From

US $8,445 per person

New Zealand Uncovered (Northbound) (34 destinations)

20 days

•

From Christchurch to Auckland

4.7

3 traveler reviews

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Outstanding overview of the entire country. Provided numerous activities at all locations.
Tim, traveled in April
5.0
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From

US $8,445 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

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Plan your adventure:

Operator: Intrepid Travel
Explorer: Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided: An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Low Intensity: Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 1 - 16
Ages 18+

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Day 1
Christchurch
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Christchurch Botanic Gardens
- Visit Canterbury Museum
Landmarks
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Canterbury Museum
Day 2
Christchurch to Lake Ohau/Twizel
Included Activities
- Visit Christchurch Cathedral
- View Lake Tekapo Mt John Lookout
Optional Activities
- Photograph Church of the Good Shepherd
Landmarks
Christchurch Cathedral
Lake Tekapo
Church of the Good Shepherd
Day 3
Lake Ohau/Twizel to Queenstown
Optional Activities
- Kawarau Bridge Bungy Jump
- Watch bungy jumpers at Kawarau Gorge
Landmarks
Mackenzie Basin
Southern Alps
Kawarau Gorge
Day 4
Queenstown
Optional Activities
- Jet boat ride on river
- River kayaking
- Skyline Gondola flight
- 4WD Lord of the Rings adventure tour
- Gibbston Valley wine tasting
- Walk around Lake Wakatipu
- Fergburger dinner
Landmarks
Lake Wakatipu
Gibbston Valley
Day 5
Queenstown to Wanaka
Optional Activities
- Morning Queenstown activities
- Walk through Arrowtown
- Visit Arrowtown lolly shop
- Hike from Wanaka
- Relax on shores of Lake Wanaka
Landmarks
Crown Range Mountains
Arrowtown
Lake Wanaka
Day 6
Wanaka
Included Activities
- Mou Waho Island Cruise and Guided Nature Walk
Optional Activities
- Photograph #thatwanakatree
- Hiking in Wanaka region
- Bike hire and cycling trails
Landmarks
Mou Waho Island
Arethusa Pool
Lake Wanaka
Day 7
Wanaka to Franz Josef
Optional Activities
- Stop at Lake Hawea or Lake Wanaka lookout points
- Visit cosy pubs for dinner
Landmarks
Lake Hawea
Lake Wanaka
Day 8
Franz Josef
Included Activities
- Greenstone Pendant Carving at local gallery
Optional Activities
- Glacier Lake Kayaking
- Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk (Free)
- Glacier Heli Hike
- Heli Experience with Snow Landing
- Relax in local hot springs
- Skydiving
Landmarks
Franz Josef Glacier
Mt Cook
Day 9
Franz Josef to Christchurch
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine Train Journey to Christchurch
Optional Activities
- Visit National Kiwi Centre
Landmarks
National Kiwi Centre
Arthur's Pass
Southern Alps
Waimakariri River
Day 10
Christchurch to Kaikoura
Optional Activities
- Whale watching boat trip
- Crayfish dinner
Landmarks
Kaikoura
Day 11
Kaikoura to Wellington
Included Activities
- Wine tasting at Marlborough wineries
- Ferry crossing through Marlborough Sounds
Optional Activities
- Dinner with fellow travellers
Landmarks
Marlborough region
Cook Strait
Marlborough Sounds
Day 12
Wellington
Included Activities
- Visit Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary
- Orientation tour of Wellington
Optional Activities
- Weta Workshop Cave Tour
- Te Papa Museum Tour
Landmarks
Zealandia
Wellington Botanic Gardens
Parliament Building
Weta Workshop
Te Papa Museum
Day 13
Wellington to Taupo
Included Activities
- Visit Morero Marae and korero with local iwi
Landmarks
Tongariro National Park
Lake Taupo
Morero Marae
Day 14
Taupo
Optional Activities
- Explore Orakei Koako Geothermal Park and Cave
- Tongariro Crossing day hike
Landmarks
Lake Taupo
Orakei Koako Geothermal Park and Cave
Tongariro Crossing
Day 15
Taupo to Rotorua
Included Activities
- View Huka Falls
- 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
Meals
Dinner (Hangi Dinner)
Included Activities
- Pohutu Geyser visit
- Hangi Dinner and Haka Dance performance
Optional Activities
- Forest ziplining
- Explore geothermal mud pools
Landmarks
Pohutu Geyser
Rotorua geothermal areas
Day 17
Rotorua to Coromandel Peninsula
Included Activities
- Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
- Cathedral Cove visit
Landmarks
Hobbiton Movie Set
Cathedral Cove
Mercury Bay
Day 18
Coromandel Peninsula
Included Activities
- Hot Water Beach visit
Optional Activities
- Try famous ice cream in Kuaotunu
- Explore Coromandel Township
- Cathedral Cove kayaking
- Dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks
Hot Water Beach
Kuaotunu
Coromandel Township
Day 19
Coromandel Peninsula to Auckland
Optional Activities
- Free morning in Coromandel
- Dinner with fellow travellers
Landmarks
Coromandel Peninsula
Day 20
Auckland

Landmarks
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Canterbury Museum

Landmarks
Christchurch Cathedral
Lake Tekapo
Church of the Good Shepherd

Landmarks
Mackenzie Basin
Southern Alps
Kawarau Gorge

Landmarks
Lake Wakatipu
Gibbston Valley

Landmarks
Crown Range Mountains
Arrowtown
Lake Wanaka

Landmarks
Mou Waho Island
Arethusa Pool
Lake Wanaka

Landmarks
Lake Hawea
Lake Wanaka

Landmarks
Franz Josef Glacier
Mt Cook

Landmarks
National Kiwi Centre
Arthur's Pass
Southern Alps
Waimakariri River

Landmarks
Kaikoura

Landmarks
Marlborough region
Cook Strait
Marlborough Sounds

Landmarks
Zealandia
Wellington Botanic Gardens
Parliament Building
Weta Workshop
Te Papa Museum

Landmarks
Tongariro National Park
Lake Taupo
Morero Marae

Landmarks
Lake Taupo
Orakei Koako Geothermal Park and Cave
Tongariro Crossing

Landmarks
Huka Falls
Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest

Landmarks
Pohutu Geyser
Rotorua geothermal areas

Landmarks
Hobbiton Movie Set
Cathedral Cove
Mercury Bay

Landmarks
Hot Water Beach
Kuaotunu
Coromandel Township

Landmarks
Coromandel Peninsula

What's Included

Expand All

Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport
Free eSIM
TourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.

What's Not Included

Flights
Insurance
Optional
Additional Services

Operated by

Intrepid Travel

4.5

(11,990 reviews)

Number of tours

879

Age Range

5 to 99 years old

Response time

11 hours

Response rate

96%

Back in 1989, two guys from Melbourne, Australia by the names of Darrell and...

Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Other

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Traveler Reviews

4.7

Overall rating based on 3 Reviews

Itinerary
4.7
Transport
5.0
Guide
4.7
Accommodation
4.0
Food
4.0
Tour Operator
4.5

T
Tim
April 13th, 2025
5
Outstanding overview of the entire country. Liked that we stayed most places for 2 nights rather than changing...
Outstanding overview of the entire country. Liked that we stayed most places for 2 nights rather than changing accommodations every night. Provided numerous activities at all locations although some were a bit spendy especially those that included flying i.e. Heli Hikes on Franz Josef Glacier. Hobbiton was a highlight as was Queenstown's 4WD LOTR locations tour. Our guide was well versed on history and Māori culture and shared great insights on both during the travel time we had on the bus. Bus was comfortable and provided great views of the amazing landscape. Well-paced for the number of days included.Show more
Traveled in March 2025
Mary
February 26th, 2025
4
This tour was run by Haka Tours. There were several things that didn't go according to the itinerary: stay in Ohau...
This tour was run by Haka Tours. There were several things that didn't go according to the itinerary: stay in Ohau was changed to Lake Tekapo, stay in Raglan was changed to Waitomo (which added 1.5hrs drive in the opposite direction). These were without any advance notice from Intrepid/Haka and no explanation given. We lost the morning free time in Raglan as a result & ended up on the road extra long. The published itinerary is too optimistic and in reality, driving time is much longer (half of the trip is spent on the road). This means much less free time than listed -- for example, forget about having morning free time in the towns because we had to get on the road early. Since shops close by 5-6pm, by the time we check in and have free time, the shops were closing. The 20 day tour ended up with different tour guides for the first & second half - one who was hired last minute & hadn't done the tour in this direction before, hadn't read the itinerary descriptions & didn't know about the listed optional activities. The 2nd guide was much more organized but then mis-managed the time and we ended up completely missing one of the scheduled activities which had to be moved to the next day. Not just the tour guides but the tour company made mistakes too. For example, the new people joining the 2nd half of the tour weren't even told when to meet up or were given wrong information. And the ferry crossing only had reservation for the tour bus but not the trailer. You'd expect an experienced company not to be missing these kinds of details. Most of the accommodations were motel quality and decent but a couple were really bad though like very dated, or lumpy carpet, or next to noisy highway. A couple of the breakfasts included were too simple - one was vegan with no hot food, and another looked like a kid's meal (fruit cup, yogurt, museli, toast). Most of the activities are optional which means the cost is much higher if you want to do highlights included in other tours like Milford Sound. As for booking optional activities, the FAQ says to contact them to book in advance but the reply received was to book with the guide after the tour starts. However, certain popoular excursions get booked up so some people missed out because of this. There's also discrepancy between the tour description on the Haka Tours site vs Intrepid (I compared them day-by-day) -- go with the Haka one as more accurate.Show more
Traveled in January 2025
Reply from: Intrepid Travel
Hello Mary, Thank you for posting a review and for bring this to our attention. Our Customer Care Team will be reaching out to you, to discuss your experience.
Show more
S
Stephanie
February 4th, 2024
5
I thought this your was amazing! I saw so many things-both things I knew I wanted to see and things I never would...
Show more
Traveled in January 2024

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Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

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Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 304202

Currency
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New Zealand Dollar
New Zealand
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As a traveler from USA, Canada, England, South Africa you will need an adaptor for type I.
Type I
New Zealand
Visa
- Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
- Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
Payment information
- For any tour departing before May 4th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after May 4th, 2026, a minimum payment of $400 is required to confirm your booking with Intrepid Travel. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
- Some departure dates and prices may vary and Intrepid Travel will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
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New Zealand Uncovered (Northbound) (34 destinations)

Itinerary

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Optional Activities

Optional Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Optional Activities

Want to read it later?

What's Included

What's Not Included

Sustainability Initiatives

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

Travel Insurance

Traveler Reviews

Dates & Availability

Want to read it later?

Why book with TourRadar?

Good to Know

Similar Tours

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