Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
Your New Zealand journey kicks off in Christchurch with a 6 pm welcome meeting. If you land with time to spare, the Botanic Gardens or Canterbury Museum are worth checking out beforehand. After the group meets up, you'll sort out dinner on your own.
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Christchurch Botanic Gardens
- Visit Canterbury Museum
Landmarks Christchurch Botanic Gardens Canterbury Museum - Day 2
Christchurch - Lake Tekapo - Ohau
Start the day on a guided tour through Christchurch, seeing how the city rebuilt following the 2011 earthquake, including the striking cardboard cathedral. From there, you'll head inland toward Lake Tekapo to take in the turquoise water, purple lupins, and snow-capped mountains. Stop at the Church of the Good Shepherd, then drive to either Lake Ohau or Twizel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Christchurch earthquake recovery sites
- Visit Christchurch Cathedral
- Lake Tekapo - Mt John Lookout
Landmarks Christchurch Cathedral Lake Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd - Day 3
Mackenzie Country - Queenstown
You'll drive across the Mackenzie Basin grasslands with stops at Kawarau Gorge where bungy jumpers leap from the bridge or you can give it a try yourself. The route continues to Queenstown, known for adventure activities and a thriving food and wine scene with great scenery all around.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Bungy jumping at Kawarau Gorge
Landmarks Kawarau Gorge Southern Alps 
- Day 4
Queenstown
This full day in Queenstown is yours to fill. Try jet boating or river kayaking if you want the adrenaline rush, or visit Gibbston Valley for wine tasting. A walk around Lake Wakatipu works too if you prefer something quieter. Fergburger is famous locally if you're after lunch recommendations.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Jet boat adventure on the river
- River kayaking
- Gondola flight above Queenstown
- 4WD adventure through Lord of the Rings landscapes
- Wine tasting at Gibbston Valley
- Walk around Lake Wakatipu
Landmarks Lake Wakatipu Gibbston Valley - Day 5
Queenstown - Arrowtown - Wanaka
Spend the morning finishing up anything in Queenstown, then drive to Wanaka through the Crown Range Mountains. Arrowtown sits along the route, a gold rush town with heritage buildings and an old-school lolly shop worth a stop. You'll arrive in Wanaka by afternoon to settle into this laid-back spot with Lake Wanaka and dramatic mountains as the backdrop.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Additional Queenstown morning activities
- Walk through Arrowtown high street
- Visit old-school lolly shop in Arrowtown
- Hike from Wanaka
- Relax on the shores of Lake Wanaka
Landmarks Arrowtown Lake Wanaka - Day 6
Wanaka - Mou Waho Island
Take a boat out to Mou Waho Island, only reachable by water and known for its unique geography: an island within a lake within an island within a lake. A guided walk takes you through this predator-free reserve and up to the glacial-formed summit lake. The afternoon opens up for exploring Wanaka itself, checking out that famous tree, hiking, or biking the nearby trails.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Wanaka - Mou Waho Island Cruise & Guided Nature Walk
Optional Activities
- Visit #thatwanakatree
- Hiking routes in the region
- Bike hire and cycling trails
Landmarks Mou Waho Island Arethusa Pool - Day 7
Wanaka - Franz Josef
The drive to Franz Josef includes scenic stops at either Lake Hawea or Lake Wanaka lookout points depending on weather conditions. Your leader will pull over at lesser-known spots for photos and leg stretches along the way. By early evening you'll reach Franz Josef, this spectacular mountain town. A cosy pub works well for dinner if that appeals to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stop at Lake Hawea or Lake Wanaka lookout points
Landmarks Lake Hawea 
- Day 8
Franz Josef
Spend your day in one of New Zealand's most beautiful locations. Visit a local gallery to carve your own pounamu greenstone pendant and learn about its Maori spiritual meaning. Afternoon options include a helicopter glacier hike, soaking in local hot springs, or kayaking on an icy blue glacial lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Franz Josef - Greenstone Pendant Carving
Optional Activities
- Helicopter glacier hike
- Soak in local hot springs
- Kayaking on glacial lake
Landmarks Franz Josef Glacier Mount Cook - Day 9
Franz Josef - Greymouth - Christchurch
Travel up the wet west coast with rainforests and lush greenery surrounding you. The National Kiwi Centre offers nocturnal bird viewing if time allows. Then board the TranzAlpine train back to Christchurch, considered one of the world's top train journeys. The route crosses the Southern Alps through Arthur's Pass, passes the Waimakariri River and native beech forests, arriving in Christchurch by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Greymouth - Tranz Alpine Train Journey
Optional Activities
- Visit National Kiwi Centre
Landmarks Arthur's Pass Waimakariri River - Day 10
Kaikoura
Head to Kaikoura, a seaside town famous for marine life. Get on a boat to spot humpbacks, orcas, and sperm whales in one of the world's best whale-watching spots. This evening, try the local specialty: a crayfish dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Whale watching boat trip
- Crayfish dinner
Landmarks Kaikoura 
- Day 11
Kaikoura - Marlborough Sounds - Wellington
Travel to Marlborough to visit some of the South Island's top wineries and taste quality white wine. After that, you'll leave the South Island behind and catch a ferry across the Cook Strait, passing through the iconic Marlborough Sounds. Arrival in Wellington comes with free time before a 7:30 pm welcome meeting. Later, a local brewery with your group makes for a nice evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting at Marlborough wineries
- Visit local brewery in Wellington
Landmarks Marlborough Sounds Cook Strait - Day 12
Wellington
Explore Wellington starting with Zealandia, a conservation project that brought back over 20 native wildlife species. An orientation tour with your leader covers the bays, central Wellington, the Botanic Gardens, and Parliament Building. Weta Workshop shows Lord of the Rings special effects, or Te Papa Museum works if you prefer museum time instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Wellington - Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary
Optional Activities
- Orientation tour with leader
- Weta Workshop tour
- Visit Te Papa Museum
Landmarks Zealandia Wellington Botanic Gardens Parliament Building Weta Workshop Te Papa Museum - Day 13
Wellington - Taupo - Taumaranui
Leave Wellington and drive to the Ruapehu region with views toward Tongariro National Park. Stop in Taumaranui to visit Morero marae where local iwi members will welcome you. You'll sit for a korero, a conversation to learn about their life in this region on Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Morero marae
- Korero (conversation) with local iwi
Landmarks Tongariro National Park Lake Taupo - Day 14
Taupo
This free day lets you explore Lake Taupo and Tongariro National Park on your terms. Go sailing on the lake if that interests you, or take on the Tongariro Crossing if you like hiking. It's New Zealand's most famous day hike, taking you around a volcano past lakes, craters, and bushland.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Sailing on Lake Taupo
- Tongariro Crossing day hike
Landmarks Lake Taupo Tongariro Crossing - Day 15
Taupo - Rotorua
Leave Lake Taupo heading toward Rotorua. Stop at Huka Falls to see the thundering icy blue water, a sight worth pausing for. Continue to Rotorua, known for Maori heritage and geothermal activity. Take a treetop walk through ancient redwoods on suspension bridges reaching 12 m high. Your evening opens for exploring Waimangu Volcanic Valley or hiking through Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Taupo - Huka Falls
- Rotorua - Redwood Forest Canopy Walk
Optional Activities
- Explore Waimangu Volcanic Valley
- Hike through Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest
Landmarks Huka Falls Waimangu Volcanic Valley Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest 
- Day 16
Rotorua
Discover Rotorua's natural features and cultural side. Explore simmering mud pools, geysers, and lakes formed by geothermal activity. Ziplining through ancient forests is an option if you're keen. This evening, experience authentic Maori culture with a hangi dinner cooked in an earth oven and a haka performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Hangi dinner)
Included Activities
- Rotorua - Pohutu Geyser
- Rotorua - Hangi Dinner & Haka Dance
Optional Activities
- Zipline through ancient forests
- Explore geothermal mud pools and geysers
Landmarks Pohutu Geyser - Day 17
Rotorua - Matamata - Coromandel Peninsula
Head to Matamata to visit Hobbiton, where Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films were shot. A fully guided tour shows Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and ends with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. From there, travel to the Coromandel Peninsula and visit Cathedral Cove, a marine reserve with sandy beaches, hidden coves, and coastal views of Mercury Bay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Rotorua - Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
- Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove
Landmarks Hobbiton Movie Set Cathedral Cove Mercury Bay 
- Day 18
Coromandel Peninsula
Explore the Coromandel Peninsula with your leader through white sand beaches and lush rainforests. Hot Water Beach brings warm waters beneath its golden sand, and if the tide cooperates, you can dig a hole for your own natural hot tub. Stop in Kuaotunu for ice cream and visit Coromandel Township. Your leader will recommend a local restaurant for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Coromandel Peninsula - Hot Water Beach
Optional Activities
- Visit Kuaotunu for ice cream
- Explore Coromandel Township
Landmarks Hot Water Beach Kuaotunu Coromandel Township - Day 19
Coromandel Peninsula - Auckland
Enjoy free time in Coromandel this morning before heading to Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. The journey follows an extraordinary coastline with clear blue water. Tonight, dinner with your travel group makes for a nice way to celebrate the journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Free time exploring Coromandel
Landmarks Auckland - Day 20
Auckland
Your North Island adventure ends this morning in Auckland. The tour concludes here, though if you want to stay longer, contact your booking agent beforehand to arrange additional accommodation or activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast
