Day 2. Cross international dateline.

Day 3. Arrive Auckland. On arrival be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon you choose your Exclusive Experience (included). Options are a journey to the top of the Sky Tower, cruise Waitemata Harbour, take a Waitakere Wilderness Experience, explore Auckland, visit Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World. Indulge in a Bliss Royal Reflexology treatment at the Crowne Plaza or visit the Maritime or Auckland Museum. Sky City Hotel

Day 4. Auckland, Waitomo to Rotorua. We journey to the crest of Mt Eden, one of Auckland's extinct volcanoes, and also named 'Maungawhau', for views of the city and its harbours. Travel to Waitomo Caves and take a tour of the underground limestone caverns which are lit by thousands of tiny glow worms that create an iridescent glow. Continue to Rotorua, a geothermal city and an important centre for Maori culture. Tonight enjoy a fascinating Hangi (feast) and traditional Maori cultural performance of song and dance. Park Heritage Hotel (2 nights) (D)

Day 5. Rotorua. Rotorua is New Zealand's oldest and best known thermal resort, where generations of visitors have enjoyed its waters, marvelled at its geothermal activity and experienced the region's unique Maori culture. Today choose your Exclusive Experience (included). Options are: visit the 'Must See Three' attractions, Te Puia Thermal Reserve, the Agrodome sheep show, where you can get a taste for rural New Zealand and Rainbow Springs, a lush nature park with abundant local wildlife including the kiwi bird. Perhaps visit the Polynesian Spa for a spa treatment and leisurely soak in a natural thermal mineral pool, take a half day Eco-thermal Tour or a tour of the Rotorua Museum and cultural experience at the Realm of Tanne. Country Homestay option available tonight.

Day 6. Rotorua to Wellington. Journey to the heart of the North Island. View Wairakei Steam Valley and its geothermal power plant. The station was the world's second geothermal power station, and the first to utilise flash steam from geothermal water as an energy source to generate electricity. See Huka Falls at the mouth of the Waikato River then cross the volcanic plateau of World Heritage listed Tongariro National Park. The park is the oldest in New Zealand and the mountains at the heart of the park have cultural and religious significance for the Maori people, and symbolize the spiritual links between this community and its environment. Continue to Wellington and take in the stunning panorama atop Mt Victoria. James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor

Day 7. Wellington to Blenheim. Take a city tour of Wellington before visiting Te Papa, the 'National Museum of New Zealand'. The museum contains a wide variety of exhibits that illustrate the rich history of New Zealand. Learn about Maori culture and history of European settlement. Later cruise Cook Strait to the South Island, through Wellington Harbour and the breathtaking natural beauty of Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Rejoin our coach and travel to Blenheim. The area which surrounds the town is well known as a centre of New Zealand's wine industry. It enjoys one of New Zealand's sunniest climates, with hot summers and crisp winters. Blenheim Country Hotel

Day 8. Blenheim, Kaikoura to Christchurch. Today travel through Marlborough to the seaside settlement of Kaikoura. The waters off this beautiful settlement contain a complex marine ecosystem that is home to a wide range of marine life. Journey between the Pacific and the Kaikoura Ranges to Christchurch, where we enjoy a city tour before the afternoon is free for your leisure. Christchurch was founded in 1850 as a model Church of England settlement. Perhaps take a tour of the city's famous gardens including the centrally located 161 hectare Hagley Park, the Botanic Gardens, the four leafy inner city avenues, Victoria Square and other delightful sites such as Mona Vale on the banks of the River Avon (own expense). Copthorne Central Hotel

Day 9. TranzAlpine Train to Franz Josef. Board the TranzAlpine Train, renowned as one of the world's greatest train journeys and cross the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains, formed from the alluvial shingle fans of several large rivers, before climbing into the Main Divide. Cross the Southern Alps, then disembark at Arthur's Pass and continue to Hokitika, the gateway to the South Westland World Heritage National Park. See Pounamu (jade) being carved into jewellery. Continue along the coast and view Franz Josef Glacier. Together with the Fox Glacier it is unique in the fact that it descends from the Southern Alps to just 650 feet above sea level amid the greenery and lushness of a temperate rain forest. Join a scenic flight (own expense, weather permitting).
Franz Josef Glacier Hotel

Day 10. Queenstown. Enjoy incredible scenery today as we travel past mountains and glaciers, lakes, rivers and rare bird and plant life. At Haast join a river safari, taking in views of the glacier, formed Haast River Valley. Follow the shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to Queenstown, New Zealand's alpine resort and the home of adventure sports. Queenstown has lately gained a reputation as a wine and food centre and Pinot Noir produced in this area fetches premium Fare. Dine Around Option: Tonight select from four restaurants and sample the local flavour. Queenstown, Novotel Gardens Hotel (3 nights) (D)

Day 11. Queenstown. Today choose your Exclusive Experience (included). Options are a guided tour of gardens or wineries, join a jetboat ride, take a Double Decker bus tour, enjoy a lakeshore and forest walk, experience a 4WD 'Safari of the Scenes' tour, explore Skippers Canyon or walk in Mt Aspiring National Park.

Day 12. Milford Sound. Leave your escorted tour for independent touring to Milford Sound. Following the Remarkable's Mountain Range, tracing the shore of Lake Wakatipu to Fiordland National Park. On arrival, cruise the full length of Milford Sound. View waterfalls, cliffs, dense rainforest, mountains and famous Mitre Peak. Seals, penguins and dolphins frequent these waters. After your memorable cruise, return to Queenstown.

Day 13. Queenstown to Christchurch. Travel to Otago and visit Mt Cook Village and the base of Mt Cook. Join an optional scenic helicopter or skiplane flight with a snow landing (own expense, weather permitting). Stop at the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo. Copthorne Central Hotel

Day 14. Christchurch. Transfer to the airport for your departing flight. kai