This tour takes you through some of the most remote parts of New Zealand. We start in Christchurch, a city with a very English atmosphere. From here we head for the goldmining area of the West coast through the stunning Arthur's Pass, which is the only way to cross the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Places like Hokitika and Greymouth had their hay days in the 1860's with prospectors coming from all over the world. After the gold rush many of the villages have turned into interesting ghost towns. We follow the remote West Coast road towards Westland National Park with the unique Franz Josef and Fox glaciers. From here we take the Trans Alpine crossing Haast Pass used by the Maori in search of greenstone (jade). On the next day we reach the Mecca for adrenalin and dare-devil sports: Queenstown. Here we have a rest day so the daring ones can try Bungy jumping, White water rafting, Sky diving or Paragliding etc.

Queenstown with it's beauty also offers many nice walks, boat rides and visits to Skippers Canyon and Arrowtown , another goldmining town. Leaving the fast and pulsating Queenstown behind we reach Central Otago with it's varied landscape offering a taste of life around the Fruit farms, sheep farms and Hydro dams. From the Scottish town Dunedin, a visit to the albatross colony and yellow eyed penguins out on the Otago Peninsula is an absolute must. Having a Scottish heritage the city also has a whisky distillery and an old fashioned brewery that are both definitely worth a visit. The tour heads north from here through Lindis Pass, Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo, some of the most beautiful and photographed places in the South Island. To experience the geothermal activities we make a visit to Hanmer Springs, New Zealand's first established 'healing centre'.

We are now reaching the top of the South Island and make a stop in Abel Tasman National park which is best enjoyed by kayak or on foot. Around the corner is also the Pupu Springs which boasts the clearest water in the world. From here we drive through the meandering roads of the Marlborough Sounds to Picton and by ferry we sail across to the North Island. The boat ride is a very scenic and relaxing trip through the Marlborough Sounds and the Cook Straits with a chance to see dolphins on the way! In the capital city Wellington, we spend some time sightseeing before we head for Tongariro national park with its active volcano, Mt Ruapehu. We are now in geyser and volcanic land and visiting the crater lake Taupo you realise the power and dimension of these natural phenomena.

The tour takes us to the Hawke Bay region which is famous for its wine. It was also here James Cook first stepped ashore and made contact with the countries original settlers: The Maori. The winding road around the East Cape takes you through remote and untouched areas still dominated by the Maori. To learn more about their fascinating pacific culture we visit Rotorua where we experience their way of life, visit their art & craft institute as well as early settlements. Before we reach our final destination we make a visit to Waitomo Caves with its underground water systems and glow worms (film locations for many movies such as Spielberg's "The lost world"). We reach New Zealand's largest city Auckland with its Polynesian influence, spend a day sightseeing and visiting some of the main attractions.