New Zealand Discoverer (12 days): Value Plus Escorted Vacation

Be met on arrival into Auckland and transferred to your hotel.

Leaving Auckland after breakfast, travel to Waitomo, home to the famous glow worm caves where thousands of tiny luminescent creatures radiate an unmistakable glow. Continue to the geothermal capital of New Zealand, Rotorua. Visit Te Puia, New Zealand's premier cultural centre, and enjoy a guided tour of the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. You will also see the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley and witness the phenomenal natural spectacle of erupting geysers and bubbling mud pools.

Rotorua captures the essence of New Zealand with its geothermal geysers, fascinating Maori culture and rich heritage. The city is positioned on the Pacific Rim of Fire, and is therefore one of the world's most active geothermal areas. Your sightseeing continues with a visit to one of New Zealand's best-loved attractions, the Agrodome, with its entertaining sheep shearing demonstration, dog trials and animal nursery. Later, perhaps enjoy an optional helicopter flight for views over the active White Island volcano - own expense.

Farewell Rotorua and enjoy the scenery as you travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Lake Taupo - the largest freshwater lake in Australasia - and thundering Huka Falls. Continue south across the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park to Wellington. The evening has been left free for you to explore the vibrant dining scene independently. From seafood cafes to cosy wine bars and spectacular fine-dining restaurants, you will see that New Zealand's wild and fresh produce is showcased on a plate here in Wellington.

Travel to Christchurch via Kaikoura today.

Insider Experience
Enjoy one of the world’s most scenic voyages as the Interislander ferry traverses Cook Strait through the Marlborough and Queen Charlotte sounds. Weave through islands and admire coastlines defined by tiny coves on the way to Picton.

Absorb the rural scenery from aboard your coach before beginning the ascent into the Main Divide. Then, sit back and enjoy the vistas as you journey through the Southern Alps. Be sure to keep watch for the icy crests of Fox and Franz Josef glaciers as you travel through Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Over thousands of years, these natural wonders have created immense glacial valleys. Today, their rivers of ice can be seen cascading down through the lush rainforests.

Travel past the rugged peaks of the Southern Alps this morning. Journey through spectacular Haast Pass, skirting the tranquil shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the alpine resort of Queenstown on Lake Wakatipu. This evening, during time at leisure, you may like to dine at one of the many restaurants in the town centre.

Insider Experience
Settle in for a two-night stay overseeing the calming blue waters of Lake Wakatipu, all the while admiring the dramatic backdrop of towering mountains.

With an entire day to spend as you please, you have the freedom to simply relax amid the beautiful lakeside setting or pursue your interests and choose one of Travelmarvel's exciting optional experiences. You may wish to step aboard the 100-year-old TSS Earnslaw steamship for a relaxing cruise to Walter Peak Station, or perhaps take a scenic gondola ride to the top of Bob's Peak for spectacular panoramic views over Queenstown - both at own expense.

Enter Fiordland National Park along the Milford Road. Continue to your hotel in Te Anau and enjoy dinner.

Today you will journey through rolling Southland countryside before arriving in Dunedin. Enjoy a guided tour then head to the nearby hills to take an intriguing tour of Larnach Castle, New Zealand's only castle. Steeped in scandal and tragedy, it is filled with magnificent antiques and offers breathtaking views. Enjoy some time
at leisure before dinner this evening.

See the Moeraki Boulders and visit Oamaru to see some of New Zealand's finest 19th-century architecture. Continue through Mt Cook National Park to Lake Tekapo. Tonight, enjoy a feature dinner.

Insider Experience
Journey into Mt Cook National Park to view Australasia’s highest mountain, Aoraki - Mt Cook.

Insider Experience
Stay overlooking the shores of Lake Tekapo.

Insider Experience
Tonight, dine on fresh local produce at your hotel’s restaurant during a memorable Farewell Dinner.

Awake to vistas of Lake Tekapo just beyond your window. Pay a visit to the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. Transfer to Christchurch airport, arriving at 3pm. You must book your international flights to depart after 5pm, or 4pm for domestic flights.