Challenge yourself with new adventures—and try activities you may not have experienced before—set at your own comfortable pace in the presence of trained guides. This trip is about fulfilling dreams, meeting locals and gaining an insight into the New Zealand culture and its Maori heritage.

Day 1 Arrive Auckland
Transfer on arrival to the Auckland viaduct for a day onboard our chartered yacht. No better way to appreciate Auckland,“City of Sails” and its surrounding islands, than onboard your private boat to enjoy a swim, a picnic lunch and a walk on a nearby beach. (L)

Day 2 Auckland / Rotorua
Departing Auckland, we head to the west coast to meet a New Zealand family and explore their farm’s private cave system. Morning tea and lunch are shared as well as the experience of an underground walk-through cave. We travel to Rotorua and this evening visit a Maori Marae for a concert and Hangi meal. (B,L,D)

Day 3 Rotorua / Mt Ruapehu
A visit to the Maori museum and Wai-O-Tapu thermal region offers insight into this fascinating area. We drive to Lake Taupo and our accommodation beneath Mt Ruapehu for the next two nights. (B,L)

Day 4 Hiking Mt Ruapehu
We have a number of hiking choices today. Two half-day bush and thermal walks show the region‘s diversity. In season there’s a more strenuous climb to the peak‘s 9000’ summit, or a full day trek over the Tongariro Crossing. Your guide will advise of the options. (B,L)

Day 5 Mt Ruapehu / Wellington
Today we drive down the coast to Wellington. Our accommodation is very central, allowing the chance to explore Te Papa, the national museum. In the evening we visit a wildlife restoration project.

Day 6 Wellington / Abel Tasman National Park
We sail across Cook Strait and through the spectacular Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Here we drive a short distance to join our sea kayak guides and explore the inner sounds on kayaks. After lunch on a sheltered beach we drive to Nelson and Marahau on the edge of the beautiful Abel Tasman National Park for the next two nights. (B,L)

Day 7 Hiking Abel Tasman National Park
We hike from our lodge on the edge of the park into Torrent Bay, taking the time to explore the beaches and bush. With our picnic lunch it is a chance to explore and escape before rejoining the group and a spectacular sailing experience back to our lodge around the rugged coastline that afternoon. (B,L)

Day 8 Abel Tasman National Park / Punakaiki
We drive inland to the Buller River and then at Murchison we take an exciting grade 3 raft trip through the rapids—an exciting and safe interlude before a BBQ lunch. Then we head to the dramatic west coast to Punakaiki – home of the famous Pancake Rocks. (B,L)

Day 9 Punakaiki / Glacier Country
We drive down the coast to Hokitika and through rural countryside into glacier country and the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. After lunch we join our guide for a hike onto the surface of this flowing river of ice. Later we have an optional hike around Lake Matheson. (B,L)

Day 10 Queenstown
We head south to Haast over the pass to Makaroa for a scenic flight into a remote mountain airstrip. Then we have a 3-hour hike to join our jetboat for an exhilarating ride back to our vehicle. We drive to Wanaka, over the Crown Range to Queenstown for two nights. (B,L)

Day 11 Queenstown at Leisure
This is a free day to enjoy any of the many options available in the region. Take a wine trail to the renowned Pinot wineries, a steam ship ride to Walter Peak – a working high country station, a day trip across to famous Milford Sound – or just relax and enjoy the view. (B,L)

Day 12 Queenstown / Mt Cook
We coach through the Kawarau Gorge and over the Lindis Pass into the MacKenzie Basin to Mt Cook National Park. We hike to the Hooker Glacier on well formed tracks. Tonight we sleep surrounded by the mountains and the sound of the keas, the mountain parrot. (B,L)

Day 13 Mt Cook / Christchurch
Our last day starts with boating on a glacial lake and exploring the 1000-year-old ice on a rigid-hulled inflatable boat for an awesome experience. Then we drive via Lake Tekapo to enjoy a farm lunch in Farlie before driving over the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. (B,L)

Guaranteed Departure

	Full Tour & North Island	South Island
2006	Nov 6; Dec 4	Nov 11; Dec 9
2007	Jan 15; Feb 5, 26; Mar 19	Jan 20; Feb 10; Mar 3, 24

MLA - Mid Life Adventure

Cost per person Summer & Winter itineraries available.	Twin	Single
13 day / 12 night - North & South  8 day / 7 night - South Island only  6 day / 5 night - North Island only	$4199 $2749 $1797	$5239 $3537 $2207

• Cancellation Terms: 60-31 days out loses deposit; 30 – 11 days loses 50% of full trip cost; 10 – 0 days loses 100% of full trip cost
• Not included: Evening meals other than day 2; Alcohol or additional snacks
• A medical certificate may be requested at the time of booking when evidence of existing or past medical conditions is made known in the registration form.
• Winter itineraries available.

Rates subject to change without notice and may not reflect the current exchange rate.