Day 1: Arrive Auckland

Meet and transfer from the airport to your hotel. See Auckland your way until an evening welcome drink with your Tour Director and fellow travellers.

Day 2: Auckland - Bay of Islands

Over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and up the scenic Hibiscus Coast. Walk among the Kauri trees, explore Whangarei, then on to the Bay of Islands. Enjoy a scenic cruise through the Bay of Islands to Cape Brett and the 'Hole in the Rock'. We'll explore Urupukapuka Island then return to Paihia.

Day 3: Bay of Islands

The day is yours to explore the Bay of Islands. Dolphin watch, catch a ferry to Russell, drive along the Ninety Mile Beach, sail or sea-kayak - whatever you like, then have a night on the town.

Day 4: Bay of Islands - Auckland

We'll tour the historic Waitangi Treaty Reserve and then return to Auckland.

Day 5: Auckland - Rotorua

After an Auckland City Sights Tour, we trace the Waikato River to Waitomo Caves, where we'll see the amazing Glow Worm Grotto. Our Rotorua orientation tour takes in views of Lake Rotorua. Tonight experience The Realm of Tãne, a Maori Hangi feast and concert.

Day 6: Rotorua

Sparkling wine breakfast cruise on Lake Rotorua on board the Lakeland Queen. On to the Agrodome Sheep Show and a sample of farm life. Visit Te Puia and be accompanied by a local Maori guide for a tour of the geothermal reserve. Enjoy an afternoon of free time.

Day 7: Rotorua - Wellington

From the mountains to the sea. View the Huka Falls. Visit Taupo and drive along the shores of its lake. Travel through the alpine scenery of Mt. Ruapehu. Tongariro National Park. Manawatu. The Kapiti Coast. On our Wellington city sights tour see the city from Mt. Victoria.

Day 8: Wellington - Blenheim

A morning to explore Wellington your way. Visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, with time to discover it yourself. We cruise the tranquility of Queen Charlotte Sound. On to Picton then Blenheim for a city tour. Tonight we'll enjoy a tasting, tour and dinner at Allan Scott Wines. A family owned and run winery which has developed its own reputation as a Marlborough icon.

Day 9: Kaikoura - Christchurch

En route to Kaikoura, we pass the Grassmere Salt Works and see New Zealand fur seals at Ohau Point. Explore Kaikoura, maybe take an optional scenic Whale Watching flight. We travel to Christchurch via the Canterbury Plains. A city tour, then it's free time.

Day 10: Mt. Cook

A ride on the Christchurch Tram. Then you're free to go shopping or relax. Later we'll see Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and soak up the alpine scenery of Mt. Cook National Park. Take an optional scenic flight over Mt. Cook.

Day 11: Dunedin

From the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and Benmore Dam we travel through Oamaru to Dunedin, we tour the city and the afternoon is yours - take a Wildlife Cruise, visit the Cadbury's Factory or ride the Taieri Gorge Railway - it's up to you.

Day 12: Dunedin - Te Anau

A guided tour of New Zealand's only castle - Larnach Castle - and its gardens begins the day. Across fertile sheep-filled farming land to Te Anau, on the shores of Lake Te Anau. A visit to the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves is an option tonight.

Day 13: Milford Sound

In Fiordland National Park we'll cruise on Milford Sound. We'll see Mirror Lakes, Claudu Valley, the Chasm, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls and more. We travel along Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown for an orientation tour on arrival. For dinner you may choose to dine at the Skyline Restaurant on Bob's Peak. Access is via the steepest Gondola in the Southern Hemisphere and there'll be the Kiwi Haka Maori Show as well!

Day 14: Queenstown

Explore Queenstown for yourself. Take it easy with wine or garden tours. Or go wild with a jet boat ride or white water rafting. Dinner is at Walter Peak Sheep Station via New Zealand's oldest steamship, the TSS Earnslaw.

Day 15: Franz Josef

Visit the historic gold mining town, Arrowtown. Stop at Cromwell with its sensational stone fruit. Then it's a trio of lakes - Dunstan, Hawea and Wanaka, the Haast Pass, Thunder Creek Falls. A small rainforest walk. Then Franz Josef Glacier - the world's most accessible glacier.

Day 16: Franz Josef - Punakaiki

Explore Franz Josef Glacier - take an optional flight (weather permitting) or a glacier hike! Depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. It's on to Punakaiki, where we'll view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes.

Day 17: TranzAlpine - Christchurch

Enjoy time at leisure before travelling via Greymouth to Arthur's Pass where we'll board the TranzAlpine to travel through the Southern Alps to Christchurch.

Day 18: Depart Christchurch

You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight.