Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll arrive in Christchurch, New Zealand's 'Garden City', and have the afternoon free to explore on your own terms. This evening you'll meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a briefing and drinks to kick things off.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Hotel Christchurch)
Optional Activities
- Explore Christchurch at leisure
- Day 2
Christchurch to Franz Josef
Board the TranzAlpine train for a scenic journey through the Southern Alps, where you'll see snow-capped peaks, forests, and gorges. The train takes you to Hokitika on the West Coast, then you'll continue to Franz Josef Glacier. If weather cooperates, there's an optional helicopter flight available over the glacier.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier)
Included Activities
- Journey through the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine Train
- See Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere from a panoramic viewpoint
- Visit Hokitika
Optional Activities
- Franz Josef Glacier helicopter flight (own expense)
Landmarks Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere Hokitika 
- Day 3
Franz Josef to Queenstown
You'll travel through Haast Pass with dramatic alpine scenery surrounding the Southern Lakes. Along the way you'll pass Lake Hawea and Lake Dunstan with a stop at Jones Family fruit stall. From there it's through Arrowtown to Queenstown, with views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Travel through Haast Pass
- Stop at Jones Family fruit stall
Optional Activities
- Explore Arrowtown's streets
Landmarks Haast Pass Lake Hawea Lake Dunstan Arrowtown Lake Wakatipu The Remarkables 
- Day 4
Queenstown
This day is yours to choose from jet boat rides, wildlife centres, or vineyard tours around Queenstown. By evening you'll board the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship for a scenic cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm, where you'll have a gourmet barbecue dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Gourmet barbecue dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak on TSS Earnslaw Steamship
- Gourmet BBQ dinner and farm show at Walter Peak High Country Farm
Optional Activities
- High-octane jet boat ride
- Visit wildlife centre
- Wine tasting at surrounding vineyards
Landmarks TSS Earnslaw Walter Peak High Country Farm - Day 5
Queenstown to Te Anau
You'll travel through Mirror Lakes and Cleddau Valley to reach Milford Sound, a dramatic fjord with waterfalls and beech forests. A cruise takes you through this World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park where you'll spot waterfalls cascading from ancient escarpments, then continue to Te Anau.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Luxmore Hotel)
Included Activities
- Travel through Mirror Lakes and Cleddau Valley
- Explore Milford Sound/Piopiotahi on a Nature Cruise
- View Fiordland National Park
Landmarks Mirror Lakes Cleddau Valley Milford Sound/Piopiotahi Fiordland National Park - Day 6
Te Anau to Dunedin
Start with a morning stroll by Te Anau's lakeside before heading to Dunedin, known as the 'Edinburgh of the South'. This charming city blends Māori and Scottish heritage from 19th-century colonization, with atmospheric art-lined alleys, breweries, or Larnach Castle to explore. Optional wildlife viewing is available.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Scenic Hotel Dunedin City)
Included Activities
- Morning stroll in Te Anau
Optional Activities
- Explore Dunedin's art-lined alleys
- Visit Speights Brewery
- Tour Larnach Castle
- Wildlife viewing - albatrosses and other wildlife (own expense)
Landmarks Te Anau Larnach Castle Speights Brewery 
- Day 7
Dunedin to Oamaru
You can sleep in or take a morning stroll around Otago University grounds to reach the city's main George Street. Later you'll travel through Oamaru, known for its stately tree-lined streets and limestone buildings that line the routes through town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Sleep in or take morning stroll around Otago University
- Explore George Street
- Visit Oamaru
Landmarks Otago University George Street Oamaru - Day 8
Oamaru to Christchurch
Travel through the Canterbury Plains with views of turquoise Lake Tekapo hemmed by snow-capped mountains. You'll experience the Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience at Tekapo with local specialists, then head back to Christchurch for a guided city tour highlighting the transformation over the past decade.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Hotel Christchurch)
Included Activities
- View Canterbury Plains and Lake Tekapo
- Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience at Tekapo
- Guided Christchurch city tour
Landmarks Lake Tekapo Canterbury Plains - Day 9
Christchurch to Picton
You'll head to the dramatic shores of Kaikoura, a marine wildlife centre where seals and sperm whales are spotted. Along the way you'll pass the pink-tinged crystallization ponds of Lake Grassmere Salt Works, then continue to the pretty seaside fishing village of Picton.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Picton Beachcomber Inn, Picton Yacht Club)
Included Activities
- Visit Kaikoura Beach
- Spot marine wildlife from Kaikoura Beach
Landmarks Kaikoura Lake Grassmere Salt Works Picton - Day 10
Picton to Wellington
Board the Interislander ferry and cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound, up the Tory Channel, and across Cook Strait from the South Island to Wellington, New Zealand's capital. After arriving you'll tour Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, with your Travel Director's guidance on the city's cafes, restaurants, and bars.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Travelodge Wellington)
Included Activities
- Cruise the Cook Strait from Picton to Wellington
- See Huka Falls from a panoramic viewpoint
Optional Activities
- Visit Te Papa, Museum of New Zealand (entrance fee applies)
Landmarks Queen Charlotte Sound Tory Channel Cook Strait Te Papa Tongarewa - Museum of New Zealand Huka Falls 
- Day 11
Wellington to Rotorua
Travel to Rotorua with views of Lake Taupo on the way. You'll explore Te Puia's geothermal valley and see a cultural performance in Te Aronui a Rua meeting house, views of the Pohutu Geyser, followed by a buffet dinner featuring hāngī-inspired cuisine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Buffet dinner of hāngī-inspired cuisine at Te Puia)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Rotorua Hotel)
Included Activities
- Travel through Lake Taupo region
- Te Pō Indigenous Experience at Te Puia
- Cultural performance in Te Aronui a Rua meeting house
- View Pohutu Geyser
- Buffet dinner of hāngī-inspired cuisine
Landmarks Lake Taupo Te Puia Pohutu Geyser 
- Day 12
Rotorua
You have a day of optional adventures in Rotorua to choose from. Relax in thermal springs at Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa, or tour The Lord of the Rings filming locations at Hobbiton. Both experiences are available at your own expense.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Rotorua Hotel)
Included Activities
- Explore the Geothermal Wonders of Rotorua
Optional Activities
- Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa thermal soak (own expense)
- Hobbiton movie tour (own expense)
Landmarks Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa Hobbiton - Day 13
Rotorua to Auckland
Cruise through the Waikato River's Waitomo Caves where thousands of glowworms illuminate the limestone waterways. You'll then continue to Auckland, New Zealand's largest city with two harbors. Visit the Auckland War Memorial Museum lookout for harbor views, then enjoy a farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre)
Included Activities
- Tour Waitomo Caves
- View Auckland from War Memorial Museum lookout
- Farewell dinner
Landmarks Waitomo Caves Auckland War Memorial Museum - Day 14
Auckland Departure
Depart from Auckland, the 'City of Sails', with memories of your two-week journey and extra baggage filled with wine and experiences from across New Zealand.
