff excel. AAT
Kings tours are packed with loads of inclusions so that you get real value for money.
They offer comfortable accommodation, sightseeing inclusions, cultural highlights,
exclusive experiences and more free time to see the sights you want to see.
Tour Overview
Enjoy the Southern Regions of New Zealand on this 14 day tour. See Christchurch,
Queenstown, Milford Sound, Franz Josef Glacier, Nelson and Wellington.
Inclusions
Highlights
Church of the Good Shepherd
Visit Larnach Castle
Overnight on Milford Sound
Te Anau Glow Worm Caves
Extended stay in Queenstown
View Franz Josef Glacier
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
Cruise Queen Charlotte Sound
Te Papa Museum of New Zealand
Explore capital city Wellington
Transportation
Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach with
2-door access, restroom, seatbelts,
reclining seats and panoramic windows
Professionally Escorted
Tour with an experienced, professional
Tour Director and Tour Driver
Dining Inclusions
• Full Buffet Breakfasts (13)
• Hotel Dinners (9)
• Highlight Dinners (1)
Plus
• Welcome Drink
• Travel wallet and map
• Airport transfers
Transfer Information
Flights to arrive at Christchurch Airport prior to 4.00pm on Day 1 and depart from
Wellington Airport anytime on Day 14.

Tour itinerary
B = Breakfast D = Dinner HD = Highlight Dinner
Day 1: Christchurch
On arrival at Christchurch Airport you’ll be transferred to your hotel. This evening meet
your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a welcome reception and dinner.
Hotel: Ibis Hotel, Christchurch. D
Day 2: Christchurch – Omarama
Board your coach to see the extensive work carried out to rebuild the city after the
devastating earthquake of February 2011. Later, travelling over the patchwork
countryside of the Canterbury Plains, the spectacular sightseeing begins. Lake Tekapo
and Lake Pukaki are first up. Next you’ll visit the Church of the Good Shepherd before
soaking up the sensational alpine landscape of Mt. Cook National Park – a scenic
highlight! You may choose to take an optional scenic flight over Mt. Cook (weather
permitting)
Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel, Omarama. B D
Day 3: Omarama – Dunedin
Your day starts along the Waitaki River with the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and
Benmore Dam. Travel through Oamaru with its famous white limestone buildings to
Dunedin, where you’ll tour the city. Then visit New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle
and its stunning gardens.
Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel, Dunedin. B D
Day 4: Dunedin – Milford Sound
Travel along the Devil’s Staircase and the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau. You’ll be
awestruck by the great sights of Fiordland National Park, New Zealand’s largest. Drive
through the handmade Homer Tunnel to the abundant photo opportunities afforded by
the Mirror Lake, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm, before arriving in Milford
Sound for your magical overnight cruise on the Milford Mariner.
Cruise: Milford Mariner, Milford Sound. B D
Day 5: Milford Sound - Queenstown
This morning depart for Te Anau, on the shores of Lake Te Anau, the largest lake on the
South Island. Here you’ll explore the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves by boat with a Local
Guide, before continuing to Queenstown, the adventure-capital, for your 3 night stay.
Hotel: Mercure Queenstown Resort, 3 nights. B D
Day 6: Queenstown ‘Day at Leisure’
Explore exciting Queenstown your way – from wine and garden tours to jet boat rides
and white water rafting, Queenstown will surprise and exhilarate. This evening why not
consider a cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard New Zealand’s oldest steamship, the TSS
Earnslaw, to Walter Peak Station for a carvery Highlight Dinner at the Colonel’s
Homestead. An entertaining after-dinner farm show provides a glimpse into high-country
farm life. B

Day 7: Queenstown ‘Day at Leisure’
You have another day to relax and enjoy the many scenic delights of Queenstown.
Tonight you’ll ride the steepest Gondola in the world for a Highlight Dinner at the Skyline
Restaurant on Bob’s Peak. B HD
Day 8: Queenstown – Franz Josef
First stop is Arrowtown, on the Arrow River. Second stop Cromwell and its sensational
stone fruit. Then it’s a trio of lakes – Lake Dunstan, Lake Hawea, Lake Wanaka. Through
the Haast Pass, view Thunder Creek Falls and enjoy a rainforest walk. Final stop,
majestic Franz Josef Glacier.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Graham Wing), Franz Josef. B D
Day 9: Franz Josef – Punakaiki
You can see Franz Josef Glacier from the air or take a glacier hike (both optional).
Depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade), for a factory visit and
demonstration. Later travel to Punakaiki to view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. You’ll
stay in an eco-friendly resort right on the waterfront.
Hotel: Punakaiki Resort, Punakaiki. B D
Day 10: Punakaiki – Nelson
Soak up the scenic wilderness of the Heritage Highway through the impressive Buller
Gorge and the Kahurangi National Park before arriving in Nelson. This afternoon you’ll
visit the World of Wearable Arts and Collectable Cars.
Hotel: Grand Mercure Monaco Resort, Nelson (2 nights). B D
Day 11: Nelson ‘Day at Leisure’
You’ll have the option to journey to the top of the South Island and enjoy a relaxing
cruise in the Abel Tasman National Park. Or perhaps take a short bush walk, relax in
sunny Nelson or explore the many arts and craft shops. B
Day 12: Nelson – Wellington
Visit the seaside village of Picton and cruise on tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound before
heading across Cook Strait to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. Enjoy a city sights tour
before a guided tour of Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, where you’ll explore New
Zealand’s nature, art, history and cultural heritage.
Hotel: Travelodge, Wellington (2 nights). B D
Day 13: Wellington ‘Day at Leisure’
You have free time to see the sights of your choice. Perhaps take a tour of Parliament or
one of the Lord of the Rings movie tours or even a cruise to Somes Island in Wellington
Harbour. B
Day 14: Depart Wellington
Your tour concludes this morning after breakfast. You’ll be transferred to Wellington
Airport for your onward flight. B

Booking Terms and Conditions
Booking and Payment
To confirm your reservation, a non-refundable deposit of $200 per person per tour is required.
Reservations will be held for 7 days only without deposit. Once your deposit has been received,
AAT Kings will send us confirmation of the details of the booking. Balance of payment for your
holiday is to be paid 50 days prior to departure or within of 72 hours of booking if less than 50
days but more than 8 days prior to departure, or at the time of booking if than less than 7 days
prior to departure.
Cancellations and Amendments
Cancellation fees will be levied relative to the amount of notice given:
45 or more Days Notice - Loss of Deposit
44-22 Days Notice – 27.5% of holiday price
21-8 Days Notice – 33% of holiday price
7-1 Days Notice – 55% of holiday price
Day of Departure – 100% of holiday price
Brochure valid: 01 October 2014 – 30 September 2015.
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