Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll arrive in Auckland and check in at LyLo Auckland from 2pm onwards. The rest of your afternoon is yours to spend however you like - wander around Viaduct Harbour, walk through Britomart, or head to Mission Bay if you want something beachy. If you're feeling more adventurous, you can take a ferry out to Rangitoto Island to climb the old volcano, or head up the Sky Tower for views across the whole city. You'll meet everyone else in your group and your guide at 7pm for a welcome dinner to kick things off.
- Start point
- Auckland Central, Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (Lylo Hostel, 14:00)
Optional Activities
- Stroll along Viaduct Harbour
- Explore Britomart
- Walk to Mission Bay
- Ferry to Rangitoto Island and climb volcano summit
- Visit Auckland museums and galleries
- Ride to top of Sky Tower for 360-degree views
Landmarks Viaduct Harbour Wynyard Quarter Britomart Mission Bay Rangitoto Island Sky Tower - Day 2
Auckland to Coromandel
You're heading southeast from Auckland toward Coromandel's beaches. The main stop is Cathedral Cove, which you can see by walking, kayaking with Cathedral Cove Kayaks, or taking a boat tour with Hahei Explorer. The cove itself has this interesting feature where at the right tide, you can dig a hole in the sand and create your own natural hot pool. Pick whichever way appeals to you most for getting around the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cathedral Cove visit
Optional Activities
- Cathedral Cove Kayaks
- Hahei Explorer boat tour
- Short walk through Cathedral Cove
- Dig hot spa pool in sand
Landmarks Cathedral Cove - Day 3
Coromandel to Waitomo
You're leaving Coromandel and heading south to Waitomo. On the way, you'll stop at Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway, which follows an old railway line through the hills and has remains from the gold mining days. Once you reach Waitomo, there's a 90-minute cave tour at Ruakuri to see the glowworms and cave formations. If you want something more intense, Black Water Rafting Company has options where you jump off underground waterfalls while floating down a river lit by millions of glowworms.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway exploration
- Ruakuri Cave tour with glowworms (90 minutes)
Optional Activities
- Legendary Black Water Rafting Company Black Labyrinth tour
- Legendary Black Water Rafting Company Black Abyss tour
Landmarks Karangahake Gorge Ruakuri Cave - Day 4
Waitomo to Rotorua
Start the morning with a walk around Ruakuri Reserve to see the limestone arches and cliffs. After that, you're heading to the Hobbiton movie set with an optional guided tour if you want one. Later you'll drive to Rotorua, and this evening there's a visit to Mitai Maori Village where you'll learn about Maori culture and have a traditional hangi dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional hangi dinner at Mitai Māori Village)
Included Activities
- Ruakuri Reserve morning walk
- Mitai Māori Village cultural experience
- Traditional hangi dinner
Optional Activities
- Hobbiton Movie Set guided tour
Landmarks Ruakuri Reserve Hobbiton Movie Set Mitai Māori Village 
- Day 5
Rotorua
This is a free day in Rotorua with plenty of options depending on what you're interested in. Adventure seekers can do ziplines through the treetops with Rotorua Canopy Tours, roll downhill in a giant inflatable ball with Zorb, or take a jade carving workshop. If you prefer something quieter, Kuirau Park is a geothermal park just a short walk away. Everyone gets included entry to Wai Ariki Hot Springs by Lake Rotorua for some relaxation time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Wai Ariki Hot Springs entry
Optional Activities
- Rotorua Canopy Tours zipline experience
- Zorb - roll downhill in inflatable ball
- Jade Carving workshop
- Kuirau Park visit
Landmarks Kuirau Park Wai Ariki Hot Springs - Day 6
Rotorua to Wellington
You're heading south from Rotorua toward Wellington. Along the way you'll stop at Huka Falls for a short walk to stretch your legs before continuing on. You'll arrive in Wellington, which locals call 'Welly', as the day goes on. It's New Zealand's capital and there's plenty to see once you get there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Huka Falls walk
Landmarks Huka Falls - Day 7
Wellington
Another free day to explore on your own. Te Papa is the national museum if you want to learn about the country's history and pick up some facts. In the afternoon, you can rent an e-bike from Switched on Bikes and cruise along the waterfront, or head to Zealandia wildlife haven if you prefer nature. Later, you can check out Wellington's hidden bars scattered around the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Te Papa (National Museum) visit
- E-bike rental and waterfront cruise with Switched on Bikes
- Zealandia nature exploration
Landmarks Te Papa Tongarewa Zealandia - Day 8
Wellington to Kaikoura
You're boarding the inter-island ferry from Wellington and crossing Cook Strait to the South Island. The crossing itself is something worth paying attention to - you'll get good views of Marlborough Sounds as you arrive. Once you dock, you'll drive through Marlborough District, which has lots of vineyards and distilleries with wine and gin tastings included. After that you're driving along the coast to Kaikoura, known for marine wildlife like whales (depending on season), dolphins, and seals. Wildlife tours are optional if you want to go out on the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Inter-island ferry crossing
- Wine and gin tasting in Marlborough District
Optional Activities
- Whale watching tour
- Dolphin encounter tour
- Seal viewing tour
Landmarks Cook Strait Marlborough Sounds Marlborough District - Day 9
Kaikoura to Christchurch
You can either sleep in or join others for a sea trip to see Kaikoura's dolphins, whales, seals, and albatross up close. You'll have the choice to swim with dolphins or just watch from the boat. There's also a walk along Kaikoura Peninsula to see the local seal colony. In the afternoon you're driving to Christchurch, leaving plenty of time to explore the city once you arrive.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway and seal colony visit
Optional Activities
- Swimming with dolphins
- Dolphin watching tour
- Whale watching tour
- Sea outing for marine life viewing
Landmarks Kaikoura Peninsula - Day 10
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
You're driving into Mackenzie Country, which is known for big open spaces, turquoise lakes, golden grassland, and night skies. You'll visit Church of The Good Shepherd on Lake Tekapo, a well-known spot built to remember the pioneers. There's a walk up Mt John if you want 360-degree views of the mountains, lakes, and basin below. By evening you'll soak in Tekapo Hot Springs to wind down.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Church of The Good Shepherd visit
- Mt John walk with 360-degree views
- Tekapo Hot Springs
Landmarks Church of The Good Shepherd Mount John Lake Tekapo 
- Day 11
Lake Tekapo to Queenstown
You're heading to Queenstown, but first you're stopping in the Mt Cook area. The Hooker Valley Track is a popular day walk here, and as you go along it you'll see glaciers in the shadows of the mountains, including Mt Cook itself, New Zealand's highest peak. You'll arrive in Queenstown this evening and meet up with the group for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Crew dinner)
Included Activities
- Hooker Valley Track walk
Landmarks Mount Cook Hooker Valley Track 
- Day 12
Queenstown
Free day in Queenstown with something for everyone. If you want adrenaline, there's bungy jumping, jetboating, white water rafting, and skydiving. If you prefer a slower pace, you can rent bikes, take walks, go on boat cruises, relax at a spa, or visit vineyards. Most of these activities run year-round so you've got options no matter when you're there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Bungy jumping
- Jetboating
- White water rafting
- Skydiving
- Bike rental
- Boat cruise
- Spa visit
- Vineyard visit
- Day 13
Queenstown to Milford Sound
This is an optional trip to Milford Sound, which is a must-see area in Fiordland. You'll stop in the small town of Te Anau first to grab fuel and food, then drive toward Milford Sound with scheduled stops for photos. Once there, you'll get on a two-hour boat cruise through the fiord where you might see dolphins, fur seals, birds, and rare Fiordland Crested Penguins. The scenery includes waterfalls and geological formations. You'll be back in Queenstown by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- 2-hour Milford Sound scenic boat cruise
Landmarks Milford Sound Fiordland National Park Te Anau - Day 14
Queenstown to Lake Hawea
You're leaving Queenstown and heading around the mountains toward Wanaka and Lake Hawea. You'll pass through Arrowtown, which has mining history and character. There's a walk at Roy's Peak if you want views over Lake Wanaka and Mt Aspiring. You'll spend the evening in Hawea.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Roy's Peak walk with views of Lake Wanaka and Mount Aspiring
Optional Activities
- Arrowtown exploration
Landmarks Arrowtown Roy's Peak Lake Wanaka Mount Aspiring - Day 15
Lake Hawea to Franz Josef
You're heading north to Franz Josef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a 12-kilometer-long glacier. Get close to the glacier and explore what the area has to offer. The landscape here is something you'll want to take your time with.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Franz Josef Glacier - Day 16
Franz Josef
Free day in Franz Josef with alpine scenery and west coast rainforest around. You can do a pounamu (greenstone) carving workshop where you'll learn about the cultural meaning and make your own jewelry to take home. For the glacier itself, you can either do the heli-hike adventure to walk on top of it, or take a free rainforest walk to a viewing area that's about 750m away where you can see the glacier.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Pounamu (Greenstone) carving experience
Optional Activities
- Heli-Hike glacier walk
- Rainforest walk to glacier viewing area
Landmarks Franz Josef Glacier - Day 17
Franz Josef to Hanmer Springs
You're leaving the mountains and heading north toward Hanmer Springs in Canterbury. Before you go, spend the morning at West Coast Wildlife Centre learning about conservation. You'll get to see kiwi birds and learn more about what's being done to protect New Zealand's nature.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- West Coast Wildlife Centre visit
Landmarks West Coast Wildlife Centre 
- Day 18
Hanmer Springs
Free day in Hanmer Springs, which is set up for adventure and relaxation. You're getting entry to Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa where there are 22 outdoor thermal pools, four hydroslides, and the Conical Thrill, which is New Zealand's biggest aquatic ride. You can spend as much or as little time as you want in and around the pools.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa entry
Landmarks Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa - Day 19
Hanmer Springs to Christchurch
After your time in Hanmer Springs, you're heading to Christchurch. Before you leave, there's a quick walk through the heritage forest where you can look for large wooden animal sculptures carved from redwood trees. You'll arrive in Christchurch this afternoon where the tour ends.
- End point
- Christchurch Central, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand (City central , 16:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Heritage forest walk with wooden animal sculptures
