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Independent Vacations in New Zealand

New Zealand Explorer from $3,479

Have you ever dreamt of a vacation where you could literally go Around the World, sampling the treasures of Europe, the sights of Africa, the unique attractions of Australia and New Zealand and the romance of the South Pacific islands?

This unique and affordable Around the World trip can be done in as little as just three weeks, or, if you have the time, be extended to suit your needs.

Your Circle the Globe package includes

• Round-trip international airfare from Chicago (low add-on fares available from other airports )

• 2 Nights' Accommodations in Munich

• Domestic flights, roundtrip between Johannesburg & Kruger

• 2 Nights' Accommodations in Kruger National Park, with all meals

• 4 Game Drives with rangers at the Kruger National Park

• 1 Night's accommodation in Johannesburg

• 2 Nights' accommodations in Sydney

• Cruise on Sydney Harbor

• Domestic flight from Sydney to Cairns

• 3 Nights' accommodation in Cairns

• Cruise to the Great Barrier Reef with lunch

• 2 Nights' accommodations in Auckland

• Lunch cruise on Auckland Harbor

• Tour to Waitomo Caves and Rotorua

• 2 Night's accommodation in Rotorua

• 1 Night's accommodation in Papeete

• Domestic flights, roundtrip between Papeete & Moorea

• 3 Nights' accommodations in Moorea

• Breakfast & Sightseeing tours throughout

• All hotel service charges and applicable hotel taxes 

• All Airport-hotel transfers

Day 01 – Chicago to Munich
Fly from Chicago across the Atlantic to Paris, arriving the next day. (Connecting flights from other cities can be arranged at additional cost)

Days 02 + 03 - Munich
Explore this lively German city at the foot of the Bavarian Alps. Using a ‘hop-on hop off’ tourist bus visit some of the main sights like the “Marienplatz” (main square) with the world famous Glockenspiel, the impressive Opera and stroll along the bohemian area of “Schwabing” with its many shops and restaurants. Of course you should also try the tasty beer and sausages in one of the many beer gardens.

Day 04 – Munich to Johannesburg
Leave Munich this evening and fly overnight, across Africa to Johannesburg.

Day 05 – Johannesburg
Early morning arrival in Johannesburg, home to opulent white mansions in leafy suburbs and lively townships like Soweto. During an afternoon tour of Soweto visit the house of Bishop Tutu and the former home of Nelson Mandela.

Days 06 + 07 – Kruger National Park
Fly to Kruger National Park. In the afternoon tour the park in search of the “Big Five” – Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Rhinoceros and Lion. Kruger is also home for nearly 150 species of mammals, birds and reptiles. The best time to see the animals is during the early morning and late afternoon game drive in open safari vehicles, accompanied by a professional game ranger.

Day 08 – Kruger to Johannesburg and Sydney
Leave Kruger early this afternoon and fly back to Johannesburg, connecting to your overnight flight across the Indian Ocean to Australia.

Day 09 – Sydney
Arrive in Sydney early in the afternoon. After a brief rest you might want to take a cruise on Sydney’s beautiful harbor (included in your tour package).

Day 10 – Sydney
You will be picked up at your hotel for a half-day city sightseeing tour this morning. The tour will take you to the old part of the city, the historic area called The Rocks, now a lively area with small shops and restaurants. Close by is the magnificent Opera House and besides other historic buildings in the city the tour will take you across Harbor Bridge and to Bondi Beach. On the way back enjoy some great views of the city. The afternoon is at your leisure.

Day 11 – Sydney to Cairns
Leave Sydney this afternoon and fly to Cairns, up north on the Queensland coast. The landscape changes to lush green rainforests and the turquoise of the ocean. Spend the next three nights in this tropical region, gateway to the world famous Great Barrier Reef and to one of the oldest rainforest regions of the world.

Day 12 – Great Barrier Reef
No visit to the Great Barrier Reef is complete without a cruise to the Outer Reef. A high-speed catamaran will take you out to the reef in approx. 2 hours. Educational videos about the Reef and marine life are screened during the trip - once at the reef, you have the option to snorkel (masks and fins are provided free) or go for a dive (optional extra for certified divers only). Even non-swimmers are catered for - a specially designed semi-submersible vessel with glass windows takes guests through a tour of the clear blue waters. You will be amazed at the sheer variety of living coral, their colors surpassed only by the magnificent tropical fish that make the reef their home. Moored on the reef is a floating platform, which not only makes it easy to swim around - but also incorporated into the platform is an underwater observatory where you can view the coral & fish as often as you wish. A delicious smorgasbord lunch with seafood, salads and cold cuts is also included.

Day 13 – Cairns / Palm Cove
Spend a free day in the Cairns area. You might want to take an optional tour into the rainforest, take the skyrail gondola up to Kuranda or simply relax at your resort.

Day 14 – Cairns to Auckland
Leave Cairns this afternoon and fly across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand. After arrival in Auckland in the evening, you will be transferred to your downtown hotel.

Day 15 – Auckland
After a leisurely morning take a lunch cruise on Auckland’s magnificent harbor. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Auckland and the surrounding area.

Day 16 – Rotorua
Leaving Auckland behind you travel through the lush Waikato pastures to the famous Waitomo Caves, illuminated by millions of glowworms. Later, travel across the lush New Zealand countryside and arrive in Rotorua, the center of Maori culture and a fascinating geothermal area.

Day 17 – Rotorua
Enjoy a half-day tour of Rotorua, visiting roaring geysers, boiling mud pools, the fascinating Agrodome and some other local attractions. The afternoon is free for you to do as you please - relax by the lake, go fishing or play a round of golf!

Day 18 (17) – Auckland to Tahiti
Catch an early morning flight back to Auckland today, before continuing on your international flight to Papeete. Crossing the International Date Line, you arrive in Tahiti on the previous evening! Spend a night in Papeete.

Day 18 – Papeete to Moorea
Late this morning transfer to the airport (or docks) for a short flight (or ferry ride) to the neighboring island of Moorea. This island, in the heart of French Polynesia, is famous for its awesome natural beauty with its jagged volcanic peaks, cloaked by lush greenery and encircled by the deep blue of the ocean and sky!

Days 19 + 20 – Moorea
Enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Moorea and experience the mythical “Bali Hai", made eternally famous by James Michener in his book, Tales of the South Pacific. The remainder of your time is free for you to relax or explore Moorea on your own.

Day 21 – Tahiti to US
Leave Moorea late this afternoon for the short hop back to Papeete, connecting to your flight back US.

Day 22 – arrive in US
Arrive in Los Angeles early in the morning. After clearing customs & immigration take a domestic flight back to Chicago (or other US airport).