DAY1: ARRIVE AUCKLAND

Pick up self drive rental vehicle on arrival at Auckland International Airport. Transfer by self drive rental car to your hotel in the “City of Sails”. The rest of the day is at leisure

DAY2:AUCKLAND

Depart Auckland this morning and travel South along the motorway to the Bombay Hills and descend into the lush, green, dairy farming region of the Waikato Province, following the Waikato River for part of the way and on to the world famous Waitomo Caves. Take a guided tour through the Waitomo Glow Worm caves and view staligtites, staligmites and thousands of tiny glow worms.

Continue on to Rotorua via the prosperous town of Cambridge, well known for the many thoroughbred horse studs in the area which have produced some of the top race horses. Drive over the bushclad Mamaku Ranges to arrive at the “Thermal Spa City” of Rotorua in the late afternoon. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or to go for an Optional soak in the thermal waters of the Polynesian Spa. (Please note that Optional activities are not included in the tour costs.) Enjoy a Maori Hangi & Concert this evening.

DAY 3: AUCKLAND / WAITOMO / ROTORUA

Check out of your hotel this morning and drive South from Auckland along the motorway to the Bombay Hills and through the lush, green, dairy farming region of the Waikato Province to the Waitomo Caves and take a guided tour through the world famous Waitomo Glow worm caves, and view staligtites, staligmites and thousands of tiny glow-worms. Continue on to Rotorua in the afternoon via the prosperous farming town of Cambridge, well known for the many thoroughbred horse studs in the area which have produced some of the top race horses. Drive over the bushclad Mamaku Ranges to arrive at the “Thermal Spa City” of Rotorua in the afternoon. Check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or go for an Optional soak in the Polynesian Spa. (Please note that Optional activities are not included in the tour costs.) Enjoy a Maori Hangi & Concert this evening.

DAY 4: ROTORUA

Enjoy a self drive morning sightseeing tour of some of the highlights of Rotorua including a visit to Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see boiling mudpools and geysers and learn about Maori culture. Also visit the Paradise Valley Springs to see New Zealand trout, birds and wildlife before continuing on to the Agrodome where you will watch a New Zealand Farm show featuring sheep dog demonstrations, cow milking and learn about the New Zealand sheep farming industry and the different breeds of sheep.

Return to your hotel. This afternoon is at leisure for Optional activities such as a soak in a hot pool, a 4WD safari to Mt Tarawera, a scenic flight, a visit to the museum, or perhaps wander around the city centre and do some shopping, or perhaps you would like to explore the surrounding region and drive to Lake Taupo. (Please note that Optional activities mentioned above are not included in tour cost.)

DAY 5: ROTORUA / CHRISTCHURCH

This morning check out of your hotel and drive from hotel to Rotorua Airport. Drop off your rental car before boarding your flight to Christchurch. Fly to Christchurch, gateway to the South Island. (Please note that the domestic air sector is not included in the tour costs.) Pick up another rental car on arrival at Christchurch Airport and drive to the hotel and check in.

The rest of the day is at leisure with time to relax or to indulge in one or more of the many Optional activities available in the "Garden City", such as a ride on the Christchurch Tram, or a romantic punt on the Avon River, or a visit to the Canterbury Museum or the nearby Canterbury Arts Centre, or maybe a walk through some of the magnificent parks and gardens such as the Botanical Gardens, Hagley Park or Monavale, or perhaps take a drive and explore the surrounding region with the Port Hills and several beach suburbs. (Please note that Optional activities mentioned are not included in tour costs.)

DAY 6: CHRISTCHURCH / MOUNT COOK / QUEENSTOWN

Check out of your hotel and drive from Christchurch to Mount Cook traveling across the flat Canterbury Plains to Geraldine and over rolling hill country to Fairlie before climbing up the Burkes Pass and into the MacKenzie High Country. Stop at the “Church of the Good Shepherd” on the shores of Lake Tekapo before following the shores of Lake Pukaki to the highest mountain in New Zealand – Mount Cook.

There will be time here for an Optional scenic flight over the Southern Alps with a snow landing on the Tasman Glacier, subject to the weather conditions on the day. (Please note that the Optional scenic flight is not included in the tour costs.) Depart Mt Cook and follow the shores of Lake Pukaki to Twizel and Omarama before climbing over the Lindis Pass and into Central Otago. Continue across Lake Dunstan to Cromwell and the fruit growing area before driving through the scenic Kawarau Gorge to arrive at picturesque Queenstown which lies on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, in the late afternoon. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore on your own. This is the Adventure Capital of New Zealand.

DAY 7: QUEENSTOWN / MILFORD SOUND / QUEENSTOWN

Full day excursion to Milford Sound. Drive alongside the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath the towering Remarkables mountain range and across the flat Southland Plains to Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland National Park, now proclaimed a World Heritage Park. Pass through Beech forests, glaciated valleys, the Homer Tunnel with its 1:10 gradient, and stunning scenery to reach the majestic Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on this world famous fiord which is dominated by Mitre Peak and the Bowen Falls. View waterfalls and dolphins, seals, and maybe a few penguins as well as spectacular scenery. Return to Queenstown in the early evening and the rest of the day is at leisure to relax or experience the many bars and cafes.

DAY 8: QUEENSTOWN

Free day at leisure with an opportunity to explore on your own or to experience some of the many Optional activities available here such as Jetboating, bungy jumping, whitewater rafting, gondola ride up Bob's Peak, TSS Earnslaw cruise across Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak Sheep Station, 4WD safaris and many more options. (Optional activities are not included in the tour costs.) Enjoy your time in Queenstown - the Adventure Capital of New Zealand.

DAY 9:QUEENSTOWN / FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER

Check out of your hotel and drive south to Queenstown this morning following the coastline and traveling through the small settlement of Haast at the mouth of the Haast River before following the river upstream to the “Gates of Haast” and over the scenic bush clad Haast Pass, the southern most route across the main divide.

Enter the Otago Province and on to the small settlement of Makarora opposite the boundary of the Mount Aspiring National Park. Follow the shores of Lakes Wanaka & Hawea before passing the fruitgrowing area around Cromwell and drive on through the scenic Kawarau Gorge to picturesque Queenstown nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Check in to your hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure to relax or to take a walk around the centre of Queenstown and check out the many bars, cafes and restaurants.

DAY 10: FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER

This morning you will be taken on a ½ day guided glacier walk onto the ice of the Franz Josef Glacier accompanied by experienced Alpine Guides who will explain the local flora and fauna as well as the geology of the glacier. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore on your own or perhaps take an Optional scenic helicopter flight over the glacier. (Please note that Optional scenic flight mentioned above is not included in the tour cost.).

DAY 11: FRANZ JOSEF / GREYMOUTH / CHRISTCHURCH

Today is a free day at leisure with an opportunity to explore on your own or to experience some of the many Optional activities available here such as Jetboating, bungy jumping, whitewater rafting, gondola ride up Bob's Peak, luge, TSS Earnslaw cruise across Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak Sheep Station, 4WD safaris and many more options. (Optional activities are not included in the tour costs.) Enjoy your time in beautiful Queenstown - the Adventure Capital of New Zealand.

DAY 12: CHRISTCHURCH

This morning enjoy a self drive city sightseeing tour of Christchurch including Cathedral Square and Christchurch Cathedral, Canterbury Arts Centre, Botanical Gardens, Hagley Park, Mona Vale, Christchurch Antarctic Centre and a panoramic view from the Port Hills back across the city to the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps mountains beyond. The rest of the day is at leisure for Optional activities such as a ride on the Christchurch Tram or a visit to the Canterbury Museum, or a romantic punt on the Avon River or time for some last minute shopping, or to explore the surrounding region with many parks and beaches. (Please note that Optional activities mentioned above are not included in the tour costs.)

DAY 13: DEPART CHRISTCHURCH

Your arrangements conclude today with the drop off of your rental car at Christchurch International Airport prior to boarding your departure flight. Bon Voyage! We trust that you have enjoyed your New Zealand holiday with Adventure Pacific.