Everything you have heard about New Zealand’s stunning scenery and her very friendly people is true! There are lush green rainforests, deep-blue bays dotted with islands, majestic alpine peaks and glaciers, steaming geysers and crystal clear streams, picturesque towns and abundant wildlife that flourishes in a virtually pollution free atmosphere. It is a great (and easy) place to drive and discover this beauty at your own pace. Travel along country roads, enjoy the scenery and meet the locals. And at the end of each memorable day, relax at your lodge or hotel, which has been selected for its unique location, style and ambiance. Savor the superb cuisine from fresh produce and seafood to excellent local wines, while sharing your day’s experiences with like-minded travellers in front of a log fire or out on the deck, as you watch the sun go down.

Optional Extensions:

How about combining your New Zealand vacation with a break on the romantic islands of Tahiti? Experience the charm and beauty of the Polynesian islands of Tahiti and Moorea on this island stopover. Your Tahiti extension includes 4 nights' accommodations (one on Tahiti and three on Moorea), inter-island transfers and a sightseeing tour.

A Tahitian local!

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1
Leave Los Angeles this evening for your flight across the Pacific Ocean to New Zealand.

Day 2 
In flight over the International Date Line.

Day 3 
You arrive in Auckland this morning and the day is at your leisure to relax and check out this charming city.

Day 4 
Pick up your rental car this morning and leave Auckland to head north toward the Bay of Islands, one of New Zealand's most scenic regions.

Day 5 
Relax in this beautiful coastal area dotted with countless picturesque islands which gave the region its name.

Day 6 
Drive from the Bay of Islands to the Coromandel peninsula, famous for its rugged coastline and ancient rainforests.

Day 7 
Spend the day visiting the hidden treasures of the Coromandel coast like Cathedral Cove, a secluded sandy beach with crystal clear water, ancient forests with towering Kauri trees, or Hot Water Beach with its thermal pools underneath the sand where you can dig out your own 'hot-tub'.

Day 8 
This morning drive to Rotorua, the cultural home of New Zealand's Maori people, also famous for its geothermal activities.

Day 9 
Spend the day visiting the thermal pools of Whakarewarewa with its beautifully-colored mineral deposits, walk on a boardwalk over bubbling mud pools and enjoy a Maori concert in the evening (optional).

Day 10 
Return your rental car at Rotorua airport and fly to Blenheim on the South Island, where another rental car has been booked for you. Drive along the scenic coast to Kaikoura, an attractive seaside fishing village in an area where giant sperm whales can be found all year round. You might wish to take a whale watching excursion from Kaikoura, before driving inland to your accommodations near Hanmer Springs.

Day 11 
Relax in the area around Hanmer Springs, famous for its hot mineral pools and thermal springs. You might like to visit the nearby Lewis Pass Nature Reserve.

Day 12 
Drive through the beautiful Canterbury Plains, and then past spectacular alpine ranges and mountain lakes until you reach Arthur's Pass.

Day 13 
The Arthur's Pass National Park offers easy walks in the mountain beech forest and challenging hikes along river gorges verdant with ferns and tussock grasslands. Enjoy grand panoramas of the Waimakariri Valley mountains and the rewarding views from almost everywhere.

Day 14 
Leaving Arthur's Pass behind, drive toward the rugged west coast of the South Island. Enjoy breathtaking vistas of the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers along the way and, weather permitting, you can stop for a simply spectacular scenic flight over the glaciers (optional extra). Continue driving south until you reach the Wilderness Lodge at Lake Moeraki.

Day 15 
Enjoy the day in this remote region. Lake Moeraki is just a short distance from the sea and the spectacular beaches here are home to fur seals and crested penguins. Untouched lowland rainforests in the area spread between pristine lakes and rivers which fill from the snowmelt of the Southern Alps.

Day 16 
Travel inland along the winding Haast River and over the Haast Pass to arrive in Queenstown, a charming resort town set on the banks of the majestic Lake Wakatipu.

Day 17 
Drive along the lake and past the quaint town of Te Anau to reach Milford Sound, one of the few places along this part of the coastline that are accessible by road. Your tour package includes tickets for a cruise on Milford Sound, which will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your trip to New Zealand with its awesome scenery. Later, drive back to Queenstown.

Day 18 
Today is yours to enjoy Queenstown and the surrounding area at your leisure. There are lots of interesting activities available, such as jet-boating, rafting, horseback riding, mountain-biking etc. (optional) .

Day 19 
Leave Queenstown and drive inland across Lindis Pass to Christchurch, where you will spend the night.

Day 20 
This morning enjoy Christchurch, the charming and lively city by the Avon River with its trademark 'English' architecture, street side cafes and shops. Return your rental car at the airport, before your afternoon flight to Los Angeles (via Auckland), arriving the same day.

We offer two categories of accommodation: Silver hotels are carefully selected for their excellent value - all rooms have private facilities and a tea/coffee maker. Gold hotels are better located, offer more spacious rooms with better amenities and a higher standard of service.

Lake Tekapo, South Island