DAYS 1-2 LONDON • AUCKLAND
We begin with Titan's VIP Home Departure Service® to London Heathrow Airport and your scheduled Air New Zealand flight to Auckland via Hong Kong.

DAY 3 AUCKLAND • CHRISTCHURCH
Having travelled through several time zones we arrive in Auckland where we connect with our onward flight to Christchurch. On arrival our coach transfers you to the Holiday Inn City Centre, our hotel for the next two nights.

DAY 4 CHRISTCHURCH
Christchurch, largest city in the South Island, is the gateway to the magnificent Southern Alps and lakes and today we leave you free to enjoy this charming city.

DAY 5 CHRISTCHURCH • DUNEDIN
Leaving Christchurch we travel south to Dunedin, elegant in its splendid hill and harbour setting and known as the “Edinburgh of the South”, because of the strong Scottish influence in the area. This evening there is a grand Scottish-style dinner at our hotel, the Southern Cross.

DAY 6 DUNEDIN • TE ANAU
Leaving this charming city, we travel across rich Southland plains through Gore, before arriving at the gateway to Fiordland National Park. The Fiordland National Park is one of the largest in the world, known for its spectacular waterfalls, dense native forest and rare birds. Its importance is acknowledged by its status as a World Heritage Park. Our stay tonight is at the Distinction Te Anau Hotel in the delightful lakeside township of Te Anau.

DAY 7 TE ANAU • MILFORD SOUND • QUEENSTOWN
We drive along the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, the thick bush and alpine aspect providing one of the most rewarding journeys in the country, to Milford Sound, commanded by spectacular Mitre Peak. This majestic area was described by Rudyard Kipling as the “eighth wonder of the world”. A launch cruise with buffet lunch takes us along the fiord, where we may catch a glimpse of seals and dolphins frolicking in their natural habitat. An impressive drive skirting Lake Wakatipu brings us to Queenstown and your hotel, the Crowne Plaza.

DAY 8 QUEENSTOWN
Queenstown, dominated by the majestic Remarkables, is the most sophisticated resort in New Zealand. This is a wonderful place to relax as well as to walk and savour the purity of the air. This evening we take a cruise aboard the beautiful vintage TSS Earnslaw on Lake Wakatipu to the highcountry sheep station of Walter Peak where you will dine in the elegant Colonel's Homestead.

DAY 9 QUEENSTOWN • MOUNT COOK
This morning we visit Gibbston's Winery before we journey into the heart of the Southern Alps where we have our first glimpse of Mount Cook, known as “Cloud Piercer” by the Maori, towering 3,754 metres above sea level. This evening we stay in this classic alpine region at the Hermitage Hotel, where dinner is included.

DAY 10 MOUNT COOK • CHRISTCHURCH
Leaving the majestic Mount Cook, following breakfast, we skirt the glacial blue waters of Lake Pukaki. We pass Lake Tekapo, before crossing Burke's Pass to Fairlie and the gentle green countryside in which nestles the village of Geraldine. Our hotel this evening is the Holiday Inn City Centre, Christchurch.

DAY 11 CHRISTCHURCH • WELLINGTON
North across the plains to the coastal town of Kaikoura, famous for its crayfish. At Picton we leave the South Island and steam across the spectacular Cook Strait on the comfortable interisland ferry. Wellington Harbour offers our first view of the capital city. On disembarking we are transferred to the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor, our base for the next two nights.

DAY 12 WELLINGTON
We take a short orientation tour of the city, which is often compared with San Francisco. Wellington has its own cable car ascending the precipitous hillside. The remainder of the day is at leisure and there are several attractions that are worthy of exploration, none more so than New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa.

DAY 13 WELLINGTON • TAUPO
We travel north this morning over the Desert Road - in this case the “desert” has been caused by the effects of volcanic ash - before reaching the charming lakeside town of Taupo, on the shores of New Zealand's largest freshwater lake. You will see and hear the thunder of Huka Falls before visiting the thermal areas and boiling mud pools of the Craters of the Moon. This evening we stay at the delightful Bayview Wairakei Hotel.

DAY 14 ROTORUA
Today we visit Wai-O-Tapu, the most colourful and diverse of thermal reserves with its Primrose Terraces and Champagne Pool after which we continue to see the Lady Knox geyser erupting. We continue to one of the jewels of the country, Rotorua, endowed with its awe-inspiring geothermal activity, crystal clear waters of Lake Rotorua and lush forests. On arrival we check into the Heritage Hotel, Rotorua, where this evening we enjoy an authentic Maori concert and traditional 'hangi' feast.

DAY 15 ROTORUA
This morning we visit Rainbow Springs, one of the world's most magnificent trout and wildlife habitats and here you have a chance to see the rare flightless bird, the kiwi. We continue to the Agrodome for an interesting farm show, where the skills of mustering, shearing, milking and the use of sheep dogs are demonstrated, and later we visit the Whakarewarewa Thermal Village. You are free this afternoon to make your own discoveries of Rotorua.

DAY 16 ROTORUA • WAITOMO CAVES • AUCKLAND
We travel to the Waitomo Caves and take a boat along the underground river to see the glow worms, spectacular in the darkness of the grotto. We travel on via the dairy centre of Hamilton to Auckland, which lies between the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours. The well situated Crowne Plaza Hotel is our base for the next three nights.

DAY 17 AUCKLAND
Today we will introduce you to 'The City of Sails', the largest and brightest metropolis in New Zealand. Our city tour will highlight the heart of the city, including the founder of Auckland, Captain Hobson, who decided upon the location of the city due to its strategic setting, Old Customhouse, the shoppers' delight of Lower Queen Street, otherwise known as the 'Golden Mile' and Parliament Street. Remainder of the day is at leisure to further explore this fascinating city.

DAY 18 AUCKLAND
Today you are free to enjoy the many sights and delights that Auckland has to offer.

DAY 19 AUCKLAND • BAY OF ISLANDS
Today we drive along the west coast passing sleepy harbourside hamlets and see the native forests, home of huge ancient kauri trees. We visit the Kauri Museum, where the history of the kauri and a magnificent collection of produce can be seen. The Waipoua Forest is home to the mature kauri trees, the largest of which “Tane Mahuta” stands 30 metres tall. We then visit Waitangi Treaty House, where the historic signing between Maori and British formed the nation of New Zealand in 1840. Late afternoon we arrive at the Copthorne Resort, our base for the next three nights. Dinner is in our hotel this evening.

DAY 20 BAY OF ISLANDS
Following breakfast this morning we embark on a delightful cruise around the bay to see Cape Brett lighthouse and view an area where there may be a close encounter with a seal, dolphin or whale. We also cruise into the grand Cathedral Cave and through the “Hole in the Rock”. Later we transfer back to the hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure. This evening we enjoy a live theatre production on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, which showcases the history of the Maori people from the first Maori chief to discover New Zealand through to the present day.

DAY 21 BAY OF ISLANDS
The charm of this region is the solitude and outstanding scenic beauty and today, after breakfast you are free make your own discoveries.

DAY 22 BAY OF ISLANDS • AUCKLAND
Breakfast is included this morning before leaving the Bay of Islands behind as we head south along the Hibiscus Coast and transfer to Auckland Airport for our scheduled flight to Hong Kong and onward flight to London Heathrow.

DAY 23 LONDON
Arrival at London Heathrow Airport where our staff will greet you and transfer you to Titan transport for your journey home to your own front door.