Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll arrive in Auckland and settle into your hotel in New Zealand's largest city. The group gathers at 6:15pm for a welcome dinner at 6:30pm, so you'll have time to freshen up after your flight and meet everyone before heading out.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner)
Landmarks/POIs Auckland - Day 2
Auckland to Rotorua
After leaving Auckland, you're headed to Waitomo where you'll take a boat through the glowworm caves, watching hundreds of tiny lights reflecting off the water. From there, you'll walk through a limestone cave before continuing to Rotorua for dinner and your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Boat ride through Waitomo Glowworm Caves
- Walking tour of limestone cave in Waitomo
Landmarks/POIs Waitomo Glowworm Caves Rotorua - Day 3
Rotorua
This morning starts with views of Mount Tarawera, then you'll visit the Buried Village Archaeological Site to learn about the devastating 1886 eruption. You'll walk through Whakarewarewa Forest with its native redwoods and Silver ferns, and the afternoon is yours to explore Rotorua however you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to the Buried Village
- Waitawa Walk in Whakarewarewa Forest
Optional Activities
- Walk around Kuirau Park to see boiling mud pools and steaming lakes
- Walk through government gardens
- Relax at Polynesian Spa
- Gondola ride to Rotorua Skyline
Landmarks/POIs Mount Tarawera Buried Village Whakarewarewa Forest Kuirau Park Polynesian Spa Rotorua Skyline Gondola - Day 4
Rotorua to Taupo
You'll travel to Murupara and head to Kohutapu Lodge on Lake Aniwhenua for a guided Maori rock carving tour. After watching traditional hangi preparation and having lunch at the lodge, you'll move on to Taupo to see Huka Falls and spend time exploring this lakeside town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional hangi with dessert at Kohutapu Lodge)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of sacred Maori rock carvings
- Traditional hangi preparation and lunch at Kohutapu Lodge
- View of Huka Falls
Landmarks/POIs Kohutapu Lodge Lake Aniwhenua Huka Falls Taupo - Day 5
Taupo to Napier
The journey takes you to Hawke's Bay where you'll visit Mission Estate Winery for wine tasting and lunch among the vines. Later, you'll check out Napier's Art Deco architecture and grab dinner at one of the beachfront restaurants before settling in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with exceptional wines at Mission Estate Winery)
Included Activities
- Wine tasting and lunch at Mission Estate Winery
Optional Activities
- Stroll along Napier waterfront promenade
Landmarks/POIs Mission Estate Winery Napier - Day 6
Napier to Wellington
Leaving Napier, you'll head to Wellington with a lunch stop in Greytown along the way. Once there, you'll have the afternoon and evening free to explore the capital on your own, with excellent coffee shops and free entry to Te Papa museum if you want to check out the exhibits.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Te Papa National Museum of New Zealand (free entrance)
- Browse boutiques in Greytown
Landmarks/POIs Greytown Te Papa Tongarewa Museum Wellington - Day 7
Wellington to Nelson
You'll take the ferry across Cook Strait to the South Island, and if the weather cooperates, you can watch for Marlborough Sounds and local wildlife from the deck. After arriving in Picton, you'll head to Blenheim for a vineyard lunch, then continue to Nelson for the rest of the afternoon and evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at vineyard in Blenheim, one of New Zealand's best Sauvignon Blanc producers)
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing Cook Strait
- Vineyard lunch in Blenheim
Landmarks/POIs Cook Strait Marlborough Sounds Picton Blenheim Nelson - Day 8
Nelson
Nelson is yours to explore today, and you've got plenty of options. You can wander the arts and crafts scene, check out the hop growing region, or take optional tours like wine tastings, beer tours by bike, walks to the Centre of New Zealand, or day trips to Abel Tasman National Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Wine tour
- Beer tour
- Bike tour of wine region
- Abel Tasman National Park day cruise
- Walk to Centre of New Zealand
- Visit Queens Gardens
Landmarks/POIs Nelson Abel Tasman National Park Centre of New Zealand Queens Gardens - Day 9
Nelson to Christchurch
You'll drive down the coast through Kaikoura and Canterbury at a relaxed pace, taking in rugged coastlines, mountains, farmland, and marine life. You'll arrive in Christchurch late in the afternoon and have a group dinner at your hotel to wrap up the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Group dinner at hotel)
Landmarks/POIs Kaikoura Canterbury Christchurch - Day 10
Christchurch
This is your final day on the tour. After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to your tour leader and the friends you've made before heading out with great memories from your time across New Zealand.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Christchurch
