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 / WAITOMO / ROTORUA

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

DAY 4: ROTORUA / TAUPO / WELLINGTON

Check out of your hotel and drive from hotel to Rotorua Airport and drop off the rental car before boarding your departure flight to Christchurch. (Domestic air sector not included in tour costs.) Fly to Christchurch. Pick up another self drive rental car on arrival at Christchurch Airport and drive to the hotel.

The rest of the day is at leisure for Optional activities such as a ride on the Christchurch Tram, or a punt on the Avon River, or visit the Canterbury Arts Centre or the Canterbury Museum, or perhaps take a walk through some of the magnificent parks and gardens of the "Garden City", such as the Botanical Gardens, Hagley Park or Mona Vale, or perhaps explore some of the surrounding region on your own. (Please note that Optional activities mentioned above are not included in tour costs.)

DAY 5: WELLINGTON / PICTON / KAIKOURA

Check out of hotel and drive to the Wellington ferry terminal and drop off the rental car before boarding the Inter-Island Ferry and cross to Picton in the South Island. Sail out of Wellington Harbour and into the Cook Strait and across to the Marlborough Sounds.

Cruise through the scenic Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton. Here pick up another rental car and drive to Kaikoura via the Marlborough wine region and the scenic Kaikoura Coast. Check in to your hotel and relax. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore on your own. Kaikoura is well known for the many very good seafood restaurants here and for its fresh crayfish.

DAY 6: KAIKOURA / CHRISTCHURCH

This morning check out of your hotel and transfer to a launch for a Whalewatch cruise to observe these giant mammals at close quarters. Afterwards depart Kaikoura and drive to Christchurch travelling along the Kaikoura Coast for part of the way and through the sheep farming region of North Canterbury. Arrive at the "Garden City" of Christchurch and check in to your hotel. The rest of the day at leisure to relax, or to take a drive and explore this very English city with its many beautiful parks, gardens, and beach suburbs on your own.

DAY 7: CHRISTCHURCH / MOUNT COOK / QUEENSTOWN

Check out of the hotel and depart Christchurch for Queenstown travelling via Mount Cook. Drive across the flat straight roads of the Canterbury Plains to the farming servicing centre of Geraldine and through 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 continue south via Twizel and Omarama and climb over the Lindis Pass to Central Otago, and across Lake Dunstan to the fruit growing area around Cromwell. Drive through the scenic Kawarau Gorge and arrive at picturesque Queenstown nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in the late afternoon. Check in to your hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure to relax or to explore this beautiful place on your own.

DAY 8: QUEENSTOWN / MILFORD SOUND / QUEENSTOWN

Full day excursion to Milford Sound. Travel 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 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 go for a walk and experience the many bars, cafes and restaurants.

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, luge, TSS Earnslaw cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Sheep Station, 4WD safaris, and many more options. (Optional activities mentioned above are not included in the tour costs.) Enjoy your time in beautiful Queenstown - the Adventure Capital of New Zealand.

DAY 10: QUEENSTOWN / FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER

Depart Queenstown and transfer to Franz Josef Glacier this morning, travelling through the Kawarau Gorge once more and the fruit-growing area around Cromwell and along the shores of Lakes Hawea and Wanaka, past the settlement of Makarora adjacent to the Mount Aspiring National Park, before climbing up and over the bush clad Haast Pass, the southern most gateway to the West Coast and the glaciers beyond.

Pass through the small settlements of Haast at the mouth of the Haast River, and several beautiful lakes which are surrounded by native bush. Stop at Knights Point to view a seal colony on the beach below and continue on to Fox Glacier further north before arriving at Franz Josef Glacier. Check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or perhaps take a short walk to the Westland National Park Visitor Centre and learn more about the glaciers which dominate this region, or take a short drive to the terminal face of the Franz Josef Glacier.

DAY 11: 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. Allow 4.5 hours for this excursion. 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 12: FRANZ JOSEF / GREYMOUTH / CHRISTCHURCH

Check out of your hotel and depart Franz Josef Glacier this morning and head north to Greymouth, passing through the small settlements of Harihari, Ross, and Hokitika and past several beautiful lakes along the way. Continue on to Christchurch travelling via the scenic Arthur’s Pass across the Southern Alps mountain range to the “Garden City” of Christchurch arriving in the late afternoon. Check in to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or perhaps to do some last minute shopping, or to explore some more of the city on your own.

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.