Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll meet your tour group this evening at your Auckland accommodation for a relaxed dinner and drinks. After that, the choice is yours - check out the city's nightlife scene or head back early to rest up before the journey ahead tomorrow.
Optional Activities
- Explore Auckland's nightlife and bars
- Day 2
Auckland to Coromandel Peninsula
You'll leave Auckland and drive to the Coromandel Peninsula, where the road twists along the coastline with views opening up the whole way. Once you arrive, your guide shows you around before heading to Hot Water Beach. Depending on tide times, you can grab buckets and spades to dig your own hot tub right in the sand.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Hot Water Beach
Landmarks/POIs Hot Water Beach 
- Day 3
Coromandel Peninsula to Rotorua
This morning you'll walk along the cliffs to Cathedral Cove, the massive rock arches there were featured in The Chronicles of Narnia. From there you'll drive to Rotorua, stopping in Matamata for a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set. You'll see Hobbit Holes and the Green Dragon Inn before continuing on to your accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk to Cathedral Cove
Optional Activities
- Cathedral Cove Kayaking
- Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral Cove Hobbiton Movie Set 
- Day 4
Rotorua
You have the day free to explore Rotorua's geothermal areas. Walk through Kuirau Park to see steaming mud pools, or pick from optional activities like white water rafting, forest ziplining, glowworm kayaking with hot pools and dinner, or other adventures available in the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Mt Tarawera Crater Hike
- River Sledging
- White Water Rafting
- Forest Ziplining Canopy Tour
- Skyline Gondola
- Guided Glowworm Kayak, Hot Pools & Dinner
- ZORB
- Redwoods Treewalk
Landmarks/POIs Kuirau Park - Day 5
Rotorua to Murupara
You'll visit Te Puia Maori Village to learn about Maori history and culture, see the Pohutu Geyser, bubbling mud pools, and the endangered kiwi bird. Later you'll drive to Kohutapu Lodge in Murupara where you'll learn the haka, weave a flax dinner plate, and have a traditional hangi dinner cooked underground.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional hāngi meal cooked in an underground earth oven with tender meat and delicious vegetables infused with a smoky, earthy fragrance)
Included Activities
- Visit Te Puia Māori Village
- See kiwi birds
- See the Pōhutu Geyser
- Learn the haka
- Learn to weave flax
- Dinner (a hāngi cooked in an underground oven)
Landmarks/POIs Te Puia Māori Village Pōhutu Geyser - Day 6
Murupara to Taupo
It's a short drive to Taupo with stops at mud pools, the thundering Huka Falls, and the Aratiatia Dam along the way. You'll arrive at the lakeside town of Taupo, sitting on New Zealand's largest lake. The afternoon is yours to choose optional activities like water touch bungy, skydiving, or sunset lake cruises.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Find natural hot springs
Optional Activities
- Water touch Bungy
- Skydive
- Lake Taupo sailing
Landmarks/POIs Huka Falls Aratiatia Dam Lake Taupo 
- Day 7
Taupo
You have the full day in Taupo to decide between relaxation or adventure. Hike the 19.4 km Tongariro Crossing around one of the country's most beautiful volcanoes, or try skydiving, bungy jumping, lake cruises to see Maori rock carvings, or soak in geothermal pools instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- The Tongariro Crossing
- Skydive
- Water Touch Bungy
- Lake Taupo Sailing
Landmarks/POIs Tongariro - Day 8
Taupo to Wellington
You'll make the drive from Taupo to Wellington along the Desert Road, passing Mount Ruapehu, Mount Tongariro, and Mount Ngauruhoe (Mount Doom from Lord of the Rings) with views of the Kaimanawa Range. After arriving in Wellington in the afternoon, you can visit Weta Workshop or spend time exploring the capital's shops, cafes, and bars.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through Tongariro National Park
- Mt Victoria Lookout
Optional Activities
- Weta Workshop Cave Tour
Landmarks/POIs Mount Ruapehu Mount Tongariro Mount Ngauruhoe Mount Victoria Weta Workshop 
- Day 9
Wellington to Kaikoura
Start with Wellington's famous coffee before heading to the ferry terminal for the Interislander crossing to the South Island. The ferry journey over Cook Strait is one of the world's great ferry trips, and you'll keep an eye out for dolphins and fur seals. After arriving in Picton, you'll drive 2.5 hours to Kaikoura, known for black sand beaches and marine life.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Interislander ferry over the Cook Strait
Landmarks/POIs Cook Strait Picton 
- Day 10
Kaikoura to Christchurch
The morning is free in Kaikoura to wander around town, visit the beach, or do whale watching since the area is ideal for spotting sperm, orca, and humpback whales year-round. In the afternoon you'll drive to Christchurch and explore the city's bars and restaurants, including Riverside Market.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Whale watching
Landmarks/POIs Kaikoura Riverside Market 
- Day 11
Christchurch
The tour has officially finished. You can spend the day however you'd like. Get in touch with the team if you want to extend your accommodation beyond today.
