Where?
When?
2

Where to?

Traveling when?

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Who is travelling?

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Essence of New Zealand (2026/2027) (20 destinations)

16 days
From Christchurch to Auckland
4.3
115 traveler reviews

No departure dates available

No dates, no problem! Subscribe to our newsletter to receive:

  • Travel inspiration for similar adventures
  • Alerts of the newest adventure deals

By submitting this form, I agree to the TourRadar T&Cs and Privacy policy.

You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter, check your inbox!

It seems you have entered this contest already! Keep an eye on your inbox for the winner.

Plan your adventure:
In-depth Cultural
Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
Partially Guided
Independent travel, featuring selected guided excursions
Low Intensity
Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 20 - 48
All Ages Welcome
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Christchurch

  2. Day 2

    Christchurch to Omarama

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel)

    Included Activities

    • Visit Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch
    • Stop at Botanic Gardens in Christchurch
    • Visit Geraldine and historic Barkers Store to sample local cheeses and produce
    • Travel through Waitaki Valley
    Landmarks
    Cardboard Cathedral
    Botanic Gardens
    Lake Benmore
  3. Day 3

    Omarama to Invercargill

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner (Highlight Dinner at Transport World)
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Kelvin Hotel)

    Included Activities

    • Visit Clyde historic town
    • Privately guided tour of Transport World Invercargill
    • Highlight Dinner at Transport World
    Landmarks
    Clyde
    Transport World Invercargill
  4. Day 4

    Invercargill to Te Anau

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Distinction Luxmore Hotel)

    Included Activities

    • Guided tour and presentation at Templeton Flax Mill from Nathan Templeton, Mill curator
    • Visit Riverton
    Landmarks
    Templeton Flax Mill
    Riverton
    Fiordland National Park
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  5. Day 5

    Te Anau to Milford Sound

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Distinction Luxmore Hotel)

    Included Activities

    • Scenic sightseeing cruise on Milford Sound (Piopiotahi)
    Landmarks
    Milford Sound
    Fiordland National Park
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  6. Day 6

    Te Anau to Queenstown

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown)

    Included Activities

    • Real Country Farm Experience with demonstrations of horse communication and sheep dog mustering
    • Stock whip cracking lesson at Real Country
    • Feed and interact with farm animals at Real Country
    Landmarks
    Real Country Farm
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  7. Day 7

    Queenstown

    Meals
    Lunch (Lunch at leisure at Fergburger)
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown)

    Included Activities

    • Lunch at Fergburger (at your leisure)

    Optional Activities

    • High-octane jet boat ride on Shotover River
    • Vineyard tours in surrounding areas
    • Afternoon cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm with gourmet barbecue dinner (all own expense)
    Landmarks
    Fergburger
    Shotover River
    Lake Wakatipu
    TSS Earnslaw
  8. Day 8

    Queenstown to Christchurch

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Ibis Hotel Christchurch)

    Included Activities

    • Visit local orchard Mrs Jones
    • Travel over The Lindis Pass
    • Visit Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
    Landmarks
    Mrs Jones Orchard
    The Lindis Pass
    Mount Cook
    Lake Tekapo
    Church of the Good Shepherd
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  9. Day 9

    Christchurch to Punakaiki

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Scenic Hotel Punakaiki)

    Included Activities

    • TranzAlpine train journey to Arthur's Pass
    • Visit Greymouth
    • Visit Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks and blowholes
    Landmarks
    Arthur's Pass
    Greymouth
    Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
  10. Day 10

    Punakaiki to Nelson

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (The Rutherford Hotel)

    Included Activities

    • Travel through Buller Gorge
    • Travel through Kahurangi National Park
    Landmarks
    Buller Gorge
    Kahurangi National Park
  11. Day 11

    Nelson

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (The Rutherford Hotel)

    Optional Activities

    • Cruise and walk combination in Abel Tasman National Park (own expense)
    Landmarks
    Abel Tasman National Park
  12. Day 12

    Nelson to Wellington

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Travelodge Wellington)

    Included Activities

    • Cruise on Interislander Ferry across Cook Strait
    Landmarks
    Queen Charlotte Sound
    Tory Channel
    Cook Strait
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  13. Day 13

    Wellington to Napier

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Scenic Hotel Te Pania)

    Included Activities

    • Guided Art Deco walking tour in Napier
    Landmarks
    Napier Art Deco District
  14. Day 14

    Napier to Rotorua

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner (Highlight Dinner of hangi inspired cuisine and cultural performance at Te Aronui a Rua meeting house)
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Sudima Lake Rotorua)

    Included Activities

    • Visit Huka Falls
    • Guided Pounamu (jade carving) workshop in Rotorua
    • Explore geothermal wonders of Rotorua
    • Highlight Dinner of hangi inspired cuisine and cultural performance at Te Aronui a Rua meeting house
    • View Pohutu Geyser with hot chocolate
    Landmarks
    Huka Falls
    Pohutu Geyser
  15. Day 15

    Rotorua

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Sudima Lake Rotorua)

    Optional Activities

    • Hobbiton Movie Set tour
    • Wai Araki Hotel Springs & Spa
    • Scenic flight (all own expense)
    Landmarks
    Hobbiton Movie Set
  16. Day 16

    Departure

    Itinerary Image 1
Want to read it later?

Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Operated by

AAT Kings

4.3
(115 reviews)

Number of tours

413

Age Range

5 to 99 years old

Response time

within 2 days

Response rate

80%

Since 1912, AAT Kings as a tour operator has been helping people from all...

Read more

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.

Reviews from other tours by AAT Kings

  • Cam
    January 29th, 2026
    5
    We had a great time. Met many new friends from many countries. With extra booked excursions, we were kept so busy...
    Show more
  • Marina
    January 6th, 2026
    5
    We were very happy with our tour! It was very well organised, good accommodation, tasty meals, and with tour...
    Show more
  • Kathleen
    March 3rd, 2025
    4
    Optional activities should be scheduled in advance and not as the tour progresses. That way we can know whether or...
    Show more

Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

Select Date

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Upcoming departures
Want to read it later?

Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

Why book with TourRadar?

    • Trusted and vetted operators
    • Rated excellent on
    • Best price guarantee
    • 24/7 customer support
    • Earn $50 in travel credits

    To protect your payment and ensure your booking will be processed in United States, never transfer or communicate outside of the TourRadar website or app.

More benefits
Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at AAT Kings with your enquiry, they usually respond within 2 days.

No departure dates available

No dates, no problem! Subscribe to our newsletter to receive:

  • Travel inspiration for similar adventures
  • Alerts of the newest adventure deals

By submitting this form, I agree to the TourRadar T&Cs and Privacy policy.

You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter, check your inbox!

It seems you have entered this contest already! Keep an eye on your inbox for the winner.

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 311148

  • Currency
    $
    New Zealand Dollar
    New Zealand
  • Plugs & Adapters

    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 19th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after May 19th, 2026, a minimum payment of $200 is required to confirm your booking with AAT Kings. 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 65 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 AAT Kings will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "AAT Kings" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec