Waka Express – 12 Night Tour to the 2nd and 3rd Tests
Package includes:
Official guaranteed Lions match tickets
9 nights' accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis
All flights and all transfers (Premium Economy upgrade supplement £1599pp; Business Class upgrade supplement £4299pp - subject to airline and availability when flights come into range)
Highlights
Dedicated Tour Manager
Entry to one Official Lions Supporters Village
Rugby Club visit in Wellington
Gullivers Festival in Auckland
Excursion in New Zealand
Gullivers Merchandise to include an Official Lions shirt
At a glance
Why Gullivers?
This is Gullivers' 10th Lions Tour, and we have over 30 years' experience of taking Lions supporters around the globe, creating a real rugby experience for real rugby people. You can book with confidence, safe in the knowledge you will be well looked after by our dedicated and experienced team.
Coach transfers to and from the airports, matches (where required), sightseeing and functions are all included in your package.
Entry to one Official Lions Supporters Village
Entry is included to the Official Lions Supporter Village in Wellington on the day of the 2nd Test. Includes food, drink and entertainment from a host of Lions greats. If you would like to attend the Official Supporters Village on the day of the 3rd Test this can be added to your booking at a cost of £200pp. As part of your Lions package, you also will receive a set of our exclusive Gullivers merchandise to include an official Lions shirt.
To ensure you have the best possible experience on tour, you will have a dedicated Gullivers Tour Manager with your group every step of the way.
Full itinerary
Day
1
Depart London
Make your way to London Heathrow to check in for your flight to Auckland. Please note the flight will be via a stopover point where you will change planes for your onward flight to Auckland.
Flights will be confirmed when they come into range eleven months prior to departure.
London Heathrow to Auckland
.
Departs:
TBA
Arrives:
TBA
Airline:
TBA
Day
2
In-flight
TBA to Auckland
Departs:
TBA
Arrives:
TBA
Airline:
TBA
Day
3
Wellington
On arrival into Auckland, clear customs and immigration and transfer across to the domestic terminal (via shuttle bus) for your connecting flight to Wellington.
Fly from Auckland to Wellington and on arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel, the Mercure Wellington where you are booked for two nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
The rest of the morning is at leisure to explore this compact yet cosmopolitan capital city before meeting up with the rest of your tour group for welcome drinks.
After your drinks, you have the option to join fellow Gullivers supporters to meet some of the Wellington rugby fraternity as the Gullivers Barbarians take on a local Wellington side.
Take your boots for a game or come along and support our boys on the eve of the 2nd Test. This is a great opportunity to mix and swap rugby banter in the clubhouse.
Always a popular event with our supporters, food will be provided after the game and we anticipate there will be plenty of opportunity for you to swap stories and out sing the All Blacks supporters in their own backyard, in preparation for the Test match tomorrow.
Auckland to Wellington
Departs:
TBA
Arrives:
TBA
Airline:
TBA
Welcome Drinks
Get to know your dedicated Tour Manager and the rest of your tour party at a welcome drinks function.
Gullivers Rugby Club Visit
Bring your boots for a game or come along and support the Gullivers barbarians at our rugby club visit in Wellington.
Day
4
2nd Test
After a leisurely breakfast, we have included entry today to the Official Lions Supporter Village in Wellington. Prior to the game, enjoy food, drink and entertainment from a host of Lions greats before heading across to the Westpac Stadium for the 2nd Test.
New Zealand v The British & Irish Lions
Kick off:
TBA
Day
5
Queenstown
This morning, check out of your hotel and you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Queenstown.
The jewel in the South Island's crown Queenstown is a must see destination for anyone visiting New Zealand.
On arrival, check in to the Millbrook for four nights on a bed and breakfast basis. Situated 20 minutes from Queenstown, the hotel was voted New Zealand's no.1 hotel for the last three years by Trip Advisor. lt will be the Gullivers HQ during our stay in this stunning part of the world and regular shuttles will be provided in and out of the city centre.
Rest of the day/evening is free to settle in and explore the pretty town of Queenstown.
Wellington to Queenstown
Departs:
TBA
Arrives:
TBA
Airline:
TBA
Day
6
Queenstown
This morning after a late breakfast, take the Skyline Queenstown gondola up to the top of Bob's Peak for awe-inspiring views of the region. Lunch is included at the scenic Stratosfare Restaurant and Bar.
After lunch, there is some free time to explore and take in the breathtaking views from the viewing deck. The more adventurous may like to try the downhill luge ride (additional cost) before making your way back down to Queenstown in the cable car.
Rest of the day is free to enjoy the splendid scenery and charm of Queenstown.
Skyline Queenstown cable car and lunch
Day
7
Queenstown
Day free to enjoy Queenstown.
Dubbed the Adventure Capital of the World, there are so many heart stopping and hair raising activities on offer that the choice is endless. From bungy jumping, sky diving and jet boating in some of the most scenic locations in the world, to fine dining in some of New Zealand’s most prestigious restaurants. Queenstown has something for everyone and caters to all interests.
A more relaxing activity is to take a cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard the iconic steamship, the TSS Earnslaw. This is undoubtedly one of the best ways to experience Queenstown’s famed scenic beauty. Or if you fancy something even quieter, hire a local fisherman to take you out on to the still and tranquil water for a few hours' fishing.
This evening, enjoy dinner in one of the restaurants on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
Day
8
Queenstown
Free day to enjoy Queenstown.
Take the shotover jet boat ride for a thrilling ride through the Shotover gorge, relax at the hotel or take the shuttle into town for some shopping and a long lunch in one of the bars or restaurants.
Day
9
Auckland
After breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport for your flight to Auckland.
On arrival, transfer to the Amora Hotel for a three night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.
Rest of the day is at leisure. Why not head down to Viaduct Harbour; this waterside area is home some of Auckland's finest restaurants and bars, and is sure to be buzzing with atmosphere ahead of the third Test. You can also take a harbour cruise from here, or visit the Voyager Maritime Museum.
Queenstown to Auckland
Departs:
TBA
Arrives:
TBA
Airline:
TBA
Day
10
Auckland
After a leisurely morning, you will be transferred to the Gullivers Festival where we will all come together to celebrate the food and wine of New Zealand. We will be joined by some well known faces from previous Lions tours and enjoy the build up to what we hope will be the deciding match of the series.
Gullivers Festival
Included in your tour is an invitation to the Gullivers Festival where we will celebrate New Zealand's food, wine and rugby culture.
Day
11
3rd Test
After breakfast, head down to the Viaduct area to join the hundreds of Lions supporters all eagerly anticipating tonight's Test match.
A few hours before kick off, head over to Eden Park for the final Test in The British & Irish Lions Tour 2017.
Return to the hotel after the match.
3rd Test, New Zealand v The British & Irish Lions
Kick off:
TBA
Day
12
Depart Auckland
This morning, check out of your hotel and you will be transferred out to Auckland airport for your flight home. Please note, the flight will be via a stopover point where you will change planes for your onward flight to London Heathrow.
Flights will be confirmed when they come into range eleven months prior to departure.
Auckland to London Heathrow
Departs:
TBA
Arrives:
TBA
Airline:
TBA
Day
13
Arrive London
Arrive London Heathrow and make your own onward travel arrangements.
Tour ends.
Tickets
New Zealand v The British & Irish Lions
Kick-off: TBA
The All Blacks take on The British & Irish Lions in the 2nd Test at the Westpac Stadium.
Tickets:
Official Lions ticket
Venue:
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Capacity:
34,500
New Zealand v The British & Irish Lions
Kick-off TBA
The 3rd and final Test between the All Blacks and The British & Irish Lions.
Tickets:
Official Lions ticket
Venue:
Eden Park, Auckland
Capacity:
50,000
Accommodation
Grand Mercure Wellington.,
Wellington
The Mercure Wellington is just a short walk from the centre of Wellington and the funky Cuba Quarter. The hotel has beautiful panoramic views over the city and the harbour. The hotel is in a great location with shopping, the cable car and waterfront just a short distance away.
Features:
Indoor heated pool
Lobby bar
We chose this hotel because:
Short walk to the Cuba Quarter
Panoramic views over the city and harbour
Millbrook,
Queenstown area
The Millbrook offers luxury accommodation 20 minutes outside of Queenstown. Voted New Zealands number one hotel for the past three consecutive years by Tripadvisor, the Millbrook really does have it all in a luxurious and tranquil setting. Spacious rooms and large windows allow you to soak up the atmosphere of the special Central Otago region. There is an onsite spa and those looking to be active can enjoy the tennis courts and the hiking along the landscapes surrounding the property.
Features:
Indoor and Outdoor pools
Shuttle service into Queenstown
We chose this hotel because:
Luxury accommodation
Variety of onsite activities
Amora Hotel Auckland,
Auckland
'An Oasis in the calm of central Auckland'. The Amora Hotel Auckland is in a central location set amongst park surroundings. Shopping and entertainment are just walking distance away. All rooms come with a view and are classically styled and tastefully decorated.