Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll arrange your own taxi from the airport and head to your hotel. The rest of your day opens up for you to explore at your own pace. Walk around Sky Tower, check out Viaduct Harbour, or head down to Mission Bay Beach and see what catches your interest.
- Start point
- Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (Arrive Auckland. Check in at hotel., 15:00)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Parnell Hotel or Grand Millenium Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Visit Sky Tower for views of Viaduct Harbour
- Explore Viaduct Harbour with its bars and cafes
- Visit Auckland Domain and Wintergardens
- Relax at Mission Bay Beach
Landmarks/POIs Sky Tower Viaduct Harbour Auckland Domain Wintergardens Mission Bay Beach 
- Day 2
Auckland
A 4-hour half-day tour picks you up from your hotel at either 8:30am or 1:00pm. You'll see the Harbour Bridge, North Head, Achilles Point, Mount Eden, Auckland Domain, and the Museum, plus the Wintergardens and Parnell Village. After the tour finishes, the afternoon and evening are yours to spend however you like around the city.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Parnell Hotel or Grand Millenium Hotel)
Included Activities
- Half-day guided tour of Auckland attractions (4 hours)
- Visit Auckland Harbour Bridge
- Visit North Head
- Visit Achilles Point
- Visit Mount Eden
- Visit Auckland Domain
- Visit Parnell Village
Landmarks/POIs Auckland Harbour Bridge North Head Achilles Point Mount Eden Auckland Domain Auckland Museum Parnell Village - Day 3
Auckland
A local guide leads you on a 3 to 3.5-hour walking tour through downtown, taking you along cobblestone streets and narrow lanes. You'll see two centuries of architecture ranging from Classical to Baroque styles while learning about Maori origins and early European settlement. Once the tour wraps up, you have the rest of the day and evening to wander around on your own.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Parnell Hotel or Grand Millenium Hotel)
Included Activities
- Small group walking tour of Auckland Downtown (3-3.5 hours)
- Guided exploration of Auckland's architectural legacy
- Learn about Maori and colonial European history
Landmarks/POIs Auckland Downtown - Day 4
Auckland
Morning is free for you to do what you want. In the afternoon, a 5-hour eco-tour picks you up from your hotel and heads 30 minutes west to the Waitakere Ranges. You'll do a rainforest walk, then travel further west to Piha Beach with its distinctive black sand. The driver provides commentary throughout, and afternoon refreshments are included.
- Meals
- Afternoon Refreshments (Afternoon refreshments provided during eco-tour)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Parnell Hotel or Grand Millenium Hotel)
Included Activities
- Afternoon eco-tour of Waitakere Ranges (5 hours)
- Rainforest walk
- Walk on Piha Beach black sand
- Afternoon refreshments
Landmarks/POIs Waitakere Ranges Piha Beach - Day 5
Auckland to Rotorua
This full-day guided tour travels from Auckland through the hinterland to the Hobbiton Movie Set where you'll see 44 Hobbit Holes, the Shire, and the Green Dragon Inn from Lord of the Rings. Then you head to Te Puia in Rotorua to experience geothermal features including the famous Pohutu geyser, Maori cultural sites, native birdlife, and kiwi birds. All attraction tickets and guide commentary are included.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Parnell Hotel or Grand Millenium Hotel)
Included Activities
- Hobbiton Movie Set tour with visit to 44 Hobbit Holes, the Shire, and Green Dragon Inn
- Te Puia Geothermal Wonderland tour in Rotorua
- Pōhutu geyser viewing
- Māori cultural experiences and artworks
- Native bird life viewing
- Kiwi bird viewing at Te Puia
- Nature trail exploration
Landmarks/POIs Hobbiton Movie Set Te Puia Pōhutu Geyser 
- Day 6
Auckland to Christchurch
You'll check out of your Auckland hotel this morning and arrange your own taxi to the airport for your domestic flight to Christchurch. Once you land, catch another taxi to your hotel. Later in the day you can explore Christchurch at leisure. The city is known for its English heritage with the winding Avon River that has cycling paths, green Hagley Park, and the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Carnmore Hotel or Terra Vive Apartments )
Optional Activities
- Explore Avon River cycling paths
- Visit Hagley Park
- Explore Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Landmarks/POIs Avon River Hagley Park Christchurch Botanic Gardens - Day 7
Christchurch
You'll ride the Christchurch Gondola cable car up Mount Cavendish to 445 meters for 360-degree views of the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps. Stop at the Discovery Ride to learn regional history and grab a bite at Red Rock Cafe. Then you'll hop on an antique tram for a 50-minute circuit with 18 stops including Riverside Market, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Cathedral Junction, and Canterbury Museum. Hop on and off as often as you like.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Carnmore Hotel or Terra Vive Apartments )
Included Activities
- Christchurch Gondola cable car ride to Mount Cavendish (445m)
- Discovery Ride at Gondola summit
- Antique tram city tour (50 minutes with 18 stops)
- Visit Riverside Market (via tram)
- Visit Christchurch Botanic Gardens (via tram)
- Visit Cathedral Junction (via tram)
- Visit Canterbury Museum (via tram)
Optional Activities
- Walks or bike rides on nature trails at Gondola summit
- Dining at Red Rock Café
Landmarks/POIs Christchurch Gondola Mount Cavendish Riverside Market Christchurch Botanic Gardens Cathedral Junction Canterbury Museum - Day 8
Christchurch to Waipara Valley
Travel north to Waipara Valley, about 45 minutes from Christchurch, on a guided wine tour. You'll visit 3 or 4 boutique wineries and vineyards in this wine region located 75km north of Christchurch. The small group travels in a luxury vehicle with 6 seats, air conditioning, and a passenger talk system, which lets you access vineyards that larger tours can't reach.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Carnmore Hotel or Terra Vive Apartments )
Included Activities
- Guided tour of 3 or 4 boutique wineries in Waipara Valley
- Wine tasting at selected wineries and tasting rooms
Landmarks/POIs Waipara Valley - Day 9
Christchurch to Arthur's Pass
Early hotel pick-up gets you started on an alpine experience. You'll travel through Canterbury Plains to Springfield, then board the TranzAlpine Train, one of the world's top 10 train journeys. The route runs through the Southern Alps with alpine scenery the whole way. You'll get off at Arthur's Pass to explore Arthur's Pass National Park with snow-capped mountains and the Otira Gorge for photos. Later you'll have lunch in the village and afternoon tea at a sheep farm with a shearing and mustering demonstration before heading back to Christchurch.
- Meals
- Afternoon Tea (Late afternoon tea at sheep farm)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Carnmore Hotel or Terra Vive Apartments )
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine Train journey through Southern Alps
- Arthur's Pass National Park tour
- Otira Gorge photo stop
- Late afternoon tea at sheep farm
- Sheep-shearing and mustering demonstration
Optional Activities
- Lunch during village break
Landmarks/POIs Canterbury Plains Springfield TranzAlpine Train Arthur's Pass Arthur's Pass National Park Otira Gorge 
- Day 10
Christchurch to Queenstown
Check out of your Christchurch hotel this morning and arrange your own taxi to the airport for your domestic flight to Queenstown. After you land, catch a taxi to your accommodation. The rest of the day is free for you to explore. Queenstown sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu against the Southern Alps and serves as a hub for adventure sports, regional vineyards, and historic mining towns.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Holiday Inn Express, Ramada Suites by Wyndham)
Optional Activities
- Bungee jumping off Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge
- Jet-boating on Shotover River
- Jet-boating on Dart River
- Winter skiing at The Remarkables
- Winter skiing at Coronet Peak
- Explore regional vineyards
Landmarks/POIs Lake Wakatipu Southern Alps Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge Shotover River Dart River The Remarkables Coronet Peak 
- Day 11
Queenstown to Arrowtown and Gibbston
A morning guided sightseeing tour starts high above Queenstown for panoramic views of the mountains and Lake Wakatipu. You'll explore Arrowtown with its 1860s gold rush history and colonial architecture, then pass by the Kawarau Gorge to see bungy jumpers at the famous suspension bridge and spot a Lord of the Rings filming location. Later you'll travel to Gibbston wine region for a tasting at Gibbston Valley Winery. The tour wraps with an optional visit to Buzz Stop Cafe for honey tasting or lunch at your own expense.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Holiday Inn Express, Ramada Suites by Wyndham)
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour with panoramic Queenstown views
- Visit to Arrowtown with time to explore high street
- Gold rush history commentary
- Pass Kawarau Gorge and Kawarau Suspension Bridge
- Lord of the Rings film location viewing
- Wine tasting at Gibbston Valley Winery
Optional Activities
- Honey tasting at Buzz Stop Cafe
- Lunch at Buzz Stop Cafe (at own expense)
Landmarks/POIs Lake Wakatipu Arrowtown Kawarau Gorge Kawarau Suspension Bridge Gibbston Valley Gibbston Valley Winery - Day 12
Queenstown to Glenorchy
Travel into Middle Earth exploring Lord of the Rings filming locations from Queenstown to Glenorchy and Mt Aspiring World Heritage National Park. A local guide joins the small group, sharing knowledge about the landscape that inspired Peter Jackson's film locations. You'll visit exclusive filming locations on Arcadia Station where Hobbit and Wolverine scenes were shot, plus experience ancient beech forest, braided rivers, and glacier-carved valleys. Get up close to New Zealand wildlife and birdlife along the way.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Holiday Inn Express, Ramada Suites by Wyndham)
Included Activities
- Lord of the Rings filming locations tour
- Visit to Arcadia Station (exclusive access to Hobbit and Wolverine filming locations)
- Exploration of Mt Aspiring National Park
- Ancient beech forest viewing
- Braided rivers viewing
- Glacier-carved valleys exploration
- New Zealand wildlife and birdlife viewing
Landmarks/POIs Mt Aspiring National Park Arcadia Station Glenorchy - Day 13
Queenstown to Milford Sound
Travel to Milford Sound on a small group tour with only 16 people in a premium vehicle with leather seats, panoramic windows, Wi-Fi, and Spotify. Your guide entertains you with local knowledge as you travel from Queenstown through Te Anau into Fiordland National Park on the famous Milford Road. You'll stop at famous scenic locations and your guide's favorite off-the-beaten-track spots for photos. The day finishes with a 2-hour small cruise through Milford Sound. An optional picnic lunch can be added in advance.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Holiday Inn Express, Ramada Suites by Wyndham)
Included Activities
- Small group tour to Milford Sound (16-person limit)
- Travel on Milford Road through Fiordland National Park
- Multiple scenic photo stops
- 2-hour guided cruise of Milford Sound
Optional Activities
- Picnic lunch onboard cruise (must be pre-arranged)
Landmarks/POIs Milford Sound Te Anau Fiordland National Park Milford Road 
- Day 14
Queenstown
Your New Zealand journey wraps up today. Check out of your hotel this morning. If you're flying out, arrange your own transport to the airport in time for your departure flight. Hope you had a wonderful time in the 'Land of the Long White Cloud.'
