Sample Itinerary

This sample self drive itinerary was specifically designed for 3 young venturous ladies from USA. This "Adventure" itinerary included activities they never thought they could or would do, but they pushed their own personal boundaries to get the best from their NZ experience. They are now determined to return for more. This itinerary is Fast moving to cover a lot of New Zealand in 17 days and inclusive of accommodation, meals, Rental car and activities.

Day 1 - Arrive Auckland 'Welcome to New Zealand'
Arrive Auckland International Airport. Meet, greet and transfer to hotel This evening dinner cruise on Waitamata Harbour.. A unique combination of sailing and dining. Enjoy a four course set menu, sail the inner harbour.
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - Auckland – Waitomo – National Park
Rental car will be delivered to your hotel this morning. Depart Auckland and travel through the Waikato region to Waitomo Afternoon Black Water Rafting Trip at Raukuri Cave The original, exhilerating, natural, underground "Glowworm Glide" or cave tubing trip. Spend 1 hour underground. On completion depart Waitomo and continue drive to National Park.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - National Park – Rotorua
Be collected for One Day Tongariro Crossing Walk Today enjoy the best One day walk in New Zealand. Over varied and spectacular volcanic terrain, in the presence of two active volcanoes, experience some of Tongariro National Parks special gifts: a cold mountain spring, lava flows, an active crater, emerald colored lakes and hot springs. Return to National Park, proceed direct to Rotorua.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & Dinner
Evening Maori Cultural Performance with Hangi Dinner

An insight into the world of ancient Maori unfolds before your eyes and you walk through the 'Te Tawa Ngahere Pa'. Experience the pre-European lifestyle of customs with tribal songs, dances and the sharing of myths and legends. Enjoy the hangi (traditional feast) cooked the traditional way on hot stones in an earthen oven.

Day 4 - Rotorua – Nelson
Be collected for Double Combo Half Day Bike & Raft Kaituna tour. Enjoy a two hour guided mountain bike ride followed by rafting on the Kaituna River for the ultimate adrenaline rush, it is graded 5+ and includes the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. On completion, make your way to the Rotorua airport returning rental car and prepare to connect with flight to Nelson. (Flight not included) Arrive Nelson. Collect replacement vehicle, then onto your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - Nelson to Marahau
Make your way to Marahau this morning about 1 hr 15 mins drive. Depart on Three Day Enchanted Coast Guided Kayaking. The coastline of the Abel Tasman National Park through its Marine Reserves is a magical experience - with offshore islands, reefs. Tidal lagoons, sea birds, marine mammals (dolphins, penguin and seals) and golden sand beaches. This camping and kayaking trip enables visits to otherwise inaccessible areas in comfort.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Day 2 of Kayak Trip
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Marahau to Punakaiki
You will be returned to Marahau at about 3.00pm to collect your rental car. From here begin your journey south travelling via Murchison and Inangahua Junction to Punakaiki.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Day 8 - Punakaiki – Fox Glacier
Enjoy the Punakaiki Rocks, Blowholes and Pancake Rocks before you depart this morning. Then begin your drive south via Greymouth and Hokitika. From here follow the coastline down the Franz Josef then onto Fox Glacier.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 - Half day Glacier Walk - Queenstown
Report for half day Glacier walk. Begin with a short coach ride through rainforest and into steep-sided glacial valley. From here the guide leads you beside the river bed to a track which zig-zags uphill through ferns and regenerating temperate rainforest. Enjoy fantastic views of the glacier and after crossing the ridge you can see the upper icefall. The track then winds down onto the ice. At this point fit the instep crampons to your boots and go onto Fox Glacier. The route takes you amongst crevasses and ice ridges into the middle of the glacier where you are rewarded with spectacular views of the icefall and the lower glacier.
Return to Fox Glacier and begin your drive to Queenstown.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 - Free day Queenstown
A free day for you to enjoy the beauty and the people of Queenstown. Return rental car to the Queenstown City Depot this evening.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11 - Depart on Landsborough Rafting Trip
Be collected for 3 Day Landsborough Wilderness Rafting trip. The Landsborough is one of N.Z's most isolated specially protected valleys, untouched, unspoilt, visited by only a privileged few. The river flows almost 70kms from high alpine areas on the boundary of the Mt Cook National Park, to its confluence with the Haast River, in South Westland. The river trip begins in the very heart of this wilderness country. Floating silently near glaciers, 10,000ft mountains, and through native beech forest seeing many varieties of native birds is all a part of this unique experience. The Landsborough has good water levels throughout the summer, although higher levels are experienced during the spring thaw. This rafters dream has many rapids, narrow gorges, great campsites and magnificent scenery.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12 - Day 2 Landsborough Rafting
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 13 - Return to Queenstown
Be returned to Queenstown about 7pm this evening.
Breakfast: Breakfast and lunch
You will not be able to make Routeburn Track pre-trek briefing this afternoon so all the information, maps, loan packs, raincoats etc will be delivered to your hotel.

Day 14 - Depart to Routeburn Track
The Routeburn Track is internationally known as a magnificent alpine adventure. This walk follows a historic route, over 41 kilometres through two world heritage areas- the Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks. Trekking beneath magnificent peaks and over alpine passes all the while viewing dense rainforest, sparkling lakes and pools, waterfalls and glaciers, as well as a tremendous variety of alpine flora and fauna.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 15 Day 2 of Routeburn Track
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 16 - Return to Queenstown
Be returned to Queenstown arriving around 4-5pm
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Day 17 - Depart Queenstown / New Zealand
Be transferred to Queenstown airport to connect with departing flight today. Farewell New Zealand
Meals: Breakfast

INCLUDES:

• Airport transfers
• 16 nights accommodation
• Daily breakfasts and other meals where specified
• Rental car as specified in itinerary
• Evening sailing and dinner Auckland
• Black Water Rafting Waitomo
• One Day Tongariro Crossing guided walk
• Evening Maori Hangi & Concert
• Double Combo Half Day Bike & Raft Kaituna River
• Three Day Enchanted Coast Guided Kayak Trip
• Half Day Glacier Walk
• 3 Day Landsborough Wilderness Rafting
• 3 Day Routeburn Track guided walk

We wish you the best holiday ever!