Day 1 – Cairns

On arrival after clearing customs and immigrations meet your local Taj Tours Tour Manager and board your coach for transfer to the Hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure. (Dinner)

Day 2- Full Day Outer Barrier Reef Cruise, Cairns

This morning after breakfast travel by shuttle coach to Port Douglas to board the Quicksilver, a high-speed catamaran. Your destination is the unique wilderness of the Outer Great Barrier Reef. This is your opportunity to explore the magic of the reef. Relax in the sun, swim, snorkel, or ride in a semi-submersible coral viewer, the choice is yours. We will return to the hotel late this afternoon. This evening enjoy an Indian dinner.(Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3-Kuranda Touring, Skyrail, Cairns

Today we proceed to the peaceful village of Kuranda. Upon arrival into Kuranda there is free time to enjoy this unique mountain village, home to the colourful Kuranda Heritage Markets. This afternoon we board the Skyrail, an enclosed cable car which takes you swimming across the rainforest canopy taking in breathtaking views of the Coral Sea and Green Island, to Caravonica Lakes at the base of the range. This evening enjoy an Indian dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4- Cairns to Sydney, Sydney sightseeing

Today we transfer to the airport for your flight to Sydney. On arrival we meet our expert local guide to enjoy a city sightseeing tour stopping briefly at the world famous Bondi Beach before visiting Watson’s Bay for a spectacular view over the Pacific Ocean. Continue through Double bay, Rushcutters Bay and cosmopolitan Kings Cross. Stop at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for splendid views over this magnificent harbour and the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. Visit the Sydney Opera House, described as the Eighth Wonder of the World, for a guided tour. See St. Mary’s Cathedral, Parliament House, Darling Harbour and Chinatown. Visit the historical Rocks area. Later we check into our hotel for two nights and in the evening enjoy an Indian dinner.

Day 5 – Full Day Blue Mountains Tour, Scenic Rail, Scenic Sender, Koala and WildlifePark

Travel over the Sydney Harbour Bridge for a full day tour of the Blue Mountains. These are aptly named by the distinctive blue haze, caused by light striking droplets of eucalyptus oil evaporating from the gum trees. View sheer escarpments, rugged bush land and awe-inspiring views from mountain lookouts. Ride the Scenic Railway and Scenic Sender Cable Car and see the Three Sisters rock formation. Visit an Australian Wildlife Park, meet unique Australian animals, and also view the Sydney Olympics Park, home of the successful 2000 Olympic Games. Later enjoy an Indian dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6 – Sydney, Christchurch, New Zealand

This morning we transfer to the airport for your flight to Christchurch, New Zealand. After completing entry formalities we will be met by a local representative and will proceed directly for a half-day sightseeing tour of Christchurch City. Christchurch,’ the most English city outside England’, grew out of a planned Anglican settlement in the 1850’s. The beautiful urban parks and formal gardens shaded by oaks and willows, fine Gothic cathedral and Victorian architecture typify this corner of New Zealand. Visit the International Antarctic Centre to learn about life at the South Pole. Visit the former RNZAF Base at Wigram, where the Air Force World Museum is now sited. Ride the aerial Christchurch Gondola up into the hills for unique 360-degree views of Christchurch City, the Canterbury Plain and Lyttelton Harbour as you rise to the summit complex situated on the crater rum of an extinct volcano. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7- Christchurch, Mt Cook

Today travel south across the alluvial Canterbury Plains, New Zealand’s chief cropping area. See the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo then travel along the shores of glacial Lake Pukaki to Mt Cook Village in the Mt Cook National Park. At the heart of New Zealand’s most spectacular alpine region is Mt Cook, at 3,754 meters the highest peak in Australasia. The Mt Cook National Park comprises 70,013 hectares of ice, snow, rock, sub-alpine scrub, tussock and riverbeds. Experience the wonder of the National Park, which features 15 peaks and 5 major glaciers. In the afternoon you have time for an optional helicopter rider over the magnificent Tasman Glacier and Mt Cook.(Breakfast, Continental Dinner)   

Day 8- Mt. Cook, Queenstown

Today retrace your journey back along the shores of Lake Pukaki and pass the small towns of Twizel and Omarama. At the southern end of the MacKenzie Country the road climbs through bleak rugged hills to the summit of the Lindis Pass before descending into Central Otago. The road follows the mighty Clutha River into recently created Lake Dunstan then through spectacular rugged Kawarau Gorge to Queenstown set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Queenstown, nestled among glacier-rounded hills and dramatic rugged mountain peaks, is one of the country’s major resort centers. It offers a host of holiday attractions for the visitor from helicopter flights and trips on jet-boats. Later enjoy an Indian dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 9- Milford Sound Day Excursion

Early morning we travel around Lake Wakatipu and through Te Anau and the Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound. Fiordland National Park, part of Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area is one of the greatest wilderness areas of the Southern Hemisphere. The scenery is spectacular with lofty mountains and deep valleys carved out by Ice Age glaciers. In the afternoon we board the MV Milford Monarch for a cruise down Milford Sound past towering Mitre Peak to the Tasman Sea. Seals and dolphins are often seen in the clear waters of the fiord. We then drive back to Queenstown travelling via the Cleddeau Gorge, Horner Tunnel and the lovely Eglinton Valley. This evening enjoy an Indian dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 10- Queensland, Rotorua

This morning we transfer to Queenstown airport for our flight to Rotorua. On arrival we transfer to our hotel. Routorua is located in the heart of New Zealand’s famous thermal region and forms part of the geologically active “Pacific Rim of Fire”.  Situated on the shores of Lake Rotorua, it is also renowned for Maori cultural activities. Remainder of the day is at leisure. This evening enjoy an Indian dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 11- Rotorua

Morning sightseeing tours of Rotorua. Highlights include a guided tour of Te Puia to visit the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve to see the boiling mud pools, steaming silica terraces, the geyser activity and the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute where young Maori are learning traditional carving and weaving skills. Visit Rainbow Springs to see the huge rainbow trout and the rare Kiwi birds. Also visit the famous Polynesian Spa for a soak in the naturally heated mineral waters. The Lake Spa Retreat offers unique and exclusive bathing in four hot mineral rock pools with lovely views over Lake Rotorua. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 12 Rotorua, Waitomo, Auckland

Leave Rotorua and travel across the Marnaku Ranges, then cross the mighty Waikato River via one of the hydro-electric dams before arriving in the Waitomo Cave region. Join a guided tour of the famous Waitomo Caves to discover an ancient underground labyrinth of limestone caves and grottos. See the fascinating limestone formations of stalagmites, stalactites and columns that have formed over thousands of years. Then enjoy a silent boat ride on an underground river into the starry wonderland of the magnificent Glowworm Grotto. In the afternoon travel north through the dairying and horse breeding Waikato Valley, then across the Bombay Hills and into Auckland City. Auckland is a modern city set on a narrow isthmus between the restless Tasman Sea and the calmer waters of the Pacific Ocean. The Waiternata Harbour, one of the city’s greatest treasures, is a Mecca for sailors, and the popularity of sailing on the  harbour has led to the affectionate term, “City of Sails”. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 13 Auckland Sightseeing, Flight out

Before departing this hotel this morning, ride the high speed elevator up the Sky Tower, the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere. Stand on the glass floor and see Auckland at your feet-an amazing experience. Morning sightseeing tour of Auckland. Highlights include the main Central Business District, the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge, the pretty waterfront drive and the Auckland War Memorial Museum. The Maori and the Pacific Islands Court at the museum gives an excellent introduction to the people of the Pacific and New Zealand and the remarkable flora, fauna and geography of the area. Also visit Mt Eden which is the tallest of the 47 extinct volcanoes around which Auckland is built. Later we transfer to the hotel for your return flight home. (Breakfast)