Print program 
Day 1. Arrival AUCKLAND D
Arrive in Auckland where you will be met by your tour guide and coach driver at the airport. Enjoy an introductory panoramic tour of Auckland city before transferring to your accommodation.
Dinner tonight is up the majestic Sky Tower for 360 degree views of New Zealand’s largest city.
Subject to the time of arrival, there is a possibility for additional touring. To be quoted on request Accommodation 2 nights in Auckland
With 1.7 million inhabitants, Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city but nevertheless enjoys a very relaxed lifestyle, with 37 000 ha of protected parks, a stunning harbour and numerous beaches. There are 48 volcanoes in the region and it is also the only city in the world to be flanked by 2 separate oceans: the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Out west, the Waitakere’s is a mountain range covered by lush subtropical rainforest where clear streams and waterfalls flow to the black sand of the Tasman Coast. To the east, the Hauraki Gulf is Aucklanders’ preferred playground and has earned the nickname “The City of Sails” due to the numerous pleasure boats taking advantage of the harbour, its many islands and golden beaches.
Day 2. AUCKLAND-WAIHEKE ISLAND-AUCKLAND B L
Today’s touring starts by boarding the ferry from downtown Auckland to Waiheke Island.
On arrival at the island you will be met by a coach who will take you on a scenic tour of Waiheke including stops at several of the island’s famous vineyards for tastings and lunch, and free time in the local village Oneroa before returning to Auckland city in the afternoon.
Dinner is at your own leisure.
With a Mediterranean-type microclimate, the island has seen the rise of viticulture and olive production in recent years. A significant community of artists has also made their home here, and it's possible to visit workshops and galleries, particularly in the small village of Oneroa. The natural beauty of the site also attracts many nature lovers, hikers, and boaters each year.
Day 3. AUCKLAND to ROTORUA B L
As you depart Auckland this morning, you will travel South through the green pastures and rolling hills of the Waikato Region, a picturesque farming district.
Stop enroute in Matamata, a small rural village that served as the natural backdrop for the village of Hobbiton in the Lord of the Rings films. Take a guided tour of Middle-earth where you can journey through the green hills to the movie set and step into the Shire. A marquee festive feast is included here before continuing on to Rotorua.
On arrival in Rotorua, our guide and coach will take you on tour of the township before checking in to your accommodation.
Dinner is at your own leisure. Accommodation 2 nights in Rotorua.
Rotorua is one of New Zealand’s most visited destinations. It is located in an active volcanic region where Nature created a landscape of crater lakes, smoking vents, hot springs, geysers and many more wonderful geothermal displays. It is also home to a strong Maori community and one of the best places in New Zealand to be initiated into the culture of our native indigenous people.
Day 4. ROTORUA B L D
Today begins with a visit to the geothermal wonderland of Wai-O-Tapu where you will have the opportunity to explore the bubbling pools and view an active geyser.
After lunch at a local restaurant, experience a fun and exciting sheep shearing show and farm visit at the Agrodome.
In the evening you will visit Te Puia, which incorporates the Maori Arts & Crafts Institute displaying traditional carving and weaving, magnificent typical Maori architecture, and geothermal displays of Te Whakarewarewa valley and its geysers. Get initiated to the ancestral traditions of the indigenous Maori people with a traditional feast and cultural show.
Day 5. ROTORUA to QUEENSTOWN (flight) B D
This morning you will be taken to the airport for a domestic flight to Queenstown, via Christchurch or Wellington.
A new driver will wait for you on arrival and take you on an introductory tour around Queenstown before checking in to your accommodation.
Dinner tonight is at the panoramic restaurant of the Skyline Gondola, high above the town and lake. Accommodation 3 nights in Queenstown
Queenstown is the Capital of the New Zealand Alps. Located on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, it is surrounded by majestic mountains and is a very popular destination in winter with four ski fields within an hour’s drive. In search of adrenalin rush? Name it and you will find it here: bungy jumping, jet-boat, rafting, skydiving… But Queenstown can also be a sophisticated city, with excellent restaurants and shopping, and some of the southernmost vineyards in the world that produce award winning Pinot Noir.
Day 6. QUEENSTOWN-FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK-QUEENSTOWN B L
The day will be spent discovering New Zealand’s largest national park, a 1.2 million hectares of wilderness in the South-West corner of the South Island. A scenic drive will take you to Milford Sound, where you will enjoy a cruise on the fiord, amidst stunningly beautiful scenery as you sail on the silent waters, close to waterfalls and observe the native fauna inntheir natural habitat: fur seals, dolphins, penguins…
A picnic lunch will be included on board.
Return to Queenstown in the evening, dinner is at your own leisure.
Fiordland National Park is New Zealand’s largest national park. It is home to many endangered native species (takahe, kea, crested penguins) and listed as World Heritage by the UNESCO. High peaks quite often wrapped in snow, thick rainforest with ancient trees and mosses, glacial valleys with fast-flowing torrents, and 13 protected fiords make it a must see for nature’s lovers. It’s known for the glacier-carved fiords of Doubtful and Milford sounds. A beech forest trail on the sandy Milford shore offers views of towering Mitre Peak. Nearby, the craggy Earl Mountains are reflected in the glassy surface of Mirror Lakes. On the Cleddau River, the Chasm Walk passes over bridges with views of powerful waterfalls. Doubtful Sound is most peaceful and the silence there is an almost mystical experience.
Day 7. QUEENSTOWN B
Enjoy today at your leisure in the Adventure capital of New Zealand.
For optional activities you may like to include some of the following:
Cruise on Lake Wakatipu on board the historic steamship TSS Earnslaw. Visit Walter Peak farm where you can see the mustering dogs in action and sheep shearing. Price : 140 NZ
Join a 4WD safari along some of the picturesque Lord of the Rings filming locations or in spectacular Skippers Canyon.
Adrenalin seekers will want to try jet-boat, rafting, bungy jumping, ziplining, kayaking, horse-riding… and much more. Option to ski in winter (end of June to early October)
Day 8. QUEENSTOWN to WANAKA B L D
Depart Queenstown and travel to the charming pioneer village of Arrowtown. Enjoy a tour through this quaint town with historic gold-mining ties then on to the Gibbston Valley for lunch at one of the beautiful vineyards.
After lunch, continue on to Wanaka where you will board an afternoon lake cruise to Stevensons Island, with the opportunity to take a walk on the island. Following your cruise you will be transferred to your accommodation for the evening.
Accommodation 1 night in Wanaka
Wanaka is a beautiful town between a lake and mountains. It combines the friendliness of small towns with the quality of services and attention to detail expected of international resort destinations. The setting is peaceful and invigorating, and the proximity of Mt Aspiring National Park and the Cardrona ski slopes offers many opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.
Day 9. WANAKA to FRANZ JOSEF B L D
This morning head to Mt Aspiring National Park. You will follow the pristine, clear waters of Lake Hawea before crossing Haast Pass with its countless waterfalls in the mossy beech forest. Here you will have the opportunity to take an optional jet boat tour on the Haast River, meeting back up with the coach in Haast for lunch.
The landscape changes completely as you reach the west coast at the Haast River delta.
Continue north along the spectacular west coast battered by the waves of the Tasman Sea and the Roaring Forties, among lush forests, deserted beaches, and bird-filled lagoons.
Arrive in Westland National Park, a World Heritage Site.
This afternoon enjoy a walk around Lake Matheson, with the additional option of a scenic helicopter flight to view stunning landscapes and majestic glaciers across the National Park.
Dinner is at your accommodation in the village of Franz Josef. Accommodation 1 night in Franz Josef
Westland National Park, covering some 117,000 hectares, was created to preserve the high mountains and glaciers— there are over 60 of them. Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier are the only glaciers at this temperate latitude to be found so close to sea-level.
Day 10. FRANZ JOSEF to CHRISTCHURCH B L
Continue north along the dramatic coastline to Hokitika, a small town that was the capital of the Westland province during the colonial era. Here, several artisans still work with New Zealand jade (Pounamu in Maori).
We will have lunch here before continuing on to Greymouth to board the famous TranzAlpine train to Christchurch, considered one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world.
You will be met by our coach on arrival in Christchurch and transferred to your accommodation.
Dinner is at your own leisure. Accommodation 2 nights in Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city of the South Island and is known as the ‘Garden City’ due to its many parks and gardens. Despite the earthquakes that damaged the city centre in 2011, it is still home to many magnificent historic buildings in the neo-gothic style preferred in the late 19th century, when it was settled. The new city that emerged projects a vision of a vibrant City-in-a-Garden with lots of pedestrian areas and green spaces, in particular along the picturesque Avon River.
Day 11. CHRISTCHURCH B D
Start the day with a morning coach tour of Christchurch following which you will have the opportunity to spend more time exploring by foot in the pedestrian-friendly city centre.
Lunch is at your own leisure before meeting at the Botanic Gardens for a guided tour, followed by a delightful and relaxing afternoon on the Avon River in a punting boat.
Your farewell dinner tonight is on board the Tramway Restaurant, as you circle around the city centre in a charming and historic city tram enjoying some of the New Zealand’s famous cuisine.
Day 12. Departure CHRISTCHURCH B
A morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Auckland to connect with your international departure.
