Larnach Castle, Dunedin
SOUTH PACIFIC
Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rotorua Christchurch
ITINERARY
DAY 1 • Depart U. S. Depart on your flight to New Zealand.
DAY 2 • Cross International Date Line Continue your flight to Auckland, across the International Date Line.
DAY 3 • Arrive in Auckland, New Zealand An O. A. T. representative meets us at the airport. We’ ll be joined by fellow travelers from our optional pre-trip extension to Australia: Sydney & Great Barrier Reef.
Holiday Inn Express Auckland or similar
DAY 4 • Explore Auckland • Controversial Topic: Maori reparations
Explore Auckland on foot, led by your Trip Experience Leader. Visit Bastion Point for a traditional Maori welcome ceremony. Then, a local expert will lead a conversation on the Controversial Topic of the historic harms done to the Maori population and how New Zealanders are struggling to remedy it.
Meals: B, L, D | Holiday Inn Express Auckland or similar
DAY 5 • Auckland • Explore Waiheke Island Journey by ferry to Waiheke Island to visit a boutique winery to sample their wines and enjoy a tour of a local olive oil estate.
Meals: B, L | Holiday Inn Express Auckland or similar
DAY 6 • Explore Hamilton Gardens • Rotorua • National Kiwi Hatchery
Stop at Hamilton Gardens, and then continue your journey to Rotorua, famous for geothermal activity and Maori history. Along the way, we’ ll visit the National Kiwi Hatchery, and learn about the national bird of New Zealand.
Meals: B, L, D | Distinction Rotorua Hotel or similar
DAY 7 • Rotorua • A Day in the Life of a Ngati Manawa community
Experience A Day in the Life of the Ngati Manawa, a Maori community in Murupara, which includes a traditional hangi lunch on the shores of Lake Aniwhenua.
Meals: B, L | Distinction Rotorua Hotel or similar
DAY 8 • Rotorua • Optional Waimangu Volcanic Valley tour • Home-Hosted Dinner
Today is free for you to make your own discoveries. Or, join our optional Waimangu Volcanic Valley tour. Explore the world’ s youngest geothermal site, and discover Inferno Crater and Frying Pan Lake, followed by a cruise of Lake Rotomahana. This evening, sit down with a local Maori family for a Home-Hosted Dinner.
Meals: B, D | Distinction Rotorua Hotel or similar
DAY 9 • Rotorua • Fly to Christchurch We fly to Christchurch this morning. Upon arrival, you’ ll take a walking tour of the city with your Trip Experience Leader, and then have some time for your own discoveries.
Meals: B | Rydges Latimer Christchurch or similar
DAY 10 • Christchurch • Local farm visit Visit a working sheep station( ranch) in the Southern Alps for a glimpse of the daily lives of the farmers. Witness the teamwork of sheepdogs, followed by a sheep shearing demonstration. Later, enjoy a BBQ dinner at the farm.
Meals: B, D | Rydges Latimer Christchurch or similar
DAY 11 • Christchurch • Dunedin Travel overland to the coastal city of Dunedin, taking in views of rugged beaches along the way. As you go, you’ ll stop in the historic town of Oamuru, and behold the Moeraki Boulders, mysterious stones scattered along the beach and steeped in Maori legend.
Meals: B, L, D | Distinction Dunedin Hotel or similar
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Day 10, visit a working farm in the Rubicon Valley, nestled in the Southern Alps and home to more than 3,000 sheep.
Information & Reservations 1-800-955-1925 www. oattravel. com / nzo 123