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Down Under Discovery
DAY 1 : Cairns
Today, arrive in Cairns and check into the deluxe, centrally located Shangri-La Hotel with views of Trinity Bay.
DAY 2 : Cairns
Begin your South Pacific holiday in grand style with a full day tour of the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Enjoy a catamaran ride through the emerald green waters of the Outer Reef and swim from a large platform into the beautiful waters or view the underwater world from a semi-submersible submarine. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet lunch onboard.Return to your hotel later this afternoon and attend a festive “Welcome to Australia” dinner.
DAY 3 : Cairns
After breakfast, get ready for a thrilling day—Aussie-style. Discover one of the icons of this region with a guided tour of Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. Experience a Wildlife Cruise at Hartley’s Creek followed by a walk through the wondrous rainforest with your Aboriginal guide.
DAY 4 : Cairns & Sydney
This morning, enjoy a walk on the Esplanade just a few steps from your hotel, or do some shopping just next door before your afternoon flight to Sydney—capital of New South Wales and considered one of the best cities in the world.Upon arrival, check into your Orient-Express hotel, the Observatory Hotel, widely considered the number one hotel in Sydney and recognized by Condé Nast Traveler in January 2007 as one of the “Best places to stay in the World.”
DAY 5 : Sydney
Today, experience the beauty of Sydney during your morning city tour, which includes Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, beautiful Darling Harbor and Bondi Beach—always listed as one of the top beaches in the world. Then, enjoy wonderful views as you board the award-winning Captain Cook Cruises for a luncheon cruise into the upper reaches of Sydney’s Middle Harbor. After the cruise, the highlight of the day will be your private guided tour of the spectacular Sydney Opera House.
DAY 6 : Sydney
After breakfast, the days is yours to spend at leisure or go out to further explore this world-class city.
DAY 7 : Sydney & Blue Mountains
Today you bid farewell to Sydney and travel into the stunning Blue Mountains—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. En route, stop at Featherdale Wildlife Park, where you can feed a kangaroo, wallaby or emu. You will even have a souvenir photo taken with a koala, courtesy of Viking Tours. Tour the historic town of Windsor before checking into your deluxe hotel, the Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort Spa—a 5-star Orient-Express property, where you will stay for 2 nights.
DAY 8 : Blue Mountains
Today, enjoy a tour of the Blue Mountains, including Echo Point, Wentworth Falls and Govetts Leap. See the world-famous “Three Sisters” rock formation and a distant view of Jamison Valley. Enjoy a ride down the world’s steepest incline railway to the bottom of the valley and return by cable car.
DAY 9 : Blue Mountains & New Zealand
After breakfast, fly to New Zealand. You will arrive in Christchurch and check into the centrally located Millennium Hotel for a 2-night stay.
DAY 10 : Christchurch
This morning, take a sightseeing tour of Christchurch including a visit to the Antarctic Center to tour this unique attraction. Visit an award-winning private garden before an afternoon of leisure.This evening, enjoy an intimate dinner hosted by a New Zealand family in their home—a Viking Tours exclusive.
DAY 11 : Christchurch & Mount Cook
Today, journey from Christchurch to Mount Cook in the Southern Alps where you will visit the Mount Cook National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check into the Hermitage Hotel for the night and enjoy spectacular glacier views from your room.This evening, enjoy a pre-dinner wine tasting where you will have the opportunity to sample some of New Zealand’s prizewinning wines.
DAY 12 : Mount Cook & Queenstown
Today sit back and enjoy the scenery as you transfer to Queenstown, New Zealand’s major South Island resort town.Travel across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station and later enjoy a “Taste of New Zealand” before returning back to Queenstown. You will stay at the deluxe Millennium Hotel in Queenstown for 3 nights.
DAY 13 : Queenstown
This morning explore Queenstown, historic Arrowtown, Bob’s Peak and the world famous Bungy Bridge. The afternoon is free for you to further explore.
DAY 14 : Queenstown
Enjoy an early breakfast, before your day tour to Milford Sound. This will be one of the most scenic days of your holiday as you travel from Queenstown to Milford sound in the Fiordland National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Enjoy lunch as you cruise past majestic scenery and listen to an educational commentary on this spectacular region before returning back to Queenstown later.
DAY 15 : Queenstown & Rotorua
After breakfast, fly to Rotorua where upon arrival you will visit the Kiwi Encounter at Rainbow Springs—a working hatchery and nursery where Kiwi are hatched and nurtured before they are released back into the wild areas they came from.The kiwi is unique and exists nowhere else; it is the national symbol of New Zealand and is an endangered species.
DAY 16 : Rotorua
Today, take a private guided visit to Waiotapu, New Zealand’s most colorful natural geothermal environment. This afternoon, you will have the unique opportunity to pot or plant native trees that have been set aside just for Viking Tours guests, helping regeneration of the native forests.This evening, enjoy dinner and a cultural performance in a local Maori Village, hosted by a local Maori Family who will introduce you to their culture by way of song and dance along with serving a traditionally cooked meal.
DAY 17 : Rotorua & Auckland
Travel from Rotorua to Auckland seeing some of the best farmland in the world en route. Upon arrival in Auckland take a sightseeing tour of the “city of sails” New Zealand’s largest city.Check into the Stamford Plaza Hotel for your 1-night stay.
DAY 18 : Auckland
This morning, take some free time for a last-minute shopping excursion before your flight home.
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