Highlights of New Zealand

On-board your international outbound flight to Auckland.

This morning collect your car and make the three hour drive south to Rotorua. The drive to Rotorua takes around three hours and it's a straightforward drive that takes in the green farmlands of the region and into the forested plateau before arriving at Lake Rotorua, you will stay here for two nights.

Spend the morning exploring Rainbow Springs and the Kiwi sanctuary with a keeper. This evening, you have tickets to a Maori cultural evening, where you'll experience traditional performances and a delicious 'Hangi' feast.

In the morning, drive to the Rotorua airport in time for your onward flight to Blenheim. In Blenheim, you will be collected by a representative and transported by private vehicle to your accommodation. The rest of the day is open to explore the wine region of New Zealand.

Spend the day biking around, with your small group, the stunning Blenheim wine region while doing a variety of wine tastings at places like Cloudy Bay.

This morning you will be transported from your accommodation to the train station in time for your afternoon train journey from Blenheim to Kaikoura. In the late afternoon, you will arrive into Kaikoura, home to where the mountains and ocean meets. You will spend the next two nights here.

This morning head out to the Pacific Ocean and don snorkel gear to jump in the water. Here you have the potential to swim with wild dolphins that frequent the region, these curious animals love to interact with humans.

Today, you will have the morning to explore Kaikoura before taking the TranzCoastal train from Kaikoura to Christchurch. Try out one of the excellent restaurants in Christchurch tonight — we suggest dining in one along New Regent Street, which has a wide range of options.

Early this morning take a taxi to the train station this morning where you board the TranzAlpine train. This three hour scenic journey takes you across the Southern Alps through Arthur's Pass National Park to South Island's west coast. Upon arrival in Greymouth you collect your hire car from the train station and take a leisurely drive down to the Glaciers. We can highly recommend stopping en route at the small town of Hokitika for lunch. The drive to Franz Josef takes around three hours.

Today you will enjoy a fabulous heli hike on the Franz Josef glacier. You will be flown up over the glacier before landing where you will put on your crampons and your guide will pick out a path with his pick axe, enabling him to show you the best ice formations on the glacier that day. Your helicopter will collect you and fly you back down to the township where you have access to the relaxing hot pools for the afternoon.

This morning, you will drive south to Queenstown. On the way, there are plenty of short walks to take in the Haast Pass and scenic spots to enjoy. Stop off for the afternoon in Wanaka, a beautiful lakeside town surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. Then take the road over the Cardrona range to Queenstown which offers you spectacular views of the Queenstown area.

You will join the Dart River Wilderness Safari today - a great half day excursion including an exhilarating jet boat ride followed by a short guided walk and scenic 4WD trip through the forest where you will learn about the local flora and fauna as well as local Maori and colonial history. The trip will take you to Glenorchy and you will have the opportunity to view some of the filming locations of Lord of The Rings during the tour!

Today make your own way to the airport in time for your onward flight.

Arrive home today to complete your journey.