Signature: New Zealand, Milford Sound & Maori Culture - 13 Days

Welcome to New Zealand. Your expedition begins in Auckland, the vibrant "City of Sails," nestled between two sparkling harbours. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel to settle in. In the evening, gather with your National Geographic Expedition Leader, National Geographic Expedition Expert and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing and introductions before sitting down for your welcome dinner.

Start your morning in central Auckland at Miller’s Coffee Roastery, tucked away on Cross Street. Inhale the rich aroma of small-batch coffee and meet the team embodying New Zealand’s famous can-do spirit with their 40-year-old original blend. Drive northwest toward the wild Tasman Sea, where ocean spray meets the dramatic black sands of Muriwai Beach. Stand near the bustling gannet colony as crashing waves echo against the cliffs, absorbing stories of Kaipara Harbour’s early export history. Later, retreat to Vineyard Cottages in historic Waimauku wine country. Gather fresh vegetables directly from the garden, prepare a relaxed lunch under the veranda with your host, and sip local wine, craft beer, and refreshing fruit shrubs.

Leave the coast behind and head south into the green heart of the North Island. Pause en route for a shared lunch before gaining access to a privately owned Waitomo glowworm cave. Meet the owner and a leading ecology specialist to discuss the delicate subterranean environment. Step into the cool darkness of the cavern, where thousands of shimmering glowworms ignite the ceiling like a galaxy of blue stars. Continue to Rotorua, a region defined by its geothermal energy, where columns of steam rise gracefully from the earth. Settle into your hotel for a relaxing dinner, listening to the distant hiss of thermal vents as night falls.

Immerse yourself in Indigenous traditions at the Māori-owned Kohutapu Lodge. Connect deeply with local hosts through stories and ancient customs that reveal a profound relationship with the land. Witness the unearthing of a traditional hāngī lunch, which has spent hours slow-cooking over white-hot stones in an earth oven. Savour the rich, smoky flavours of this communal feast before departing. On your return, pause to witness the raw power of New Zealand’s volcanic landscape, exploring bubbling mud pools, steaming geothermal valleys, and soaring geysers. Spend a free evening soaking in the unique spiritual atmosphere of Rotorua at your own pace.

Take flight over the volcanic plateau to Wellington, New Zealand’s creative capital. Upon arrival, step behind the scenes at the world-famous Weta Workshop, the special effects studio responsible for bringing cinematic masterpieces to life. Marvel at the intricate artistry of authentic props and costumes before checking into your hotel. In the afternoon, visit He Tohu to view the nation's foundational documents, including the Treaty of Waitangi and the Women’s Suffrage Petition. Conclude with a private tour of the striking Beehive parliamentary complex, uncovering the history and unique governance systems of this progressive island nation.

Begin with a private guided tour of Te Papa Tongarewa National Museum, uncovering its vast treasures and Māori artefacts before a high tea lunch. Enjoy a restful afternoon to explore the city's artistic laneways at your leisure. As twilight approaches, visit Zealandia, a pioneering eco-sanctuary tucked into a valley. Enjoy a private dinner within the sanctuary before stepping into the forest just as darkness falls. This is when the native wildlife stirs; look and listen for the elusive kiwi bird, tactile tuatara reptiles, and frogs as your guide shares inspiring tales of successful conservation and ecological restoration.

Fly south to Queenstown, watching the snow-dusted Southern Alps rise majestically outside your window. Travel into the rugged wilderness of Fiordland, pausing at a historic local farm. Here, enjoy a working dog and shearing demonstration, learning about the region's agricultural history, land management practices, and the modern shift toward environmental conservation. Continue your drive as the landscape grows increasingly grand and untamed. Arrive in the lakeside haven of Te Anau, checking into your accommodation before gathering for a hearty dinner that features the wild, rustic flavours of the South Island high country.

Venture along the spectacular Milford Road, passing through hand-carved tunnels into the heart of Fiordland. Board a premium vessel for a small-group cruise through the breathtaking waters of Milford Sound. Sip a glass of sparkling wine on arrival and settle into a panoramic lounge for a chef-curated seasonal tasting menu. Glide beneath the sheer rock face of Mitre Peak and feel the spray of Stirling Falls cascading from glacial heights. While onboard a marine specialist reveals the sound’s ancient geology, Māori legends, and delicate conservation efforts while scanning the dark waters for fur seals, penguins, and bottlenose dolphins before returning to Te Anau.

Return to Queenstown through spectacular alpine valleys, stopping at a local vineyard to savour a lunch of seasonal, estate-grown cuisine, beautifully paired with crisp, regional cool-climate wines. After lunch, visit a preserved gold-mining settlement of Arrowtown. Walk the historic, dust-settled streets where the rough-and-tumble gold rush of the 1860s once roared, imagining the immense hardships of early miners and the rugged transformation of this wild region. Arrive back in Queenstown for an evening on your own.

Enjoy a free morning to soak up the alpine atmosphere of Queenstown. In the afternoon, step aboard the historic vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw to cruise the deep blue waters of Lake Whakatipu. Arrive at Walter Peak High Country Farm for a private garden-to-table experience, starting with seasonal tastings gathered directly from the estate’s kitchen gardens and orchards. Join a guided conservation walk through the grounds, with the opportunity to plant a native tree. Conclude this peaceful afternoon with an elegant high tea featuring locally sourced ingredients, gaining deep insights into New Zealand’s delicate ecology.

Fly north to Christchurch, a city celebrated for its resilience and creative rebirth. Upon arrival, embark on a bespoke culinary and cultural walking tour led by a local Māori guide. Taste your way through vibrant markets and hidden eateries while listening to the city’s history from an Indigenous perspective. Check into your hotel with an evening at leisure. Armed with tailored recommendations from your Expedition Leader, explore the city's innovative architecture, tranquil botanical gardens, and independent restaurants that showcase Canterbury’s fertile agricultural bounty.

Travel to the spectacular Banks Peninsula and the charming, French-influenced coastal town of Akaroa. Board a private boat into the sheltered harbour, scanning the shimmering water for the Hector’s Dolphin—the smallest marine dolphin on Earth, found only in New Zealand. After the cruise, explore the town's historic streets and enjoy a delicious lunch. Return to Christchurch and conclude with a farewell dinner, toasting your unforgettable discoveries with your fellow travellers.

Your expedition through the natural wonders and living heritage of New Zealand concludes this morning. Savour a final breakfast at your hotel–transfers are provided to the airport at any time during the day.