Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll arrive in Auckland and head to your accommodation, then spend the rest of the day exploring the city at your own pace. The Sky Tower is right there if you want to take the glass elevator up for views across Auckland and out to the coastline, or you can just wander around and get a feel for the place yourself.
Included Activities
- Admission to Auckland Sky Tower with access to viewing platforms and Orbit Restaurant
Optional Activities
- SkyWalk outdoor loop experience
- SkyJump controlled free fall
- Explore world-class museums and galleries in city center
- Visit Auckland Gardens
- Stroll along vibrant waterfront
- Dine at Viaduct restaurants
Landmarks Sky Tower Viaduct Harbour Auckland Gardens 
- Day 2
Auckland
A half-day tour takes you through Auckland's volcanic areas, stopping at Mission Bay, Bastion Point, One Tree Hill, and Mount Eden where you get 360-degree views of the city. Later that evening, you'll board a harbour cruise with canapes and dinner while Auckland's lights come alive around the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Harbour Sailing Dinner Cruise with canapes, multi-course meal, and dessert)
Included Activities
- Auckland City Discovery Half Day Tour including Mission Bay, Bastion Point, One Tree Hill, and Mount Eden
- Harbour Sailing Dinner Cruise with canapes and multi-course meal
Landmarks Mission Bay Bastion Point (MJ Savage Memorial Park) Rangitoto Island Achilles Point One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie) Mount Eden Waitemata Harbour Viaduct Harbour - Day 3
Auckland - Rotorua
You'll head south from Auckland toward Rotorua, stopping at Waitomo Glow Worm Caves along the way for a boat ride through the glowing grotto. Once in Rotorua, you'll check out the geothermal area and Maori culture, then settle in for a four-hour evening feast and cultural performance at Te Pa Tu.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Te Pā Tū seasonal kai (cuisine) including seared eel, creamy abalone on bread crostini, forest greens, smoked kahawai, kumara, kawakawa tea, Wagyu pinanha with watercress chimichurri, taro gratin, and kumara ice cream - four-course meal inspired by Māori traditions)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Waitomo Glow Worm Caves including boat glide through illuminated grotto
- Te Pā Tū Evening Māori Cultural Experience including four-hour festival, feast, and performances
Optional Activities
- Lake Tikitapu Blue Lake Walk
- Explore Kuirau Park with bubbling mud pools and steaming lakes
- Visit private thermal reserves at Te Puia
- Visit private thermal reserves at Wai-O-Tapu
- Explore Eat Street restaurants
- Spa treatments and wellness experiences
- Geothermal activity tours
Landmarks Waitomo Glow Worm Caves Te Pā Tū Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) Kuirau Park Te Puia Wai-O-Tapu 
- Day 4
Rotorua
This morning you get a guided tour of the Hobbiton film set on a 1,250-hectare farm, walking through Hobbit Caves and the Green Dragon Inn. After that, you'll visit the National Kiwi Hatchery Experience to learn about New Zealand's national bird, then soak in the thermal pools at Polynesian Spa overlooking Lake Rotorua.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delicious lunch in the party tent at Hobbiton)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Hobbiton film set including village exploration and lunch in party tent
- National Kiwi Hatchery Experience with expert-led conservation center tour
- Polynesian Spa Deluxe Lake Spa soak in four thermal pools (36°C to 42°C)
Landmarks Hobbiton Movie Set National Kiwi Hatchery Polynesian Spa Lake Rotorua 
- Day 5
Rotorua - Wellington
You'll travel south by coach through geothermal landscapes and past volcanic peaks, passing Tongariro National Park and Mount Ruapehu. The drive takes you to the Kapiti Coast and then into Wellington, New Zealand's capital, which sits on a natural harbour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Te Papa Museum
- Ride Wellington Cable Car (funicular)
- Explore Cuba Street vintage stores
- Coffee breaks at trendy cafes
- Visit the Beehive (Parliament debating chamber)
- Explore Wēta Workshop Experience
- Day trip to Zealandia eco sanctuary
Landmarks Taupō Lake Tongariro National Park Mount Ruapehu Mount Ngauruhoe Kapiti Coast Te Papa Museum Wellington Cable Car Cuba Street Beehive (Parliament) Wēta Workshop Experience Zealandia Courtenay Place 
- Day 6
Wellington
A half-day guided tour shows you Wellington's highlights, driving up Mount Victoria for harbour views, stopping at the Weta Cave Museum, and riding the historic cable car through the Lady Norwood Rose Gardens before finishing at the Beehive Parliament.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Wellington Half Day Tour including Mount Victoria, Wēta Cave Museum, cable car ride, Lady Norwood Rose Gardens, and Beehive Parliament
Landmarks Mount Victoria Wēta Cave Museum Wellington Cable Car Lady Norwood Rose Gardens Beehive (Parliament) 
- Day 7
Wellington - Picton
You'll cross Cook Strait on a 92 km ferry, which is considered one of the world's most beautiful ferry journeys. The trip passes the 1859 Pencarrow Head lighthouse and the Red Rocks seal colony, then spends about an hour cruising through the scenic Marlborough Sounds before reaching Picton on the South Island.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry from Wellington to Picton (92 km, approximately 3 hours) with scenic views of Cook Strait and Marlborough Sounds
Optional Activities
- Explore Picton cafes, restaurants, and galleries
- Visit floating maritime museum
- Visit aquarium
- Scout the Queen Charlotte Track walking trail
Landmarks Pencarrow Head Lighthouse Red Rocks Oterangi Bay Marlborough Sounds Queen Charlotte Sound Kaik\u014dura Ranges - Day 8
Picton - Kaikoura
You'll travel south by bus through Blenheim in the Marlborough wine region, crossing the Marlborough Mountains to reach the Kaikoura Coast. About 50 kilometers of coastal driving gives you views of turquoise Pacific waters and the Kaikoura Ranges, with chances to spot native seabirds and New Zealand fur seals.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting in Marlborough region
- Observe fur seal colony at peninsula tip
- Spot native albatross
- Kaikoura Peninsula walk with tide pools
- Visit Ohau Point to watch fur seals
- Tour Fyffe House whaling museum
- Sample local seafood and fish and chips
- Stroll Lavendyl Lavender Farm
Landmarks Blenheim Marlborough region Marlborough Mountains Kaikoura Peninsula Kaikoura Ranges Ohau Point Fyffe House Lavendyl Lavender Farm - Day 9
Kaikoura
This morning brings a whale watching cruise on modern catamarans, where you can spot giant sperm whales, New Zealand fur seals, dolphins, and albatrosses. After, you'll head south to Christchurch along the spectacular coastline, passing through the Waipara Valley wine region and Canterbury Plains.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ocean's Cabin Whale Watch Kaikoura experience with VIP captain's cabin access and personal tour guide
Landmarks Kaikoura Coast Waipara Valley Canterbury Plains International Antarctic Center Canterbury Museum Christchurch Art Gallery Botanical Gardens Avon River - Day 10
Christchurch - Mount Cook
You'll drive through the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo, stopping at the Church of the Good Shepherd beside brilliant blue waters. From there, you head into the Southern Alps and reach Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park at the base of New Zealand's highest mountain, then explore the village and the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre Museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Day tour from Christchurch to Mount Cook through Canterbury Plains and Lake Tekapo
- Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre Museum and Theater Explorer Pass
Optional Activities
- Scenic flight and glacier landing with Mt Cook Ski Planes
- Glacier Explorers Tour on Tasman Glacier
- Short walks around the park
- Self-catering with supplies from local stores
Landmarks Canterbury Plains Lake Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd Aoraki Mount Cook Southern Alps Tasman Glacier Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre The Hermitage Hotel - Day 11
Mount Cook
You'll start the day on a boat viewing 500-year-old icebergs and towering ice cliffs on Aoraki-Mt Cook Terminal Lake, one of only three such tours in the world. Tonight brings stargazing under one of New Zealand's darkest skies with trained guides using telescopes and binoculars, or a digital planetarium experience if weather turns bad.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Glacier Explorer Experience tour on Aoraki-Mt Cook Terminal Lake viewing Tasman Glacier icebergs and ice cliffs
- Stargazing experience under southern night sky with trained guides, telescopes, and binoculars, or digital planetarium alternative
Landmarks Aoraki Mount Cook Terminal Lake Tasman Glacier - Day 12
Mount Cook - Queenstown
You'll leave Mount Cook and head south through Mackenzie Country with its unique tussock landscape, crossing the scenic Lindis Pass. After passing through fruit plantations in Cromwell and following the Kawarau Gorge with its historic gold mines, you'll reach Queenstown this evening and ride the Skyline Gondola for mountain and lake views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Day tour from Mount Cook to Queenstown
- Queenstown Skyline Gondola Ride on steepest cable car in Southern Hemisphere
Optional Activities
- Tea break in Omarama (own expense)
- Explore Queenstown Gardens
- Ben Lomond Walkaway trail
- Queenstown Hill Walking Track
- TSS Earnslaw vintage steamship to Walter Peak Station with dinner and farm tour
Landmarks Mackenzie Country Lindis Pass Omarama Cromwell Kawarau Gorge Queenstown Skyline Gondola Bob's Peak The Remarkables Walter Peak Cecil Peak Coronet Peak Lake Wakatipu Queenstown Gardens TSS Earnslaw - Day 13
Queenstown
A premium vehicle tour takes you to Queenstown's scenic lookouts with panoramic views, then to charming Arrowtown beside the Shotover River and Gibbston for local wines and cheese. You'll enjoy a scenic boat cruise on Lake Wakatipu, then board the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship for a gourmet BBQ buffet with farm demonstrations.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Gourmet BBQ buffet at Colonel's Homestead Restaurant featuring seasonal New Zealand produce including succulent meats, vegetables, salads, desserts, and New Zealand cheeses with tea and coffee)
Included Activities
- Best of Queenstown Tour including Arrowtown, Gibbston wine tasting with cheese platter, and scenic Lake Wakatipu cruise
- TSS Earnslaw Cruise and Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dinner with farm demonstration
Landmarks Arrowtown Shotover River Gibbston Lake Wakatipu TSS Earnslaw Walter Peak High Country Farm - Day 14
Queenstown - Milford Sound - Te Anau
A small group Milford Sound day tour takes you from Queenstown to Te Anau, then along the scenic Milford Road to Milford Sound. You'll spend two hours on a boat cruise viewing waterfalls, fur seals, and dolphins, followed by a picnic lunch with local guide commentary.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch)
Included Activities
- Milford Sound Bus, Cruise, Bus Small Group Tour including drive to Te Anau, scenic Milford Road, two-hour fjord cruise, and picnic lunch
Optional Activities
- Explore Te Anau Glowworm Caves
- Kayaking on Lake Te Anau
- Fishing on Lake Te Anau
- Lake to Lake cycle route towards Lake Manapouri
- Visit bird sanctuary for takahe and native birds
Landmarks Milford Road Milford Sound Fiordland National Park Lake Te Anau Te Anau Glowworm Caves Lake Manapouri 
- Day 15
Te Anau
You'll jet down the Waiau River and across Lake Manapouri through ancient beech forests of Fiordland National Park, visiting Lord of the Rings filming locations with driver commentary about movie production. After 360-degree spins and learning about the region's flora, fauna, and history, you'll explore walking trails around Lake Te Anau.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Pure Wilderness Jetboat down Waiau River, Lake Manapouri, and Fiordland National Park with Lord of the Rings filming location commentary
Optional Activities
- Kepler Trail: Parking lot to Dock Bay and Brod Bay walk (5.6 km, 1-3 hours)
- Kepler Trail: Parking lot to Rainbow Reach walk (9.5 km, 2.5 hours one way)
- Kepler Track: Rainbow Reach to Shallow Bay or Moturau Hut walk (6 km, 3-3.5 hours)
- Kepler Track parking lot to Luxmore Hut walk (13.8 km, 8-10 hours)
- Upukerora River Track walk (3 hours round trip)
- Hiking and tramping throughout Fiordland National Park
- Boating and fishing on Lake Te Anau
- Kayaking on Lake Te Anau
- Mountain biking
- Swimming and water skiing in Brod Bay
- Hunting
Landmarks Waiau River Lake Manapouri Fiordland National Park Ancient beech forests Kepler Track Lake Te Anau Brod Bay - Day 16
Te Anau - Dunedin
You'll leave Fiordland and drive east through rolling hills and lush farmland in the Otago region before arriving in Dunedin, known as the 'Edinburgh of the Southern Hemisphere'. You can explore the historic railway station, St. Paul's Cathedral, museums, and gardens, then tour the working Speights Brewery with beer tastings.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Speights Brewery Tour (60 minutes) including gravity brewery tour, six beer tastings, and bottle and capping experience
Optional Activities
- Visit Dunedin Railway Station
- Visit St. Paul's Cathedral in the Octagon
- Explore Otago Museum with Māori and Pacific Island collections
- Visit Botanic Gardens and Rhododendron Dale
- Visit Otago Peninsula to see Northern Royal Albatross
- Tour Larnach Castle with sea and city views
Landmarks Dunedin Railway Station St. Paul's Cathedral The Octagon Otago Museum Botanic Gardens Rhododendron Dale Otago Peninsula Larnach Castle Speights Brewery 
- Day 17
Dunedin
A small group minibus tour takes you across the Otago Peninsula to spot giant sea lions at dramatic coastal cliffs and offshore islands. You'll reach Taiaroa Head where royal albatrosses with three-meter wingspans breed and view them from a private observatory, then head to a yellow-eyed penguin sanctuary where you hike through native bushland to watch the world's rarest penguins return home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Wildlife Peninsula Encounter Tour including Royal Albatross Center at Taiaroa Head and yellow-eyed penguin sanctuary with hiking trails
Landmarks Otago Peninsula Taiaroa Head Royal Albatross Center Yellow-eyed penguin sanctuary - Day 18
Dunedin - Christchurch
You'll travel north along the Otago Coast, passing through the unique white-stone town of Oamaru and the harbour town of Timaru. The route crosses the Canterbury Plains, going over New Zealand's longest bridge at Rakaia to see famous branching rivers, before arriving in Christchurch.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Otago Coast Oamaru Timaru Canterbury Plains Rakaia Bridge - Day 19
Christchurch
A private transfer picks you up from your Christchurch accommodation and takes you to the airport in time for your departure flight, wrapping up your South Island adventure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
