New Zealand (including Hong Kong stopover) 4th – 24th February 2009		For printable pdf version of the itinerary please click here
With its hot spouting geysers, dramatic mountain scenery, tranquil rolling countryside and remote lakelands, New Zealand is a country rich in variety and abounding in natural beauty. Agriculture in New Zealand is still a way of life for many. Our tour ranges widely, taking in the best of the scenery and looking in detail at a variety of farming enterprises for which New Zealand is best known including kiwi fruit production, dairy, beef and of course sheep farming. See the innovative approach to agriculture, following the abandonment of state subsidies.  With the majority of meals included and using comfortable, centrally located hotels, our tour allows you to make the best of your time in this fabulous country. On the return journey, enjoy a stopover in Hong Kong for a couple of days to experience this fascinating city. With its visually stunning skyline and famous harbour-front, this vibrant city remains an important business centre reflecting both its Chinese and British cultural heritage. You will be based right in the heart of downtown with plenty of opportunities for some bargain hunting and city sightseeing.
The Itinerary
Wednesday 4th February Flight departure from London Heathrow Airport to Auckland via Los Angeles. Thursday 5th February Flying to New Zealand. Friday 6th February Arrive Auckland international airport in the morning. Transfer to your city hotel to rest and relax. Afternoon tea at the hotel, then a short city sightseeing tour of Auckland city. Early dinner at the hotel to allow a good night’s rest. Overnight: Auckland (D) Saturday 7th February Depart after breakfast for a full day touring the environs of Auckland, including a ferry trip to Rangitoto Island - a volcanic island just off the coast of Auckland city. On arrival at the island, there will be a 4WD guided safari through Pohutukawa forest and rugged volcanic terrain, and a 900-metre walk to the summit escorted by your guide. Continue your sightseeing tour including journeying to the top of the Sky Tower for panoramic views of this beautiful harbour city. Lunch will be included today. Dinner tonight at a harbourside restaurant. Overnight: Auckland (BLD) Sunday 8th February Depart this morning for Hamilton, the heart of the Waikato region. First visit a training stable with a 2200 metre training track, where horses are broken in and trained . On arrival in Hamilton there will be an introduction to NZ Agriculture over lunch, followed by a visit to a large Hereford beef stud. Dinner tonight at aboard the Waipa Delta as it plies the Waikato River. restaurant. Overnight: Hamilton (BLD) Monday 9th February Depart the hotel with packed lunch heading to the Maori cultural and thermal region - Rotorua. En route visit a deer farm. The farm covers 140 acres and runs up to 500 deer at any one time. Their income is derived from velvet, venison and selling breeding stags and hinds. The property is a quality assured farm under the On Farm Quality Assurance programme. Deer farming is the first pastoral-based NZ industry to have a quality assurance programme involving farmers, transporters and exporters. Head over the Kaimai Ranges to the East Coast, and continue to Rotorua to visit a kiwifruit orchard covering 30 acres. The orchard has 2900 female vines and produces between 50-55,000 trays of fruit for export. See the packhouse and learn about the Kiwifruit Marketing Board from your host. Lunch included en route today. Tonight experience an authentic Maori village and enjoy a colourful Maori concert and hangi (feast). Later you will be taken on a night walk of Rainbow Springs trout hatchery – the forest will be lit up providing a beautiful perspective on the natural bush. View the Kiwi bird conservation area and see the prehistoric tuatara – a large lizard like reptile. Overnight: Rotorua (BLD) Tuesday 10th February This morning you will visit the Agrodome, an entertaining show illustrating New Zealand's sheep industry. Afterwards head for the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. Here you will view wood carvers, flax weavers and see the bubbling mud pools, boiling springs and geysers and the silica terraces. Free afternoon in Rotorua for shopping or perhaps relaxing in the Polynesian Spa – rated one of the top 10 spas in the world. Overnight: Rotorua (B) Wednesday 11th February Depart this morning for Napier via Lake Taupo. En route visit a large dairy farm. Also visit the Volcanic Centre and later view the mighty Huka Falls before enjoying free time at Lake Taupo. Travel to Napier and visit a large apple orchard. Dinner will be included at a local vineyard. Overnight: Napier (BD) Thursday 12th February This morning journey across a farm by 4WD vehicles to a large gannet colony, a spectacular natural sight. Later head to Wellington, with lunch en route. Check into hotel in Wellington. Overnight: Wellington (BLD) Friday 13th February Early departure this morning to catch the ferry to Picton at the top of the South Island. Disembark and travel through the Marlborough wine district – world famous for its Sauvignon Blanc wine.  Lunch will be provided at a winery before heading to Kaikoura – home of the hump back whales. Overnight: Kaikoura (BLD) Saturday 14th February This morning there will be the option of taking a whale watching cruise off the Kaikoura coastline. Alternatively a visit to a lavender farm will be arranged. After lunch head to Christchurch – the garden city with dinner at the hotel tonight. Overnight: Christchurch (BLD) Sunday 15th February This morning, you will head to the magnificent Mount Cook National Park. A beautiful scenic drive through lush dairy pastures, before heading into the Mt. Cook National Park – pass by Lake Tekapo with a stop to take photos. There will be a visit to a large irrigated farm en route.. Dinner at your hotel. Overnight: Mt Cook (BD) Monday 16th February Continue the journey south to the ‘adventure capital’  of New Zealand – Queenstown. A break of journey will be made in Lake Wanaka, with lunch on the shores of this beautiful alpine lake. After lunch enjoy a scenic boat trip on Lake Wanaka and see some of the magnificent ‘Lord of the Rings’ scenery. Continue to Queenstown, stopping at the famous ‘bungy jump’ bridge. Tonight dinner is at the top of Bob's Peak,  reaching the summit by gondola. Enjoy panoramic views of this beautiful mountainous region. Overnight: Queenstown (BLD) Tuesday 17th February Today is at leisure to enjoy this southern resort with a wide range of activities to suit every interest. Optional activities today include: a gentle cruise of Lake Wakatipu aboard an historic steamer, an exhilarating Shotover Jetboat ride, white water rafting, jet ski, Bungy Jump or just stroll the lake shore for some rest and relaxation Overnight: Queenstown (B) Wednesday 18th February Today visit the magnificent Milford Sound - surrounded by steep forest-clad cliffs riven with waterfalls dropping vertically into the sea. Travel through the Fiordland National Park where lush beech forests meet snow-capped mountains. On arrival into Milford you board the Lady of the South Pacific which cruises the full length of the sound, travelling below the famous Mitre Peak and beneath a spectacular waterfall. Lunch on board. Return to Lake Te Anau for the evening. Overnight: Te Anau (BLD) Thursday 19th February Head to the east coast of the South Island today and your destination is the city of Dunedin - a town with a strong Scottish tradition. En route visit a large sheep/beef and deer station which is approx. 38,000 hectares (100,000acres). It was settled in the early 1850’s by Scottish settlers and stayed in that family until the present owners bought it in 1950. It is still one of the largest stations in NZ. Stock being farmed at present include 50,000 sheep – mainly half bred Romney ewes and 2500 Hereford cattle. They also have Texel and a Romney sheep stud. On arrival in Dunedin drive out along the peninsula to Lanarch Castle, New Zealand's only castle, for a guided tour. Dinner will be included at the hotel tonight. Overnight: Dunedin (BD) Friday 20th February This morning drive along the East coast to Mt Somers - the foothills of the Southern Alps. En route view the famous Moreaki Boulders on the beach. Visit a large cropping farm that grows wheat, barley, peas, grass seed and also produces whitel clover seed, evening primrose, mustard and spinach seed. Lunch will be provided here. Tonight you will stay with local farming families eating in their homes and breakfasting with them in the morning. Overnight: Farm Stay - Mt Somers area (BLD) Saturday 21st February Re-assemble after spending time with your farm hosts. Today visit a large sheep property with Corriedale ewes and Border Leicester rams, 120 acres of mainline irrigation, 220 acres of barley and green feed for the sheep. We say farewell to NZ today with a special barbecue lunch held on a farm.  Later today continue to Christchurch airport for your flight to Auckland. On arrival transfer to the evening flight to Hong Kong.     Overnight: Flying to Hong Kong (BL) Sunday 22nd February Arrive early this morning in Hong Kong and transfer directly to your hotel where rooms have been booked from the night before to ensure immediate check-in. There will be time to freshen up and rest before departing for a city sightseeing tour including a visit to the famous Peak which overlooks the city's spectacular skyline, Victoria Harbour and the romantic South China Sea. Get a fascinating close-up look at the local fishermen and their boat community and see the nearby world-famous floating restaurants set amidst all of the boats busily plying their trade in the harbour. Enjoy the scenic coastal beauty of Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay. Stanley Market is great for bargain-hunting. The evening is free to dine independently. Overnight: Hong Kong (BL) Monday 23rd February After breakfast today there will be a half day excursion to Kadourie Farm and Botanic Garden. The Kadourie Farm was originally set up to provide agricultural support to local farmers but today plays an important role in promoting the conservation of biodiversity in Hong Kong and South China, together with developing sustainable and economically viable farming solutions for all those involved in agriculture and food production in the region.   Tonight there will be an evening harbour cruise special farewell dinner in one of Hong Kong’s famous floating restaurants. Overnight: Hong Kong (BD) Tuesday 24th February After breakfast depart for the airport and the return flight to UK.  Arrive back at London Heathrow this afternoon. (B) Prices Tour Cost Price per person Twin/Double £3,555.00 Single Supplement (Land portion only) £760.00 Cost Includes: International and domestic flights and taxes 16 nights hotel accommodation 1 night farm stay Breakfast daily, 9 lunches, 14 dinners Private a/c coach transportation through Ferry crossing from Wellington to Picton All farm and technical visits Sightseeing and admissions as indicated in itinerary Services of professional coach captain in New Zealand Services of Stita tour manager Porterage of one suitcase per person where available         Not included: Items of personal expenditure Tips to driver and guide  Airport departure tax from New Zealand (NZ$ 20 approx) Travel Insurance How to Book To make a booking, please call us on 01242 515 712 or click on our Booking Details. Our sister company, Stita Special Destinations also offers tours to exciting and exotic destinations. Current tours include Tanzania March Migration, Botswana & Namibia.