Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll land in Auckland and have time to kill before the 6 pm welcome meeting. If you arrive early, check out the Sky Tower for city views, walk through the Auckland War Memorial Museum, or wander around the CBD on your own. Later this evening you'll join your group for a welcome dinner to meet everyone.
Optional Activities
- Visit Auckland Sky Tower
- SkyJump off the Auckland Sky Tower
- Visit Auckland War Memorial Museum
- Explore Auckland CBD
Landmarks Auckland Sky Tower Auckland War Memorial Museum - Day 2
Auckland to Tutukaka
After breakfast at a local café, you'll head to Tutukaka by driving through Whangarei, stopping at Whangarei Falls (26m high) for photos. From there, you'll follow the coast to Matapouri Beach where you can relax by the ocean before arriving in the coastal town of Tutukaka for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hearty breakfast at a local café)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at a local café
- Visit Whangarei Falls
- Visit Matapouri Beach
Landmarks Whangarei Falls Matapouri Beach - Day 3
Poor Knights Islands - Paihia
You'll spend the full day on a cruise to the Poor Knights Islands, a marine reserve with volcanic origins. During the day you'll go kayaking, explore caves, snorkel, and swim while spotting sea mammals. The main highlight is visiting Rikoriko Cave, which is the largest sea cave you can reach by boat. Later you'll drive to Paihia for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Poor Knights Islands full-day cruise
- Kayaking
- Cave exploration
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Visit Rikoriko Cave
Landmarks Poor Knights Islands Rikoriko Cave 
- Day 4
Paihia
You have a free day in Paihia to do what you want. There are over 140 subtropical islands and coves to explore, plus sandy beaches and a natural rock archway you can cruise through. If you want more action, you can add on water activities like scuba diving, dolphin spotting, or skydiving as optional extras.
Optional Activities
- Explore coves and beaches
- Cruise through natural rock archway
- Scuba diving
- Dolphin watching cruise
- Skydiving
- Day 5
Waitangi Treaty Grounds - Auckland
In the morning you'll visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to learn about New Zealand's history and Māori culture, including the 35m carved waka (ceremonial war canoe). After lunch you'll drive back to Auckland along Northland's scenic east coast, arriving in the late afternoon. You'll check in to your hotel and attend a welcome meeting at 6 pm before heading out to experience Auckland's nightlife.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Māori cultural insights
- View 35m carved waka
Landmarks Waitangi Treaty Grounds - Day 6
Auckland to Coromandel Peninsula
You'll leave Auckland and drive to the Coromandel Peninsula following the coastline. At Hot Water Beach you can dig a hole in the sand and soak in the warm water beneath the surface. After that you'll stop at Cathedral Cove before reaching your accommodation in the afternoon.
Included Activities
- Visit Hot Water Beach
- Visit Cathedral Cove
Landmarks Hot Water Beach Cathedral Cove - Day 7
Coromandel Peninsula
Your local leader will drive you along the scenic Coromandel Peninsula, stopping at some of the area's best beaches. You'll visit Kuaotunu to try their famous ice cream and check out Coromandel Township. Later, you'll find a local restaurant for dinner with your leader's help picking a good spot.
Optional Activities
- Visit Kuaotunu
- Try famous ice cream at Kuaotunu
- Explore Coromandel Township
- Dinner at a local restaurant
Landmarks Coromandel Township - Day 8
Coromandel Peninsula to Rotorua
As you drive toward Waikato, the landscape changes from beach to farmland. You'll stop at Karangahake Gorge to see old gold mining tunnels and railway tracks still there. Next comes Hobbiton, the actual film set from Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies. Then you'll drive to Rotorua and finish the day with a treetop walk through ancient redwood forest on suspension bridges that reach 12m high.
Included Activities
- Visit Karangahake Gorge
- Hobbiton Movie Set tour
- Redwood Forest Canopy Walk
Landmarks Karangahake Gorge Hobbiton Movie Set Rotorua Redwood Forest - Day 9
Rotorua
You'll explore Rotorua's natural and cultural attractions including simmering mud pools, geysers, and fluorescent lakes. If you're into thrill activities, you can go ziplining through ancient forests. This evening you'll experience Māori culture with a hangi dinner (earth oven meal) and haka performance at a cultural and geothermal site.
- Meals
- Dinner (Hangi dinner with haka performance at Māori cultural site)
Included Activities
- Hangi dinner with haka performance
Optional Activities
- Explore mud pools
- View geysers
- See fluorescent lakes
- Ziplining
Landmarks Pohutu Geyser - Day 10
Rotorua to Taupo
You have a free morning to relax at Polynesian Spa or walk through Kuirau Park's natural hot pools. In the afternoon you'll drive to Taupo, stopping at Huka Falls on the way. You'll arrive at Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake, which serves as a scenic base for exploring Tongariro National Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Huka Falls
Optional Activities
- Polynesian Spa visit
- Walk through Kuirau Park
Landmarks Huka Falls Lake Taupo - Day 11
Taupo
This is a free day in Taupo with plenty to choose from. You can explore geysers, mud pools and caves at Orakei Koako Geothermal Park, or if you're up for a challenge, tackle the Tongariro Crossing, New Zealand's most famous day hike that takes you around a volcano past lakes, craters and through bushland.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Orakei Koako Geothermal Park and Cave
- Complete the Tongariro Crossing hike
- View geysers and mud pools
- Explore caves
Landmarks Orakei Koako Geothermal Park Tongariro National Park - Day 12
Taupo to Wellington
You'll drive to Wellington, New Zealand's capital, and stop in Taumaranui to visit a local marae (Māori meeting house). You'll experience a traditional Powhiri welcome and conversation with iwi members about their culture, then share kai (food). After arriving in Wellington you'll get a city introduction and then explore at your own pace, maybe heading to Mt Victoria for views or checking out the food scene.
- Meals
- Lunch (Kai (food) shared at Morero marae)
Included Activities
- Visit local marae (Morero marae)
- Traditional Powhiri welcome
- Korero with iwi members
- Share kai (food)
Optional Activities
- Head to Mt Victoria for views
- Explore Wellington food scene
Landmarks Morero Marae Mt Victoria - Day 13
Wellington
You'll start at Zealandia, a conservation project that's reintroduced over 20 native wildlife species to the area, including birds absent from mainland New Zealand for more than 100 years. Next you'll visit the Weta Workshop, the special effects studio used by Peter Jackson for Lord of the Rings films. You can take an optional tour to see how the movie magic was made. In the afternoon you'll explore Te Papa Museum with its interactive exhibits of New Zealand's history and cultural heritage.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary
Optional Activities
- Weta Workshop tour
- Te Papa Museum tour
Landmarks Zealandia Weta Workshop Te Papa Museum - Day 14
Wellington to Kaikoura
You'll cross the Cook Strait by ferry, taking in unforgettable views as you pass through the iconic Marlborough Sounds before reaching Picton Harbour. From there you'll visit world-class wineries in the Marlborough region to sample and learn about the local wines. Continuing south to Kaikoura, a seaside town known for marine wildlife, you might have crayfish for dinner, a local specialty.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing Cook Strait
- Winery visits and tastings in Marlborough region
Optional Activities
- Crayfish dinner
Landmarks Marlborough Sounds Picton Harbour - Day 15
Kaikoura to Christchurch
You have a free morning to explore Kaikoura's marine wildlife. You can go whale watching to spot humpbacks, orcas and sperm whales, or visit a native fur seal colony. Later you'll head to Christchurch, South Island's largest city. A welcome meeting for new travelers will happen at your hotel tomorrow morning.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Whale watching boat trip
- Visit fur seal colony
- Explore Kaikoura
- Dinner in Christchurch
- Day 16
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo/Twizel
You'll explore how Christchurch rebuilt after the 2011 earthquake, visiting the Christchurch Cathedral now rebuilt with a striking, quake-proof cardboard structure. Then you'll drive inland to Lake Tekapo, which has purple lupins, turquoise waters and snow-dusted peaks. You'll visit the Church of the Good Shepherd on the lake shore before continuing to Lake Ohau or Twizel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Christchurch Cathedral
- Visit Lake Tekapo with Mt John Lookout
Landmarks Christchurch Cathedral Lake Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd 
- Day 17
Lake Ohau/Twizel to Queenstown
You'll journey through the Mackenzie Basin grasslands and Southern Alps peaks with plenty of scenic stops along the way. At Kawarau Gorge you can try bungy jumping off the suspension bridge or just watch others take the plunge. Then you'll continue to Queenstown, the adventure capital known for adrenaline activities, great food, fine wine and scenic beauty.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Kawarau Bridge Bungy jump
Landmarks Kawarau Gorge 
- Day 18
Queenstown
You have a full day to discover what Queenstown offers. If you want action, try jet boating, river kayaking, gondola flights or 4WD adventures through Lord of the Rings landscapes. For a slower pace, visit Gibbston Valley wineries or walk around Lake Wakatipu. You'll find excellent dining options including the famous Fergburger.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Jet boat ride
- River kayaking
- Gondola flight
- 4WD Lord of the Rings tour
- Gibbston Valley wine tasting
- Walk around Lake Wakatipu
- Dining at Fergburger or other restaurants
Landmarks Lake Wakatipu Gibbston Valley - Day 19
Queenstown to Wanaka
You'll have a morning to finish any Queenstown activities you missed. In the afternoon you'll drive to Wanaka through the Crown Range Mountains. You'll stop in Arrowtown, a charming goldrush town with heritage buildings famous for its Autumn festival. Walk the tree-lined high street and visit the old-school lolly shop before arriving in Wanaka, a laid-back town with Lake Wanaka and dramatic mountains.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Additional Queenstown activities
- Walk Arrowtown high street
- Visit old-school lolly shop in Arrowtown
- Hike near Wanaka
- Relax on Lake Wanaka shores
Landmarks Arrowtown Lake Wanaka - Day 20
Wanaka
You'll visit Mou Waho Island by boat, famous for its unique geography: an island in a lake within an island within a lake on the South Island. You'll walk the predator-free reserve and see the natural glacial lake at its summit. Your afternoon is free to explore Wanaka, check out #thatwanakatree (the iconic willow tree in the lake that's one of the world's most photographed trees), or try the excellent hiking and cycling trails in the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Mou Waho Island cruise and guided nature walk
Optional Activities
- Visit #thatwanakatree
- Hiking trails
- Cycling trails
Landmarks Mou Waho Island - Day 21
Wanaka to Franz Josef
You'll drive to Franz Josef through incredible scenery with your camera ready. Depending on weather, you might stop at Lake Hawea or Lake Wanaka lookout points. Your leader will pause at off-the-beaten-track spots for photos and leg stretches. You'll arrive in Franz Josef early evening and explore one of the town's cosy pubs for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Dinner at a local pub
Landmarks Lake Hawea - Day 22
Franz Josef
You'll explore one of the world's most beautiful places. At a local gallery you can carve your own pounamu (greenstone) pendant while learning about its spiritual and cultural meaning in Māori culture. In the afternoon you can arrange a helicopter to drop you at Franz Josef Glacier for a hike, or choose to relax in local hot springs or kayak on a glacial blue lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Greenstone pendant carving at local gallery
Optional Activities
- Helicopter and glacier hike
- Local hot springs
- Glacier lake kayaking
- Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk (free)
Landmarks Franz Josef Glacier Mt Cook - Day 23
Franz Josef to Christchurch
You'll head up the west coast, the rainiest part of New Zealand with lush rainforests. If there's time you can visit the National Kiwi Centre to see these nocturnal birds. Then you'll board the TranzAlpine train, one of the world's best train journeys, heading to Christchurch. The train crosses the Southern Alps via Arthur's Pass, passing the rushing blue Waimakariri River and endless native beech forest. You'll arrive in Christchurch in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine train journey to Christchurch
Optional Activities
- Visit National Kiwi Centre
Landmarks Arthur's Pass - Day 24
Christchurch
Your adventure ends after breakfast this morning. If you want to stay longer in Christchurch, contact your booking agent ahead of time to arrange an extension for additional days.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
