Immerse yourself in New Zealand’s stunning landscapes and multicultural heritage, traveling by plane, train, van, boat, and cable car through the North and South Islands. Discover magnificent fjords, ethereal glowworm caves, and snowcapped peaks; visit picturesque vineyards, explore vibrant cities and get to know "The Land of the Long White Cloud".
- Duration: 12 days
- Start/Finish City: Auckland to Queenstown
- Service Level: Upgraded
- Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other, like meals, private transport, and activities.
- Physical Grading: 2 - Light
- Light walking and hiking are suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
- Greater exploration, insider access, and the freedom to roam – all without sacrificing comfort.
- Trip Type: Small Group
- Small group experience; Max 16, Avg 12.
Itinerary
Day 1 Auckland
Your incredible journey of discovery starts with an early arrival in Auckland, New Zealand’s most cosmopolitan city, known as the “city of sails” and the Polynesian capital of the world. Upon arrival, proceed through customs and immigration before making your way to the arrivals hall to meet your driver for a private transfer to your accommodation. Your room will be ready for you on arrival. This morning, join a private guide to be taken on an entertaining walking discovery experience around the central city of Auckland. Your private guide will offer insights into local culture, the city’s heritage, and the downtown areas that have been regenerated in recent years that are making Auckland one of the most vibrant cities in the world. Visit a variety of heritage and modern buildings that house art spaces and learn about the art set in public spaces. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before embarking on an America’s Cup sailing experience. The America’s Cup is the world’s oldest and most prestigious sporting trophy and ultimate yachting regatta. The yachts were once part of the action of the America's Cup. Take the helm or simply sit back and enjoy the action as you sail down the Auckland Harbour.
This evening convenes for a welcome dinner.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2 Auckland /Rotorua
Join your private driver for the scenic 2.5-hour drive south to Matamata. Here, experience the real Middle Earth with a visit to the Hobbiton movie set, the bucolic setting for the shire that features in Peter Jackson-directed films, the Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit trilogies. Enjoy lunch before embarking on your private tour.
Your tour starts with a drive through the picturesque 1250 acre sheep farm with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges. Your guide will then escort you through the 12 acre site,recounting fascinating details of how the Hobbiton Movie Set was created. The set has been completely rebuilt for the Hobbit and will remain as it was seen in these films and the Lord of the Rings film trilogy.
At the conclusion of your tour, re-join your driver for the 1 hour drive south to Rotorua.Located in the heart of the central volcanic plateau and uniquely built on top of an active geothermal field. From bubbling mud pools, shooting geysers, natural hot springs and fascinating Maori culture, Rotorua has it all.
Enjoy dinner this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3 Rotorua
This morning, visit Te Puia, New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute - Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley. A place of gushing waters, steaming vents, boiling mud pools, and spectacular geysers. Your guide will introduce you to the traditional arts and crafts being kept alive through the National Carving and Weaving Schools of New Zealand. Established in 1926, the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute at Te Puia has seen carving, weaving, and other traditional Māori art forms not only survive but thrive. At the National Wood Carving School (Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau) you can see this prestigious art form being handed down from master carvers to young trainees. At the Kiwi Conservation Centre, see the kiwi live, close up, and active in their nocturnal enclosure. Watch them forage, discover their fascinating history, and learn more about our conservation activities to protect them. Enjoy lunch at Te Puia’s restaurant, overlooking incredible views of the geothermal area. Start your afternoon with a zipline experience like no other. Rotorua Ziplines will have you soaring over waterfalls and through stunning native forests whilst being immersed in the rich Māori history of this special slice of the world – Ōkere Falls, Rotorua.
Enjoy the evening and dinner at leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4 Rotorua / Marlborough
This morning, transfer to Rotorua airport to board connecting flights to Marlborough. On arrival, visit a stunning Marlborough restaurant to enjoy lunch showcasing local produce. After lunch, transfer to Mahi Wines to enjoy a private wine-tasting experience. Mahi, meaning ‘our work, our craft’, began in 2001 with a strong focus to respect and promote the individuality of Marlborough’s various vineyards, soils, and aspects. See behind closed doors and gain an in-depth understanding of the winemaking process while walking through the barrel hall and cave cellar.
Convene for dinner this evening at a local favorite.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5 Marlborough
This morning enjoy a privately guided tour of the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, a highly impressive display like no other. Human stories from World War I and two come to life in a theatrical treatment, both innovative and visually stunning. Omaka has one of the world's largest collections of aircraft and rare memorabilia and showcases Sir Peter Jackson’s own collection, including a mix of static displays and flyable planes. Enjoy lunch at a local winery before continuing your drive to Picton to board a private cruise of the Marlborough Sounds. Cruise near a salmon farm, learn about aquaculture in the Marlborough Sounds and take in the picturesque scenery while sampling some fabulous seafood and the superb Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
Enjoy dinner at leisure this evening.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6 Marlborough/Christchurch
Board your coach for the scenic drive to Christchurch this morning. Learn about the major engineering work that has been done to reopen the harbour, rail and road following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Kaikoura in November 2016.
Enjoy lunch in Kaikoura, a short walk and some time to explore the coastal town at leisure. Reboard your coach and travel through some of New Zealand’s finest horticultural and farmland areas, spotting some amazing wildlife along the way before arriving at a 330 hectare working sheep and beef farm to enjoy a privately guided tour. Explore the beautiful property while seeing sheep dogs in action. Take the opportunity to meet and hand feed the animals while learning about New Zealand’s farming systems what efforts farmers make to look after the environment.
Arrive in Christchurch later this afternoon and enjoy a la carte dinner in-house this evening.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 7 Christchurch
This morning embark on a walking tour of Christchurch City. See first-hand some of the areas affected by the devastating earthquakes and how Christchurch is preserving some of its iconic heritage buildings. Discuss with your guide the vision for Christchurch including how they are rebuilding and restoring the city's heritage sites since its devastating earthquake in 2011. Conclude your tour with a punt along the tranquil Avon River as your punter propels you slowly along the water. Enjoy lunch before embarking on a guided walking tour around the Botanic Gardens. Learn about the native flora and fauna of New Zealand and why Christchurch is called “The Garden City”.
Enjoy the remainder of the day and dinner at leisure this evening.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 8 Christchurch
Depart Christchurch this morning aboard the TranzAlpine train, one of the world's great train journeys, and travel across the Canterbury Plains into the high country and into the spectacular Arthur’s Pass National Park with its rugged mountain ranges.
On arrival in Arthurs Pass, join your private guide to explore the local area. Enjoy lunch at a historic high country hotel, then follow the old stagecoach route and view the spectacular Otira Gorge, a testament to the road builders of the 1860s and the route taken by the Maori in their quest for greenstone. Return to Christchurch by road and dinner at leisure this evening.
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 9 Christchurch/Queenstown
Transfer to Christchurch airport to board a scheduled flight to Queenstown, New Zealand’s ‘Adventure Capital’. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to enjoy lunch at a local favorite. Join your private guide for a walking tour of Arrowtown to discover the town’s rich history. The town was established in 1862, during the height of the Otago Gold Rush. The settlement grew quickly as pioneers constructed cottages, shops, and churches, more than 60 of which can still be seen today. Following your walking tour, get ready for the thrill of a lifetime with New Zealand’s world-famous Shotover Jet – the ultimate jet boat experience. Feel your adrenaline surge as you accelerate into the towering Shotover River canyons. Your expert driver takes you skimming through the shallows in mere centimeters of water, blasting past the canyon walls, rocky outcrops, and boulders.
Enjoy dinner at leisure this evening.
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 10 Queenstown
No trip to New Zealand is complete without visiting Milford Sound, often described as the eighth wonder of the world. Explore Milford Sound’s stunning fiord from your helicopter. Fly the length of Milford Sound past sheer cliffs and gushing waterfalls, out to the Tasman Sea and land on a wild West Coast beach. In Milford, enjoy a short nature walk and gain that iconic Mitre Peak photo. Enjoy an exhilarating flight past spectacular rivers, valleys and mountains with blue-green ice falls, in the heart of Fiordland National Park.
Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure.
Day 11 Queenstown
Enjoy the day at leisure today. Queenstown has an extensive variety of activities and excursions available. Activities need to be pre-booked and are at an additional cost.
Hiking - Ditch the crowds and discover classic New Zealand landscapes, towering waterfalls and pristine natural bush on this exclusive half day hiking adventure tracing the steps of our early settlers. Your unique hiking experience begins on the breath-taking Loch Linnhe Station, an 11,000ha sheep and cattle farm that spans the Hector Range to the Nevis River. Expansive views are all around you as your personal guide explains the rich history of the station and points out local flora and fauna including the kea, the world’s only alpine parrot, and the kereru, our native wood pigeon. Keep an eye out for some of the station’s cattleand wild deer.
Wine tour - Join your specialist guide for a full day wine tour of the Otago wine region. The harsh Gibbston climate, with its wide seasonal extremes, and short growing seasons, has fostered generations of entrepreneurs in many fields including traditional farming, cheese making, bungy and wine. From early beginnings in the gold fields of the 1860s their wine making skills have been honed to make the most of the ‘higher, dryer, steeper’ slopes of the valley, the peculiarities of the fine schist and clay soils, the fickle climate, and the ambitions of young innovative wine makers.
Gondola, Luge, and Ziptrek - Take a breathtaking ascent on the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak, 2,592 feet above sea level. Join your Ziptrek guide at the top of the gondola, fasten your harness, and feel the breeze on your skin as you whiz down thrilling ziplines that will have you zipping down the mountain from tree to tree. At each treehouse suspended high above the ground, enjoy views of stunning Lake Wakatipu and the magnificent remarkable mountain range. Following your zip trek, have some fun on the luge - a scenic track for cruising or the advanced track for the more adventurous, before returning to Queenstown on the gondola.
Golf: Enjoy a round of golf at one of Queenstown’s three championship courses. Jack’s Point, The Hills and Millbrook Resort feature exceptional course design incorporating the majestic natural landscapes and spectacular scenery to create a stunning golf experience.
Bungy Jumping: The world's first commercial bungy jump site, the Kawarau Bridge Bungy is located 20 minutes’ drive from Queenstown above the historic Kawarau River. At 141ft, it offers extensive bungy jump menus like; tandem, harness, and foot-tie bungy jumps not forgetting of course the popular 'water touch' option. If you've never jumped off a bridge before, The Kawarau Bridge Bungy, is the perfect place to do it.
Reconvene for a group dinner this evening to celebrate your adventure in New Zealand.
Day 12 Queenstown/ Depart New Zealand
Refreshed and relaxed, farewell New Zealand today as you are transferred to Queenstown airport to check in for your flight to Auckland where you will connect to the international terminal to board your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Pricing and availability upon request
Pre and post tours to Fiji and Australia can also be added upon request..
For Booking information - Claire Maguire +1 714-822-8647 Claire.Maguire@Cruiseplanners.com