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The Big Tiki

Summary:

Geysers and glaciers. Māori settlements, mighty cities and majestic mountains. If NZ doesn't impress you with its diverse beauty, nothing will. Cruising from Auckland in the north to Christchurch in the South – with stop-offs in Rotorua, Wellington, Queen...

Duration
21 Days
Cities
10
Next Departure
06-May-2024
Starting at
USD 2,860.00
Price per day
USD 136.00
Tour Type

  • Overview
  • Dates and Details
  • Map, Destinations
  • Contiki
Operator
Contiki
Tour
The Big Tiki
Age Group
18 - 35 Years
Categories
tour categorytour categorytour categorytour categorytour categorytour categorytour categorytour category

Summary

Geysers and glaciers. Māori settlements, mighty cities and majestic mountains. If NZ doesn't impress you with its diverse beauty, nothing will. Cruising from Auckland in the north to Christchurch in the South – with stop-offs in Rotorua, Wellington, Queenstown and more top class adventure spots along the way – this one is the ultimate adventure, offering up over 65 optional activities from whale watching to skydiving and beyond.

Map: The Big Tiki (Contiki)

Short Itinerary / Route

Day 1
Auckland To Paihia
Day 2
Paihia
Day 3
Paihia To Auckland
Day 4
Auckland To Rotorua
Day 5
Rotorua
Day 6
Rotorua To Lake Taupō
Day 7
Lake Taupō To Ruapehu
Day 8
Mount Ruapehu To Wellington
Day 9
Wellington
Day 10
Wellington To Kaikoura
Day 11
Kaikoura
Day 12
Kaikoura To Christchurch
Day 13
Christchurch To Franz Josef Glacier
Day 14
Franz Josef Glacier
Day 15
Franz Josef Glacier To Queenstown
Day 16
Queenstown
Day 17
Queenstown
Day 18
Queenstown
Day 19
Queenstown To Te Anau
Day 20
Te Anau To Lake Ōhau
Day 21
Lake Ōhau To Christchurch

Travel Cities (10): Auckland, Christchurch, Franz Josef Glacier, Lake Tekapo, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington, Whangarei

Highlights

Dining Summary

  • 6 Dinner (D)
  • 20 Breakfast (B)

Included Experience

  • Auckland: Cameras at the ready folks, the views will be extraordinary here.
  • Auckland: With sailboats at every angle, this is a beaut view indeed.
  • Paihia: A dinner of fish 'n' chips, enjoyed while overlooking the Bay of Islands in Paihia. Is this heaven? No sir, it's just salt and vinegar.
  • Whangarei: See the work of the visionary Austrian painter, architect and ecological activist who made New Zealand his spiritual home.
  • Paihia: The Waitangi Treaty Grounds might just be NZ's most important historical site, marking the place where the British Crown and the Māori people signed their first accords back in 1840.
  • Rotorua: A traditional Māori cultural performance, topped off with a traditional Māori feast... this ought to satisfy even the keenest of culture vultures.
  • Rotorua: Wait til you see 'em. Wait til you smell 'em. These geothermic mudpools are a thing to behold.
  • Huka Falls: Huka falls is a jaw-jutting display of natural hydro power. Here you'll see 220,000 litres of water tumble over the waterfall... per second that is(!)
  • Mount Ruapehu: Today we'll check out Mt Ruapehu, an active stratovolcano elevated almost 2,800 metres into the air!
  • Mount Ruapehu: See even more of the sights made famous by "The Lord of the Rings."
  • Kaikoura: We'll take a spectacular drive along the Kaikoura Coast, and pay a visit to a nearby seal colony. Yup, it's a coastal cuteness overload.
  • Wanaka: A lake town with views for days, surrounded by beech forests, alpine lakes, and wilderness glaciers.
  • Milford Sound: Cruise along the glassy waters and get the kind of view people write poems about. You'll soon see why it's a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Arrowtown: A historic gold mining town, Arrowtown is known as one of the cutest towns in New Zealand, so see for yourself on a walking tour that covers all the best things to see in Arrowtown.
  • Lake Tekapo: See the church on the shores of Lake Tekapo with a backdrop of snow-capped peaks - and get that iconic Insta pic too!
  • Lake Tekapo: We'll stop at Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo and Geraldine... and watch happily on as NZ's astonishing natural beauty takes your breath away.
  • Lake Ohau: Looking out at the peaks of Mt Cook across the glacial waters of Lake Ōhau... It was once a dream, but today we'll make it your reality. (You're welcome.)
  • Lake Tekapo: The Dark Sky Experience combines Māori astronomy, storytelling and science together in one truly unique interactive display.

Make Travel Matter®

  • Rotorua: On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, we'll head to National Kiwi Hatchery near Rotorua to learn all about the locals' efforts to protect New Zealand's adorable national bird.
  • Kaikoura: On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, we'll meet eco-warrior Sabrina Leucht, who has dedicated many years of her life to helping New Zealand's injured native birds... and is now working to establish the region's first wildlife hospital.
  • Hokitika: The South Island is known for Pounamu (in fact, it’s even named after the stuff.) Today in Hokitika, we’ll meet with a local Māori Guide, who’ll tell us all about the connection between the illustrious greenstone and the Māori people. After that, we’ll go and check some out for ourselves.
  • Te Anau: Today we’ll visit a local farm in Te Anau to support the Fairlight Foundation, which works to advance women in Agriculture. We’ll learn all about farming, as well as the Fairlight Foundation and the work that they do.

Travel Package

 

Coming from

 

Going to

Tour...

Auckland

Arrow Going To

Lake Tekapo

Group ToursThis is an Organised Group Tour: the itinerary has been predefined by the tour operator. The tour destinations, duration, accommodations, departure dates and the price are fix. You can join, enjoy and meet other people.

Tour Variations

Picture:The Big Tiki Reverse

The Big Tiki Reverse (21 Days)

This epic trip uncovers every inch of these enchanting islands. Bungee and jet boat in the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown, feast on a ground-smoked Māori 'hangi' in Rotorua, stroll wine trails, visit Hobbiton, hike active volcanoes and experie...

Next Departure: 04-May-2024
Starting at: USD 2,860.00

Memberships and Financial Protection

IATA The Travel Corporation Abta TreadRight WYSE Travel Safe Travels


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