Itinerary
- Day 1
Departure to New Zealand
Your New Zealand adventure kicks off today as you begin your journey toward the North Island.
- Day 2
En Route to Auckland
After a quick stop along the way, you'll continue heading onward toward Auckland.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 3
Auckland
You'll arrive in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. Your hotel check-in starts at 3:00 pm, so there's time to settle in. This evening you'll meet your tour guide and fellow travelers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 4
Auckland to Bay of Islands
The bus heads north through Whangarei and into the subtropical Bay of Islands. In Paihia you'll board an excursion boat to cruise through the island maze, keeping an eye out for dolphins and possibly orcas at Cape Brett where the Hole in the Rock sits. You'll stay near the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, historic site of the 1840 treaty between Britain and the Maori.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Bay of Islands
- Visit Cape Brett and Hole in the Rock
Landmarks Hole in the Rock Cape Brett Waitangi Treaty Grounds - Day 5
Bay of Islands
Today's yours to relax or pursue adventure. There's an optional excursion to Cape Reinga, New Zealand's northernmost tip where two seas meet. The return trip may take the sandy track of Ninety Mile Beach, depending on tides.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Cape Reinga
- Drive along Ninety Mile Beach (depending on tide)
Landmarks Cape Reinga Ninety Mile Beach - Day 6
Bay of Islands to Auckland via Hokianga
You'll travel by bus to the secluded Hokianga bay on the west coast. Stop at Opononi to see the golden sand dunes, then explore the ancient giant Kauri trees in Waipoua Forest, some towering over 50 meters. The Kauri Museum in Matakohe offers more history before heading back to Auckland by late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Waipoua Forest and Kauri trees
- Visit Kauri Museum in Matakohe
Landmarks Waipoua Forest Kauri Museum Hokianga Bay Opononi - Day 7
Auckland to Coromandel Peninsula and Hot Water Beach
Leaving Auckland for the Coromandel Peninsula, you'll ride the historic Driving Creek Railway, a narrow-gauge train winding through fern trees and rainforest. Later, head to Hot Water Beach where hot spring water rises through the sand at low tide.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ride on the Driving Greek Railway
Landmarks Hot Water Beach Coromandel Peninsula - Day 8
Coromandel to Rotorua
Travel to Lake Rotorua, formed from a volcanic crater. This thermal center is also an important Maori cultural hub. You can walk along the lake and spot black swans that live in its waters.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Lake Rotorua - Day 9
Rotorua Thermal and Cultural Experience
Visit Whakarewarewa Thermal Park and Te Puia Cultural Center to learn about Maori customs against a backdrop of geysers and steaming springs. Watch woodcarvers at the Arts and Craft Institute, then enjoy a hangi lunch cooked in an earth oven. The day ends with Polynesian performances including the Haka war dance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Hangi lunch cooked in an earth oven)
Included Activities
- Visit Whakarewarewa Thermal Park
- Visit Te Puia Cultural Center
- Watch woodcarvers at Arts and Craft Institute
- Traditional Hangi lunch in earth oven
- Polynesian folklore performance and Haka
Landmarks Whakarewarewa Thermal Park Te Puia Cultural Center - Day 10
Rotorua to Hamilton via Waitomo Caves
Stop at the kiwi breeding station to learn about protecting this nearly extinct native species. Then travel by bus to the famous Waitomo Caves for a boat trip through the glowworm-lit underground. Pass through the green pastures of Waikato farming country to reach Hamilton, ending with a stroll through the botanical gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit kiwi breeding station
- Boat trip through Waitomo Caves and glowworm viewing
Landmarks Waitomo Caves Hamilton Botanical Gardens - Day 11
Hamilton to Wellington by Train
Board the Northern Explorer Express train in Hamilton for a scenic journey through the North Island's heart. Pass through the volcanic landscape of Tongariro National Park with panoramic views before arriving in Wellington.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Train ride on Northern Explorer Express through Tongariro National Park
Landmarks Tongariro National Park - Day 12
Wellington
Visit Te Papa, New Zealand's national museum, this morning. The afternoon is free to explore Wellington on your own, walk along the harbor promenade, and see Victorian architecture. An optional cable car ride takes you to the Botanical Gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Te Papa National Museum
Optional Activities
- Cable car ride to Botanical Gardens
Landmarks Te Papa Wellington Botanical Gardens - Day 13
Wellington to Christchurch via Marlborough Sounds and Coastal Pacific
Head to the ferry port for the South Island crossing. The three-hour ferry ride moves through Cook Strait before entering the Marlborough Sounds. Upon arrival, board the Coastal Pacific Express train along the east coast via Kaikoura to Christchurch. Watch for fur seals from your window.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing through Marlborough Sounds
- Ride on Coastal Pacific Express train
Landmarks Cook Strait Marlborough Sounds Kaikoura 
- Day 14
Christchurch to Mt. Cook via Glacial Lakes
Start with a city tour of Christchurch, then head inland to see the turquoise-colored glacial lakes of Pukaki and Tekapo. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd on Lake Tekapo's shore. If visibility is good, spot Mt. Cook at 3,754 meters on the horizon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- City tour of Christchurch
Landmarks Lake Pukaki Lake Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd Mt. Cook - Day 15
Mt. Cook to Dunedin and Otago Peninsula
Head back toward the coast and check out the Moeraki Boulders at low tide, those round stone formations scattered across the beach. Reach Dunedin, founded by Scotsmen with magnificent Victorian buildings. After a city tour, drive to Otago Peninsula and board a boat to observe king albatrosses, dolphins, yellow-eyed penguins, and other marine life.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour of Dunedin
- Boat trip on Otago Peninsula to see wildlife
Landmarks Moeraki Boulders Otago Peninsula - Day 16
Dunedin to Te Anau via Taieri Gorge and Fiordland
Take the Taieri Gorge Train through wild canyon scenery to Pukerangi. Continue to Gore, the world's trout fishing capital, then journey through the tussock country of Takatiumu Mountains to Te Anau where Fiordland National Park begins. Perhaps take an evening stroll along Lake Te Anau.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Taieri Gorge Train ride
Landmarks Taieri Gorge Gore Lake Te Anau Fiordland National Park - Day 17
Te Anau to Queenstown via Milford Sound
Discover Milford Sound, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travel by boat past Mitre Peak, thundering waterfalls, and steep wooded slopes, potentially spotting dolphins. The day ends in Queenstown, often called the country's St. Moritz.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat trip through Milford Sound
Landmarks Milford Sound Mitre Peak - Day 18
Queenstown
Your day in Queenstown is yours to spend. Consider a cable car ride up Bob's Peak or a boat trip on Lake Wakatipu. Explore the adventure capital at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Cable car ride up Bob's Peak
- Boat trip on Lake Wakatipu
Landmarks Bob's Peak Lake Wakatipu - Day 19
Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier via Arrowtown and Haast Pass
The small town of Arrowtown offers gold rush era history. Wind through Lakes Wanaka and Hawea before crossing Haast Pass, where cheeky keas (mountain parrots) sometimes try to nibble on vehicles. Reach Franz Josef Glacier through rainforest and mountains. Weather permitting, you can book an optional helicopter flight over the alpine landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Helicopter flight over alpine and glacier landscape (weather permitting)
Landmarks Arrowtown Lake Wanaka Lake Hawea Haast Pass Franz Josef Glacier - Day 20
Franz Josef to Punakaiki
Travel north along the evergreen coast and stop in Hokitika to visit a jade factory and learn about greenstone's significance in Maori culture. Before reaching Punakaiki for the night, visit the Shantytown heritage park.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Shantytown heritage park
Optional Activities
- Visit jade factory in Hokitika
Landmarks Hokitika Shantytown - Day 21
Punakaiki to Christchurch via Pancake Rocks and Arthur's Pass
Experience the wild west coast at the Pancake Rocks where seawater gets forced through rocky gorges like fountains. Relax on the TranzAlpine Express train with views of Arthur's Pass. Reach Christchurch by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Pancake Rocks
- TranzAlpine Express train ride through Arthur's Pass
Landmarks Pancake Rocks Arthur's Pass - Day 22
Christchurch Farewell
Morning city tour shows how Christchurch has recovered since the 2011 earthquakes. Visit Ferrymead Heritage Park to learn about New Zealand's first railroad significance, then ride lovingly maintained historic trains. Evening brings a farewell dinner in a historic streetcar traveling through the city center.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner in a historic streetcar from 1927)
Included Activities
- City tour of Christchurch
- Visit Ferrymead Heritage Park
- Short historic train ride
- Farewell dinner on a historic streetcar from 1927
Landmarks Ferrymead Heritage Park - Day 23
Christchurch to Airport
Your journey ends today as you transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 24
Return Flight Home
Your flight to Germany departs via Singapore, beginning your journey home.
