Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll make your own way to your Auckland hotel, where your room opens at 3 pm. The evening brings a group meeting with your tour guide and fellow travelers before you settle in for the night.
Optional Activities
- Airport transfer (available for additional charge)
- Day 2
Auckland to Bay of Islands
Head north from Auckland across the harbor bridge toward the Bay of Islands. Late afternoon finds you aboard the sailing schooner R. Tucker Thompson for a sunset sail through the bays. After returning to land, take a short walk through Russell's historic coastal streets, then ferry across to Paihia for the night near the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
Included Activities
- Sundowner cruise on the R. Tucker Thompson sailing schooner through Bay of Islands
- Walk through historic Russell
- Passenger ferry to Paihia
Landmarks Bay of Islands Russell Waitangi Treaty Grounds - Day 3
Bay of Islands
This day is yours to decide. An optional full-day bus tour goes to Cape Reinga at New Zealand's northern tip, where the South Pacific meets the Tasman Sea, includes driving along Ninety Mile Beach and learning about Maori spiritual traditions. If you prefer something different, hike to Haruru Falls instead. Either way, you'll return to your Paihia accommodation.
Optional Activities
- Full-day bus excursion to Cape Reinga including drive along Ninety Mile Beach
- Hike to Haruru Falls
Landmarks Cape Reinga Ninety Mile Beach Haruru Falls - Day 4
Bay of Islands to Auckland
Morning brings one last water adventure through the Bay of Islands with chances to sail through the famous Hole in the Rock at Cape Brett if conditions allow. Watch for dolphins and possibly orcas during the journey. You'll check out Urupukapuka Island with its white sand beaches and panoramic views, then head back to Auckland through Whangarei for the night.
Included Activities
- Natural history boat tour in the Bay of Islands including Hole in the Rock at Cape Brett
- Stop at Urupukapuka Island for exploration
Landmarks Hole in the Rock Cape Brett Urupukapuka Island - Day 5
Auckland to Coromandel Peninsula
Travel south from Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula. At Hot Water Beach near Hahei, build your own hot pool using natural hot springs. Then hike to Cathedral Cove (roughly 1 hour), a twin-cove rock arch formation featured in the Narnia films. Spend the night in a small coastal village on the scenic east side.
Included Activities
- Visit Hot Water Beach
- Hike to Cathedral Cove
Landmarks Hot Water Beach Cathedral Cove Hahei 
- Day 6
Coromandel Peninsula to Whakatane
Head to Matamata for a guided tour of the Shire from The Lord of the Rings films, seeing the hobbit village with a cheese stall and bakery. Continue to the Bay of Plenty and arrive in Whakatane, one of New Zealand's sunniest harbor towns. On clear days, you can spot White Island, the country's only active volcanic island, smoking in the distance.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set (Shire film set in Matamata)
Landmarks Hobbiton Movie Set Matamata Bay of Plenty White Island 
- Day 7
Whakatane to Rotorua
An optional half-day boat trip takes you to Whale Island, an offshore bird sanctuary where guides show native birds and a seal colony, plus a chance to swim at Sulphur Beach. Or stay in Whakatane to explore on foot or optionally visit a traditional marae. By evening, head inland to Rotorua for a traditional Maori cultural experience with dances, songs, and Haka war dance, followed by a traditional Hangi feast.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Hangi feast (earth oven cooked traditional Maori meal) with traditional Maori concert including Haka war dance)
Included Activities
- Traditional Maori concert and Hangi dinner
Optional Activities
- Half-day boat trip to Whale Island (Moutohorā)
- Visit to traditional Maori meeting place (marae)
Landmarks Whale Island (Moutohorā) Sulphur Beach - Day 8
Rotorua
Rotorua's geothermal wonders are yours to explore at your own pace. The city sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire with numerous thermal features. Check out geothermal parks like Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland or Te Puia, take a guided climb up Mount Tarawera if you're up for the challenge, or relax in one of the many hot pools such as Polynesia Spa. Your guide can suggest options based on your interests.
Optional Activities
- Visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
- Visit Te Puia
- Guided tour up Mount Tarawera
- Relax at Polynesia Spa or other hot pools
Landmarks Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland Te Puia Mount Tarawera Polynesia Spa - Day 9
Rotorua to Tongariro National Park
Walk through Waimangu Volcanic Valley with its colorful forests and blue and purple lakes. Continue to Taupo to see the foaming Huka Falls. After that, hop on your bike for a scenic ride exploring the Waikato River area and learning how New Zealand generates power from water and geothermal sources. Head along Lake Taupo and arrive at Tongariro National Park with its three active volcanoes, finishing with a short hike through volcanic rock landscape.
Included Activities
- Walk through Waimangu Volcanic Valley
- Bike tour along the Waikato River
- Short hike through Tongariro National Park
Landmarks Waimangu Volcanic Valley Huka Falls Lake Taupo Waikato River Tongariro National Park Ruapehu Ngauruhoe Tongariro - Day 10
Tongariro National Park to Wellington
Travel through farmland and along the North Island's west coast to Wellington, New Zealand's capital on Cook Strait. On clear days, the South Island comes into view during the journey. Upon arrival, take a short city tour covering main sights including the government district with its iconic beehive building, Victorian architecture, and Mount Victoria with sweeping harbor views.
Included Activities
- Short city tour of Wellington including government district and Mount Victoria
Landmarks Wellington Mount Victoria - Day 11
Wellington to Picton
Start with one of New Zealand's most beautiful ferry crossings across Cook Strait to the South Island. The roughly three-and-a-half-hour trip offers chances to see dolphin pods. Relax on board and take in the scenic Marlborough Sounds with their numerous inlets and bays, arriving at the small harbor town of Picton. Then cycle through the Marlborough wine-growing region, New Zealand's largest, with wine tasting at selected growers. The cycle route is short with no hills.
- Meals
- Lunch (Wine tasting with selected winegrowers in Marlborough region)
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing Wellington to Picton
- Boat trip through Marlborough Sounds
- Bike tour through Marlborough wine-growing region with wine tasting
Landmarks Cook Strait Marlborough Sounds Picton Marlborough region - Day 12
Picton to Nelson
Head west again with great views of surrounding vineyards. Arrive at Havelock in the Marlborough Sounds, a small coastal town built around mussel farming with Greenshell Mussels. Continue to Nelson at Tasman Bay, one of New Zealand's sunniest locations with a special character from its numerous artists and craftspeople.
Landmarks Havelock Pelorus Sound Tasman Bay Nelson - Day 13
Abel Tasman National Park
Spend the day in Abel Tasman National Park with golden sandy beaches and green rainforests. Take a guided kayak tour (about one hour) watching for seals on rocks. Hike along a section of the well-maintained Abel Tasman Coast Track, relax on the beach, or take a refreshing dip in the Tasman Sea. A boat tour is available if paddling isn't for you. Return to Nelson for the night.
Included Activities
- Kayak tour in Abel Tasman National Park
Optional Activities
- Hike along Abel Tasman Coast Track
- Swim in Tasman Sea
- Boat tour along National Park coastline
Landmarks Abel Tasman National Park Abel Tasman Coast Track Tasman Sea - Day 14
Nelson to Greymouth
Head to New Zealand's wild west coast. Stop at Cape Foulwind for a short walk to visit a fur seal colony. Continue along the dramatic coastline to Punakaiki and the famous Pancake Rocks, a unique formation rising from the coast like stacked pancakes with water fountains and roaring waves creating a striking natural display. End the day in the town of Greymouth.
Included Activities
- Walk to fur seal colony at Cape Foulwind
- Visit Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki
Landmarks Cape Foulwind Punakaiki Pancake Rocks Greymouth - Day 15
Greymouth to Franz Josef
Travel south along the coast to Hokitika, New Zealand's jade stronghold. Visit a jade workshop to see beautiful jewelry being crafted from the green stone. In the former gold mining town of Ross, try panning for gold yourself. The day's highlight comes at Franz Josef where you'll experience a spectacular helicopter flight over the Franz Josef Glacier, seeing glacier ice and surrounding green rainforests from above.
Included Activities
- Visit to jade workshop in Hokitika
- Gold panning in Ross
- Helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier
Landmarks Hokitika Ross Franz Josef Glacier - Day 16
Franz Josef to Queenstown
In the morning, visit Lake Matheson for a picturebook moment with surrounding peaks reflected in calm water. The landscape shifts from temperate rainforest to yellow-brown dry grass steppe. Pass the shores of Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea before stopping in Arrowtown, a charming gold mining town with pioneer heritage. Continue to Queenstown, the adventure capital, situated on Lake Wakatipu.
Landmarks Lake Matheson Lake Wanaka Lake Hawea Arrowtown Queenstown Lake Wakatipu - Day 17
Queenstown
Queenstown is yours to explore at your own pace. Enjoy the deep blue lake with imposing mountain ranges on its shores. Take a trip on the historic steamship TSS Earnslaw across the lake, ride the Shotover Jet through narrow water gorges, or take the cable car up Bob's Peak for iconic Queenstown views. A full-day excursion to Milford Sound is also optional. All activities cost extra and are your choice.
Optional Activities
- Trip on historic steamship TSS Earnslaw
- Shotover Jet ride through narrow water gorges
- Cable car ride up Bob's Peak
- Full-day excursion to Milford Sound
Landmarks Lake Wakatipu Bob's Peak Shotover Jet Milford Sound - Day 18
Queenstown to Dunedin
After a short drive through Central Otago, cycle the legendary Otago Central Rail Trail, which follows an old railroad route through landscape with picturesque villages and seemingly endless sky views, earning its nickname 'Big Sky Country'. After the bike tour, enjoy a typical pub lunch. Then continue by bus to Dunedin, the most Scottish city outside Scotland.
- Meals
- Lunch (Typical pub lunch)
Included Activities
- Bike tour on Otago Central Rail Trail
- Pub lunch
Landmarks Central Otago Otago Central Rail Trail Dunedin - Day 19
Dunedin to Lake Ohau
Explore Dunedin on a short tour to see how the city became wealthy during the gold rush. Drive north along the east coast past the mysterious Moeraki Boulders, giant stone formations whose origin remains unclear, and take a walk to the water for a closer look. Continue to Oamaru, once an important harbor town, then turn inland to Mackenzie Country's sparsely populated highlands. Spend the night at an original lodge on Lake Ohau.
Included Activities
- Short city tour of Dunedin
- Walk to Moeraki Boulders
Landmarks Dunedin Moeraki Boulders Oamaru Lake Ohau Mackenzie Country - Day 20
Lake Ohau to Lake Tekapo
Take your bike one final time to explore a beautiful section of the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail, a 306 km route from Mount Cook to the Pacific. Today you'll cycle for a few hours through the lonely plateau from Lake Ohau to Twizel, a tranquil little town in the middle of nowhere. Then take a short bus ride to the beautiful turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo.
Included Activities
- Bike tour on Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail from Lake Ohau to Twizel
Landmarks Lake Ohau Twizel Lake Tekapo Mount Cook Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail - Day 21
Lake Tekapo to Christchurch
Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, probably New Zealand's most famous church. Its beautiful stone facade and location make it a wonderful photo opportunity. Continue through the almost deserted Mackenzie Highlands before entering fertile pastureland. Early afternoon brings you to Christchurch, the Garden City, which you can explore on foot.
Included Activities
- Visit Church of the Good Shepherd
Landmarks Lake Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd Mackenzie Highlands Christchurch - Day 22
Christchurch
On a short city tour, learn about Christchurch, the South Island's largest city, and understand its recovery from the devastating 2011 earthquake that damaged the city center. Head to Port Hills, an 8-million-year-old crater rim and viewpoint where you can enjoy one last panoramic view of New Zealand's natural landscape. Afterwards, have a light lunch in a cafe at Summer Beach, one of the region's popular surfer spots.
- Meals
- Lunch (Light lunch in a cafe at Summer Beach)
Included Activities
- Short city tour of Christchurch
- Visit to Port Hills viewpoint
- Light lunch at Summer Beach
Landmarks Christchurch Port Hills Summer Beach - Day 23
Christchurch
Your tour ends after breakfast. This is your final day to enjoy Christchurch or prepare for departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Airport transfer (available for additional charge)
