Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll get picked up from Auckland Airport and head to your hotel to settle in. At 6pm there's a welcome meeting where you'll meet your group leader and the other travelers. If you have some time before then, there's an option to check out the All Blacks experience to learn about New Zealand rugby. Once the meeting wraps up, you'll have dinner with everyone at a local bistro that focuses on New Zealand producers.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at atmospheric local bistro in the heart of the city, championing New Zealand producers)
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting with group leader and travelers
- Welcome dinner at local bistro
Optional Activities
- All Blacks interactive experience - learn about rugby heritage
- Day 2
Auckland to Waiheke Island
Take the ferry from Auckland to Waiheke Island, and you might spot dolphins or orcas during the crossing. The day involves wine tasting at three different wineries where you'll learn how they do things. Lunch is included on the island, and there are scenic drives with good photo spots. You'll head back to Auckland in the late afternoon, leaving your evening free to explore the city on your own.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on Waiheke Island)
Included Activities
- Ferry to Waiheke Island
- Visits to three unique wineries with wine tasting
- Included lunch on Waiheke Island
- Scenic drives on the island
Landmarks Waiheke Island 
- Day 3
Auckland to Rotorua
After breakfast, drive to Waitomo Glow Worm Caves for a tour of Ruakuri Cave with a local expert guide. You'll go down into the caves to see stalactites, stalagmites and glowing worms. Later, head to Hobbiton movie set for a guided tour where you can explore Hobbit holes and grab a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. Then travel to Rotorua for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Waitomo Ruakuri Glow Worm Cave tour with local expert
- Hobbiton Lord of the Rings movie set tour with local guide
- Hobbiton - Drink at the Green Dragon Inn
Landmarks Waitomo Ruakuri Cave Hobbiton Movie Set 
- Day 4
Rotorua
You'll wake up to Rotorua's distinctive sulphur smell. After breakfast, visit Te Puia geothermal area with a local expert to see hot springs, mud pools and the Pohutu geyser, which is the largest in the southern hemisphere. Then go to the Kiwi Conservation Centre to see nocturnal kiwi birds and learn about protection work. You'll watch Maori carving and weaving at Ahua Gallery, and have a traditional hangi feast cooked underground. An optional evening geyser tour is available if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional hangi feast cooked beneath the earth in traditional style)
Included Activities
- Te Puia geothermal area visit with local expert
- Kiwi Conservation Centre visit
- Ahua Gallery - Maori carving and weaving demonstrations
- Traditional hangi feast lunch
Optional Activities
- Evening geyser tour by night
Landmarks Te Puia Geothermal Area Pohutu Geyser Kiwi Conservation Centre Ahua Gallery - Day 5
Rotorua to Taupo
Drive to Taupo on the shores of New Zealand's largest lake. Along the way, stop at Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland to walk through geothermal features and volcanic landscapes, including the country's largest mud pool and colorful basins. After that, the rest of the day is yours. Your leader can help arrange sustainable sailing or cruising on the lake, or you might try fishing or a scenic flight over Tongariro National Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland visit and walk
Optional Activities
- Sustainable sailing or cruising on Lake Taupo
- Fishing on Lake Taupo
- Scenic flight over Tongariro National Park
Landmarks Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland Lake Taupo Tongariro National Park 
- Day 6
Taupo to Tongariro
Explore Tongariro National Park with your leader on a scenic two-hour walk to Taranaki Falls, where there's an impressive 20-metre cascade falling over volcanic cliffs. Later, head to your Feature Stay at Powderhorn Chateau, which sits surrounded by the peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro with great views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tongariro National Park - scenic two-hour walk to Taranaki Falls
Landmarks Tongariro National Park Taranaki Falls Mount Ruapehu Mount Ngauruhoe Mount Tongariro 
- Day 7
Tongariro to Wellington
Head to Wellington, New Zealand's trendy capital city. After you've settled in, board a private catamaran for an evening cruise around Wellington Harbour. Come back to shore and join your group for dinner at a waterfront restaurant where you can talk about your North Island experiences.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at fantastic waterfront restaurant)
Included Activities
- Wellington Harbour evening catamaran cruise
- Farewell aperitivo at waterfront restaurant with group
Landmarks Wellington Harbour 
- Day 8
Wellington to Christchurch
Check out after breakfast and take a 1-hour flight to Christchurch on the South Island. Get settled into your accommodation and attend a 6pm meeting to meet new travelers joining for this part of the trip. Dinner is at a local restaurant with a three-course meal highlighting regional culinary culture and local producers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Welcome dinner at local restaurant - delicious three course meal celebrating local producers)
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting with group leader and new travelers
- Welcome dinner at local restaurant with three-course meal celebrating local producers
- Day 9
Christchurch to Punakaiki
Start with a morning walk around Christchurch landmarks with your leader. Drive to Punakaiki through Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill, which have spectacular mountain scenery that you might recognize from The Chronicles of Narnia films. You'll stop at Lake Brunner for a nature walk, then in Greymouth visit a studio to learn about Pounamu (greenstone), followed by a tour and tasting at Monteith's Brewery. Arrive at Punakaiki Resort by late afternoon, right next to Punakaiki beach and the Pancake Rocks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Moana)
Included Activities
- Christchurch leader-led orientation walk
- Lake Brunner nature walk
- Greymouth - Pounamu (Greenstone) studio visit
- Monteith's Brewery tour and tasting
Landmarks Arthur's Pass Castle Hill Lake Brunner Monteith's Brewery Punakaiki Rocks Punakaiki Beach Paparoa National Park 
- Day 10
Punakaiki to Franz Josef
After breakfast, explore Punakaiki Rocks and Blowhole, then drive to Franz Josef. In the charming west coast town of Hokitika, do a treetop adventure walk through ancient Rimu and Kamahi trees. In the afternoon, take a private ranger-guided tour of the West Coast Wildlife Centre, home to the Rowi, the world's rarest kiwi, and keep an eye out for tuatara, an endemic New Zealand reptile. Arrive in Franz Josef by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Punakaiki Rocks and Blowhole visit
- Hokitika west coast treetops walk through ancient Rimu and Kamahi tree canopy
- West Coast Wildlife Centre visit with private ranger guide
Landmarks Punakaiki Rocks Hokitika West Coast Wildlife Centre - Day 11
Franz Josef
Do a self-guided walk to see Franz Josef Glacier, one of the steepest glaciers in New Zealand. If you want more adventure, join an optional heli-hiking tour to get closer. Other options include kayaking, a scenic cruise on Lake Mapourika, or relaxing in the hot tubs at Franz Josef.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Franz Josef Glacier self-guided walk
Optional Activities
- Heli-hiking tour of Franz Josef Glacier
- Kayaking
- Scenic cruise on Lake Mapourika
- Hot tubs at Franz Josef
Landmarks Franz Josef Glacier Lake Mapourika - Day 12
Franz Josef to Wanaka
Leave Franz Josef for Wanaka, which is the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park in the Otago region. Stop at Makaroa to visit the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust that protects and restores local wildlife. After lunch, take a guided walk with a local ornithologist and ecologist to see the Blue Pools on the Makarora River and look for endangered birds. Learn how the Trust reduces predators to protect rare species. Arrive in Wanaka by late afternoon and settle into a homestead on a former sheep station next to Wanaka Station Park on Lake Wanaka's shores.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Aspiring Biodiversity Trust)
Included Activities
- Aspiring Biodiversity Trust visit
- Guided flora and fauna walk with local ornithologist and ecologist at Blue Pools
- Lunch at Aspiring Biodiversity Trust
Landmarks Mount Aspiring National Park Blue Pools Makarora River Lake Wanaka Wanaka Station Park - Day 13
Wanaka
You can sleep in or hike up Mt Iron for views over Lake Wanaka and the surrounding peaks. The main event is visiting Criffel Station for a chef-guided tasting and foraging tour, then a delicious lunch paired with excellent Central Otago wines. Central Otago is known for its food and wine scene, so this is one of the trip's real highlights.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delicious lunch at Criffel Station with Central Otago wines)
Included Activities
- Criffel Station chef-guided tasting and foraging tour with lunch and Central Otago wine pairing
Optional Activities
- Mt Iron hike for views over Lake Wanaka and surrounding peaks
Landmarks Criffel Station Mt Iron Lake Wanaka - Day 14
Wanaka to Milford Sound
Leave Wanaka for Te Anau, driving across the Crown Range with views of Lake Wakatipu. After lunch, continue to your embarkation point for an overnight Feature Stay cruise through Milford Sound (Piopiotahi in Te Reo Maori). Aboard your vessel, you'll take a full-length journey of the fjord to the Tasman Sea with chances to see seals, penguins and dolphins. A specialist guide shares information about the fjord's history and natural environment. Kayaking and small boat tours are available for a more immersive experience. Finish with a three-course dinner before settling into your cabin.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Te Anau), Dinner (Delicious three-course dinner aboard cruise boat)
Included Activities
- Milford Sound overnight boat cruise with full-length fjord journey to Tasman Sea
- Specialist guide information on fjord history and natural environment
- Three-course dinner aboard cruise boat
Optional Activities
- Kayaking on Milford Sound
- Small boat tours on Milford Sound
Landmarks Crown Range Lake Wakatipu Milford Sound Tasman Sea 
- Day 15
Milford Sound to Queenstown
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast onboard with the scenery around you, then disembark and travel to Queenstown with plenty of stops to stretch your legs. You'll stop in Te Anau for lunch, then arrive in Queenstown in time to check into your boutique hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Leisurely onboard breakfast aboard cruise boat surrounded by spectacular scenery), Lunch (Lunch in Te Anau)
Included Activities
- Onboard breakfast on cruise boat
Landmarks Te Anau 
- Day 16
Queenstown
Experience your trip's grand finale with an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Kimi Akau (Shotover River), speeding through water as shallow as 10cm through the Shotover Canyons operated by the Ngai Tahu Maori people with centuries-old connections to this land. After that, take a leader-led walk through historic Arrowtown and then wine tasting at Gibbston Valley. Toast the end of your journey with a New Zealand-inspired gin and tonic or Otago wine at a bar and restaurant with arguably Queenstown's most spectacular views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell aperitivo with New Zealand-inspired gin & tonic or glass of Otago wine at bar and restaurant with spectacular views)
Included Activities
- Shotover River jetboat experience through Shotover Canyons
- Arrowtown leader-led walk
- Gibbston Valley wine cave tour and tasting
- Queenstown farewell aperitivo
Landmarks Shotover River Shotover Canyons Arrowtown Gibbston Valley - Day 17
Queenstown
Your New Zealand adventure ends this morning after breakfast. The tour spends very little time in Queenstown, so you might want to extend your stay to experience more of what the town has to offer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
