NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURE ITINERARY

Transcription

1 NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURE ITINERARY

2 Taupo looks out across Lake Taupo toward the Central Plateau Mountain Range. The region is known for its naturally occurring hot-water-pools and the jawdropping Huka Falls on the Waikato River. TAUPO WANAKA QUEENSTOWN Wanaka is situated at the southern end of Lake Wanaka and is the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park. With its beautiful lake and mountain views, Wanaka is host to some of New Zealand's best outdoor recreation. Queenstown is famous for its spectacular alpine scenery. Its lakeside location provides a beautiful setting and is the playground for adventure! It offers a variety of activities, yet also presents a wonderful haven in which to relax.

3 DAY 1 ARRIVE AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND Fly AUCKLAND to QUEENSTOWN Eichardt s Private Hotel DAY 2 4 Eichardt s Private Hotel DAY 5 Private Helicopter Transfer QUEENSTOWN to WANAKA Minaret Station DAY 6 Minaret Station DAY 7 Private Helicopter Transfer WANAKA to QUEENSTOWN Fly QUEENSTOWN to TAUPO Huka Lodge DAY 8 Huka Lodge DAY 9 Fly TAUPO to AUCKLAND DEPART AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND Minaret Station

4 Eichardt s Private Hotel, Queenstown Situated in the heart of Queenstown on the lakefront, Eichardt s is an impeccably restored heritage building. The hotel s opulent interior is complete with open fires, antique furniture and stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range. Guests can enjoy the nearby restaurants and bars in the evenings and during the day you re just a stone s throw from hikes, golfing on internationally renowned golf courses and jet boating. Minaret Station, Wanaka Minaret Station is a 65,000 acre private high country property with 25km lake frontage and adjoining Mt Aspiring National Park. It is also a working high country farm taking full advantage of the natural livestock benefits that stem from its isolated wilderness location. The property is isolated by having no road access. Surrounded by two large rivers, Lake Wanaka as well as Mount Aspiring National Park to the west, it creates the perfect frame for a true wilderness playground. There are 4 tents available in double share configuration. The tent platforms are fanned out in front at 35m spacing for privacy, linked to each other and the main building by a raised boardwalk. All meals will be served in the main lodge building. The tents are built on hardwood platforms and joined at their rear to their ensuite bathrooms. Huka Lodge, Taupo It s been consistently voted as one of the best lodges in Australasia and this is where the Queen of England likes to rest her head when she's in the country. Huka is one of the longest standing luxury lodges in New Zealand and it shows. Their level of service and attention to detail is immaculate, and the lodge's position alongside the emerald green Waikato River is as peaceful as it is beautiful.

5 Day 1 Arrive Auckland, New Zealand Queenstown Upon arrival into Auckland you will be met by your local Seasonz guide and transferred by private vehicle to the Domestic Terminal for your departing flight to Queenstown. Your guide will go through your itinerary with you and answer any questions you may have before you depart. Stunning scenery as you fly into Queenstown Fly Auckland to Queenstown. Upon arrival into Queenstown you will be transferred by private vehicle to Eichardt s Private Hotel. This is a transfer of approximately 20 minutes. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to relax and settle into your beautiful new surroundings. We recommend you explore the centre of Queenstown with its diversity of shops and activities. Perhaps head up the gondola to the top of Bob s Peak for an amazing view of the area. A great welcome to the adventure capital! This evening we recommend you dine at Wai Waterfront Restaurant and Wine Bar. Wai, located on the lake front, specialises in seafood and central Otago wines. Views of Queenstown from the Skyline Gondola ACCOMMODATION Eichardt s Private Hotel: One King Lake View Suite INCLUDED MEALS Evening Drinks INCLUDED ACTIVITIES None Day 2 Queenstown This morning you will be collected from the hotel and transferred by private vehicle to Queenstown Airport where you will lift off to enjoy a Milford Sound Helicopter Excursion with Private Fishing and Diving Experience. The Milford Sound Helicopter Excursion is a must! Dusky Sound Fiordland Diving Explore Milford Sound from above and below the waterline! Fly the length of Milford Sound past sheer cliffs and gushing waterfalls, out to the Tasman Sea where you will land on a wild West Coast beach. Then fly back to Milford past spectacular rivers, valleys and mountains with blue-green ice falls, landing upon Mt Tutoko glacier in the heart of Fiordland National Park on the way. In Milford, enjoy a short nature walk and gain that iconic Mitre Peak photo, before you board your private boat for an amazing day of fishing and diving in Milford Sound. Lunch will be prepared on board from what you catch! The diving in Fiordland is completely different from diving anywhere else in the world! This is due to the fresh water layer on top, which stops light reaching normal depths. This in turn allows deep water species such as black coral (usually at 400m plus depths) to be seen at relatively shallow depths of 20m. Lobsters can also been seen or caught. Many species of fish can be seen including, blue cod, shark, moki, trumpeter, butterfish, sea perch, and many other varieties. At the conclusion of the day, the boat will bring you back to Milford, where you will board your helicopter for the return flight to Queenstown.

6 This evening we recommend you dine at The Bunker Restaurant. The discreet exterior of this favourite Queenstown establishment belies an intoxicating mix of fine dining downstairs with a private cocktail lounge upstairs. Eichardt s Private Hotel ACCOMMODATION Eichardt s Private Hotel: One King Lake View Suite INCLUDED MEALS Breakfast, Picnic Lunch and Evening Drinks INCLUDED ACTIVITIES Milford Sound Helicopter Excursion with Private Fishing and Diving Experience Day 3 Queenstown This morning you will be collected from the hotel to and transferred by private vehicle to the rafting base where you will check in for your Exclusive White Water Rafting on the Shotover River. Rafting the Shotover River From Skipper s Canyon begin your white water rafting journey through the spectacular canyon. Rafting from Deep Creek over peaceful waters at first, you will head towards the exhilarating rapids of the lower canyon. The adrenalin pumps as you paddle Rock Garden, Sharks Fin, Toilet, Pinball and Jaws to name but a few. Raft the 170m Oxenbridge Tunnel before shooting Cascade Rapid to complete your adventure. On conclusion of the rafting you will be transferred by private vehicle back to Eichardt s Private Hotel. Botswana Butchery This evening we recommend you dine at Botswana Butchery. Botswana has al fresco dining overlooking the lake, and a private upstairs bar to relax into. Warming open fires throughout and their large climate controlled wine cellar will make it a versatile and entrancing evening out. ACCOMMODATION Eichardt s Private Hotel: One King Lake View Suite INCLUDED MEALS Breakfast and Evening Drinks INCLUDED ACTIVITIES Exclusive White Water Rafting on the Shotover River

7 Day 4 Queenstown This morning you will be collected from the hotel by private vehicle to enjoy a full day Adventure Tour of Queenstown with your local Seasonz guide. Today will be tailored to suit your interests. Tandem Paragliding over Queenstown The Shotover Jet Boat Ride You will have the opportunity to Tandem Paraglide! Your paraglide flight takes you over a pine forest, practically skimming the top of the tall pine trees, the ground then drops dramatically away exposing you to 2500 feet of breath-taking views beneath you. A great way to start your day! Following paragliding adventure, catch the canyons with Shotover Jet, the World s most exciting Jet Boat ride. This is a thrilling thirty minute jetboat ride you will never forget! The Shotover Canyon walls tower over you as your driver skilfully whips the boat past rocky outcrops, and skims around crags and boulders! Enjoy lunch at Amisfield Winery At the conclusion of your Shotover Jet boat ride, transfer to enjoy lunch at Amisfield Winery, the architecturally award winning winery known for its Grown Not Made philosophy. Amisfield s Bistro is located within an iconic stone building with stunning views of snow covered mountains and the beautiful Lake Hayes. Choose from the daily changing menu or indulge in Amisfield s famous shared dining experience, Trust the Chef Menu, a selection of dishes designed to be shared at the table; all dishes are chosen by the chef based on the freshest ingredients available on the day. *Please pay for lunch direct. This afternoon visit the Kawarau Bridge where you will have the chance to Bungy Jump. Take a leap or watch others leap off the bridge where it all began. A.J. Hackett, a New Zealander who became a worldwide cult hero after jumping off the Eiffel Tower on a bungy rope, was the first person to develop bungy jumping commercially. This activity takes you to the Kawarau Bridge, where Hackett first set up shop. *Please pay for bungy jumps direct. Kawarau Bungy Quad Biking Adventure! After your visit to the Kawarau Bridge, you will be transferred to enjoy Quad Biking in the Southern Lakes Region. Experience awesome scenery, amazingly fresh air and unhindered fun on a private quad-biking tour through the beautiful New Zealand countryside around Queenstown. You will receive a safety briefing before hopping on quad bikes for a wild and bumpy two-hour ride through the New Zealand farm country. This evening we recommend you dine at Les Alpes. Enjoy a culinary journey across France through food. The restaurant offers classic fine French food made using only the freshest ingredients. ACCOMMODATION Eichardt s Private Hotel: One King Lake View Suite INCLUDED MEALS Breakfast and Evening Drinks INCLUDED ACTIVITIES Adventure Tour of Queenstown

8 Day 5 Queenstown Wanaka This morning you will be collected from the hotel and transferred by private vehicle to Queenstown Airport. Enjoy a scenic helicopter flight to Minaret Station Take a leisurely walk around Minaret Station From Queenstown Airport fly by private helicopter to Minaret Station. This is a scenic helicopter transfer of approximately 20 minutes. Upon arrival at Minaret Station, the remainder of the day is at your leisure to settle into your stunning new surroundings. You may like to take a stroll around the property while taking in some of the natural beauty of Minaret Stations wilderness landscape. The scenic splendour of Minaret Station provides a surprising number of possible outdoor pursuits of the best quality. There is the possibility to hunt, fly fish, hike, visit the farm on the property and much more. ACCOMMODATION Minaret Station: One King Luxury Tent Suite INCLUDED MEALS Breakfast and Dinner INCLUDED ACTIVITIES None Day 6 Wanaka Today choose from one of the fabulous Minaret Adventures! Minaret Station High Country Station Muster: Minaret Station is a working High Country Station running more than 20,000 head of mixed livestock sheep, cattle and deer. Join one of the Station s shepherds in mustering a large mob of the sheep or cattle into new valleys for grazing using unique New Zealand farming dogs known as huntaways. Heli Fly Fishing Hiking at Minaret Station Mountain Top Massage: Take a relaxing and rejuvenating massage high on a mountain top in the heart of the Southern Alps. With private helicopter access only, views stretching up to the glacier clad Mt Aspiring and down across the native beech forest to the valley floor below, there simply could not be a more spectacular place to enjoy such an indulgence! Helicopter Fly-Fishing on the Central Otago Lakes: Lift off from the lodge for an exciting excursion even the most seasoned anglers return for year after year. This is sight fishing in its truest form as the gin clear snow fed waters require careful stalking of each trout and the intricacies of New Zealand high country fishing really come into their own. These alpine rivers can hold higher numbers of trout (but still 100% wild) than other areas of the country and are predominantly of the rainbow species. The fish in these rivers are known for their strength and fight given their cold fast flowing alpine environment. Amidst glaciated valleys and golden tussock grass, this is a spectacular landscape for challenging wilderness fishing!!

9 High Country Hiking: Minaret Station has some stunning hiking trails right on the doorstep. The glacial valley floor where the lodge is located has an elevation of 3,000 feet which is right where the golden Tussock grasses begin to merge with the sub-alpine shrubs and mountain daisy wild flowers. Choosing a hiking trail that winds up the river valley will take you through this native vegetation transition and into the higher hanging basins formed from thousands of years of glaciation. The trails that head down stream follow the Estuary Burn river and soon merge into the native Beech Forest which forms a canopy over much of the valley floor. At the end of each day hiking, what better way to relax and restore those muscles that with a soak in the private hot tub right there on the balcony of your Tented Suite! The Wild West Coast Helicopter Excursion to Fiordland and the West Coast: Board your private helicopter to discover some of New Zealand s most spectacular and untouched wilderness landscapes. Our highly experienced local pilots have literally grown up in these untouched valleys and mountains and will take you to places known only to them after years of discovery. This privately guided flight takes in the huge diversity of landscapes that New Zealand has to offer ranging from high alpine lakes and deeply crevassed glacial snowfields to the vast mountain ranges clad in virgin rainforest which disappear down into the deep ocean depths of Fiordland. The southwest coast of the South Island has some of the most raw and moving scenery on offer. Enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch in a remote spot, whether that is high on a mountaintop or by the edge of the Southern Ocean! ACCOMMODATION Minaret Station: One King Luxury Tent Suite INCLUDED MEALS Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner INCLUDED ACTIVITIES Choose your Minaret Adventure! Fiordland National Park

10 Day 7 Wanaka Taupo This morning you will be transferred by private helicopter to Queenstown Airport for your departing flight to Taupo. Fly Queenstown to Taupo via Wellington. Huka Falls Upon arrival into Taupo you will be met by a Huka Lodge representative and transferred by vehicle to the lodge. This is a transfer of approximately 15 minutes. This afternoon depart the lodge by 4WD for your Half Day Fly-Fishing. Your experienced and very keen guide will take you to a remote backcountry stream. During the afternoon your guide will share his knowledge of the stream pool by pool. You will cast to rainbow and brown trout in crystal clear pools. A resident of Taupo for many years, your guide is a well known figure in the local community, with many of the business owners and operators being personal friends. He has an intimate knowledge of the area and its world class scenery. Combining a professional yet fun loving nature with a real passion for people he will make you feel at home in no time. This evening enjoy private dining on the Front Terrace of Huka Lodge. Fly Fishing in the Taupo Region ACCOMMODATION Huka Lodge: One King Junior Lodge Suites INCLUDED MEALS Breakfast, Pre Dinner Drinks and Dinner INCLUDED ACTIVITIES Half Day Fly Fishing Day 8 Taupo Mountain Biking in the Redwood Forest This morning you will be met at the lodge by your local Seasonz guide and transferred by private vehicle to enjoy a Mountain Bike Adventure and a Marae Visit. Travel approximately one hour to Rotorua s premiere Mountain Biking venue at Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest. Surrounded by forest you have over 100kms of purpose built single track on our doorstep, beautiful lakes to cycle to and spectacular rides through thermal areas. Your ride today is very much tailored to your requirements, and after a short warm-up, you choose from the many options to suit your skill and fitness level. Traditional Maori Meeting House Continue biking 20 minutes to a local Rotorua Marae (Maori Meeting House) where you will experience a Powhiri (Maori welcome). After the welcome you will assist in preparing the Hangi (traditional meal cooked underground). This involves wrapping and preparing the meat and vegetables as needed, and assisting in laying the food in prepared baskets to be lowered into the ground. This is a fun way to get to know the community of this small village, and learn the essence behind the hangi.

11 While your hangi lunch is cooking underground, enjoy a White Island and Mount Tarawera Volcanic Helicopter Safari. Fly to White Island where you will be able to stand on and walk around the island s active crater floor. White Island is situated forty-eight kilometres from the east coast of the North Island and is New Zealand s only active marine volcano and perhaps the most accessible on earth, attracting scientists and volcanologists worldwide. White Island On your return flight land on the summit of Mt Tarawera and try to comprehend the earth forces which created this awe inspiring volcanic icon. Standing on the summit offers unobstructed views of the volcano s magnificent craters, domes and the Lakes district which is beautiful beyond belief. Complimented with informative commentary, this is much more than a flight; it is an experience to remember. At the conclusion of the safari, return to lift your hangi out of the ground and enjoy a delicious feast! Following lunch, fly back to the lodge viewing even more of the Bay of Plenty s spectacular scenery including the mighty Huka Falls. This evening enjoy private dining near the Outside Fireplace at Huka Lodge. Land on Mt Tarawera ACCOMMODATION Huka Lodge: One King Junior Lodge Suite INCLUDED MEALS Breakfast, Hangi Lunch, Pre Dinner Drinks and Dinner INCLUDED ACTIVITIES Mountain Bike Adventure, Marae Visit with Hangi and White Island and Mount Tarawera Volcanic Helicopter Safari Day 9 Taupo Auckland, Depart New Zealand Today a Huka Lodge representative will transfer you by vehicle to Taupo Airport for your departing flight to Auckland. This is a transfer of approximately 20 minutes. Depart Huka Lodge Fly Taupo to Auckland. Upon arrival into Auckland you will be transferred by private vehicle to the Auckland International Terminal to be farewelled on your departing flight. Depart Auckland, New Zealand. INCLUDED MEALS Breakfast INCLUDED ACTIVITIES None