Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
Your room is ready for immediate check-in when you arrive in New Zealand. This evening kicks off with a welcome briefing and dinner to get oriented before the main tour begins.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner)
- Day 2
Auckland
Start with a guided tour of the All Blacks Experience to dig into rugby history. After that, you'll walk through Auckland's main attractions like Queen Street, Auckland Domain park, and Parnell Village. The rest of the afternoon is open for you to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of All Blacks Experience
- Sightseeing tour of Auckland including Queen Street, Auckland Domain, and Parnell Village
Landmarks All Blacks Experience Queen Street Auckland Domain Parnell Village 
- Day 3
Auckland to Rotorua
Head through Waikato's farmland to Hamilton for a guided tour of Hamilton Gardens followed by high tea lunch. Later you'll reach the Hobbiton movie set near Matamata for a guided walk through the 12-acre Shire set with stops at key spots and the Green Dragon Inn. You arrive in Rotorua by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (High tea lunch at Hamilton Gardens Summerhouse)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Hamilton Gardens with high tea lunch
- Guided walking tour of Hobbiton movie set including Green Dragon Inn
Landmarks Hamilton Gardens Hobbiton Movie Set Green Dragon Inn Kaimai Mountain - Day 4
Rotorua
Begin with a guided tour at the National Kiwi Hatchery to learn about kiwi bird conservation efforts. Next comes Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland to check out its colorful geothermal features. In the afternoon you can relax in natural hot springs, go ziplining, or book an optional floatplane tour. This evening brings an authentic Māori dinner and performance at Te Pā Tū.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Authentic Māori Hangi dinner (roasted meats and vegetables cooked underground) with 4-course Māori fusion feast including kai horotai (indigenous canapes) and seasonal kai)
Included Activities
- Guided tour and visit to National Kiwi Hatchery
- Visit to Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland
- Authentic Māori cultural performance and Hangi dinner at Te Pā Tū
Optional Activities
- Relax in natural hot springs
- Zipline through the forest
- Floatplane flightseeing tour
Landmarks National Kiwi Hatchery Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland Te Pā Tū - Day 5
Rotorua to Wellington
Travel south through rolling farmland past the dramatic Lake Taupo. Stop at the National Army Museum in Waiouru to see collections from wartime and peacetime. After lunch, continue on to Wellington, New Zealand's capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Lake Taupo
- Visit to National Army Museum in Waiouru
Landmarks Lake Taupo National Army Museum - Day 6
Wellington
A sightseeing tour takes you through Wellington with a cable-car ride, the botanic gardens, the Beehive and Parliament buildings, and 360-degree views from Mount Victoria. You'll spend time at Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, then have the rest of the day free to explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Wellington including scenic cable-car ride to Mount Victoria
- Visit to Wellington Botanic Gardens
- Visit to Beehive and Parliament buildings
- Visit to Te Papa (Museum of New Zealand)
Landmarks Wellington Cable Car Mount Victoria Wellington Botanic Gardens Beehive Parliament Buildings Te Papa - Day 7
Wellington to Blenheim
Ferry from Wellington to Picton on one of the world's most scenic ferry routes through the Marlborough Sounds. Watch for dolphins and sometimes whales or penguins. From there, head to Blenheim for an afternoon wine tasting of the region's famous Sauvignon Blanc.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry sailing through Marlborough Sounds from Wellington to Picton
- Afternoon wine tasting in Blenheim
Landmarks Marlborough Sounds Picton - Day 8
Blenheim to Christchurch
Drive along dramatic coastal views to Kaikoura. Grab lunch and take a whale watching cruise on a modern catamaran searching for giant sperm whales, plus possible sightings of other whales, seals, and dolphins. Continue on to Christchurch, known for its English heritage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Whale watching cruise off Kaikoura on modern catamaran
Landmarks Kaikoura Pacific Ocean - Day 9
Christchurch
Start with a sightseeing tour through Christchurch's famous landmarks and gardens. The afternoon is yours to explore on your own. Tonight, a cultural walking tour takes you through laneways and gardens with dining at two local restaurants while learning about Māori culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Cultural walking dinner tour with kai (food) and regional beverages at two dining establishments)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Christchurch landmarks and gardens
- Cultural walking dinner tour through Christchurch laneways and gardens with stops at two dining establishments
Landmarks Christchurch - Day 10
Christchurch to Te Anau
Fly to Queenstown then drive to Te Anau, situated on the edge of a lake and serving as the gateway to Fiordland National Park. This evening, cruise across Lake Te Anau by catamaran to the Glowworm Grotto for a guided tour through limestone chambers and a silent boat ride under thousands of glowworms.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cruise across Lake Te Anau by catamaran
- Guided tour of Glowworm Grotto with silent boat trip through limestone chambers
Landmarks Fiordland National Park Lake Te Anau Glowworm Grotto - Day 11
Te Anau to Milford Sound
Spend the full day in Fiordland National Park heading to Milford Sound, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cruise past sheer rock walls thousands of feet high, dense rainforest, towering mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls. Look for dolphins, seals, and penguins. You'll return to Te Anau late this afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Cruise through Milford Sound with scenic viewing of rock walls, rainforest, mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls
Landmarks Milford Sound Fiordland National Park - Day 12
Te Anau to Queenstown
Start with an epic jet boat ride along the Waiau River in Fiordland, emerging onto crystal-clear Lake Manapouri with views of rare birds. Visit a local farm for a sheep shearing demonstration and chat with a farmer about New Zealand's farming and animal conservation. Have lunch there, then drive to Queenstown. The evening is open for dining at local restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at farm)
Included Activities
- Jet boat ride along Waiau River through Fiordland National Park to Lake Manapouri
- Sheep shearing demonstration and farm visit with local farmer
Landmarks Waiau River Lake Manapouri Fiordland National Park - Day 13
Queenstown
A full day at leisure in Queenstown, one of New Zealand's prettiest towns. Tour Lord of the Rings filming locations, shop for souvenirs, or take a thrilling jetboat ride on the Dart River if that appeals to you. Tonight features a special farewell dinner with a cruise on the 103-year-old TSS Earnslaw steamship to Walter Peak High Country Farm, complete with barbecued meats and a high country demonstration.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner on TSS Earnslaw with succulent barbecued meats, vegetables, salads, mouthwatering desserts, and New Zealand cheeses at Colonel's Homestead Restaurant with entertainment and sing-along cruise return)
Included Activities
- Cruise on TSS Earnslaw steamship across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm
- Farewell dinner at Colonel's Homestead Restaurant with barbecued meats, vegetables, salads, desserts, and New Zealand cheeses
- Entertainment demonstration of high country life
Optional Activities
- Tour Lord of the Rings trilogy filming locations
- Shop for souvenirs
- Thrilling jetboat ride on Dart River
Landmarks Lake Wakatipu TSS Earnslaw Walter Peak High Country Farm Colonel's Homestead Restaurant Dart River - Day 14
Queenstown
Your tour wraps up after breakfast this morning. If you'd like, you can extend your stay in Queenstown and continue exploring on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Extend stay in Queenstown and explore on your own
