In Transit: Overnight flight from the US.

In Transit: Flight through time zones; day lost.

Note: Walk on paved coastal walkway (5-7 km approx. 2 hrs)

Morning: Arrival in New Plymouth Almost everywhere you go in New Plymouth, Mt Taranaki follows you. The perfectly cone shaped Mountain dominates the Landscape. The dormant Volcano in the Egmont National Park attracts many trampers. New Plymouth is renowned for its great parks of Pukekura, Pukieti Rhododendron Trust and the magnificant Coastal Walkway.

Lunch: Welcome Lunch at Winery Restaurant

Afternoon: Field trip walking Coastal Walkway. Running almost the entire length of the city is the 7 km-long Coastal Walkway - an international award-winning feature that gives walkers, cyclists and runners a close-up experience with the Tasman Sea.

Dinner: After orientation a Light meal at Motor Inn

Lodging: Autolodge Motor Inn

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Note: Walk uphill over farmland. Several accents and descents including steps through the conservation area. Walk down through Stock tunnel and along beach with patches of boulders and black sand

Breakfast: At Motor Inn.

Morning: Coach departs for all-day walking field trip Whitecliffs Walkway. Appox. 6hrs 16 km. Visit Local home for short lecture about the area The walkway takes you over farmland to Mount Davidson, the Whitecliffs Conservation Area and the Waipingau Stream. Depending on the tide, you can return to your starting point by following the stream to the coast and walking along the beach. Major scenic features include the dramatic white cliffs (Paraninihi), the Three Sisters rock formations and the historic Te Horo stock tunnel, which is undergoing restoration.

Lunch: Packed lunch in the field

Dinner: At Motor Lodge

Lodging: Autolodge Motor Inn

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Walk around wellformed garden trails 1.5-2hrs

Breakfast: At Motor Inn.

Morning: Coach departs for Pukeiti. Half-day guided walk through rainforest garden. Pukeiti is New Zealand's premier Rhododendron garden set in magnificent rainforest on the slopes of Mount Taranaki

Lunch: At the Gatehouse.

Afternoon: Coach to Parihaka Pa for Maori Culture Experience. Parihaka Pa remains today an important international symbol of peace. In 1881, British confiscation of 1.3 million acres of prime Taranaki land resulted in a civil disobedience movement that saw hundreds of followers arrested

Dinner: Dinner at Cafe

Lodging: Autolodge Motor Inn

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Climb steeply up the Holly Hut track and on to Tahurangi Hut 2.5 hrs approx. Descend the Translator Road and onto the Makatawa hut Track which is through forest and crosses streams and descends steps

Breakfast: Breakfasr at hotel

Morning: Board coach for all day guided field trip on Mt.Taranaki/Egmont. Rising above the clouds the 2518m high peak of Mt Taranaki offers spectacular scenery to those who make the challenging climb. For those wanting a more relaxing experience there are beautiful walks through verdant forest to waterfalls, wetlands and excellent viewpoints. Standing as it does in isolation from other mountains it is one of the best parks from which to get an elevated view of another New Zealand - the rural heartland. Approx 7 hrs 16-17 km

Lunch: Packed Lunch in field

Afternoon: Continue guided walk & return to hotel

Dinner: Dinner at Lodge

Lodging: Autolodge Motor Inn

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at Lodge

Morning: Board coach for farm excursion. View farming operations and livestock.

Lunch: Lunch at Pukekura Park cafe

Afternoon: FREE AFTERNOON to visit Pukekura park and glass house displays, Puke Ariki museum, Govett-Brewsterart gallery. Walk Te Henui Walkway, coastal walkway, or climb Paratutu Rock, swim in the surf at local beaches

Dinner: Dinner own choice-

Lodging: Autolodge Motor Inn

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Travel to Wellington, Visit Tawhiti Museum, Lecture on New Zealand Politics

Breakfast: Breakfast at Lodge

Morning: Board coach for Wellington with a stop at Tawhiti Museum at Hawera Stunning life size and scale model displays of Taranaki history- a massive art project from a man with a passion for display- winner of 7 separate tourism awards

Lunch: Lunch at Wanganui enroute to Wellington

Afternoon: Coach to Wellington with a short stop at Foxton Wellington is the Capital city and is located at the head of Port Nicholson Harbour. The city's compact size makes it easy to explore by walking. and the many cafes and boutiques provide a pleasant diversion on route Catch a ride on the historic Cable Car for a breathtaking vista of the city and walk though the Botanic Garden

Dinner: Dinner at Hotel

Evening: Lecture on NZ political system

Lodging: West Plaza Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Botanic gardens and city walk, Visit Parliament, Visit Te Papa museum. FREE AFTERNOON

Note: Walk on Paved Paths

Breakfast: Breakfast at Hotel

Morning: City walk, up the Cable Car, with a walk down through the Botanic Gardens. Guided tour of Parliament Walk along waterfront to Te Papa Museum

Lunch: Lunch at brewery cafe

Afternoon: FREE AFTERNOON for visiting Te Papa, City to Sea Museum, shopping, Walk around Oriental Bay walkway

Dinner: Dinner own choice

Evening: Theatre preformance - optional extra

Lodging: West Plaza Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Note: Take cable car and walk on paved paths

Breakfast: Breakfast at Hotel

Morning: Walk to and a guided field trip in Karori Wildlife Sanctuary

Lunch: Lunch at cafe

Afternoon: Board coach to Interisland Ferry. Interisland Ferry to Picton. The Marlborough Sounds are located at the top of the South Island. Marlborough boasts the highest sunshine hours in New Zealand. Located at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound, Picton is an important port town serving as the South Island terminal for the busy interisland ferry service. Scheduled boat services provide access to the magnificent Queen Charlotte walking track to explore the beautiful bays and walking tracks of Queen Charlotte Sound. Dolphins and seals frequent the waters and the bush resonates with the sound of native birds

Dinner: Dinner at Resort

Lodging: Portage Resort Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Walking through wellformed forest trails with elevations and descents (5-5 1/2 hrs 15 km)

Breakfast: Breakfast at Hotel

Morning: Board scheduled ferry to Ship Cove Walking field trip on Queen Charlotte Walkway( 5-5 1/2 hrs 15 km) You will discover a unique pathway that passes through lush coastal forest, historic bays and along skyline ridges with unsurpassed views of the serpentine seaways of both Queen Charlotte Sound and Kenepuru Sound

Lunch: Packed lunch in the field

Afternoon: Continue walking field trip on walkway Lecture by local resident Return to Hotel on scheduled Ferry

Dinner: Dinner at hotel

Lodging: Portage Resort Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hike another section of Queen Charlotte Walkway. Visit Outward Bound. Travel to Motueka

Note: Walking through wellformed forest trails with elevations and descents (4 hrs 12.5 km )

Breakfast: Breakfast at Motel

Morning: Board scheduled Ferry to Mistletoe Bay Walking field trip to Anakiwa 4 hrs 12.5 km

Lunch: Packed lunch in the field

Afternoon: Guided tour of Outward Bound School Board coach and travel to Motueka. Motueka is a colorful slightly alternative town, known for its hops, pip fruit, and grapes for the flourishing wine industry. The high sunshine hours help with ripening of the fruit. The town is a base for the walking tracks of the Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks

Dinner: Dinner at local cafe

Lodging: Equestrian Lodge Motels

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Walking on wellformed trails with ascents and descents 0-125 m 4-5 hrs 12-13 km

Breakfast: Breakfast at Motel

Morning: Depart by bus and scheduled ferry service for guided walking field trip on Abel Tasman National Park Coastal Trail. 4-5 hrs 12-13 km

Lunch: Packed lunch in the field

Afternoon: Complete field trip to embarkation point for return by ferry & bus to Motueka.

Dinner: Dinner at Restaurant.

Lodging: Equestrian Lodge Motels

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hike on Mt Arthur with Geologist This region of Kahurangi National Park is one of the most interesting in the country for trampers and naturalists with its impressive mountain and bush scenery, remarkable botany and geology and interesting human story.

Note: Walk uphill to Mt Arthur Hut from Flora car park through beech forest and neinei 1.25 hrs 3.6 km one way. Continue uphill to Mt Arthur (1795 m) (optional summit) base through stunning alpine vegetation and panoramic views 2 hrs, 4.6 km one way. (7 hrs 16.5 km return)

Breakfast: At motel

Morning: Depart on all-day walking field trip to base of Mt. Arthur with geologist (Optional trip to summit 5,890 feet 7 hrs 16.5 km) The Mt Arthur/Cobb area has many special geological features. Mt Arthur is made of hard, crystalline marble, transformed (hardened) from limestone, originally laid down under the sea some 450 million years ago. During the ice ages small glaciers carved smooth basins called cirques high on Mt Arthur, polishing and scraping the tough marble. The floors of the cirques are studded with sinkholes where surface water in summer is taken underground into extensive cave systems.

Lunch: Packed lunch in field

Afternoon: Continue hike and return to Motueka.

Dinner: At local restaurant .

Evening: Return by coach to Motel.

Lodging: Equestrian Lodge Motels

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

FREE MORNING. Winery Lunch. Visit Wearable Arts Museum. Walk to Centre of New Zealand

Breakfast: At motel

Morning: FREE MORNING to Kayak, walk or cycle coastal walkway, swim in pool

Lunch: Lunch at Seifried Vineyard Restaurant

Afternoon: Excursion-Visit celebrated Museum of Wearable Art followed by walk to Centre of New Zealand

Dinner: In Nelson City

Lodging: Equestrian Lodge Motels

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Walk on wellformed trail following a bush tramway (3 hrs. 6-7 km)

Breakfast: At Motel.

Morning: Board coach for journey to Karamea on West Coast. Karamea sits on the estuary of the Karamea river with the Tasman Sea on one side and the stunning Kahurangi National park on the other side. The Park boasts the well known Heaphy Track and the Oparara Basin with caves, arches and canyons carved from natural limestone.

Lunch: Lunch at cafe en route

Afternoon: Field trip on Charming Creek Walkway (3 hours 6-7 km) Hike along a disused railway line through tunnels, over bridges and along deep gorges. Enjoy native forest, waterfalls and sweeping views. Then proceed by coach to Karamea.

Dinner: Dinner at Resort

Evening: Lecture on flora, fauna & history of Karamea.

Lodging: Last Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Explore Oparara caves and Arches The Oparara Basin boasts impressive limestone formations and is surrounded by truly magnificent bush, and is home to the Powelliphanta – carnivorous snails which are up to 70mm across.

Note: Walk through caves and forest trails on wellformed trails

Breakfast: At Resort.

Morning: Coach to and guided walk of Oparara Caves. The Honeycomb Hill Caves are world famous for their collection of Moa bones and other extinct bird species. This cave system contains notable limestone formations in its 15 kilometres of passages. The caves are protected.

Lunch: Packed lunch in field

Afternoon: Follow forest trails to view Arches. Oparara Arch (25 minutes one way) 1km This is a well formed track following the Oparara River to the larger of the limestone arches. Blue ducks can sometimes be seen playing in the rapids. Moria Gate/Mirror Tarn Loop Track (1 hour 30 mins round trip) 4.1 km An easy-access easy-grade loop track linking these 2 attractions. Explore down under the Arch, then continue on over the top of Moria Gate (try counting the paving stones, where moa have obviously been before you!) and loop around the terrace to come back out at the carpark via Mirror Tarn. Return to Karamea

Dinner: At resort

Lodging: Last Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Walk the spectacular coastal portion of the track on wellformed paths and along a beach and return. (6 hrs 16.5 km)

Breakfast: At Resort

Morning: All-day walking field trip on renowned Heaphy Track. 6 hrs 16.5 km The Heaphy Track, located in Kahurangi National Park at the north-west corner of the South Island, is the longest of the DOC Great Walks. For 78.4 kilometres the track crosses the park's range of landscapes, starting from the junction of the Brown and Aorere Rivers, over expansive tussock downs to the lush forests, nikau palms and roaring seas of the West Coast.

Lunch: Packed lunch in field

Afternoon: Return to Karamea by coach

Dinner: At the resort.

Lodging: Last Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Guided tour of Coalmine Visit cape Foulwind Seal Colony & walking field trip to Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. Coach to Greymouth

Note: Walks on Denniston Plateau, Breakhead walk 40 min., Town walk, 40 min., Coalbrookdale walk 2 hrs

Breakfast: At Resort

Morning: Coach to Denniston Historic Coal mine Guided Walking tour of mine area 2-3 hrs The West Coast is famous for it's gold mining history, but high in the Papahaua Range north of Westport coal has been mined on a large scale for nearly 130 years. The coal is found in seams high up on the plateau so several towns were constructed at high altitude to service the mines, and in the case of Denniston, an incredible inclined railway which dropped 600m to the coast in 1.7km.

Lunch: At Tauranga Bay

Afternoon: Visit Cape Foulwind. A 20 Minute walk to Seal Colony and view point. Walking field trip Punakaiki Pancake rocks Coach to Greymouth, West Coast's largest town. An historic gold mining town The TranzAlpine Train makes its journey between Greymouth and Christchurch

Dinner: At Hotel

Lodging: Kingsgate hotel Greymouth

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At hotel

Morning: Free morning to explore Greymouth or visit Shantytown

Lunch: Own choice

Afternoon: TranzAlpine Express train across the Southern Alps to Christchurch Truly one of the world’s great scenic train trips through the dramatic contrast of dry beech forests and tussock land on one side of the Alps and lush green landscapes on the other. Coach to accommodation in Christchurch

Dinner: At resort

Lodging: Latimer Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Walk a section of the Little River rail trail. Visit local arts and craft centre at Little River. Visit Akaroa, an early French settlement, on Banks Peninsular. Walk Montgomery Scenic Reserve

Note: Little River rail trail flat walking 7 km Montgomery scenic reserve has a steep climb section (2 hrs return)

Breakfast: At resort

Morning: Walk a section of the Little River rail trail.A picturesque walk on an old rail embankment from Birdlings Flat to Little River following the shores of Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora) and Lake Forsyth (Te Wairewa), giving magnificent views across the lakes and out toward the Southern Alps. There are ample opportunities to view birdlife, including herons. Visit local arts and craft centre at Little River.

Lunch: Lunch at a cafe

Afternoon: Visit Akaroa, an early French settlement, on Banks Peninsular. Walk a section of the summit track, Montgomery Scenic Reserve with spectacular views of Akaroa harbour and Banks Peninsular

Dinner: Farewell dinner

Lodging: Latimer Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lecture on History of Canterbury Free time for shopping and exploration Antarctic Centre Visit. Departure

Breakfast: At Resort

Morning: Lecture on History of Canterbury. Free time for shopping and exploration Coach to Antarctic Centre

Lunch: At Antarctic Centre

Afternoon: Antarctic Centre Visit with lecture. International Flight check in at Christchurch Airport for flight to Auckland and USA

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch