Your itinerary
Day 1
Adventure Starts in Auckland
The day is free to relax and recover from the flight. If you’re arriving into Auckland Airport today, you can arrange a free arrival (shared shuttle) transfer from the airport to the hotel – see the Joining Instructions for more information.
Auckland is a beautiful city and worthy of time to explore. The nearby Viaduct restaurants are an ideal means of overcoming the last of the jetlag. Around 6pm, say hello to your tour leader and fellow travellers at our hotel, where we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.
Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome by arranging a group dinner together.
Want to explore Auckland further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2
Visit Rangitoto Island
Auckland is the City of Sails, so what better way to start your trip than to cruise across the Hauraki Gulf to beautiful Rangitoto Island? At 600 years’ old, it is actually the youngest volcano in New Zealand. The island has undergone a significant restoration programme and is entirely pest-free, which encourages the native flora and fauna to thrive. We walk through lava fields and forests to the island summit (850ft/259m) for stunning panoramic views of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf.
Please note: Occasionally, access is temporarily and unexpectedly denied to various islands off the Auckland coast including Rangitoto due to cultural considerations. In this case, we respect the local Māori wishes and try to visit an alternative island if possible.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3
To Rotorua
Leaving the city, we head south to Rotorua (approximately 3hr 30min drive). On arrival, we stretch our legs with a hike around a redwood forest followed by an afternoon at leisure in town or an optional hike at Blue Lake. The evening highlight is a visit to a marae (ceremonial ground). Our Māori hosts welcome us in their traditional manner before entertaining us with a concert and hangi (traditional meal).
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 4
To Tongariro National Park
We explore one of the most colourful thermal areas in New Zealand with boiling mud pools, hot streams and silica terraces. The natural wonders that first attracted the Māori in the 14th century, and later the Europeans, still draw large numbers of tourists every year. Rotorua is a unique natural wonder and a must-see destination. Leaving Rotorua, we drive south (approximately three hours) to Tongariro National Park. On the way, we visit the steaming Wai-O-Tapu geothermal valley and impressive Huka Falls.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5
Free day in Tongariro National Park; option to hike Tongariro Crossing and other activities
We wake up in the heart of Tongariro National Park, the oldest national park in New Zealand and a dual World Heritage area. This status recognises the important Māori cultural and spiritual associations plus its outstanding volcanic features.
If you’re physically fit and well equipped, there is the option of walking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing: one of the greatest one-day walks in New Zealand. Provided the weather is kind, the rugged volcanic desert, craters and glacial valleys combine with incredible views to make this a day to remember. The crossing should not be underestimated and there are several steep sections where the loose surface can make it tough going, so come well-prepared. The crossing can take seven to eight hours depending on walking ability. There is a return shuttle service – 55 New Zealand dollars (US$32) per person – from your hotel to the start and finish of the crossing. Your leader provides you with information about the walk and can advise you on the fitness and equipment required. If you are intending to do the crossing, please bring sturdy walking shoes/boots, a suitable backpack, wind- and waterproof jacket and a warm hat.
Distance: 12mi (19.4km); ascent: 2,510ft (765m); descent: 3,691ft (1,125m); total time: approximately seven to eight hours
Alternatively, there are several other options available to experience the wonders of this unique environment. These include the Taranaki Falls walk, one of the best short walks in the park. This easy loop takes in a variety of volcanic landforms, forest and native shrubland along with excellent volcano and waterfall views.
Distance: 3.7mi (6km); ascent: 377ft (115m); descent: 377ft (115m); total time: approximately 2hr 30min
Other options include a visit to the park conservation centre, a trip up Mount Ruapehu on the Sky Waka gondola with a short walk to the viewing platform, a visit to the Tokaanu Thermal Pools or a unique rafting experience including the opportunity to help with conservation efforts for an endangered native duck.
Your leader will discuss the options and additional costs for the day. Based on the weather and interest of the group, your leader can join the majority of the group in their chosen activity. Where external transfers or the services of an external provider are required, then additional costs are payable on the day. Please also see the Optional Excursions section of the Trip Notes for further details.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6
To Wellington
Relax following yesterday’s free day of exploring Tongariro National Park as we drive (approximately five hours) south to Wellington. Continue across the Rangitikei and Manawatu Plains and down the Kapiti Coast to Wellington. On Wellington waterfront is Te Papa, the NZ National Museum, which we can explore in the afternoon along with the beautiful botanic gardens and cable car and enjoy the exciting nightlife of the capital city.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7
Ferry across Cook Strait to Marlborough; drive to Abel Tasman National Park
After an early breakfast, we board the ferry and leave the North Island as we cross the Cook Strait, passing the Marlborough Sounds with 932mi (1,500km) of beautiful coastline. From Picton, we have a 1hr 30min drive to Nelson where we can take time out to explore the city and a chance to stretch our legs with a short walk to the geographical centre of New Zealand. After, we drive to the small town of Motueka (approximately one hour) on the edge of Abel Tasman National Park, home to idyllic gold-sand beaches and forests.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8
Half-day coastal walk; boat to Motueka
We have a 25-minute transfer to the village of Marahau, where a morning coastal walk takes us through beautiful beaches and coastal vegetation. The path is well maintained and the walk takes approximately three to four hours. We meet our sailing boat at Anchorage Bay, providing our return to Marahau and time to relax and dine out in Motueka. (Depending on tides, sometimes the sailing trip is completed first).
Please note, today your leader has a guide-free day. Instead, you are accompanied by a local guide on the coastal walk who has expert local knowledge. Return transfers from Motueka are provided.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Day 9
To Buller River; visit the famous Pancake Rocks in Punakaiki; overnight in Greymouth
Our departure from Abel Tasman National Park is followed by a scenic drive down the mighty Buller River. After a short stop at Cape Foulwind to see the seal colony, we stop at Punakaiki, home of the famous Pancake Rocks. If the tide is up, the ground can physically shake and water spurts from the blowholes and fissures that dot the coastline (drive time approximately 5 hours).
We then take a short transfer (approx. 40 minutes) onto the coastal town of Greymouth, considered the heart of the South Island’s west coast where we stay overnight.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10
To Fox Glacier, passing Okarito en route
Passing through areas of lush forests, we continue south down the beautiful west coast. We drive onto the small lagoon-side village of Okarito, home of the rare kotuku (white heron). On offer here is optional kayaking where we float in on the incoming tide and explore the bush-clad waterways seeking out the abundant bird life here. Those looking to stretch their legs can hike to the nearby trig station (approximately 1hr 30min) for spectacular views over the Southern Alps. Later, we continue the short drive through to Fox township.
Depending on time, you may have an opportunity to hike to the lookout for the Franz Josef Glacier.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11
Walk to Fox Glacier; continue to Wanaka
After breakfast, we backtrack to the township of Franz Josef. From here, we go for a walk to the lookout point for the glacier (if not completed the day before). After, we drive on and stroll around the reflective Lake Matheson, a photographer’s dream.
We then continue south along bush-clad roads and past the dramatic coastline with its wild windswept beaches to the settlement of Haast. Turning inland, we climb over Haast Pass, the southernmost crossing of the Southern Alps, which forms the boundary between Westland and Otago. From here, the tussock lands of the eastern slopes merge with beech forests. We travel through to Wanaka, home for the next two nights.
Lake Matheson Loop: Distance: 1.6mi (2.6km); ascent: 138ft (42m); descent: 138ft (42m); total time: approximately 1hr 30min.
Fox Glacier Valley Walkway: Distance: 1.6mi (2.6km); ascent: 223ft (68m); descent: 226ft (69m); total time: approximately one hour.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12
Jetboat in Matukituki
In the morning, we head into Mount Aspiring National Park for an exciting jetboat ride along the braided rivers leading into the park. Jetboating was invented in NZ as a means to negotiate the shallow braided rivers that we use to access a track leading to a hike into the cirque surrounded by huge mountain walls. Back at our coach, we eat our picnic lunch before driving onto our three-hour hike at beautiful Diamond Lake, which provides stunning views of the river delta and the landscape.
Matukituki Valley: Distance: 1.3mi (2.2km); ascent: 95ft (29m); descent: 95ft (29m); total time: one hour
Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain Circuit: Distance: 4.4mi (7.1km); ascent: 1,434ft (437m); descent: 1,417ft (432m); total time: approximately two to three hours
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13
Transfer to Milford Sound and board overnight boat
From Wanaka, we depart early heading for Te Anau and then into Eglington Valley, enjoying a series of short walks in the spectacular Milford region and then into Milford Sound itself where we join our floating accommodation for the night. The Milford Mariner boat, which has two-bed cabins with private bathrooms, allows us to stay overnight amid dolphins and mighty peaks towering above the fjord. Please pack a small overnight bag for the boat; you are reunited with your main luggage tomorrow after disembarking.
Walk profile: Various short walk options on Milford Road of up to one hour depending on group fitness, weather and time
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 14
Cruise inner sound; drive to Queenstown
After an early breakfast, we cruise the inner sound again searching for dolphins and seals before disembarking and retracing our tracks to The Divide and the start of the Routeburn Track. Here we take a three-hour walk to Key Summit for spectacular views. After this hike, we drive via Te Anau (approximately four hours) onto Queenstown, where we stay for the next two nights.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 15
Free day in Queenstown
Today is free to enjoy the scenic delights of this world-famous destination! There are numerous activities on offer, which your leader can advise about locally. Or you may just prefer to spend the day shopping or relaxing.
Today your leader has a guide-free day but they can advise on how best to spend your free day in Queenstown.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 16
Transfer to Mount Cook National Park; trek in Hooker Valley
Travel through the barren Kawarau Gorge where large amounts of gold were dredged at the turn of the century. Drive over Lindis Pass to the tussock-covered plains of the Mackenzie Basin and into Mount Cook National Park (approximately four hours). Beneath the highest peak in NZ, we walk into Hooker Valley, which has crashing glaciers and glacial lakes. By early evening, we reach our accommodation and watch the spectacular view from the warmth of the restaurant.
Due to limited overnight availability within Mount Cook National Park, the 23 October 2027, 12 February 2028 and 4 March 2028 departures will stay at the Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel in Twizel, approximately a 45-minute drive from Mount Cook National Park. As these three departures are not staying overnight in the national park, an additional dinner will be included on this evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 17
Drive to Christchurch via Canterbury Plains
After breakfast, we drive to Christchurch via the Canterbury Plains. After the devastating earthquakes of 2010/11, Christchurch is undergoing a major rebuild, unrivalled in the world. The afternoon is free for you to explore this city, beautiful gardens and Hagley Park followed by an optional final group dinner.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 18
End Christchurch
The trip finishes after breakfast and checkout from the hotel. A free departure transfer by taxi from the hotel to Christchurch Airport is included but it must be booked at least one month before departure. Alternatively, if you aren’t ready for the adventure to end, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s included
What’s not included
Additional information
Food
All breakfasts, one lunch and three dinners are included.
Breakfasts are either supplied by the accommodation or by the leader. We can always purchase lunches on the run and your leader will happily stop at supermarkets (time allowing).
Morning tea/coffee stops are available at request and at your own cost depending on the day’s itinerary.
Routeburn Track Key Summit Hike
Join a celebrated Great Walk as you walk a section of the Routeburn Track through mossy beech forest to Key Summit’s alpine plateau. Tarn reflections and tussock meadows invite pauses and photographs.
At the top, reach Key Summit for expansive views across the Humboldt and Darran Mountains, with the Hollyford Valley unfurling toward the Tasman Sea. Clear interpretive panels reveal how glaciers shaped this high-country panorama.
Tokaanu Thermal Pools Soak
Unwind in geothermal warmth as you soak in mineral pools at Tokaanu near Lake Taupo. Steam curls from the water’s surface and native shrubs sway in the breeze, easing hiking muscles and travel weariness.
Set on Ngati Tuwharetoa lands, the pools reflect centuries of local use and connection to healing waters. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Abel Tasman Coastal Walk & Anchorage Bay Sailing
Follow a classic section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track, weaving past golden-sand coves, estuaries and fragrant manuka. Gentle gradients, native birdsong and turquoise shallows create an inviting rhythm for walkers and photographers alike.
Meet your vessel at Anchorage and sail from Anchorage Bay back along the coast, skimming past headlands and forested bays. With golden-sand coves, sea breezes and changing light, it’s a serene pairing of trail time and time on the water.
Hooker Valley Track, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
Trace glacier-fed waterways as you walk the Hooker Valley Track, crossing swing bridges above the milky Hooker River with constant Alpine vistas. The track is well-graded, making big-mountain scenery pleasantly accessible.
Arrive at the ice-studded glacial lake beneath Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. On calm days, floating bergy bits and serrated ridgelines complete a dramatic tableau of Southern Alps grandeur.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing (Weather-Dependent)
Tackle one of New Zealand’s finest day hikes as you traverse the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, climbing past active vents, the rust-red Red Crater and the jewel-toned Emerald Lakes. Expect steep, loose sections and rapid weather shifts on this true Alpine route.
This optional experience is at additional cost (local shuttle required) and bookable on tour. Good fitness, sturdy boots and layered clothing are essential; your leader will brief you on conditions and preparation.
Tongariro River Rafting & Whio Conservation
Enter a forested gorge to raft the Tongariro River over playful Grade 3 rapids, weaving between boulders and fern-draped cliffs. Guides share river lore and ecology in this clear, cold waterway.
Many operators support efforts to protect the endangered whio (blue duck), whose fate is tied to clean, fast-flowing rivers. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; wetsuits and safety gear are provided.
Rangitoto Island Volcanic Summit Hike
Cruise the Hauraki Gulf and walk through lava fields and coastal forest on Auckland’s youngest volcano. Ascend to the 259m summit for wide-open views over Auckland, the Waitemata Harbour and scattered islands, where the city’s maritime setting reveals itself in every direction.
Learn how Rangitoto erupted roughly 600 years ago and now thrives as a pest-free sanctuary, sheltering native birds and pohutukawa. The black rock scoria, sea breeze and skyline vistas combine into a crisp, elemental New Zealand introduction.
Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland & Huka Falls Visit
Explore Rotorua–Taupo’s volcanic heart as you wander Wai-O-Tapu’s steaming terraces, bubbling mud pools and mineral-rich pools such as the luminous Champagne Pool and Artist’s Palette. The colours, sulphur scents and heat shimmer reveal the restless forces shaping Aotearoa.
Continue to Taupo to pause at Huka Falls, where the Waikato River surges through a narrow volcanic gorge in foaming turquoise torrents. The thundering water and forested banks provide striking photo opportunities and a vivid sense of geothermal power at work.
Te Papa Museum & Wellington Waterfront Stroll
Discover New Zealand’s national stories as you explore Te Papa Tongarewa, a world-class museum on Wellington’s harbour. Encounter taonga Maori (treasures), natural history and interactive displays that illuminate Aotearoa’s landscapes, peoples and place in the Pacific.
Step outside to stroll the Wellington waterfront along heritage wharves, public art and café-lined promenades. With harbour views and a compact, creative capital vibe, this visit balances cultural depth with relaxed, breezy city atmosphere.
Cook Strait Ferry through the Marlborough Sounds
Board an inter-island vessel to cruise the Cook Strait, linking the North and South Islands. Watch headlands slip by and the horizon widen as seabirds wheel over the wake and distant ranges rise beyond the water.
Approaching Picton, the ship threads through the Marlborough Sounds, a labyrinth of forested inlets and sheltered bays. Keep an eye out for dolphins and soft morning light on calm coves—an inspiring seaborne gateway to Te Waipounamu (the South Island).
Nelson ‘Centre of New Zealand’ Lookout Walk
Walk from central Nelson to reach the Centre of New Zealand on Botanical Hill, a historic survey trig point with far-reaching views across Tasman Bay, the Waimea Plains and the distant Kahurangi ranges.
At the summit, soak up Tasman Bay views while learning how this landmark aided early mapping of the region. The short, well-made trail and easy access make it a satisfying leg-stretcher with big-sky rewards.
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowholes
Walk the Dolomite Point boardwalk to see the Pancake Rocks and blowholes, a fantasia of layered limestone sculpted by time and ocean. When tide and swell align, jets of seawater erupt through fissures and chimneys.
Interpretive signs explain how compressed marine sediments formed these fluted stacks. Standing above the surf to hear the Tasman Sea roar is a quintessential West Coast moment—salty, dramatic and endlessly photogenic.
Franz Josef Glacier Viewpoint & Lake Matheson Loop
Stretch your legs on the valley trail to walk to the Franz Josef Glacier viewpoint, where ice-chiselled cliffs and the milky Waiho River tell a story of advancing and retreating ice.
Later, circle Lake Matheson on a gentle forest loop famed for mirror-like reflections on still days. Framed by rimu and kahikatea, the dark waters often reflect Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman in a scene beloved by photographers.
Matukituki River Jetboat & Diamond Lake Hike
Head into Mount Aspiring National Park to jetboat the braided Matukituki River, skimming over shallows into a valley of hanging glaciers and beech forests. The rush of water and mountain walls adds raw Alpine theatre.
Back on foot, hike the Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain trails for elevated views of Lake Wanaka, river deltas and ice-carved peaks. The pairing of river speed and trail serenity captures the park’s adventurous spirit.
Milford Sound Overnight Cruise on the Milford Mariner
Board the Milford Mariner to cruise beneath Mitre Peak and glacially carved cliffs streaked with waterfalls. With day-trippers gone, the fiord grows quiet; you may watch for fur seals and dolphins from open decks as dusky light settles on sheer rock faces.
Enjoy hearty dining and a comfortable cabin, then sleep on the fjord itself. Morning reveals new moods—mist drifting, waterfalls threading, and seabirds gliding low over inky water—before you re-enter the world beyond Piopiotahi.
Sky Waka Gondola, Mt Ruapehu
Glide high above ancient lava flows as you ride the Sky Waka gondola to Knoll Ridge on Mt Ruapehu. Panoramas sweep across the Tongariro National Park volcanoes and the Central Plateau’s folded ranges.
Enjoy crisp Alpine air, café views and interpretive displays on this high-elevation outing. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; operations are weather-dependent in this dynamic mountain environment.
Okarito Lagoon Kayaking & Birdlife
Slip into tranquil waterways as you paddle Okarito Lagoon, New Zealand’s largest unmodified wetland. On mirror-still channels flanked by kahikatea and flax, you may spot kotuku/white heron, royal spoonbill and fernbirds.
With tide-assisted routes and mountain backdrops, this gentle exploration rewards quiet attention and a steady paddle. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; all equipment and basic instruction are provided.
Wellington Cable Car & Botanic Garden Ramble
From Lambton Quay, ride the Wellington Cable Car to Kelburn for sweeping harbour views and heritage charm. The short ascent reveals the capital’s tidy grid, hillsides of villas and ever-present sea sparkle.
Stroll downhill through the Botanic Garden, wandering themed plantings and shady glades back toward the city. This optional experience is at additional cost for the cable car and bookable on tour.
Queenstown Skyline Gondola & Stratosfare Dinner
Ascend Bob’s Peak as you ride the Skyline Gondola, one of the world’s steepest, for knockout views across Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. Watch paragliders drift on thermals and the town shrink to toy size.
Settle in at altitude to dine at Stratosfare Restaurant, where seasonal dishes pair with sunset over the lake. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Shotover Jet Canyon Ride
Strap in and blast through the Shotover Canyons on a high-powered jetboat, skimming past rock walls with heart-thumping precision and performing 360-degree spins on turquoise rapids.
Pioneered in Queenstown, this adrenaline classic showcases river engineering designed for shallow, braided waterways. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; waterproof layers are supplied.
Central Otago Wine Tasting in the Gibbston Valley
Head into dramatic schist country to sample Central Otago pinot noir and cool-climate whites at welcoming cellar doors. Vines cling to sun-warmed slopes as the Kawarau Gorge and high country form a striking backdrop.
Learn how altitude, diurnal range and glacial soils shape the region’s expressive wines while chatting with local hosts. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; tasting fees vary by winery.
Auckland Welcome Dinner & Orientation Briefing
Gather on Auckland’s harbourside and meet your tour leader for a concise overview of the journey ahead before you share a hosted welcome dinner. Settle into the rhythm of the trip amid the marina masts of the City of Sails, where ocean breezes and skyline views frame lively Viaduct Harbour eateries.
Hear practical tips for hiking days, scenic cruises and cultural highlights so you start prepared and inspired. This convivial evening helps the group connect and sets a relaxed, collaborative tone for the adventures to come.
Rotorua Redwood Walk & Marae Hangi Cultural Evening
Stroll shady trails in the Whakarewarewa Forest and walk beneath towering redwoods planted in the early 1900s. The straight, cinnamon trunks and birdsong offer a restorative counterpoint to Rotorua’s geothermal drama and lakeside scenery.
As evening falls, visit a marae to experience a traditional welcome before you join a hangi (Maori feast). Hear stories expressed through haka and waiata, taste earth-oven flavours and gain deeper insight into te ao Maori—values, hospitality and the importance of community.
