Premium New Zealand Encompassed - 18 Days

Welcome to New Zealand! Your adventure of the volcanic North Island begins in Auckland – New Zealand’s most populated city, fringed with beaches, harbours, volcanoes and farmland. You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, where you’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, you might like to uncover the story of New Zealand rugby during an interactive All Blacks experience where you’ll learn about the heritage of the sport and find out what it takes to wear the famous black jersey. After your meeting, get to know your group over dinner at a local bistro in the heart of the city, championing New Zealand producers.

Leave the bustle of the big city behind and head offshore to Waiheke Island, famed for its sandy beaches and local wine. Board a ferry from Auckland – if you’re lucky, you may even see dolphins or orcas along the way. The day will be spent sipping your way around the island, stopping off at two unique wineries to learn about their production methods, and of course tasting the goods yourself. You’ll also enjoy an included lunch on the island, not to mention a few scenic drives with plenty of opportunities for photos. Return to Auckland in the late afternoon with an evening free for your own discoveries of the city.

After breakfast this morning, hit the road and drive to the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves – an extensive underground network of tunnels and caverns decorated with stalactites, stalagmites and luminous glow worms. Join a local expert for an in-depth tour of the Ruakuri Cave, descending a spiral entrance to the world below. See the limestone formations, hear the roar of subterranean waterfalls and learn about the glow worms that light up the caves. Continue to Hobbiton, where the epic Lord of the Rings movies were shot. Take a tour around the set with a local guide, hear stories about the production of these iconic films, explore Hobbit holes and enjoy a drink (and maybe a delicious pie) at the mythical Green Dragon Inn. Finally, travel to Rotorua, where you’ll spend the evening.

Spend this morning at your leisure, perhaps relaxing at the Polynesian Spa or opting for a dose of adrenaline at the Redwoods Treetop Walkway. This evening, you will pay a visit to Te Pa Tu and be hosted by the people of Tamaki Maori Village. A local expert will guide you in celebrating the abundant harvest of this season, and you will explore concepts, rituals and stories of ancient Maori warfare and peace in a feast of culture and cuisine. Within the forest-formed amphitheatre you will hear stories relayed through haka, song and drama, before torch light guides you to an alfresco dining space where you’ll sit down to a three-course feast.

Say goodbye to Rotorua and drive to Hawke’s Bay – a region known for its abundance of wineries, acclaimed food scene, ideal weather and Art Deco architecture. On the way, visit Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, where you’ll walk through thousands of years of geothermal history and volcanic features, including New Zealand's largest mud pool and bubbling basins bursting with vibrant colours. Then, continue to Hawke’s Bay, where you’ll check into your Feature Stay accommodation at Craggy Range Winery, beneath Te Mata Peak. You’ll spend the next two nights in the heart of this acclaimed wine region, taking in the gorgeous landscapes and tasting local drops. Stay in a cosy cottage with ensuite bathrooms, a large, shared lounge and an outdoor area where you can enjoy the lush green vineyards and mountains surrounding you. Settle into your room, then join your group for a wine tasting and dinner.

Consider heading out on an optional walk to the Te Mata Peak Lookout at sunrise – the views make the early start well worth it. This morning, you’ll head to the town of Napier for an Art Deco walking tour. Napier is the self-proclaimed ‘Art Deco capital of the world’. After the devastating Hawke’s Bay earthquake of 1931, Napier town centre was destroyed and had to be rebuilt from the ground up. The result was a town that became a freezeframe of the popular architectural styles of the 1930s, including Stripped Classicism, Spanish Mission and Art Deco. After your walking tour, you’ll have a free afternoon to do some exploring at your own pace. You might like to hire a bike to see Napier and its surrounds from a different perspective, or you could join a safari to see the largest colony of gannets in Hawke’s Bay.

This morning, make tracks for Wellington – New Zealand’s trendy capital city. After settling in, you’ll head to Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum, for a behind-the-scenes tour with a local Maori guide. Your guide will take you on a personal journey, sharing stories and connections from their iwi (tribe, nation or people) as they guide you through the museum’s vast collection comprising more than 40,000 artworks including paintings, embroidery, ceramics, sculpture, jewellery, moving image and more. You’ll end this special tour by sharing some traditional ‘kai’ (food). Tonight, join your group for a farewell dinner at a waterfront restaurant – the perfect chance to reminisce about your North Island adventure.

This morning, check out of your hotel after breakfast and head to the South Island to begin the second half of your New Zealand adventure. Cross the Cook Strait on board a ferry, taking in some pretty unforgettable views along the way. Your introduction to New Zealand’s South Island sets the tone for the rest of the journey – pass through the iconic landscapes of the Marlborough Sounds as you cruise into Picton Harbour. Travel on by private vehicle to Kaikoura. Settle into your accommodation and enjoy a free evening.

Continue your journey to Christchurch, where the day is yours to explore all that this city has to offer. You’ll have a second welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your new trip leader and group before you head out on a walking food tour with a local Maori guide. As you explore the city’s less-trodden laneways and stroll along the riverside, make stops to try local bites that showcase excellent seasonal produce and learn about Maori culture and heritage. Your walking tour takes you to your final spot for tonight’s dinner, where you can get to know your new fellow travellers and toast to the next leg of your adventure.

Take an orientation tour with your leader around some of the landmarks of Christchurch, then board the TranzAlpine train for a scenic journey to Greymouth. This spectacular route takes you through the vast green of the Canterbury Plains, then passes through the Southern Alps, offering views of river gorges fringed with steep cliffs, glassy mountain lakes and winding rivers. As you soak up the views, you’ll tuck into a menu inspired by the regions surrounding you. From your seat in the Scenic Class carriage, you’ll also have access to the open-air viewing carriage so that you can feel even closer to the nature around you. When you arrive, you’ll explore Greymouth, stopping into a boutique studio to learn about the prized West Coast jade known locally as Pounamu (Greenstone). Arrive at Punakaiki Resort by late afternoon – located in Paparoa National Park, this resort lies next to Punakaiki Beach and the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes.

After breakfast, explore the Punakaiki Rocks and Blowholes before the drive to Franz Josef. Punakaiki, a town with less than 100 residents, is famed for its so-called Pancake Rocks. These layers of fossilised animals and plants, formed over 30 million years ago, were thrust above the surface by the moving earth and sculpted by wind and water. At high tide, the sea is forced through blowholes in the limestone to burst metres into the air – it’s an entertaining sight! Along the way, stop for lunch and then pay a visit to Okarito where you'll take part in a hands‑on restoration activity with the Okarito Plant Project, a community‑led initiative focused on regenerating native forests and protecting the unique ecosystems of the West Coast.

Begin your day with a self-guided walk to see the icy wonderland created by the Franz Josef Glacier – one of the steepest glaciers in New Zealand. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you may like to join an optional heli-hiking tour and get even closer to the glacier. Other optional activities include kayaking, a scenic cruise on Lake Mapourika or a soak in the hot tubs at Franz Josef. Ahead of your ranger-led visit tomorrow, you will also have access to the West Coast Wildlife Centre for you to explore at your own pace.

This morning, take a private ranger-guided tour of the West Coast Wildlife Centre – home of the official breeding program for the world's rarest kiwi bird, the rowi. Also keep an eye out for tuatara (a reptile endemic to New Zealand). During your visit, your expert ranger will share behind‑the‑scenes insights into the conservation efforts taking place on the West Coast including how eggs are incubated and chicks are raised before being released into the wild. Then depart Franz Josef for the resort town of Wanaka, arriving by late afternoon. Located next to the resplendent Wanaka Station Park on the shores of Lake Wanaka, and a short stroll from Wanaka township, you'll be perfectly placed to enjoy all this popular town has to offer.

Enjoy a sleep-in this morning or start your day with a hike up Mt Iron for a view over Lake Wanaka and the surrounding peaks. Central Otago is a region well-known for food and wine, and today you’ll visit the spectacular Criffel Station deer farm. Here, you’ll be shown around the farm by the family before doing a chef-guided foraging and tasting tour, followed by a delicious lunch.

Say farewell to Wanaka after breakfast and begin the journey to Doubtful Sound / Patea – a lesser-known but stunning part of Fiordland National Park. Drive to Lake Manapouri, where you’ll hop on a ferry for a journey across the water, followed by a scenic drive to Deep Cove via Wilmot Pass – a subalpine road surrounded by dense rainforest. Here, you'll board your vessel and meet the crew for your Doubtful Sound Cruise. This Premium Signature Experience includes a delicious three-course dinner featuring local produce, and a resident naturalist who’ll share insights about the fiord’s history, flora and wildlife – including dolphins, seals and penguins. With fewer boats on the water than in Milford Sound and a more peaceful atmosphere, there’s a higher chance these creatures will pop up to say hello! If weather conditions allow, you might also like to explore by kayak.

Start your day with a hearty cooked breakfast as the mist rolls over the cliffs, then get ready to explore some of the other nooks of the fiord this morning. After, return to Deep Cove to take the ferry back to Lake Manapouri and continue to Queenstown, arriving in the late afternoon. The rest of the evening is free for you to relax or explore this resort town, famed for its picturesque scenery and dramatic location on the edge of the Southern Alps.

Soak up a free morning in Queenstown and wander at your own pace. Then, head to Arrowtown in the afternoon. This historic gold mining town is known for its heritage town centre and autumn festival – and is perfect to explore on foot. Learn about the town’s history on a leader-led walking tour and browse its shops and cafes. Then, head to Gibbston Valley to sample some of Central Otago’s famous drops at a well-known winery. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner with your group and say cheers to an amazing adventure.

Your New Zealand adventure ends this morning after breakfast. As this trip spends little time in Queenstown, it’s recommended that you spend an extra day or two if you want to experience all the town has to offer. Your booking agent will be happy to book additional accommodation for you, just get in touch ahead of time.