Sky City offers 10 restaurants & bars, 24 hour room service, fitness center, sauna and roof top swimming pool. New Zealand's largest casino and Sky Tower, the tallest structure in the southern hemisphere at 328 meters. All rooms include TV with Sky channels (movies/HBO, sports/ESPN and news/CNN), Movielink and the Sky City entertainment channel, tea and coffee making facilities, a mini-bar, a refrigerator, iron and ironing board, complimentary in-room security safes and hair dryers.
Accommodation: Sky City Hotel (Meals: D)

DAY 02: AUCKLAND / BUSH & BEACH TOUR / WILDERNESS TOUR
Only 19 mi from downtown Auckland is the city's largest regional park called the Waitakere Ranges. Here we visit the Arataki Center where we have spectacular views of both the coasts and the magnificent Maori carvings. We then continue to the exotic black sand surf beaches where our guide will talk about the fascinating local history, flora and fauna of the region and give us the opportunity to stroll on an unspoiled black sand beach. Our journey then takes us into dense rainforest, giant tree ferns and New Zealand's famous Kauri trees. Along the walk, native birds and magnificent waterfalls will give us a true insight and feel for our unspoiled native bush - a classic kiwi experience. (Note: Departure from the hotel is scheduled at around 12.30pm. Return is scheduled at 5.30pm).

Then, get ready for our Auckland Harbor Lunch Cruise (2.5hrs)
Accommodation: Sky City Hotel (Meals: B, L)

DAY 03: AUCKLAND / WAITOMO / ROTORUA
This morning, we will leave Auckland and travel south via the Southern Motorway through some of the suburbs of South Auckland and Manukau City. Then we will cross the Bombay Hills, an area known for its light volcanic soil, popular for market gardening. We continue through the fertile plains of the Waikato district, renowned for its horse studs and dairy farms, to Waitomo in the King Country. In the heart of Waitomo Village - 'Waitomo Luminosa" look for the green parrot driving jet Boat on the left-hand side when you get into the village.

Scheduled Activity: TUMU TUMU TOOBING Depart: 11:00 am Return: 03:00 pm Waitomo Village

Check in time is 30 min before trip departure, please take swimwear and a towel. You will be supplied with wetsuits, gumboots and all gear. Tumu Tumu Toobing is an enhanced blackwater rafting trip with extra things to see and do. Like all cave rafting trips it includes floating on inner tubes under the light of thousands of glow worms, walking, wading and swimming through a wonderful variety of cave passages full of beautiful formations. Fitness Level: Moderate fitness required, must be confident in the water.

After your blackwater rafting experience, you will travel via the Fitzgerald Glade and over the heavily forested Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua, located in the Bay of Plenty. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check in.
Accommodation: Millenium Hotel Rotorua (Meals: B)

DAY 04: ROTORUA FULL DAY EXCURSION
8:00 am: This morning, we will depart to Waimungu Thermal Valley. This full day guided trip takes us in the amazing thermal activity of the award winning Waimangu Volcanic Valley and the magnificence of the Whirinaki Rainforest. Today's experience begins with a morning nature walk and lake cruise amidst the stunning volcanic landscape of Waimangu. Well designed pathways offer spectacular views of hot crater lakes, steaming cliffs, hissing fumeroles, colorful silica terraces and rare thermal plants.

After lunch in an idyllic forest setting, we will step back into the past on an afternoon walk in the magnificence of Whirinaki Forest Park where the 700 - 800 year old rimu, totara, matai, miro and kahikatea -the ancient giants of New Zealand's podocarp tree species reach up to 65m. Beneath the forest canopy wonder in awe at the amazing diversity of shrubs, ferns, epiphytes, lianes, mosses and birdlife of this remarkable natural habitat.

5:00 pm: Transfer back to your hotel.

7:00 pm: En route to the Marae (Maori village) our selected chief and guide will greet us and introduce tonight's activities. A great way to get to know fellow tribes people!! A very sacred performance takes place upon arrival at the Marae known as the Wero (challenge). Karanga (call), speeches and Hongi (greeting). The Marae is the Turangawaewae (standing ground). It is here where the Maori people best express themselves.

Let the local tribes people walk you through time to learn about the pride of the Maori, through song and dance. Become a part of their living history through the eyes of the Rangatahi (young), from the heart of the Kaumatua (old). See, learn and taste food being prepared and cooked the ancient way as the night unfolds to a relaxed, informal, friendly and fun atmosphere of feasting and entertainment. All meat and vegetables are cooked in the traditional fashion, beneath the ground on hot rocks. Vegetarian meals are a specialty and are catered upon request. Dining is buffet style with the menu consisting of: lamb, pumpkin, steamed pudding, chicken, potatoes fresh fruit salad, fish, kumara (sweet potato), shellfish, seasoning, coleslaw, salad, Maori bread.

10:30 pm: Transfer back to our hotel.
Accommodation: Millenium Hotel Rotorua (Meals: B,L,D)

DAY 05: ROTORUA / QUEENSTOWN
10:00 am: Check out time from the hotel. Transfer to Rotorua Airport for your departure flight to Queenstown. Upon arrival in Queenstown you will be met by ActiveSinglesTravel's driver/guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in.

Accommodation: Novotel Gardens Queenstown – 4 nights(Meals: B) Novotel Gardens is located in the magnificent year round resort of Queenstown. The hotel itself is situated on the waterfront of Lake Wakatipu, in the very heart of Queenstown, 100 meters from the town centre and offers stunning views of the lake and mountains. Note: Rooms are not air conditioned

DAY 06: QUEENSTOWN / SHOTOVER "TRIO" ADVENTURE
7:30 am: This morning we walk the short distance to the station at the corner.

8:00 am: Departure for Shotover River where we will start the Shotover Trio – Jet boat / Heli / Raft. Combine jet boating with Shotover Jet, a helicopter flight over Skippers Canyon and whitewater rafting down the Shotover River. Duration: 5 hours. An exhilarating experience in Queenstown!

Then, we will board the TSS Earnslaw for our cruise on lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. After dinner, re-board the TSS Earnslaw for our cruise back to Queenstown. Make your own way back to the hotel.
Accommodation: Novotel Gardens Queenstown (Meals: B, D)

DAY 07: DOUBTFUL SOUND / QUEENSTOWN
After breakfast, transfer from our hotel to Pearl Harbor. During the cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak, we may purchase pre-dinner drinks and listen to the pianist play a few old favorites. Upon arrival at Walter Peak, we will be warmly welcomed and escorted through the beautiful lakeside gardens to the charming Colonel's Homestead where we will be seated amidst elegant surrounding. The resident pianist provides background music within a cozy atmosphere. The delicious carvery style buffet features New Zealand specialties - succulent roast meat, fresh seafood, salads and vegetables. The traditional desserts are hard to resist. An excellent range of wine and other beverages are available for purchase from the bar. After dinner, relax at the bar or enjoy a farm show before returning on board the TSS Earnslaw to Queenstown. A tradition is the TSS Earnslaw's sing-along around the piano on the return journey. Once back in Queenstown walk the short distance to your hotel.
Accommodation: Novotel Gardens Queenstown (Meals: B, L)

DAY 08: QUEENSTOWN / DART RIVER FUNYAK SAFARI / QUEENSTOWN
An awesome day! Today we depart for Dart River at Glenorchy. We will explore the untouched World Heritage Park of the Dart River by Jet Boast, inflatable canoes and 4WD. A superb picnic lunch is provided at one of the scenic stops during the 3 hour journey down the grade 2 river, finishing at Paradise is included. The 40 minute backroad journey to Glenorchy passes many film locations, including those from "Lord of the Rings". Suitable for most ages and fitness levels, no experience is required. Duration: 6-7 hours total Return to Queenstown.
Accommodation: Novotel Gardens Queenstown (Meals: B, L)

DAY 09: QUEENSTOWN / AORAKI-MOUNT COOK
After breakfast, we will be transferred from Queenstown to Aoraki / Mt Cook (approximately 3,5 hrs).

Here you can select from one of the following optional activities:

• Aoraki/Mt Cook Ski-Plane Flight (SPAI) (40mn)
• Alpine Explorer Helicopter Flight (30mn)
• Mountain High Helicopter Flight (45mn)

A 3-course dinner will be provided at The Alpine Restaurant

Accommodation: The Hermitage Hotel (Meals: B, D) The most exclusive and luxurious accommodation in the village can be found in the Hermitage Hotel. The 60 new 900 Wing rooms and the 104 Hermitage Superior rooms offer scenic views of the surrounding mountains, with 143 offering spectacular views of Mount Cook. All rooms have bathrooms, tea and coffee making facilities, TVs, and phones. Spa and sauna facilities are also available for the use of in-house guests. Also located within this building are a Souvenir Shop and clothing outlet, a coffee shop, two restaurants and a bar.

Regional Information Mount Cook National Park (Aoraki) Population: 120 Named in honor of the English explorer James Cook, the local Maori name for the mountain is Aoraki. Mount Cook National Park covers an area of 700 square km, a third of which is permanently covered in snow or glacial ice. Mount Cook at 3,754 meters is Australasia's highest peak. There are a further 140 peaks within the park above 2,100 meters. All but 5 of New Zealand's peaks over 3,000 meters are in Mount Cook National Park. 72 named glaciers are located in the park including the 12 km mighty Tasman Glacier which is also the longest in the Southern Hemisphere and used for heli skiing. Other significant glaciers include the Godley, Murchison, Hooker and Mueller.

Gazetted as a National Park in 1953, the park achieved World Heritage status in 1987. The park has extensive walking tracks throughout this unique alpine environment giving visitors the chance to see some of the 750 species of flowering alpine plants. Over 40 species of birds inhabit this region including the cheeky native parrot, the Kea which constantly delights visitors with its antics. However, the rental car operators are probably not so enchanted with this bird, famous for stripping windscreen wiper blades off cars and letting down tires. Serious climbers continue to tackle the summit which was first conquered in 1884. Sir Edmund Hillary also used it in his training prior to conquering Mt Everest. In 1991 a huge hunk fell off the eastern face, approx 14 million cubic meters, reducing the height by 10 meters. Note: like all large mountains, Mount Cook makes its own weather pattern. It can be clear and sunny at Twizel and bucking down with rain at the mountain or totally clouded in. However on a nice day the sight of Mt Cook glistening in the sun is truly awesome and well worth visiting.

DAY 10: AORI / MT COOK / CHRISTCHURCH
This morning we depart for Christchurch via Mt Cook. Travel through the Rugged Kawarau Gorge to Cromwell and then over the Lindis Pass to the Mount Cook National Park.
Accommodation: The Quest Christchurch (Meals: B)

Christchurch: Pop 350,000 Founded in the early 1850's, Christchurch with its Cathedral, numerous churches, central square, botanical gardens and River Avon, has a very English feel to it. It is a very flat, compact city making it easy to get around. Christchurch is New Zealand's second largest city after Auckland and the hub of South Island commerce. It is also the departure point for expeditions to Antarctica. A stroll through the 30 hectare Botanical Gardens in Hagley Park is a must-do. During February each year the city holds the Garden City Festival of Flowers which is extremely popular. If you are lucky you may encounter the eccentric Wizard in front of the Cathedral giving one of his entertaining diatribes. Christchurch is an excellent base to explore the region.

DAY 11: CHRISTCHURCH
This morning, we will depart for a private sightseeing tour of Christchurch. The tour includes a guided tour of the International Antarctic Centre followed by Punting in the Park on the Avon River. Next, we will travel to the Cashmere Hills for beautiful views over the Southern Alps and the Canterbury Plains.

At the end of your visit, you will be dropped off at the Arts Centre – take time to browse around the markets, visit the Museum and Art Galleries. See the stunning Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park. You will make your own arrangements back to your hotel.

TRAMCAR DINNER
(4 Course Rolleston Menu): Tonight, get ready for your 4-course farewell dinner on board of a beautifully restored restaurant tram. View the central city sights whilst traveling the 2.5km circuit.
Accommodation: The Quest Christchurch (Meals: B)

DAY 12: CHRISTCHURCH - HOME
After breakfast, enjoy the rest of your last day at your leisure. We have planned an optional activity as details below:

OPTIONAL TOUR: UP & AWAY BALLOON SAFARI A UNIQUE FAREWELL TO AOTEAROA, THE LAND OF THE LONG WHITE CLOUD
(Weather and schedule permitting) Allow 3-4 hours for your flying experience. Courtesy transfers are provided from centrally located Christchurch hotels. Actual flying time is approx 1 hour with guests encouraged to join in the flight preparation. As flying is subject to minimum numbers and flying conditions, it is very important to select this option before departure.
Note: Departure times vary with the season but are always as early as possible as ballooning is best in the calm of the dawn. Approx 5:00 am in summer & 7:00 am in winter.