This is a great introduction to the highlights of the North and South Island, designed for people who must be conservative with their time and money. Arrive in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. Join an evening harbour cruise where you will enjoy sunset views of the skyline, and a delicious Kiwi dinner! Enjoy a private city tour of Auckland and a special treat (seasonal) with the America's cup sailing. The following day travel overland from Auckland to Rotorua by coach, stopping along the way to visit Waitomo. Take a guided tour through the galleries and lofty chambers of the caves, and a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto. Once in Rotorua, spend a leisurely spa day at the Hells Gate Geothermal reserve, where you will experience the unique mud and water baths that this region is famous for. Attend a Maori Hangi and concert, where you learn about traditional Maori customs and beliefs and finish it all off with an authentic hangi dinner! Fly to Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. Embark on a day trip to Milford Sound, where you will take a cruise through this important New Zealand landmark. You will travel by coach back to Queenstown where you will enjoy the afternoon exploring this beautiful and vibrant city. You will do the Famous Routeburn hike at your own pace. Doing anywhere from 6kms to 18kms. The scenery will take your breath away. You will board a coach and travel to Franz Josef glacier amonst some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country. Spend the night at the base of the glacier and then travel to the small town of Greymouth by coach where you will catch the TranzAlpine train. This journey is sure to be a highlight listed as one of the top train journeys in the world. You will arrive in Christchurch and fall in love with this old english city. Enjoy boating on the avon or browsing in the beautiful boutique shops.
You will not want to leave this incredibly beautiful country.

*** Due to fluctuating costs, the flights are not included in this itinerary. Air New Zealand offers great rates for this routing. You may also wish to speak with your travel agent about including domestic air with your international ***

Auckland is the largest city in the country, and has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world. It is one of the few cities in the world to have harbours on two separate major bodies of water. Auckland is popularly known as the "City of Sails" because the harbour is often dotted with hundreds of yachts, in fact over 135,000 are registered in the city. Many national treasures are displayed at the Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland War Memorial Museum, the National Maritime Museum, or the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT). Exotic creatures can be observed at the Auckland Zoo and Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World.

A private vehicle with driver will provide a transfer between the Auckland Airport and Hotel.

Enjoy a unique dining experience on Auckland’s magnificent Waitemata Harbour.  Enjoy an evening of great sailing as the sun sets on the horizon allowing the night lights of this photogenic city come to life.  The experienced crew provides detailed info about Auckland’s, whilst those craving some physical activity have the opportunity to participate in the sailing experience. Choose from a set menu served by the crew during the dinner stop at a sheltered mooring location. 

Centrally located in Auckland, this property is near Queen Street Shopping District, Sky Tower, and Auckland City Hall. Additional nearby points of interest include Auckland War Memorial Museum. Guestrooms have premium bedding, air conditioning, and slippers; rooms also include refrigerators, separate bathtubs and showers, and bathrobes. At Stamford Plaza Auckland recreational amenities include an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a sauna. The property also provides a business center, a concierge desk, and a porter/bellhop.

Overnight at Stamford Plaza (5*).

After being picked up from your hotel, travel west to the Arataki Centre, doorway to the Waitakere Ranges and from its sweeping decks take in the breathtaking panoramic views extending from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Absorb the area’s history and admire the magnificent traditional Maori carvings that stand guard there. Continue further west with our knowledgeable and highly experienced guides to the wild and rugged West Coast where you get to experience the power of nature. Feel the black sand beneath your feet as you stroll along one of the most awe-inspiring beaches the world has to offer. Unwind by a beautiful cascading waterfall. A short journey brings you to the lush rainforest where you walk the easy bush tracks amongst New Zealand’s giant tree ferns and hear native birds. Visit a magnificent specimen of New Zealand’s famous Kauri trees.

The America’s Cup is the world’s oldest and most prestigious sporting trophy and ultimate yachting accomplishment.  Usually the domain of billionaires and elite professional yachties, this activity provides a very unique opportunity to participate in sailing on these grand prix racing machines.  A must do attraction in Auckland and a unique opportunity to participate as crew on an actual America’s Cup yacht.  The experience varies per person: take the helm, exert energy on the grinders or sit back, relax and enjoy the sail, a once in a lifetime experience.

Overnight at Stamford Plaza (5*).

Rotorua is a city on the southern shore of Lake Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island. It is also home to botanical gardens and interesting historic architecture. Known as a spa town and major tourist resort since the 1800s, many of its buildings hint at this history, particularly Government Gardens at the eastern end of the town. Another of Rotorua's attractions is the mountain biking. Whakarewarewa (also known as the "Redwoods") Forest has been described as 'the Disneyland of mountain biking' and has some of the best mountain bike trails in New Zealand.

Enjoy a full day of touring around Waitomo and Rotorua.  Begin by travelling south past Auckland, through the small rural townships of the early pioneer times, before stopping briefly for a morning tea. Continue travelling through the rich farmland of the Waikato towards the King Country (birthplace of the Maori Monarchy) before arriving in Waitomo. Join a guided tour through the enchanting Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, which is climaxed by a boat ride through the Glow-worm Grotto, a cavern system illuminated by thousands of tiny lights from the glow-worms suspended from the cave ceiling.  After, lunch is served before re-boarding the coach making route to Rotorua.  Upon arrival in Rotorua take a soak in the award-winning Polynesian Spa, voted one of the world's top 10 day spa resorts. Enjoy tranquil bathing and lake views in four shallow alkaline rock pools, each with different temperatures ranging from 36°C to 42°C.  The pools are filled with soothing alkaline mineral water leaving skin soft and supple.  Surrounded by the lush native New Zealand flora, natural rocks, and the sound of two waterfalls, this experience will truly revitalize one’s body and mind. The tour continues with a visit to the Te Puia Arts & Crafts Institute, Maori Village and some local boiling mud pools.  The day concludes as the coach travels back to Auckland through the horse breeding district of Matamata and pastureland of the Hauraki Plains where a light snack is served.

Escape to The Regent of Rotorua, Rotorua’s newest designer 5 star Boutique Hotel & Spa offering stylish luxury accommodation, restaurant, wine & cocktail bar, all with a touch of glamour. An oasis of understated hip contemporary elegance and comfort amidst the exciting attractions and experiences Rotorua has to offer. Step out of the calm of your gorgeous room or suite and stroll to the vibrant restaurant zone or lakefront area….or simply stay in, relax and savour the hotel's luxury facilities.

Overnight at Regent of Rotorua (5*).

The unique geothermal muds and waters of Rotorua are renowned for their curative and invigorating properties—and this is particularly so at “Hells Gate” - Rotorua’s most active thermal park. Hells Gate Geothermal Park is set in 50 acres with a large variety of thermal features. Walk past steaming fumeroles and hot pools of boiling mud so violent they are unnerving. Wai Ora Spa Facility is where visitors can experience the unique geothermal mud and sulphurous waters in privacy as well as in a totally unique environment. There are three private mud baths in the Wai Ora (“Healthy Waters”) Spa Facility – one family and two three-person baths each containing in excess of 70-100kgs of the finest geothermal muds in both suspended and solid form.

On arrival at Mitai Maori Village, you are welcomed by Mitai family members and guided to your table in the dining area. Here, you will receive an introduction into Maori customs and traditions, rituals, beliefs, protocol and language. Mitai are proud to offer you an authentic hangi meal that is cooked in the earth oven known as 'the hangi pit'. Your menu includes a hot selection of succulent New Zealand Lamb & Chicken, Potatoes (Rewai), Sweet Potato (Kumara) and stuffing (a combination of Bread, Mixed Herbs, Corn, Carrots & Peas). Side dishes include scalloped potatoes baked with a cheese topping and freshly baked Garlic Bread.

Overnight at Regent of Rotorua (5*).

Queenstown is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It is built around an inlet on Lake Wakatipu, a long thin lake shaped like a staggered lightning bolt, and has spectacular views of nearby mountains. A resort town, Queenstown is a centre for adventure tourism. Skiing, jet boating, bungee jumping, mountain biking, tramping and fly fishing are all strong promotional themes. Queenstown is a major centre for snow sports in New Zealand, with four main mountain skifields (Cardrona Alpine Resort, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Treble Cone).

Enjoy a private airport transfer to your accommodation or v.v. with vehicle and driver.

Enjoy a private airport transfer to your accommodation with vehicle and driver.

Centrally located in Queenstown, this property is near Queenstown Harbour and TSS Earnslaw Steamship. Another nearby point of interest is Steamer Wharf. Guestrooms open to balconies with city, lake or mountain views and feature patios. Other amenities include coffee/tea makers and shower/tub combinations. In addition to a restaurant and a concierge desk, Novotel Queenstown Lakeside features a bar/lounge, complimentary high-speed (wired) Internet access, and 24-hour room service.

Overnight at Novotel Lakeside (4*).

Travel by luxury coach on an unforgettable journey from Queenstown into Milford Sound. Located within the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, this region is rich with dense rainforest, lakes and waterfalls cascading from rugged mountain peaks. Travel through the Southern Alps via the Homer Tunnel, a 1.2km tunnel drilled through a solid mountain of rock. Upon arrival at Milford Sound, board your Red Boat vessel for a spectacular cruise in New Zealand’s most famous waterway. Return by coach to Queenstown. Buffet Lunch is included during your cruise today.

Overnight at Novotel Lakeside (4*).

This full day walk in the ancient beech forest of the Mount Aspiring National Park starts with a scenic drive to the northern end of Lake Wakatipu and into the Routeburn Valley. The high snow capped mountains provide a magnificent backdrop for the walk up this beautiful river valley. A journey along the edge of the lake from Queenstown to the head of Lake Wakatipu is the ideal preparation for the splendour of the world-famous Routeburn Track. Your walk begins among towering ancient beech forest, climbing gradually through blankets of forest moss and fern and skirting the thundering Routeburn through the gorge it has carved over the millennia. The woodland eventually parts to reveal the rich grassland of Routeburn Flats, overlooked on all sides by cloud-scraping mountains, some so high they have permafrost and small glaciers. The flats is a pristine sites for us to enjoy a well earned lunch, as is the next stop, Routeburn Falls, a short stride through more alpine forest. You and yours

Overnight at Novotel Lakeside (4*).

Franz Josef is a small town in the West Coast region of the South Island of New Zealand. The town is named after the Franz Josef Glacier. The glacier's terminal face is 5km from the town and its accessibility makes it a major tourist attraction. The town has a population of about 320 people and is 20 minutes walk from the Westland National Park.

Depart Queenstown by coach at 7:40am passing through Cromwell, Wanaka and Hawea before travelling over the magnificent Haast Pass into Westland.

A local shuttle is available to take you to the glacier base (own arrangements, weather permitting). Spectacular photo opportunities abound of these huge ice masses. Watch out for Keas (native parrots) and their inquisitive cheeky play.

Punga Grove offers stylish motel accommodation in the heart of Franz Josef Glacier village. Perfectly positioned in a beautiful rainforest, set amongst native forest against a stunning backdrop of high alpine peaks, Punga Grove is your natural West Coast accommodation choice for your stay in Glacier Country in New Zealand.

Overnight at Punga Grove (4*).

Prepare for a fantastic introduction session into an enthralling world of ice, traversing spectacular tracks of only moderate difficulty.  This hike travels along the impressive terrain on the lower reaches of Franz Josef Glacier.  After a short walk through regenerating rainforest, the trip continues along the glacier valley with the expert guide providing information about the unique features of the Franz Josef Glacier and its surroundings. After equipping a pair of crampons, make route up the terminal face of the glacier, where pre-formed tracks make exploring the lower reaches of the glacier achievable for most agile people. The terrain can look daunting, but the huge effort the guides put into creating extensive trails, allows for further travel and more to see. Afterwards - enjoy a soak at the Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools.

Overnight at Punga Grove (4*).

Christchurch is the regional capital of Canterbury, New Zealand. The largest city in the South Island, situated just north of Banks Peninsula. The large number of public parks has given Christchurch the name of The Garden City. Hagley Park and the 30-hectare (75 acre) Christchurch Botanic Gardens, founded in 1863, are in the central city. Other attractions include; Canterbury Museum, Ferrymead Heritage Park, Orana Wildlife Park, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Air Force Museum, Southern Encounter Aquarium and Kiwi House, International Antarctic Centre.

Join your coach and continue to Greymouth, the largest township and port in the area, rich in gold and coal mining history.

The TranzAlpine scenic train journey travels between Greymouth and Christchurch, from one coast of New Zealand to the other. From your carriage you’ll see the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River fields, followed by the Canterbury Plains and farmland . Your train climbs into the Southern Alps through lush beech rain forest from the West Coast town of Greymouth. Our train journey finishes in Christchurch - New Zealand's largest city on the South Island. The trip is 223.8 kilometres long and takes just four and a half hours. There are 16 tunnels, and 5 viaducts, the highest being the Staircase standing at 73 metres.

Peppers Clearwater Resort Christchurch is a stunning waterfront resort set within beautiful grounds and surrounded by clear shimmering lakes and water ways from which the resort gets its name.  Built with a contemporary boathouse design, all apartments feature the premium facilities and services you expect from a Peppers Resort. Accommodation offers marvellous lake or fairway views while our spacious two bedroom apartment boast's a cosy fireplace designed to warm the soul.

Overnight at Peppers Clearwater Resort (5*).

A private vehicle with driver will provide a transfer between the airport and hotel.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard).