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15 DAYS, 13 NIGHTS

$$$$$

New Zealand Signature Panorama Escorted Tour

Explore New Zealand on an escorted tour from Christchurch to Queenstown to Auckland, with exciting stops in between.
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Booking Code: AA-31105-SGPP14

This exciting New Zealand Signature Panorama Escorted Tour is perfect for travelers seeking an immersive group experience in New Zealand’s most stunning landscapes. This two week New Zealand itinerary is the perfect chance to see the most during your time in the Land of the Long White Cloud!

Ideal for nature enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and culture lovers, this tour blends scenic beauty, must-do activities, and cultural exploration. From the postcard-perfect scenery of the South Island to the adventure capital of Queenstown and the bustling metropolis of Auckland, this tour includes carefully curated stops to showcase New Zealand’s diverse attractions.

New Zealand Signature Panorama Escorted Tour

New Zealand Signature Panorama Escorted Tour Map

Day 1: International Flight to Christchurch
Days 2 – 15: New Zealand Signature Panorama Escorted Tour
Day 15: International Flight from Auckland

New Zealand Signature Panorama Escorted Tour Map
WHAT’S INCLUDED
ITINERARY
REQUEST A QUOTE
WHAT’S INCLUDED
ITINERARY
REQUEST A QUOTE
New Zealand Signature Panorama Escorted Tour

What’s included in your
New Zealand Signature Panorama Escorted Tour

Accommodation

Christchurch (1 Night), Twizel (1), Dunedin (1), Te Anau (1), Queenstown (2), Franz Josef (1), Christchurch (1), Wellington (2), Rotorua (2), Auckland (1)

Flights

International – Los Angeles to Christchurch, Auckland to Los Angeles

Transfers

Shuttle – Christchurch Airport to Accommodation, Auckland Accommodation to Airport

Day Tours

Christchurch – City Sights, TranzAlpine Rail Journey
Dunedin – Larnach Castle and Devonshire Tea
Milford Sound – Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch
Queenstown – Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw, Skyline Rotorua Gondola and Luge Ride
Arrowtown – Lakes District Museum
Wellington – Cruise on the Interislander Ferry, Te Papa, NZ’s National Museum, Wellington City Sights Tour
Rotorua – Agrodome, Thermal mud pools and geysers, Te Puia traditional Maori Hangi and Concert
Matamata – Hobbiton (TM) Movie Set Tour
Auckland – City Sights

Meals Included

13 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast
11 sumptuous dinners including complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 3 specialty dinners 1 lunch
1 delicious Devonshire Tea – Larnach Castle
Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks)

All Taxes and
Fuel Levies

(Except where noted)

Fully Guided
tour

With fixed departure dates and itinerary

VISA ISSUANCE
REQUIRED (NOT
INCLUDED)

your itinerary details

DAY 1

International Flight, Los Angeles to Christchurch

The estimated cost for this package includes the average international airfare from Los Angeles. Request a quote for your preferred routing and travel dates. Your flight will cross the international date line overnight, putting you 1 day ahead in New Zealand. So according to a calendar it will take you 2 days to get to New Zealand, but really, it’s just an overnight flight!

DAY 2

Arrive Christchurch

Christchurch

On arrival into Christchurch you will be met by your tour director and transferred to your hotel. This evening meet your Tour Leader and traveling companions.

Hotel: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Meals: Dinner

Christchurch
Canterbury

Photo Credit : Elite Images

DAY 3

Christchurch – Aoraki/Mt Cook – Twizel

Canterbury

Photo Credit : Elite Images

After an introductory city sights tour depart Christchurch and travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, visit The Church of the Good Shepherd and view the Sheep Dog Statue. Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available (time and weather permitting) to enjoy a scenic flight (optional) over the Southern Alps before traveling to Twizel.

Hotel: Distinction MacKenzie Country Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included

DAY 4

Twizel – Dunedin

Otago Peninsula Dunedin New Zealand
Depart Twizel and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy a city sights tour followed by some free time.

Hotel: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Otago Peninsula Dunedin New Zealand
Te Anau

Photo Credit : Huafires Getty Images Pro

DAY 5

Dunedin – Te Anau

Te Anau

Photo Credit : Huafires Getty Images Pro

This morning travel out along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional).

Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Lake Te Anau Hotel (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 6

Te Anau – Milford Sound – Queenstown

Te Anau lake

Photo Credit : Leviticus Hayes Getty Images

Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch. This afternoon travel to Queenstown, overlooking magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year round resort which offers a wide range of activities and attractions. This evening is free and you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.

Hotel: Millennium Hotel Queenstown (2 nights)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Te Anau lake

Photo Credit : Leviticus Hayes Getty Images

Queenstown

DAY 7

Queenstown

Queenstown
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown at leisure. Your Coach Captain & Tour Guide are available to assist with the many sightseeing options available, including the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour to Skippers Canyon or get up close to a Kiwi bird. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner which the chef will prepare in front of you at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.

Meals: Breakfast & Specialty Dinner

DAY 8

Queenstown – Arrowtown – Franz Josef

Franz Josef

Photo Credit : Beautiful Blossoms Canva

Travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the mighty West Coast. See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to the township of Fox Glacier. Time is available (weather permitting) to experience a scenic flight (optional) over the spectacular glaciers.

Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Douglas Wing)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Franz Josef

Photo Credit : Beautiful Blossoms Canva

Arthur's Pass

Photo Credit : BenLevyPhotography Getty Images

DAY 9

Franz Josef – Arthur’s Pass – Christchurch

Arthur's Pass

Photo Credit : BenLevyPhotography Getty Images

Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue into Arthur’s Pass and board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains to the elegant city of Christchurch. On arrival your coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

Hotel: Sudima Christchurch Airport
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 10

Christchurch – Picton – Wellington

Wellington

Photo Credit : Tourism New Zealand

Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikoura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you will board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington.

Hotel: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room) (2 nights)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Wellington

Photo Credit : Tourism New Zealand

Wellington City

DAY 11

Wellington

Wellington City
A highlight this morning will be time to explore Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum with exhibits that embrace both Maori and European views. Reboard your coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time this afternoon and this evening is also free to choose your own dining arrangements.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12

Wellington – Taupo – Rotorua

Rotorua

Photo Credit : Kokkai Getty Images Signature

Depart Wellington and view the snow capped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro as you travel to Lake Taupo. Visit the spectacular Huka Falls then travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua.

Hotel: Pullman Rotorua (City View Room) (2 nights)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Rotorua

Photo Credit : Kokkai Getty Images Signature

Rotorua

Photo Credit : Rod Hill Getty Images

DAY 13

Rotorua

Rotorua

Photo Credit : Rod Hill Getty Images

Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at the Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a luge ride! Next stop is Agrodome for an action packed hour of farming entertainment and education that’s unlike anything you’ve seen before. Visit Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. Enjoy some free time this afternoon. This evening experience an entertaining Maori cultural performance followed by a delicious Hãngi meal.

Meals: Breakfast & Specialty Dinner

DAY 14

Rotorua – Auckland

Auckland

Photo Credit : Nazar Ab Getty Images Signature

This morning depart Rotorua and travel through the picturesque countryside to Hobbiton for a guided tour of the Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Your guide will recount details of how this beautiful piece of farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle Earth. Continue north to Auckland for an orientation tour. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink with your new friends at the farewell dinner.

Hotel: Sudima Auckland City
Meals: Breakfast & Specialty Dinner

Auckland

Photo Credit : Nazar Ab Getty Images Signature

DAY 15

International Flight from Auckland

Auckland
Time to say goodbye. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.

Meals: Breakfast

Answers to your FAQs

To see all our most frequently asked questions, check out our full FAQ page.

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