WILBRAHAM & MONSON ACADEMY NEW ZEALAND

WILBRAHAM & MONSON ACADEMY

NEW ZEALAND JUNE 2020

PROPOSED ITINERARY updated 12-4-19
Day 1 Tue Jun 02 – DEPART USA

Day 2 Wed June 03 – INFLIGHT – CROSS THE INTERNATIONAL DATELINE

Day 3 Thu Jun 04- CHRISTCHURCH AIRPORT TO HANMER SPRINGS
Kia ora! And welcome to New Zealand. After clearing arrival formalities, you will be met and escorted to the
waiting coach. You will head straight to Hanmer Springs. Best known for its natural hot pools and stunning
landscapes, Hanmer Springs is a picturesque alpine village 90 minutes' drive from Christchurch. Surrounded by
dramatic mountains and towering forests, this charming town has a main street filled with boutique shops, cafes
and eateries. After check-in, you can walk three minutes to the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools. (Opening hours
10.00am - 9.00pm.) This world-famous Thermal Reserve is an extensive thermal complex offering thermal
mineral, sulphur and freshwater pools, as well as waterslides and a conical slide area for a spike of adrenaline.
Accommodation: Heritage Hanmer Springs - Superior Room (1 Night)
Students & chaperones: All twin or single rooms (singles for one student and one chaperone) With
Full Breakfast & porterage
All twin rooms
Inclusions:
 Admission to Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools

Day 4 Fri Jun 05- HANMER SPRINGS TO CHRISTCHURCH (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. You will be collected by your coach and make your way towards Christchurch. En route
to the hotel, you will visit the International Antarctic Centre. At the Antarctic Attraction the aim is to re-create
the atmosphere and environment of Antarctica, providing visitors with an interactive, fun and exciting experience
of the "Great White South". For most people this will be the closest they will be able to come to experiencing
this continent. By far the most popular feature in our indoor attraction, this custom-built polar room contains
real snow & ice made on site by our very own snowmakers! Maintaining a constant temperature of a chilling -5
degrees Celsius, the Snow & Ice Experience is great fun for all ages. Slide down an icy slope, shelter in the ice
cave, brave the wind chill machine at -18 degrees Celsius, or get 'exhilarated' in the 'Antarctic Storm'. Complete
with stunning lighting, authentic storm audio and 40 km/h winds, the Antarctic Storm blows every 30 minutes.
Warm jackets and overshoes are provided. After your visit, your coach will take you to your hotel. The rest of
the day is at leisure.

 Tel: 919-463-8009 su@lazylizardtravel.com keith@lazylizardtravel.com

Accommodation: Ibis Christchurch - Standard Room (2 Nights)
With full Breakfast & porterage
Students and chaperones: All twin or single rooms (singles for one student and one chaperone)
With full Breakfast and porterage
Inclusions:
 Private coach transfers
 Full day General Admission to International Antarctic Centre

Day 5 Sat Jun 06- CHRISTCHURCH TOURING (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
This morning you will be collected and taken to the Christchurch Gondola. The Gondola offers a unique
Christchurch sightseeing experience that you’ll never forget. Soar suspended above the valleys as the birds fly
beneath your cable car. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Christchurch cityscape, over the Canterbury Plains out
to the mighty Southern Alps and the dramatic hills of Banks Peninsula. At the summit, experience the Time
Tunnel ride, a dramatic reconstruction of the history of the region. Your coach will return you to your hotel. The
rest of the day is at leisure. This evening your private coach will take you to the Rugby Sevens game.
Inclusions:
 Private coach transfers
 Christchurch Gondola admission
 Transfers to and from Rugby Sevens game (Game tickets not included)
Accommodation: Breakfree On Cashel - City Urban

Day 6 Sun Jun 07- CHRISTCHURCH TO KAIKOURA (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Your private coach will collect you and take you to your hotel in Kaikoura. The rest of
the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Bella Vista Kaikoura - Run of House twin – some Twin Studio, some 1 Bedroom
Studio (1 Night)
Students and chaperones: All twin or single rooms (singles for one student and one chaperone)
With Continental Breakfast & porterage
Inclusions:
 Private coach transfers

Day 7 Mon Jun 08- KAIKOURA TO WELLINGTON (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. You will be met in the lobby by your coach driver and transferred to the port to board
the Interislander ferry service that crosses the Cook Strait between the South and North Islands of New Zealand.
The 92 km, three-hour journey between Picton and Wellington is one of New Zealand's most iconic tourist
experiences, and one of the most spectacular cruises in the world. On arrival at Wellington port, a private coach
will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Wellington for the night. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Hotel Ibis Wellington - Standard Twin Room (1 Night)
Students and chaperones: All twin or single rooms (singles for one student and one chaperone)
With daily Full Breakfast & Porterage

 Tel: 919-463-8009 su@lazylizardtravel.com keith@lazylizardtravel.com

Inclusions:
 Private coach transfers
 Interislander one-way ferry ticket

Day 8 Tue Jun 09- WELLINGTON TO TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. You will be met in the lobby by your coach driver and transferred to Ruapehu in Tongariro
National Park. Centred upon three volcanoes –Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu –Tongariro National Park is
home to some of New Zealand’s most dramatic landscapes. Tongariro became New Zealand’s first national park
in 1887. Just over one hundred years later, the park was awarded dual UNESCO World Heritage status for both
its cultural significance to the Māori people, as well as its outstanding natural features. The 80,000-hectare park
is a spectacular showcase of volcanic wonders including emerald lakes, old lava flows, steaming craters, colourful
silica terraces and peculiar alpine gardens. It is an environment of staggering beauty and diversity. Your coach
will drop you straight to Adrift Guided Outdoor Adventures for your Half Day Guided Bush Walk and Sunset Trek.
Your Half Day Trek (4 hours walking time) comprises of a selection of tracks on Mt Ruapehu and will culminate
in viewing the sunset in an Alpine environment. These tracks have native bush, river, alpine and volcanic
highlights which your guides will enhance with their local knowledge of geology, volcanology and New Zealand
cultural history. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: The Park Hotel Ruapehu - Quad Mezz Room (1 Night)
Students: Quads with 4 single beds
Chaperones: Twin (in a quad room, but with only 2 pax as the quads are all on one floor) /double
With full breakfast daily (no porterage)
Inclusions:
 Private transfers
 Half Day Volcanic Explorer guided tour

Day 9 Wed Jun 10- TONGARIRO TO ROTORUA VIA TAUPO (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. You will be met in the lobby by your coach driver and head towards Rotorua. On the way,
you will stop at Lake Taupo where you will enjoy a Scenic Cruise. Take in the spectacular views of Lake Taupo
framed by Tongariro National Park's majestic snow-capped mountain peaks as you cruise to the famous Maori
Rock Carvings on our large, comfortable catamaran. The Cruise Cat is the best and most comfortable boat on
the lake to take. It is fully enclosed and wheelchair friendly with large outdoor decks allowing a closer view of
the carvings and a luxurious experience on the lake. Enjoy our famous freshly baked muffin and a hot cuppa.

After this you will have free time for lunch in Taupo (own expense). You will then be driven ten minutes up the
road to Huka Falls Jetboat. Here, you’ll experience 30 minutes of pure fun and exhilaration, skimming close to
cliffs with centimetres to spare, sliding past trees and feeling the adrenaline of the full 360 degree spins. Enjoy
the incredible water level views of the spectacular, foaming Huka Falls. Feel steaming hot water from natural
springs. After the jetboat, you’ll continue to your Rotorua hotel.
Accommodation: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua - Superior Room (3 Nights)
Girls: Triples
Boys & Chaperones: Twin or single rooms (singles for one student and one chaperone)
With Full Breakfast & porterage

 Tel: 919-463-8009 su@lazylizardtravel.com keith@lazylizardtravel.com

Inclusions:
 Private coach transfers
 Lake Taupo Scenic Cruise to Maori Rock Carvings including:
 Tea & coffee
 Homemade muffin
 Informative commentary & video
 Huka Falls 30-minute Jetboat

Day 10 Thu Jun 11- ROTORUA SIGHTSEEING (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel. You will be met in the lobby by your coach driver and taken on a full day sightseeing tour
of Rotorua.Rotorua is one of New Zealand's most popular visitor destinations and is known as the "District full
of Surprises." Rotorua, the district of lakes and natural beauty, offers one of New Zealand's finest life- styles. It
is the heartland of New Zealand's tourism and forest industries, supporting a strong agricultural base. First up,
visit the World Famous Agrodome for an authentic farm experience. The Sheep show will take you through a
fascinating insight into the world of New Zealand agriculture. During this multi award winning show you will be
entertained and informed as a real kiwi shearer (black singlet and all) presents 19 breeds of champion sheep,
shears a sheep using the world record Bowen technique, works noisy Huntaway and silent Strong-Eyed dogs
and completes the NZ dog trial. Have the opportunity to milk a cow and feed a lamb.

Next on the agenda is Te Puia, New Zealand’s living Maori cultural centre, situated in the Whakarewarewa
Geothermal Valley. Te Puia’s 60 hectare site is home to the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, a live
kiwi enclosure, the world-famous Pohutu Geyser, and more than 500 geothermal wonders. With land steeped in
ancestral history, and a guiding legacy that stretches back to the 1800s, Te Puia offers unique hospitality and
rich cultural heritage. Enjoy a Te Puia experience, Steambox offers you a taste of the past. Since the earliest
settlement within Te Whakarewarewa geothermal valley, people have cooked using the steam and hot water
naturally available within the thermally active landscape. Steambox utilises a favourite Nga Wha (steam vent)
Puapua, which is located in the geothermal area that is the backdrop to the famous Pohutu Geyser. You will
choose what you want cooked for your lunch before heading off on a special guided tour of Te Puia. This begins
with an interactive session learning to weave a flower and a tour of the carving and weaving schools. Heading
down into the geothermal valley, to the Kiwi house, mud pools and hot springs, the tour concludes when, after
watching your lunch lifted from the Nga Wha. Enjoy your steam box picnic lunch on the geyser terrace.

After lunch, you’ll head to Rainbow Springs. Set on 22 acres of beautiful native trees and streams, Rainbow
Springs is home to a huge variety of New Zealand’s most precious inhabitants. Enjoy walking through the many
free flight aviaries, feed the biggest wild trout you will ever see, come face to face with pre-history in the eyes
of a Tuatara – a living dinosaur, watch New Zealand’s own kiwi in their natural environment as they forage for
food and admire the native New Zealand bush surroundings with over 90 different native plants, trees and ferns
throughout the park. Enjoy a 30 minutes guided tour Behind the Scenes of Kiwi Encounter. See the Operation
Nest Egg kiwi conservation project in action as you tour through the incubation, hatch and nursery rooms. You’ll
then return to your hotel for a brief rest.

 Tel: 919-463-8009 su@lazylizardtravel.com keith@lazylizardtravel.com

In the early evening, you will be collected from your accommodation by a representative of Mitai Cultural Village
and taken for your Cultural Experience Tour. On arrival at Mitai Maori Village, you are welcomed by the family
members and guided to your table in the dining area. Here, you will receive an introduction into Maori customs
and traditions, rituals, beliefs, protocol and language. As this is an interactive part of your evening visit to our
village, feel free to ask any questions you might have. One of the guests will be asked to be the group's
representative for the evening, as at the start of the cultural performance, you
will also experience a formal Maori welcome (Powhiri). Mitai is proud to offer you an authentic hangi meal that
is cooked in the earth oven known as 'the hangi pit.' See warriors by night in traditional dress traveling down
the Wai-O-Whiro Stream as was done many years ago. Hand carved by the Mitai family, the waka (ancient war
canoe) paddles by, leaving you spellbound. This experience is powerful, emotional, truly captivating and
unforgettable. The cultural performance is real, raw and earthy. It is a fascinating performance full of emotion
and power. In the tranquil natural bush setting, the performers take you back in time when the ancient Maori
customs and traditions were part of everyday life. Through songs and dances plus tales and legends told, you
will learn a great deal about their fascinating past. The displays of weaponry and combat that are shown during
the performance will fascinate you. Coupled with the grace and beauty of the poi dance and the spine-tingling
haka finale, this is an interactive and unforgettable experience for absolutely everyone to enjoy. Mitai Village is
home to Rotorua's only glow worms in their natural setting. They make a spectacular backdrop to the beautiful
stream that flows through the bush. Mitai is also home to the sacred Fairy Spring that releases over twenty-four
million litres of pure spring water every day. This guided bush walk will let you learn about the history of the
area, the old medicinal uses of the native flora and fauna and fascinating myths and legends.
Accommodation: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua - Superior Room
Inclusions:
 Private coach transfer for all except Mitai
 Agrodome admission including:
 Sheep shearing
 Sheepdog demonstration
 Cow milking
 Bottle feed lambs
 Sheep auction
 Te Puia admission including:
 Guided tour
 Hands on weaving experience
 Individual steambox lunch and bottle of water (other beverages at own expense)
 Rainbow Springs admission including:
 Kiwi Encounter Behind the Scenes Tour (30min)
 Mitai admission including:
 Earth Cooked Hangi Meal (beverages at own expense)
 Guided Bush Walk
 Maori Cultural Performance
 Pick up and Drop off in Rotorua city limits accommodation

 Tel: 919-463-8009 su@lazylizardtravel.com keith@lazylizardtravel.com

Day 11 Fri Jun 12- ROTORUA TO HOBBITON AND WAITOMO (B/L)
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning your private coach will take you to visit a local school in the morning (details
TBA). At noon you will be taken on a half day tour to visit two special attractions. First stop is Hobbiton Movie
Set. Experience the real Middle-Earth with a visit to the Hobbiton™ Movie Set, the bucolic setting for The Shire™
that featured in the Peter Jackson directed films, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. Your tour starts
with a drive from the Matamata i-SITE through picturesque Waikato farmland to The Shires Rest. The bus will
then drive you through the 1,250 acre sheep farm with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges. Your
guide will escort you through the twelve-acre site recounting fascinating details of how Hobbiton Movie set was
created. The Hobbit holes, Green Dragon™ Inn, Mill and other structures created for The Lord of the Rings and
The Hobbit films can be viewed and you will see how this beautiful piece of Waikato farmland was transformed
into The Shire from Middle-Earth. You will enjoy lunch here in the Marquee Tent.

Next you’ll head to Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Enjoy the world-famous boat ride under thousands of magical
glowworms and become a part of over 120 years of cultural and natural history. Marvel at Mother Nature's light
display as you glide silently through the starry wonderland of the Glowworm Grotto. Meander underground along
the Waitomo River and gaze in silence at the myriad of glow worm lights that make up the Glowworm Grotto.
As you enter this galaxy of tiny living lights, you'll immediately experience a serene ambience and be fascinated
and intrigued by tiny glowworms that light your way.
Inclusions:
 Private coach transfers
 School visit
 Waitomo Glowworms Cave admission including:
 Cave Tour
 Theatre Entrance
 Hobbiton Movie Set admission including:
 1.45 Hours guided tour
 Visit the Hobbiton movie site
 Lunch (beverages at own expense)
Accommodation: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua - Superior Room

Day 12 Sat Jun 13- ROTORUA TO AUCKLAND (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. You will be met in the lobby by your coach driver and journey to Auckland.
This afternoon your coach will take you to a school rugby match (details TBA) The rest of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Econo Lodge City Central Hotel - Standard Room (2 Nights)
Girls: Triples. Boys & Chaperones: Twin or single rooms (singles for 1 student and 1 chaperone)
With Full Breakfast (no porterage)
Inclusions:
 Private transfers to Auckland and to school rugby match

Day 13 Sun Jun 14- DEPART AUCKLAND 7:30pm / RETURN USA (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Day at leisure. Your private coach will collect you from the hotel and transfer you to the
airport.
Accommodation: Econo Lodge City Central Hotel - Standard Room

 Tel: 919-463-8009 su@lazylizardtravel.com keith@lazylizardtravel.com

Inclusions:
• 10 nights’ Moderate Hotel Accommodation as per itinerary (or similar) based on twin share.
• All transfers and transportation is by private, air-conditioned coach
• Tours are with an English-speaking commentary driver and/or separate guide where noted.
• Arrival Meet & Greet guide assistance as per itinerary.
• Interislander ferry service from Wellington to Picton as per itinerary.
• Sightseeing and admissions as per the itinerary.
• Meals: Breakfast: 10 / Lunch: 2 / Dinner: 1 as per itinerary. (Excludes beverages with lunch and dinner
 unless otherwise mentioned.) Note: Boxed breakfasts may be provided for early departures (before the
 restaurant opens).
• Hotel porterage where available for 1 piece of luggage per person in/out.
• One bag per person on the coach touring/transfers. Additional bags will be carried subject to availability.
 Additional charges will apply if additional vehicles are required.
• Local taxes on accommodation and sightseeing tours, including 15% New Zealand GST. In the event of an
 increase in tax or of the introduction of a new city tax after the date of this offer and before date of travel,
 we will be forced to collect the increased amount.

Exclusions:
• Personal items
• Meals unless listed in itinerary
• Beverages with lunches and dinners unless listed in itinerary
• Tips & Gratuities
• Airport porterage
• Early check-in & late check out of rooms (standard check-in time is 3pm and check out 11am)
• Travel Insurance
• Visa/passport handling fees

 Tel: 919-463-8009 su@lazylizardtravel.com keith@lazylizardtravel.com