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Ottawa: Jan 15 - Ethopia |
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Vancouver : Jan 20 - Peru
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New Zealand:
North & South Pass (MBZ) - 15 days
This pass starts in Auckland and ends in Christchurch.
Itinerary
| Description: |
Sector 1 & 2: AUCKLAND-WAITOMO-ROTORUA
The first stop of the day is Waitomo - where you can check out the underground view by a slow boat to the glow-worms, or get wet and wild with some cave tubing.
Then on to Rotorua, where Maori culture and thermal activity combine to make this place unique. In the evening be amazed by a Maori concert and Hangi (traditional Maori meal) or relax in a hot pool. |
Sector 3: ROTORUA-TAUPO
One of the highlights leaving Rotorua is Wai-O-Tapu thermal reserve - famous for its geysers, vivid hot pools and boiling mud. Another incredible stop during the journey is Huka Falls, throwing over 200000L of water each second. If you feel like an adrenaline rush, try out the jet boat on the river, which is guaranteed to clear your head! Taupo is a town on the edge of a lake bigger than Singapore which, in true Kiwi fashion, means there are heaps of adventure activities available here, such as tandem skydiving from 12,000 feet, bungy jumping, horse riding and kayaking or fishing on the lake. The nightlife in Taupo is outstanding, with many decent bars and restaurants to choose from. |
Sector 4: TAUPO-TURANGI-WELLINGTON
Welcome to Lord of the Rings Country! Check out the amazing views of the Tongariro National Park that were used in the movie trilogy. Along the Desert Road, you might see some army manoeuvres or a herd of wild horses if you're lucky. If you are keen on doing the Tongariro Crossing, renownedas 'the best one day walk in New Zealand', jump off the coach in Turangi and plan for at least 2 nights here. In the afternoon you arrive cin Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. Te Papa, the national museum, is well worth a visit (and it's free). When it gets dark this city is well known for its fantastic cafes and the great nightlife. |
Sector 5: WELLINGTON-PICTON-NELSON
Travel through Marlborough, famous for it's vineyards and world class wines, towards Nelson, arriving late in the afternoon. Nelson 'the sunshine capital of New Zealand' is well known for its local artisits and relaxed atmosphere, and is the origin for journeys to the Abel Tasman National Park, a beautiful region with golden sandy beaches and sparkling blue water. |
Sector 6: NELSON-GREYMOUTH
Today you will become more aware of the amazing scenery and warm welcome that the West Coast is famous for and the rugged coastline is spectacular. After driving alongside one of the many National Parks in the region - Paparoa National Park, a short walk along the Truman Track lets you appreciate the rainforest and amazing coastline up close. Make sure you save some pictures for the afternoon stop at Punakaiki as the pancake rocks and blowholes are pretty amazing! |
Sector 7: GREYMOUTH-FRANZ JOSEF
Continue down the West Coast toward Hokitika, famous for its local cuisine and greenstone. The traces of the gold rush that brought thousands to the area in the 1800s are still evident in the historic town of Ross, where you stop in the morning. You arrive in Franz Josef in time to join the half day glacierhike, on the face of one of the world's most impressive glaciers. If you wish to aim higher, take a heli hike, which will get you to the top of the glacierand into some fresh powder snow. Another option in this town is kayaking on a local lake with amazing mountain reflections. |
Sector 8: FRANZ JOSEF - QUEENSTOWN
Pass through Fox, another town nestled next to a glacier before stopping off at Lake Matheson, often called "the Mirror Lake" due to it's clear reflection of the Southern Alps and Mt Cook which dominate the skyline. The scenery will change from dense forest to vast plateaus as you enter the Central Otago region, known for it's pip fruit and emerging wine industry. Make sure your cameras are ready as you visit Lake Hawea, and later Lake Wanaka. View the evidence of the area's gold mining roots in the town of Arrowtown, before stopping off to see (and try) the world's first commercial bungy site, 42m over the Kawerau river. Arrive in Queenstown, where the incredible range of activities is so immense that your time there will be completely packed! |
Sector Free: IN QUEENSTOWN
Spend the day trying one of the many activities in the "Adventure Capital of the World" or take a journey into majestic Milford Sound. |
Sector 9: QUEENSTOWN-DUNEDIN
Life slows down a little as you leave Queenstown and follow the former gold trail to Dunedin "The Beer and Chocolate capital of New Zealand", known for the Speights Brewery and Cadbury World, both of which offer great tours with free samples! Also not to missed in this student city is the Elm Wildlife Tour, taking you to the Otago Peninsula and up close with yellow-eyed penguins, seals and albatross. |
Sector 10: DUNEDIN - TEKAPO
A chance to blow away the cobwebs with a dash up the world's steepest street. The next stop is a walk on the beach to see the Moeraki boulders, renowned for their unique shape. Then you head inland to the Mackenzie country, passing by the Benmore dam, the largest earth dam in the Southern Hemisphere. Keep an eye on the scenery, as there are some amazing views of Mt Cook. In Tekapo, visit the idyllic Church of the Good Shepard before overnighting in lakefront accommodation, purpose built for Magic travellers. |
Sector 11: TEKAPO - CHRISTCHURCH
Cross Burke Pass and the foothills of the Southern Alps before travelling through the Canterbury Plains. Arriving In Christchurch in the early afternoon you get the chance to go to the Internaitonal Antarctic Centre or punt on the Avon River. |
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