Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland to Mount Maunganui
You'll leave Auckland at 9:00 AM and head toward Tauranga with a stop at Karangahake Gorge for a short walk through the area. After that, grab lunch on your own in Waihi, then continue along the coast to Mount Maunganui. The town sits between ocean views with a green extinct volcano rising to the north, so there's plenty to see when you arrive.
Included Activities
- Short hike at Karangahake Gorge
Optional Activities
- Group dinner in Mount Maunganui (not included)
Landmarks Karangahake Gorge Mount Maunganui 
- Day 2
Mount Maunganui to Rotorua
The Hobbiton movie set takes up most of your morning with a guided tour that goes into the filmmaking details from Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit films. Lunch is included at Shire's Rest Cafe on the property. By afternoon you'll be in Rotorua with options to relax or try activities like Mount Tarawera hikes, Polynesian Spa treatments, or e-bike tours if you want them.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Shire's Rest Cafe)
Included Activities
- Hobbiton guided tour - explore movie set from Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, learn about movie-making process and set details
- Lunch at Shire's Rest Cafe
Optional Activities
- Hike to Mount Tarawera
- Polynesian Spa treatment
- E-bike tour
Landmarks Hobbiton Movie Set Mount Tarawera Polynesian Spa 
- Day 3
Rotorua
This is your free day in Rotorua to do whatever appeals to you. White water rafting on the Kaituna River, the thermal pools at Polynesian Spa, Redwoods Treewalk, e-bike tours, or hiking up Mount Tarawera are all options. Your guide can help book any activities you're interested in throughout the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- White water rafting on the Kaituna River
- Thermal pools at the Polynesian Spa
- Redwoods Treewalk
- E-bike tour
- Hike Mount Tarawera volcanic crater
Landmarks Kaituna River Redwoods Treewalk Mount Tarawera Polynesian Spa - Day 4
Rotorua to Taupo
After breakfast you'll head to Huka Falls to see its power firsthand. Then it's on to Wai-O-Tapu where entry is included so you can walk through the geothermal area. You'll reach Taupo by late afternoon with a sunset cruise on Lake Taupo available in the evening if you want to go out on the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Huka Falls
- Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland visit with entrance included
Optional Activities
- Sunset cruise on Lake Taupo
Landmarks Huka Falls Wai-O-Tapu Lake Taupo - Day 5
Taupo
Taupo gives you the day to choose your own adventure. Want something active? The Tongariro Crossing and jet boat rides are there for thrill-seekers. Prefer something slower? Fishing, scenic flights, and natural hot springs work well too. Your guide can set up any optional activities you pick.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Tongariro Crossing
- Jet boat ride
- Fishing
- Scenic flight
- Natural hot springs
Landmarks Tongariro Crossing Lake Taupo - Day 6
Taupo to Cambridge
Leaving Taupo, you'll head to Waitomo for a guided tour of the underground caves where limestone formations and glowworms light up the caverns. From there, Hamilton Gardens offers a guided walk through different themed gardens from various cultures and time periods. The day ends in Cambridge where you can walk around town checking out shops and local cafes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Waitomo glowworm cave guided tour - explore underground caves, limestone formations, and glowworms
- Guided tour of Hamilton Gardens
Landmarks Waitomo Caves Hamilton Gardens - Day 7
Cambridge to Christchurch
On your last day on the North Island, you'll stop in Raglan early on for time browsing shops and grabbing coffee before seeing the Bridal Veil Falls (55 metres high). Then it's back to Auckland for your included flight to Christchurch departing at 18:00 or 19:00. You'll be transferred to accommodation once you land. Note that some travelers start in Christchurch, so your guide may change.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Raglan surfing town
- Visit to Bridal Veil Falls
Landmarks Raglan Bridal Veil Falls 
- Day 8
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
From Christchurch, you'll drive through the Rakaia Gorge and stop in Geraldine where there's time for lunch with local food options. The drive continues south to Lake Tekapo, which has turquoise water and nice views of the Southern Alps surrounding it.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Rakaia Gorge Lake Tekapo - Day 9
Lake Tekapo to Te Anau
Heading south toward Te Anau, there's a stop at Mt Difficulty Vineyard where lunch is included along with a wine tasting. You'll arrive in Te Anau by afternoon, and the rest of the day is yours to relax or explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch & wine tasting at Mt Difficulty Vineyard)
Included Activities
- Lunch at Mt Difficulty Vineyard
- Wine-tasting experience at Mt Difficulty Vineyard
Landmarks Mt Difficulty Vineyard Lake Te Anau - Day 10
Te Anau to Queenstown
You'll take a scenic cruise through Milford Sound past waterfalls and towering cliffs while watching for wildlife. Lunch is included onboard. After the cruise, you head to Queenstown, which sits among mountains and lakes and is known as the adventure capital of the country.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch onboard Milford Sound cruise)
Included Activities
- Milford Sound scenic cruise - glide past majestic waterfalls, towering cliffs, and stunning landscapes
- Lunch onboard Milford Sound cruise
Landmarks Milford Sound Queenstown 
- Day 11
Queenstown
Queenstown is yours to explore at your own pace with plenty of optional activities on offer: bungy jumping, skydiving, jet boating, scenic hikes, or walks around charming streets. You should have time to fit in two or three activities, and your guide will help with bookings and details.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Bungy jumping
- Skydiving
- Jet boating
- Scenic hikes
- Leisurely strolls around city
Landmarks Queenstown - Day 12
Queenstown to Franz Josef
You'll leave Queenstown heading toward Franz Josef with a stop in Wanaka, a quiet lakeside town with nice mountain views. The drive continues up the west coast where the scenery keeps changing as you go further north.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Wanaka Franz Josef Glacier 
- Day 13
Franz Josef
Franz Josef gives you a free day to choose what to do. Optional activities include guided glacier walks, relaxing in thermal pools, or helicopter tours over the Franz Josef Glacier. Your guide is available to help book anything you want to try.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Guided glacier walk
- Thermal pools
- Helicopter tour over Franz Josef Glacier
Landmarks Franz Josef Glacier - Day 14
Franz Josef to Christchurch
The drive back to Christchurch includes stops in Hokitika to see jade carvings and Arthur's Pass for mountain views. You'll also stop at Castle Hill to see limestone rock formations. By mid-afternoon you're back in Christchurch where your guide can drop you at the CBD or airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Hokitika Arthur's Pass Castle Hill
