The Grand New Zealand Drive, Alpine Odyssey

Ten nights and more than 1,800 km across both of New Zealand’s islands in a Land Cruiser, from the glowworm caves of Waitomo over the Haast Pass to Milford Sound and the dark skies of Lake Tekapo.

You fly into Auckland, collect the car and drive south through rolling, forested country to the geothermal country around Rotorua. After two days on the North Island you fly to Christchurch, pick up a fresh car and start the long part of the drive – across the Canterbury Plains to the glaciers of the west coast, over the Haast Pass to Queenstown, into Fiordland for Milford Sound, and back up through the Lindis Pass to Lake Tekapo.

You drive yourself, two to a car, in a convoy behind Madcap’s lead vehicle. There are no more than 15 guests.

The first night is in Auckland, after a briefing and a gentle drive through the harbour districts. Day two covers 230 km to Rotorua, by way of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where a boat takes you underground beneath cave ceilings lit by glowworms.

Rotorua is a full day out of the car. You see the geothermal valley at Te Puia and the Pōhutu Geyser, watch Māori storytelling and performance, visit the Agrodome farm and finish with a private soak at the Polynesian Spa.

After a morning flight to Christchurch and a new car, day five is 380 km from the Canterbury Plains up into rainforest-covered mountains, across rivers and over alpine passes to Franz Josef and the glaciers. Day six follows the glacier valleys south and over the Haast Pass, with waterfalls and rivers along the way, to Queenstown.

In Queenstown the Skyline Gondola takes you up above Lake Wakatipu, and the rest of the day is free – heli tours and jet boating are extras. Day eight is the big one: 550 km and around eight hours there and back through Fiordland National Park, with a cruise on Milford Sound between the fjord walls and waterfalls.

The drive north crosses the interior of the South Island and the Lindis Pass to Lake Tekapo, where you spend the evening stargazing in a Dark Sky Reserve. The last day is 230 km through the Mackenzie Basin, on wide-open roads back to Christchurch, for a final evening with the group.

This is a self-drive in convoy. Each Toyota Land Cruiser (or similar SUV) carries two guests, and a lead vehicle handles navigation and support all the way. Drivers need a full licence – Madcap recommends at least five years’ experience – and an International Driving Permit. Non-drivers are welcome as passengers, and chauffeur-driven cars are available on request.

Ten nights in hotels on a twin-share basis are included, along with the car, airport transfers, the Rotorua to Christchurch flight, the experiences in the itinerary and the meals Madcap specifies. International flights, insurance and optional activities are extra.