Tour Overview
Adrenaline junkies and thrill-seekers find nirvana in New Zealand’s wide-open spaces, alpine roads, glacier lakes, and swift-moving rivers. Once you’ve gotten your blood pumping, it’s on to Milford Sound among cascading waterfalls, luxuriant forests, and the towering pinnacle of Mitre Peak, rising one full mile into the sky. You may even catch sight of seals, dolphins, and penguins. Your 10-day itinerary features a scheduled tour of Auckland – including a tour through Kelly Tarltons, a behind the scenes visit at the Auckland Zoo, a scheduled coffee cruise on the sparkling Waitemata Harbor and a visit to the Sky Tower for panoramic views across Auckland City; a scheduled tour of Rotorua – including a visit to the Waitomo Glow-worm Caves and Maori culture visit; comfortable accommodation at a selection of leading hotels throughout New Zealand; a scheduled Five Day Milford Track Walk that takes you through native beech forests, waterfalls and rainforests of this World Heritage Listed Area; and privately guided Mountain Bike Tour, where you can see the city nestling between the Canterbury Plains.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Auckland, New ZealandOn arrival in Auckland you will be met for a private transfer to your hotel. Standard check-in time is 2:00PM and the hotel will store your luggage until you are able access your room. We will place a priority clearance on your room subject to availability. Auckland is a colorful, vibrant metropolis and the city's spectacular setting on the sparkling Waitemata Harbor gives rise to its title ‘City of Sails’. Its most obvious landmarks are the Harbor Bridge, the Sky Tower and Rangitoto Island, the region’s youngest volcano. Here the visitors can enjoy the magnificent harbor, walk and hike in the hills of bush where native flora and fauna abound or partake in the activities of the city. In the afternoon, depart on your scheduled coach tour of Auckland. Your afternoon begins with a visit to the Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World, where you can see real snow, ice and the cute King and Gentoo penguins on your snow cat ride through the Antarctic Encounter. In the Underwater World, come face-to-face with giant stingrays, moray eels, schools of fish and ferocious sharks! Continue with an exclusive Native New Zealand Encounter Show at the Auckland Zoo, where you will have the opportunity to view the native birds and reptiles that are so special to New Zealand. Enjoy a coffee cruise sailing on the spectacular waters of the Waitemata Harbor before concluding with a visit to the Sky Tower, the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere at 328 meters (1000ft) that was built to take you to an all time high.
Mercure Windsor Auckland – Deluxe Room Day 02: Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua
After breakfast at the hotel, depart Auckland on a scheduled coach journey south through the rich farmland of the Waikato and onto Waitomo. Enjoy a lunch stop at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. After lunch begin your guided tour through the long galleries and lofty chambers of the caves. Your tour concludes with a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto, illuminated by thousands of tiny lights from the glow-worms suspended from the cave ceiling. Reboard your coach and continue onto Rotorua. Rotorua is New Zealand’s cultural heartland. The earth’s crust is so thin that its molten heart bubbles and steams at the surface. This evening enjoy a Maori Cultural experience and feast at Mitai. You will be picked up at your hotel and driven back at the end of the evening.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Kingsgate Rotorua – Superior Room Day 03: Rotorua - Queenstown
Transfer to the Rotorua airport and en-route visit the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institute and Te Tepuia Thermal Reserve before boarding your flight to Queenstown. NOTE: Rotorua-Queenstown flight is not included. On arrival in Queenstown you will be met and transferred to your accommodation, where the remainder of your afternoon is at leisure. Queenstown is situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by rolling farmlands and mountains. As well as being a base for countless outdoor activities, Queenstown is oriented towards visitors in its shopping and recreational facilities. Early evening meet your local representative in the hotel lobby and transfer by private vehicle to the Milford Track Guided Walk Center located in the “Station building” in Shotover Street for your pre-track briefing. You will have the opportunity to collect your Milford Sound pack and to ask any last minute questions to help ensure that you are adequately prepared for the walk. On completion you will be returned to your accommodation. Please note that you will be required to pack a separate bag with clothing and personal items to carry on the Milford Track (maximum weight suggestion: 5-7 kg as you will be carrying your own pack daily.) Your excess luggage will be stored at the hotel in your absence.
Breakfast
Novotel Queenstown Lakeside – Guest Room Day 04: Queenstown - Te Anau - Milford Track
Board your Milford Track coach and depart to Te Anau a journey of 2.5 hours. Enjoy an early lunch at the Centra Te Anau, you will re-board your coach for the short journey to Te Anau Downs. Depart across Lake Te Anau by launch; on docking your Milford Track walking experience begins with a 1.6-hour walk to your overnight lodge. A box lunch provided and dinner at the lodge.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Glade House Day 05: Milford Track
Today's walk is a little over 16kms and takes you from the Clinton River through native beech forest onto a grassy plain known as the 'Prairie'. Box lunch provided. Enjoy spectacular views of Clinton Canyon before a rocky climb to Marlenes Creek and your overnight accommodation at Pompolona Lodge.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Pompolona Hut Day 06: Milford Track
Depart the lodge and walk up the Mackinnon Pass for impressive views. Pause also at the memorial cairn to Mackinnon and Mitchell before moving on and launching at the Pass Hut. From here the track descends over rocky terrain and into the rainforest of the Arther Valley and onto Quinton Lodge. From Quinton Lodge depart on a 90-minute round trip walk to the Sutherland Falls, the world's 5th highest waterfall. Today's walk is just over 15kms. Box lunch en route.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Quinton Hut Day 07: Milford Track
The last day of the track takes you 21kms down a long steep hill named 'Gentle Annie' and past the intriguing hollowed Bell Rock and Mackay Falls. Enjoy lunch beside the Giants Gate waterfall before a final walk along Lake Ada to Sandfly Point. A short cruise takes you to the Mitre Peak Lodge. Tonight there will be a special celebratory dinner to mark your achievement
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mitre Peak Lodge Day 08: Milford Track - Queenstown
After breakfast, board one of the famous Red Boats for a floating exploration of Milford Sound. Watch for Dolphins and fur seals. Discover Whiskey Falls! Weather permitting you will have the opportunity to purchase a user-pays scenic flight back to Queenstown, should weather be inclement and not permit flying, you will return by coach to Queenstown. Your Milford Track walking guide will keep you well informed of these transfer details. On arrival in Queenstown, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where the remainder of your day is at leisure.
Breakfast
Novotel Queenstown Lakeside Day 09: Queenstown - Christchurch
Today you will be driven to the Queenstown airport for your flight to Christchurch. NOTE: Queenstown-Christchurch flight not included. On arrival in Christchurch you will be met and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel. Christchurch is known as New Zealand’s “Garden City” and is the largest of the South Island’s centers. The tree-lined River Avon meanders through its heart and the neo-gothic Christchurch Cathedral presides over "The Square", retaining something of the essentially English nature of its origins. The public spiritedness bequeathed by Christchurch's founders ensures that a third of the city is preserved in gardens, parks and nature reserves. Take with you today warm clothing, sunglasses and a waterproof jacket. Meet your local representative in the hotel lobby and depart by courtesy vehicle to Mount Cavendish for your half-day cycling excursion. On arrival, take a gondola ride to the summit of Mount Cavendish, a magnificent vantage point, where you can see the expanse of the city nestling between the Canterbury Plains, Banks Peninsula and the sea. Admire the amazing views as your enthusiastic guide brings the landscape alive with tales of geological and human history. Join the 1-hour small group guided walk from the Gondola Summit Station before transferring back to your hotel. Christchurch's only resort style hotel is set in 5 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, located between Hagley Park and the beautiful historic home and gardens of Mona Vale. The hotel has 190 guest rooms, two restaurants, an outdoor heated pool and on-site vineyard. Guests can take a ten-minute walk into the heart of Christchurch City or make use of the complimentary shuttle that provides regular transfers to Cathedral Square, the railway station and nearby shopping centers.
Breakfast
Chateau on the Park – Deluxe Room Day 10: Christchurch - Depart
Today you will be driven to the Christchurch Airport for your departing flight.
Breakfast
* Flights are not included in land price.
( 
