Around New Zealand in 6 Days !

Yes, here is the quick tour of New Zealand. We realize that some of you can only spare a week to come to New Zealand, so we have designed this tour just for you. What we are trying to do is show you as much of New Zealand in 6 days as we can.

 This tour is not only fully guided, but is also a private tour just for you.  By that we mean that you choose who comes on the tour - maybe just the 2 of you, or maybe you want a couple of friends to join you.  With this tour you won't be traveling with people who you don't know, and the tour sets off when you want it to.  There are no scheduled departures - you choose the departure date which suits your travel arrangements.  How convenient is that ! 

This tour isn't for everyone, and we admit that it isn't the way we would recommend you see NZ - we would prefer that you take more time to see NZ, say 14 days or longer. With this short tour, you are traveling  every day, covering a lot of ground, and won't have much time for activities or attractions. If you can stay a day or two longer, the pace of travel can be reduced considerably. Please look at the following itinerary, & also the comments which follow.

Please remember that we are only too happy to change the tour to suit your requirements - if you have more than 6 days available to see New Zealand, we can lengthen the tour to suit.

See what you think !

If you have any comments or questions about the tour, please contact us. We would love to hear from you.

Auckland City

Day 1

8-30am. We leave Auckland , the city of sails and head south to Rotorua for lunch. We travel through the Waikato region, renowned for its dairy farms and horse training stables.

The town of Rotorua sits at the edge of Lake Rotorua , and is renowned for its thermal attractions. You will see bubbling mud pools, and geysers which thrust hot steam up into the air. With all this liquid coming out onto the ground, we can't forget to mention the sulphur smell which  you can't miss !  In the afternoon, we move on and enjoy a short glimpse of Lake Taupo, and then on to Napier, where we spend the first night.

Napier

Rotorua Geysers

Napier which is situated on the east coast,  is known as the art deco capital of NZ the town was flattened by an earthquake in 1931, and was rebuilt in the art deco style. There are some hot pools right on the beach; you can go bathe and relax in the hot pools before you go for dinner. We have some quality restaurants to recommend to you. The first day is a long one, so you will sleep well tonight.                                        

Your hotel is just over the road from the beach, and only minutes away from restaurants and shops. Hotel rooms enjoy sea views.

Accommodation: Te Pania Hotel, Napier .

Wellington City

Accommodation: Museum Hotel, Wellington, just over the road from the harbour walkway, Te Papa Museum, and a short walk into the centre of Wellington.  Hotel rooms enjoy harbour views. Once again we have a number of dinner recommendations available.

Day 2

We leave our Napier hotel and head south to New Zealand's capital city, Wellington. The first part of the journey travels through the Hawkes Bay wine growing region. As we draw closer to Wellington, we enjoy views of the coastline from Waikanae and Paraparaumu, out to Kapiti Island. As we travel into Wellington, we take in views of the city itself, surrounded by hills and the harbour.

Hawkes Bay

Day 3

We board a ship in Wellington and sail across Cook Strait to the South Island of New Zealand. The journey from Wellington to Picton takes just over 3 hours. You will enjoy views of the coastlines, and as we enter the Marlborough Sounds, you will see many coves and beaches, which are a mecca during the summer holiday season. After arriving in Picton, we then drive along the picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound and make our way to the port city of Nelson, known as the sunshine capital of NZ. During the holiday season, people from all over NZ are drawn to nearby sandy golden beaches, clear waters, and sunshine.

Ferry Crossing Marlborough Sounds

Marlborough Sounds

Day

Accommodation: Lorenzo Apartments is ideally located in the centre of Nelson, handy to local shops and restaurants.

Again there are a number of restaurants where we can recommend you dine at.

Punakaiki

Day 4

We leave Nelson and drive south, down the West Coast to Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. The landscape will change before your eyes leaving the dry Nelson region and its pine forests, we enter the subtropical coastal area near Westport a rugged coastline fringed with palm trees. We see the Pancake rocks at Punakaiki, then travel on through Greymouth and Hokitika , down to the glaciers. Hokitika is known for greenstone or NZ jade. As we draw closer to the glaciers we enter the rainforests snow capped mountains flanked by thick bush, and an area known for its high rainfall. You will be able to see the gigantic ice flows as they make their way down the valley.

Day 4

Accommodation: Franz Josef, Scenic Circle Hotel.   There are a number of restaurants within walking distance, and you can relax in the nearby hot pools.

Day 5

We leave Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers and head south towards Queenstown. We journey through thick, bush clad valleys,  the rugged Haast Pass , then on to Wanaka and  Queenstown. Both Wanaka and Queenstown are towns sitting beside large inland lakes, and you will enjoy views of the lakes and the surrounding mountains. Queenstown is the adrenalin capital of NZ, with attractions such as jet boating, and bungee jumping available.

Day 5

Accommodation: Rydges Hotel is just over the road from the lake.  Rooms enjoy views of the lake and the snow capped mountains, and you are only 5 minutes walk from the town centre. There are a wide range of restaurants available to dine at.

Queenstown

Road to Mt Cook

Day 6

We leave Queenstown and travel north to Christchurch. We drive through Central Otago, a rugged landscape which is hot in the summer and cold in the winter. We pass the hydro lakes, and if it is fine, you will be able to see NZ's highest mountain, Mt Cook. We enter the Canterbury region and drive alongside Lake Tekapo, then on to  Fairlie, Geraldine, then across the Canterbury Plains to Ashburton, and finally arrive at Christchurch at about 5.00pm where your tour ends.

Wow what a trip. You will have seen so much in a short space of time.

Christchurch City

Important Information

1. Tour cost is NZ$5990 per person ( approx US$4133 per person as at  7 June 2010), includes GST (sales tax), and is based on twin share accommodation & transport. Tour includes: accommodation (5 nights); private transport (vehicle, fuel, vehicle insurance, etc); and your own driver/guide for 6 days.
2. As indicated above, this short tour involves a lot of driving - we are trying to show you as much of NZ as we can in 6 days, and accordingly this tour is hectic, tiring, and will not suit everyone. If you can, we recommend that you spend a longer period touring NZ with us.
3. A number of people use this itinerary to develop a longer tour of New Zealand with us. Here are some suggestions:      

   (a)           Most of the international flights from North America arrive at Auckland Airport at about 6-00am.  Passengers are often tired and jet lagged after the long flight. It is a good idea if you spend the first day and night in Auckland, rather than racing off to Rotorua. Accordingly, we can pick you up at the airport, show you around the city of Auckland and its lovely harbour, you will have time for shopping, sightseeing, and relaxing, and then we will check you in to a central Auckland hotel, where you can relax for the first night. We can recommend a hotel for you, book your accommodation and let you know the cost.  If you aren't too tired, we can recommend various restaurants for you to dine at in the evening. Then the next morning, we can head off on your tour of New Zealand. 

   (b)        If you can add an extra day to the North Island section of your tour, will spread things out. Instead of spending the first night in Napier and the 2^nd night in Wellington, you could spend the first night in Rotorua, the 2^nd night in Napier and the 3^rd night in Wellington.

   c            For the South Island section of your tour, if you can, you could add an extra night or two in Queenstown. It is easy to spend a day relaxing in Queenstown and its environs. Also, you might like to spend a day traveling to Milford Sound, one of NZs great scenic attractions. Your guide can drive you there and back, or a popular option is to drive to Milford, and fly back to Queenstown - you choose. 

   (d)            At the end of your tour, you may like to spend a day relaxing in Christchurch -   we can arrange accommodation for you. If you are keen for more, we can arrange for your driver/guide to show you the highlights of Christchurch, or day excursions such as:  Akaroa, Hanmer Springs, Arthurs Pass, Tranz Alpine Train, Whale Watching at Kaikoura - you choose.

   (e)           One region of New Zealand that we haven't mentioned is the Bay Of Islands, which is about 3 hours drive north of Auckland. This sub tropical region is known for its coastal beauty. If you have time, spending a night in Paihia, in the Bay of Islands, and going for a catamaran cruise would be worth it.

   (f)            If you dont want to be traveling every day, you can easily extend your tour by using the same route e.g. spend first night in Auckland, 2 nights in Napier, 2 nights in Wellington, 2 nights in Nelson, 2 nights in Queenstown etc.  As you can see, by doing this, you get to have some full days to rest and relax. There are lots of options available if you can spend more than 6 days touring NZ. Just let us know how many days you have available, and we will give you some options to choose from.

4. Tour cost excludes international flights and domestic flights associated with your travel to and from NZ, departure taxes, travel insurance, excess baggage charges, room service expenses ( to be paid before departing accommodation) breakfasts, lunches and dinners, phone calls and internet services, laundry charges, personal items purchased, optional activities and attractions.
5. Many of the hotels included in your tour have water views whether sea or lake views. We have done this deliberately. We realize that at the end of a long day, driving around NZ, you will want somewhere comfortable to relax.  
6. Your tour is a private one, only for you. You won't be on a large coach with 45 other passengers from all over the world. You choose who you travel with.
7. You will have an NZ Impressions driver/guide, who will drive you around NZ, and show you its wonderful scenery.
8. You will be driven in a comfortable late model vehicle.
9. You can choose your own travel dates to suit you .i.e. the tour doesnt start on schedule dates - it sets off when you want it too.
10. Some customers have asked why we do not include  meals in our tour package. We have done this deliberately.  We have found that some customers prefer to have the flexibility to eat where they want to, what they want, and when they want to. I for example, prefer a cup of coffee and some toast for breakfast. This usually costs me about NZ$7. Many of the hotels now charge about NZ$25 for a full buffet breakfast. I dont need a $25 breakfast. Similarly if I am not hungry in the evening, I may choose a Caesar salad for about NZ$18.  I dont need a fillet steak at NZ$35. If we include the cost of meals in your tour, we need to allow for the most expensive options .i.e. you may pay more than you need to.  The same reasoning applies to lunches and dinners. We prefer to let our customers choose. Now don't worry, most of the accommodation sites shown in the tour have breakfast and dinner facilities.  If you would like to eat elsewhere, your guide will give you some nearby recommendations. You won't go hungry !
11. If you want to see particular attractions e.g. wineries, or engage in certain activities, e.g. golf, then you should allow extra time in your tour. New Zealand has some superb golf courses: Kauri Cliffs, Formosa, Gulf Harbour, Clearwater, & Millbrook. If you want to play golf, please add extra time to your 6 day tour. Our 6 day tour does not allow time for you to play golf.
12. Similarly, NZ produces some great wines, such as the Marlborough Saurignon Blanc,  central Otago Pinot Noir, and Gisborne Chardonnay  - if you want to be able to visit some of NZs well known wineries such as Craggy Range, Trinity Hills, Pegasus Bay, Peregrine, Gibbston Valley,  Cloudy Bay, Ata Rangi, then you need to add some additional time to this 6 day tour.
13. Similarly, if you want to stay in some of the luxury lodges scattered around NZ, such as: Kauri Cliffs, Huka Lodge, Wharekauhau, Otahuna, or Blanket Bay, then you need to allow extra time and money for your tour.
14. You can see that you will be staying in named accommodation. This means that you can check the location and facilities of the chosen accommodation on the internet. If you want to upgrade your accommodation, just let us know and we will send some options and prices for you to consider. I am sure you are familiar with those European package holidays where the brochure says that your accommodation on day 7 will be a hotel in the environs of Paris. You find that your hotel is actually next to the ring road, about 30 minutes drive from the centre of Paris, with no shops or restaurants within walking distance of the hotel !  With our tour, you can see exactly where you will be staying, and the accommodation we have chosen is always within walking distance of shops and restaurants.
15. Your tour does not include accommodation in Auckland prior to the start of your tour, or in Christchurch, at the end of your tour.  We are happy to organize such accommodation for you, and let you know what the additional cost will be.
16. When you reach your hotel after a day's traveling, you will have  time to yourself. You may choose to go for a walk, or go shopping, do some reading, watch television, have a drink, or go for dinner - it is up to you. Your guide will give you information about nearby shops and restaurants. As you can see, we have chosen hotels which are within walking distance of shops and restaurants. Your guide will also have his or her free time in the evening, but it is your choice whether you invite your guide to join you for dinner, although it is customary for you to pay for your guide's meal, if you invite him/her to join you.
17. If you look at the map of New Zealand on this website, you can see the actual route we follow, and where we are stopping each evening.
18. Named accommodation is subject to availability. If the named accommodation is unavailable, then we will book alternative accommodation of a similar standard. We will notify you of the alternative accommodation, before your tour commences.
19. You can pay for your tour by Visa or Mastercard, Bank draft, or you can arrange for your bank to transfer funds directly to our bank account here in NZ. 
20. Those of you from North America need to acquaint yourselves with the weather conditions you may encounter during your tour of NZ. Firstly, our summer period is January, February and March and our winter period is June, July and August. Spring is September / October and fall is April / May. Secondly, NZ is a coastal climate - whenever you are in NZ, you will be within 150 miles of the ocean. Accordingly, unlike central parts of North America, where the weather conditions can be predicted days in advance, in NZ, the weather is changeable and sometimes unpredictable. Even during the summer months, you can encounter cold temperature and even snow, especially in the southern parts of the South Island. If you are coming to NZ, even during the summer months, we would recommend that you also bring a warm jacket, just in case !
21. If you dont want to use this standard itinerary, but would prefer that we create a unique itinerary just for you, please complete the itinerary development form on this website, email it to us, and we will prepare a unique itinerary which suits your requirements.
22. February is the busiest month of the year in NZ for tourism - it is our summer time and we are frequently booked out. If you are thinking of coming to NZ in February, we recommend that you book early !

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