Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
You'll make your own way to the hotel where your Holiday Director will be waiting to greet you. There's a welcome meeting this evening followed by dinner with the group, so you'll get to meet everyone and hear what's ahead over the next two weeks.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Day 2
Auckland
An included tour takes you through Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, showing you the iconic skyline and the main sights everyone talks about. After the guided portion wraps up, you'll have free time to walk around with other travelers and check out anything that caught your eye.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Auckland with views of the spectacular skyline and must-see sights
Optional Activities
- Further exploration of Auckland city
Landmarks Auckland Skyline - Day 3
Auckland to Rotorua
You'll drive through the volcanic North Island, passing farmland in the Waikato region before reaching Waitomo Caves. A local guide takes you through the glow-worm grotto, which is really something special. Scenic flights over Mount Tarawera Volcano are available if you want to add that on.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Waitomo Caves with local guide to explore the glow-worm grotto
Optional Activities
- Float-plane flight over Mount Tarawera Volcano with takeoff and landing on Rotorua City Lakefront
- Helicopter flight over Mount Tarawera Volcano with landing at the 1886 eruption site
Landmarks Waitomo Caves Mount Tarawera Waikato Region - Day 4
Rotorua
Te Puia Thermal Reserve shows you boiling mud pools and geysers that shoot up from the ground. If you're interested, there's an optional visit to the Hobbiton movie set. You can also opt into an evening that includes a Maori concert and a traditional Hangi meal cooked underground using steam.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see boiling mud pools and spouting geysers
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Hobbiton movie location including hobbit holes and the Green Dragon Inn
- Maori concert with authentic Hangi meal experience
Landmarks Te Puia Thermal Reserve Hobbiton Movie Set - Day 5
Rotorua to Napier
Starting through Wairakei Valley, you'll pass Huka Falls and reach Lake Taupo. From there, continue to Napier, known for its Art Deco architecture from the 1930s. You'll explore the city on foot before heading to a group dinner at a winery estate this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Group dinner at a winery estate)
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Napier city on foot
- Group dinner at a winery estate
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting of locally cultivated wines
Landmarks Huka Falls Lake Taupo Napier Art Deco District - Day 6
Napier to Wellington
You'll travel to Wellington, the capital on the southern tip of the North Island. An orientation tour when you arrive shows you the main sights and gives you a feel for the city layout and character.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Wellington to highlight the city's main sights
Landmarks Wellington Waterfront - Day 7
Wellington
This day is yours to spend as you like in Wellington. Take the cable car up to the Botanical Gardens or visit Te Papa Museum if that interests you. Walking around the waterfront or checking out local cafes works too, and you'll have fellow travelers to explore with if you want company.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Cable car ride to the Botanical Gardens
- Visit to Te Papa Museum with information about New Zealand, its history and art collection
Landmarks Wellington Botanical Gardens Te Papa Museum - Day 8
Wellington to Christchurch
You'll take a ferry to the South Island and continue driving to Christchurch, often called the most English city outside England. The drive along the Kaikoura coast gives you nice views of the ocean and wildlife areas.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Kaikoura Coast - Day 9
Christchurch to Franz Josef
Today you'll board the TranzAlpine train, which winds through valleys with snow-capped Southern Alps and gorges. After getting off at Arthur's Pass, you'll rejoin the coach and drive to Franz Josef and Fox Glacier regions. A helicopter flight with a glacier landing is available if you want to add it.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine train journey from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass through the Southern Alps
Optional Activities
- Helicopter flight with landing on the glacier
Landmarks Arthur's Pass Franz Josef Glacier Fox Glacier - Day 10
Franz Josef to Queenstown
Driving through Westland National Park, you'll see the ocean on one side and thick forest on the other. Then you'll head to Queenstown, crossing Haast River Bridge and passing Lakes Hawea and Wanaka on the way. A Kawarau jet boat ride is available if that appeals to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Kawarau jet boat ride
Landmarks Westland National Park Haast River Bridge Lake Hawea Lake Wanaka - Day 11
Queenstown to Milford Sound to Queenstown
You'll start at Te Anau, the gateway to Fjordland National Park, then drive through beech forests in the Eglinton Valley and past glacial canyons in the Hollyford Valley. At Milford Sound, an included cruise and lunch let you see the dramatic cliffs and waterfalls from the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Cruise on Milford Sound
- Lunch included
Landmarks Te Anau Fjordland National Park Eglinton Valley Hollyford Valley Milford Sound - Day 12
Queenstown
You have a free day in Queenstown to do what you want. A jet boat ride on the Dart River is thrilling if you're after adventure, or you could take a relaxing steamship cruise on Lake Wakatipu with a gourmet barbecue dinner at Walter Peak. Other options exist if neither appeals.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Jet boat ride on the Dart River
- Steamship cruise on Lake Wakatipu with gourmet barbecue dinner at Colonel's Homestead at Walter Peak
Landmarks Dart River Lake Wakatipu Walter Peak - Day 13
Queenstown to Mount Cook
Heading through the gold-mining town of Arrowtown, you'll drive into the Mount Cook region with scenic valleys and peaks around you. An optional scenic flight lets you see New Zealand's highest mountains and largest glaciers from the air.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Scenic flight over New Zealand's highest mountains and largest glaciers with pilot commentary
Landmarks Arrowtown Mount Cook - Day 14
Mount Cook to Christchurch
You'll drive across Burkes Pass and over the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo, then continue to Christchurch. An orientation tour introduces you to the main sights. Later, you'll gather with the group for a farewell drink to celebrate the end of the New Zealand portion.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Christchurch introducing main sights
- Farewell drink with the group
Landmarks Burkes Pass Lake Tekapo - Day 15
Christchurch to Cook Islands
An airport transfer gets you to your flight headed to the Cook Islands via Auckland. You'll cross the International Dateline and arrive on the previous date. From there, you'll head to Manuia Beach Resort in Rarotonga for four nights at this Polynesian resort.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Rarotonga - Day 16
Rarotonga
You'll relax at Rarotonga, the capital of the Cook Islands, surrounded by a blue lagoon and soaked in Polynesian culture. Settle in and start to unwind after the busy travel days.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Rarotonga Lagoon - Day 17
Rarotonga
A free day to relax and explore Rarotonga however you like. Island buses make it easy to get around, and there are no traffic lights, so the pace feels laid-back. Beach time, local markets, or just wandering works perfectly.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional excursions available through tour agents
- Day 18
Rarotonga
You can explore Rarotonga's cultural traditions by watching or trying traditional arts like weaving, carving, and painting. If you prefer something different, optional excursions are available to get out and see more of the island.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional cultural excursion
- Day 19
Rarotonga to Auckland
Your last day in Rarotonga gives you time on the pearly white sand beaches with palm trees and that relaxed island feeling. Later you'll head to the airport for your flight back to New Zealand, crossing the International Dateline again. You'll arrive in Auckland the next day and have time to rest before your flight back to the UK.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Rarotonga Beaches - Day 20
Departure
Your trip comes to an end as you say goodbye to your fellow travelers after two weeks of exploring New Zealand and the Cook Islands.
- Meals
- Breakfast
