Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll arrive in Christchurch and have time to explore the Garden City at your own pace. The streets here show the city's remarkable recovery since the earthquakes, so you'll notice the blend of rebuilt areas alongside historic architecture. This evening, there's a Welcome Reception where you'll meet your Travel Director and other travelers.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Hotel Christchurch)
Optional Activities
- Explore Christchurch city at leisure
Landmarks Christchurch - Day 2
Christchurch to Franz Josef
This morning you board the TranzAlpine train for one of the country's most scenic rail journeys. The route takes you through tunnels and over viaducts with views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, and river valleys. You'll stop in Hokitika, the West Coast's heritage center known for jade work, then continue to Franz Josef. A scenic flight over Franz Josef Glacier is available if you want it, though it's optional.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier)
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine train journey
- Visit Hokitika town
- Franz Josef Glacier viewing
Optional Activities
- Franz Josef Glacier scenic flight tour (weather dependent, may include glacier landing)
Landmarks TranzAlpine train route Hokitika Franz Josef Glacier / Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere 
- Day 3
Franz Josef to Queenstown
After leaving the glacier region, you'll drive over the dramatic Haast Pass and see the Southern Lakes spread out before you. The route passes Lake Hawea and Lake Dunstan, where you'll have a chance to sample local stone fruits. Later, you'll drive through Arrowtown's charming streets that look like a movie set, then arrive in Queenstown with its views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Haast Pass scenic drive
- Lake Hawea viewing
- Lake Dunstan stop with local produce
Optional Activities
- Arrowtown exploration
Landmarks Haast Pass Lake Hawea Lake Dunstan Arrowtown Lake Wakatipu The Remarkables 
- Day 4
Queenstown
Queenstown is yours to explore how you'd like. You can go for a high-octane jet boat ride, visit the wildlife center to see New Zealand's native birds, or do wine tasting at vineyards in the area. By evening, you'll board the historic TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Dinner there is a gourmet barbecue with views across the lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Gourmet barbecue dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown)
Included Activities
- TSS Earnslaw historic steamship cruise
- Walter Peak High Country Farm gourmet barbecue dinner
Optional Activities
- Jet boat ride
- Wildlife center visit
- Vineyard wine tasting
Landmarks Lake Wakatipu TSS Earnslaw Walter Peak High Country Farm - Day 5
Queenstown to Te Anau
You'll drive through Mirror Lakes and Cleddau Valley to reach Milford Sound, a World Heritage site where waterfalls drop from ancient escarpments into the water below. A cruise through this natural wonder lets you spot waterfalls and wildlife while experiencing the beech forests and clear rivers of Fiordland National Park. The drive ends in Te Anau for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Luxmore Hotel)
Included Activities
- Mirror Lakes scenic drive
- Cleddau Valley passage
- Milford Sound / Piopiotahi cruise
Landmarks Mirror Lakes Cleddau Valley Milford Sound / Piopiotahi Fiordland National Park - Day 6
Te Anau to Dunedin
Start with a morning walk along the banks of New Zealand's largest lake, then head to Dunedin, known as the Edinburgh of the South for its Māori and Scottish heritage. You can explore art-lined alleys or visit Speights Brewery, a well-known local institution. Optional activities include Larnach Castle, the country's only castle, or wildlife experiences with fur seals if you want to venture further.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Scenic Hotel Dunedin City)
Included Activities
- Morning stroll at Te Anau lakeside
Optional Activities
- Speights Brewery visit
- Larnach Castle visit
- Wildlife viewing with fur seals
Landmarks Te Anau Lake Dunedin Speights Brewery Larnach Castle 
- Day 7
Dunedin to Oamaru
You have a relaxed morning in Dunedin. Sleep in or take a stroll around Otago University's grounds down to George Street in the city center. Later, you'll travel to Oamaru, a town known for its tree-lined streets and limestone buildings.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel)
Included Activities
- Oamaru town visit
Optional Activities
- Otago University grounds stroll
- George Street exploration
Landmarks Otago University George Street, Dunedin Oamaru - Day 8
Oamaru to Christchurch
The drive takes you through Canterbury Plains toward Lake Tekapo, where you'll see turquoise waters surrounded by snow-capped mountains. At Tekapo, you'll do an Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience with knowledgeable guides, learning why this area is one of the quietest places on earth yet has incredibly active skies. After that, you'll return to Christchurch for a guided city tour that shows how the city has transformed over the past decade.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Hotel Christchurch)
Included Activities
- Lake Tekapo viewing
- Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience at Tekapo
- Christchurch guided city tour
Landmarks Canterbury Plains Lake Tekapo Christchurch - Day 9
Christchurch to Picton
You'll drive to Kaikoura, home to dramatic beaches and New Zealand's marine wildlife center. With luck, you might spot sea lions and sperm whales in the water here. Along the way, you'll pass the pink-tinted crystallization ponds of Lake Grassmere Salt Works before reaching Picton, a pretty fishing village by the sea.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Picton Yacht Club)
Included Activities
- Kaikoura beach visit
- Lake Grassmere Salt Works viewing
- Picton town visit
Optional Activities
- Marine wildlife spotting
Landmarks Kaikoura Lake Grassmere Salt Works Picton - Day 10
Picton to Wellington
Today you'll cross from the South Island to the North Island aboard the Interislander ferry. The route goes through Queen Charlotte Sound, the Tory Channel, and across Cook Strait with views the whole way. You'll arrive in Wellington, New Zealand's capital. After checking in, visit Te Papa, the award-winning Museum of New Zealand. Your Travel Director can point you toward great cafes, restaurants, and bars in the city for later.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Travelodge Wellington)
Included Activities
- Interislander ferry crossing
Optional Activities
- Te Papa Museum visit
Landmarks Queen Charlotte Sound Tory Channel Cook Strait Interislander Wellington Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of New Zealand) 
- Day 11
Wellington to Rotorua
Following the Kapiti Coast, known as Wellington's summer playground, you'll head inland to Lake Taupo, the country's largest and bluest lake. From there, continue to Rotorua where geysers bubble and steam rises from cracks in the earth. This evening, a guided experience at Te Puia's geothermal valley includes learning about Māori history and culture, hangi-inspired cuisine, and a cultural performance in the carved meeting house Te Aronui a Rua. You'll end at the Pohutu Geyser with hot chocolate.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Highlight Dinner (Hangi-inspired cuisine with cultural performance in Te Aronui a Rua meeting house at Te Puia)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Rotorua Hotel)
Included Activities
- Kapiti Coast drive
- Lake Taupo viewing
- Te Puia geothermal valley guided tour
- Hangi-inspired dinner
- Cultural performance in Te Aronui a Rua meeting house
- Pohutu Geyser viewing with hot chocolate
Landmarks Kapiti Coast Lake Taupo Rotorua Te Puia Te Aronui a Rua Pohutu Geyser - Day 12
Rotorua
You have the full day to explore Rotorua's natural and cultural side. Visit Wai Araki Hot Springs and Spa for soaking in thermal springs and spa treatments. You can also check out Hobbiton, a beautiful countryside location and must-see if you're a Hobbit fan. How you spend your time between these is up to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Rotorua Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Wai Araki Hot Springs & Spa visit
- Hobbiton tour
Landmarks Wai Araki Hot Springs & Spa Hobbiton - Day 13
Rotorua to Auckland
You'll tour Waitomo Caves, cruising through limestone waterways along the Waikato River. Thousands of glowworms light up the cavernous passages as you move through the water. After the caves, head to Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, known for its two harbors filled with yachts. Visit the lookout at the Auckland War Memorial Museum for panoramic views across the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre)
Included Activities
- Waitomo Caves glowworm cruise
Optional Activities
- Auckland War Memorial Museum lookout visit
Landmarks Waitomo Caves Waikato River Auckland Auckland War Memorial Museum 
- Day 14
Auckland Departure
It's time to depart Auckland, the City of Sails, and head home after two weeks exploring New Zealand's South and North Islands. You'll leave with extra baggage from wine and local purchases, plus memories of the landscapes, lakes, and experiences you've had.
- Meals
- Farewell Dinner
Landmarks Auckland
