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 southern motorway and over the Bombay Hills and descend into the lush, green, dairy farming area of the Waikato Province to the world famous Waitomo Caves. Take a guided tour through the Waitomo Glow worm caves and view staligtite, staligmites and thousands of tiny glow worms.

Continue on to Rotorua via the prosperous town of Cambridge, well known for many of the thoroughbred horse stud farms in the local area that produce some of the top race horses. Continue over the bushclad Mamaku Ranges and arrive at the “Thermal Spa City”of Rotorua. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore on your own or take an Optional soak in the thermal waters of the Polynesian Spa. (Please note that Optional activities are not included in tour costs.)

DAY 3: ROTORUA

oday 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.

The afternoon is at leisure for Optional activities or exploring on your own. You may like to visit the Polynesian Pools and relax in the thermal waters which are sourced from the earth directly below. (Please note that Optional activities are not included in tour cost.) This evening enjoy an authentic Maori Concert and Hangi Dinner.

DAY 4: ROTORUA / CHRISTCHURCH

Check out of your hotel and drive to Rotorua Airport, drop off self drive rental car and fly to Christchurch. On arrival at Christchurch Airport pick up another self drive rental car and drive to your hotel and check in. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the "Garden City" on your own. (Please note that air sector ROT/CHC is not included in the tour costs.)

DAY 5: CHRISTCHURCH / MOUNT COOK / QUEENSTOWN

Check out of your hotel this morning and self drive to Queenstown today traveling across the Canterbury Plains to Geraldine and over rolling hill country to Fairlie. Climb up through the Burke’s Pass to the MacKenzie High Country.

Stop at the “Church of the Good Shepherd” on the shores of Lake Tekapo before following Lake Pukaki to the highest mountain in New Zealand – Mt 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 at the time.

(Please note that Optional scenic flight is not included in tour costs.) Continue via Twizel and Omarama and through the Lindis Pass to Central Otago and the fruit growing area around Cromwell. Cross Lake Dunstan and drive through the scenic Kawarau Gorge and arrive at picturesque Queenstown set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore this lively place on your own.

DAY 6: QUEENSTOWN / MILFORD SOUND / QUEENSTOWN

Today enjoy a 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, seals, dolphins, and maybe some penguins as well as beautiful scenery. Return to Queenstown in the late afternoon. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy.

DAY 7: QUEENSTOWN /FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER

Self drive to Franz Josef Glacier this morning traveling through the Kawarau Gorge once more and the fruit growing area around Cromwell and along the shores of Lakes Hawea and Wanaka before climbing up and over the bush clad Haast Pass to the West Coast beyond.

Pass through the small settlements of Haast at the mouth of the Haast River and Fox Glacier further north before arriving at Franz Josef Glacier. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore this small town on your own and perhaps take a walk and visit the Westland National Park Visitors Centre to learn more about the glaciers of this region.

DAY 8: FRANZ JOSEF / GREYMOUTH / CHRISTCHURCH

Depart Franz Josef Glacier this morning and self drive north to Greymouth, passing through the small settlements of Hari Hari, Ross and Hokitika, as well as several lakes surrounded by native bush on the way.

Stop off at Greymouth for a lunch break and travel via the scenic Arthur’s Pass across the Southern Alps mountain range to Christchurch arriving in the late afternoon. Drive to your hotel and check-in. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to relax and explore the "Garden City", or perhaps do some last minute shopping for local souvenirs.

DAY 9: 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.