Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll arrive in Auckland and have the rest of the day to explore at your own pace. The waterfront precincts are worth checking out if you're interested in seeing yachts, or you can head into the CBD to look through shops from local designers. This evening you'll meet your Travel Director for a welcome briefing that covers what's ahead on the tour.
Optional Activities
- Explore Auckland waterfront precincts
- Visit CBD to discover local designers
Landmarks/POIs Auckland Waterfront - Day 2
Auckland to Rotorua
Morning sightseeing in Auckland gets the day going, then you'll head to Waitomo Caves for a glowworm cruise through underground caverns. After that you're traveling to Rotorua to see geysers and hot springs. By evening you'll experience Te Po Indigenous Experience at Te Puia, which includes a cultural performance, views of Pohutu Geyser, and a hangi-inspired buffet dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Hangī-inspired buffet dinner at Te Puia)
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Waitomo Caves including Glowworm Cruise
- Te Pō Indigenous Experience at Te Puia - Cultural performance in Te Aronui a Rua meeting house
- View Pohutu Geyser
- Hangī-inspired buffet dinner at Te Puia
Landmarks/POIs Waitomo Caves Waikato River Te Puia Pohutu Geyser Te Aronui a Rua - Day 3
Rotorua
Rotorua is yours to explore however you'd like today. If relaxation appeals to you, Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa is an option, or you can visit Hobbiton to see the Lord of the Rings filming locations. Your Travel Director has recommendations depending on what fits your mood.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Relax at Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa
- Tour The Lord of the Rings movie sights at Hobbiton
Landmarks/POIs Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa Hobbiton - Day 4
Rotorua to Wellington
You'll travel through North Island scenery starting with a view of Huka Falls, where 220,000 litres of water crashes over an 11-metre drop every second. From there it's along Lake Taupo and the Kapiti Coast to Wellington, New Zealand's capital, which has countless restaurants and bars to choose from.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- See Huka Falls from a panoramic viewpoint
Landmarks/POIs Huka Falls Lake Taupo Kapiti Coast - Day 5
Wellington to Picton
Start this Wellington morning with coffee at one of the city's well-known cafes. You'll visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, then board a ferry for a scenic crossing of Cook Strait to the South Island. You'll arrive in Picton, a quiet seaside village.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cruise the Cook Strait from Wellington to Picton
Optional Activities
- Visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand
Landmarks/POIs Te Papa Cook Strait - Day 6
Picton to Kaikoura
The drive takes you to Kaikoura, known for dramatic beaches and being the marine wildlife centre of the country. You can watch for sea lions and sperm whales in the offshore waters. Dinner at one of Kaikoura's good restaurants is included, with suggestions from your Travel Director.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Spot marine wildlife from Kaikoura Beach
Landmarks/POIs Kaikoura Beach - Day 7
Kaikoura to Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
You'll travel to Christchurch, a city that's rebuilt itself into a forward-thinking design hub after 2010/11 earthquakes. You'll see the cardboard Transitional Cathedral and the gold-clad Turanga library. Later you'll head to Lake Tekapo for an Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience with guides who'll show you one of the planet's clearest night skies.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd Tekapo
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience - Indoor Guided Dark Sky & Astronomy Experience in Tekapo
Optional Activities
- Explore Christchurch's Transitional Cathedral
- Visit Turanga central library
Landmarks/POIs Transitional Cathedral Turanga Church of the Good Shepherd Lake Tekapo Canterbury Plains - Day 8
Lake Tekapo to Te Anau
Starting in the historic town of Clyde with its gold-mining heritage buildings now converted to cafes and shops, you'll continue to Gore, New Zealand's Country Music capital. Then it's into Fiordland National Park to reach Te Anau, a lakeside town on the South Island's largest lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit historic Arrowtown
Optional Activities
- Explore Clyde's historic precinct
- Visit Gore, the Country Music capital
Landmarks/POIs Clyde Gore Fiordland National Park Te Anau Arrowtown - Day 9
Te Anau to Milford Sound
You'll travel through Fiordland National Park's beech forests, alluvial flats, and mirror-like lakes to get to Milford Sound. An included sightseeing cruise takes you into this fiord with towering cliffs, waterfalls, and wildlife like seals, penguins, and the Kea, New Zealand's alpine parrot.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Milford Sound/Piopiotahi on a Nature Cruise
Landmarks/POIs Fiordland National Park Milford Sound/Piopiotahi - Day 10
Te Anau to Queenstown
The dramatic Devil's Staircase road winds along Lake Wakatipu's edge with lake and mountain views throughout. You'll visit Arrowtown, the historic gold rush village with tree-lined streets and boutique shops. Later in Queenstown, you'll board the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship to cross Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue dinner and farm show.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Gourmet barbecue dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm)
Included Activities
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak on TSS Earnslaw Steamship
- Savour a gourmet BBQ dinner and see a farm show at Walter Peak High Country Farm
Landmarks/POIs Devil's Staircase Lake Wakatipu Arrowtown Walter Peak High Country Farm TSS Earnslaw - Day 11
Queenstown
Queenstown is yours to explore today. If you want high-energy activities, jet boat rides are available. Nature enthusiasts can visit Kiwi Park to see New Zealand's native birds. As the Adventure Capital, there's plenty of options depending on what interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- High-octane jet boat ride
- Discover native birds at Kiwi Park
Landmarks/POIs Kiwi Park - Day 12
Queenstown to Franz Josef
You'll travel past Lake Hawea and through Haast Pass with its waterfalls and dramatic mountain backdrops to reach Franz Josef/Waiau, a small town in the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Lake Hawea Haast Pass Franz Josef - Day 13
Franz Josef to Christchurch
You'll get a panoramic view of Franz Josef Glacier, then travel to Hokitika to look at pounamu (native jade) jewellery. After that you'll board the TranzAlpine train toward Christchurch, traveling through tunnels and over viaducts with views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and valleys. Tonight there's dinner and drinks to celebrate.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner and drinks to celebrate your holiday)
Included Activities
- See Franz Josef Glacier from a panoramic viewpoint
- Journey on the TranzAlpine Train through the Southern Alps
Optional Activities
- Explore pounamu (native jade) in Hokitika
Landmarks/POIs Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere Hokitika - Day 14
Christchurch
You'll depart Christchurch today, reflecting on two weeks spent exploring both islands of New Zealand with guidance from your Travel Director and local guides.
