Tour highlights: Auckland - Waipoua Forest - Cape Reinga - Bay of Islands - Waitomo Caves - Rotorua - Taupo - Tongariro National Park - Wellington - Punakaiki Pancake Rocks - Glaciers - Westland - Queenstown - Milford Sound - Catlins - Dunedin - Oamaru - Mount Cook - Christchurch
7 National Parks 4 cities
2 islands (North Island and South Island)
2 islands (North Island and South Island)
Suggested Tours
Essential (14)
Day 1: Auckland
Early arrival at Auckland International Airport. Transfer to your accommodation (available from 12:00). Time for rest and sightseeing including Mount Eden, Kelly Tarlton aquarium, America's Cup village, Ponsonby. Early dinner and overnight in Auckland.
Early arrival at Auckland International Airport. Transfer to your accommodation (available from 12:00). Time for rest and sightseeing including Mount Eden, Kelly Tarlton aquarium, America's Cup village, Ponsonby. Early dinner and overnight in Auckland.
Day 2: Auckland - Dargaville
Waitakere jungle (native plants and birds) and Muriwai gannet colony. Matakohe kauri museum. Overnight in Dargaville area.
Waitakere jungle (native plants and birds) and Muriwai gannet colony. Matakohe kauri museum. Overnight in Dargaville area.
Day 3: Dargaville - Kaitaia
Waipoua Forest National Park with world's second largest trees. Opononi and the sad story of dolphin Opo. Rawene ferry. Overnight in Kaitaia area.
Waipoua Forest National Park with world's second largest trees. Opononi and the sad story of dolphin Opo. Rawene ferry. Overnight in Kaitaia area.
Day 4: Kaitaia - Bay of Islands
Ninety Mile beach drive. Sand dunes. Cape Reinga ("top" of New Zealand). Tapotupotu Bay. Wagener Museum. Kauri World. Mangonui. 2 nights in Paihia (Bay of Islands).
Ninety Mile beach drive. Sand dunes. Cape Reinga ("top" of New Zealand). Tapotupotu Bay. Wagener Museum. Kauri World. Mangonui. 2 nights in Paihia (Bay of Islands).
Day 5: Bay of Islands
Scenic flight over the Bay of Islands. Kerikeri (oldest New Zealand house). Maori village replica. Haruru Falls. Mangrove Forest.
Scenic flight over the Bay of Islands. Kerikeri (oldest New Zealand house). Maori village replica. Haruru Falls. Mangrove Forest.
Day 6: Bay of Islands - Auckland
Waiomio Caves (glowworms). Clapham's Clock Museum. Whangarei Museum (kiwi birds). Back to Auckland for one night. Dinner at Sky Tower's panoramic restaurant (52nd floor). Overnight in Auckland.
Waiomio Caves (glowworms). Clapham's Clock Museum. Whangarei Museum (kiwi birds). Back to Auckland for one night. Dinner at Sky Tower's panoramic restaurant (52nd floor). Overnight in Auckland.
Day 7: Auckland - Waitomo Caves
Scenic coastal road. Winery tour. Waikato plains. Farm tour. Overnight in a very comfortable farm in Otorohanga / Waitomo Caves.
Scenic coastal road. Winery tour. Waikato plains. Farm tour. Overnight in a very comfortable farm in Otorohanga / Waitomo Caves.
Day 8: Waitomo Caves - Rotorua
Waitomo glowworm caves. Waimangu geothermal valley (world's largest hot spring). 2 nights in Rotorua.
Waitomo glowworm caves. Waimangu geothermal valley (world's largest hot spring). 2 nights in Rotorua.
Day 9: Rotorua
Ohinemutu Maori village and church. Agrodome farm show. Whakarewarewa geysers. Maori concert. Maori arts & crafts institute. Second night in Rotorua.
Ohinemutu Maori village and church. Agrodome farm show. Whakarewarewa geysers. Maori concert. Maori arts & crafts institute. Second night in Rotorua.
Day 10: Rotorua - Mangaweka
Wairakei geothermal power station. Huka Falls. Taupo and its lake. Mt Ruapehu (ski fields and lava) and Tongariro National Park. Overnight in remote countryside.
Wairakei geothermal power station. Huka Falls. Taupo and its lake. Mt Ruapehu (ski fields and lava) and Tongariro National Park. Overnight in remote countryside.
Day 11: Mangaweka - Wellington
Wellington, the southernmost capital in the world. Mt Victoria panoramic view, Old St Pauls Cathedral, Te Papa National Museum. Overnight in Wellington.
Wellington, the southernmost capital in the world. Mt Victoria panoramic view, Old St Pauls Cathedral, Te Papa National Museum. Overnight in Wellington.
Day 12: Wellington - Picton
More time to enjoy Welllington. Early afternoon ferry crossing over Cook Strait (3 hours cruise). Overnight in Picton.
More time to enjoy Welllington. Early afternoon ferry crossing over Cook Strait (3 hours cruise). Overnight in Picton.
Day 13: Picton - Murchison
Queen Charlotte drive. Nelson, its orchards and crafts. Tasman Bay. Nelson Lakes National Park. Overnight in Murchison, in a remote farm.
Queen Charlotte drive. Nelson, its orchards and crafts. Tasman Bay. Nelson Lakes National Park. Overnight in Murchison, in a remote farm.
Day 14: Murchison - Punakaiki
Buller Gorge. Cape Foulwind furseal colony. Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and rainforest 4WD guided tour in Paparoa National Park. Overnight in Punakaiki.
Buller Gorge. Cape Foulwind furseal colony. Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and rainforest 4WD guided tour in Paparoa National Park. Overnight in Punakaiki.
Day 15: Punakaiki - Fox Glacier
Hokitika ghost and jade town. Ross gold mine. Franz Joseph and Fox glaciers. Optional helicopter flights. Overnight at Fox Glacier.
Hokitika ghost and jade town. Ross gold mine. Franz Joseph and Fox glaciers. Optional helicopter flights. Overnight at Fox Glacier.
Day 16: Fox Glacier - Haast
If desired, early wake-up to see the sunrise over Lake Matheson. Westland National Park. West Coast rainforest walks. Ship Creek swamp and dune ecosystems. Jackson's Bay. Overnight in Haast.
If desired, early wake-up to see the sunrise over Lake Matheson. Westland National Park. West Coast rainforest walks. Ship Creek swamp and dune ecosystems. Jackson's Bay. Overnight in Haast.
Day 17: Haast - Queenstown
Haast Pass. Wanaka and its lake. Queenstown sightseeing (bungy jumping, jet- boating) and shopping. Overnight in Queenstown / Arrowtown.
Haast Pass. Wanaka and its lake. Queenstown sightseeing (bungy jumping, jet- boating) and shopping. Overnight in Queenstown / Arrowtown.
Day 18: Queenstown - Milford Sound
Lake Wakatipu. Te Anau wildlife sanctuary. Fiordland National Park. Kea mountain parrot spotting. Overnight cruise on a very comfortable boat on Milford Sound. (Subject to availability; if not available, overnight in Te Anau.)
Lake Wakatipu. Te Anau wildlife sanctuary. Fiordland National Park. Kea mountain parrot spotting. Overnight cruise on a very comfortable boat on Milford Sound. (Subject to availability; if not available, overnight in Te Anau.)
Day 19: Milford Sound - Catlins
Back to the East coast, to the Catlins wilderness area. 2 nights in the Catlins.
Back to the East coast, to the Catlins wilderness area. 2 nights in the Catlins.
Day 20: Catlins
Full day wildlife and nature sightseeing with local naturalist guide. Hooker sealions, yellow-eyed penguins, and endemic plants of Catlins National Park. Second night in the Catlins.
Full day wildlife and nature sightseeing with local naturalist guide. Hooker sealions, yellow-eyed penguins, and endemic plants of Catlins National Park. Second night in the Catlins.
Day 21: Catlins - Dunedin
Dunedin Scottish city. Otago Peninsula. Monarch wildlife cruise. Albatross colony. Overnight in Dunedin.
Dunedin Scottish city. Otago Peninsula. Monarch wildlife cruise. Albatross colony. Overnight in Dunedin.
Day 22: Dunedin - Oamaru
Moeraki Boulders. Oamaru white stone city. Blue penguin colony. Overnight in Oamaru.
Moeraki Boulders. Oamaru white stone city. Blue penguin colony. Overnight in Oamaru.
Day 23: Oamaru - Twizel (Mount Cook)
Maori rock paintings. Mt Cook National Park views and walks. Overnight in Twizel, one of the world's youngest towns (founded 1965).
Maori rock paintings. Mt Cook National Park views and walks. Overnight in Twizel, one of the world's youngest towns (founded 1965).
Day 24: Twizel (Mount Cook) - Christchurch
Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo. Good Shepherd's chapel. Christchurch sightseeing: cathedral, Arts Centre, Museum. Overnight in Christchurch.
Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo. Good Shepherd's chapel. Christchurch sightseeing: cathedral, Arts Centre, Museum. Overnight in Christchurch.
Day 25: Christchurch
More time for sightseeing and free time in Christchurch. Drop-off at Christchurch International or domestic airport. Haere ra e te manuhiri tuarangi (farewell, honoured guests).
More time for sightseeing and free time in Christchurch. Drop-off at Christchurch International or domestic airport. Haere ra e te manuhiri tuarangi (farewell, honoured guests).This New Zealand tour is best enjoyed in:
At Waitomo you can experience the brilliant caves that make the region so famous. There are three caves to choose from. The Waitomo cave is where you will enjoy a tranquil boat ride inside the cave lined with our wonderful glowworms lighting the way. The Ruakuri cave will show you ancient limestone formations and delicate crystals along with our dazzling glowworms. The third cave is Aranui. That cave is virtually lifeless past its' opening and is a showcase of stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and decorative formations. For the more adventurous, black-water rafting is an unforgettable Kiwi experience.