New Zealand Explorer (19 days)

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Day 1: Join tour in Auckland

Our journey begins in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city and a thriving sporting and cultural centre that lies sprawled across a narrow isthmus between the harbours of Waitemata and Manukau. Popularly known as the 'City of Sails', Auckland is surrounded by volcanic peaks and blessed with a profusion of beaches and museums, whilst its vibrant waterfront easily makes it one of the most exciting cities in the southern hemisphere. The country's most cosmopolitan city, with a rich mix of European, Maori and Pacific Island influences, Auckland is the largest Polynesian city on the planet and on arrival today there's free time to enjoy the city or relax at the hotel. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)

Day 2: Guided tour of Auckland's highlights; free afternoon

This morning we head for the ancient volcanic cone of Mount Eden, the city's highest natural point and the site of the most formidable and elaborately fortified Maori Pa (fortified village) in the country. The views across the city from up here are spectacular and our morning excursion will also take in the delights of Tamaki Drive and Mission Bay, before we head for a guided tour of the Auckland War Memorial Museum. One of the city's most iconic landmarks, it is also one of New Zealand's most important museums, housing a large collection of Maori and Pacific Island artefacts, as well as an extensive exhibition that covers New Zealand's involvement in both domestic and overseas conflicts. The Cenotaph and the consecrated grounds that surround the museum serve as a memorial to those that have lost their lives during these conflicts, particularly during the First and Second World Wars. After our visit the rest of the day is free to enjoy as you wish, with a number of options available to make the most of your time in the city. You could take a sail on one of New Zealand's unique America's Cup racing yachts, or perhaps pay a visit to the vineyards of Waiheke Island. Another alternative is to experience a something of the wild nature of the North Island, with a bush and beach experience that takes in the breathtaking views of the Waitakere Ranges and the beaches and rainforests of the West Coast. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Exploring the Cormandel Peninsula

Departing Auckland this morning we head for the beautiful landscapes of the Coromandel Peninsula, which separates the waters of the Hauraki Gulf from the Bay of Plenty. A staggering mix of rugged coastline, golden beaches and native bush, the peninsula's interior is littered with a fascinating collection of abandoned mining equipment, old Kauri dams and timber machinery, providing us with an enthralling day's journey. We'll visit geothermal Hot Water Beach and the enchanting sands of Hahei Beach, fringed with pohutukawas trees and pink shells, whose offshore islands provide a perfect break-water that makes these waters ideal for swimming. The rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy some optional excursions in the area, including a chance to enjoy some guided bush walking or perhaps a kayak through the amazing sea caves of Cathedral Cove, rated as one of the best kayaking trips in the country. We'll be spending this evening in the coastal community of Tairua, where you can enjoy some fish 'n' chips on the beach and gaze out across the vistas that lie off the Coromandel's east coast. Overnight Chalet (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Morning on Coromandel; PM drive to Waikato via Waihi

A leisurely morning in Tairua provides an ideal opportunity to explore a little more of the Coromandel. You can relax and enjoy brunch at a local cafe, or take a ferry across to the white sands of Pauakui Beach. If time permits there may also be the chance to take a short bush walk before we leave. Our journey today then takes us into the heart of North Island and the diverse landscapes of the Waikato region, travelling via the gold mining town of Waihi to learn something of the area's rich history as one of the world's most productive gold mining regions. There may also be an opportunity to visit the Hobbiton Movie Set at Matamata (optional), where some of the original Hobbit holes from the Lord of The Rings still sit amongst the fertile hills that lie in the shadow of the Kaimai Ranges. Our evening's accommodation this evening is located on a working farm, where we will divide into smaller groups to enjoy the hospitality of our hosts, taking dinner and breakfast with the local families, touring the farm and learning something of the workings of a typical rural community. Overnight Farmstay (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Exploring Rotorua and Maori banquet

Today we head into the geothermal landscapes that surround the Maori heartlands around Rotorua, New Zealand's 'Sulphur City'. We'll take a guided tour of the city's museum, discovering something of the region's legends and history through a series of in-novative and interactive exhibits. These include the stunning Bath House building and a series of computer generated films that take you through the cultural and seismic origins of this fascinating region. We also pay a visit to the remarkable Waiotapu Thermal Valley, a dazzlingly colourful collection of bubbling pools and silica terraces that lie on the edge of the active Taupo Volcanic Zone. This afternoon has then been left free to enjoy at your leisure, with options for mountain biking, relaxing spa treatments and volcanic helicopter safaris all available. This evening we attend a traditional Te Po banquet, where we are treated to a ritual Maori welcome, followed by songs, dances and a Maori hangi feast. After the dinner we then drive out to the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley to enjoy the valley's extraordinary illuminated attractions, including the Pohutu geyser. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Drive to Napier via Lake Taupo and Hawke's Bay Vineyard

This morning we visit New Zealand's largest lake, as we head towards the vineyards of Hawke's Bay and the charming Art Deco streets of Napier. Occupying an ancient volcanic crater, Lake Taupo covers over 600 square kilometres and was created by one of the largest eruptions ever documented. Reaching depths of over 180 metres and drained by the Waikato River (New Zealand's longest river), the lake is famed for its trout fishing and provides us with one of the North Island's most stunning natural attractions. From here we continue into New Zealand's fertile wine country, where we visit the vineyards of Hawke's Bay and enjoy an afternoon of fine wine, gourmet cheeses and a tour of some of the area's best wineries. Famed for its Chardonnays and its superb reds, the area is home to over 80% of the country's Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes and produces some of the richest and most exquisite wines in the country. Our final destination for the day is the engaging town of Napier, lying on the southern edge of Hawke's Bay, whose unique collection of Art Deco buildings makes it one of the most popular attractions on North Island. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Guided tour of Napier; drive Wellington

In 1931 Napier was destroyed by a massive earthquake that registered 7.9 on the Richter Scale. Following the wholesale destruction of the city, its centre was rebuilt in the popular Art Deco style of the period, creating a wonderful location for our short walking tour this morning. Following our visit we head south, towards New Zealand's lovely capital. Wellington has been New Zealand's capital since 1865 and its engaging mix of culture and art, combined with stunning harbour views and a backdrop of steep hills and precariously sited buildings, makes it one of the country's most captivating cities. On arrival we will take a tour of its superb Te Papa National Museum, one of the finest museums in the world, filled with a staggering collection of Maori treasures, artworks and a unique Marae (Maori meeting house). After our guided tour there will also be some free time to continue exploring the museum's fascinating collections further, or to take a wander through Wellington's engaging city streets. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Ferry across Cook Strait to Picton; drive Kaikoura

This morning we cross the Cook Strait and head for the bustling port of Picton, at the head of the picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound. On arrival we drive south, following the eastern coastline of South Island to the town of Kaikoura. Surrounded by snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps, the town once lay at the heart of New Zealand's whaling industry and today provides one of the best places in the country to see these majestic leviathans up close. Translating from its original Maori as the place 'to eat crayfish', the town provides us with a relaxing location for an afternoon's gentle wandering. You could explore its craft shops and galleries, perhaps take a stroll along the Peninsula Walkway, or even enjoy some of Kaikoura's famous crayfish. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Optional whale watching trip; drive Christchurch

This morning is free to partake in a whale watching tour, where there is the possibility of seeing humpbacks, pilot whales, blue and southern right whales (depending on the season). This area is also renowned for its pods of dusky dolphins and can boast an incredible diversity of seabirds, including 13 species of albatross, 14 varieties of petrels and 7 types of shearwaters. Later this afternoon we continue following the coastline south, towards the Garden City of Christchurch and one of New Zealand's most charming cities. Located along the banks of the River Avon, the city is the largest on the South Island and still retains something of the gentility of its English origins, with willow and oak lined parks, a neo-Gothic cathedral and a cluster of medieval buildings. This evening there is an option to enjoy a hosted dinner in a private house, spending the evening enjoying the convivial company of local Kiwis Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Drive to Hokitika via Arthur's Pass and Greymouth

Crossing from the west to the east coast today we traverse some of New Zealand's most captivating natural beauty, as we pass through the rugged vistas of Arthur's Pass en route to the township of Hokitika at the mouth of the Hokitika River. We may have an opportunity to do some walking in Arthur's Pass National Park along the way, enjoying a little something of the 98,000 hectares of magnificent beech forest and mountain peaks that sit beneath the dominating gaze of Mt Rolleston (2270m). For those that wish, there is the option to take the famous Tranzalpine train from Christchurch, meeting up with the rest of the group in Arthur's Pass to continue on to Greymouth by road (be aware, the train journey costs 70GBP and must be booked through Explore at the time you make your booking). The journey takes you across the Canterbury Plains and through the beautiful gorges of the Waimakariri River Valley, negotiating some 16 tunnels and 5 viaducts as you head up into the dramatic landscapes of the Southern Alps. From here we continue on to Greymouth, from where we follow the coast down to Hokitika, stopping off to take in the wild and rugged beauty of the west coast, before we finally arrive in the old gold mining town later this afternoon. Founded in 1864, Hokitika was once a thriving community of over 50,000, until the end of the gold seams saw its population drift away. Today it is home to around 4,000 people and the gold has been replaced by paua (abalone) shell and greenstone (jade) jewellery. It still retains something of its old frontier spirit though and a stroll through its historic heart makes for an interesting diversion. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 11: Drive to Franz Josef Glacier

Crossing the Hokitika River this morning we head south, passing through native bush of Rimu and Kahikatea (white pine). The first European to discover the west coast was Abel Tasman in December 1642. Long and thin and enclosed by the Tasman Sea to the east and the Southern Alps to the west, it is a land of glacial deposits and alluvium that flows from the rivers and glaciers of the alps. There are some 60 glaciers in the park, but only Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are readily accessible. Franz Josef Glacier is one of the few that actually creeps down below the vegetation line and today we have an opportunity to walk up to the terminal face of this spectacular river of moving ice. A relic of the last Ice Age, named after the old Austrian emperor, Franz Josef Glacier has been moving forward at an astonishing rate of a metre a day for the past quarter of a century. There are a number of optional excursions available today, including glacier valley walks heli-hikes that take you up onto the glacier itself and scenic flights over both Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 12: Visit Fox Glacier then drive via Wanaka to Queenstown

A short drive south this morning brings us to Fox Glacier, named after a former Prime Minister of New Zealand. The track from the car park down to the glacier face crosses a landscape of ancient moraine that testifies to the continual advance and retreat of the glacier over the centuries. After our visit we continue on to the breathtaking setting of Lake Matheson, where we are treated to a picture perfect image of Mount Cook reflected in the lake's dark, mirrored waters. Our journey then continues across the River Haast and away from the coast, passing through the beautiful scenery of the Haast River Valley as we snake our way through the Aspiring National Park and onto the town of Makaroa. After a brief stop to refuel and refresh, we head next for the lakeside setting of Wanaka, impressively situated amongst an encircling ring of mountain peaks before the still waters of a lovely lake. The final leg of our journey today then takes us on to Queenstown, New Zealand's adrenaline capital and the most popular resort town on the South Island. Surrounded by mountain peaks (including the famous Remarkables), and set on Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is a stunning location to break our journey for the next couple of days. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 13: In Queenstown

Queenstown's spectacular lakeside location, with mountain peaks rising on all sides, makes for an impressive list of possible optional activities. The skiing and snowboarding here is fantastic (all equipment available to hire locally) as are the more adrenaline-based activities, such as bungee jumping or jet boating. You can take helicopter flights over the stunning peaks of the Remarkables, go on quad bike safaris and tackle the Grade 3-5 rapids of the Shotover River. Another possible excursion is a half-day tour which combines a 90-minute jet-boat journey along the Dart River with a short hike into the rainforests of Mount Aspiring National Park and then heads back by 4-wheel drive to Queenstown, via Paradise (location of Lothlorien, Isengard and Amon Hen in the Lord of the Rings films). Bordering the Fiordland National Park, this trip takes you into some of the most beautiful wilderness areas in New Zealand. Alternatively, less active but equally rewarding options may be to sample some of the local Queenstown wines, or take a scenic boat trip on Lake Wakatipu on board the handsomely restored steamship the 'TSS Earnslaw'. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 14: Drive to Milford Sounds; cruise to Te Anau

This morning we drive to the UNESCO World Heritage setting of Fjordland National Park and the stunning beauty of Milford Sound. Once described by Rudyard Kipling as the 8th wonder of the world, Milford Sound is a breathtaking setting of peaks and inlets that run some 15km inland from the Tasman Sea. Boarding a custom built boat, built along the lines of the old trading scows that used to ply these waters, we spend some time exploring the fjords and waterways of this incredible landscape this morning, looking out for dolphins, seals and penguins as we thread our way past towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Afterwards we then continue to the lovely setting of Te Anau, the largest lake on the South Island and second only to Lake Taupo in size. If time allows on arrival it may be possible to undertake a tour of the Te Anau Caves (optional), a two and a half hour river journey into the depths of the region's famous glow worm caves. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 15: Drive to Dunedin with wildlife spotting on the peninsula

Our journey today takes us across the spectacular Peninsula high road and on to the city they call the 'Edinburgh of the South'. Dunedin was settled by Scottish settlers in the middle years of the 19th century and today presents a gracious setting of towers and spires that still retains something of its Gaelic heritage. Our route takes us via the town of Gore and, as we drive across country that was once home to Maori tribes and the great (but now sadly extinct) Moa, we take in the fabulous views out across the Pacific Ocean and Otago Harbour. Besides its Scottish ancestry, Dunedin is also famed for its wildlife, especially its albatross and penguin colonies, and this afternoon we will pay a visit to the Albatross Centre on the outskirts of the city. After a chance to wander around its exhibits and hopefully see a few of the famed birds in flight, we then board 8 wheeled all-terrain vehicles for a journey down onto Penguin Beach. Here we enter a world inhabited by yellow-eyed and blue penguins, fur seals and colonies of cliff-dwelling cormorants, all living together in complete harmony. A number of hides located along the beach-front allow us to view these remarkable animals in the wild, watching them go about their daily business free from the disturbance of human interlopers. At the end of our tour we return to Dunedin for the evening. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 16: AM free in Dunedin. PM drive to Mount Cook via Moeraki Boulders

A morning of leisure allows a chance to see a little more of a city that can lay claim to a remarkable number of achievements. It was home to New Zealand's first university, as well as its first daily newspaper, first public art gallery and first public cable car system. It can also boast the country's first use of kerosene street lighting and its first chocolate factory! Indeed, in its heyday Dunedin was a progressive and vibrant centre of commerce, culture and education, an impressive claim for a city that lay at the ends of the empire. After lunch we depart the city and head north, stopping off to view the incredible boulders that lie strewn across Moeraki Beach, before continuing via the coastal towns of Oamaru and Timaru to the rural community of Omarama. Situated near the southern end of the Mackenzie Basin this is traditionally sheep country, but of late the region has also benefited from a growing reputation as one of the world's best gliding locations. For us though, it is our gateway into the dramatic vistas of the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 17: Visit Mount Cook village; drive Christchurch

This morning we visit Mount Cook Village, lying at the base of New Zealand's highest mountain. Rising to a height of 3754m, Mount Cook sits amongst the stunning beauty of the Southern Alps, which themselves stretch across the length of South Island. Weather permitting, there will be an opportunity this morning to take an optional flight over these ranges by plane or helicopter, taking in the Murchison and Tasman Glaciers (the latter being the largest ice flow in the Southern Hemisphere), as well as the towering presence of Mount Cook itself. Then we head back to Christchurch and the end of this incredible journey. Travelling via the Church of Good Hope on the shores of Lake Tekapo, we arrive back in the Garden City later this afternoon and check into our hotel for a two night stay. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 18: In Christchurch

Today has been left free to enjoy as you wish, with numerous options available to make the most of your final day. You could take a guided tour of the city to take in its vast array of monuments, parks and gardens. Alternatively you might like to take a punt along the River Avon, or enjoy a balloon flight over the surrounding countryside. There are also trips available to view the Southern Alps and the colonial settlement of Akaroa, as well as the beautiful mountain landscapes around Mount Sunday, the setting for Edoras in the Lord of the Rings. Your tour leader will be happy to help you arrange an itinerary for the day. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 19: Tour ends in Christchurch

Included meals: Breakfast