Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll arrive in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, and check into LyLo Auckland from 2pm. Before your welcome evening at 7pm, there's time to explore on your own. The Viaduct Harbour is good for a walk, or head to Britomart for shops and cafes. Mission Bay offers beaches if you want something more relaxed. For something different, catch a ferry out to Rangitoto Island or ride Sky Tower for city views. You'll meet other travelers and your guide at 7pm.
- Start point
- Auckland Central, Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (Lylo Hostel, 14:00)
Optional Activities
- Stroll Viaduct Harbour
- Explore Wynyard Quarter
- Explore Britomart
- Walk to Mission Bay
- Ferry to Rangitoto Island
- Climb Rangitoto Island summit
- Visit museums and galleries
- Ride to top of Sky Tower
Landmarks Viaduct Harbour Wynyard Quarter Britomart Mission Bay Rangitoto Island Sky Tower - Day 2
Auckland to Coromandel
Head southeast from Auckland toward the Coromandel Peninsula and Cathedral Cove. You'll visit the natural rock formation at Cathedral Cove (included). There's a short walk if you want to explore the area, or try the Hahei Explorer boat for a different perspective. Kayaking with Cathedral Cove Kayaks is another option. If the tide cooperates, dig your own hot spa pool right in the sand for a natural soak.
Included Activities
- Cathedral Cove visit
Optional Activities
- Cathedral Cove walking exploration
- Hahei Explorer boat tour
- Cathedral Cove Kayaking
Landmarks Cathedral Cove - Day 3
Coromandel to Waitomo
Travel from Coromandel toward Waitomo, stopping at Karangahake Gorge along the way. The Historic Walkway follows an old railway line through the remains of the gold mining era. Once in Waitomo, you'll explore the cave system on a 90-minute tour of Ruakuri cave (included), where you'll see glowworms lighting up the darkness. If you're up for more adventure, upgrade to the Black Labyrinth or Black Abyss tour for waterfall jumps and underground river floats surrounded by glowworms.
Included Activities
- Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway exploration
- Waitomo Ruakuri Cave Tour with glowworms
Optional Activities
- Legendary Black Water Rafting Black Labyrinth tour
- Legendary Black Water Rafting Black Abyss tour
Landmarks Karangahake Gorge Ruakuri Cave 
- Day 4
Waitomo to Rotorua
Start with a morning walk around Ruakuri Reserve, where sculpted cliffs and limestone arches are unique to this area. Head to Hobbiton for a guided tour of the movie set if interested (optional). From there, travel to Rotorua and experience geothermal wonders. Tonight you'll visit Mitai Maori Village (included) to learn about Maori culture and traditions, then have a traditional hangi dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional hangi dinner at Mitai Māori Village)
Included Activities
- Ruakuri Reserve morning walk
- Mitai Māori Village cultural experience
- Traditional hangi dinner
Optional Activities
- Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
Landmarks Ruakuri Reserve Hobbiton Movie Set Mitai Māori Village - Day 5
Rotorua
You have a free day in Rotorua with lots of choices. Try Rotorua Canopy Tours for ziplining through the trees, or roll downhill in a Zorb. Take a Jade Carving workshop if you want something creative. For a calmer morning, Kuirau Park shows geothermal features. Later, relax at Wai Ariki Hot Springs by Lake Rotorua's edge (included), where natural hot pools let you soak and unwind.
Included Activities
- Wai Ariki Hot Springs entry and thermal spa experience
Optional Activities
- Rotorua Canopy Tours zipline experience
- Zorb rolling activity
- Jade Carving workshop
- Kuirau Park visit
Landmarks Wai Ariki Hot Springs Kuirau Park - Day 6
Rotorua to Wellington
Leave Rotorua and head south toward Wellington, New Zealand's capital. You'll stop at Huka Falls for a quick walk to stretch your legs before continuing on. The drive takes you through changing scenery as you move from geothermal zones toward the capital.
Included Activities
- Huka Falls viewing and brief walk
Landmarks Huka Falls - Day 7
Wellington
Spend the day exploring Wellington at your own pace. Te Papa is the national museum and has plenty to see about New Zealand's history. In the afternoon, rent an e-bike from Switched on Bikes and ride along the waterfront, or check out Zealandia for native wildlife (both optional). Later this evening, Wellington's bar scene and nightlife are worth discovering if you feel like heading out.
Optional Activities
- Te Papa Museum visit
- E-bike rental and waterfront cruise with Switched on Bikes
- Zealandia nature reserve visit
Landmarks Te Papa Zealandia - Day 8
Wellington to Kaikoura
Take the interisland ferry from Wellington across the Cook Strait to reach the South Island. You'll see the Marlborough Sounds as you approach. Once across, drive through Marlborough District and stop for wine and gin tastings (included) at local vineyards and distilleries. Continue along the coastline to Kaikoura, known for whales (seasonal), dolphins, and seals. Marine wildlife tours are available if interested.
Included Activities
- Interisland ferry crossing
- Wine and Gin tasting in Marlborough District
Optional Activities
- Marine wildlife tour
Landmarks Cook Strait Marlborough Sounds Marlborough District - Day 9
Kaikoura to Christchurch
You can sleep in or head out to sea to see Kaikoura's marine life. Swim with dolphins if that appeals to you, or stay dry with a dolphin or whale watching tour. Walk the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway to see the seal colony (optional). After, drive to Christchurch for the afternoon, where there's time to explore this vibrant city at your own pace.
Optional Activities
- Swimming with dolphins
- Dolphin watching
- Whale watching
- Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway and seal colony visit
Landmarks Kaikoura Peninsula 
- Day 10
Christchurch to Tekapo
Travel into Mackenzie Country with wide open spaces, turquoise lakes, and golden grasslands. Visit the Church of The Good Shepherd on Lake Tekapo's shores, built to remember Mackenzie Country pioneers. Climb Mt John for 360-degree views of mountains and basins. Later this evening, relax at Tekapo Hot Springs to soak and unwind.
Included Activities
- Church of The Good Shepherd visit
- Mt John walk with 360-degree views
- Tekapo Hot Springs relaxation
Landmarks Church of The Good Shepherd Mt John Lake Tekapo Tekapo Hot Springs 
- Day 11
Tekapo to Queenstown
Head toward Queenstown and stop at Mt Cook along the way. The Hooker Valley Track is the main hike here, winding past glaciers beneath New Zealand's highest mountain. You'll see incredible mountain scenery and pass close to the snow and ice. After the hike, continue to Queenstown and have dinner with fellow travelers this evening.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner with fellow travellers in Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Hooker Valley Track day walk
Landmarks Mount Cook Hooker Valley Track 
- Day 12
Queenstown
Queenstown has something for almost anyone. Try bungy jumping, jetboating, white water rafting, or skydiving if you want adrenaline. Prefer something calmer? Rent a bike, take a stroll, do a boat cruise, visit a spa, or tour local vineyards. Most activities run year-round, so your options depend on what appeals to you.
Optional Activities
- Bungy jumping
- Jetboating
- White water rafting
- Skydiving
- Bike rental and exploration
- Stroll or walking tour
- Boat cruise
- Spa visit
- Vineyard tour
- Day 13
Queenstown to Milford Sound
Today you can stay in Queenstown or take an optional trip to Piopiotahi, Milford Sound. If you go, you'll start from the small town of Te Anau and drive toward Milford Sound with photo stops along the way. A two-hour scenic boat cruise is included (if booked), where you watch for dolphins, fur seals, and maybe Fiordland Crested Penguins. Return to Queenstown by evening.
- End point
- Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand (Nomads Hostel)
Included Activities
- Two-hour Milford Sound scenic boat cruise
Landmarks Milford Sound Fiordland National Park Te Anau
