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.

Climb over the bushclad Mamaku Ranges and arrive at the “Thermal Spa City” of Rotorua in the late afternoon on the shores of Lake Rotorua. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax of go for an Optional soak in the thermal waters of the Polynesian Spa. (Please note that the Optional activities mentioned above are not included in the tour costs.)

DAY 3: ROTORUA / QUEENSTOWN

This morning check out of your hotel and 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.

Self drive to Rotorua Airport and drop off the rental car prior to boarding your flight to Queenstown. (Flight not included in tour costs) Pick up self drive rental car on arrival at Queenstown Airport and drive to the hotel in Queenstown and check-in. Rest of the day is at leisure to relax or to explore the local area on your own. There are many options here.

DAY 4: QUEENSTOWN / MILFORD SOUND

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 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 spectacular waterfalls, seals, dolphins and maybe some penguins as well as stunning scenery. Return to Queenstown late in the afternoon and the rest of the day is at leisure to relax.

DAY 5: QUEENSTOWN

oday 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 to the top of Bob's Peak, TSS Earnslaw Cruise across Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak Sheep Station, 4WD safaris and many more options. Enjoy Queenstown - the Adventure Capital of New Zealand.

DAY 6: MOUNT COOK / CHRISTCHURCH

Depart Queenstown this morning and travel through the Kawarau Gorge to the fruitgrowing region of Cromwell, across Lake Dunstan and on through Central Otago to the Lindis Pass and up into the MacKenzie High Country 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 at the time. (Please note that the Optional scenic flight is not included in the 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 and across rolling hill country to the farming service centre of Geraldine and then across the long, straight roads of the Canterbury Plains to the “Garden City” of Christchurch. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore on your own.

DAY 7: 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.