Commercial Flight

Board your transpacific flight and skip a day as you cross the International Date Line.

Commercial Flight

Board your transpacific flight and skip a day as you cross the International Date Line.

Sightseeing

This afternoon, choose one of the following activities. Perhaps take a trip to the top of the Sky Tower, visit the Auckland museum, enjoy a half-day Auckland City sightseeing tour, explore Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World, visit Auckland’s Maritime Museum, cruise aboard the Pride of Auckland, relax with a Bliss Royal Reflexology treatment, or trek through the Waitakere Rainforest.

Sightseeing

This morning we journey to the crest of Mount Eden, one of Auckland’s extinct volcanoes, to enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the city and its beautiful harbors. Leaving the “City of Sails” we travel south through the rich dairyland of the Waikato Province to WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVES. Here we experience a guided tour of the underground limestone caverns, including the magnificent Cathedral Cave. Join a silent boat ride and glide through a mystical grotto, carved by an underground river over thousands of years and lit by thousands of tiny glowworms. Emerge into daylight and continue to Rotorua.

Performing Arts

Tonight, enjoy a traditional HANGI DINNER followed by an authentic MAORI CONCERT. (B,D)

Sightseeing

Country Homestay Option. Rotorua is New Zealand’s oldest and best-known resort, where generations of visitors have enjoyed its waters, marvelled at its fascinating geothermal activity, and experienced the region’s unique Maori culture. Today we give you the opportunity to select your activity. Choose to visit Rotorua’s icon attractions: Te Puia Thermal Reserve and Maori Arts & Crafts Institute and the Agrodome Sheep Show. Perhaps relax at the Polynesian Spa with a spa treatment and leisurely soak in a natural thermal mineral pool, explore Rainbow Springs and Kiwi Encounter, enjoy a half-day ecothermal tour or explore the Rotorua Museum. This evening, choose to join our country homestay option and spend a night with a local family. (B,D)

Adventure

Today we follow the Thermal Explorer Highway to the heart of the North Island. See the spectacular Huka Falls, mouth of the mighty Waikato River, and tranquil Lake Taupo, the water-filled crater of an ancient volcano. We travel south and cross the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park. The three mountains at the heart of the park—Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu—have cultural and religious significance for the Maori people. Continue to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city, and journey to the top of Mount Victoria. Enjoy a stunning panoramic view of this busy cosmopolitan city and its sparkling harbor. (B,D)

Sightseeing

This morning, enjoy a brief city sightseeing tour, including Parliament Buildings, before an opportunity to visit Te Papa , the National Museum of New Zealand. Displayed here is the past, present, and future of New Zealand, with stunning displays, complex technology, interactive exhibitions, and activities. This afternoon we join our CRUISE for the journey across Cook Strait to the South Island, renowned as one of the most beautiful crossings in the world. Sail from scenic Wellington Harbour across Cook Strait and through the breathtaking natural beauty of Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Rejoin our motorcoach.

Hotel

Travel to Blenheim for our overnight stay. (B,D)

Sightseeing

Today is a spectacular scenic journey between mountain and sea. Travel through Marlborough, a region with an international reputation for white wines. Arrive in the thriving seaside settlement of Kaikoura for unique whale-, seal-, and dolphin-watching experiences. Journey between the Pacific Ocean and rugged Kaikoura Ranges, through North Canterbury to Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island and renowned as the “Garden City.” Upon arrival we enjoy a brief city sightseeing tour, then the afternoon is at your leisure to explore the English flavor of this pretty city. (B,D)

Train

This morning, board the TRANZALPINE TRAIN for one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world.

Sightseeing

Enjoy stunning scenery as we journey through spectacular gorges, river valleys, and across the country’s greatest mountain range, the magnificent Southern Alps. Continue along the dramatic West Coast by motorcoach and enter the World Heritage-listed area of Te Wahipounamu—South West New Zealand. View the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier. Nowhere in the world’s temperate zones are glaciers as accessible as here. There may be the opportunity to enjoy an optional scenic flight over this incredible region, weather permitting. (B,D)

Sightseeing

Enjoy a day of incredible scenery as we travel along the West Coast, through a world of mountains and glaciers, limestone landscapes, tranquil lakes, raging rivers, and rare bird and plant life. At Haast, experience a unique RIVER SAFARI, capturing breathtaking views of the massive glacier-formed Haast River Valley, flanked by towering peaks, cascading waterfalls, and dense temperate rainforest. Follow the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the action-packed alpine resort of Queenstown.

Tonight, choose from one of four restaurants for dinner. (B,D)

Adventure

Queenstown is an exhilarating, year-round alpine resort, perfect for adventurers and leisure-seekers alike. Today we have a selection of activities for you to choose from. A Queenstown “Double Decker Explorer” tour, an “Original Wine Tour” of some of the local and award-winning wineries, an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Shotover River, or a relaxing garden tour might be for you. Perhaps the “Safari of the Scenes” tour, an adventure into Skippers Canyon by 4WD, might appeal, or a leisurely walk around Lake Wakatipu on a “Lakeshore Forest and Bird Walk.” (B)

River, Barge or Yacht Cruise

More beautiful scenery today as you travel into FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK through the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Boasting some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, this region of New Zealand has the elite status of belonging to UNESCO’s World Heritage Parks. CRUISE on the fiord with sheer rock walls rising thousands of feet from the water’s great depths.

Hotel

This afternoon we have a relaxing drive to the tranquil settlement of Te Anau. (B,D)

Sightseeing

Travel across the South Island through small farming communities to Dunedin. The city was settled by the Scottish in 1848 and is now renowned as the “Edinburgh of the South.” Dunedin is also the old Gaelic name for Edinburgh. This afternoon, choose your activity. Perhaps take a tour of Speights Brewery and Heritage Centre where they brew the popular Speights Ale, or a visit to the Otago Peninsula to see the Royal Albatross Colony. Consider exploring Penguin Place to spot the “Hoiho,” rare yellow-eyed penguins, or maybe explore Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle with its beautiful gardens. (B,D)

Sightseeing

Departing Dunedin we journey north to Moeraki Beach with its unusual boulders. Stop at Oamaru, a historic town renowned for its distinct cream limestone buildings, then continue inland past beautiful glacier-fed lakes of incredible color. We continue our journey into New Zealand’s highland and MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK. View Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain at 3,754 meters above sea level. You may wish to take an optional scenic flight over this awe-inspiring alpine region, weather permitting. (B,D)

Sightseeing

This morning we stop at beautiful Lake Tekapo, once an ancient glacier, and visit the picturesque stone Church of the Good Shepherd. Leaving the High Country we cross the braided Rakaia River and travel through the mixed cropping and sheep grazing holdings of the vast Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. (B,D)

Sightseeing

This morning, choose from a range of exciting activities. Enjoy a sightseeing tour including the Antarctic Centre, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Christchurch Tram, and Christchurch Gondola; take a leisurely trip on the Avon River or a bike ride around Christchurch City; or maybe wander through some of Christchurch’s local gardens.

Airport Transfer

Later, transfer to the airport for departure. Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)