New Zealand – North South Combo – 12N/13D

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive Auckland:
On arrival in Auckland, The City of Sails, you will be met by our local representative for either a private transfer to your hotel or collection of your rental car.

Day 2: Auckland – Waitomo – Rotorua:
Travel south through the fertile Waikato region to arrive at Waitomo. Enjoy a guided tour of the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves including an underground boat ride viewing the millions of glow worms on the cavern roof. On completion continue over the forested Mamaku Ranges to reach the `Thermal City’ (B)

Day 3: Rotorua:
Visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see boiling mudpools and roaring geysers. Following this visit Paradise Valley Springs to see New Zealand’s trout, birds and wildlife before continuing to the Agrodome for a New Zealand farm show featuring sheep dog demonstrations, cow milking and an introduction to the stars of our sheep industry. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening enjoy an authentic Maori Hangi (Feast) and Concert. (B, D)

Day 4: Rotorua – Wellington:
Travel south to reach the popular lake resort of Taupo and along the shores of Lake Taupo to Turangi, before continuing on the Desert Road, dominated in the background by the three peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. Continue south through lush farmland before arriving in the `Capital City’ of Wellington. (B)

Day 5: Wellington – Picton – Kaikoura:
Journey across Cook Strait, which separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand, and into the Marlborough Sounds with its sparkling clear waters and lush forests, before arriving in Picton. Travel south through the town of Blenheim, before reaching Kaikoura, a town steeped in Maori history and legend. (B)

Day 6: Kaikoura – Christchurch:
Leave Kaikoura behind as you turn inland and travel through North Canterbury to reach the `Garden City’ of Christchurch.

(B) Day 7: Christchurch – Mt Cook:
Travel across the fertile Canterbury Plains before arriving at Lake Tekapo. Visit the `Church of the Good Shepherd’ before continuing onto Mt Cook National Park. (B)
 
Day 8: Mt Cook – Queenstown:
Follow the shores of Lake Pukaki south to the small town of Twizel before continuing through the historic Central Otago region to Lake Wakatipu and the `Alpine Resort’ of Queenstown. (B)

Day 9: Queenstown:
An opportunity today to explore the endless optional attractions available. Queenstown offers bungy jumping, jetboating, white water rafting, gondola rides and much more. Optional activities not included in tour price. (B)

Day 10: Queenstown – Milford Sound – Te Anau:
Follow the southern arm of Lake Wakatipu to Lumsden, and onward to Lake Te Anau. Enter the Eglinton Valley and travel through the breath taking man made Homer Tunnel to reach Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on this world famous fiord, dominated by Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Return to Te Anau. (B)

Day 11: Te Anau – Dunedin:
Cross the fertile Southland Plains through Gore and Balclutha to South Otago. Then travel north to the `Edinburgh of the South’, Dunedin. The afternoon is free for optional activities. (B)

Day 12: Dunedin – Christchurch:
Travel north through lush farmland and a series of small farming communities to Christchurch. (B)

Day 13: Departure 
Your arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer or the return of your rental car. (B)

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive Auckland:
On arrival in Auckland, The City of Sails, you will be met by our local representative for either a private transfer to your hotel or collection of your rental car.

Day 2: Auckland – Waitomo – Rotorua:
Travel south through the fertile Waikato region to arrive at Waitomo. Enjoy a guided tour of the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves including an underground boat ride viewing the millions of glow worms on the cavern roof. On completion continue over the forested Mamaku Ranges to reach the `Thermal City’ (B)

Day 3: Rotorua:
Visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see boiling mudpools and roaring geysers. Following this visit Paradise Valley Springs to see New Zealand’s trout, birds and wildlife before continuing to the Agrodome for a New Zealand farm show featuring sheep dog demonstrations, cow milking and an introduction to the stars of our sheep industry. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening enjoy an authentic Maori Hangi (Feast) and Concert. (B, D)

Day 4: Rotorua – Wellington:
Travel south to reach the popular lake resort of Taupo and along the shores of Lake Taupo to Turangi, before continuing on the Desert Road, dominated in the background by the three peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. Continue south through lush farmland before arriving in the `Capital City’ of Wellington. (B)

Day 5: Wellington – Picton – Kaikoura:
Journey across Cook Strait, which separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand, and into the Marlborough Sounds with its sparkling clear waters and lush forests, before arriving in Picton. Travel south through the town of Blenheim, before reaching Kaikoura, a town steeped in Maori history and legend. (B)

Day 6: Kaikoura – Christchurch:
Leave Kaikoura behind as you turn inland and travel through North Canterbury to reach the `Garden City’ of Christchurch.

(B) Day 7: Christchurch – Mt Cook:
Travel across the fertile Canterbury Plains before arriving at Lake Tekapo. Visit the `Church of the Good Shepherd’ before continuing onto Mt Cook National Park. (B)

Day 8: Mt Cook – Queenstown:
Follow the shores of Lake Pukaki south to the small town of Twizel before continuing through the historic Central Otago region to Lake Wakatipu and the `Alpine Resort’ of Queenstown. (B)

Day 9: Queenstown:
An opportunity today to explore the endless optional attractions available. Queenstown offers bungy jumping, jetboating, white water rafting, gondola rides and much more. Optional activities not included in tour price. (B)

Day 10: Queenstown – Milford Sound – Te Anau:
Follow the southern arm of Lake Wakatipu to Lumsden, and onward to Lake Te Anau. Enter the Eglinton Valley and travel through the breath taking man made Homer Tunnel to reach Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on this world famous fiord, dominated by Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Return to Te Anau. (B)

Day 11: Te Anau – Dunedin:
Cross the fertile Southland Plains through Gore and Balclutha to South Otago. Then travel north to the `Edinburgh of the South’, Dunedin. The afternoon is free for optional activities. (B)

Day 12: Dunedin – Christchurch:
Travel north through lush farmland and a series of small farming communities to Christchurch. (B)

Day 13: Departure
Your arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer or the return of your rental car. (B)