• 1 Lunch (L)
• 6 Dinner (D)
• 5 Breakfast (B)

• Rotorua: Set on the edge of Lake Rotorua, Ohinemutu Marae is a living Maori village where you’ll be welcomed by the local iwi (tribe) and shown what life’s like – both past and present. You’ll see how geothermal energy is used for cooking and bathing, explore the beautifully carved Meeting House and iconic St Faith’s Church, and sleep Marae-style in the wharenui (meeting house) – all together in one room, just like Maori families do today. It’s an unforgettable, first-hand experience that’s equal parts grounding, eye-opening and heartwarming.
• Rotorua: Walk down to the home of the Ngati Whakaue tribe at Ohinemutu. Check out their cooking methods, hot water vents and even outdoor bathing sheds.
• Rotorua: Roll up your sleeves and dive into Maori culture as we prepare a traditional hangi feast together. From heating the stones to layering the food underground, you’ll learn how this iconic steamed meal has been made for centuries. And of course, enjoy the flavours of Aotearoa the way locals have for generations.
• Rotorua: Ever wondered what the Maori customs and protocols are? Learn all about their ‘layers of culture’ from the Maori themselves.
• Rotorua: On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, we’ll head to National Kiwi Hatchery near Rotorua to learn all about the locals’ efforts to protect New Zealand’s adorable national bird.
• Rotorua: Witness Maori culture – beautiful songs, poi dance, traditional weapons. And also the spine-tingling Haka, performed exclusively for Contiki.
• Rangitikei: Tucked away in the jaw-dropping Rangitikei Valley, River Valley Lodge is where unplugged nature meets full-send adventure. You can white-water raft, horse trek, or hit the trails on an e-bike (and still be back in time for a farm-to-table dinner made from the lodge’s own backyard!). Whether you’re chasing adrenaline or just want to chill riverside with a good view and great vibes, this is rural NZ at its finest.
• Rangitikei: Dig into a wholesome organic dinner, made with locally-grown produce. You’ll also get to explore the gardens and see where the food is grown. This is as fresh as it gets!
• Marahau: Ocean views? Tick. Gateway to Abel Tasman National Park? Tick. Laid-back Kiwi camping vibes with a side of yoga, outdoor movies and unbeatable stargazing? Big tick. The Barn is where golden beaches meet national park magic. It’s the perfect base to explore walking tracks by day and toast marshmallows by night. Nature lovers and chill seekers, you’re gonna love this one. 
• Wellington: Kick back and soak up the views as we cross between the North and South Islands aboard the Interislander Ferry, drifting past forested hills, hidden bays, and sparkling blue waters.
• Marahau: Hike across this incredible national park – taking in the gorgeous views of natural rock pools, crystal clear waters and green forests along the way. 
• Marahau: Tuck into an included dinner at The Park Cafe, an iconic NZ eatery on the edge of the national park and waterfront. Watch the sun dip below the horizon as you feast on plenty of pizza and fuel up for tomorrow’s early start and sunrise waka experience.
• Punakaiki Beach Camp: Ever wanted to fall asleep to crashing waves and wake up surrounded by rainforest and ancient cliffs? It’s like camping but indoors! Welcome to Punakaiki Beach Camp. Perched between the wild West Coast and Paparoa National Park, this beachfront gem is all bonfires, Pancake Rock hikes, kayaking the Pororari River and even carving your own sandstone taonga (sacred treasure). It’s rugged, raw, and ridiculously beautiful.
• Marahau: Paddle across the river as you witness a magical sunrise. You’ll learn about how the Maori honour Te Ra (the sun) and the timatanga (beginning) from the moana (ocean). 
• Westport: Buckle up for one of NZ’s most scenic drives as we wind our way through Buller Gorge. Think lush rainforest, dramatic river canyons, and views that’ll have you glued to the window the whole way. It’s not just a road trip, it’s nature showing off.
• Punakaiki Pancake Rocks: These rock formations didn’t just pop up overnight! They’ve been shaped by karst and coastal erosion over millions of years, thanks to ancient sea creatures, shifting tectonic plates, and ocean forces. Nature’s finest work? Quite possibly.
• Punakaiki: Come check out this beautifully rugged west coast beach – perfect for your photo ops (with a sunset backdrop)!
• Punakaiki: Explore the historical Paparoa Track, passing by river gorges, forests, limestone cliffs and non-stop jaw-dropping views. It’s one of NZ’s most famous walks for a reason!
• Punakaiki: Taste a Maori classic delicacy – a whitebait fritter (basically – an omlette with whitebait)! We’ll enjoy a BBQ dinner at Punakaiki Beach Camp and settle down by a campfire to enjoy it with the crew.
• Haast: Ready for some incredible views? We’ll drive through the gorgeous mountains of the Gates of Haast and catch once-in-a-lifetime views of the river below. Seems like Mother nature does have a favourite!
• Doubtful Sound: The Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise takes you deep into Fiordland’s wild heart (that’s accessible only by boat and private coach!),  You’ll kayak through glossy water, hear actual silence, and spot dolphins and seals. We’re staying onboard in comfy twin-share cabins with ensuites, and there’s a chef serving up gourmet meals made with local produce and fresh seafood. It’s moody, magical, and 100% unforgettable.
• Doubtful Sound: Hop on a boat (with a viewing deck!) for a ride across New Zealand’s second largest lake. Rugged cliffs, beautiful bays and serene waters – you won’t find this kinda natural beauty anywhere else.
• Doubtful Sound: Hop on our private coach to ride over the Wilmot Pass that can only be reached by boat. Be prepared to witness a kaleidoscope of stunning rainforest scenery and waterfalls.
• Doubtful Sound: Sip some refreshing tea and chef-made cakes that are traditional to New Zealand, all on board a cruise.
• Doubtful Sound: A guided kayaking tour is the ultimate way to get up close to the beautiful waters of Doubtful Sound. Jaw-dropping waterfalls, dolphins, penguins, seals – there’s no end to astonishing sights here.
• Doubtful Sound: Ready for the coolest once-in-a-lifetime experience? It’s time to jump into glacial waters at Doubtful Sound.
• Doubtful Sound: This is your chance to learn all about the land, flora and fauna around this Fiordland. Best part? You’ll have a nature specialist to give you all the details.
• Doubtful Sound: Fill up on some delicious chef-made food made with local ingredients, on board a cruise.
• Doubtful Sound: Switch off and soak up one of Doubtful Sound’s most memorable moments. As the boat’s engines are turned off, the fiord falls quiet and birdsong takes centre stage. It’s a rare chance to experience the sounds of nature uninterrupted, just as it may have been when Abel Tasman first arrived here in 1642.

Stroll the boardwalks at Pancake Rocks on Dolomite Point, where sea-sculpted layered limestone stacks line a wild coast. At high tide, watch blowholes thunder as swells surge through hidden caverns.

Interpretive panels decode the geology — millions of years of uplift and erosion writ in stone. Sea spray, seabirds and a booming Tasman Sea soundtrack complete the scene.

Tackle the Rangitikei River on a white-water rafting run through volcanic gorges and jade pools. Expect wave-trains, eddies and playful drops with expert river guides.

Between rapids, soak up sheer ignimbrite walls and tranquil reaches that showcase backcountry beauty. This adrenaline hit is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Cover more countryside on an e-bike adventure, cruising farm tracks, river terraces and rolling hills around River Valley.

Electric assist keeps the ride breezy while you pause for wide-angle valley views and rural snapshots. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Clip in for a tandem skydive over a canvas of turquoise bays and patchwork farmland. Freefall gives way to canopy time with sweeping views to Kahurangi and Abel Tasman.

Instructors handle the details so you can savour the big-sky panorama. This premium adrenaline experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Ride the Skyline gondola to a panoramic perch over lake and mountains, then settle in for a buffet feast at Stratosfare Restaurant with twinkling town lights below.

It’s a scenic and culinary celebration in one easy evening. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Contiki

Experience a traditional powhiri welcome with local hosts at Ohinemutu on the shores of Lake Rotorua. Learn the rhythms of tikanga and kawa as you’re received into the community and settle into the intricately carved wharenui (meeting house).

Sleep Marae-style, shoulder to shoulder, surrounded by tukutuku panels and ancestral carvings that tell iwi stories. This shared stay connects you to living culture and fosters a sense of whanaungatanga that lingers long after you depart.

Walk through a living Maori village where geothermal vents steam beside homes and bathing shelters. Your host explains daily life at Ohinemutu and the significance of communal spaces and beautifully carved meeting houses.

Visit St Faith’s Church, famed for a window etching of Christ seemingly walking on Lake Rotorua. The blend of European and Maori motifs — tukutuku panels, weaving and woodwork — reflects a layered spiritual landscape rooted in place.

Get close to New Zealand’s emblem at the National Kiwi Hatchery. Learn how conservationists incubate eggs, raise chicks and release them to boost numbers in the wild as part of up-close conservation initiatives.

Hear about threats facing the iconic kiwi and what it takes to protect this nocturnal, flightless bird. Insightful exhibits and specialist guides reveal the science, dedication and hope behind threatened species recovery.

Dine on a seasonal farm-to-table dinner at River Valley Lodge, where menus are guided by what’s thriving in the gardens and nearby farms. Expect vibrant vegetables, pasture-raised meats and rustic flavours.

Beforehand, stroll the organic gardens to see how ingredients are grown and gathered. The riverside setting and hill-country silence turn a good meal into a grounded, place-driven experience.

Join a guided orientation of Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington), taking in character-filled laneways, harbourside views and creative quarters like Cuba Street. Your Trip Manager points out eateries, coffee roasters and local favourites.

Cap it off with a relaxed wander along the waterfront, where sculptures, sea breezes and glassy harbour light set the tone for the city’s famed food and arts scene.

Sit back for the classic Interislander ferry voyage — a Cook Strait crossing that glides from Wellington’s harbour through the emerald inlets of the Marlborough Sounds.

Watch forested hills and hidden coves unfurl as the vessel threads Tory Channel and Queen Charlotte Sound. This sea-link is a scenic rite of passage between islands as much as a journey.

Explore Abel Tasman National Park on foot, tracing the famed coastal track past golden beaches, granite headlands and glass-clear shallows. Native forest of manuka and rimu shades the path.

Tidal inlets, swing bridges and lookout points reveal a palette of blues and greens. The gentle gradients and frequent beach access make this a relaxed, sun-washed immersion in nature.

Walk a section of the Paparoa Track, a Great Walk threading limestone cliffs, nikau-lined valleys and the sculpted bends of the Pororari River Gorge.

The trail’s changing textures — swing bridges, river flats, fern-rich forest — showcase the West Coast’s raw beauty. Expect birdsong, mossy trunks and glimpses of karst landscapes at their most photogenic.

Gather on the sand for a beachfront cook-up featuring whitebait fritters — a beloved West Coast tradition — alongside a hearty BBQ spread. Flames crackle and the ocean keeps time.

As darkness settles, a beachfront bonfire glows under starlit skies. The coastal setting, simple fare and camp camaraderie add up to a quintessential West Coast evening.

Trace the Southern Alps over Haast Pass (Tioripatea), where waterfalls bead waterfalls and rainforest onto ancient rock and river terraces. Short stops reveal blue pools and glacier-fed streams.

This is a classic South Island scenic journey through beech forest, braided rivers and cloud-brushed peaks — a living geography lesson written in stone, water and light.

Cross Fiordland’s inland sea on a serene Lake Manapouri cruise, skirting bush-clad islands and quiet coves. Then board a private coach over Wilmot Pass, a spectacular road hemmed by rainforest and cascades.

Remote and roadless beyond, this combined journey is the essential gateway to Fiordland National Park’s wild heart — a prelude to fiords and rainforest-clad mountains ahead.

Settle into cabins on a Doubtful Sound overnight cruise, with a chef preparing local fare as sheer cliffs slide by. Join guided kayaking to nose beneath waterfalls and scan for seals, penguins and dolphins.

At a quiet cove the engines cut for the famed sound of silence — only birdsong and breeze remain. Nature guides share insights into geology, wildlife and conservation beneath Fiordland’s brooding ridgelines.

Step into Middle-earth on a guided walk through Hobbiton Movie Set. See Hobbit holes, the Party Tree and the mill before toasting at the Green Dragon Inn.

Behind-the-scenes stories bring film craft to life as you explore Shire paths and flower-boxed gardens. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Soar between rimu and kamahi on a guided canopy zipline experience in Rotorua’s lush native forest. Elevated platforms reveal birdsong, tree architecture and fern-draped gullies.

Guides weave ecology and conservation into the fun, highlighting predator control and forest regeneration. This adventure is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Descend a granite waterway with guided canyoning — slides, abseils and splashy jumps framed by forest and sun-lit pools.

All equipment and instruction provided; fitness and a love of adventure required. This thrilling option is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Trade trails for tides on a relaxed coastal sailing experience. Skirt golden bays, anchor in sheltered coves and swim from the stern ladder.

Deck space, sea breezes and picnic vibes make this an easygoing way to see the park from the water. This outing is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Glide a stand-up paddleboard along the tranquil Pororari River, flanked by rainforest and towering limestone. Guides share tips as you enjoy the calm, green corridor.

Back on shore, shape your own keepsake in a hands-on sandstone carving session inspired by local motifs. This combined activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Face the ledge and launch into space on a bungy jump in the adventure capital. Choose iconic sites like Kawarau Bridge or high-adrenaline options in the surrounding valleys.

Professional crews, epic scenery and a palpable buzz define this rite of passage. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Step off the platform for a canyon swing that arcs beneath cliffs and over a roaring river. The initial drop morphs into a graceful, wind-in-your-face glide.

Multiple jump styles keep the thrills fresh. This gravity-defying favourite is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Link a series of ziplines through beech forest above Queenstown, pairing lake and alpine views with sustainable tourism stories.

Guides handle the rigging while you enjoy speed, scenery and playful challenges. This option is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Sample cool-climate varietals on a guided vineyard tour through Central Otago, New Zealand’s pinot noir stronghold. Cellar doors pour flights paired with local produce.

Learn how schist soils, altitude and dry summers shape the region’s elegant wines. This indulgent outing is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Roll up your sleeves and prepare a traditional hangi, heating stones and layering kai in an earth oven the way it’s been done for generations. As the ground steams, the air fills with the aroma of kumara, pork and seasonal vegetables.

Gather with your hosts to enjoy the flavours of Aotearoa in a communal feast. This is food as heritage: slow-cooked, smoke-kissed, and shared — a warm expression of manaakitanga (hospitality) at its most authentic.

Pause to witness Huka Falls, where the turquoise Waikato River funnels through a narrow chasm before exploding into a roaring cascade. The power and spray create an ever-present haze and thunder.

Boardwalks and lookouts frame the drama, inviting you to pause for photos and reflection. It’s a kinetic portrait of New Zealand’s volcanic heart, sculpted by water and time into a thundering cataract.

Settle in at The Park Cafe, an iconic spot at the edge of Abel Tasman, for an included dinner of wood-fired pizzas and local flavours. Windows and decks frame sea and bush in equal measure.

As the light softens, enjoy sunset over the bay and the easy, village-by-the-park vibe. It’s simple, satisfying fuel for the adventures ahead.

Greet the day on a sunrise waka paddle with local guides, learning karakia and stories that honour Te Ra (the sun) and the beginnings of the day from the moana.

Glide across quiet morning waters as the first gold touches forested hills. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER experience blends gentle effort, cultural insight and the hush of dawn for a resonant start.

Witness a dynamic cultural performance featuring waiata (song), poi and traditional weaponry, culminating in a spine-tingling Haka presented for Contiki guests.

Artists explain meanings and movements, offering context to chants and footwork. The energy of the performing arts pairs with storytelling to illuminate identity, pride and resilience in te ao Maori.