DAY 1-2: Depart UK.
On Friday afternoon fly to Auckland, via Los Angeles (you will be required to clear US immigration when in transit).

DAY 3: Arrive Auckland.
On arrival in Auckland you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay (check-in may be in the afternoon). The rest of the day is yours to relax and begin getting to know the city. Perhaps you'd like to take one of our optional excursions and experience the highly enjoyable lunchtime Auckland harbour cruise.

DAY 4: Auckland. Included sightseeing.
Standing on an isthmus with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Tasman Sea on the other, New Zealand's largest city is a fertile, clean and friendly metropolis, surrounded by numerous volcanoes, including Mount Eden. This morning you'll enjoy an included city sightseeing tour, including visits to the Harbour Bridge, Mount Eden, Auckland Domain and Parnell Village with its colonial style shops. Your evening is free, so why not visit the revolving Orbit Restaurant situated at the top of Sky Tower for the most amazing views of Auckland at night?

DAY 5: Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua.
Today we head south through verdant countryside to the famous Waitomo Glow-worm caves. This ancient seabed has been eroded into an incredible landscape of caves and limestone formations. Thousands of glow-worms inhabit the caves, their lights reflected in an underground river. After lunch continue over the Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua. This evening why not join our optional excursion, a 'Hangi Dinner' followed by an authentic Maori concert. (L)

DAY 6: Rotorua - Napier.
This morning we begin our day by visiting Paradise Valley Springs, a natural Trout and Wildlife Park with acres of native New Zealand bush. Later, we visit the Agrodome to learn more about one of the country's major industries - sheep. We will also visit Wai-O-Tapu thermal reserve, where you will see gushing geysers, boiling mud pools and steaming underground rivers. Afterwards we travel to Napier, known for both its wine industry and Art Deco architecture, for an overnight stay.

DAY 7: Napier - Wellington.
On your arrival in Wellington enjoy a brief orientation tour of the city. The evening is yours to explore further and sample the local cuisine.

DAY 8: Wellington - Christchurch. Included sightseeing.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Christchurch, known as the 'Garden City' because of its many lovely parks and gardens. On arrival you'll enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city, including a drive up the winding Summit Road for views of Lyttleton Harbour.

DAY 9: Christchurch - Tranz Alpine train - Franz Josef.
Today sees one of the true highlights of your trip - a breathtaking scenic ride on the Tranz Alpine, one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world, taking you through the rugged Southern Alps to Arthurs Pass where you will disembark and board your coach to Franz Josef for your overnight stay.

DAY 10: Franz Josef - Queenstown.
Another journey through awe-inspiring scenery takes us to Queenstown for three nights. (B)

DAY 11: Queenstown.
A full day to explore Queenstown at your leisure. Why not join our optional excursion - a Kawarau jet boat ride? Not only will you be thrilled by the unique and exciting Kawarau Jet boat, but during your trip you will also learn all about the river's history.

DAY 12: Milford Sound.
We journey into Fiordland National Park, through the Homer Tunnel and on to spectacular Milford Sound for a cruise on this awe-inspiring 16km waterway, lined with soaring walls of rock. Rising above the Sound is the vast, usually snow-capped form of Mitre Peak.

DAY 13: Queenstown - Twizel.
Today we travel through picturesque sheep country fringed with mountain ranges. Twizel is the closest town to Mount Cook - or Aoraki, meaning 'cloud piercer' in Maori - the highest peak in Australasia, and home to the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand's biggest. Perhaps you'd like to join us for an optional Glacier Highlights Ski Plane Flight, offering spectacular views over majestic mountains that are almost close enough to touch? (D)

DAY 14: Twizel - Mount Cook - Christchurch.
Another scenic day awaits as we travel to the Alpine village of Mount Cook. The surrounding National Park is an exquisitely picturesque natural wonderland with 15 peaks over 9,900 feet high, including Mount Cook itself. We will also stop at Lake Tekapo to view the Church of the Good Shepherd, then cross the patchwork Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

DAY 15: Christchurch - UK.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK via Auckland and Los Angeles.

DAY 16: Home landing in the UK.