from pp Twin Share

$7,149
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with only a $99 deposit pp

Single Traveller
$9,092 pp

14 Day Signature Panorama

This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5

 

Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.

 

As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.

Pace
Balanced

This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.

Escorted Type
Fully Escorted

Often regarded as one of the world's great train journeys for the mountian scenery, as it travels over massive viaducts, river valleys & spectacular gorges.

Rail
TranzAlpine
818 people have travelled to this destination

✓ Travel with Grand Pacific Tours
✓ Professional Coach Captain
✓ Tour Leader
✓ 13 nights 4 star accommodation
✓ 3 two night stays
✓ Hotel porterage
✓ 1 rail journey
✓ 3 cruises
✓ All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
✓ Extensive Optional Activities
✓ Signature Documentation Pack
✓ Airport transfers included on the first and last day of your tour
✓ 13 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast: Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua
✓ 11 sumptuous dinners including complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 3 specialty dinners: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Mãori Hãngi and Concert, Rotorua; Farewell Dinner including pre-dinner drink, Auckland
✓ 1 lunch: Milford Sound Cruise
✓ 1 delicious Devonshire Tea: Larnach Castle
✓ Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks)
✓ Airport transfers included on the first and last day of tour

✈ Needing international airfares to accompany your Inspiring Vacation? You will be able to access our flight portal after securing your package to add international airfares to your booking.

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What we love about this tour

Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.

Itinerary

Hotel
Distinction Christchurch Hotel or Similar
Meals
Dinner

On arrival into Christchurch, you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel.

This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink when you meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner.

Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.

Please note: if you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.

Hotel
Distinction Mackenzie Country or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

After an introductory city sights tour depart Christchurch and travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, The Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue.

Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak.

The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps before travelling to Twizel.

Hotel
Scenic Hotel Southern Cross or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

Depart Twizel and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone.

Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy a city sights tour followed by some free time.

Hotel
Distinction Luxmore Hotel Lake Te Anau or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

This morning travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour.

Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea.

Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).

Hotel
Millennium Hotel Queenstown or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch

Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy lunch onboard.

This afternoon travel to Queenstown, overlooking magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year-round resort which offers a wide range of activities and attractions. 

This evening is at leisure, you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.

Hotel
Millennium Hotel Queenstown or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with many optional activities available. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour to Skippers Canyon or to get up close to a Kiwi bird.

This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead.

After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.

Hotel
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Douglas Wing) or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

Travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the mighty West Coast, an area of stunning beauty.

See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to the township of Franz Josef.

Time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

Hotel
Sudima Christchurch Airport Hotel or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue into Arthur’s Pass and board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains. On arrival into the elegant city of Christchurch, your coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

Hotel
James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room) or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikōura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you will board the Interislander Ferry, relax in the comfort of the Queen Charlotte Lounge. Enjoy your journey through the Marlborough Sounds to Wellington.

Hotel
James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room) or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances.

Reboard your coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time this afternoon and this evening is also free to choose your own dining arrangements.

Hotel
Pullman Rotorua (City View Room) or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

Depart Wellington and view the snowcapped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro as you travel to Lake Taupo.

Visit the spectacular Huka Falls then travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua.

Hotel
Pullman Rotorua (City View Room) or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua where spectacular views are on offer. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride!

Next stop is the Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education that is unlike anything you’ve seen before.

Free time is available this afternoon before travelling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening experience an entertaining Mãori Hãngi and Concert.

Hotel
Sudima Auckland City or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

This morning depart Rotorua and travel through the picturesque countryside to Hobbiton for a guided tour of the Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

Your guide will recount details of how this beautiful piece of farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle Earth. Continue north to Auckland for an orientation tour.

This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink with your new friends at the farewell dinner.

Meals
Breakfast

Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.

Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight.

If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.

Inclusions

  • Travel with Grand Pacific Tours
  • Professional Coach Captain
  • Tour Leader
  • 13 nights 4 star accommodation
  • 3 two night stays
  • Hotel porterage
  • 1 rail journey
  • 3 cruises
  • All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
  • Extensive Optional Activities
  • Signature Documentation Pack
  • Airport transfers included on the first and last day of your tour
  • 13 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast: Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua
  • 11 sumptuous dinners including complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 3 specialty dinners: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Mãori Hãngi and Concert, Rotorua;
  • Farewell Dinner including pre-dinner drink, Auckland
  • 1 lunch: Milford Sound Cruise
  • 1 delicious Devonshire Tea: Larnach Castle
  • Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks)
  • Airport transfers included on the first and last day of tour

  • Larnach Castle* and Devonshire Tea
  • Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch
  • Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
  • Lakes District Museum
  • TranzAlpine Rail Journey
  • Cruise on the Interislander Ferry
  • Te Papa, NZ's National Museum
  • Skyline Rotorua Gondola and Luge Ride
  • Agrodome
  • Thermal mud pools and geysers*
  • Te Puia traditional Mãori Hãngi and Concert
  • Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tour*
  • Christchurch City Sights Tour
  • Dunedin City Sights Tour
  • Wellington City Sights Tour
  • Auckland City Sights Tour
    *denotes guided tour

Fine Print

Secure your trip with a $99.00 deposit per person.

Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an invoice with your remaining balance and payment options.

Instalment Schedule:

  1. At the time of booking pay a $99.00 deposit per person.
  2. Pay a 1st installment of $1,783.00 per person within 7 days.
  3. You will then be invoiced for final payment 120 days prior to departure.

This is a land only package.

This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination. 

The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:

  • Your booking is confirmed
  • Your departure date is within 11 months
  • You  have completed your passenger detail form

Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances. 

Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.

If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.

If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.

It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, click here.

Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.

As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.

Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, but we can’t guarantee your request will be available at all properties.

Single travellers
When booking this tour, solo travellers will be presented with two options:

1 - Single Supplement
By paying an additional $1,943.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price, you guarantee the privacy of your own room throughout the entire trip.

2- Shared Room with a known friend
If travelling together with a friend, you can opt to share your room with him/her and avoid paying a single supplement. 

You and your friend can create a unique booking each. Creating a unique booking, gives each of you the flexibility of making different travel arrangements (such adding extra accommodation, flights, etc), make separate payments and have individual access to our Traveller’s Hub

During the purchase path, you will need to provide your friend’s booking ID (if known) or at a minimum, your friend’s full name.

Airport Transfers
Airport transfers in New Zealand are included on the first and last day of your tour. This includes any pre or post tour accommodation directly linked with the tour hotel. Transfer vehicles will wait up to 1 hour after the flight lands in New Zealand.

Triple Share
Not Available

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.

Group Size
Maximum of 32 People

Children
On Ultimate Small Group Touring and Signature Mid-Size Group Touring, children under 16 years are not permitted. 

Tour Type 
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:

  • Fully Escorted - This tour is fully escorted by an expert English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the tour. 

All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.

Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.

It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.

You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:

Pre Tour Accommodation

  • $341.00 per room, per night for double and twin share
  • $341.00 per room, per night for solo travellers

Post Tour Accommodation

  • $341.00 per room, per night for double and twin share
  • $341.00 per room, per night for solo travellers

Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.

  • Visas
  • International or Domestic airfares
  • Travel insurance (compulsory)
  • Tipping
  • Optional activities
  • Personal expenses
  • Anything not mentioned in the itinerary

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