Day 1 Fly USA to Auckland

Please note international air from the USA has not been included in the package price.

Day 2 You cross the International Dateline

The International Date Line is an imaginary line on the earth’s surface that approximately coincides with the 180th meridian line (LONGITUDE), and separates the calendar date. Traveling east across the line takes the traveler back one day, traveling west takes the traveler forward.

Day 3 Welcome to Auckland, New Zealand

On arrival into Auckland, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation, or if you choose the rental car option, you will pick up your vehicle and self drive to your hotel.

Auckland, 'City of Sails', located between two stunning harbors, enjoys a mild year-round climate Auckland is the country's most visited region and largest urban area, offering exciting activities and great shopping.

The City lies across an 11km wide volcanic isthmus separating two harbors. The Waitemata to the east opens into the Hauraki Gulf, and to the Pacific Ocean. The Manukau Harbour to the west offers many estuaries and surf beaches and opens to the Tasman Sea.

Day 4 Tour - Auckland to Rotorua Via Waitomo Caves

Depart Auckland on board a motor coach for your ride south to Hamilton.    

Travel through the rich Waikato area, famous for its dairy farms, kiwi fruit orchards, thoroughbred horses.....and the Waitomo Caves!  You will enter subterranean limestone caverns to view the Glow Worm Grotto. Surely one of the wonders of the world.  Then you'll continue over the bush clad Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua.

If you choose the self drive option, you will drive from Auckland to Rotorua at your own pace.

Day 5 Tour - Rotorua half day city tour

See the highlights of Rotorua - this tour shows you the best of Rotorua's natural and man-made attractions.  Your half day tour includes a visit to Rainbow Springs and Rainbow Farm for a sheep show and working sheep dog demonstrations.  Continue to Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve to see bubbling mud pools, steaming geysers and intricate Maori wood carvings.

Tour - Rotorua Hangi dinner & concert

This Twilight Cultural Tour offers transport to and from a Marae by coach.  Tonight is a spiritual experience you will never forget with Marae protocol, entertainment, Maori culture and feasting.

En route to the Marae, the guide explains the protocol to take place.  The group on board is prepared for the wero (challenge) and welcome to the Marae. Upon entering the exquisitely carved meeting house, you will hongi (greet - pressing of noses) with your host.  The tradition means you are a friend and may consider yourself one of the family. Now sit back and enjoy the culture of the Maori people.  See the fierce Haka (war dance), twirling of poi balls, stick games and other entertainment.

From here we move to the Hangi pit to see the traditional Maori method of food preparation before heading into the dining room for a Hangi (feast). After the feast, you are transferred back to your Rotorua accommodation by coach.

Day 6 Fly Rotorua to Queenstown (Via Christchurch)

You will be transferred to the airport for your flight south to New Zealand’s adventure capital, Queenstown. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. If you choose the rental car option, you will pick up your vehicle and self drive to your hotel.

Nestled beside the deep blue waters of Lake Wakatipu, at the foot of the Remarkables Mountain Range, Queenstown is a year round resort, where you can be as active as you want, or just leisurely enjoy the magnificent scenery.

Day 7 Tour - Milford Sound full day tour

An early start as you leave your hotel and coach through some of the most beautiful countryside in New Zealand.  On arrival at Milford Sound, board the vessel for a leisurely cruise along the sound to the Tasman Sea.  The vessel stops at various points and plenty of time is available to view waterfalls, rainforests, mountains and seals.  You may even see dolphins frolic alongside the boat.  A buffet lunch is included during the cruise.

Day 8 Tour - Dart River jetboating

Transfer from Queenstown by coach to Glenorchy and the mouth of the Dart River.  Here we board the 18 foot specially prepared jet boat and thread our way through a maze of channels between river flats in only inches of water.  Snow capped mountains surround you as you view the World Heritage Grandeur, and waterfalls cascade into the lush bush clad valleys - a magical, untouched place.

Your driver/guide shares his knowledge and explains all about the area, then pulls into a bank so that you may explore the area by foot. This optional 30-45 minute guided walk takes you into the native forests at an area called Paradise in the spectacular Rees Valley.  You will then be collected by the 4 x 4 coach to take you back to Glenorchy, before transferring back to Queenstown.  Trip duration is 6 hours.

Day 9 Coach transfer from Queenstown to Franz Josef

Depart from Queenstown to arrive at Franz Josef around 4.15pm.  Sit back, relax and take in the spectacular scenery of Kawarau Gorge, Lake Hawera, Haast Pass and Fox Glacier.  A stop is made en route for lunch (own expense).

If you choose the self drive option, you will drive from Queenstown to Franz Josef at your own pace.

Day 10 At leisure, Franz Josef

Set between the stormy expanse of the Tasman Sea and the unbroken chain of the Southern Alps, the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand is truly a land apart. For six hundred kilometers from north to south, this wild and often sparsely-populated region of mountains and glaciers, of lakes and unruly rivers, of primeval forest and magnificent coastline, overwhelms visitors with its natural beauty. Opportunities on the West Coast are now virtually endless for activities like beach and forest walking, tramping, fishing, horse-trekking, canoeing or exploring old gold mining regions and ghost towns abandoned in the wane of the gold rush era.

Day 11 TranzAlpine train from Greymouth to Christchurch

A point-to-point coach service will transport you from Franz Josef to Greymouth. A stop for lunch is made at Shantytown (own expense) before continuing on to Greymouth to connect with the TranzAlpine train.

Board the Tranz Alpine train at Greymouth and farewell the glacier country as you travel through the rugged mountains of the Southern Alps to the Canterbury Plains and on to the 'English' city of Christchurch.  The train features panoramic windows for scenic views and a restaurant car to purchase snacks and drinks.

This train is one the most beautiful journey's in New Zealand so bring plenty of film for your camera!  On arrival into Christchurch you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 12 Tour - Akaroa full day tour

On this amazing tour, visit the extinct volcanoes of Banks Peninsula and view the beautiful harbors & green farmland.  Make photo stops at scenic places and enjoy morning & afternoon teas and a cheese tasting at the Barry's Bay Cheese Factory.

Once at Akaroa, included in your tour is a nature and harbor cruise on the Canterbury Cat. This cruise explores the volcanic harbor and sightings may be made of the world's smallest dolphin - the Hectors Dolphin, NZ Fur Seals and numerous seabirds.

If time allows, stroll through the village and along the waterfront, taking in the quaint French charm which is unique to Akaroa. Lunch is included today, and the return to Christchurch is around 5.30pm.

Day 13 Fly Christchurch to USA (Via Auckland)

You will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.