Day 1 Arrive Auckland
You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Accommodation: Auckland, SkyCity Hotel.

Day 2 Auckland / Waitomo / Rotorua
Travel south through Waikato farmland to the Waitomo Caves. Glide silently by boat on an underground river to a magical grotto lit by Glow Worms. Continue to Rotorua, a geothermal wonderland and rich in Maori culture. Tonight enjoy a feast and Maori performance. Accommodation: Rotorua, Park Heritage for two nights. (B,Sp,D)

Day 3 Rotorua Personalized Touring
Rotorua is New Zealand’s oldest and best-known thermal region. Enjoy its waters, marvel at its geothermal activity and experience Maori culture. Today you choose the activity and we’ll include it. Perhaps a soak in a thermal mineral pool, a 4WD excursion or a sheep show and shearing display. Country Homestay option available tonight. (B,D)

Day 4 Rotorua / Wellington
Journey south to Lake Taupo. We stop to view the mighty Huka Falls then to Wairakei Steam Valley. Continue to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. Accommodation: Wellington, James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor. (B,D)

Day 5 Wellington / Blenheim
Enjoy a brief city sightseeing tour before visiting Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand. This afternoon, sail through the Wellington Harbor, across Cook Strait and through the breathtaking natural beauty of Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Rejoin our coach and travel to Blenheim. Accommodation: Blenheim, Blenheim Country Hotel. (B,D)

Day 6 Blenheim / Christchurch
Travel south to the unique fishing town of Kaikoura, a renowned whale watching area, and then to Christchurch, the pretty “Garden City.” Accommodation: Christchurch, Copthorne Central Hotel. (B,D)

Day 7 Christchurch / Franz Josef
Join the TranzAlpine train to travel by rail through the Southern Alps and across the South Island. Travel to the wild and rugged West Coast. At Franz Josef we enter World Heritage-listed Westland National Park and view the magnificent glaciers. Accommodation: Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel. (B,D)

Day 8 Franz Josef / Queenstown
View magnificent scenery, traveling from the rugged West Coast to Haast Pass. This evening choose a “special” dining experience. Cruise to Walter Peak for a candlelight dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead, ride the Queenstown gondola to the Skyline Restaurant or dine at a local restaurant. You choose and we’ll include it! Accommodation: Queenstown, Copthorne Lakefront Resort for two nights. (B,D)

Day 9 Queenstown Personalized Touring
Queenstown is perfect for adventurers and leisure-seekers alike. Choose an activity today and we’ll include it! Perhaps a tour of Queenstown’s local gardens or local wineries, a jetboat ride or a double decker bus tour—the choice is yours. (B)

Day 10 Queenstown / Milford Sound / Te Anau
Travel through Eglinton Valley and Homer Tunnel, gateway to the mighty fiord of Milford Sound (weather permitting). See spectacular waterfalls and the grandeur of mile-high Mitre Peak during our cruise. Accommodation: Te Anau, Village Inn. (B,D)

Day 11 Te Anau / Dunedin Personalized Touring
Travel across the South Island to Dunedin. This afternoon you choose the activity and we’ll include it. Perhaps a harbor cruise or a visit to either the Royal Albatross Center or a yellow-eyed penguin colony. Accommodation: Dunedin, City Hotel. (B,D)

Day 12 Dunedin / Twizel
Journey north to Moeraki Beach with its unusual boulders. Stop at historic Oamaru, then continue inland past beautiful glacier-fed lakes of incredible color en route to Twizel. Accommodation: Twizel, MacKenzie Country Inn. (B,D)

Day 13 Twizel / Mt Cook / Christchurch
Journey into Mt Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s highest mountain. Enjoy a scenic flight over this awe-inspiring alpine region (own expense, weather permitting). Travel through Burkes Pass and descend to the vast Canterbury Plains. Cross the braided Rakaia River before returning to Christchurch. Accommodation: Christchurch, Copthorne Central Hotel. (B,D)

Day 14 Depart Christchurch
At leisure. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)

Itinerary effective 1 April 2006. Itineraries prior to this follow different route.

Tour NCC14 - Guaranteed Departures

Departure Dates
2006	Apr 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9, 23; Jun 20; Jul 18; Aug 15, 23; Sep 5, 12, 19, 26; Oct 3, 10, 17, 21, 24, 31; Nov 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28; Dec 2, 5, 12, 19, 26
2007	Jan 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 20, 23, 25, 27, 30; Feb 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27; Mar 1, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27