REID TOURS Autumn New Zealand Rail & Coach Tour

Fifteen Days 24th April to 8th May 2015

th rd Or 10 Days South Island 24 April to 3 May 2015 Itinerary: Day 1: Welcome to Christchurch (D) Fly from your homeport to Christchurch, a Reid Tours representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Enjoy an afternoon sightseeing around Christchurch. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner. Meet your fellow passengers, driver and tour manager. Hotel: Rydges Hotel Day 2: Christchurch – Punakaiki - Hokitika (B) (D) This morning we join the award winning Tranz Alpine Train as it journeys across the Canterbury Plains then via the scenic Waimakairi Gorge onto the Alpine Village of Arthurs Pass in the Southern Alps. We then re- join our coach crossing Arthurs Pass we continue via Lake Brunner to Punakaiki. This is one of New Zealand’s best coastal roads. We then continue south to the Historic Gold town of Hokitika. Our hotel looks out over the Tasman Sea. Hotel: Beachfront Hokitika Day 3: Hokitika - Fox Glacier (B) Plenty of time to visit the Greenstone shops before we visit the Scenic Hokitika Gorge as this river emerges from the Alps. We continue onto the Treetop walk at Lake Mahinapua. Experience life with the birds high in the ancient Rimu and Kamahi Forest. Enjoy great views of the Southern Alps, rain forest and Lake Mahinapua. Our journey continues south to our overnight stop at Fox Glacier. You may wish to visit the glacial hot pools in the evening (Optional). Tonight you are free to dine at one of the many cafes and restaurants in Fox Glacier. Hotel: Westhaven Fox Glacier Day 4: Fox Glacier - Queenstown (B) (D) This morning we will enjoy breakfast at the Matheson Cafe where you have the opportunity of walking to Lake Matheson with its wonderful reflections of Mt Cook and the surrounding high peaks of the Southern Alps. Continuing south through ancient rain forest and lakes we cross the Alps via the Haast Pass and onto Queenstown, our stop-over for the next four nights. Hotel: Hilton Queenstown Day 5: Queenstown (B) (L) This morning after a wonderful breakfast in the Wakatipu Restaurant overlooking Lake Wakatipu, we join our launch for a boat ride down to Queenstown. We then join the lady of the lake, TSS Earnslaw, a vintage Steamship for a cruise to Walter Peak Station for lunch. Returning to Queenstown mid-afternoon you are free to explore the town. This evening you are free to dine at one of the many cafes and restaurants in Queenstown. Hotel: Hilton Queenstown Day 6: Queenstown - Milford Sound (B) (L)(D) This morning we travel south to Te Anau then via the Eglinton Valley and Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. You will enjoy a cruise on the Sound with full buffet lunch. View Mitre Peak and the numerous waterfalls of this picturesque sound. We return to Queenstown early evening dining at Me & Mee Restaurant located in the Kawarau Village Complex next to the Hilton. We can also offer an optional extra trip to Doubtful Sound. Hotel: Hilton Queenstown Day 7: Queenstown (B) Today is a free day to enjoy the wonderful setting of Queenstown. Your tour manager will advise you of the many options available. Day 8: Queenstown - Mt Cook (B) (D) This morning we travel north via the Historic Gold town of Cromwell and over the Lindis Pass into the McKenzie Country. We travel to Mt Cook following the shore of Lake Pukaki. The Hermitage is a unique location. Your tour includes access to the Edmond Hillary Centre and a wonderful 3D Movie of the area and Planetarium. Hotel: Mt Cook Hermitage Day 9: Mt Cook - Christchurch (B) (D) This morning you will have the option of a flight onto the Tasman Glacier before we travel via Lake Tekapo visiting the Church of the Good Shepherd then onto Christchurch via Geraldine. Hotel: Rydges Hotel Day 10: Christchurch – Wellington (B) Today we join the Coastal Pacific Train for its amazing journey to Picton via the Kaikoura seacoast. The train travels across the Canterbury Plains before emerging onto the sea coast and Pacific Ocean. The train follows the coast for one hundred kilometres travelling through numerous tunnels and crossing many braided rivers. Passing through the vineyards of Marlborough we join the Interislander ferry in Picton. We arrive into Wellington late afternoon. You also have the option of flying from Christchurch to Wellington if you would prefer a shorter day. Day 11: Wellington - Palmerston North (B) (D) After a great breakfast we will visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum, and enjoy a sightseeing tour of Wellington. We travel north via the Kapiti Coast to our overnight stay at Palmerston North. This evening we visit Marton and the prestigious Turakina Maori Girls College where we join the entire college for a traditional welcome Concert and dinner. Hotel: Copthorne Palmerston North Day 12: Palmerston North Chateau Tongariro (B) (D) This morning we join the Northerner Train at Palmerston North. The train climbs from the Manawatu onto the Volcanic Plateau. We pass the stunning Mount Ruapehu crossing and numerous viaducts before descending the amazing Raurimu spiral to Taumaranui. Re-joining our coach for a short drive to the stunning Chateau Tongariro located at the foot of Mount Ruapehu. Tonight we enjoy a wonderful meal in this iconic setting. Day 13: Chateau Tongariro – Rotorua (B) (D) After a wonderful breakfast we travel north via Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. We will visit Huka Falls before continuing onto Rotorua. Our hotel, the Sudima, is located by the lakefront next to the Polynesian Pools. Hotel: Sudima Rotorua (Superior Rooms) Day 14: Rotorua (B) This morning we visit the Agrodome where you will see a sheep show and shearing demonstration. Then onto Te Puia to see the geysers, boiling mud pools and craft institute. The afternoon is free to relax, explore the town or lie in the Polynesian Pools. Hotel Sudima Rotorua (Superior Rooms) Day 15: Rotorua - Auckland (B) Our journey north takes us to visit the world famous Waitomo Caves for a guided tour. Travelling north, we arrive Auckland city mid-afternoon. Shuttles will transfer you home. We hope you enjoyed the tour.

REID TOURS

Inclusions: Fourteen nights’ Accommodation on a twin share basis Meals as indicated on Itinerary 15 days 5 star quality coach travel Air flight Auckland to Christchurch Home pickup and return by Shuttle Van Tranz Alpine Train Treewalk Hokitika Bus to Hokitika Gorge TS Earnslaw Cruise and BBQ Lunch Milford Sound Cruise including Lunch Coastal Pacific Train Interislander Ferry Turakina Maori Girls College Concert and Dinner Northern Explorer Train Agrodome Show Te Puia Thermal Geysers Waitomo Caves

Price Per Person Twin Share $3,995 Single Room Supplement: $1,395

This tour can also be a 10 Day tour returning to Auckland by Air on Day 10.

Price Per Person Twin Share $2,995 Single Room Supplement $975

Deposit of $200 per person at time of booking. A confirmation of final tour details will be posted eight weeks prior to departure. Final balance due six weeks prior to departure.

Refund Policy: Prior to departure Reid Tours will refund you fare less any costs it cannot recover. No refunds are possible once the tour has commenced.

Travel Insurance: I strongly recommend you take out travel insurance for this tour. . Return to: Reid Tours P.O. Box 39-141 Harewood Christchurch 8545 Phone Reid Tours 0800 446 886 Email [email protected]

Seating on the coach will be rotated on a daily basis. Please be prepared to comply with this requirement. Payment can be made by cheque, direct credit or Visa. Reid Tours Bank Account: 06-0817-0144682-00

I have an answer phone available during the day, leave a message and I will return your call that evening. Otherwise, phone in the evenings between 7pm and 10pm.

Let me know if you require any further information.

Malcolm Reid Reid Tours

Autumn New Zealand Rail & Coach Tour:

24th April 2015 to 8th May 2015: This form enables us to complete your travel arrangements, so please complete and return with your deposit as soon as possible.

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