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Day 25
Breakfast: Served at the hotel beginning at 6am, featuring a selection of hot and cold dishes. Morning: Today we check out of our hotel and drive to the airport around 7am. We will depart the Queenstown airport around 8:30am for a connecting flight of up to an hour in Christchurch. Then, our 1- to 2-hour flight from Christchurch to Rotorua will arrive around noon. Located on New Zealand's North Island, Rotorua is a center for Maori culture. It's believed that New Zealand's Maori people settled on the North Island about a thousand years ago, and they have held on firmly to their identity and traditions. Nearly a quarter of a million indigenous Maori still maintain their unique lifestyle and culture, adding to the rich heritage of New Zealand. Upon arrival, we board a motorcoach and head into the city for lunch. Lunch: Your Trip Experience Leader can point out potential lunch spots for you to enjoy on your own around 1pm. Afternoon: Following lunch, we depart for the Nest Egg Kiwi Conservation Project, arriving around 2pm. While here, we learn from the staff about how the team breeds and raises baby kiwis, and witness adult kiwis—the national bird—in a specially-created environment. Kiwi comes from the Maori language and means “hidden bird.” One of only a few bird species with no tail feathers, they are now nearly extinct in the wild, which is why the nation has doubled down on conservation efforts, with nest egg teams across New Zealand. Following our behind-the-scenes tour, we will depart for our hotel, stopping en-route to stroll through the Rotorua Lakefront and Government Gardens around 3:15pm. We will arrive at our hotel around 4:30pm, and, depending on the hotel that we stay at, amenities may include four restaurants, a bar, a heated outdoor swimming pool, and a private grotto spa. Typically, the hotel's rooms feature coffee- and tea-making facilities, wireless Internet, TV, and a private bath. Dinner: Around 6:30pm at one of the hotel restaurants, which serves a selection of traditional New Zealand dishes. Evening: You’ll have the freedom to explore on your own this evening—whether wandering through the surrounding city, enjoying the atmosphere of the hotel, or retiring early to rest. Freedom to Explore Make the most of your time in Rotorua with these suggestions for independent exploration from our local regional office. Your Trip Experience Leader will lead the activity with the most traveler interest.
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5/16/23 |
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Queenstown
Meals
included: B D