Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll arrive in Auckland and have time to wander the harbourside areas on your own, checking out galleries and design shops. Later this evening, you'll meet the other travelers at The Grill for a welcome dinner featuring local grassfed steaks and line-caught fish from New Zealand waters.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Reception and dinner at The Grill featuring grassfed steaks from 100% New Zealand owned and operated suppliers, and sustainable line-caught fish)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Horizon by SkyCity Auckland)
Included Activities
- Welcome Reception and dinner at The Grill
Optional Activities
- Explore Auckland's harbourside galleries and design stores
Landmarks Mission Bay 
- Day 2
Auckland
Start with a guided city tour of Auckland, making stops at Mission Bay for those harbor views and then heading up to Bastion Point and the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial for views across the city and harbors. Your afternoon is open, so you can explore on your own or take the optional behind-the-scenes visit with the All Blacks rugby team if that interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Horizon by SkyCity Auckland)
Included Activities
- Auckland city tour including Mission Bay, Bastion Point, and Michael Joseph Savage Memorial
Optional Activities
- Go behind the scenes of the All Blacks
Landmarks Mission Bay Bastion Point Michael Joseph Savage Memorial - Day 3
Auckland to Rotorua
You'll travel to Rotorua and see the geothermal landscape with mud pops, geysers, and steam vents throughout the day. Stop by the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa to see how New Zealand's national bird is being protected. After that, head to Te Pā Tū Māori Experience in the evening for indigenous culture, forest appetizers, and a three-course seasonal dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Te Pā Tū Māori Experience with forest kai horotai (seasonal canapes), chef choice aperitif, and seasonal three-course dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Millennium Hotel Rotorua)
Included Activities
- Visit National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa
- Te Pā Tū Māori Experience including forest kai horotai (seasonal canapes), chef choice aperitif, and seasonal three-course dinner
Landmarks National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa Te Pā Tū Māori Experience 
- Day 4
Rotorua to Queenstown
This morning you'll visit a working dairy farm at the Red Barn where the onsite chef will prepare farm-to-table morning tea and you can make your own butter the traditional way. Later you'll fly to Queenstown, the adventure hub of New Zealand. Once you arrive, your afternoon and evening are free to settle in and explore at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Farm-to-table morning tea on working dairy farm)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Millennium Hotel, Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Be My Guest experience on working dairy farm including farm-to-table morning tea and butter-making activity
Optional Activities
- Explore Queenstown's dining scene and adventure activities
Landmarks Lake Wakatipu 
- Day 5
Queenstown to Te Anau to Milford Sound
You'll head out early through Lake Wakatipu and cross the Devil's Staircase on your way to Te Anau, which sits at the edge of Fiordland National Park. Along the route, you'll see Mirror Lakes, Knobs Flat, and other dramatic valley lookouts. Then you'll board a nature cruise on Milford Sound where a naturalist guide will help you spot fur seals and dolphins, and a picnic lunch is included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch aboard nature cruise on Milford Sound/Piopiotahi)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Millennium Hotel, Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Journey through Fiordland National Park with stops at Mirror Lakes, Knobs Flat, Hollyford Valley lookout, and Cleddau Valley
- Milford Sound/Piopiotahi nature cruise with Naturalist guide commentary and picnic lunch
Landmarks Lake Wakatipu Devil's Staircase Mirror Lakes Hollyford Valley Cleddau Valley Bowen Falls Milford Sound/Piopiotahi Fiordland National Park 
- Day 6
Queenstown
You have options today depending on what you're after. Either take a jet boat ride for an adrenaline rush across Lake Wakatipu, or go with the more relaxed cruise on the historic TSS Earnslaw over to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a farm tour and tea. Later, you'll head to Arrowtown for a highlight dinner at Postmasters Café, set in a charming cottage with a garden that photographs really well.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Highlight Dinner at Postmasters Café, a historic Arrowtown cottage with Instagrammable gardens)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Millennium Hotel, Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Highlight Dinner at Postmasters Café
Optional Activities
- High-octane jet boat ride on Lake Wakatipu
- TSS Earnslaw cruise to Walter Peak High Country Farm with guided farm tour and morning or afternoon tea
Landmarks Lake Wakatipu Walter Peak High Country Farm Arrowtown - Day 7
Queenstown to Lake Tekapo
You'll travel through Central Otago and stop at a local orchard to taste fresh stone fruit. Then continue toward Lake Tekapo with those dramatic mountain views and turquoise water. This area has minimal light pollution, so tonight you'll experience Southern Hemisphere stargazing at the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve with expert astronomy guides at a purpose-built observation site.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo)
Included Activities
- Visit local orchard in Central Otago region
- Stargazing experience at Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve with expert astronomy guides at purpose-built observation crater
Landmarks Lake Tekapo Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve 
- Day 8
Lake Tekapo to Christchurch
Travel across Canterbury's landscape of grassy plains and snow-capped mountains toward Christchurch. You'll get a guided city tour that covers the rebuild after the 2011 earthquakes and the innovative new architecture. See the Transitional Cathedral built largely from cardboard and Turanga, the gold-clad central library that's worth a look.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Christchurch Hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Christchurch including Transitional Cathedral and Turanga central library
Landmarks Transitional Cathedral Turanga - Day 9
Christchurch to Hurunui Hills
Head north through rolling countryside to Hurunui Hills farm in North Canterbury where the Bamford family will host you. You'll have morning tea, meet the farm animals, and learn about six generations of Merino sheep and Angus cattle farming. From there, you'll go to Waipara Springs Winery for a relaxed platter lunch among the vines. This evening brings a farewell dinner celebrating Canterbury produce with your Travel Director and the group.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Platter-style lunch at Waipara Springs Winery among the vines), Dinner (Farewell Dinner featuring produce from the Canterbury region)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Christchurch Hotel)
Included Activities
- Be My Guest experience at Hurunui Hills farm with morning tea and farm animal meeting
- Platter-style lunch at Waipara Springs Winery
- Farewell Dinner featuring Canterbury region produce
Landmarks Hurunui Hills Waipara Springs Winery - Day 10
Christchurch
Your New Zealand trip comes to an end today. You've traveled across both islands, seen geothermal regions, farms, mountains, and cities while picking up plenty of photos and making new friendships along the way. Now it's time to head home and start thinking about your next return to New Zealand.
- Meals
- Breakfast
