Day 1 – To Auckland: Upon arrival in Auckland you will be met and transferred to the Heritage Auckland Hotel for 1 night. (N)

Day 2 – To Pauanui: This morning, travel to the beautiful and rugged Coromandel Peninsula and take a ride on the Driving Creek narrow gauge railway to an artist colony. Stay overnight at the Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort in Pauanui. (B)

Day 3 – To Rotorua: Travel along the Bay of Plenty to Tauranga and Mount Maunganui before heading inland across the volcanic plateau to the geothermal town of Rotorua. On arrival, take a twilight cruise across Lake Rotoiti. Stay 2 nights at the Amora Lake Resort Okawa Bay in Rotorua. (B, D)

Day 4 – Rotorua: Morning cruise across the clear waters of Lake Tarawera, where you will have the opportunity to soak in the thermal waters of Hot Water beach. Afternoon visit to the Blue and Green Lakes of the buried village of Te Wairoa. (B, L)

Day 5 – To Napier: After a morning visit to Wai-O-Tapu, a geothermal park with geysers, bubbling mud pools and volcanic craters, travel south to Taupo, visiting the mighty Huka Falls and Wairakei Geothermal Project en route. Continue to Napier, one of the world’s finest art deco cities. Upon arrival, learn about Napier’s history on an afternoon walking tour. Stay 2 nights at the Scenic Hotel Te Pania. (B)

Day 6 – Napier: Day at leisure to relax or explore the surrounding wineries. (B)

Day 7 – To Wellington: This morning, travel south to the capital, Wellington, passing through the Wairarapa wine region en route and visiting Mount Bruce, New Zealand’s National Wildlife Centre. Upon arrival, take a short orientation tour of the city and stay overnight at the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor. (B)

Day 8 – To Marlborough Sounds: Morning at leisure to further explore Wellington, before travelling across the Cook Straight by Interislander ferry to South Island. On arrival, transfer to Marlborough Sounds by floatplane and stay 2 nights at Raetihi Lodge. (B, D)

Day 9 – Marlborough Sounds: Day at leisure to relax or explore the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. (B, D)

Day 10 – To Kaikoura: Return to Picton by floatplane, before travelling down the east coast through Blenheim to Kaikoura. Upon arrival, transfer to White Morph Motor Inn for 1 night. Afternoon at leisure to join a whalewatching cruise or a local Maori family for an insight into Maori culture. (B)

Day 11 – To Mount Cook National Park: This morning, continue south to Mount Cook National Park, visiting the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo en route. Stay overnight at the Mount Cook Hermitage Hotel. (B, D)

Day 12 – To Queenstown: Morning cruise to Tasman glacier, where you will be able to get up close to the 400-year-old icebergs on Lake Tasman. Next, travel through scenic MacKenzie Country before beginning the ascent over Lindis Pass en route to Queenstown. Stay 4 nights at the Heritage Queenstown Hotel. (B)

Days 13-14 – Queenstown: Days at leisure to explore this spectacular area. (B)

Day 15 – Milford Sound: Today, you will travel to Milford Sound for a scenic nature cruise along the full length of the fiord. During the cruise, an onboard nature guide will explain the region’s history, flora and fauna. Wildlife you may spot includes dolphins, seals, penguins and albatrosses. (B, L)

Day 16 – To Fox Glacier: This morning, you will travel north to the rugged west coast and the small town of Fox Glacier. En route, visit the historic gold mining settlement of Arrowtown and the scenic Lake Wanaka. Stay overnight at Distinction Fox Glacier Te Weheka. This afternoon, there will be an opportunity to experience an optional scenic flight over the nearby glaciers and mountains (subject to weather conditions). (B)

Day 17 – To Methven: Travel north to Greymouth this morning and board the TranzAlpine train to Darfield. Considered one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world, the train winds its way over viaducts, through river gorges and across the Southern Alps. Upon arrival, you will transfer to Terrace Downs Resort in Methven for 1 night. (B)

Day 18 – To Christchurch: Transfer to Christchurch airport to fly home or continue your holiday. (B)

Group size: This tour will not exceed 16 guests.

Booking conditions: Cox & Kings is acting as an agent on behalf of The Great New Zealand Travel Company and its cancellation conditions will apply. Please contact Cox & Kings for details.

Flights not included: International and domestic flights are not included with this itinerary. For flight options and prices, please call one of our New Zealand specialists.

Meal Basis: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals