Day 1London
Today you will board your international economy flight from London Heathrow to Auckland.
Day 2
In flight.
Upon arrival in Auckland you will be welcomed by one of our representatives who will hand you your travel documentation and then transfer you to your hotel.
After you have settled into your hotel room venture out into Auckland to explore. Take a boat ride around the harbour or visit the city's many shops and museums. This evening wander to the harbour area which has an abundance of bars and restaurants.
This morning collect your hire car from the downtown depot and drive inland to the thermal plateau region and the lakeside town of Rotorua. This afternoon take a ride on the skyline gondola, or perhaps experience a traditional Maori Hangi evening.
You have the whole day to explore the thermal plateau region. Take a drive to neighbouring Lake Taupo and en-route stop at Wai-o-Tapu thermal reserve to see Lady Knox geyser and the bubbling mud basins known as the Devils Ink Pots. On returning to Rotorua visit Te Puia Maori Culture and Geothermal Experience where you can see a traditional Maori Marae (meeting house) and carving school.
Drop your hire car at Rotorua airport and board your domestic flight to Wellington. Here you will make your way to your accommodation. Spend the afternoon exploring New Zealand's capital city. Take a look around Te Papa Museum and learn all about Maori and settler history. Have a cup of coffee at one of the many street side cafes. Pay a visit to Zealandia, the wildlife sanctuary where you can see various native birds in a natural environment.
Make your way to the ferry terminal this morning and board the InterIslander ferry across to the South Island. Upon arrival in Picton you will collect your hire car from the ferry terminal and drive into the Blenheim and Marlborough winelands.
Spend the afternoon exploring the Blenheim winelands either on your own or join an organised trip. Why not hire a push bike and visit the well known Blenheim and Marlborough vineyards such as Cloudy Bay or Oyster Bay.
Make your way down the east coast to the small township of Kaikoura. Here you will enjoy a whale watching trip which will give you the opportunity to photograph the giant sperm whales which inhabit these water year round.
En-route to Christchurch this afternoon stop to sample the freshly caught Crayfish from the roadside. If you have time when you reach Christchurch you may want to walk around Cathedral square, visit the Antarctic centre or go punting on the Avon River.
Early this morning drop your hire car at the depot. and make your way to the train station where you will board the TranzAlpine train which takes you across the Southern Alps through Arthur's Pass National Park to the west coast.
Upon arrival in Greymouth you will collect your hire car from the train station and take a leisurely drive down to the Glaciers. Why not stop en-route at the small town of Hokitika for lunch.
Rise early this morning and drive to nearby Lake Matheson where you can watch the sun rise. The reflection of Mount Cook in the lakes surface makes for striking photographs. Later on this morning you will enjoy a guided walk to the terminal face of Fox Glacier. If you have time this afternoon you may wish to take an optional helicopter flight over Mount Cook and the Glaciers.
Make your way across the Haast Pass to the lakeside town of Queenstown this morning. This afternoon why not take a ride on the gondola up Bob's Peak to enjoy the fantastic views of the lake and the Remarkables mountain range.
This morning you will be collected from your accommodation and driven along the Milford Road to Milford Sound stopping en-route for photograph opportunities. Once at Milford Sound you will board your nature cruise and enjoy a picnic lunch onboard as you pass waterfalls, dolphins and seals. You will be returned to Queenstown by coach later on this afternoon.
This afternoon drop your hire car at the airport and board your flight to Auckland. Here you will board your international flight back to London.
Arrive back into London today.