Day 1Arrive in Auckland, New Zealand

Haere Mai—welcome to New Zealand! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special welcome dinner in the SKY TOWER, offering sweeping views of the city. (Dinner)

Day 2Auckland

This morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city, then, spend the afternoon at leisure in the “City of Sails.” (Breakfast)

Day 3Auckland–Waitomo–Rotorua

Leave Auckland and travel through the green pastoral region of Waikato to the famous WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVES. Experience a guided tour through the limestone chambers and passages of the cavern. Take a silent boat trip through Glowworm Grotto as you glide quietly beneath the lights of thousands of glowworms suspended from the cave ceiling. In the afternoon, continue over the Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua. Enjoy a traditional HANGI DINNER this evening followed by an authentic MAORI CONCERT. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4Rotorua

This morning, start with a visit to the AGRODOME to learn more about one of the country’s major industries—sheep! Continue on to RAINBOW SPRINGS to view native bush and wildlife, including a walk through the kiwi bird enclosure. Last stop is TE PUIA, Rotorua’s most prominent thermal area with New Zealand’s largest geyser, boiling mud pools, and silica terraces. The afternoon and evening are at your leisure. You may wish to board a floatplane for flightseeing of this beautiful area, join a New Zealand family for dinner in their home, or indulge yourself in the relaxing hot springs, sumptuous spa treatments, and massage therapies at the Polynesian Spa. (Breakfast)

Day 5Rotorua–Dunedin

Today, fly to Dunedin, one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere. Upon arrival, enjoy a quick orientation tour to see the historic sights of the city, including St. Paul’s Cathedral and a photo stop at the Dunedin Railway Station with its old Flemish Renaissance-style structure. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6Dunedin–Mount Cook

Motor north and west to magnificent MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK, named after New Zealand’s highest peak. Stop at the SIR EDMUND HILLARY ALPINE CENTER for unique insight into the history and culture of this region. Weather permitting, you may choose an optional ski-plane flight that actually lands on the 18-mile-long Tasman Glacier—or a thrilling helicopter ride. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7Mount Cook–Queenstown

This morning, drive to Queenstown, the “Adventure Capital of the World.” Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in this popular resort town, nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the rugged peaks of the Southern Alps. (Breakfast)

Day 8Queenstonw. Cruise on Milford Sound

More beautiful scenery today as you travel into FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK through the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Boasting some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, this region of New Zealand has been honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. CRUISE on the fjord with sheer rock walls rising thousands of feet from the water’s great depths. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 9Queenstown

A full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Consider an optional visit to a local vineyard and sample some of the prize vintages, or maybe a thrilling jet-boat ride on the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers. Your Tour Director will have suggestions to help you plan your day to explore, shop, and enjoy optional activities. This evening, enjoy breathtaking scenery in every direction as you CRUISE Lake Wakatipu on board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. On arrival at Walter Peak you will be served dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 10Queenstown

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)