Tour Kiwiana Panorama Reverse (Christchurch To Auckland, Start Ch

Transport

Coach

Meals

5 Dinner (D) 17 Breakfast (B) Rotorua: Experience a traditional Māori cultural performance and feast on a ground-smoked hāngi dinner

Accommodation

9 nights in Hotels, 4 nights in Hostel, 3 nights in Lodges, 1 night in Special Stay

Guide

A highly trained Trip Manager who brings your adventure to life. An expert driver who knows foreign roads better than Google Maps. Local Guides who make tourist traps a thing of the past. This is your team. Smart, friendly, fun, and integral to everything we do.

Others

Lake Ohau: See the peak of Mt Cook/Aoraki from across the beautiful blue glacial Lake Ohau Lake Tekapo: See the church on the shores of Lake Tekapo with a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. And get that iconic Insta pic. Lake Tekapo: Stop at Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo and Geraldine Lake Tekapo: Visit the Dark Sky Experience which combines Māori astronomy, storytelling and science together in an interactive display. Te Anau: Milford Sound: Cruise along the glassy waters and get the kind of view people write poems about. You’ll see why it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site. Queenstown: Get your adrenaline pumping on the World’s first, and some would say most famous, Bungy Jump Wanaka: Stop in the beautiful lake side town of Wanaka Wellington: Mount Ruapehu: See more of the sights made famous in the "The Lord of the Rings" Mount Ruapehu: See an active stratovolcano with Mt Ruapeh Rotorua: Visit the New Zealand Kiwi Hatchery at Rainbow Springs near Rotorua and hear about their efforts to save New Zealand’s adorable national bird Rotorua: See (and smell) Rotorua’s bubbling geothermic mud pools Huka Falls: Visit the awesome Huka Falls Hokitika: The South Island is known for Pounamu (in fact, it’s even named after the stuff.) Today in Hokitika, we’ll meet with a local Māori Guide, who’ll tell us all about the connection between the illustrious greenstone and the Māori people. After that, we’ll go and check some out for ourselves. Kaikoura: We meet eco-warrior Sabrina Leucht, who has worked for many years tending to injured native birds and is now working to establish the regions first wildlife hospital. MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Contiki through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. For guests travelling with Contiki from 1 January 2023, Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters are highly recommended, but no longer required. Please note that regardless of time of travel guests will need to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destination visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than above. It is guests’ responsibility to ensure that they comply at all times with these requirements. No refunds will be given if guests are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to their failure to comply with these requirements.

Not included:

Insurance

Travel insurance is not included.

Optional

Grand Traverse Scenic Flight NZ$340 Cruise Fiordland National Park on a guided jet boat trip followed by an optional cycle ride Be awed by the magical twinkle of the Te Anau glowworm caves NZ$98 Group Photograph NZ$19 Queenstown Wine Trail Swing through the tree tops on a Ziptrek Zipline tour in Queenstown NZ$189 Enjoy dinner with unparallelled views at Queenstown’s Skyline restaurant NZ$85 Canyon Swing NZ$215 Funyaks NZ$359 Take your happy hour in sub-zero temperatures at Queenstown’s Ice Bar experience NZ$20 Canyon Fox NZ$150 Take the plunge on the world’s OG bungy at Kawarau Bridge, Queenstown NZ$205 Jump off the third highest bungy platform in the world at AJ Hackett’s Nevis Bungy in Queenstown NZ$275 Get a thrilling perspective of Queenstown’s skyline with the famous AJ Hackett Ledge bungy NZ$205 Go all out with Thrillogy - 3 of Queenstown’s world class bungy jumps including the historic Kawarau Bungy, the freestyle Ledge Bungy, and the hair-raising Nevis Bungy NZ$420 Take the swing of your life on the 300m Nevis Swing, one of the world’s biggest canyon swings in Queenstown NZ$210 Get your adrenalin pumping with AJ Hackett’s Ledge Swing with sweeping views of Queenstown NZ$165 Queenstown Adventurer Canyoning NZ$199 Take the plunge on the world’s OG bungy at Kawarau Bridge, Queenstown NZ$205 Glacier Country Kayaks NZ$115 Across Country Quad Bikes NZ$160 Scenic Helicopter Flight and Glacier Landing From NZ$245 Helihike NZ$439 Carve your own pounamu (jade) pendant using traditional Māori methods with a master carver at Franz Josef Boat and SUP the Kiwi Sanctuary OGO Ball From NZ$35 Experience the rush of a Huka Falls Jet boat ride NZ$115 Go white water rafting down the crashing Kaituna River NZ$99 Hike the unique volcanic landscape of Mt Tarawera, Rotorua NZ$149 Explore native rainforest at dawn with breakfast & coffee followed by ziplining on a Contiki Exclusive Rotorua Rainforest Canopy tour NZ$149 Cook your kai (food) the traditional way over an active steam vent at Te Puia Maori Village, followed by a guided tour & hands-on weaving experience NZ$84

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Flights

International flights are not included.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Christchurch To Lake Ohau
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Christchurch To Lake Ohau

Christchurch what’s up? New Zealand’s South Island is the home to adventure, adrenaline and good times and we’re here to take it all on. We’ll stop off to see the intense milky blue waters of glacially-fed Lake Tekapo. Here we’ll also get to enjoy an unforgettable Dark Sky experience, an interactive multimedia exhibition that mixes stargazing, science and traditional M��ori astronomy, teaching us how the Māori people used to use stars to harvest food, and about the importance of reducing light pollution. Onto Lake Ohau, with its glorious views of Mt. Cook. Yet another swoon-worthy location where you’ll have to pick that jaw up off the ground.
Day 2 Day 2: Lake Ohau To Te Anau
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Lake Ohau To Te Anau

Another day, another natural wonder to discover. We make a quick stop for lunch in this historic gold mining town before heading on. Our next stop today is Kingston for an authentic and important NZ farm experience. Where a charity helps local girls to learn practical farming skills and gain qualifications. Contiki makes a donation on behalf of every traveller who visits the farm, so you can help more NZ women and girls plough through barriers and get ahead in their ‘field’ just by turning up. Arriving in the stunning lakeside town of Te Anau, why not opt to take a guided jet boat trip to Fiordland National Park. From Te Anau through Lake Manapouri, it’s a pretty exhilarating way to soak up the scenery. Prefer to keep you feet (or wheels) on dry land. You can also take a trip to the ethereal glow worm caves (woaahhh) or simply cycle the gorgeous trails through native bush.
Day 3 Day 3: Te Anau To Queenstown
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Te Anau To Queenstown

It’s time to make tracks to the spectacular natural wonder of Milford Sound. Welcome to New Zealand’s most stunning attraction, with a magical combination of mountain peaks, forest-clad cliffs and deep dark waters. We take an included cruise of the fiord and experience the beauty of this pristine destination by boat, the best way to see Milford Sound in all its glory. Welcome to the adventure capital of the world - Queenstown. We’ll hit the ground running because tonight you can choose to jump on a gondola and to wine & dine atop of the highest restaurant in Queenstown, Skyline. What a way to start our time here! Rest up tonight - the next few days are going to be BIG.
Day 4 Day 4: Queenstown
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Queenstown

Today is yours to get acquainted with Queenstown and spend some time mulling over the activities up for grabs in the next two days. First stop is the legendary Kawarau Bungy Bridge, get your morning adrenaline hit with a heart pounding jump at the world home of the bungy. Later, take a stroll around beautiful Queenstown, nestled in the Southern Alps this stunning town has plenty to offer other than adventure activities.
Day 5 Day 5: Queenstown
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Queenstown

It’s times like this that you really start to work out what sort of traveller you are. And human for that matter. You might be the one trailing through wine country and exploring wine cellars and caves, or you may be that guy that crams in a bungy jump, a skydive and a heliraft & still craves more. It’s your holiday - run wild as you see fit.
Day 6 Day 6: Queenstown
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Queenstown

With our last day in adrenalin city edging closer, this is the time to push yourself to the limits and jump over any mental barriers you’ve put up around yourself. Embrace the spirit of adventure and conquer those niggling fears once and for all. For those who did their dash yesterday, a day staying mellow and enjoying this beautiful region will prove more than sufficient.
Day 7 Day 7: Queenstown To Franz Josef Glacier
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Queenstown To Franz Josef Glacier

Time to return our adrenalin levels to normal and make tracks to the wild (and often wet) West Coast and it’s towering glaciers. Enjoying our scenic drive we’ll stop for lunch in Wanaka, a pretty ski resort town situated on a lake front and dwarfed by mountains. This town is fast becoming one of NZ’s most popular spots, and a trip to the ’Dough Bin’ for a luscious pie should be high on the list today. Our first piece of NZ eye-candy comes in the form of Hasast Pass, beautified by ancient rainforests, small glaciers and waterfalls. Note how the scenery changes as we roll away from Queenstown through the Southern Alps. Playing host tonight is the town of Franz Josef, home to some of NZ’s finest natural beauty with bushlands and glaciers that almost reach the sea. Tomorrow we’ll be out and about making the most of it - who’s excited?
Day 8 Day 8: Franz Josef Glacier
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Franz Josef Glacier

This morning will be another big ol’ tick off the list as we take to the ice of Franz Josef Glacier. We’ve got a heli ride over the glacier up for grabs, or the opportunity to carve your own Pounamu (jade) pendant, under the tuition of a Maori mastercraftsman. Pounamu is sacred to the Māori people, and this is a great way to learn about its cultural significance, while also creating a beautiful please of jewellery.
Day 9 Day 9: Franz Josef Glacier To Christchurch
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Franz Josef Glacier To Christchurch

Armed with a new found appreciation for frozen water, we hop back on the coach & start making our way back to Christchurch. In the gold rush town of Hokitika we’ll watch authentic carvers get to work on green jade and take a look at traditional Maori art. Back on the coach we’re coastline bound to one of the islands most jaw-droppingly beautiful spots... Take in the beautiful scenery as we wind our way across the highest and most spectacular mountain pass across the Southern Alps. Tonight we’ll sleep well in Christchurch, drifting off to the pleasant memories of NZ’s natural beauty that seasoned our day.
Day 10 Day 10: Christchurch To Kaikōura
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Christchurch To Kaikōura

We’ll set off on an inspiring tour of Christchurch this morning, the city that was totally rebuilt after the Christchurch earthquake. Look out for the Cardboard Cathedral, which as the name suggests, is the only cathedral in the world to be built mostly from plain old cardboard! After that, it’s another jaw-dropping drive up to the top of the South Island. The coach cuts across the Canterbury Plains to Kaikoura. Arriving in Kaikoura will see us amongst a seaside settlement known for whales & dolphins, so have those cameras at the ready as we roll around the coast. We’ll stop at a seal colony, where you’ll struggle not to break into a collective ’cuuuute’ as you watch these guys sunning themselves on the rocks. Next up, we’ll visit Kaikoura Wildlife Rescue to meet a local wildlife biologist, Sabrina Leucht, who has been working to build a dedicated wildlife hospital in Kaikoura. We’ll learn about the types of wildlife we might encounter here, which threats they face, and what we can all do to make a difference - locally and in our own hometowns. After a busy day of wildlife wonders, we’ll check into our seafront hotel, before heading out for a spot of dinner. Did you know that Kaikoura literally translates into ’eat (kai) crayfish (koura)’? So, no prizes for guessing what type of local cuisine we’ll be trying!
Day 11 Day 11: Kaikoura
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Kaikoura

We all love a free day - especially one spent in beautiful Kaikoura! We recommend taking a whale watching tour, where you’ll have the opportunity to see giant sperm whales in action, as well cute seas and dusky dolphins. Other free time add-ons include a thrilling helicopter ride over the Kaikoura Peninsula, a kayak trip across the coastline, and more. We’ll stay another night in Kaikoura after an action-packed day, before heading to Christchurch tomorrow morning.
Day 12 Day 12: Kaikoura To Wellington
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Kaikoura To Wellington

After breakfast, we’ll head back on the Contiki coach, destination Wellington: the capital of NZ since 1865, when it replaced Auckland. Almost thirty years later, Wellington parliament was the first in the world to allow women the right to vote. A pretty cool city all in all. By the afternoon, we’ll have reached Wellington, just in time for a tour of the city. After our orientation through the narrow streets, a night on the town will be on the cards, plus an optional dinner to start the night off as we mean to go on.
Day 13 Day 13: Wellington
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Wellington

Ready to explore Wellington in all its glory? Today, we’ll head to a local cafe and try the famed flat white coffee in its city of origin (sorry Australians). Caffeinated and refreshed, we’ll take a trip to Zealandia, a 225-hectare (basically massive) eco-sanctuary that protects over 40 rare native wildlife species. Because Zealandia is fully fenced, you’ll be able to walk alongside incredibly rare birds like the hihi and the takahē. Look out for the tuatara, a prehistoric reptile known as a ’living fossil’, which can only be found in New Zealand!
Day 14 Day 14: Wellington To Mount Ruapehu
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Wellington To Mount Ruapehu

We wave goodbye to Wellington and its beautiful scenery and we prepare ourselves for our next adventure – and trust us, this one is bucket-list worthy. Known as the après-ski capital of the North island, Ohakune is a tranquil town with stupendous view. Today you have the option to go mountain biking along one of NZ’s most picturesque track, "the Old Coach Rd" or spend the day bettering your skills on the slopes or generally treating yourself to all the snowy based activities on offer, then tonight snuggle down in our Special Stay ski lodge, located in prime position at the base of Mt. Ruapehu.
Day 15 Day 15: Mount Ruapehu To Lake Taupo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 15: Mount Ruapehu To Lake Taupo

Wake up in the spectacular surroundings of Mt. Ruapehu with the epic views of the volcano, and you have the option this morning to go mountain biking along one of NZ’s most picturesque track, "the Old Coach Rd" before we head to Taupo. Volcanic peak views & trout fishing will seamlessly slip us into quaint lake life. But don’t be fooled by the seemingly still scenery - a skydive is on the menu if that adrenaline itch needs scratching. This evening we jump on a cruise on the lake to watch the sun set, go fishing and enjoy some eats with our Contiki fam.
Day 16 Day 16: Lake Taupo To Rotorua
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 16: Lake Taupo To Rotorua

As we leave Lake Taupo keep an eye out for even more recognisable ‘The Lord of the Rings’ backdrops. 220,000 litres (58 000 gallons) of water gush over Huka Falls per second. Just let that sink in for a minute. Wild, right? When you catch your first whiff of that… ‘unusual’ sulphur smell, you’ll know we’ve arrived in Rotorua. Upon arrival in Rotorua we get to learn some fascinating info on NZ’s national birds, as well as watch new lives hatch right in front of our eyes! How impressed are you right now? Soak in a hotspring, go skydiving or take a canopy tour - there’s plenty of time for you to make the best of this town. Tonight we enjoy a Maori cultural performance and feast on a Hāngi dinner that is sweetly roasted in the ground.
Day 17 Day 17: Rotorua
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 17: Rotorua

The day is yours to roam free in this geothermal paradise. Soak in a hot spring, go white water rafting or hike up a volcano. The options are limitless and the decisions are yours. We recommend the Rotorua Dawn Canopy Tour, exclusive to Contiki, where you’ll watch the sun rise, eat some breakfast and drink coffee up in the towering trees as the birds make start their morning calls. Then, you’ll get to soar 1200m through the forest on the ultimate zipline adventure.
Day 18 Day 18: Rotorua To Auckland
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 18: Rotorua To Auckland

After breakfast and a bit of caffeine, we’ll head to Auckland and arrive by lunch to explore the city. Contiki coach song ideas anyone? We’ll end our Contiki trip in Auckland, but not before a day of sightseeing and activities across the city. Here we’ve got a array of awesome Free-Time Add-Ons to choose from. Adrenaline junkies, get ready for a bungee jump, climb over the iconic harbour bridge or sky jump off the Skywalk. For those who prefer to keep two feet on the ground, why not get your taste buds tingling with a multi-sensory icecream experience at Giapo Chef’s Table? Or if you prefer, walk the city and explore at your own pace - what will grab your attention today in this vibrant city? A evening draws near, it’s time to say our goodbyes, as your trip ends here in Auckland. New Zealand, we’ll never forget you!

+15

18 days tour

Kiwiana Panorama Reverse (Christchurch To Auckland, Start Ch

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Kiwiana Panorama Reverse (Christchurch To Auckland, Start Ch

Day 1: Christchurch To Lake Ohau

Day 2: Lake Ohau To Te Anau

Day 3: Te Anau To Queenstown

Day 4: Queenstown

Day 5: Queenstown

Day 6: Queenstown

Day 7: Queenstown To Franz Josef Glacier

Day 8: Franz Josef Glacier

Day 9: Franz Josef Glacier To Christchurch

Day 10: Christchurch To Kaikōura

Day 11: Kaikoura

Day 12: Kaikoura To Wellington

Day 13: Wellington

Day 14: Wellington To Mount Ruapehu

Day 15: Mount Ruapehu To Lake Taupo

Day 16: Lake Taupo To Rotorua

Day 17: Rotorua

Day 18: Rotorua To Auckland

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