Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll arrive in Christchurch and check into your boutique hotel right in the city center, just minutes from North Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens. The afternoon is yours to spend however you'd like, whether that's wandering through the Botanic Gardens or taking a ride on the historic Christchurch Tram. Later, you'll meet your Travel Concierge for a welcome drink to kick off your journey together.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Montreal, Christchurch.)
Included Activities
- Private car transfer to boutique hotel
- Welcome gathering with Travel Concierge
Optional Activities
- Visit Christchurch Botanic Gardens
- Ride the Christchurch Tram
Landmarks North Hagley Park Christchurch Botanic Gardens Christchurch Tram - Day 2
Christchurch to Arthur's Pass to Hokitika to Franz Josef
You'll board the TranzAlpine train and settle in for one of the world's great scenic railway journeys. From massive windows, you'll watch the Canterbury Plains roll past, then the Southern Alps come into view, along with native beech forests. After crossing the ice-fed Waimakariri River and passing through Arthur's Pass, you'll switch to a coach heading to Hokitika on the West Coast. A local expert will guide you on a history walk through town, covering everything from jade discovery to gold rush stories. By evening, you'll arrive at your eco-friendly luxury retreat in Franz Josef, surrounded by wilderness.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef.)
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine train journey to Arthur's Pass
- Coach transfer from Arthur's Pass to Hokitika
- Guided history walk in Hokitika with local expert
- Coach transfer to Franz Josef
Landmarks Canterbury Plains Southern Alps Waimakariri River Arthur's Pass Hokitika Franz Josef Glacier - Day 3
Franz Josef
You'll head out on a valley walk to see Franz Josef Glacier up close with a local expert guiding you. The glacier's brilliant blue ice and deep crevasses are something to take in, and you'll learn what makes this one so accessible, sitting less than 1,000 feet above sea level despite being just a seven-mile descent from the Southern Alps. The whole scene is framed by distant rainforest, mountain tops, and waterfalls.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef.)
Included Activities
- Guided valley walk on Franz Josef Glacier with local expert
Landmarks Franz Josef Glacier - Day 4
Franz Josef to Haast River to Wānaka
You'll climb into a purpose-built, fully enclosed jet boat and cruise down the Haast River through the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area. Snow-capped mountains and sub-tropical rainforest pass by as your guide shares knowledge about the landscape, waterfalls, and glacier valley wilderness around you. Later, you'll see the lavender fields before arriving at your hotel on the edge of Lake Wānaka.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Edgewater Wānaka Hotel)
Included Activities
- Haast River jet boat safari
- Lavender field experience
- Coach transfer to Wānaka
Landmarks Haast River Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area Lake Wānaka Wānaka Lavender Farm - Day 5
Wānaka
You'll cruise the calm waters of Lake Wānaka out to Stevenson's Island, where a guided walk with a local expert reveals dramatic alpine vistas and high-country scenery. Back on solid ground, the afternoon offers a leisurely walk to soak in the serene surroundings of the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic refreshments on Lake Wānaka), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Edgewater Wānaka Hotel)
Included Activities
- Cruise on Lake Wānaka to Stevenson's Island
- Guided walk on Stevenson's Island with local expert
- Afternoon leisurely walk
Landmarks Lake Wānaka Stevenson's Island Mount Gold 
- Day 6
Wānaka to Cromwell to Gibbston Valley to Arrowtown
Your day starts at the Highlands Motorsport Museum checking out state-of-the-art machines. Then you'll head to Mrs Jones Orchard to meet a traditional fruit stall owner and try real fruit ice cream. Lunch comes next paired with an exclusive wine tasting in Gibbston Valley at Kinross. After that, you'll make your way to Arrowtown, the historic gold mining town, to explore before the day ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with wine tasting in Gibbston Valley at Kinross), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Rees Hotel)
Included Activities
- Highlands Motorsport Museum visit
- Mrs Jones Orchard fruit ice cream experience
- Gibbston Valley wine tasting at Kinross
- Lunch at Kinross
- Arrowtown historic town visit
Landmarks Highlands Motorsport Museum Mrs Jones Orchard Gibbston Valley Wine Region Kinross Arrowtown - Day 7
Arrowtown to Queenstown
You'll take a scenic cruise aboard TSS Earnslaw on Lake Wakatipu, soaking in the surrounding landscape. Then you can choose how you'd like to spend the rest of your day, either heading to Walter Peak High Country farm for an eco experience focused on conservation and nature, or taking a guided e-bike scenic ride along the lake. This evening, you'll dine at The Bathhouse restaurant right on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at The Bathhouse featuring locally grown, foraged and farmed produce, local and international wines)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Rees Hotel)
Included Activities
- Lake Wakatipu scenic cruise aboard TSS Earnslaw
- Walter Peak High Country farm eco experience
- Dinner at The Bathhouse
Optional Activities
- Guided e-bike scenic ride along Lake Wakatipu
Landmarks Lake Wakatipu TSS Earnslaw Walter Peak High Country Farm The Bathhouse - Day 8
Queenstown to Manapouri to Doubtful Sound
You'll travel by road to Manapouri, then board a catamaran and coach heading to Doubtful Sound in Fiordland National Park. Once there, you'll check into the Fiordland Navigator for an overnight nature cruise. An onboard naturalist will lead activities and lectures as you discover this fiord with ancient valleys, waterfalls, and wildlife surrounded by wilderness.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Delicious locally sourced cuisine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Fiordland Navigator)
Included Activities
- Road transfer to Manapouri
- Catamaran transfer to Doubtful Sound
- Coach transfer in Doubtful Sound
- Overnight cruise on Fiordland Navigator
Landmarks Doubtful Sound Fiordland National Park Pātea - Day 9
Doubtful Sound to Te Anau to Dunedin
After disembarking from the cruise, you'll continue by road to Dunedin with a lunch stop at Te Anau along the way. Your heritage hotel in the city center welcomes you with a cosy atmosphere. For dinner, you'll head to Parcels Restaurant to try modern takes on traditional local dishes, from surf and turf to braised lamb and catch of the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at Parcels Restaurant featuring modern local cuisine including surf and turf, braised lamb, and catch of the day with local wines)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Dunedin Hotel.)
Included Activities
- Road transfer from Doubtful Sound to Dunedin
- Lunch stop at Te Anau
- Dinner at Parcels Restaurant
Landmarks Te Anau Dunedin Parcels Restaurant First Church of Otago - Day 10
Dunedin
You'll start at a relaxed pace before heading to Dunedin Craft Distillers for their Bread to Bottle Tour, learning how they make botanical spirits from surplus bread and bakery products. Next door at OCHO Chocolate, you'll go through a special chocolate tasting covering Dunedin's chocolate history plus a 10-sample bean to bar tasting. The rest of your day is free to explore Dunedin however you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Dunedin Hotel.)
Included Activities
- Guided tour at Dunedin Craft Distillers - Bread to Bottle Tour
- Chocolate tasting at OCHO Chocolate
Optional Activities
- Wildlife cruise of Otago Peninsula
- Visit Larnach Castle
Landmarks Dunedin Craft Distillers OCHO Chocolate Otago Peninsula Larnach Castle - Day 11
Dunedin to Oamaru to Timaru to Christchurch
You'll travel up the coast through Oamaru and Timaru before heading back to Christchurch. A sightseeing tour will walk you through the city's story of rebirth after the 2011 earthquake. You'll see the Canterbury Museum, built in the late 1800s, and New Regent Street with its Spanish Mission style architecture and quirky boutiques. Dinner at Montreal Bar and Restaurant showcases the best of what Christchurch has to offer, featuring seasonal ingredients.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at Montreal Bar and Restaurant highlighting seasonal ingredients)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Montreal, Christchurch.)
Included Activities
- Road transfer through Oamaru and Timaru
- Christchurch sightseeing tour
- Canterbury Museum visit
- New Regent Street tour
- Dinner at Montreal Bar and Restaurant
Landmarks Oamaru Timaru Christchurch Canterbury Museum New Regent Street Montreal Bar and Restaurant - Day 12
Christchurch to Kaikoura to Picton to Wellington
You'll drive along the dramatic rugged coastline to Kaikoura, the whale watching hub, then continue to the seaside town of Picton. From there, you'll cruise on Queen Charlotte Sound and across Cook Strait to Wellington. A guided tour helps you get to know the capital, taking you to Old St. Paul's gothic cathedral with its native timber interior, Parliament Buildings, Mount Victoria, and the scenic waterfront. You'll end the evening with a drink and dinner at your hotel's Lola Rouge Restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at Lola Rouge Restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Naumi Hotel Wellington)
Included Activities
- Road transfer to Kaikoura
- Picton visit
- Queen Charlotte Sound cruise
- Cook Strait crossing
- Wellington city tour
- Old St. Paul's Cathedral visit
- Parliament Buildings visit
- Mount Victoria visit
- Waterfront tour
- Dinner at Lola Rouge Restaurant
Landmarks Kaikoura Picton Queen Charlotte Sound Cook Strait Wellington Old St. Paul's Cathedral Parliament Buildings Mount Victoria Lola Rouge Restaurant - Day 13
Wellington
You'll personalize today by choosing between two carefully selected activities. Either you can explore Zealandia/Te Māra a Tāne on a 2-hour walking tour with an expert guide, checking out the world's first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary, or you can discover Wellington's waterfront and hidden lanes in the bohemian Cuba Street precinct with a local expert, including panoramic views from the Wellington cable car.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Naumi Hotel Wellington)
Included Activities
- City orientation and personalized activity selection
Optional Activities
- Zealandia/Te Māra a Tāne 2-hour guided walking tour
- Wellington waterfront and Cuba Street exploration with local expert
Landmarks Zealandia/Te Māra a Tāne Wellington Waterfront Cuba Street Wellington Cable Car - Day 14
Wellington to Manawatū to Napier
You'll wind through pastoral dairy farming land in Manawatū on your way to Napier in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand's Art Deco capital and major wine country. This evening, you'll head to the family-owned Craggy Range Winery in the shadow of Te Mata Peak for a tasting and dinner. You'll sample the region's premium wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir while dining on seasonal Hawke's Bay produce.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Wine tasting and intimate dinner at Craggy Range Winery award-winning restaurant featuring seasonal Hawke's Bay produce including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Porters Boutique Hotel, Hawke's Bay.)
Included Activities
- Coach transfer through Manawatū
- Wine tasting at Craggy Range Winery
- Dinner at Craggy Range Winery award-winning restaurant
Landmarks Manawatū Napier Hawke's Bay Craggy Range Winery Te Mata Peak Havelock North Village - Day 15
Napier
You'll go on a Gannet safari with Gannet Overland Safaris for a rare encounter with the world's largest gannet colony. Your visit contributes to conservation through a donation to Cape Sanctuary. Later, you'll take in Napier's art deco architecture with a local expert in a vintage car, another experience that supports local initiatives and showcases the city's 140 art deco buildings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Porters Boutique Hotel, Hawke's Bay.)
Included Activities
- Gannet Overland Safari to world's largest gannet colony
- Vintage car tour of Napier art deco architecture with local expert
Landmarks Cape Sanctuary Napier - Day 16
Napier to Rotorua
You'll continue your journey to Rotorua. This afternoon, carrying a packed lunch, you'll join a local guide for a cultural walking eco-tour through the Jurassic Whirinaki Forest. You'll receive a traditional Māori welcome and explore ancient trees, waterfalls, and native birds while learning rich cultural stories. The experience includes forest bathing and Kawakawa tea.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Packed picnic lunch in Whirinaki Forest with Kawakawa tea), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Pullman Rotorua.)
Included Activities
- Coach transfer to Rotorua
- Guided cultural walking eco-tour of Jurassic Whirinaki Forest with local guide
- Traditional Māori welcome
- Packed lunch
Landmarks Whirinaki Forest Rotorua - Day 17
Rotorua
You'll see Rotorua's sights starting with the 120-year-old Californian Coastal Redwoods at Whakarewarewa Forest. At Redwoods Treewalk, you'll cross 28 suspension bridges from 65 feet above ground, moving like native birds through the forest. Next, you'll go behind the scenes at the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa to learn about kiwi conservation and possibly see a newly hatched chick. Tonight, you'll visit Te Pā Tū for a three-course feast celebrating abundant harvest, complete with a complimentary aperitif and insights into local Māori rituals, traditions, and ancient warfare.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Three-course seasonal feast with complimentary chef choice aperitif at Te Pā Tū featuring forest kai horotai (seasonal canapés) and celebration of abundant harvest)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Pullman Rotorua.)
Included Activities
- Redwoods Treewalk with 120-year-old Californian Coastal Redwoods
- 28 suspension bridges crossing experience
- National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa behind-the-scenes tour
- Te Pā Tū Māori cultural experience and three-course feast
Landmarks Whakarewarewa Forest Redwoods Treewalk National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa Te Pā Tū - Day 18
Rotorua to Waitomo Caves to Auckland
Your final full day starts with an exclusive private guided tour of Waitomo Cave on a five-star Eco Glow Worm experience at Caveworld. You'll see glow worms, cave formations, and Footwhistle Cave while enjoying locally brewed Kawa Kawa tea. Then you'll head to Auckland for a tour of Queen Street and the striking Auckland Harbour Bridge. Dinner includes meeting one of New Zealand's famous former All Black rugby players, who'll share stories about life on one of the world's most successful teams.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with former All Black rugby player featuring sharing-style Auckland cuisine with locally sourced ingredients)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (JW Marriott Auckland.)
Included Activities
- Private guided Waitomo Cave tour - Eco Glow Worm experience at Caveworld
- Footwhistle Cave visit
- Kawa Kawa tea
- Coach transfer to Auckland
- Auckland city tour
- Queen Street tour
- Auckland Harbour Bridge viewing
- Dinner with former All Black rugby player
Landmarks Waitomo Cave Footwhistle Cave Caveworld Auckland Queen Street Auckland Harbour Bridge - Day 19
Auckland
After one last breakfast, you'll say goodbye to your luxury tour and get chauffeured to Auckland Airport for your departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Private car transfer to Auckland Airport
Landmarks Auckland Airport
