Meet at the group hotel in Auckland. There will be a single timed transfer from the airport to the hotel in the city centre in the early afternoon.In the afternoon you may wish to head out and discover the 'City of Sails' harbour area, Auckland is famous for its many sailing yachts in the Hauraki Gulf. Auckland is an ethnically diverse city and home to more than a quarter of New Zealand's population. We catch up with our tour leaders at 5pm for a briefing, then most people will have an early dinner and be early to bed, to catch up on lost sleep.

After breakfast we drive 4hrs south to Rotorua, the most active thermal area in the country. From the moment we arrive in Rotorua we know that this is a special place - there is the whiff of sulphur in the air and the sound of spouting geysers. After checking in at our accommodation, there will be an afternoon guided walk at picturesque Blue Lake, a crater lake surrounded by native and exotic forest, including giant redwood trees which were planted in 1901. Our walk takes us through an area sacred to the Maori people will give us a better understanding of the volcanic history of this fascinating region. In the early evening we will attend a traditional 'hangi' at a Maori Village. This will be a relaxed evening, including a series of song and dance performances followed by a meal prepared in the traditional 'earthfire' oven using hot stones.

After breakfast, we visit the Wai-O-Tapu, walking the trails around the Wai-O-Tapu thermal area, a colourful wonderland of craters, sulphur caves, hot springs and boiling mud pools. In the afternoon, we drive for a further 30 mins southwards to stunning Lake Taupo, New Zealand's biggest lake and on towards Tongariro National Park, New Zealand's oldest national park and a UNESCO dual heritage site for Maori cultural and spiritual significance, as well as for its unique volcanic features. We check into our accommodation for the next two nights.

Today there is the option for everyone to walk the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Mount Tongariro reaches 1978m above sea level and has at least 12 separate ash cones, several of which have shown signs of recent activity. Peter Jackson chose this area as the location for Mordor and Mount Doom when filming the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Established in 1887, Tongariro was the first national park in New Zealand and the fourth in the world. It is a World Heritage area, a status which recognises the park's important Maori cultural and spiritual associations as well as its volcanic features. An early start is needed for this 18km walk, which starts out from the Mangatepopo Valley and finishes at the Ketetahi road. The Tongariro Crossing passes over spectacular volcanic terrain. Cold mountain springs, lava flows, an active crater, steam vents, emerald-coloured lakes and magnificent views combine to make this an enjoyable and memorable trip. The Tongariro Crossing is a committing full day hike. For those who don't wish to make the crossing, there is the option to explore at your leisure or relax at your accommodation.

We drive 4 hours south to Wellington, the 'Windy City' and New Zealand's capital. Our scenic route takes us on State Highway 1, the first section of which is called the 'desert road'. We see some of the North Island's sheep farming areas and also its rich agricultural plains. Arriving in Wellington in the early afternoon, we should have time to explore some of its standout sights, including the incredible Te Papa Tongarewa, the National Museum of New Zealand, and the colourful harbour area. In the afternoon we board the inter island ferry for the 3 hour crossing to Picton, which takes us across the Cook Strait (named after Captain Cook, the first European to sail through it) and into the picturesque waterway of Marlborough Sound. On arrival in Picton we board a water taxi for our onward journey to Lochmara Lodge a stunningly located eco-lodge on the Queen Charlotte Track which will be our base for the next two nights.

Today we enjoy a full day hiking on the Queen Charlotte Track, walking in the heart of the beautiful Marlborough Sounds on a magnificent coastal track. After breakfast, we travel to Anakiwa via water taxi and after a walk along the water's edge we climb to the ridgeline above beautiful Onahau Bay. We will take some time to enjoy the spectacular views before descending to Mistletoe Bay for a swim. Our final climb over Te Mahia saddle takes us directly back to our base at Lochmara Lodge.

It's hard to leave this beautiful place, but we head off on a late morning water taxi to Picton. From here we drive via Nelson to Motueka, following the coast road around Tasman Bay. There will be time for some short scenic stops along the way to break up the drive and stretch our legs. The drive should take around 2 hours. Overnight in a motel in Motueka, the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park.

Today we walk a section of the Abel Tasman Track, from Marahau (just north of Motueka) to Torrent Bay. The track is a total of 54.4kms in total and one of the Department of Conservations "Great Walks". The section we will walk shows off the best features of this coastline, with its golden beaches, forested headlands, offshore islands and hidden coves. Arriving at Torrent Bay, we will have lunch and then take sailing boat back to Motueka, where we will spend a second night.

After breakfast, we set off on the scenic 4 hour drive south to the West Coast and the coastal town of Punakaiki. This takes us inland, through a pleasant landscape of farmland and forest, then we descend beside the Buller River to the sea. Following the rugged coastline, we reach Punakaiki at lunchtime and check in at our accommodation. In the afternoon, we will be keen to see the famous 'pancake rocks' and if the tides are in our favour we may also get to see the blowholes erupting seawater high into the air as the water surges deep into the cliffs. Also easily accessed from our accommodation is an excellent walk beside the Pororari River, through sub-tropical forest with many Nikau palm trees and limestone cliffs. A good place for a short hike before dinner.

We continue our drive down the West Coast, a dramatic shoreline that is engaged in a continual battle against the rolling waves of the Tasman Sea. Drive time today will be approximately 3 hours. On our left hand side the peaks of Westland and the Southern Alps become increasingly dominant. We stop off to make a 1.5 hour walk to the scenic Okarito Trig viewpoint. A former mining track (the area was once scene of a Klondike-style goldrush) leads up to the viewpoint from where there are 360 degree panoramic views of the Southern Alps and down to the Okarito lagoon below. The lagoon is one of NZ's largest natural wetlands, and is home to over 70 bird species including the White Heron (Kotuku) and the Royal Spoonbill. The world's rarest and most endangered Kiwi (the Rowi) lives in the surrounding podocarp forest. Franz Josef Glacier is situated at the heart of the Southern Lakes, ringed by golden hills, snow-clad peaks, ancient forests, crystal-clear lakes and rivers. We have time to look around its shops and cafes and to walk up to the face of Franz Josef glacier, before checking in at our accommodation in nearby Fox Glacier town. Franz Josef Glacier and its near neighbour, Fox Glacier, tumble down from the highest peaks to an elevation of just 300 metres in the midst of luxuriant tropical forest - a unique phenomenon.

We start the day with a walk around the jewel-like Lake Matheson. It is the perfect spot from which to watch the early morning sun illuminating the jagged peaks of the Southern Alps, reflected in the waters of the lake. This short walk sets us up nicely for the day, before we head south again, along the coast to the town of Haast. Here, the road heads inland and into the dramatic Mount Aspiring National Park. Drive time will be approximately 4 hours and we take several opportunities to stop off at the best coastal and lakeside viewpoints. Crossing the Haast Pass (562m) which has only been covered in tarmac since 1995, we enter the region of Otago, we reach the town of Wanaka, our home for 2 nights.

Today is a wall earned rest day. You can choose to relax and enjoy Wanaka's cafes and shops or, you can stick with the active theme of the tour, you might want to take advantage of one of the myriad of activities that are on offer around this adventure paradise. Nearby walks are Mt Iron, the Lake outlet track, Roys Peak or a glacier hike. It is also possible to go indoor climbing, kayaking or paddle boarding… the list is almost endless and there is something for everyone to enjoy in Wanaka.

Driving south-west out of Wanaka past the historic Cardrona Hotel, we cross the Crown Range to reach Arrowtown, Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the spectacular range of peaks known as the Remarkables. Our route follows the edge of the lake into the region of Southland, well known for its untamed and 'tussocky' landscapes. Journey's end today is the town of Te Anau, the point of entry into the Fiordland National Park, stunningly situated beside a lake and surrounded by mountains. We arrive in Te Anau in the early afternoon. In time to enjoy a 3 hour walk through mountain beech forest with some great river views. Some scenes in the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed near this part of the river. Further along we cross a kettle bog then continue to the shores of Lake Manapouri, one of New Zealand's deepest lakes. Afterward we return to Te Anau where we will stay tonight.

It is a 2-hour drive through amazing scenery to reach Milford Sound, where we can expect to see some of the world's most spectacular scenery. A boat cruise on the fiord is a not-to-be-missed experience. This area has the highest rainfall in New Zealand and there are many spectacular waterfalls that cascade into the sound. After the cruise we will make a hiking excursion up to the dramatic viewpoint of Key Summit on the Routeburn Track. From the top, there are superb views down onto the Hollyford, Greenstone and Eglington valleys. We will then drive back to our lodge in Te Anau, stopping off at one or two rest areas beside the road to try to spot the cheeky 'keas' (mountain parrots) whose party piece is stripping out the rubber seals from around car windscreens.

This is largely a driving day of around 4 to 5 hours, but we will find time to stop off for a brief walking tour of the exhilarating, year-round resort of Queenstown. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown has become a mecca for adventure activities including bungy jumping, sky diving, canyon swinging, jet boating, horse riding and river rafting. Then, heading north, we cross the Lindis Pass to reach the east side of the Southern Alps, the 'Misty Mountains' of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings film trilogy, and continue our journey as far as the town of Twizel, beside the lake of the same name. This is the gateway to the Mount Cook National Park. We overnight in Twizel.

After breakfast at our lodge, we drive to the northern end of Lake Pukaki and set off on a full day return hike to the Mueller Hut. This is the classic Mount Cook 1-day trek and provides us with great views of the Hooker and Mueller glaciers, as well as of Mount Cook itself. Mount Cook (or Aoraki to the Maori) is the highest mountain in New Zealand at 3754m. The route to the hut is quite steep and climbs rapidly from the valley floor, past a couple of tarns, and then up to the top of the ridge. The Mueller Hut is situated at the very top of the ridge at an altitude of 1830m and the views across the whole area are excellent. There are easier options for those seeking a less active day, including the Hooker Valley or the Mount Sebastapol ridgeline. In the afternoon we drive back to our accommodation in Twizel.

It is just a short drive to Lake Tekapo from where we begin our walk-in to the Rex Simpson Hut. The trail crosses open grassland to the northern end of the lake. Arriving in the early afternoon, we have plenty of time to enjoy the expansive views across the huge interior plateau, with the peaks of the Southern Alps beyond. This remote hut is a great place to chill out and enjoy the fabulous views of the lake and surroundings mountains. In 2012, Lake Tekapo and the Mackenzie Basin were declared an International Dark Sky Reserve on account of the virtually light-pollution-free skies and the high number of clear nights throughout the year. The Magellanic Clouds - satellite galaxies to the Milky Way - that are only visible in the southern hemisphere can be seen from here year round.

We have an early start to make the most of this last day of walking to ascend Erica's Peak. Above the hut, we soon gain a beautiful, sinuous ridge, nicknamed 'Snake Ridge' and follow this, gaining height gradually across tussocky terrain, to the top of Erica's Peak (2000m). This is a fantastic viewpoint for the peaks of the Southern Alps, including the east face of Mount Cook. Returning to the hut, we descend to our vehicle and drive to Lake Tekapo Township where we may want to head out for a final, celebratory dinner and reflect on our experiences of this amazingly varied and friendly country.

KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. A complimentary single, timed group transfer to Christchurch Airport is provided. Anyone may use this transfer. The transfer time to Christchurch is approximately 3 hours.