Day 1: Auckland

After your arrival in Auckland, you will be dropped off at your downtown hotel. In the afternoon there will be a sightseeing tour through the 'City of Sails'. Among other things you will see the Harbour Bridge, Waitemata Yacht Harbour and Mount Eden, from where you can see the Skytower. You spend the night at the "President Plaza Hotel" located right in the centre of the city and just a stroll away from the famous harbour.

Day 2: Auckland to Rotorua

You leave Auckland, the largest population centre of New Zealand and arrive in Rotorua around lunchtime, which is famous for its active wonderland of geysers, colourful terraces, hot springs and boiling mud pools. Optional afternoon visit to the Whakarewarewa thermal park as well as the possibility of a dinner feast (of a traditional Maori Hangi). Your accommodation tonight are the comfortable log-cabins at the "Thermal Holiday Park" which also has hot springs and pools.

Day 3: Rotorua - Urewera National Park

The morning will be spent walking through the unique Waimangu Volcanic Valley (approx. 2hrs), which was created after a volcanic eruption in 1886. We then drive through the amazing Kaingaroa Forest to Urewera National Park, sometimes on a gravel road. The accommodation tonight (chalets) is right at the shores of Lake Waikaremoana.

Day 4: Urewera National Park

This is one of the most remote areas of New Zealand, and still reflects simplicity and naturalness. The track you are walking today is mostly along the shores of Lake Waikaremoana, which the Moaris named "Lake of the small waves". Most of the time you will be rewarded with beautiful views of the Panekiri Ranges towering opposite the lake. Near the Tapuaenui camp grounds you have a chance to relax and go for a swim in the lake after a lunch break. Your trek (approx 6h) ends at the Marauiti hut nestled in the dense rainforest from where a boat takes you back to the chalets. Once again you stay at the "Lake Waikaremoana Motor Camp".

Day 5: Urewera National Park - Napier

A short drive in the morning takes you to the coast of Hawkes Bay. At its southern end lies the beautiful city of Napier. During lunchtime you have the option of wine tasting at Mission Winery, which is one of the oldest in the country. Later in the afternoon you have plenty of time to explore the city with its many Art Deco buildings. The modern "Beach Front Motel" offers generous apartments with ocean views.

Please note: Should the tide allow the visit to Cape Kidnappers, we postpone the visit to the Mission Winery (optional) until the next morning.

Day 6: Napier - Tongariro National Park

A tractor tour along the beach takes you to the largest mainland Gannet colony in the world. It is a real treat to see them catch a fish, ideally during their breeding time between November and February. Later in the day you take the gravel road through the wonderful green and dense Kaweka Forest Park with its volcanic origin. Towards the evening you reach the small village of Whakapapa with amazing views of the largest volcanoes in the country. The "Skotel Alpine Resort" lies quiet in this impressive landscape.

Day 7: Tongariro National Park

The Tongariro Crossing is one of New Zealand's premier day walks. This is a non guided walk, which takes you on a fascinating journey through a variety of vegetation zones, over scorer scattered moonscapes, past the most beautiful turquoise blue lakes, solidified molten rock pillars and boiling hot springs. And there are spectacular panoramas over the surrounding countryside (6-7h). Other options could include: shorter walks, horse riding and kayaking. You will have another night at the Skotel Alpine Resort.

Day 8: Tongariro National Park - Wellington

Around lunchtime you arrive in Wellington - New Zealand's capital. During your sightseeing tour through the city, euphemistically known as the "Windy City", you will see among other things the Parliamentary Buildings and the historical district with its St. Paul Cathedral. You will be driven to Mount Victoria, from where you can enjoy fantastic views of the city and the harbour. Afterwards you visit one of the most innovative museums of the world, the National Museum 'Te Papa'. The "Bay Plaza Hotel" is ideally situated with a fantastic harbour view.

Day 9: Wellington - Portage (Queen Charlotte Walkway)

First up enjoy the journey across Cook Strait on the Ferry to the South Island via Tory channel and Marlborough Sounds to Picton. From this little fishing village you take a boat through the picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound to the beginning of the same named walking track. Our walk through natural scenic reserves with lush coastal forest and over mountain ridges, is around Mistletoe Bay, from where you have splendid views of the Sound. We reach the idyllic Portage Resort Hotel nestled right on the waterfront, where your luggage is already waiting for you.

Day 10: Queen Charlotte Walkway - Kaikoura

In the morning you hike along the coast through dense rainforest with its gigantic tree ferns either from Resolution Bay to Furneaux Lodge, or from Furneaux Lodge to Punga Cove. After a relaxing lunch break a boat takes you back to Picton. From there you travel by bus along the amazing coastal road to Kaikoura (approx. 2hrs). The "Panorama Motel" is situated at the sea promenade with views to the Pacific Ocean.

Day 11: Kaikoura - Hanmer Springs

Today you can join an optional whale watch tour or go swimming with the dolphins. Alternatively you can walk along the coast to observe seals and seabird life on the Peninsula. Afterwards the bus takes you on a small and gorgeous country road to Hanmer Springs, which is the most famous thermal resort of the South Island. Whoever wants to can do a little walk to the Conical Hill. In the evening you can relax your body and mind in the wonderfully situated thermal pools surrounded by native trees. The "Scenic View Motel" lies at the entrance of the village with views to the surrounding mountains and just 5 min. away from the pools.

Day 12: Hanmer Springs - Fox Glacier

You drive over the Lewis Pass to the rugged West Coast. Here you find the high mountains and the sea being close together. The glacier ice is forcing itself onto the coastal rainforest, where you might even see penguins waddling around. In Hokitika you visit a Greenstone factory, where you have the opportunity to buy jade carvings and jewellery at reasonable prices. Pounamu is the Maori name for Greenstone. At Ross, a rural service town and centre for a small open caste gold mine you stop for a visit. Before reaching Hari Hari you have another stop at the Bushman Centre, a museum of a different kind (live Possum). In the afternoon you drive to the Franz Josef Glacier and take a walk to the glacier face. "Lake Matheson Motel" is typical West Coast accommodation situated in a quiet area.

Day 13: Fox Glacier - Wanaka

In the morning you can take an optional guided walk on the Fox Glacier or a scenic helicopter flight over the glaciers (incl. landing). After a short walk through beech forest at the Haast Pass you immerse into the Southern Lakes District with its incredible lakes and mountains extending to Wanaka. At the west end of Lake Wanaka you can see the glittering snow peaks of Mount Aspiring (3027m). The "Fairview Motel" lies in walking distance to Lake Wanaka.

Day 14: Wanaka - Mount Aspiring National Park

After a short drive into the Matukituki Valley your hiking trek takes you to the Rob-Roy-Glacier, from where you have splendid views of the surrounding lakes and mountains (4-5h). Once again you stay at the "Fairview Motel"

Day 15: Wanaka - Te Anau

A short drive along the mighty Clutha River takes you to Cromwell, situated at the heart of a large pipfruit growing area. The route follows the Kawarau river gorge, past the world famous A.J. Hacket bungy bridge (optional bungy jump) and several wineries and vineyards. Around lunchtime you arrive in Te Anau, lying at the shores of Lake Te Anau and in the afternoon you hike through dense beech forest. During the trek you have wonderful views of the lake. The "Luxmore Hotel" is located in the heart of the town.

Day 16: Te Anau - Routeburn Track - Milford Sound

You drive along the shores of Lake Te Anau and through rainforest to New Zealand's largest National Park (Fiordland N.P.). Today you walk a section of the famous Routeburn Track to the Key Summit, from where you have most beautiful views onto the Hollyford-Greenstone and Eglington Valley. On the way to Milford Sound you might spot cheeky Keas (Mountain Parrots) at rest areas next to the road. Aboard the cruise ship Milford Friendship or Milford Wanderer, you take an amazing journey through the deep glacier carved Fiords of the Milford Sound. In the evening you will be served a delicious dinner while anchoring in one of the tranquil bays. The on-board sleeping rooms have multiple beds per cabin - an unforgettable experience.

Day 17: Milford Sound - Queenstown

After a lunch break in Te Anau you reach the beautifully situated Queenstown. An optional Gondola trip to Bob's Peak or a stroll to view the nightlife of Queenstown could be a perfect ending to the day. The "Gold Ridge Hotel" offers fantastic views onto Lake Wakatipu.

Day 18: Queenstown

Queenstown is an outdoor adventurer's playground. Options could be a lake ride aboard the historic steamship Earnslaw, jet boating on the Shotover River, bungy jumping, white water rafting, tandem paragliding, or a visit to the Kiwi house to see New Zealand's national icon in the flesh. You stay another night at the "Gold Ridge Hotel".

Day 19: Queenstown - Christchurch

On our way to Cromwell we will stop in Arrowtown, an old gold rush village. We travel north through the McKenzie Country towards Lake Tekapo. If the weather is nice you will be treated to magnificent views of New Zealand's Southern Alps. Here you can do an optional scenic flight over Mt Cook (or Aoraki), the "cloud piercer". Once in Christchurch, known as the most English city in the country, we do a short sightseeing tour. You spend the night at the hotel "Camelot on the Square", which is situated right in the heart of the city.

Day 20: Christchurch and Departure

The last day is for your own leisure. You will be transferred to the airport late afternoon.