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

This morning enjoy a self drive sightseeing tour of the "City of Sails" including a drive across the Auckland Harbour Bridge and view the Westhaven Yacht Marina and city centre as you return. Travel along Tamaki Drive with stunning views of the Waitemata Harbour and Rangitoto Island, an extinct volcano which dominates the Hauraki Gulf. Visit the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial in recognition of a former Prime Minister, and enjoy the vista looking back towards the city and across the harbour.

Drive through Parnell Village with its restored Victorian era villas which have been transformed into upmarket boutiques and cafes. Continue on to the Auckland Domain, a large inner city park, the major feature of which is the Auckland Museum built in the 1930's with large Corinthian columns at the entrance, and one of the best views in Auckland.

Continue on to the extinct volcanic crater of Mt Eden from the top of which you will get panoramic views across the sprawling city in all directions. Also included is a visit to the Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World & Antarctic Encounter. Return to hotel. This afternoon is at leisure for Optional activities such as a harbour cruise on the Waitemata Harbour or visit a nearby island in the beautiful Hauraki Gulf or take the ferry to Devonport. (Please note that Optional activities are not included in the tour costs.)

DAY 3: AUCKLAND / WAITOMO / ROTORUA

Check out of hotel and 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 and arrive at the “Thermal Spa City” of Rotorua in the late afternoon. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or go for an Optional soak in the thermal pools of the Polynesian Spa. (Please note that Optional activities are not included in the tour cost.) Enjoy a Maori Hangi & Concert this evening.

DAY 4: ROTORUA / CHRISTCHURCH

This morning enjoy a self drive 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, visit the museum, or perhaps wander around the city centre and do some shopping or explore the surrounding region, such as a drive to Lake Taupo. (Please note that Optional activities mentioned above are not included in tour cost.)

DAY 5: CHRISTCHURCH / GREYMOUTH / FRANZ JOSEF

Check out of your hotel this morning and drive across the flat Canterbury Plains to the foothills of the Southern Alps and drive across the Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass to Greymouth. Time for a break here for lunch before the continuation south to Franz Josef Glacier.

Drive through the small settlements of Hokitika, Ross and Hari Hari and past several beautiful lakes surrounded by native bush en route to Franz Josef Glacier. Arrive in the late afternoon and check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or perhaps take a walk to the Westland National Park Visitor Centre to learn about the glaciers of this region, or perhaps drive up to the terminal face of the Franz Joself Glacier and have a walk.

DAY 6: 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 activities are not included in the tour cost.)

DAY 7: FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER / QUEENSTOWN

Check out of your hotel this morning and drive to Queenstown this traveling through the small settlements of Fox Glacier and 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.

Drive past the small settlement of Makarora opposite the Mount Aspiring National Park and along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea before passing through the fruitgrowing area around Cromwell. Continue on to Queenstown via the scenic Kawarau Gorge to arrive at the picturesque resort town of Queenstown nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by high mountain peaks which provide a dramatic backdrop. Check in to your hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore on your own.

DAY 8: 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 the spectacular scenery. Return to Queenstown in the early evening and the rest of the day is at leisure to relax or experience the bars and cafes.

DAY 9: QUEENSTOWN

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, 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 10:QUEENSTOWN / MOUNT COOK / CHRISTCHURCH

Check out of your hotel and depart Queenstown this morning and drive through the Kawarau Gorge to the fruitgrowing region of Cromwell and across Lake Dunstan and on through Central Otago to the Lindis Pass and climb up into the MacKenzie High Country and on to New Zealand’s highest mountain – 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 scenic flight is not included in tour costs.) Depart Mt Cook and follow the shores of Lake Pukaki and on to Lake Tekapo and the “Church of the Good Shepherd”, before descending Burkes Pass to Fairlie. Drive across rolling hill country to the farming servicing centre of Geraldine and then follow the long straight roads across the Canterbury Plains to the “Garden City” of Christchurch. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or perhaps time for some last minute shopping.

DAY 11: 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.