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

Day 2 Auckland / Bay of Islands
Journey north via the Hibiscus Coast to Dargaville and visit the Matakohe Kauri Museum. Continue through the Waipoua Kauri Forest to the Bay of Islands and visit the Waitangi National Reserve. Accommodation: Paihia, Paihia Pacific Resort for two nights. (B,D)

Day 3 Bay of Islands Personalized Touring
Today you choose the activity and we’ll include it. Perhaps a trip to the very top of New Zealand, a tour of the first capital town, sailing, swimming with the dolphins, golf, fishing or sunbathing. (B)

Day 4 Bay of Islands / Auckland
Explore the beautiful Bay of Islands aboard a luxury catamaran. Cruise to Cape Brett and the famous “Hole in the Rock.” Returning to Paihia, your coach departs for the journey back to Auckland. Accommodation: Auckland, SkyCity Hotel. (B,D)

Day 5 Auckland / Waitomo / Rotorua
Visit Mount Eden for a spectacular panoramic view over Auckland and its beautiful harbors. Journey to Waitomo Limestone Caves for a guided tour of the famous Glow Worm Grotto. Continue to Rotorua. Tonight enjoy a Hangi (feast) and Maori cultural entertainment. Accommodation: Rotorua, Park Heritage Hotel. (B,Sp,D)

Day 6 Rotorua Personalized Touring
Rotorua is New Zealand’s oldest and best-known thermal region. 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 7 Rotorua / Wellington
Travel south to Lake Taupo, stop to view the mighty Huka Falls and Wairakei Geothermal Power Station. Pass Tongariro National Park en route to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. Accommodation: Wellington, James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor. (B,D)

Day 8 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 9 Blenheim / Kaikoura / Christchurch
Travel south to the fishing town of Kaikoura, a renowned whale watching area. Following the rugged coastline, journey between the mountains and Pacific Ocean to Christchurch, the “Garden City.” Accommodation: Christchurch, Copthorne Central. (B,D)

Day 10 TranzAlpine Train / Franz Josef
Board the TranzAlpine train for a spectacular train journey over the Southern Alps and across the South Island. At Hokitika see beautiful Greenstone (Jade). Enter World Heritage-listed Westland National Park and view the magnificent glaciers. Accommodation: Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel. (B,D)

Day 11 Franz Josef / Queenstown
Travel along the west coast, through a world of mountains and glaciers. At Haast, experience a river safari with breathtaking views of towering peaks, cascading waterfalls and dense rainforest. Tonight enjoy our dining choice in Queenstown, where you get to choose from one of four restaurants and we‘ll include it. Cruise to Walter Peak for a candlelit dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead or ride the Queenstown gondola to the Skyline Restaurant for dinner and city views. Or dine at your hotel or a local restaurant. Accommodation: Queenstown, Copthorne Lakefront Resort for two nights. (B,D)

Day 12 Queenstown Personalized Touring
Queenstown is perfect for adventurers and leisure-seekers alike. Today you choose an activity and we’ll include it! Perhaps a garden or winery tour, a jetboat ride or a double decker bus city tour—the choice is yours. (B)

Day 13 Queenstown / Milford Sound / Te Anau
Journey to magnificent Milford Sound (weather permitting). Drive via Te Anau through Fiordland National Park viewing the mountain scenery. See spectacular waterfalls and the grandeur of Mitre Peak. Accommodation: Te Anau, Village Inn. (B,D)

Day 14 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 15 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 16 Twizel / Mt Cook / Christchurch
Head into Mt Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s highest mountain. Take an optional scenic flight over this awe-inspiring alpine region (weather permitting, own expense). Continue to Lake Tekapo through the vast Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Accommodation: Christchurch, Copthorne Central Hotel. (B,D)

Day 17 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 NCC17 - Guaranteed Departures

Departure Dates
2006	Apr 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6, 20; Jun 17; Jul 15; Aug 5, 12, 19; Sep 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Oct 7, 10, 14, 18, 21, 28; Nov 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29; Dec 2, 9, 16, 23
2007	Jan 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 31; Feb 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26; Mar 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24