'Sapphire Princess Back to Back'
AUCKLAND - WELLINGTON - CHRISTCHURCH(AKAROA) - DUNEDIN
Introduction
Indigenous Trails has a proven track record of providing quality and affordable Cruise Ship day excursions in multiple Port locations around Aotearoa, New Zealand for small tour groups. We proudly introduce to our 'Visitors' - 'Manuhiri Tuarangi' a 'brief snap-shot' of genuine 'Manaakitanga - Hospitality' for the short time they are in Port, whilst understanding the importance of creating a 'meaningful' and 'purposeful' shore excursion of distinction.
Indigenous Trails has designed 'special shore excursions' for 'Back to Back' cruise ship passengers aboard the Sapphire Princess arriving to New Zealand in mid-October 2010. We have packaged together the 'four' best 'shore excursions' in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch (Akaroa) and Dunedin, offering a combination of 'Wild-life', 'Nature', 'Culture', and 'Heritage'.
Terms and Conditions:
This 'Cruise package' - "SAPPHIRE PRINCESS B2B" is for the following Port locations and dates stated below ONLY:
Destination
October 2010
Auckland
15th & 31st
Wellington
17th & 29th
Christchurch
18th & 28th
Dunedin
19th & 27th
PLEASE NOTE: Those passengers doing the "Back to Back" cruise on the Sapphire Princess, can book any of these destinations going either way on any of the dates specified. (Example: Auckland 15th October, Dunedin 27th October, Christchurch 28th October & Wellington 29th October = constitutes - ALL Four excursions and so on) Upon booking online, please "state" in the "comments box" your specific dates and destinations.
Bookings will be made on a 'First in Basis' (Limited seats available)
In the event that your Ship should for any reason miss any of the Port(s) stated in this 'Cruise package' due to:
Indigenous Trails will fully refund your monies. In the event of any other occurance forcing you to cancel, our standard Cancellation Policy applies. No refund will be forfeited on commencement of any tour or combination of any tours.
These 'Price offers' expire 30th September 2010 (18.00 hours New Zealand time).
Please note:
ANY of the following excursions packages paid for AFTER 1st October 2010 will incur price increase of 6%, due to GST (Goods Service Tax) and inclusion of the ETS (Emmissions Trading Scheme) cost increases introducedforced by NZ Government regulation.
Meals
All shore excursions come with lunch and in some cases morning / afternoon tea. Should there be any 'special' dietary requirements, please advise us upon booking.
Payment:
Pre-booked payment of any of the mentioned 'tours' or 'tour combinations' must be made before the 30th September 2010 (18.00 hours New Zealand time) by credit card on our secure online booking engine.
'Combinations' and 'Single destinations' of these 'tours' can be booked according to the table below:
Cost
Book
$630.00 NZD person
BOOK NOW!
$540.00 NZD person
$355.00 NZD person
$185.00 NZD person
$195.00 NZD person
DUNEDIN
City Sights Dunedin - Baldwin Street, Railway station, Otago University / Otago Peninsular / Yellow-eye Penguins / Larnach Castle / Cadbury chocolate factory
Description
Nau mai Haere mai...
Welcome to the 'Scottish' city of 'Dunedin' in the South Island. It's a great opportunity to enjoy the unique views and historic architecture unlike anywhere else in New Zealand.
Dunedin was once the largest city in New Zealand during the gold rush and is home to some of its oldest buildings. We leave the Port and show you the key features of Dunedin with a 'City Sights tour' including 'Baldwin Street'- deemed in the Guinness book of records as the 'steepest street in the world', 'Otago University' to admire this architectural masterpiece built in 1869 when the population swelled and the renowned 'Railway Station'- This building is an absolute gem and they certainly don't make them like this anymore. The prominent 'Oamaru stone' can be seen in many early New Zealand buildings.
Thereafter we make our way towards the 'Otago Peninsular' first stopping at 'Larnach Castle'- a highlight for many. The gardens are one of the finest in New Zealand and a great place to take a short stroll while your guide explains the area as you take a short nature walk.
Lunch today will be enjoyed with views of the harbour as your back-drop setting, before taking a 1.5 hour excursion to observe 'Yellow Eyed Penguins' and their young at a conservation sanctuary. There is also a strong possibility you will see the 'Little penguin', the world’s smallest, resting in their nest burrows.
On returning to Dunedin, we visit the internationally acclaimed Cadbury Chocolate factory- A sensation in sight and smell. Experience the mystique of a working chocolate factory, sample the many Cadbury products and much more. Included is a visit to the unique chocolate fall housed in a five storey high, decommissioned crumb silo.
We return to you to your ship at Port Chalmers, concluding your vist of Dunedin and surrounds.
DURATION: 7 - 8 HOURS
General information:
Includes the following:
Schedule for the day's tour:
CHRISTCHURCH - "AKAROA"
Banks Peninsula / Sight seeing / Farm visit / Wine & Cheese
Description:
On the Banks Peninsula lies the picturesque harbour of Akaroa, with many small bays indenting the spectacular coastline. Located 80 kilometers from Christchurch, these beautiful bays and harbour are rich in both French and English history. First sighted by Captain Cook in 1770, the Peninsula was then inhabited by Maoris of the Ngai Tahu tribe.
In 1840, French settlers arrived at Akaroa, which had just been claimed under the Treaty of Waitangi by the English. To this day, Akaroa remains unique as the site of the only attempted settlement by the French in New Zealand. Many streets have French names, and there are descendants of the original French families still living in Akaroa.
The charm of this old French town, together with the incredible scenery encountered on the way, have assured Akaroa's popularity as a unique destination.
The first activity of the day is set in a private bay, on a 900-acre sheep, deer and cattle farm surrounded by coast-line, native bush and streams. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the pacific ocean while your hosts provide informative historical commentary of the area and its surroundings. You will receive an insight into rural life New Zealand as you observe sheepdogs working on the steep hills and in the sheep yards. Any farm visit wouldn't be complete without witnessing a sheep shearing demonstration.
Your day continues after lunch a sublime lunch in picturesque Akaroa when we visit a local Cheese factory. Accounts of early cheese making on Banks Peninsula date back to the early 1800’s. Cheese making was carried out by the early settlers on their farms using cheese moulds and presses they brought with them from England and Scotland. Moulds and vats were made from wood and presses were set up between tree stumps with stones as levers to press the cheese. Banks Peninsula was one of the first areas in New Zealand to commercial produce and export cheese. The clean, fertile pastures of the Peninsula produce some of the finest milk from which cheese is made.
We make our way to a prominent local winery couched in one of the valleys of Banks Peninsula. It has a favourable microclimate that benefits viticulture. The valley enjoys the best of everything a vineyard should have: clean soils, clean water, clean sunlight and clean air. Here you will have the chance to taste various varieties of award winning wines including Gerwertztraminer, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir.
Your day is about to come to an end, as we arrive back at in Akaroa concluding your day excursion.
DURATION: 7 HOURS
WELLINGTON
City Sights Wellington / Cable Car / Botanical gardens /Te Papa Museum / Zelandia
Welcome to the capital of New Zealand, Wellington. Stretched around its waterfront and sheltered by houses clinging to lush green hills, Wellington has a unique inner-city focus.
With most of the population either living in town or commuting in from the outer suburbs, a wide range of people work and live together in this bustling and energetic metropolitan hub.
On departing the Port of Wellington we travel into the city where we will embark on one of Wellington's oldest and most popular attractions - Wellington Cable Car. The cars run from Lambton Quay in the heart of the central business district and within 5 minutes whisk you from under the corporate towers of The Terrace past Kelburn Park and Victoria University arriving to the top entrance of the Wellington Botanic Gardens. The Gardens covers some 26 hectares consisting of park areas, native forest, plant collections, formal gardens, walkways and you will also see magnificent views looking out over the City and harbour - Te Whanganui-a-Tara (The Great Harbour of Tara - Maori name for Wellington).
We then make our way to ZEALANDIA, home to some of the rarest and most extraordinary wildlife on the planet. This facility is New Zealand's award-winning 'eco-attraction'. A 'must-see' if you want to get a real taste of New Zealand's amazing natural heritage. Your experience includes an exciting new exhibition and walk in our ever-changing sanctuary valley.
A sumptuous lunch will be enjoyed in the city before arriving at Te Papa - New Zealand's bold and innovative national museum and a recognised world leader in interactive and visitor-focused museum experiences. You have the opportunity to enjoy at liesure this brilliant facility depicting New Zealand's geology and natural environment. The stories of New Zealand's indigenous people, the Māori, are celebrated in Te Papa's permanent exhibitions, while Te Papa's Marae is a vibrant contemporary meeting house and a living communal centre, unique in a museum.
Your day in Wellington has come to a close as we deliver you back to your ship.
AUCKLAND
‘City Sights’ Auckland / Mt Eden Look-out / Auckland Museum / Guided walk /Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World
Description:Your excursion starts with a City Sights drive in and around Auckland, New Zealands largest city.
We also make a visit to Mount Eden, an extinct volcano and the highest natural point in Auckland where you will see '360 degree panoramic views' of the city and surroundings.
Following this your first activity for the day will be a guided walk hosted by local indigenous guides. Your expert guides will explain the story of Pukekawa - Maori name for one of Auckland’s most famous iconic landmarks, the Auckland Domain. Situated near the city centre, the Domain is the largest of Auckland’s volcanic craters. It was once the residence of the first Maori King, and is currently home to the Auckland War Memorial Museum. You will also receive historical interpretation of the many archeological features that manifest Auckland’s unique cultural heritage.
We will lunch in downtown Auckland before visiting the magnificent surrounds of 'Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World', home to New Zealand’s only sub-Antarctic penguins, offering a rare opportunity to see the magnificent birds up close in their icy domain. A unique snowcat ride brings you within arms length of the 80-strong colony of King and Gentoo penguins to watch their playful antics on the snow and their elegant flight underwater. A walkthrough replica of 'Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s Antarctic hut', complete with authentic memorabilia offers a glimpse at what it was like to live 100 years ago in the coldest place on earth.
At 'Stingray Bay' you will see an awe-inspiring look at the giant stingrays, before delving deep into the Underwater World to see the rich variety of species from New Zealand’s coastal waters. Come face to face with sharks, turtles, giant rays and other incredible deep sea creatures on the moving walkway. A glimpse of New Zealand’s rocky shore and tropical species await you in 'Fish Alley'. See everything from crayfish to seahorses, octopus to piranha and moray eels or sit down and watch the latest viewing in the Aqua Cinema.
A visit to one of the many beaches in Auckland is where you will enjoy an afternoon 'Seafood Splurge' picnic before making our way back to the pier and your cruise ship.
DURATION: - 6 - 7 HOURS
