Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll arrive in Auckland and get settled at your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to check out the city however you like. Hit the Sky Tower if you're into views, browse Queen Street for shopping, or grab a drink in Vulcan Lane. This evening there's a welcome reception where you'll meet your Tour Director and the rest of the group.
Included Activities
- Welcome reception with Tour Director and fellow travellers
Optional Activities
- Visit Sky Tower
- Shopping on Queen Street
- Explore Vulcan Lane bars and eateries
Landmarks Sky Tower Queen Street Vulcan Lane 
- Day 2
Auckland to Hamilton to Raglan
Board the Northern Explorer train this morning and settle in for some scenic views of rural New Zealand. You'll pass the Waiemate Harbour and then roll through those famous Waikato green pastures. Once you reach Hamilton, there's a guided walk through the Hamilton Gardens followed by a picnic on the lawns. You'll have free time to explore Hamilton's center before heading to Raglan for a sunset dinner cruise on the harbour.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic on the lush lawns at Hamilton Gardens), Dinner (Sunset Dinner Cruise on Raglan harbour)
Included Activities
- Northern Explorer Scenic train journey from Auckland to Hamilton
- Hamilton Gardens guided tour with themed rooms exploration
- Picnic lunch at Hamilton Gardens
- Sunset Dinner Cruise in Raglan
Optional Activities
- Free time activities in Hamilton
Landmarks Hamilton Gardens Waiematā Harbour Waikato Raglan 
- Day 3
Maungatautari Sanctuary and Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Head out to Maungatautari Sanctuary Mountain this morning, a pest-free ancient forest where you might spot endangered North Island birds like kiwi, robins, and bellbirds. After lunch in Otorohanga (the Kiwiana Capital), you'll head to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves and take a boat through the caves beneath that glittering underground sky. Back in Hamilton, the evening is free for walking along the riverside or checking out shops.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch stop in Otorohanga)
Included Activities
- Maungatautari Sanctuary Mountain guided excursion through native forest with endangered species viewing
- Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour with boat glide through cave formation
Optional Activities
- Restaurant dining during free evening in Hamilton
Landmarks Maungatautari Sanctuary Mountain Otorohanga Waitomo Glowworm Caves - Day 4
Tongariro National Park
The Northern Explorer train takes you to Tongariro National Park this morning, home to three volcanic mountains. You'll stop at the Tūroa ski field for panoramic views before the route descends into Ohakune. Later this evening, you'll have a special dinner with your fellow travelers.
- Meals
- Dinner (Special dinner with fellow travellers)
Included Activities
- Northern Explorer Scenic train journey from Hamilton to Tongariro National Park
- Mini excursion to Tūroa ski field with panoramic views
- Special dinner with fellow travellers
Landmarks Tongariro National Park Tūroa Ski Field Mt Ruapehu Mt Ngāuruhoe Mt Tongariro 
- Day 5
Tongariro National Park
This is your day to design. The region has lots of optional activities available. You could try a rail cart journey, go horse trekking across the hills and mountains, or take e-bikes along the Old Coach Road cycle trail with its old viaducts, tunnels, and native forests. It's up to you what sounds interesting.
Optional Activities
- Rail cart journey
- Horse trekking experience along hills, mountains, rivers and native bush
- Ohakune historical cycle trail on e-bikes along Old Coach Road
Landmarks Tongariro National Park Ohakune Old Coach Road - Day 6
Ohakune to Wellington
Start early with a ride up the northern face of Mt Ruapehu for panoramic views of the volcanic landscape and sights of Mt Ngāuruhoe and Mt Tongariro. Then it's back on the Northern Explorer train, traveling through dramatic rivers, gorges, and ravines before arriving in Wellington. You'll check into your hotel near Wellington Railway Station, then have time to explore the dining scene from Queen's Wharf to Cuba Street.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hearty seafaring breakfast onboard train), Snack (Morning tea onboard train)
Included Activities
- Mt Ruapehu northern face excursion with panoramic volcanic landscape views
- Northern Explorer Scenic train journey from Tongariro National Park to Wellington
- Onboard licensed café experience
Optional Activities
- Explore Wellington's downtown area
- Queen's Wharf and Cuba Street exploration
Landmarks Mt Ruapehu Mt Ngāuruhoe Mt Tongariro Porirua Harbour Wellington Railway Station Beehive Parliament Buildings Queen's Wharf Cuba Street 
- Day 7
Wellington
Wellington is yours to explore today at your own pace. There's an optional city introduction tour if you want it, and from there you could wander through Cuba Street's cafes and bookstores, check out Te Papa (the National Museum), or visit Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary to see native birds. Later, you'll gather with your group for dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner with fellow travellers)
Included Activities
- Dinner with fellow travellers
Optional Activities
- Wellington City introduction tour
- Cuba Street cafés, bookstores and shops exploration
- Te Papa National Museum visit
- Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary visit
- Historic buildings exploration
- Botanic gardens visit
Landmarks Cuba Street Te Papa Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary - Day 8
Wellington to Picton
You'll cross the Cook Strait on the Interislander ferry this morning, heading into the South Island. Once aboard, settle into the Premium Lounge with a mimosa and a hearty breakfast, and there's morning tea later. Keep watch for dolphins and whales as you pass through Queen Charlotte Sound, where you'll see remnants of whaling stations, remote sheep farms, and mussel farms. After arriving in Picton, you'll head out on a Marlborough Wine Tour experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hearty seafaring breakfast in Premium Lounge with mimosa), Snack (Morning tea)
Included Activities
- Interislander Ferry journey across Cook Strait
- Premium Lounge access with mimosa and seafaring breakfast
- Marlborough Wine Tour Experience
Optional Activities
- Dolphin and whale spotting
Landmarks Cook Strait Queen Charlotte Sound Picton Marlborough Wine Region - Day 9
Picton to Kaikōura
Begin with the Sky Omaka Aviation Museum Tour, then relax as the Coastal Pacific train glides across remote beaches and between mountains and sea. Watch for fur seals on the rocks during the journey to Kaikōura. This evening you can try local kai moana (seafood) at one of the quaint restaurants before settling into your ocean-front hotel.
Included Activities
- Sky Omaka Aviation Museum Tour
- Coastal Pacific Scenic train journey from Picton to Kaikōura
Optional Activities
- Local seafood restaurant dining
Landmarks Sky Omaka Aviation Museum Kaikōura 
- Day 10
Kaikōura
The morning brings a whale watching adventure with up-close wildlife encounters. Afterward, grab some iconic New Zealand fish and chips at the beach and browse the local artisan stores. Late afternoon you'll board the Coastal Pacific for the Scenic Plus experience, which includes dinner and drinks aboard while you watch the coastal views. By evening, you can head into town if you'd like.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner and drinks onboard Coastal Pacific Scenic Plus train)
Included Activities
- Whale watching experience
- Coastal Pacific Scenic Plus train journey from Kaikōura
- Dinner and drinks onboard Coastal Pacific Scenic Plus train
Optional Activities
- Fish and chips at the beach
- Local artisan stores and souvenir shops exploration
Landmarks Kaikōura - Day 11
Christchurch
You're in Christchurch now, a city that mixes modern architecture with 19th-century Anglican gothic revival styles. Check out the museums, browse Riverside Markets, try punting on the Avon, ride the Gondola, or walk through the botanical gardens. There are lots of cafes tucked into side streets, and you can explore on the Hop on Hop off Tram service if that appeals to you.
Optional Activities
- Museums visit
- Riverside Markets exploration
- Punting on the Avon
- Gondola ride
- Botanical gardens visit
- Café exploration
- Hop on Hop off Tram service
Landmarks Christchurch Riverside Markets Avon River Christchurch Gondola Christchurch Botanic Gardens - Day 12
Christchurch Departure
Your New Zealand journey wraps up after breakfast at your hotel this morning. You'll depart Christchurch with all those memories from the past couple of weeks.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Final breakfast at hotel)
Included Activities
- Final breakfast at hotel
Optional Activities
- Extended stay arrangements
