Hotel

On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Hotel : Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Sightseeing

This morning, you are at leisure in Auckland. This afternoon, you choose the activity and we will include it! Choose from an Auckland city highlights tour, an elevator trip to the top of Auckland’s Sky Tower, a visit to Auckland’s Maritime Museum, or perhaps visit Auckland Museum, the choice is yours. Meals: (B, D)

Sightseeing

Travel south through rich dairy land to the Waitomo Caves. Experience a guided tour of the underground limestone caverns. Join a silent boat ride through a mystical grotto lit by thousands of tiny glowworms. Emerge into daylight and continue to Rotorua, an area of geothermal activity and an important center for North Island Maori culture. Tonight, enjoy a “Hangi" feast and Maori cultural performance of traditional dances and songs.

Hotel

Overnight at Millennium Rotorua. Meals: (B, D)

Adventure

Today, you may choose a leisurely soak in a natural thermal mineral pool, enjoy a 4WD excursion, or be entertained and educated by a sheep show and shearing display. This afternoon, experience the country lifestyle of a farming family; join in farm activities and enjoy a home-cooked meal before an overnight stay (no extra charge).

Hotel

If you prefer, you may stay and dine at the hotel. Meals: (B, D)

Adventure

Travel through green countryside, beautiful native bush and some of the largest alpine forests in the Southern Hemisphere. View Wairakei Steam Valley, where thermal energy is harnessed in the world’s second-largest geothermal power plant. See the spectacular Huka Falls and tranquil Lake Taupo. Cross the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park. Continue to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city, and journey to the top of Mt. Victoria for stunning panoramic views. InterContinental Wellington.

Hotel

Stay at InterContinental Wellington. Meals: (B, D)

Ocean Cruise

Cruise through the scenic Wellington Harbour, across Cook Strait, and through the breathtaking natural beauty of the Marlborough Sounds. See magnificent scenery in tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound before arriving in the picturesque seaside port of Picton, gateway to the South Island. This afternoon, journey through the pretty orchards and vineyards of the Marlborough region to Nelson. On arrival in Nelson, you are at leisure to explore.

Hotel

Overnight at The Rutherford Hotel. Meals: (B, D)

Adventure

Follow the Heritage Highway through the impressive Buller Gorge to the wild and rugged west coast. View the fascinating Pancake Rocks formations and blowholes at Punakaiki. Stop at Hokitika, situated beside the Tasman Sea, with stunning views to Mount Cook and the spectacular Southern Alps. Here, see pounamu (jade) being carved into beautiful jewelry. Continue along the dramatic west coast and enter World Heritage-listed Westland National Park, where you can view the magnificent glaciers, rivers of ice. Nowhere in the world’s temperate zones are glaciers as accessible as here. There may be the opportunity to enjoy a scenic flight over this breathtaking region (own expense, weather permitting).

Hotel

Overnight at Franz Josef Glacier Hotel. Meals: (B, D)

Adventure

View incredible scenery today as you leave this World Heritage-listed area, traveling through Haast Pass and over the incredible Southern Alps. Follow the shores of picturesque Lakes Hawea and Wanaka, where crystal-clear blue waters reflect dramatic landscapes. Continue to Wanaka township, originally settled during the gold rush era of the 1800s, surrounded by Mount Aspiring National Park.

Hotel

Enjoy an overnight stay in this inspiring place of peace and tranquility. Stay at Edgewater Resort. Meals: (B, D)

Sightseeing

Depart Wanaka this morning and journey to the delightful village of Arrowtown, an old gold rush settlement. Visit the Lakes District Museum before continuing to the alpine resort of Queenstown, nestled on the banks of Lake Wakatipu, overlooked by the majestic Southern Alps.

Hotel

Overnight at Novotel Gardens Queenstown. Meals: (B, D)

Adventure

Today, you choose the activity and we will include it. A Queenstown Double Decker Explorer tour, an Original Wine Tour, an exhilarating jetboat ride, or a relaxing garden tour might be for you. Perhaps the Lord of the Rings safari or an adventure into Skippers Canyon by 4WD might appeal, a Lakeshore Forest and Bird Walk or a winery and cheese sampler - the choice is yours! Tonight, explore Queenstown even further with our Dine Around Dinner. You may wish to take a gondola ride to the Skyline Restaurant and enjoy dinner with spectacular views over Queenstown. Perhaps cruise on the TSS Earnslaw steamboat to Walter Peak Sheep Station for a sumptuous homestead carvery dinner.

Or enjoy a meal at one of the many diverse restaurants and cafes in Queenstown. The choice is yours! Meals: (B, D)

Adventure

Today, follow the Remarkables mountain range and trace the shore of Lake Wakatipu to Fiordland National Park, where lush rainforests meet snow-capped mountains. Journey through the Homer Tunnel and see Mitre Peak rising sheer from the glassy waters of Milford Sound.

River, Barge or Yacht Cruise

Cruise the full length of this beautiful fiord, with its cascading waterfalls, sheer cliffs, dense rainforest and towering mountains. This afternoon, you have a relaxing drive to the tranquil settlement of Te Anau.

Hotel

Overnight at Te Anau Hotel and Villas. Meals: (B, D)

Adventure

Today, journey via beautiful Lake Manapouri to the southernmost coast of New Zealand. Continue to Dunedin, settled by Scottish missionaries in 1848. The Scottish heritage is still apparent today in the architecture of the many fine buildings, including the University of Otago, modeled on the University of Glasgow. This afternoon, choose from a visit to Speights Brewery and Heritage Center to taste their famous ale; or take an optional tour and cruise to the Otago Peninsula to view royal albatross and yellow-eyed penguin colonies in their natural environment; or perhaps visit New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle, and stroll around its beautiful gardens.

Hotel

Overnight at Southern Cross Hotel. Meals: (B, D)

Adventure

Travel north along the coast to view the unique and fascinating Moeraki Beach boulders. Stop at Oamaru, a town renowned for its distinctive limestone architecture. Pass massive hydroelectric dams and glacier-fed lakes of incredible color on your journey to Mount Cook National Park, a World Heritage-listed area, home to Australasia's highest mountain. You may wish to take an optional scenic flight over this awe-inspiring alpine region (weather permitting, own expense) and land on the mighty Tasman Glacier.

Hotel

Overnight at The Hermitage. Meals: (B, D)

Sightseeing

This morning, visit beautiful, glacier-fed Lake Tekapo and view the tiny, picturesque stone Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1935. Leaving the high country and its sheep stations, travel through Burkes Pass to the patchwork plains of Canterbury. Continue via the Rakaia Gorge to the charming garden city of Christchurch.

Hotel

Overnight at Crowne Plaza Hotel. Meals: (B, D)

Airport Transfer

Today, you are at leisure until you transfer to the airport for your departure flight.