Itinerary
- Days 1 - 19
Departure from Auckland
Head to Auckland Airport at any time today for your departure. Your return airport transfer is included, so you'll be taken care of for your trip home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll arrive at Christchurch Airport and get driven by private car to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to do as you like, whether that's resting up after your flight or getting out to explore the area on your own. Later in the evening, you'll meet your Journey Director at a Welcome Reception to kick things off.
- Meals
- Welcome Reception
Included Activities
- Welcome Reception
Optional Activities
- Explore Christchurch on your own
- Day 2
Christchurch to Franz Josef
Board the TranzAlpine train for one of the world's great scenic railway journeys. You'll travel across the Canterbury Plains and through the Southern Alps in comfort. Stop in Arthur's Pass and then head to Hokitika on the West Coast, a town known for its jade heritage. From there, continue to Franz Josef/Waiau where you'll stay at an eco-friendly spot surrounded by native bush. If you're interested, optional evening activities include geothermal hot pools or a massage.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine train journey across Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps
- Visit to Arthur's Pass
- Visit to Hokitika
Optional Activities
- Franz Josef geothermal hot pools
- Massage at accommodation
Landmarks/POIs Arthur's Pass Hokitika - Day 3
Franz Josef
Spend the day exploring Franz Josef/Waiau with a local guide who walks you through the history and geology of Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere. You'll get a real sense of how this imposing glacier formed and what shaped the landscape around it.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Franz Josef with local guide
- Learn history of Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere
Landmarks/POIs Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere - Day 4
Franz Josef to Queenstown
Start your day with a jet boat adventure down the Haast River in a fully enclosed purpose-built boat. You'll stop for lunch at Makarora, then head to Arrowtown to check out this historic gold-mining village on the Arrow River. Later, continue to Queenstown and take an orientation tour of the city. Dinner happens at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- River jet boat journey down Haast River
- Lunch stop at Makarora
- Explore Arrowtown
- Queenstown orientation tour
- Dinner at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Haast River Arrowtown - Day 5
Queenstown
You've got multiple options today in Queenstown. Take a scenic tour to see Lord of the Rings film locations, or cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw, New Zealand's oldest steamship, and head to Walter Peak Station for a gourmet barbecue. You could also dine at local waterfront restaurants or simply relax at your hotel and soak in the alpine views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Scenic tour of Lord of the Rings film locations in Queenstown and Glenorchy
- Cruise on TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station with gourmet barbecue dinner
- Dining at local waterfront restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Lake Wakatipu TSS Earnslaw Walter Peak Station - Day 6
Queenstown
Another day with plenty of choices in Queenstown. Join a wine tour to taste Central Otago's Pinot Noir, take a jet boat down the Shotover River, or spend time wandering the cafes, restaurants, and shops while taking in the views. This evening, you'll have a Local Dining Experience at one of Queenstown's most exclusive restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Local Dining Experience
Included Activities
- Local Dining Experience at exclusive restaurant
Optional Activities
- Wine tour of Central Otago Pinot Noir vineyards
- Jet boat ride down Shotover River
- Shopping and café visits
Landmarks/POIs Central Otago Wine Region Shotover River - Day 7
Queenstown to Milford Sound
Travel south along Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau. You'll stop for lunch at a local farm where you'll hear stories about life on the land and meet farm animals. After that, drive through the rainforest of UNESCO World Heritage Fiordland National Park, passing glaciers and mountain ranges to Mirror Lake. Head through the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel and board the Milford Mariner for an overnight cruise. You'll wake up in one of the most beautiful places on earth with plenty of time to see waterfalls, rainforest, mountains, and wildlife like seals, penguins, and dolphins.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine (Hors d'oeuvres followed by a sumptuous three-course meal)
Included Activities
- Lunch stop at local farm with farm tour
- Drive through Fiordland National Park
- Drive through Homer Tunnel
- Overnight cruise on Milford Mariner
- Nature guide tour of fiord
- Hors d'oeuvres and three-course dinner
- Continental or cooked breakfast
Optional Activities
- Kayaking or small boat shoreline exploration
Landmarks/POIs Lake Wakatipu Te Anau Fiordland National Park Mirror Lake Homer Tunnel Milford Sound - Day 8
Milford Sound to Invercargill
Leave Fiordland National Park and head toward South Otago's sheep-dotted pastures. Stop in Gore, the country music capital of New Zealand, for lunch. Then travel to Invercargill, a commercial hub with grand architecture and gardens. You'll tour the largest private collection of classic vehicles in the world, showcasing the city's motoring history. The afternoon is free to explore the city, and the evening is yours to find local spots.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Lunch stop in Gore
- Tour of classic vehicle collection in Invercargill
Optional Activities
- Explore Invercargill city
Landmarks/POIs Gore Invercargill - Day 9
Stewart Island (Rakiura)
Take a ferry from Bluff to Stewart Island, known locally as Rakiura, which means Glowing Skies in Māori. With 97% of the island as National Park, the birdlife and native plants are thriving. When you arrive, join a Village and Bays tour for an entertaining introduction to New Zealand's southernmost community. Then take a leisurely cruise around Paterson Inlet with a picnic lunch, passing places like Acker's Cottage and stopping at Ulva Island to see birds and native flora. Return to Invercargill for a relaxed dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch), Dinner (Relaxed dinner)
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing to Stewart Island
- Village and Bays tour
- Leisurely cruise around Paterson Inlet with picnic lunch
- Visit to Ulva Island
- Ferry return to Invercargill
- Relaxed dinner
Landmarks/POIs Stewart Island (Rakiura) Bluff Paterson Inlet Acker's Cottage Ulva Island - Day 10
Invercargill to Dunedin
Start your day at a relaxed pace in Invercargill before heading to Dunedin. Visit Dunedin Craft Distillers, the first distillery in New Zealand to make botanical spirits from surplus bread and bakery products. Take the Bread to Bottle Tour to see how owners Jenny McDonald and Sue Stockwell turn bread into spirits. Next door, you'll have a special chocolate tasting at OCHO Chocolate.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Dunedin Craft Distillers 'Bread to Bottle Tour'
- Chocolate tasting at OCHO Chocolate
Landmarks/POIs Dunedin Craft Distillers OCHO Chocolate - Day 11
Dunedin to Christchurch
Travel up the east coast of the South Island through Oamaru and Timaru. On arrival in Christchurch, take a sightseeing tour to learn about the city's recovery and rebirth after the 2011 earthquake.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Christchurch sightseeing tour learning about city rebirth
Landmarks/POIs Oamaru Timaru Christchurch - Day 12
Christchurch to Wellington
Head up the rugged Pacific Ocean coast to Kaikoura, where you can often spot sperm whales close to shore. Pass the pink-tinged crystallization ponds at Lake Grassmere Salt Works, then reach Picton, a pretty seaside fishing village. Cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound and cross the Cook Strait to the North Island. After arriving in Wellington, take a city orientation tour. Dinner is at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Travel through Kaikoura
- View Lake Grassmere Salt Works
- Visit Picton
- Cruise Queen Charlotte Sound
- Cross Cook Strait
- Wellington city orientation tour
- Dinner at hotel
Optional Activities
- Whale watching at Kaikoura
Landmarks/POIs Kaikoura Lake Grassmere Salt Works Picton Queen Charlotte Sound Cook Strait Wellington - Day 13
Wellington
Explore Wellington at your own pace today. Check out Zealandia/Te Māra a Tāne, an urban eco-sanctuary, or Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. Your Journey Director can help you book whichever option interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Zealandia/Te Māra a Tāne urban eco-sanctuary
- Visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand
Landmarks/POIs Zealandia/Te Māra a Tāne Te Papa - Day 14
Wellington to Napier
Continue north through the dairy farming land of Manawatu heading to Napier in Hawke's Bay. This evening, you'll have dinner with wine at Craggy Range Winery, one of the region's famous wineries situated in the shadow of Te Mata Peak.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner with Wine (Dinner with wine at Craggy Range Winery)
Included Activities
- Dinner with wine at Craggy Range Winery
Landmarks/POIs Manawatu Napier Craggy Range Winery Te Mata Peak - Day 15
Napier
Take a relaxed start before venturing out to explore the Hawke's Bay region. Experience the glamour and style of the jazz era on a vintage car tour. Your driver gives fascinating commentary as you're driven through Art Deco Napier and surrounding areas, hearing stories about the earthquake that destroyed the city, its rebuilding, and the distinctive Art Deco architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Vintage car tour of Art Deco Napier and surrounding areas
Landmarks/POIs Napier - Day 16
Napier to Rotorua
Enjoy a leisurely morning before continuing to Rotorua. This afternoon, take a guided cultural eco-tour of Whirinaki Forest, a vast Jurassic podocarp rainforest. With a packed lunch and a local expert guide, you'll explore the Rongoa trail, meet tree leaders, learn the history, spot native and endangered birds, and enjoy hot kawakawa tea. Learn about this family-owned business and their community and social responsibility work.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Packed lunch in forest)
Included Activities
- Guided cultural Eco-tour of Whirinaki Forest
- Rongoa trail experience
- Packed lunch in forest
- Hot kawakawa tea
Landmarks/POIs Whirinaki Forest - Day 17
Rotorua
Walk across the Redwoods Treewalk for an elevated view of 120-year-old redwood giants. At the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa, passionate conservationists show you how they're saving the kiwi population. This evening, visit Te Pā Tū Māori Experience to celebrate Tū Te Rā, a summer celebration of harvest that explores concepts, rituals, and stories of ancient Māori warfare and peace. You'll have seasonal canapés with a chef choice aperitif, then a seasonal three-course dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner with Wine (Seasonal canapés with complementary chef choice aperitif, followed by seasonal three-course dinner)
Included Activities
- Redwoods Treewalk experience among 120-year-old redwoods
- National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa guided tour
- Te Pā Tū Māori Experience
- Seasonal canapés with complementary aperitif
- Seasonal three-course dinner
Landmarks/POIs Redwoods Treewalk National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa Te Pā Tū Māori Experience - Day 18
Rotorua to Auckland
Begin your day with an exclusive five-star eco glowworm experience at Caveworld Waitomo. Your guide takes you into a cave where you'll see glowworms, cave formations, and experience Footwhistle Cave. Later, travel through the dairy farming district of Waikato to Auckland. This evening, toast your time together at a Celebration Dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Celebration Dinner
Included Activities
- Exclusive five-star Eco Glowworm experience at Caveworld Waitomo
- Guided tour of Footwhistle Cave with glowworms and formations
- Celebration Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Caveworld Waitomo Footwhistle Cave Waikato Auckland - Day 19
Auckland Departure
Your New Zealand journey ends today. You'll get a private car transfer to Auckland Airport for your onward flight.
Landmarks/POIs Auckland Airport
