Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll get picked up at Auckland Airport and head to your hotel. After settling in, the rest of the day is yours to explore. Auckland's got plenty going on with its beaches, museums, and galleries scattered around the city, so you can wander at your own pace and get a feel for what makes it such a popular spot.
Included Activities
- Airport transfer
- Free day to explore Auckland
Optional Activities
- Harbour Dinner Cruise – $100 pp
- Day 2
Auckland to Rotorua
Your guide drives out of Auckland toward Rotorua, showing you city highlights along the way. You'll pass through the Waikato Region and stop in Tirau before reaching Te Puia and Rotorua. There's a Maori cultural performance on the schedule, followed by a traditional Hangi buffet lunch, plus a visit to Mitai Maori Village and guided sightseeing around the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Maori Hangi Buffet)
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing in Rotorua
- Mitai Maori Village
- Maori Cultural Performance
- Traditional Maori Hangi Buffet Lunch
Landmarks/POIs Mitai Maori Village - Day 3
Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves
Head from Auckland through the Waikato Region to see two major attractions in one day. You'll check out Hobbiton, the fictional village from the films, then move on to Waitomo. Stop at the Big Bird and Miniature Animal Petting Farm, then take a guided tour through the Glowworm Caves. Bring comfortable walking shoes and a warm jacket for the cave section since it gets cool down there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing
- Hobbiton Movie Set
- Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Optional Activities
- Rotorua's Polynesian Spa – $40 pp
Landmarks/POIs Hobbiton Movie Set Waitomo Glowworm Caves Waitomo Big Bird & Miniature Animal Petting Farm - Day 4
Auckland to Queenstown
Catch an early flight from the North Island to Queenstown on the South Island. A driver meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel. The afternoon and evening are free, so you can try hiking Queenstown Hill, book a Shotover Canyon jet boat adventure, attempt a bungy jump, or go white water rafting depending on what appeals to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast @ hotel)
Included Activities
- Airport transfer
- Flight Auckland to Queenstown (one way)
Optional Activities
- Queenstown Skyline Gondola Ride – $30 pp
- Shotover Canyon River Jet Boat Adventure – $105 pp
- Queenstown Hill hike
- Nevis Bungy Jump
- Shotover River White Water Rafting
Landmarks/POIs Queenstown Hill Lake Wakatipu The Remarkables Mountain Range - Day 5
Mt Cook and Hooker Valley Hike
Join a guided small group trip to Mt Cook National Park for the day. The route takes you past the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and through Cromwell, Lindis Pass, and Omarama. You'll see Lake Pukaki along the way, then hike the Hooker Valley Track at the national park. The day includes stops at High Country Salmon and Mrs Jones Fruit Orchard plus time in Mt. Cook Village.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing
- Hooker Valley Track hike
Landmarks/POIs Kawarau Suspension Bridge Lindis Pass Lake Pukaki Aoraki Mount Cook National Park Hooker Valley Track - Day 6
Milford Sound Nature Cruise
Travel by luxury coach from Queenstown to Milford Sound with a morning tea break in Te Anau. The coach winds along the Milford Road with photo stops and short walks. Once there, board a modern vessel for a 1 hour 40 minute cruise through the fiord to see waterfalls, rainforests, Mitre Peak, and Pembroke Glacier. Pack comfortable shoes, a waterproof jacket, warm layers, and insect repellent.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Milford Sound Nature Cruise with return luxury coach transfers
Landmarks/POIs Milford Sound Mitre Peak Pembroke Glacier Lake Wakatipu - Day 7
Queenstown to Franz Josef
Travel by luxury coach from Queenstown to Franz Josef, passing Lake Dunstan, Lake Wanaka, and Lake Hawea. After morning tea in Makarora, you'll cross through Mount Aspiring World Heritage Park and the Haast Pass, moving through native beech forest and the Southern Alps. Stop at a boutique salmon farm on the Paringa River for afternoon tea before arriving in Franz Josef, where the famous glacier is waiting to explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast @ hotel)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing on the way to Franz Josef
Landmarks/POIs Lake Dunstan Lake Wanaka Lake Hawea Mount Aspiring World Heritage Park Haast Pass Franz Josef Glacier - Day 8
Franz Josef Free Day
You have the day to yourself in the Franz Josef area. If you want to do something, there are optional activities like a scenic cruise on Lake Mapourika with a rainforest walk and kiwi sanctuary visit, or a kayak adventure across the lake to a private rainforest trail through the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary. Otherwise, just relax and take in the surroundings at your own speed.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast @ hotel)
Included Activities
- Free day to explore
Optional Activities
- Scenic cruise and rainforest walk – $95 / person
- Kayak adventure – $85 / person
Landmarks/POIs Lake Mapourika Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary - Day 9
Franz Josef to Christchurch via TranzAlpine Train
Head to Greymouth train station to board the TranzAlpine scenic train. This 4.5 hour journey winds through the Southern Alps from Greymouth through Arthur's Pass to Christchurch, passing rugged peaks and vast beech forests. You'll get personal headsets with GPS-triggered commentary about the communities and places along the route, plus access to regular seating and open air viewing decks. The train arrives in Christchurch at 18:30 and you're transferred to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast @ hotel)
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine Scenic Train
- Transfer to train station
Landmarks/POIs Arthur's Pass Southern Alps - Day 10
Christchurch Departure
Have breakfast at the hotel this morning. Checkout is usually by 11am, so book your return flight around that time. Take a moment to think back on everything you've seen and done during the tour before you head out.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Airport shuttle/transfer
