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2026

Jan
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2027

Jan
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Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
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Who is travelling?

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
From
$9,015
US $8,294 per person

Essence of New Zealand (Small Groups)

18 days
From Christchurch to Auckland
4.4
117 reviews
From
$9,015
-8%
US $8,294 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:
City & Culture
Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
Fully Guided
An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Low Intensity
Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 20 - 48
All Ages Welcome
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Christchurch

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Ibis Hotel Christchurch)
    Itinerary Image 1
  2. Day 2

    Christchurch - Omarama

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel)

    Included Activities

    • Cardboard Cathedral tour
    • Botanic Gardens visit
    • Stop at Geraldine and sampling at Barkers Store
    • Waitaki Valley scenic viewing
    Landmarks
    Cardboard Cathedral
    Christchurch Botanic Gardens
    Lake Benmore
  3. Day 3

    Omarama - Invercargill

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Kelvin Hotel)

    Included Activities

    • Clyde historic town visit
    • Bill Richardson Transport World guided tour
    Landmarks
    Bill Richardson Transport World
  4. Day 4

    Invercargill - Te Anau

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Distinction Luxmore Hotel)

    Included Activities

    • Templeton Flax Mill guided tour and presentation
    • Riverton visit
    • Te Anau arrival
    Landmarks
    Templeton Flax Mill
    Fiordland National Park
  5. Day 5

    Milford Sound/Piopiotahi

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Distinction Luxmore Hotel)

    Included Activities

    • Fiordland National Park scenic drive
    • Milford Sound sightseeing cruise
    Landmarks
    Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
    Fiordland National Park
  6. Day 6

    Te Anau - Queenstown

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront)

    Included Activities

    • Real Country farm experience with demonstrations
    • Arrowtown historic gold rush village visit
    Landmarks
    Arrowtown
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  7. Day 7

    Queenstown

    Meals
    Lunch (Lunch at Fergburger), Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront)

    Included Activities

    • Lunch at Fergburger

    Optional Activities

    • Shotover River jet boat ride
    • Vineyard wine tours
    • TSS Earnslaw lake cruise with Walter Peak High Country Farm gourmet barbecue dinner
    Landmarks
    Lake Wakatipu
  8. Day 8

    Queenstown - Christchurch

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Ibis Hotel Christchurch)

    Included Activities

    • Jones Family Fruit Stall visit
    • Lindis Pass alpine crossing scenic drive
    • Tekapo visit and Church of Good Shepherd viewing
    • Canterbury Plains scenic drive
    Landmarks
    Church of the Good Shepherd
    Lake Tekapo
  9. Day 9

    Christchurch - Punakaiki

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Scenic Hotel Punakaiki)

    Included Activities

    • TranzAlpine train journey to Arthur's Pass
    • Greymouth visit
    • Pancake Rocks and blowholes viewing
    Landmarks
    Arthur's Pass
    Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
  10. Day 10

    Punakaiki - Nelson

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (The Rutherford Hotel)

    Included Activities

    • Buller Gorge scenic drive
    • Kahurangi National Park scenic drive
    Landmarks
    Buller Gorge
    Kahurangi National Park
  11. Day 11

    Nelson

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (The Rutherford Hotel)

    Optional Activities

    • Abel Tasman National Park cruise and walk combination
    Landmarks
    Abel Tasman National Park
  12. Day 12

    Nelson - Wellington

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (James Cook Grand Chancellor)

    Included Activities

    • Cook Strait ferry cruise
    Landmarks
    Queen Charlotte Sound
    Cook Strait
    Itinerary Image 1
  13. Day 13

    Wellington - Napier

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Scenic Hotel Te Pania)

    Included Activities

    • Wellington city tour including Beehive and Parliament grounds
    Landmarks
    Beehive and Parliament Grounds
  14. Day 14

    Napier

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Scenic Hotel Te Pania)

    Included Activities

    • Art Deco Quarter guided walking tour with Art Deco Trust guide

    Optional Activities

    • Hawkes Bay vineyards wine tour
    • Gannet nesting colony safari at Cape Kidnappers with Gannet Safaris Overland
    Landmarks
    Art Deco Quarter
    Cape Kidnappers
  15. Day 15

    Napier - Rotorua

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner (Hāngī-inspired buffet dinner at Te Puia)
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Sudima Lake Rotorua)

    Included Activities

    • Huka Falls visit
    • Pounamu jade carving workshop visit
    • Te Pō Indigenous Experience at Te Puia with cultural performance
    • Pohutu Geyser viewing
    • Hāngī-inspired buffet dinner
    Landmarks
    Huka Falls
    Te Puia
    Pohutu Geyser
  16. Day 16

    Rotorua

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Sudima Lake Rotorua)

    Optional Activities

    • Hobbiton Movie Set tour
    • Wai Ariki Hotel Springs & Spa
    • Scenic flight
    Landmarks
    Hobbiton Movie Set
  17. Day 17

    Rotorua - Auckland

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Radisson RED Auckland)

    Included Activities

    • Auckland city tour
    • All Blacks Experience interactive tour with traditional haka participation
    Landmarks
    All Blacks Experience
  18. Day 18

    Auckland

    Meals
    Breakfast

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Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Operated by

AAT Kings

Gold Operator
Rating
4.4(117 reviews)
Response time
within 2 days
Response rate
90%
Cancellation policy

Reviews from other tours by AAT Kings

  • Woldeyesus
    April 7th, 2026
    Led by Christin
    Service was great and the touring team was awesome!!
  • Cam
    January 29th, 2026
    We had a great time. Met many new friends from many countries. With extra booked excursions, we were kept so busy...
    Show more
  • Marina
    January 6th, 2026
    We were very happy with our tour! It was very well organised, good accommodation, tasty meals, and with tour...
    Show more

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Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

Select Date

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Upcoming departures
Hurry, deals only available for a limited time!
Ends in0d0h6m28s
  • From Thursday
    1 Oct, 2026
    To Sunday
    18 Oct, 2026
    English
    Filling Fast
    Check the availability with the operator
    Departure on request
    From:
    US $9,195 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    -8%
    From Thursday
    19 Nov, 2026
    To Sunday
    6 Dec, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $9,015
    US $8,294 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    -8%
    From Thursday
    26 Nov, 2026
    To Sunday
    13 Dec, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $9,015
    US $8,294 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • From Thursday
    10 Dec, 2026
    To Sunday
    27 Dec, 2026
    This departure date is not available or sold out
    Sold out
    From:
    US $9,195 per person
  • From Thursday
    31 Dec, 2026
    To Sunday
    17 Jan, 2027
    This departure date is not available or sold out
    Sold out
    From:
    US $9,015 per person
  • 1 Other Unavailable Departure
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Thursday
    21 Jan, 2027
    To Sunday
    7 Feb, 2027
    English
    From:
    US $9,195 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Thursday
    28 Jan, 2027
    To Sunday
    14 Feb, 2027
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $9,195 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Thursday
    4 Feb, 2027
    To Sunday
    21 Feb, 2027
    English
    From:
    US $9,476 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Thursday
    18 Feb, 2027
    To Sunday
    7 Mar, 2027
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $9,476 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Thursday
    4 Mar, 2027
    To Sunday
    21 Mar, 2027
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $9,476 per person
    Multiple Room Types

Want to read it later?

Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

Why book with TourRadar?

    • Trusted and vetted operators
    • Rated excellent on
    • Best price guarantee
    • 24/7 customer support
    • Earn $100 in travel credits

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More benefits
Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at AAT Kings with your enquiry, they usually respond within 2 days.
From
$9,015
-8%
US $8,294 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Earn while you share

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Good to Know

Tour ID: 220229

  • Currency
    $
    New Zealand Dollar
    New Zealand
  • Plugs & Adapters

    As a traveler from USA, Canada, England, South Africa you will need an adaptor for type I.

    Type I
    New Zealand
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before August 28th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after August 28th, 2026, a minimum payment of $200 is required to confirm your booking with AAT Kings. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 65 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and AAT Kings will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "AAT Kings" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec