DAY 1 : Arrival Day to Auckland

Haere Mai and Welcome to Aotearoa/New Zealand. The first stop on your adventure is Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand. Often referred to as the ‘City of Sails’ by locals, Auckland is home to 2 harbours and over 44 volcanoes! On arrival in the city, make your way to the Nesuto Stadium Hotel where you can check in and drop your bags. At the hotel reception, you’ll receive a welcome letter with some tour information, and this evening you’ll meet your group and welcome host at 6:15pm and head for a delicious welcome dinner at 6:30pm.

Stay: Nesuto Stadium Hotel & Apartment (40 Beach Road, Auckland CBD 1010)

Meals: Dinner

DAY 2 : Auckland to Rotorua

This morning, we will depart from Auckland and head towards Waitomo, known for its stunning glowworm caves. We will visit the brightest glowworm cave in Waitomo, which has even been visited by Sir David Attenborough. You will take a breathtaking boat ride through a cave illuminated entirely by glowworms and witness the magical sight of hundreds of glowworms shining just for you. Later, we will go on a walking tour of another limestone cave that has been shaped over millions of years.

After that, we will travel down to Rotorua, the geothermal wonderland of New Zealand. In the evening, we will enjoy a delicious dinner together and then retire for a comfortable night’s sleep in Rotorua.

Visit: Waitomo, Rotorua
Stay: Distinction Rotorua or similar
Activity: Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 3 : Rotorua

This morning, we will travel along the edge of Lake Rotorua until we reach a lookout point where we will have a view of Mount Tarawera, an infamous site that was once home to the renowned pink and white terraces before a violent eruption destroyed them. Afterward, we will visit the Buried Village, which is New Zealand’s most visited archaeological site. Here, we will learn about the famous 1886 eruption and see the site of the now-buried Te Wairoa village.

In the afternoon, we will take a walk in the Whakarewarewa forest, where we will see towering Redwoods, magnificent Douglas firs, and New Zealand’s native silver fern. After the walk, you will have some free time to explore Rotorua on your own. If you would like to see some geothermal activity for free, we recommend taking a walk around Kuirau Park to see boiling mud pools and steaming lakes. You can also take a walk to the lake’s edge or through the government gardens, relax at the Polynesian Spa, or take the Gondola up to see the amazing Rotorua Skyline.

Visit: Rotorua
Activity: Visit the Buried Village and take the Waitawa Walk in Whakarewarewa Forest
Stay: Distinction Rotorua or similar
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4 : Rotorua to Lake Aniwhenua to Taupo

This morning, we will embark on a journey to the serene shores of Lake Aniwhenua in Murupara, where you can experience the true essence of New Zealand. Kohutapu Lodge, located on the lake, is owned by a Maori family who are committed to making a positive impact in their local community through community-driven initiatives.

Your experience will start with a guided tour of the sacred Maori rock carvings, followed by a visit to the Lodge to witness the traditional ground-cooked hangi preparation. Once the food is cooked to perfection, you will indulge in arguably the best meal you’ll have in New Zealand at the Lodge. After lunch, we will make our way to Taupo, where you can marvel at the intensely blue Huka Falls and explore the charming lakeside town.

Visit: Murupara, Taupo
Stay: Anchorage Taupo
Activity: Kohutapu Lodge Tribal Tour
Meals: Breakfast, Hangi Lunch + Dessert

DAY 5 : Taupo to Napier

After having breakfast, we will be heading to the breathtaking Hawke’s Bay Region. This area is known for having some of the best wineries in New Zealand/Aotearoa, and it would be remiss not to visit the Mission Estate Winery. You can indulge in a wine tasting, followed by a delectable lunch while basking in the sun and enjoying the beautiful surroundings of the estate.

Later, it’s a simple drive to the charming coastal town of Napier, which is famous for its perfectly preserved Art Deco facades. This evening, take a leisurely stroll along the tree-lined promenade and try some of the fresh seafood at one of the many restaurants overlooking the beach.

Visit: Mission Estate Winery
Stay: Scenic Hotel Te Pania
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6 : Napier to Wellington

This morning, we will leave Napier and travel to Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. Wellington is known for serving the best coffee in the country. On our way, we will stop at Greytown, Wairarapa’s oldest town, for lunch. Greytown is a beautiful village with restored Victorian buildings. It’s an ideal place to take a break, have some food, and explore the boutiques before we head to Wellington.

With a population of less than 220,000 people, Wellington is the only city in New Zealand that combines a relaxed atmosphere and a cultured, bohemian spirit. You will have the afternoon to explore the city on your own. We highly recommend visiting Te Papa, our national museum with free entrance and some amazing exhibits.

Visit: Wairarapa, Wellington
Stay: Novotel Wellington
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7 : Wellington to Nelson

After breakfast this morning, we’ll take the ferry across Cook Strait to the South Island. If the weather is fine, make your way up to the deck to see the spectacular Marlborough Sounds and try to spot some local wildlife. On arrival in Picton, we’ll make our way to Nelson. This evening, there’s plenty of time to relax, explore the area, and taste some of Nelson’s fine local food and beverages.

Visit: Picton, Nelson

Stay: Rutherford Nelson or similar

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8 : Nelson

Today is a free day in the sunshine capital of New Zealand. Nelson is a small city full of arts and crafts and on the edge of NZ’s premier hop-growing region. Take a wine or beer tour. You can even do this by bike if you prefer some exercise or just use the day to take a stroll around the area. For those wanting to visit Abel Tasman National Park, you can take a day tour from Nelson to visit the golden sands and idyllic days. For those wanting a good walk, the track to the center of New Zealand is a must. At the top, you’ll also find lovely views of the region too!

Visit: Nelson

Stay: Rutherford Nelson or similar

Meals: Breakfast

Optional Activities: Abel Tasman Cruise, Wine Tour, Craft Beer Tour, Queens Gardens, Centre of NZ walk

DAY 9 : Nelson to Christchurch

This morning, we’ll take a leisurely drive down to Blenheim, where we’ll travel to a vineyard for a fabulous lunch among the vines in one of New Zealand’s best Sauvignon Blanc producers.

After lunch, we’ll set off for our journey down the coast, soaking up the gorgeous scenery as we go. Expect to see some marine life too! From Kaikoura’s rugged coastline and beautiful mountains to the rolling farmland of Canterbury, the views are wonderful today. We’ll arrive late afternoon in Christchurch, and this evening, we’ll enjoy a group dinner at our hotel.

Visit: Blenheim, Kaikoura, Canterbury, Christchurch

Stay: Distinction Christchurch or similar

Activity: Marlborough Cellar Door lunch

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10 : Christchurch to Dunedin

After breakfast this morning, we’ll continue our journey south down the East Coast. We’ll pass through the township of Oamaru, home to some of the best-preserved heritage buildings in New Zealand before heading onto the mystical Moeraki Boulders. Geological marvels that began to form about 60 million years ago, the Moeraki boulders were exposed by the erosion of sedimentary rocks over time and now stand along the beach as though they are sentinels guarding the coastline. We’ll arrive in Dunedin with plenty of time for a rest and some exploration of the Scottish City.

Visit: Christchurch, Oamaru, Moeraki Boulders, Baldwin Street, Dunedin

Stay: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City

Optional Activities: Speight’s Brewery Tour, Dunedin Train Station, Yellow Eyed Penguin Tour

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11 : Dunedin to Te Anau

This morning, we’ll visit the famous Larnach Castle of Dunedin, the only castle in the country. We’ll explore the area, stroll through the magnificent gardens, and enjoy the amazing views before departing for our next destination. We’ll make a stop in Gore where we’ll explore Gore’s colorful past as a center for illicit whisky distilling and bootlegging at the Hokonui Moonshine Museum. Learn about the adventures of the Scottish settlers and their exploits to avoid run-ins with the law and taste Old Hokonui made from the original recipe. Later, we’ll drive to our destination for the evening, Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland and the spectacular Doubtful Sound.

Visit: Gore, Te Anau

Stay: Distinction Luxmore Te Anau

Activity: Larnach Castle, Hokonui Moonshine Museum

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12 : Te Anau via Doubtful Sound to Queenstown

Departing Te Anau this morning, we’ll travel to Manapouri, where we’ll take a leisurely cruise across the lake to West Arm. This is followed by a short coach trip on New Zealand’s most expensive road, traveling over Wilmot Pass and pausing along the way to experience the dense Fiordland rainforest and view the Doubtful Sound glistening below. At Deep Cove, we’ll board a modern catamaran and set sail into the majestic fiord – a sight that is sure to take your breath away. Listen to the on-board commentary for an insight into the region’s history as you view spectacular towering mountains and soak up the breathtaking views of this unique and beautiful area of New Zealand. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, as penguins, seals, and dolphins all enjoy spending time in the sound! Once the tour has ended, we’ll make our way to the alpine resort of Queenstown, where we’ll spend the next two nights.

Visit: Lake Manapouri, West Arm, Deep Cove, Doubtful Sound, Queenstown

Stay: Novotel Queenstown or similar

Activity: Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 13 : Queenstown

Today is yours to experience Queenstown, a picturesque alpine resort town known for its vast array of adventure activities. If you’d like to explore the area, we recommend taking a ride on the world-famous Shotover Jet Boat or taking a tour of the gold mining area of Skippers Canyon. For the best views of the town, travel to the top of Bob’s Peak by gondola and have lunch at the Skyline restaurant. Why not make your way to the bungy center to watch people hurling themselves off cliffs – bungy is an NZ invention after all! Alternatively, make your way to the lakeside and enjoy a refreshing drink or stroll through Queenstown’s lush park.

Stay: Novotel Queenstown or similar

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 14 : Queenstown to Haast

This morning we’ll get to see some incredible scenery as we travel through Arrowtown, a picturesque village steeped in fascinating history relating to NZ’s gold mining era. Next, we’ll visit Wanaka, a popular township on the lake’s edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop where we’ll enjoy lunch and spend some time enjoying the views. Departing Wanaka, we’ll make our way north towards the West Coast and the small town of Haast, a UNESCO world heritage site, and home to the famous Haast River. This evening, we’ll enjoy a group dinner together at our hotel.

Visit: Wanaka, Arrowtown, Haast

Stay: Heartland Haast

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 15 : Haast to Franz Josef

Today, we will head north along the coast of the Westland National Park until we reach the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. This area is remarkable, shaped by dynamic glaciers and surrounded by a lush rainforest that grows beneath towering mountains. We will make a stop in Fox Glacier where we can walk the gentle 2.6km track around Lake Matheson. The lake is nestled amongst ancient forests and is famous for its mirror views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. It’s a serene and beautiful place to enjoy a stroll. This evening, we’ll stay in the township of Franz Josef, which is surrounded by rainforests and mountains. We will enjoy a delicious group dinner together.

Visit: Franz Josef, Fox Glacier, Lake Matheson

Stay: Scenic Franz Josef

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 16 : Franz Josef to Christchurch

This morning, we will depart Franz Josef and head north to Hokitika, an artistic town famous for its beautiful greenstone. We will visit the Greenstone and Glass blowing factory to see the work of some talented local artists before continuing on to Greymouth, a historic town known for jade hunting and gold mining. From there, we will board the TranzAlpine train, considered to be one of the world’s greatest one-day train journeys. Prepare to be blown away by epic vistas of forests, rolling plains, and snow-capped mountains! At the end of the journey, we will transfer to our hotel in Christchurch, where we will enjoy a farewell meal together on our final evening of the tour.

Visit: Hokitika, Greymouth, Christchurch

Stay: Distinction Hotel Christchurch or similar

Activity: Greenstone and Glass Blowing Factory visit, TranzAlpine Train Journey

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 17 : Depart Christchurch

Today is the final day of the tour, and our trip has come to an end. Enjoy breakfast before saying a fond farewell to your tour leader and all your travel companions. Whether you’re traveling home today or staying in Christchurch for longer, we hope you leave this tour with happy memories and friends for life.