Discover Autumn in April in Down Under:
Fiji Islands, New Zealand

Check in at Los Angeles Airport (LAX). Depart for Fiji Islands. An English-speaking AV Travel tour leader will guide and escort traveler(s) throughout the trip.

Fly across the Pacific Ocean.

Arrive at Nadi International Airport. Our local guide will welcome you with a “Bula” smile and a Shell Lei necklace. We’ll venture into Nadi’s heartland, through the beautiful Sabeto Valley to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, which houses the largest and most varied orchid collection in Fiji. Move on to Viseisei Village, the legendary landing site of the first Fijians, where you will be guided through the village and handicraft displays. The Vuda Lookout affords a 360-degree bird’s eye view of the West’s mountain ranges, Nadi Bay. Enjoy a free afternoon. Dinner at your hotel. (L/D)

In the morning, enjoy a Combo Cruise, a fantastic combination cruise exploring the outer Mamanuca Islands and 3 hours spent ashore at South Sea Island. On the Island enjoy great snorkeling and water sports or take the semi-submersible ride to see the spectacular coral and fish life. You’ll enjoy a tasty barbecue lunch. Everyone gathers around rustic tables at the open-air restaurant to watch Fijian performances and enjoy a delicious buffet lunch with salads, beer, wine and soft drinks. You’ll see many of the islands including Treasure, Beachcomber, Mana, Castaway, Malolo and Likuliku. Back to the hotel for dinner. (B/L/D)

Fly to Auckland, the center of New Zealand’s commerce and industry with the nickname “the City of Sails.” Explore the city center, along Karangahape Road with its chequered past & eclectic vibe. Drive past the fashionable Ponsonby & across the Auckland Harbour bridge, enjoying views of the Hauraki Gulf & the city skyline. Visit the Viaduct Harbour & Auckland’s famous Queen street before continuing to the Auckland Domain – the city’s oldest park, situated on a 62,000-year-old volcano with fabulous views of the harbor. (B/D)

Depart to Matamata, Enjoy a guided tour of a visit to Hobbiton Movie set, where, in the heart of New Zealand, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire, as featured in The Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit trilogies. Continue drive to Rotoura. Visit Te Puia – the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, home of the world famous Pohutu geyser. View Maori carving, flax garment making and a life size replica of a traditional Maori village. You will encounter bubbling mud, pools of boiling water still used for cooking, and stunning geysers. The Pōhutu geyser is the star of the show. Pōhutu (‘poor-hoo-too’) is the largest active geyser in the southern hemisphere. She erupts once or twice every hour and sometimes reaches heights of 30 metres (100 feet). Pōhutu means ‘constant splashing’ in Māori. (B/L/D)

Morning visit the Agrodome, New Zealand most popular farm. Taking the farm tour. Climb aboard the all-weather, all terrain vehicle as we begin the tour. Along the way, there are fascinating things to learn – and a few laughs too!
You’ll get to hand-feed and take photos with all sorts of friendly animals, including Romney sheep, cattle, deer, llamas, ostrich, pigs and alpaca! During your ride you may even spot some rare breeds of sheep. You’ll also explore our fruit orchard and olive grove and have the chance to taste natural kiwifruit juice and delicious sweet honey. Enjoy your free night at Auckland. (B/L/D)

Fly to Queenstown. Visit Arrowtown is a historic gold mining town in the Otago region of the South Island. In any season the town is a photographer’s dream and Arrowtown is renowned for its stunning autumn colors providing hues of gold and orange on the hillsides and surrounds during April and May.

Ride in a cable car to the top of Bob’s Peak and enjoy sweeping views back across the lakes and mountains of Queenstown.
Beyond the red roofs of the town you will see the expansive Lake Wakatipu, with the snow-capped peaks of the aptly named Remarkables providing a magnificent backdrop. (B/D)

Taking the scenic cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Enjoy the views of Walter Peak, Cecil Peak and the Remarkables mountain range plus panoramic views around Lake Wakatipu.

Upon arrival we are “entertained” with a shearing show run by Cameron. This give us an insight into shearing of sheep and also the rounding up of sheep with his amazing sheep dogs Kin, Sue & Bess. This is all infused with some fine humor on Cameron’s behalf…total entertaining.

You will have time for a walking tour of the farmyard, visiting the holding pens, where you can help feed the sheep and deer and even get up close to the Scottish Highland Cattle. Then a stroll to the charming old wool shed for morning or afternoon tea. You may have time to stroll through the lakeside gardens before you re-board the TSS Earnslaw for your cruise back to Queenstown. (B/L/D)

Morning depart to Mt Cook. On the way, stop at Mrs Jones Fruit Orchard where passengers will have a chance to purchase some seasonal fruits from this famous orchard ( if shop open ) Jones Family Fruit stall is one of the best known fruit stalls in Central Otago, with people coming from all over New Zealand and the world to visit. The fruit stall stocks a huge array of fresh fruits, dried fruits, nuts, honey products and vegetables.

The Glacier Explorers Boat Trip is a must-do Mt Cook activity. Explore the Tasman Glacier by boat and touch icebergs! Surrounded by icebergs, glaciers and spectacular alpine scenery including Mt Cook, Glacier Explorers is a unique New Zealand boat trip like no other.

Visit New Zealand’s Tasman Glacier terminal lake for a fascinating glacial encounter. Board your custom built MAC boat, and enjoy the ever changing scenery, view the Tasman Glacier ice face from a safe distance and icebergs of all shapes and sizes with the opportunity to touch and taste the 300-500 year old ice crystals. (B/L/D)

Commence your coach journey to Christchurch. On the way, stop to take pictures of Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo and The Church of the Good Shepherd. The glacial feed to the Lake Pukaki & Lake Tekapo gives them a distinctive blue color, created by glacial flour, the extremely finely ground rock particles from the glaciers.

Commences city tour of Christchurch includes Hagley Park, the Avon River, and City Centre.

In the heart of Christchurch lies expansive Hagley Park. Established in 1855 by government decree, Hagley Park is one of the oldest and largest public spaces in New Zealand. Located in the heart of the South Island’s largest city, Hagley Park has been a major attraction in Christchurch for years, especially since the onslaught of earthquakes have destroyed the Christchurch Cathedral and other tourist attractions in the city center. Included within Hagley Park are the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, a world-class exhibit of flowers and trees from across the world, and the Canterbury Museum, a museum with permanent exhibits of the natural and human history of New Zealand, along with rotating exhibits. The Christchurch Botanic Gardens has a collection of most plants in New Zealand, including those from the North Island and the other outlying islands.

Christchurch’s City Centre is filled with cutting-edge architecture alongside some of the oldest buildings in New Zealand. The Avon River intersects the city, bringing a natural landscape to the urban environment. Christchurch is the basecamp for South Island exploration, with the Banks Peninsula within reach, as well as the stunning Southern Alps and famed Canterbury Plains. (B/L/D)

Fly back to Los Angeles Airport. (B)