Day 1: Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua
Travel south to Waitomo Caves for a boat ride under a galaxy of glowworms. Continue east to to Rotorua. Tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi (feast) and concert. Stay 2 nights in Rotorua.

Day 2: At Rotorua
This morning see roaring geysers and boiling mud pools at the thermal areas, tame trout at the springs and see performing sheep and dogs at the Agrodome. Your afternoon is free.

Day 3: Rotorua - Wellington
Travel south to Wairakei, wreathed by steam, then to the picturesque township of Taupo. Skirt Lake Taupo and cross the volcanic landscape of the Desert Road past the majestic peaks of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu. Continue across the fertile plains of the Manawatu and along the rugged Kapiti coastline to Welington. Stay 1 night in Wellington.

Day 4: Wellington - Christchurch
Cross Cook Strait by ferry, to the Marlborough Sounds and Picton. The TranzCoastal train skims the spectacular coastline. Continue through north Canterbury to Christchurch. Stay 1 night in Christchurch.

Day 5: Christchurch - Dunedin
Travel south across the Canterbury Plains through seaside Timaru, and historic Oamaru to Dunedin 'the Edinburgh of the South'. Arrive early afternoon. Stay 1 night in Dunedin. Please note no commentary is provided on this journey.

Day 6: Dunedin - Taieri Gorge - Queenstown
This morning is at your leisure for optional sightseeing. Board the Taieri Gorge train for a journey through spectacular gorges and over historic viaducts to Pukerangi where you will join your coach for the remainder of the journey to Queenstown. Arrive in Queenstown in the late evening. Stay 3 nights in Queenstown.

Day 7: Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown
An early start around the southern shores of Lake Wakatipu to Lake Te Anau, then into Fiordland National Park. Pass through pristine beech forests and the Homer Tunnel to view the majesty of Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls, aboard a cruise on the Sound. Depart Milford Sound to return to Queenstown by evening.

Day 8: At Queenstown
Today is free for you to enjoy this fabulous alpine resort. We have included the Skyline Gondola in your tour. There are dozens of optional activities from thrilling jet boat rides to leisurely lake cruises, 4WD safaris and bungy jumping.

Day 9: Queenstown  - Glaciers
Travel to Cromwell and on through the Southern Lakes district to the Haast Pass. Travel north, through dense rainforest broken by rugged coastal vistas, towards the glaciers. A shuttle will take you to view one of these massive rivers of ice*. Stay 2 nights in Fox or Franz Josef Glacier townships.
*Due to shorter daylight hours, this may not be available over winter.

Day 10: At Glaciers
A whole day is available for optional excursions on the glaciers, for bush walks or simply to soak up the beauty of snow-capped mountains contrasting with the deep greens of the native bush.

Day 11: Glaciers - Christchurch
Travel north along the narrow, bush clad, coastal plain past Hokitika, to Christchurch. Board the renowned TranzAlpine train and travel through the Otira Tunnel, over Arthur's Pass and across the Canterbury Plains. Arrive Christchurch early evening.