Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland to Rotorua
You'll arrive in Auckland and meet your group before heading to Rotorua. Once you check into your lakeside Marae accommodation, a traditional Māori welcome ceremony kicks things off. From there, you'll help prepare a hangi (traditional steamed meal), walk through Ohinemutu Village to learn about Tikanga and Kawa, then return for hangi dinner with everyone.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Marae Special Stay)
Included Activities
- Traditional Māori welcome ceremony
- Prepare traditional hangi feast
- Introductory tour of Ohinemutu Village
- Learn about Tikanga and Kawa - Māori customs and protocols
- Hangi dinner with crew
Landmarks Ohinemutu Village 
- Day 2
Rotorua
After a hearty breakfast with fresh air and serene views, you've got the whole day to explore Rotorua however you like - hiking, ziplining, or touring Hobbiton are all options. Later in the evening you'll head back to the marae to learn about traditional Māori performing arts, including a specially composed Haka performance put on for your group.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Marae Special Stay)
Included Activities
- Traditional Māori performing arts performance
- Haka performance (specially composed for Contiki)
Optional Activities
- Hiking in Rotorua
- Ziplining
- Hobbiton tour
- Day 3
Rotorua to Rangitikei
Following breakfast, you'll visit the National Kiwi Hatchery to learn about Kiwi conservation efforts. Then it's off to Taupo for a lunch stop with scenic views. When you arrive in Rangitikei (River Valley), you can choose between e-biking through the wilderness or white water rafting. The day wraps with a farm-to-table dinner featuring locally-grown organic produce.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Wholesome organic dinner made with locally-grown produce from the gardens)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (River Valley Lodge (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit National Kiwi Hatchery
- Rangitikei farm-to-table dinner with locally-grown organic produce and garden exploration
Optional Activities
- Lunch at scenic spot in Taupo
- E-bike hire to explore wilderness
- White water rafting
Landmarks National Kiwi Hatchery Taupo 
- Day 4
Rangitikei to Wellington
You're leaving the mountains and heading toward the coast. Stop in the sunny town of Paraparaumu for lunch and good views, keeping an eye out for a glimpse of the South Island. When you arrive in Wellington, you'll get an orientation through its narrow streets, check out the food scene, and enjoy a night out in the city.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Haka House Wellington (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Paraparaumu
- Explore Wellington's food scene
Landmarks Paraparaumu 
- Day 5
Wellington
Wellington's yours to explore at your own pace. Start by visiting a local café to try the famous flat white coffee in its city of origin. You can sign up for a trip to Zealandia, a 225-hectare eco-sanctuary protecting over 40 rare native wildlife species. There you'll walk alongside rare birds like the hihi and takahē, and you might spot a tuatara - a prehistoric living fossil found only in New Zealand.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Haka House Wellington (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Try flat white coffee at a local café
- Visit Zealandia eco-sanctuary (225-hectare sanctuary with over 40 rare native wildlife species including hihi, takahē, and tuatara)
Landmarks Zealandia - Day 6
Wellington to Abel Tasman National Park
You'll cross the Cook Strait via the Interislander Ferry to reach the South Island. After arriving in Motueka, the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park, you'll check into cosy cabins located right inside the national park. You're surrounded by incredible natural beauty with birds, islands, and forests, and you'll get ready for the days ahead.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Barn Mārahau (or similar))
Included Activities
- Cross Cook Strait aboard the Interislander Ferry with views of forested hills, hidden bays and sparkling blue waters
Landmarks Abel Tasman National Park Cook Strait 
- Day 7
Abel Tasman National Park
The entire day is yours to explore Abel Tasman National Park exactly as you like. With golden sandy beaches and lush rainforests lining the ocean, you can choose from river canyoning, skydiving, sailing, hiking, or simply soaking in the natural beauty that surrounds you.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Barn Mārahau (or similar))
Included Activities
- Hike across Abel Tasman National Park with views of natural rock pools, crystal clear waters and green forests
Optional Activities
- River canyoning
- Skydiving
- Sailing
- Day 8
Mārahau to Punakaiki
You'll start before sunrise with a Waka paddling experience, learning about ancient Māori practices and catching one of the best sunrise views. After a lunch stop in a historic gold rush town between two rivers, you'll drive through the rugged northwest coast passing rainforests and beaches. Then comes the Paparoa Track with alpine tops and limestone landscapes, plus optional paddleboarding and sandstone carving. End the day with a traditional Māori BBQ dinner by campfire at Punakaiki Beach Camp, complete with whitebait fritters and starry skies.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Māori BBQ dinner with whitebait fritters at Punakaiki Beach Camp by campfire)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Punakaiki Beach Camp (or similar))
Included Activities
- Sunrise paddle Waka - learn about ancient Māori practice and Te Rā (the sun) and timatanga (beginning) from the moana (ocean)
- Drive through Buller Gorge with lush rainforest, dramatic river canyons and scenic views
- Explore historical Paparoa Track with river gorges, forests, limestone cliffs and jaw-dropping views
- Traditional Māori BBQ dinner at Punakaiki Beach Camp with whitebait fritters by campfire
Optional Activities
- Lunch in historic gold rush town
- Paddleboarding and sandstone carving experience
Landmarks Paparoa Track Punakaiki - Day 9
Punakaiki to Queenstown
You'll view the famous Pancake Rocks, 300-million-year-old formations shaped by ancient sea creatures and coastal erosion. A lunch stop in beautiful Franz Josef comes next. Then you drive through Haast Pass with ancient rainforests, small glaciers and waterfalls, witnessing how the scenery changes as you approach Queenstown through the Southern Alps. Dinner's at a rustic 150-year-old historic pub with mountain backdrops, then you'll rest at your hotel.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at a rustic 150-year-old historic pub with mountain backdrops)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Brownston Hostel (or similar))
Included Activities
- View Punakaiki Pancake Rocks - 300-million-year-old rock formations shaped by karst and coastal erosion
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Franz Josef
Landmarks Pancake Rocks Franz Josef Haast Pass - Day 10
Wānaka
This adventure day in Wānaka is yours to spend however you want. Rock climbing, hiking, skydiving, the options are endless for adrenaline junkies. As evening approaches, you can check out local restaurants or grab takeaway and head to the lake's edge to watch the sun dip behind Mount Aspiring National Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a historical pub - one of the oldest in New Zealand and one of the last standing buildings from the gold rush era)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Brownston Hostel (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Rock climbing
- Hiking
- Skydiving
- Local restaurants or takeaway dinner at lake's edge
Landmarks Mount Aspiring National Park - Day 11
Wānaka to Doubtful Sound (Lake Manapouri Cruise)
After breakfast, you'll drive to Lake Manapouri for a luxurious cruise. You travel through the lush Wilmot Pass rainforests and enjoy afternoon tea with chef-made cakes on board. Then comes kayaking through Doubtful Sound's serene waters, plunging into icy waters, and receiving a guided nature tour of this extraordinary landscape. Back on board you'll have chef-made dinner with local produce, followed by games, music and time with your crew.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Chef-made dinner with local ingredients on board cruise)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Overnight Cruise)
Included Activities
- Cruise on Lake Manapouri with viewing deck across rugged cliffs, beautiful bays and serene waters
- Travel through lush rainforests at Wilmot Pass
- Afternoon tea and chef-made traditional New Zealand cakes on board cruise
- Guided kayaking tour of Doubtful Sound with views of waterfalls, dolphins, penguins and seals
- Plunge into glacial waters at Doubtful Sound
- Guided nature tour of Doubtful Sound with nature specialist
- Chef-made dinner with local ingredients on board cruise
Landmarks Lake Manapouri Wilmot Pass Doubtful Sound 
- Day 12
Doubtful Sound to Queenstown
You're spending another day exploring Fiordland. You'll board a coach to experience Wilmot Pass again, then set sail on Lake Manapouri for the journey back. Once you arrive in Queenstown, you'll rest up for the adventure ahead.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Nomads Hostel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Coach trip over Wilmot Pass
- Cruise on Lake Manapouri
- Day 13
Queenstown
You've got unlimited free time to explore Queenstown and tick activities off your bucket list. Choose from bungy jumping, canyon swings, climbing waterfalls, vineyard tours, zip lining, skydiving, and more. Later in the evening you'll grab dinner with your crew to rest before your final day.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Nomads Hostel (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Bungy jumping
- Canyon swings
- Climbing waterfalls
- Vineyard tours
- Zip lining
- Skydiving
- Dinner with crew
- Day 14
Queenstown
Your final full day in Queenstown means continuing your adventure with any remaining bucket list activities. Optionally you can dine at the Skyline restaurant with panoramic views of Queenstown. Make the most of your last day before heading home.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Nomads Hostel (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Additional adventure activities
- Dinner at Skyline restaurant with panoramic views of Queenstown
Landmarks Skyline Queenstown - Day 15
Queenstown Departure
After 15 days filled with adventure, culture, cities and discovering what New Zealand is all about, it's time to say goodbye. If you've arranged a transfer to Christchurch, you can hop on. Don't forget to exchange contacts with your crew for future adventures together.
Optional Activities
- Transfer to Christchurch
