Embark on a 10-day odyssey through the breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural tapestry of New Zealand. Immerse yourself in the Maori heritage and with each day bringing new wonders to explore, get ready for an unforgettable expedition through the Land of the Long White Cloud."
Welcome to New Zealand! Upon arrival at the airport, take a private transfer to your first accommodation for the trip; CityLife Auckland, a 4-star luxury Hotel in Auckland. After checking into your hotel, spend the afternoon at leisure to explore the beautiful surroundings at your own pace.
Stay at CityLife Auckland ☆☆☆☆ (or similar)
This morning, enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel before heading out to experience the best sights of Auckland City on this guided tour.
Auckland, known as the City of Sails, sits amidst 52 dormant volcanic cones, flanked by the Waitemata and Manukau harbours. It's New Zealand's largest city.
Explore Queen Street, Auckland's CBD, passing Auckland University and the Domain park. Cross the Harbour Bridge to the North Shore, passing Ponsonby's historic buildings.
Visit white sand beaches, ascend Mt Victoria for panoramic views, and tour Devonport.
In the afternoon, take a guided tour to West Auckland for stunning panoramic views from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean.
Experience the wild west coast, walking on black sand beaches. Enjoy an easy rainforest walk, listening to native birdsong among kauri trees and giant ferns.
Today you can explore an incredible island off the coast of Auckland!
Board your ferry and enjoy the scenic cruise to Waiheke Island through the beautiful Hauraki Gulf. This stunning island just off the Auckland coast boasts 92 square kilometres of beautiful beaches, vineyards, olive groves, native bush and laid back seaside villages. Some sailings will include a brief stop in Devonport on the way to Waiheke Island.
Today you will enjoy the America’s Cup Sailing Experience! The America’s Cup is the world’s oldest sporting trophy and ultimate yachting regatta. Onboard you have the opportunity to participate in sailing one of these grand prix racers. Take the helm, trim on the grinders or just sit back and enjoy the action as you sail down Auckland Harbour.
Today you will have the unique experience of visiting the National Kiwi Hatchery, the bird the the ‘Kiwi’s’ get their name from! During the tour you will see each of the stages a kiwi chick goes through before being released in to the wild - incubation, hatching and raising.
Kiwi Encounter is New Zealand’s largest and most successful kiwi conservation centre, having hatched and nurtured over 1800 eggs since 1995 when Rainbow Springs became involved in the Bank of New Zealand’s ‘Save the Kiwi’ recovery programme known as 'Operation Nest Egg' (or O.N.E. for short), with the arrival of a kiwi egg that had been abandoned.
This morning enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel before taking a private transfer from your hotel to Auckland airport, followed by a short flight from Auckland to Queensland. Arrive at the Queensland Airport where you will take a private transfer to your next accommodation for the trip; Queenstown House Luxury Lakeside Apartments. After checking into your accomidation, spend the afternoon at leisure to explore your surroundings at your own pace.
Stay at Queenstown House Luxury Lakeside Apartments (or similar) ☆☆☆☆
Today you will travel northwest on a road that clings to the very edge of the lake, your guide will introduce you to the history and landscape of the region.
From time to time, the road rises to superb vantage points for unparalleled panoramas of jagged, snow-capped mountains, rolling alpine farmland and acre upon acre of glorious tussock meadows.
Embark on this great tour in Mount Aspiring National Park with a gradual ascent, through 130 million year old magical world of ferns, mosses, lichens and beech forest.
The woodland parts to reveal the rich grassland of Routeburn Flats, overlooked on all sides by cloud-scraping mountains, some so high they have permafrost.
Stop here for a delicious Kiwi style picnic lunch before heading back and enjoying the valley in reverse.
Explore forgotten paths of the Maori, as you travel along their old greenstone trails, finding new enchantment around each corner and enjoy the array of bird species will accompany your journey back to civilization.
On this day you will embark on a truly unique adventure and a fun way to intimately experience this amazing area. Start with an exciting jet boat trip up the Dart River with all the thrills of classic braided shallow river jet boating, complete with exhilarating jet spins.
Stop along the way to discover why this area is so rare and special with its ancient 80 million year old ecology.
You’ll then disembark and continue your journey in an inflatable canoe. Paddle and drift on a spectacular downstream journey, with your guide providing insight to the awe-inspiring sights and stories found amidst the Dart River’s sparkling channels.
Stop amongst the ancient beech forest and enjoy a buffet style lunch and take the opportunity to explore the hidden side streams, rock pools and dramatic chasms such as the beautiful Rockburn.
Afterwards continue downstream to ‘Paradise’, from where you’ll return to Glenorchy by coach via a back-country route, through stunning scenery and locations that have inspired movies the world over.
Today you can enjoy a once in a lifetime experience! Enjoy a helicopter ride above Milford Sound for the most amazing views of the scenery New Zealand is famous for.
Board your helicopter for a magnificent Milford Sound tour including a scenic flight across the Southern Alps.
Upon landing in Milford Sound, join your Mitre Peak Cruise, an exploratory nature cruise and see cascading waterfalls, towering rock faces, unique wildlife and then voyage out past St Anne's Lighthouse to the Tasman Sea.
Complete your journey with an exclusive alpine snow landing for the ultimate Fiordland National Park experience.
Your final day will include tasting some of the amazing wines New Zealand has to offer. Taste outstanding and elegant Pinot Noir, delicate refined Riesling, rich Pinot Gris and stylish Chardonnay on your tour at four of the region’s premium boutique vineyards.
Relax whilst your expert wine guide drives you in a private luxury touring vehicle, taking you off the beaten track to explore the dramatic scenery and pioneering history.
You will also have an opportunity to retrace history by wandering around the charming historical settlement of Old Cromwell. Your passionate senior Appellation wine guide will impart all there is to know about the local region and its history and everything wines.
After check-out today you will meet your driver for a private transfer to the airport.
Fly home with great memories and experiences!
*Note: This trip is fully customisable! Additional days at the beginning and end of the trip can be added.
