Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll arrive in Auckland and get transferred to your hotel to settle in. There's a welcome meeting at 6 pm, though if you land early, there's an optional All Blacks interactive experience to check out beforehand. After the meeting wraps up, you'll have dinner with your group at a local bistro to get acquainted.
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting
- Welcome dinner at local bistro
Optional Activities
- All Blacks interactive experience - learn about rugby heritage and the sport's legacy
- Day 2
Auckland to Waiheke Island
Take a ferry out to Waiheke Island where you'll spend the day at two local wineries learning how they produce wine and tasting throughout. Lunch is on the island and you'll have time for scenic drives with photo spots. The ferry back to Auckland leaves in the late afternoon, leaving your evening open.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on Waiheke Island)
Included Activities
- Ferry to Waiheke Island
- Winery visits with wine tasting at two properties
- Scenic drives on Waiheke Island
- Lunch on Waiheke Island
Optional Activities
- Dolphin or orca spotting during ferry crossing
Landmarks/POIs Waiheke Island - Day 3
Auckland to Rotorua
After breakfast, drive to Waitomo Glow Worm Caves for an underground walk through tunnels with stalactites and stalagmites, then descend into Ruakuri Cave where you'll see luminous glow worms with your guide. Later you'll head to the Hobbiton movie set from Lord of the Rings, tour the Hobbit holes, and grab a drink at the Green Dragon Inn before finishing in Rotorua.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Waitomo Glow Worm Caves - Ruakuri Cave tour with expert guide
- Hobbiton movie set tour with local guide
- Green Dragon Inn visit with drink
Optional Activities
- Pie at the Green Dragon Inn
Landmarks/POIs Waitomo Glow Worm Caves Ruakuri Cave Hobbiton Movie Set - Day 4
Rotorua
This morning is yours to relax at the Polynesian Spa or try adrenaline activities at the Redwoods Treetop Walkway, both optional. Tonight you'll visit Te Pā Tū and Tamaki Māori Village where local experts guide you through seasonal harvest celebrations, ancient Māori rituals, haka, and song and drama. You'll have a three-course feast in a torch-lit forest amphitheatre.
- Meals
- Dinner (Three-course feast at Te Pā Tū with local produce)
Included Activities
- Te Pā Tū and Tamaki Māori Village visit with local guide
- Cultural performance featuring haka, song and drama
- Three-course feast dinner
Optional Activities
- Polynesian Spa - from NZD40
- Redwoods Treetop Walkway - NZD39
Landmarks/POIs Te Pā Tū (Tamaki Māori Village) Polynesian Spa Redwoods Treetop Walkway - Day 5
Rotorua to Taupo
Leave Rotorua and drive toward Taupo on the shores of New Zealand's largest lake. On the way, you'll walk through Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland to see geothermal features including the country's largest mud pool and colorful bubbling basins. The rest of the day is free, and your leader can help arrange sustainable sailing or cruising options on the lake if you're interested.
Included Activities
- Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland walk
Optional Activities
- Lake Taupo sailing adventure - NZD69
Landmarks/POIs Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland Lake Taupo - Day 6
Taupo to Tongariro National Park
Explore Tongariro National Park with its volcanic scenery and spiritual significance. Your leader will take you on a scenic two-hour walk to Taranaki Falls, a 20-meter waterfall cascading over volcanic cliffs. You'll arrive at the Powderhorn Hotel, your Feature Stay accommodation in the mountain village at the base of Mt Ruapehu.
Included Activities
- Tongariro National Park scenic walk to Taranaki Falls
Landmarks/POIs Tongariro National Park Taranaki Falls Mt Ruapehu - Day 7
Tongariro National Park to Wellington
Head to Wellington this morning, New Zealand's capital. After you settle in, board a private catamaran for an evening cruise around Wellington Harbour to see the city from the water. Return to shore and join your group for dinner at a waterfront restaurant to reflect on the North Island portion of your trip.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at waterfront restaurant)
Included Activities
- Evening catamaran cruise on Wellington Harbour
- Dinner at waterfront restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Wellington Harbour - Day 8
Wellington to Christchurch
Check out after breakfast and head to the South Island by crossing the Cook Strait by ferry. You'll pass through the iconic Marlborough Sounds as you cruise into Picton Harbour, then continue by private vehicle to Christchurch. Settle into your accommodation with a free evening ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Ferry crossing through Marlborough Sounds to Picton Harbour
Landmarks/POIs Cook Strait Marlborough Sounds Picton Harbour - Day 9
Christchurch
A local representative will transfer you to your hotel when you arrive in Christchurch. Your South Island adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, followed by a welcome dinner with produce from the Canterbury region. The three-course meal highlights local, sustainable producers.
- Meals
- Dinner (Three-course welcome dinner at a restaurant championing local, sustainable Canterbury producers)
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting
- Welcome dinner - three-course at local restaurant featuring Canterbury produce
- Day 10
Christchurch to Punakaiki
Start with a leader-led tour of Christchurch landmarks. Then drive to Punakaiki through Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill, passing mountain scenery used in Lord of the Rings and Narnia films. You'll have lunch in Moana and visit Lake Brunner before reaching Greymouth. Stop at a boutique studio to learn about west coast jade, then tour Monteith's Brewery for a tasting before arriving at Punakaiki Resort by late afternoon.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Moana)
Included Activities
- Christchurch leader-led orientation walk
- Lake Brunner nature walk
- Greymouth Pounamu (Greenstone) studio visit
- Monteith's Brewery tour and tasting
Landmarks/POIs Arthur's Pass Castle Hill Lake Brunner Monteith's Brewery Punakaiki Rocks and Blowholes Paparoa National Park - Day 11
Punakaiki to Franz Josef
After breakfast, explore the Punakaiki Rocks and Blowholes. Then drive toward Franz Josef with a stop in charming Hokitika for a treetop adventure through ancient forest canopy. In the afternoon, take a ranger-guided tour of the West Coast Wildlife Centre to see the world's rarest kiwi bird and resident tuatara reptiles. You'll arrive in Franz Josef in the late afternoon with your evening free.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Punakaiki Rocks and Blowholes visit
- Hokitika West Coast Treetops Walk
- Franz Josef West Coast Wildlife Centre ranger-guided tour
Landmarks/POIs Punakaiki Rocks and Blowholes Hokitika West Coast Wildlife Centre - Day 12
Franz Josef
Take a self-guided walk to see Franz Josef Glacier, one of New Zealand's steepest glaciers. If you want more adventure, there's an optional heli-hiking tour. Other options include kayaking, a scenic cruise on Lake Mapourika, or relaxing in the hot tubs at Franz Josef.
Included Activities
- Self-guided walk to Franz Josef Glacier
Optional Activities
- Heli-hiking tour - from NZD695
- Lake Mapourika scenic cruise - NZD120
- Kayaking excursion - from NZD145
- Waiho Hot Tubs - from NZD89
Landmarks/POIs Franz Josef Glacier Lake Mapourika - Day 13
Franz Josef to Wanaka
Leave Franz Josef and drive toward Wanaka, the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park. Stop at Makarora to visit the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust, an organization protecting indigenous species. You'll have lunch, then join a guided flora and fauna walk with a local ornithologist and ecologist looking for endangered birds. Arrive in Wanaka by late afternoon at your Feature Stay next to Wanaka Station Park on Lake Wanaka.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Aspiring Biodiversity Trust, Makarora)
Included Activities
- Makarora Aspiring Biodiversity Trust visit
- Makarora lunch
- Guided flora and fauna walk with local ornithologist and ecologist
Landmarks/POIs Mount Aspiring National Park Aspiring Biodiversity Trust Lake Wanaka Wanaka Station Park - Day 14
Wanaka
Sleep in this morning or start early with a hike up Mt Iron for views over Lake Wanaka and surrounding peaks. Later, visit Criffel Station, a spectacular deer farm, where the family shows you around before a chef-guided foraging and tasting tour, followed by lunch.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Criffel Station following chef-guided foraging and tasting)
Included Activities
- Criffel Station deer farm tour with family
- Chef-guided foraging and tasting tour
- Lunch at Criffel Station
Optional Activities
- Mt Iron hike for views over Lake Wanaka
Landmarks/POIs Mt Iron Criffel Station - Day 15
Wanaka to Doubtful Sound
After breakfast in Wanaka, begin the journey to Doubtful Sound in Fiordland National Park. Drive to Lake Manapouri, then take a one-hour ferry across the water. Follow with a scenic drive through Wilmot Pass, a subalpine road surrounded by rainforest, to Deep Cove. Board your vessel and join a Premium Exclusive Experience cruise with a three-course dinner featuring local produce and a naturalist sharing insights about the fiord's history, flora and wildlife. Weather permitting, kayaking is available.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Three-course dinner featuring local produce)
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Ferry crossing Lake Manapouri
- Scenic drive through Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove
- Doubtful Sound Premium Exclusive Cruise
- Three-course dinner with local produce
- Resident naturalist guided experience of fiord history, flora and wildlife
Optional Activities
- Kayaking in Doubtful Sound (weather permitting)
Landmarks/POIs Lake Manapouri Wilmot Pass Deep Cove Doubtful Sound Fiordland National Park - Day 16
Doubtful Sound to Queenstown
Start with a hearty cooked breakfast as mist rolls over the cliffs. Explore more sections of the fiord this morning, then return to Deep Cove for the ferry back to Lake Manapouri. Continue to Queenstown, arriving in the late afternoon with a free evening to relax or explore this resort town on the edge of the Southern Alps.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hearty cooked breakfast)
Included Activities
- Cooked breakfast on cruise
- Morning fiord exploration
Landmarks/POIs Doubtful Sound Lake Manapouri Southern Alps - Day 17
Queenstown to Arrowtown
You have a free morning in Queenstown to wander at your own pace. In the afternoon, head to Arrowtown, a historic gold mining town with a charming heritage centre. Join a leader-led walking tour to learn about the town's history, browse shops and cafes, then visit Gibbston Valley to sample Central Otago wines at a well-known winery. Tonight, consider joining your group for a farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner (optional - group dinner))
Included Activities
- Arrowtown leader-led walking tour
- Gibbston Valley wine tasting
Optional Activities
- Farewell dinner with group
Landmarks/POIs Arrowtown Gibbston Valley - Day 18
Arrowtown
Your New Zealand adventure ends this morning after breakfast in Arrowtown. Queenstown offers additional experiences if you'd like to stay longer after the tour concludes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
