Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll arrive in Christchurch and have time to explore the Garden City at your own pace. The historic tram is a great way to see how the city has rebuilt following the 2010/11 earthquakes, and you'll pass by the famous cardboard Transitional Cathedral and the distinctive gold-clad Turanga library. This evening there's a Welcome Reception where you'll meet your Travel Director and other travellers.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Hotel Christchurch)
Optional Activities
- Tram tour of Christchurch
- Visit Transitional Cathedral
- Visit Turanga central library
Landmarks Transitional Cathedral Turanga 
- Day 2
Christchurch to Franz Josef
Board the TranzAlpine train heading for Arthur's Pass, with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, and river valleys passing through tunnels and over viaducts. Later you'll reach the heritage town of Hokitika on the West Coast, known for its jade work. By evening you'll arrive in Franz Josef, where the glacier sits waiting. A scenic flight over the glacier is available if you want to add that on.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier)
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine train journey to Arthur's Pass
- Visit Hokitika
Optional Activities
- Scenic flight over Franz Josef Glacier
Landmarks Arthur's Pass Hokitika Franz Josef Glacier 
- Day 3
Franz Josef to Queenstown
Travel over the Haast Pass through alpine scenery with the Southern Lakes spreading out before you. You'll pass through Lake Wanaka with its poplar and willow-lined shoreline, then Lake Hawea and Lake Dunstan. After that, check out the charming streets of Arrowtown lined with trees and boutiques. By afternoon you'll arrive in Queenstown and see Lake Wakatipu with the Remarkables mountains rising up beside it.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Drive over Haast Pass
- Lake Wanaka
- Lake Hawea
- Lake Dunstan
- Arrowtown
Landmarks Haast Pass Lake Wanaka Lake Hawea Lake Dunstan Arrowtown Lake Wakatipu The Remarkables 
- Day 4
Queenstown
Spend the day exploring Queenstown on your own. You can choose high-octane jet boat rides, visit the wildlife centre to see New Zealand's birds, or do wine tasting in the surrounding vineyards. This evening you'll board the historic TSS Earnslaw and glide across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Gourmet barbecue dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Cruise aboard TSS Earnslaw
- Gourmet barbecue dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm
Optional Activities
- Jet boat ride
- Wildlife centre visit
- Vineyard wine tasting
Landmarks TSS Earnslaw Walter Peak High Country Farm - Day 5
Queenstown to Te Anau
Start from Mirror Lakes and travel through the Cleddau Valley to begin your Milford Sound cruise. You'll navigate through this World Heritage listed area with its waterfalls creating misty curtains across sheer escarpments. Dolphins are common here, so keep watch. Later continue through Fiordland National Park with beech forests and gin-clear rivers before reaching Te Anau by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Luxmore Hotel)
Included Activities
- Milford Sound cruise
- Drive through Fiordland National Park
Landmarks Mirror Lakes Cleddau Valley Milford Sound Fiordland National Park - Day 6
Te Anau to Dunedin
Start early with a walk around the South Island's largest lake, then head to Dunedin, known as the Edinburgh of the South. The afternoon opens up for exploring atmospheric art-lined alleys, checking out Speight's Brewery, or visiting grand Larnach Castle. If wildlife interests you, it's possible to venture further out to see fur seals and penguins.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Scenic Hotel Dunedin City)
Included Activities
- Early morning walk around Te Anau
- Visit Dunedin
Optional Activities
- Speight's Brewery visit
- Larnach Castle visit
- Wildlife viewing (fur seals and penguins)
Landmarks Te Anau Speight's Brewery Larnach Castle 
- Day 7
Dunedin to Oamaru
Take things at a leisurely pace this morning. Stroll around Otago University's manicured grounds or walk through the city's main George Street. Later travel to Oamaru, which is known for its tree-lined streets and limestone buildings. You'll find New Zealand's oldest public gardens here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Oamaru
- New Zealand's oldest public gardens
Optional Activities
- Stroll around Otago University grounds
- Explore George Street
Landmarks Otago University George Street Oamaru 
- Day 8
Oamaru to Christchurch
Journey through the Canterbury Plains viewing turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo and snow-capped mountains. You'll experience an Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience at Tekapo with passionate guides who'll show you how one of the quietest spots on the planet has one of the busiest skies. After that, return to Christchurch for a city tour highlighting the transformation, including the Transitional Cathedral and Turanga library.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Hotel Christchurch)
Included Activities
- Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience at Tekapo
- Christchurch city tour
- Visit Transitional Cathedral
- Visit Turanga library
Landmarks Canterbury Plains Lake Tekapo Transitional Cathedral Turanga - Day 9
Christchurch to Picton
Travel to Kaikoura, known for its dramatic beaches and marine wildlife centre. You might spot sea lions or sperm whales in the water offshore. Continue past the pink-tinged crystallisation ponds of Lake Grassmere Salt Works before arriving in Picton, a pretty seaside fishing village.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Picton Yacht Club)
Included Activities
- Visit Kaikoura
- Drive past Lake Grassmere Salt Works
- Visit Picton
Optional Activities
- Marine wildlife viewing (sea lions and sperm whales)
Landmarks Kaikoura Lake Grassmere Salt Works Picton - Day 10
Picton to Wellington
Trade your transport for the Interislander cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound, up the Tory Channel, and across Cook Strait from the South Island to the North. You'll navigate through a maze of arms and inlets on the way to Wellington, New Zealand's cool little capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Travelodge Wellington)
Included Activities
- Interislander cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound and Cook Strait
Landmarks Queen Charlotte Sound Tory Channel Cook Strait - Day 11
Wellington to Rotorua
Follow the Kapiti Coast, Wellington's traditional summer playground, then continue to Lake Taupo, the largest and perhaps bluest lake in the country. Arrive in Rotorua where mud pops from bubbling geysers and steam rushes skywards from Earth's cracks. This evening explore Te Puia's geothermal valley and learn about Māori history and culture. Enjoy hangi-inspired cuisine and a cultural performance in the finely carved meeting house Te Aronui a Rua, finishing with a view of the Pohutu Geyser over hot chocolate.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Highlight Dinner (Hangi-inspired cuisine and cultural performance in Te Aronui a Rua)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Rotorua Hotel)
Included Activities
- Drive along Kapiti Coast
- Lake Taupo viewing
- Te Puia geothermal valley exploration
- Māori cultural experience
- Hangi-inspired dinner
- Cultural performance at Te Aronui a Rua
- Pohutu Geyser viewing with hot chocolate
Landmarks Kapiti Coast Lake Taupo Te Puia Pohutu Geyser 
- Day 12
Rotorua
Explore Rotorua on your own with tips from your Travel Director. If you want to relax, head to Wai Araki Hot Springs and Spa for some downtime. Alternatively, visit Hobbiton to tour sights featured in The Lord of the Rings movies. The countryside around here offers a gorgeous setting for fans of the films.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Rotorua Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Wai Araki Hot Springs & Spa
- Hobbiton movie set tour
Landmarks Wai Araki Hot Springs & Spa Hobbiton - Day 13
Rotorua to Auckland
Cross the Waikato River heading towards the Waitomo Caves. Cruise through limestone waterways lit by thousands of glowworms that cast magical light all around you. Continue to Auckland, New Zealand's largest city with two harbours. Check out the city and its yachts from the lookout at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre)
Included Activities
- Waitomo Caves visit
- Glowworm viewing
- Auckland War Memorial Museum lookout
Landmarks Waikato River Waitomo Caves Auckland War Memorial Museum 
- Day 14
Auckland to Bay of Islands
Journey north to the Bay of Islands with its 140 islands ringed by turquoise sea. Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 between Captain William Hobson and Māori chiefs. Your guide, likely a descendant of one of the original signatories, will explain the site's significance while pointing out the world's largest ceremonial war canoe and a carved meeting house.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort)
Included Activities
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds visit
- Guided tour with local guide
- View world's largest ceremonial war canoe
- View carved meeting house
Landmarks Bay of Islands Waitangi Treaty Grounds - Day 15
Bay of Islands
Spend the day exploring the Bay of Islands at your leisure. Head up to Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua at the very top of New Zealand via idyllic Ninety Mile Beach, glide around on a historic tall ship, or join a tour of Russell to learn more about the settling of the Bay of Islands.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort)
Optional Activities
- Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua visit via Ninety Mile Beach
- Historic tall ship cruise
- Russell tour
Landmarks Cape Reinga Ninety Mile Beach Russell - Day 16
Bay of Islands to Auckland
Travel to Whangarei, New Zealand's most northerly city, which feels like a snapshot of the country combining nature and forward-thinking culture. After a brief stroll around, settle in for the journey back to Auckland.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre)
Included Activities
- Visit Whangarei
Landmarks Whangarei - Day 17
Auckland
Depart Auckland today with memories from your New Zealand tour. Organize your photos before heading home.
