Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll arrive in Auckland and have time to kill before the 6 pm welcome meeting with your group. If you get there early, head to Mission Bay beach or walk along the waterfront checking out restaurants. After the meeting wraps up, you're free to explore Auckland's nightlife and get to know your fellow travelers.
Optional Activities
- Visit Mission Bay beach
- Stroll along the waterfront restaurants
- Explore Auckland's nightlife
- Day 2
Auckland to Coromandel Peninsula
Start driving from Auckland toward the Coromandel Peninsula, staying close to the coastline. The route takes you to Hot Water Beach where you can dig into the sand and soak in natural warm water depending on the tide timing. Stop at Cathedral Cove as well, then continue to your accommodation arriving in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hot Water Beach visit
- Cathedral Cove visit
Landmarks Hot Water Beach Cathedral Cove 
- Day 3
Coromandel Peninsula to Raglan
Head to Raglan with scenic photo stops including Bridal Veil Falls along the way. Once in Raglan, spend time in the laid-back surfer town checking out the cafes, shops, galleries, and beaches or taking one of the hiking trails. By evening, board a sunset boat cruise around Raglan Harbour and have fish and chips for dinner, a real Kiwi experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Fish and chips feast)
Included Activities
- Bridal Veil Falls photo stop
- Sunset boat cruise around Raglan Harbour
- Fish and chips dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore local cafes, shops, and galleries
- Relax on the beach
- Head out on hiking trails
Landmarks Bridal Veil Falls - Day 4
Raglan to Rotorua
Choose between visiting Waitomo Caves with thousands of glow worms lighting underground caverns or taking the Ruakuri Forest walk through rainforest with gorge views. After that, drive to Matamata for a guided tour of the Hobbiton movie set, visiting Hobbit Holes and the Mill before grabbing a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. Later head to Rotorua and do a treetop walk on suspension bridges through ancient redwoods, reaching up to 12 metres high.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with Green Dragon Inn drink
- Redwood Forest Canopy Walk
Optional Activities
- Waitomo Caves visit with guided walking tour
- Ruakuri Forest walk
Landmarks Waitomo Caves Ruakuri Forest Hobbiton Movie Set Redwood Forest (Rotorua) 
- Day 5
Rotorua
Spend your day in Rotorua checking out simmering mud pools, dramatic geysers, and fluorescent lakes. If you're comfortable with heights, ziplining through ancient forests is an option. This evening, experience Maori culture at a geothermal site with a hangi dinner and haka performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Hangi dinner with haka performance)
Included Activities
- Pohutu Geyser
- Hangi dinner and haka performance
Optional Activities
- Ziplining through ancient forests
- Explore mud pools and geothermal features
- Visit fluorescent lakes
Landmarks Pohutu Geyser - Day 6
Rotorua to Taupo
Start with a free morning at Rotorua's Polynesian Spa to relax or head to Kuirau Park for a walk through natural hot pools. In the afternoon, drive toward Taupo and stop at Huka Falls to see the thundering water. You'll arrive at Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake, in the late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Huka Falls visit
Optional Activities
- Polynesian Spa visit
- Kuirau Park walk
Landmarks Huka Falls Polynesian Spa Kuirau Park 
- Day 7
Taupo
You have the full day free to do what suits you in the Taupo and Tongariro National Park area. Strong hikers can tackle the Tongariro Crossing, a 19.4 km day hike around a volcano with lakes, craters, and bush. If you prefer something easier, Lake Taupo itself offers scenic beauty and various other activities to try.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Tongariro Crossing (19.4 km day hike)
- Explore Lake Taupo
- Participate in adventure sports and activities
Landmarks Lake Taupo Tongariro Crossing - Day 8
Taupo to Wellington
Drive to Wellington, the capital city sitting between green hills and the harbour. Your leader gives you an afternoon intro to the city, then you're free to explore on your own. Head up Mt Victoria for views of the city and harbour, or dig into Wellington's food scene using recommendations from your leader.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Mt Victoria viewpoint
- Explore Wellington's food scene
- Discover the city independently
Landmarks Mt Victoria 
- Day 9
Wellington
Start at Zealandia, a conservation project that brought back over 20 native wildlife species to the area. Then visit Weta Workshop, the special effects studio from the Lord of the Rings films, with optional guided tours available. This afternoon, head to Te Papa Museum to see New Zealand's history, heritage, and interactive displays.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary visit
Optional Activities
- Weta Workshop guided tour
- Te Papa Museum visit
Landmarks Zealandia Weta Workshop Te Papa Museum - Day 10
Wellington
Your tour ends this morning and you'll say goodbye to your travel group. If you want more time in Wellington, contact your booking agent ahead of time to set up an extension.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Additional Wellington exploration (requires advance arrangement)
