The Lakes & Landscapes tour concentrates on the natural beauty and culture of New Zealand. Stay at well located first class hotels and enjoy private sightseeing excursions. Begin in Auckland with visits to the victorian villag of Parnell and continue on to Rotorua Maori culture and geo thermal activity. Onward to Queenstown where you will spend the day at Milford Sound and take a wilderness safari in the Southern Alps before a stay in Christchurch and on to Brisbane for the Rotary convention.

Your New Zealand Lakes & Landscapes arrangements include:

• all accommodation as indicated in the itinerary in a twin or single room (includes pre-registration of your hotel room for early arrival in Sydney)
• all transfers and sightseeing by private air-conditioned vehicle
• services of an A&K guide for transfers and sightseeing
• meals as indicated in the itinerary (à la carte whenever possible)
• entrance fees while sightseeing
• departure tax

Not included: Airfares; meals, beverages or sightseeing not included in the itinerary; personal expenses such as laundry and communication charges; travel insurance; excess baggage charges; gratuity to A&K escort; optional activities

Highlights:
Victorian Village of Parnell Rotorua Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve Lake Tarawera Cruise Maori Cultural Village Full day Milford Sound Excursion Wilderness Safari in Southern Alps Dart River Jetboat Ride

Thu, May 22: USA or Canada - Auckland, New Zealand
Today we board our flight and soar across the Pacific Ocean to commence a wonderful holiday in New Zealand.

Fri, May 23: International Date Line
We cross the International Dateline, 'losing' a day that we will regain on our return trip.

Sat, May 24: Arrive in Auckland
Upon arrival at the Auckland Airport you will be met by an Abercrombie & Kent guide and transferred to your hotel by private vehicle. Your hotel room will be ready for immediate occupancy and the remainder of the morning is at leisure.

Your afternoon tour of Auckland includes a scenic drive along the waterfront, the quaint Victorian village of Parnell and panoramic views from the extinct volcano - Mount Eden. At the Auckland Museum see its world-renowned collection of Polynesian artifacts including a 25-meter long war canoe built in 1836.
Sheraton Auckland - Tower room:

Sun, May 25: Auckland to Rotorua
This morning you will depart Auckland by private vehicle to Rotorua stopping en route at Longlands Restaurant for lunch and a farm tour. Travel south through the lush pasturelands of the Waikato and onto Rotorua, located in the heart of the Bay of Plenty. Rotorua, where the earth's crust is so thin that its molten heart bubbles and steams at the surface is the Maori cultural heartland.
Millennium Hotel Rotorua: B,L

Mon, May 26: Full Day in Rotorua
Your full day tour includes the New Zealand Arts and Crafts Institute and the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve for a close look at geysers, boiling mud and silica terraces. Then travel through native bush passing the Blue and Green Lakes and the Buried Village of the Te Wairoa. Learn about the history of this colorful region while traveling to Lake Tarawera. Board the clearwater launch for a lunch cruise and the opportunity to fish for Rainbow and Brown Trout. All equipment is provided and refreshments will be served on board. Return to your hotel.

Tonight visit the Tamaki Tours Maori Village (this is not a private tour). The Hangi, an authentic Maori feat, introduces you to a variety of their traditional food - kumara (sweet potato), mussels and pork. Then you will be entertained with the haunting melodies of Maori songs and twirling poi (pompoms) while the men perform a traditional Haka (war dance). Return to the hotel for overnight.
Millennium Hotel Rotorua: B,L,D

Tue, May 27: Rotorua to Queenstown
This morning transfer to the Rotorua Airport for your flight to Queenstown. Upon arrival you will be met by an A&K guide and commence with a sightseeing tour of the Wakatipu basin including a visit to the historic gold-mining settlement of Arrowtown, the Lakes and District Museum, the Kawarauu Bridge made famous by A.J. Hackett and over one million bungy jumpers. Enjoy a rider on the Skyline Gondola to Bob's Peak for spectacular panoramic views over Lake Wakatipu and conclude with the "Kiwi Magic" film.
Heritage Hotel - Lakeview bedroom suite: B

Wed, May 28: Full Day Milford Sound
Today's tour begins with a 290km drive reputed to be one of the finest drives in the world. After morning tea at Te Anau the road passes stunning scenery - clear icy alpine lakes, a variety of outstanding forests, river flats and lupin fringed meadows, pristine waterfalls, hulking granite peaks and permanent snowfields. Travel through the Homer Tunnel before bursting out into a breathtaking ampitheather of snow-covered peaks and precipices at the head of Cleddau Canyon. Zigzag steeply down through the rain forest and enjoy a scenic lunch cruise on spectacular Milford Sound. Fly back to Queenstown where you will be transferred to your accommodation. (If weather is inclement return will be by road instead of plane).
Heritage Hotel - Lakeview bedroom suite: B,L

Thu, May 29: Wilderness Safari
Today's tour begins with a picturesque one-hour drive to the head of Lake Wakatipu. Experience the untouched wilderness of New Zealand's Southern Alps, normally seen only by hikers or from the air. Enjoy the magnificent streams, lakes, native bush and wildlife in one of nature's last remaining unspoiled frontiers. On arrival in Glenorchy, board a Dart River jetboat for a ride into the heart of the Southern Alps and the upper reaches of the Dart River. At the Beansburn enjoy a nature walk and picnic lunch before boarding an inflatable Canadian canoe (called "Funyak") and paddle to 'Paradise', passing glaciers, rocky peaks, dense rain forest and crystal clear waters. From 'Paradise' enjoy a scenic drive through native bush back to Queenstown.
Heritage Hotel - Lakeview bedroom suite: B,L

Fri, May 30: Queenstown to Christchurch
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Christchurch. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport by your A&K guide and commence sightseeing. Drive past Cathedral Square, Christ College, Arts Center and the Botanical Gardens and up to the Port Hills for a wonderful view of Christchurch and the surrounding countryside including quaint Lyttleton Harbor. Visit the fascinating International Antarctic Center that focuses on the great southern continent and see a breathtaking audiovisual presentation. After lunch at the Untouched World Cafe, which houses a unique lifestyle concept store, enjoy a peaceful punt on the Avon River.
Crown Plaza Hotel - Guaranteed atrium view room: B,L

Sat, May 31: Christchurch to Brisbane
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Brisbane. Upon arrival in Brisbane, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Commence Rotary Intl Arrangements: B

Thu, Jun 5: Brisbane to Auckland
You will be transferred from your Brisbane hotel to the airport for your flight to Auckland. Upon arrival at the Auckland Airport you will be met by an Abercrombie & Kent guide and transferred to your hotel by private vehicle. The remainder of the morning is at leisure.

Your afternoon tour of Auckland includes a scenic drive along the waterfront, the quaint Victorian village of Parnell and panoramic views from the extinct volcano - Mount Eden. At the Auckland Museum see its world-renowned collection of Polynesian artifacts including a 25-meter long war canoe built in 1836.
Sheraton Auckland - Tower room:

Fri, Jun 6: Auckland to Rotorua
This morning you will depart Auckland by private vehicle to Rotorua stopping en route at Longlands Restaurant for lunch and a farm tour. Travel south through the lush pasturelands of the Waikato and onto Rotorua, located in the heart of the Bay of Plenty. Rotorua, where the earth's crust is so thin that its molten heart bubbles and steams at the surface is the Maori cultural heartland.
Millennium Hotel Rotorua: B,L

Sat, Jun 7: Full Day in Rotorua
Your full day tour includes the New Zealand Arts and Crafts Institute and the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve for a close look at geysers, boiling mud and silica terraces. Then travel through native bush passing the Blue and Green Lakes and the Buried Village of the Te Wairoa. Learn about the history of this colorful region while traveling to Lake Tarawera. Board the clearwater launch for a lunch cruise and the opportunity to fish for Rainbow and Brown Trout. All equipment is provided and refreshments will be served on board. Return to your hotel.

Tonight visit the Tamaki Tours Maori Village (this is not a private tour). The Hangi, an authentic Maori feat, introduces you to a variety of their traditional food - kumara (sweet potato), mussels and pork. Then you will be entertained with the haunting melodies of Maori songs and twirling poi (pompoms) while the men perform a traditional Haka (war dance). Return to the hotel for overnight.
Millennium Hotel Rotorua: B,L,D

Sun, Jun 8: Rotorua to Queenstown
This morning transfer to the Rotorua Airport for your flight to Queenstown. Upon arrival you will be met by an A&K guide and commence with a sightseeing tour of the Wakatipu basin including a visit to the historic gold-mining settlement of Arrowtown, the Lakes and District Museum, the Kawarauu Bridge made famous by A.J. Hackett and over one million bungy jumpers. Enjoy a rider on the Skyline Gondola to Bob's Peak for spectacular panoramic views over Lake Wakatipu and conclude with the "Kiwi Magic" film.
Heritage Hotel - Lakeview bedroom suite: B

Mon, Jun 9: Full Day Milford Sound
Today's tour begins with a 290km drive reputed to be one of the finest drives in the world. After morning tea at Te Anau the road passes stunning scenery - clear icy alpine lakes, a variety of outstanding forests, river flats and lupin fringed meadows, pristine waterfalls, hulking granite peaks and permanent snowfields. Travel through the Homer Tunnel before bursting out into a breathtaking ampitheather of snow-covered peaks and precipices at the head of Cleddau Canyon. Zigzag steeply down through the rain forest and enjoy a scenic lunch cruise on spectacular Milford Sound. Fly back to Queenstown where you will be transferred to your accommodation. (If weather is inclement return will be by road instead of plane).
Heritage Hotel - Lakeview bedroom suite: B,L

Tue, Jun 10: Wilderness Safari
Today's tour begins with a picturesque one-hour drive to the head of Lake Wakatipu. Experience the untouched wilderness of New Zealand's Southern Alps, normally seen only by hikers or from the air. Enjoy the magnificent streams, lakes, native bush and wildlife in one of nature's last remaining unspoiled frontiers. On arrival in Glenorchy, board a Dart River jetboat for a ride into the heart of the Southern Alps and the upper reaches of the Dart River. At the Beansburn enjoy a nature walk and picnic lunch before boarding an inflatable Canadian canoe (called "Funyak") and paddle to 'Paradise', passing glaciers, rocky peaks, dense rain forest and crystal clear waters. From 'Paradise' enjoy a scenic drive through native bush back to Queenstown.
Heritage Hotel - Lakeview bedroom suite: B,L

Wed, Jun 11: Queenstown to Christchurch
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Christchurch. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport by your A&K guide and commence sightseeing. Drive past Cathedral Square, Christ College, Arts Center and the Botanical Gardens and up to the Port Hills for a wonderful view of Christchurch and the surrounding countryside including quaint Lyttleton Harbor. Visit the fascinating International Antarctic Center that focuses on the great southern continent and see a breathtaking audiovisual presentation. After lunch at the Untouched World Cafe, which houses a unique lifestyle concept store, enjoy a peaceful punt on the Avon River.
Crown Plaza Hotel - Guaranteed atrium view room: B,L

Thu, Jun 12: Depart New Zealand
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
B

For more information on any of the fabulous A&K Rotary Tours drop us a note or call Rex Travel at 800-777-7739