Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll be met at Auckland airport and driven directly to your hotel. This gives you time to settle in and get oriented before things start tomorrow.
- Day 2
Auckland to Coromandel Peninsula
After breakfast, you'll take a city tour through Auckland's highlights, then drive out to the Coromandel Peninsula for the afternoon. There's time to get a feel for the area before the evening settles in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Auckland city tour
- Coromandel Peninsula exploration
Landmarks/POIs Coromandel Peninsula 
- Day 3
Coromandel Peninsula to Rotorua
You'll explore Coromandel's geological features and Maori cultural sites throughout the day. The peninsula has sandy beaches and views toward White Island. Later you'll drive through forests and past lakes heading toward Rotorua, arriving in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Geological exploration of Coromandel Peninsula
Landmarks/POIs White Island Bay of Plenty 
- Day 4
Rotorua
Rotorua is known for its active thermal springs and geysers, and you'll have the morning to check things out. In the afternoon you get to choose from various activities depending on what interests you most.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Polynesian Spa visit
- Redwoods Tree Trail hike
- Hobbiton movie set visit
Landmarks/POIs Polynesian Spa Redwoods Tree Trail Hobbiton - Day 5
Rotorua to Whanganui River
You'll see the colorful thermal areas at Wai-O-Tapu and Huka Falls in the morning. After that you'll head to Lake Taupo with its views of three active volcanoes. Then it's on to Whanganui River National Park where a guided hike and jet boat ride get you to your accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Wai-O-Tapu thermal area exploration
- Huka Falls viewing
- Lake Taupo viewing with volcano views
- Whanganui River National Park guided hike
- Jet boat ride
Landmarks/POIs Wai-O-Tapu Huka Falls Lake Taupo Mount Tongariro Mount Ngauruhoe Mount Ruapehu Tongariro National Park Whanganui River National Park - Day 6
Whanganui River to Wellington
Starting early, you take a jet boat upriver to Bridge to Nowhere, then hike to see ancient relics. From there you follow the historic Whanganui River valley and continue along the Kapiti Coast heading toward Wellington.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Jet boat ride to Bridge to Nowhere
- Guided hike to ancient relics
- Whanganui River scenic drive
- Kapiti Coast scenic drive
Landmarks/POIs Bridge to Nowhere Whanganui River Kapiti Coast 
- Day 7
Wellington
Wellington's yours to explore at your own pace. You can wander the harbor area and walk through the town, seeing what catches your interest without a fixed schedule.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Harbor exploration
- Town walks and sightseeing
Landmarks/POIs Wellington Harbor - Day 8
Wellington to Marlborough Sounds
An early ferry gets you to Picton, then you head into Marlborough Sounds. You'll sail through this scenic area on a sailing ship with a captain, taking in the landscape and natural setting around you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing to Picton
- Sailing through Marlborough Sounds
Landmarks/POIs Marlborough Sounds 
- Day 9
Marlborough Sounds
Today you sail past small bays and lonely beaches with bush-covered mountains in the distance. There's a visit to Motuara bird sanctuary to see rare birds, and you'll stop at Ship Cove where Captain Cook anchored during his travels.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Sailing through Marlborough Sounds
- Motuara Island bird sanctuary visit
- Ship Cove visit
Optional Activities
- Queen Charlotte Track hike
Landmarks/POIs Motuara Island Ship Cove Queen Charlotte Track - Day 10
Marlborough Sounds to Abel Tasman National Park
You drive from Marlborough Sounds through Nelson and into Abel Tasman National Park. A boat takes you past multiple bays and along coastal forest, with an easy hike and swimming stop included along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Abel Tasman National Park boat tour
- Easy hike through Abel Tasman National Park
- Swimming stop
Landmarks/POIs Abel Tasman National Park - Day 11
Abel Tasman to Pancake Rocks
Traveling through Buller Gorge toward the west coast, the landscape changes dramatically as subtropical lowland rainforest comes into view. You'll get to see Pancake Rocks during your drive.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Buller Gorge viewing
- Pancake Rocks visit
Landmarks/POIs Buller Gorge Pancake Rocks - Day 12
West Coast to Franz Josef
Hokitika, known for jade, is a stop on your way. From there you continue along the west coast to Franz Josef, which puts you within reach of the Southern Alps glaciers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hokitika jade town visit
Optional Activities
- Glacier region trip (weather dependent)
Landmarks/POIs Hokitika Southern Alps 
- Day 13
Franz Josef to Queenstown
Weather permitting, you'll take a helicopter flight over the glacier systems of the Southern Alps. After that you drive via Haast Pass to Wanaka at the glacial lake, then continue to Queenstown on Lake Wakatipu.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Helicopter flight over Southern Alps glaciers
Landmarks/POIs Haast Pass Wanaka Lake Wakatipu 
- Day 14
Queenstown
You have the day to yourself in Queenstown. There's no set itinerary, so you can do as much or as little as you want exploring this popular resort area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 15
Queenstown to Te Anau
Driving through Fiordland National Park, you head to Te Anau. This town serves as the main gateway for visiting Milford Sound, so you'll settle in here for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Glowworm caves visit (afternoon)
Landmarks/POIs Fiordland National Park - Day 16
Te Anau to Milford Sound
You'll head to Milford Sound for a boat trip past foaming waterfalls and dramatic cliffs. Keep an eye out for seals, penguins, and dolphins as you cruise through this iconic area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Milford Sound boat trip
Landmarks/POIs Milford Sound - Day 17
Milford Sound to Mount Cook
Early departure from Fiordland, then you travel over Lindis Pass through MacKenzie Country heading to Mount Cook Village. The drive takes you through some impressive high country terrain.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Lindis Pass MacKenzie Country 
- Day 18
Mount Cook to Canterbury Plain
Depending on weather, there's an easy hike available in the mountains. Later you drive to Canterbury Plain, leaving the high peaks behind. You'll visit a farm to learn about rural New Zealand life and stay in a countryside guesthouse.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Farm visit
Optional Activities
- Easy mountain hike (weather dependent)
Landmarks/POIs Southern Alps - Day 19
Canterbury Plain to Akaroa
You walk through Peel Forest on a nature trail, then continue toward Rakaia River and across Canterbury Plain to Banks Peninsula. By evening you're in Akaroa, a town founded by French settlers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Peel Forest nature trail
Landmarks/POIs Peel Forest Rakaia River Banks Peninsula - Day 20
Akaroa to Christchurch
The drive crosses over the mountains of the peninsula's crater rim and brings you to Christchurch. You'll get a short city tour through what's known as New Zealand's garden city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Christchurch city tour
Landmarks/POIs Banks Peninsula crater rim - Day 21
Christchurch
Depending on when your flight leaves, you'll be transferred to the airport for your journey home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
