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Helicopter on Franz Josef Glacier

Luxury New Zealand self-drive tour

17 days from 拢27,120辫辫

Helicopter on Franz Josef Glacier
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Tour highlights

  • Experience some of the most secluded accommodation in New Zealand.

  • Visit the rainforests and black sand beaches west of Auckland.

  • Soar above hidden volcanic valleys before walking past gushing geysers and silica terraces.

  • Discover Hawke鈥檚 Bay鈥檚 finest food, wine, and monumental landscapes.

  • Explore the skies above the Southern Alps before soaking in a hot tub in the mountains.

Price includes:

  • Scheduled international flights
  • Domestic flights in destination
  • Activities and excursions as detailed
  • All accommodation
  • Fully insured vehicle hire
  • 24-hour support while you travel
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Itinerary idea in detail

Includes international flights from a choice of UK airports, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

  • Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Auckland.

  • On-board your international outbound flight to Auckland.

  • Arriving in Auckland, known as 鈥榯he City of Sails,鈥 with its twin harbours and rich maritime history, you鈥檒l be met at the airport and driven to your accommodation in a private vehicle. You then have the day to settle in and explore the city. We suggest visiting the Sky Tower, strolling along Queen Street鈥檚 eateries and shops, or visiting the vibrant Viaduct Harbour.

  • Today you鈥檒l be collected from your accommodation and begin a private tour of the city. Some attractions you鈥檙e likely to visit include historic mansions and One Tree Hill, before heading to the west coast to experience the temperate rainforest and black sand beaches. You鈥檒l be dropped back to your accommodation late in the afternoon and have the evening in the city. We recommend visiting the night markets that have a selection of snacks and delicacies, or heading to the Sky Tower to appreciate 360-degree views of the city.

  • You can take a taxi or walk to collect your hire car this morning from the central depot and head south out of the busy city. You鈥檒l drive toward the lush green fields of the Waikato region, where you鈥檙e likely to see more sheep than people, and on to the volcanic area of Rotorua. Your lodge is located within an expansive native forest where you鈥檒l have the opportunity to enjoy the tranquillity of the area for the rest of the day or take advantage of one of the many activities on offer.

  • After breakfast, drive to the jetty in the heart of Rotorua where you鈥檒l board a floatplane to fly over the Crater Lakes district and the volcanic rift of Mount Tarawera. View the Waimangu and Wai-O-Tapu thermal areas by air before landing at the hidden valley of Orakei Korako. Here you'll embark on a self-guided walk to explore the bubbling hot springs, gushing geysers and natural beauty of this hidden geothermal wonderland before flying back to Rotorua.

  • Leave Rotorua behind today as you drive south toward Hawke鈥檚 Bay, home to New Zealand鈥檚 second-largest wine region and sprawling acres of wine grapes and produce. Meet your group and journey to the largest and most accessible mainland gannet colony. You鈥檒l view the birds nesting, preening, flying, and performing their well-known dance. From here, you鈥檒l check in to your accommodation where you鈥檒l be surrounded by rolling pastureland for the next three nights, and able to enjoy views out to the farmland or the Pacific Ocean.

  • Today you鈥檒l have the chance to taste some of the region鈥檚 food and wine varietals as you visit some internationally known wineries with your passionate and knowledgeable guide. You鈥檒l have the rest of the evening to appreciate the expansive landscape or make use of the accommodation鈥檚 facilities.

  • Spend today exploring the Hawke鈥檚 Bay area or relaxing in your accommodation. Travel around Napier and learn about the Art Deco history of the town, embark on one of the hikes in the area, or take advantage of the activities offered at your accommodation.

  • This morning you鈥檒l check out from your accommodation and drive to the airport, drop your car off, and get ready for your domestic flight to the South Island. You鈥檒l land in Christchurch and collect your next hire car, driving across the Canterbury Plains with the Southern Alps as your backdrop to a small town near Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Rest in your villa this evening and, if the sky is clear, stargaze in this International Dark Sky Reserve.

  • Make your way to the helicopter base in Lake Tekapo where you鈥檒l have a briefing before boarding the helicopter. You鈥檒l explore the skies above the Southern Alps, scattered with views of long glaciers and tall peaks, landing in two areas, one of which includes a private hot tub among the mountains. You鈥檒l be flown back to the helicopter base after this, and you鈥檒l have the rest of the day to walk in the area, or visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, before returning to your villa.

  • You鈥檒l leave Twizel behind today as you drive a short distance to the Ahuriri Valley, where you鈥檒l find your accommodation hidden in the valley. You鈥檒l spend the next two nights here, and we recommend exploring the Ahuriri Valley through the various activities on offer, or simply unwinding and switching off from the hustle and bustle of the world.

  • We suggest appreciating your accommodation today, fly-fishing the Ahuriri Valley, or hiking through the Clay Cliffs. Soak up the peacefulness, sounds of the cascading river, and rising mountain ranges in the area.

  • You鈥檒l drive further south today toward Queenstown, the 鈥榓dventure capital of the world鈥, and on to the small town of Glenorchy for the last part of your trip. Settle into your accommodation, explore the local area, and experience an 脿 la carte dinner here this evening.

  • This morning you鈥檒l experience a scenic flight over the Gibbston wine region before beginning a wine tour of the area. Explore the country鈥檚 largest underground wine cave and sample various wines 鈥 some well-known, and some more local wines. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy your accommodation or take a short walk.

  • Meet your guide and board the Dart River jet boat for a white-knuckle ride up the narrow, meandering waterway into real wilderness country. You鈥檒l journey from the mighty Lake Wakatipu along the pristine Dart River and into Mount Aspiring National Park, enjoying both the excitement of the ride and the majesty of the surrounding scenery. Then, embark on a short walk on some picturesque forest tracks, where you鈥檒l learn about M膩ori heritage, before returning to Glenorchy across remote farmland tracks.

  • Arrive home today to complete your journey.

Accommodation options

While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, Audley trips are 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.

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The specialist who designs your trip to New Zealand will have explored the country many times and, in some cases, lived there. Their first-hand knowledge gives us the belief that no other travel company can match our expertise in helping you plan your trip.

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When to go

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Place Daily max temperature (°C) Monthly rainfall (mm)
Auckland
 
Rotorua
 
Hastings
 
Napier
 
Christchurch
 
Twizel
 
Glenorchy
 

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