In Transit: Board airplane for International flight to New Zealand

In Transit: Cross International Date Line- lose a day.

Note: Walk around Hamilton Gardens

Breakfast: On Airplane.

Morning: Arrive Auckland Int.Airport. Meet with Group Leaders. Board coach to Rotorua with a visit to Hamilton Gardens The Themed gardens are exceptional and include a Maori heritage garden

Lunch: Welcome Lunch at Garden Terrace Restaurant

Afternoon: Arrive Rotorua. Rotorua is New Zealand's own geothermal paradise This good-looking city is big on maori culture and hospitality you can stand on active volcanoes, peer into massive craters and see boiling mud and erupting geysers.Settle in to Hotel & Orientation.

Dinner: Light dinner at Hotel

Lodging: Sudima Hotel

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Coach to beautiful Lake Rotoiti Guided walking tour of Rainbow Springs. Guided walk in Redwood grove. Geology Lecture

Note: Historic Hongi's track 1.5 hrs 2.2 km one way. Okere Falls 45 mins 1.2 km one way Guided walking tour of Rainbow Springs. Walk in Redwood forest approx. 1 hour

Breakfast: Breakfast at Hotel.

Morning: A short introductory lecture on history of New Zealand. Board coach for all-day walking field trip to Lake Rotoiti & Okere Falls, with beautiful views of lake and waterfalls.

Lunch: At Okere Falls Cafe

Afternoon: Guided walking excursion to Rainbow Springs, a lush wildlife area filled with ferns, trees and plants, native birds and rainbow trout in a crystal clear mineral spring that runs throughout the park. Afterwards there will be guided walk in the Redwood Grove, a beautiful forest of California Redwood trees just minutes from the city center. Before dinner there will be a lecture on geology & flora of the Volcanic Plateau.

Dinner: At Hotel

Lodging: Sudima Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Coach to Te Puia for Maori Concert & guided walk of thermal area. Guided walk on Rainbow Mountain Summit track

Note: Rainbow Mountain Summit track. Uphill climb (1.5 hrs one way 2.5 hrs return 5 km) Optional Crater Lake walk (15 mins one way)

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Walk along Lake Rotorua waterfront to Government Gardens. Coach to Te Puia, one of New Zealand's premier Maori cultural and geothermal visitors center. While there participants will enjoy a Traditional Maori Concert & guided tour of thermal area.

Lunch: At Te Puia Cafe.

Afternoon: Guided walk on Rainbow Mountain Summit track with views of 2 craters and walk past coloured and steaming ridges. From the summit there are amazing 360-degree views of Rotorua's lakes and Mt Tarawera (1.5 hrs one way 2.5 hrs return 5 km)

Dinner: At local Restaurant

Lodging: Sudima Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Coach to Wellington with stops for morning tea & lunch Tour of famous Huka Falls en route

Note: Arrive Wellington & settle in to hotel

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Board coach for all day trip to Wellington. Morning tea will be taken in Taupo, which sits at the edge of Lake Taupo and has spectacular views of mountain and lake. Visit spectacular Huka Falls

Lunch: In restaurant en route to Wellington

Afternoon: Arrive in Wellington and settle in to the centrally located hotel. Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand chosen for it;s central location. One of the many enticing points of this exciting city is its compact CBD-you can walk from one side to the other in 20 minutes. The waterfront is lined with immaculate parks,heritage buildings and museums. Wellington is dubbed the "creative and cultural capital of New Zealand'

Dinner: At hotel

Lodging: West Plaza Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Afternoon free time Lecture on history & features of Wellington

Breakfast: At hotel

Morning: Guided tour of Parliament & Te Papa Museum. The Te Papa museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting the taonga (treasures) of New Zealand's peoples and to interpret the country's heritage for national and international audiences.

Lunch: Own choice

Afternoon: Free time to explore Wellington. Before dinner there will be a lecture on the Politics & Economy of New Zealand.

Dinner: At hotel

Lodging: West Plaza Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Ferry to Matiu/Somes Island, a Scientific and Historic Reserve and Botanic Gardens

Note: Guided walk around Somes Island loop track( 40 mins) on wellformed track, to summit and gun installation (30 Mins.) and Around Botanic Gardens

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Take scheduled Ferry to Matiu/Somes Island situated in the middle of Wellington's stunning harbour. Visitors can wander amidst native plant and bird life while tracing the island's extraordinary history – formerly an enemy alien internment camp and quarantine station, the island was also once home to Ma-ori and has two pa- sites. Animals have been quarantined on Matiu/Somes Island officially since 1889, and by 1908, the island was considered New Zealand's principal animal quarantine station.

Lunch: Packed lunch in the field

Afternoon: Take cable car to Botanical Gardens. Visit cable car Museum. Walk down through Gardens and back to Hotel

Dinner: At Theatre Restaurant.

Evening: Optional visit to the Circa theatre (for an additional cost)

Lodging: West Plaza Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Coach to Ferry terminal for trip to Picton in South Island via scenic Marlborough Sounds. On arrival- coach to Kaikoura.

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Board coach for Ferry Termnal and depart on scheduled service for Picton on South Island, via Cook Strait and Marlborough Sounds. Upon arrival board coach for winery.

Lunch: At Brancott Winery in Blenheim.

Afternoon: Board coach for trip to Kaikoura via scenic Coastal Highway. Settle in to Lodge. Situated on the South Island East Coast- a noted centre for Wildlife Studies, especially Whales, Dolphins and Seabirds. Bird life in an adjacent native forest is also an attraction.

Dinner: At lodge

Lodging: Lobster Inn Motor Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning: Whale watching from scheduled Tourist vessel. Guided walk on Peninsular trail in afternoon.

Note: Wellformed trail along cliff top with a decent down to South Bay carpark (7.6 km 2.5 hrs) Optional extension 3.9 km 1.5 hrs) South bay to Kaikoura town

Breakfast: Breakfast at Lodge.

Morning: Board specialized vessel for scheduled Whale viewing experience, with commentary.

Lunch: Own choice

Afternoon: Guided walk on Peninsula Trail crosses the cliff top, with excellent views of the Seaward Kaikoura range, ocean and coastline

Dinner: With local residents

Lodging: Lobster Inn Motor Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Note: Mt Fyffe Walk uphill on 4WD track to viewpoint (approx 7 km 3hrs return) Hinau track wellformed loop track (approx 3 km 1 hr)

Breakfast: Breakfast at Lodge.

Morning: Coach to starting point for guided walk on Mt Fyffe (3 Hrs) with superb views over the Kaikoura Plains and Peninsular. Optional loop walk (1 hr) in native bush where native hinau species are predominant Visit Lavender farm with lecture on oil production

Lunch: At Irish Pub.

Afternoon: Coach to Informaton Centre. FREE TIME

Dinner: At the Lodge

Lodging: Lobster Inn Motor Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Coach transfer to Greymouth on West Coast. Visit family Dairy Farm at Blackball

Breakfast: Breakfast at Lodge.

Morning: Board coach for all day trip to Greymouth via Lewis Pass, with stops at Reefton for lunch en route. Arrive at Greymouth and settle in. West Coast's largest town. An historic gold mining town

Lunch: At Reefton

Afternoon: After lunch continue journey, with a stop at Blackball to view family dairy farm, with lecture

Dinner: At Greymouth Kingsgate Hotel

Evening: Video on South Island.

Lodging: Greymouth Kingsgate Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Field trip to Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki and Truman Track. Guided Walk up Pororari River.

Note: Punakaiki walk 1 hr on paved paths with some steps. Truman Track, Steps down to Beach and return 1 hr. Pororari river walk 5-6 km 2-3 hrs return on wellformed trail

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Field trip by coach to Punakaiki. Lecture on geological formation of Pancake Rocks. Field trip on foot to view unique coastal rock formations and blowholes. Walk down Truman track to beach

Lunch: Packed lunch in the field

Afternoon: Coach to Pororari River for guided walk to view groves of Nikau (only palm indigenous to NZ) and see native birds. Return to Greymouth for Dinner in evening

Dinner: At Speights Ale House

Lodging: Greymouth Kingsgate Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Coach to Franz Josef to view Glacier in unique location close to coast.

Breakfast: Breakfast at lodge

Morning: Coach to Franz Josef Glacier area with stops en route at Hokitika, which is famous for Pounamu, commonly known as greenstone or New Zealand jade. Here a community of artists create some beautiful works from this stone.

Lunch: At cafe en route to Franz Josef

Dinner: At local restaurant

Lodging: Alpine Glacier Motor Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Coach to view face of Glacier. Walk around Lake Mathieson Coach transfer to Lake Wanaka

Note: 20 min. uphill walk to glacier Viewing Platform 40 Min Walk on wellformed paths to Lake Mathieson

Breakfast: Breakfast at Motel.

Morning: Coach to Westland Glacier National Park. Approach on foot and ascend rock platform to view face of glacier. Part of the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. The glacier descends from the top of the Southern Alps cutting through dramatic Glacial Valleys into rain forest 300m above sea level Walk around Lake Mathieson

Lunch: At local cafe

Afternoon: Resume journey South passing small lakes and native beech forest. Traverse Haast Pass (main divide) to enter Province of Otago and proceed past Lake Hawea to Wanaka.

Dinner: At Wanaka restaurant.

Lodging: Wanaka Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Waterfall Creek is a wellformed tail around Lake 1.5-2hrs Mt Iron is an uphill track (2 hours return)

Breakfast: Breakfast at Hotel

Morning: Guided walk alomg shore of Lake Wanaka. from Waterfall Creek back to Hotel. New Zealand's fourth largest lake, Lake Wanaka sparkles on the edge of town Board coach for lunch in private lodge at Glendhu Bay

Lunch: Eat lunch in private garden

Afternoon: Guided walk Up Mt Iron for wonderful views of Lake Wanaka

Dinner: At local restaurant

Lodging: Wanaka Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Coach transfer to Te Anau with stop at Queenstown- free time and Lunch. Lecture:The Milford Track

Breakfast: Breakfast at Hotel.

Morning: Board coach for trip to Te Anau. En route stop at Queenstown for Lunch

Lunch: At Queenstown- own choice-

Afternoon: Continue on to Te Anau. Arrival and settling in at hotel. Te Anau lies beside the sparking blue waters of Lake Te Anau the largest lake in the South Island It is the Gateway to Milford Sound (2 hours by coach)

Dinner: At local restaurant

Evening: Lecture: "Geology of Fiordland".

Lodging: Kingsgate Te Anau Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Walk on Kepler track from Rainbow reach to Moturau Hut. Visit Conservation Centre & Wildlife Park.

Note: The wellformed track follows the Waiau river terrace,crosses a wetland and through beech forest to Moturua hut (4 hrs 12 km return)

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Transport by coach for guided walk in Beech Forest on Kepler track to Moturau Hut situated beside a beautiful beach with panoramic views of Lake Manapouri- then to Wildlife Park to view endangered species. Guided walk to Conservation Centre- view exhibits.

Lunch: Packed lunch in field

Afternoon: Free time during the late afternoon.

Dinner: Own choice

Evening: Lecture: "Early Days on the Milford Track"

Lodging: Kingsgate Te Anau Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

All-day visit to famed Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park (World Heritage)

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel. Board coach for all day field trip to Milford Sound with boat trip (with commentary) by scheduled service on the Sound. Box lunch on board is included. Return to Te Anau by coach. Dinner at Hotel.

Lunch: Box lunch provided on boat.

Dinner: At local restaurant

Lodging: Kingsgate Te Anau Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Walk around sheep ranch

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Coach to operating family sheep ranch with demonstrations & lecture. Board coach for Balclutha.

Lunch: At Lumsden restaurant

Afternoon: Visit Peggydale. Arrive at Lodge and settle in. Balclutha the main centre of the Clutha district is a fishing paradise for brown trout and Salmon in the Clutha river. Balclutha is also renowned for its six-arch bridge It is the gateway to the Catlins Coast

Dinner: At Rosebank lodge

Lodging: Rosebank Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Two short walks into the train tunnel and Matai/Horseshoe falls. Kaka Point Beach walk

Breakfast: Breakfast at Rosebank Lodge.

Morning: Coach departs for all day walking field trip in Catlins area, including guided visits to native forest, waterfall and golden beaches. There will be lectures in the field by local botanist.

Lunch: At local lodge (Papatowai)

Afternoon: Return to Lodge.

Dinner: Farewell Dinner at Local Restaurant

Lodging: Rosebank Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at Rosebank Lodge. Coach to Dunedin

Morning: Guided Dunedin city walk A city of strong Scottish traditions and is one of the best preserved Victorian and Edwardian heritage cities in the Southern Hemisphere

Lunch: Own choice

Afternoon: Free afternoon Transport to Dunedin Airport leaves at 3:00 pm for international check in for flights to Auckland and USA

In Transit: On flight to USA.

Meals Included: Breakfast