Day 1-Kia Ora! Welcome to New Zealand, the youngest country on Earth! On arrival in Auckland, 'The City of Sails', you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Auckland is a blend of islands, Polynesian culture, glistening harbours and modern city environment. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to explore the city and discover why it is one of the best places in the world to visit.
Day 2- AM – Breakfast at the hotel. Your tour starts in New Zealand’s largest city. As we drive out of the city, your guide will not only set the scene for your adventure today, but also point out and guide you past some of the city’s top highlights.
Exiting Auckland we drive south through the stunning Waikato countryside, the most extensive farming area in the world. Encounter stunning scenery, mighty rivers, great photo opportunities, beautiful mountains and several farm animals along the way. During this journey we pass through Taupiri which has many interesting sites of cultural significance including local Maori burial grounds & cultural totem poles.
After passing through rich countryside and learning about some local history and the New Zealand Land Wars we stop in this idyllic little town for a quick coffee break. Continuing our adventure we enter Otorohanga “The Kiwiana capital of New Zealand”. See all things Kiwi as you pass through this unique and charming town.
Arriving at our first feature attraction you will be guided through the ancient and amazing caves seeing many different cave formations including Stalactites, Stalagmites and Lime Columns before descending even further underground for your Glowworm experience. Board your glow-worm boat for a cruise on the grotto river with thousands of Glowworms sparkling above you. Unique to New Zealand for over 120 years, Waitomo Glowworm Caves are a must-see for any traveller.
On our way to our next destination, Rotorua, we stop outside Big Bird to see and meet some of our local friendly animals. These guys know our guides well and even though we do not have time to go inside the park, the friendly animals will often come to the fences for a photo or two, thrilling guests.
Arriving at our second feature destination, Te Puia, you will receive a fully guided tour to best experience the geothermal and cultural wonders including: Pōhutu Geyser, Māori Architecture, The National Māori Arts School, geothermal craters, geothermal events and even the chance to view a Kiwi bird in the Kiwi viewing house. Add optional extras if you choose, like the Maori Cultural Performance or Traditional Maori Hangi Buffet Lunch.
To finish off our Rotorua experience we do a guided driving tour seeing the most famous sites in Rotorua city including: Lake Rotorua, Rotorua Museum, Government Gardens, Whangapipiro (Rachel Spring) & the Blue Baths.
Day 3- – Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning check-out from your hotel and you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight to Queenstown. On arrival in Queenstown, you will be transferred and check-in to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring Queenstown on your own.
Day 4– Breakfast at the hotel. Later take this two-hour cruise takes in the highlights of Milford Sound while the skipper provides a fascinating commentary (English). The cruise follows the full length of the fiord on our modern vessel with comfortable indoor seating and tall windows for panoramic viewing of the spectacular Milford Sound. Our large open outdoor upper deck affords excellent wildlife viewing including seals, dolphins and penguins when in season. Visitors are well catered for with on board licensed bar offering the finest Akarua wines and local Altitude Brewery craft beers alongside an on□board dinning menu
Day 5-Breakfast at the hotel. Today take in a different experience. The only way to experience the Canyons, see their beauty and feel their power, is to come on a journey with us, the world’s most exciting jet boat ride. A unique combination of beauty and power, it’s an experience like no other, blending pristine natural landscape with wall to wall canyon action from start to finish! Proudly owned by Ngāi Tahu, the Māori people of this land, our connection to the Kimiākau (Shotover River) goes back centuries. As the home of our tīpuna (ancestors), this place is part of us. Only we have access to the spectacular Shotover Canyons.
Join us for a magical half-day journey to Glenorchy and beyond. Located on the north shores of Lake Wakatipu, this small settlement is full of character and charm, both of the local and Middle Earth variety. Take in some of the most famous and scenic sights of the region, tuck into a class Kiwi morning tea and be entertained by the local stories and film history from your expert local guide. Visit all of the best local and secret spots. Get a photo with the famous Glenorchy red shed, pretend to be a Hobbit in Paradise, take in the incredible snow-capped views over the Dart and Rees Rivers and Diamond Lake, and hear stories of the early Maori settlers. This is a truly iconic New Zealand destination, combining all of the top things which make the South Island what it is. Travel in style in luxury Mercedes vans with unique onboard videos and complimentary water and Wi-Fi. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the stunning scenery and secret local sights. The 4 hour Glenorchy & Paradise Explorer Tour departs Queenstown daily at 9 am and returns at 1 pm.
Day 6- AM-Breakfast at the hotel. Today we move to Christchurch. Queenstown to Christchurch via Mt Cook, this small group, fully-guided tour combines two of the most stunning locations in the South Island with the time and options to enjoy the activities, unlike other tours. Led by our famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety.
Day 7-AM-Breakfast check-out from your hotel. You will be transferred to the airport to catch your return flight back home. Your tour ends with happy memories.