15-Day New Zealand Adventure: North & South Island Exploration

DAY 1 | Sunday – Depart for New Zealand

Embark on your unforgettable journey to New Zealand, a land of breathtaking landscapes, Maori culture, and adventure at every turn. Depart from Los Angeles or other departure cities and prepare for an experience you’ll never forget.

DAY 2 | Monday – En Route

Cross the International Date Line, skipping a day as you travel toward the Land of the Long White Cloud.

DAY 3 | Tuesday – Arrive in Auckland

Welcome to Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, often called the “City of Sails.”

• Transfer to your hotel and settle in

• Evening orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at 6 PM

• Dinner at your hotel

Overnight: Auckland | Meals: Dinner

DAY 4 | Wednesday – Auckland City Sights, Maritime Museum & Devonport

Explore Auckland’s cultural and historical treasures:

• Visit Bastion Point for panoramic views of the Hauraki Gulf, Waitemata Harbour, and central Auckland

• Drive through Mission Bay with views of Rangitoto Island, New Zealand’s youngest volcano

• Privately guided tour of the Maritime Museum, highlighting Polynesian navigation, European exploration, and New Zealand’s maritime history

• Ferry to Devonport: stroll historic streets lined with Victorian architecture and enjoy free time to browse local boutiques, galleries, and cafés

• Lunch at your leisure before returning to Auckland

Overnight: Auckland | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5 | Thursday – Waitomo Caves & Rotorua

Travel south through the lush Waikato Plains to the mystical Waitomo Caves.

• Marvel at glow worms, underground rivers, and delicate limestone formations

• After lunch, drive to Rotorua

• Tonight, enjoy a home-hosted dinner with a local family and gain insight into their traditions and daily life

Overnight: Rotorua | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6 | Friday – Te Puia Thermal Reserve, Haka Ceremony & Maori Cultural Experience

Morning at leisure or optional Hobbiton Movie Set Tour:

• Explore Matamata’s Hobbiton, including Hobbit holes, the Party Tree, the Mill, and the Green Dragon Inn
  Afternoon at Te Puia Thermal Reserve in Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley:

• Witness erupting geysers, steaming mud pools, and natural hot springs

• Learn about Maori carving, weaving, and the creation of traditional piupiu (grass skirts)

• Visit the kiwi house to see New Zealand’s iconic nocturnal bird

• Attend a traditional Haka ceremony and Maori concert, followed by a hangi-style dinner with steamed desserts

Optional: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour (AM)
Overnight: Rotorua | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7 | Saturday – Walking Tour of Napier

Drive through scenic farmland, Lake Taupo, and the Thermal Explorer Highway to Napier:

• Walking tour of Art Deco architecture, including the Masonic Hotel and Napier Municipal Theatre

• Stroll along Marine Parade, lined with gardens, palm trees, and historic buildings

• Wine-tasting dinner featuring the region’s best vintages

Overnight: Napier | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8 | Sunday – Wellington City Sights & Cable Car

Travel south along the Kapiti Coast to Wellington, New Zealand’s vibrant capital:

• Explore Wellington waterfront, Bunker Bay, and Miramar (home of the New Zealand film industry)

• Ride the historic Wellington Cable Car for sweeping city views

• Check into your hotel and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant

Overnight: Wellington | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9 | Monday – Te Papa Museum & Maori Kinaki Experience

• Guided tour of Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum

• Participate in a Maori Kinaki Experience, exploring indigenous culture, customs, and culinary traditions

• Afternoon at leisure for independent sightseeing

Overnight: Wellington | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10 | Tuesday – Flight to Christchurch & Walking Tour

• Fly to Christchurch, the South Island’s “Garden City”

• Orientation walking tour of the city, including Hagley Park and key landmarks

• Afternoon at leisure to explore Christchurch’s charming streets

Overnight: Christchurch | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11 | Wednesday – TranzAlpine Scenic Train & Franz Josef Glacier

Board the TranzAlpine Train (or scenic drive for May departures)

• Cross the Canterbury Plains, stunning gorges, and Southern Alps

• Arrive at Franz Josef Glacier Valley: learn about glaciology, local legends, and conservation

• Evening check-in at hotel with mountain views

Overnight: Franz Josef | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12 | Thursday – Kiwi Hatchery & Queenstown

• Visit a kiwi hatchery to learn about the rare rowi kiwi

• Scenic drive to Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu

• Evening dinner at your hotel

Overnight: Queenstown | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 13 | Friday – Milford Sound Cruise

• Scenic drive to Milford Sound through Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys

• Cruise the fjord, witnessing waterfalls, Mitre Peak, and wildlife (seals, dolphins, penguins)

• Picnic lunch on board

• Return to Queenstown in the evening

Overnight: Queenstown | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 14 | Saturday – Walter Peak Farm Tour & Farewell Dinner

• Cruise Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm

• Walking farm tour: sheepdog demonstrations, holding pens, lakeside gardens

• Lunch at the farm

• Return to Queenstown for a farewell dinner with your Tour Manager

Overnight: Queenstown | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 15 | Sunday – Depart New Zealand

Transfer to Queenstown Airport for your departure flight home

Package Includes

• Flights: Los Angeles–Auckland & Queenstown–Los Angeles (other departure cities available)

• Intra-flight: Wellington–Christchurch

• 12 nights first-class accommodations across Auckland, Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Franz Josef, and Queenstown

• Small groups of maximum 22 travelers

• 23 meals: 12 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 8 dinners

• Guided sightseeing, entrance fees, and English-speaking tour manager throughout

• Transfers, hotel porterage, taxes, and service charges

• TranzAlpine train journey*

• Wireless earphones for enhanced touring

Tour Highlights

• Descend into Waitomo Caves with glow worms and underground rivers

• Explore Te Puia Thermal Reserve and Maori cultural experiences

• Visit Pukaha Mount Bruce National Reserve for Kiwi and native wildlife encounters

• Scenic TranzAlpine train journey through Southern Alps

• Witness the majesty of Franz Josef Glacier

• Adventure and leisure in Queenstown, the adventure capital

• Cruise Milford Sound surrounded by fjords and waterfalls

Not Included: Optional tours, gratuities unless specified