Luxury Guided Tour: New Zealand

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1
Welcome to New Zealand! On arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your waterside hotel in central Auckland. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the “City of Sails.” Winelovers can use this day to take the 40-minute ferry to Waiheke Island, an artisan island known for its beaches and boutique wineries.
The Sebel Auckland Viaduct Harbour

Day 2
Today, join your small-group tour on a comfortable, air-conditioned coach bus and drive south over Auckland’s Bombay Hills and across the Hauraki Plains. Stop in the beautiful Karangahake Gorge and the Bay of Plenty. Then, you’ll take to the water on board a luxury 53-ft catamaran to sail on Lake Rotoiti to the geothermal hot pools of Rotorua. A favorite with locals, these pools can only be reached by water. Soak in the pools, jump in the lake to cool off, and have a go on the helm of the boat on the way back.
Novotel Rotorua Lakeside

Day 3
The morning is free to relax or enjoy one of Rotorua’s many and varied attractions. Drive out to Te Wairoa for lunch at New Zealand’s buried village, frozen in time from the day of the famous Mt Tarawera eruption in 1886. Sit back and relax over a glass of wine with your local hosts. After a walk around the village, head back into town and the Rotorua Kiwi Encounter, where you’ll see this iconic bird up close.
Novotel Rotorua Lakeside

Day 4
Today, you’ll head to Wai-O-Tapu. At this geothermal landmark, you will wander by brightly colored silica terraces and plopping mud pools. Then, visit the dramatic, thundering Huka Falls and stop to look across the lake at three active volcanoes: Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu. This afternoon, there’s time to explore short trails in Tongariro National Park, or you can just sit back and take in the breathtaking views.
4-star hotel in Tongariro National Park

Day 5
Leaving behind the geothermal region of the North Island, your road winds over rugged ranges to Napier. Renowned for its Art Deco architecture, Napier was rebuilt in this style after an earthquake in 1931. It’s also an acclaimed wine region. On arrival, join a local guide for a walking tour of the inner city Art Deco buildings. The afternoon is yours to explore the town and beach at your leisure, as well as the fabulous restaurants that make Napier a food lover’s paradise.
4-star hotel in Napier

Day 6
Leaving Napier, you’ll drive south through the farmlands and the broad plains of the Wairarapa. In the afternoon, you’ll traverse the Rimutaka Ranges to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. Tour Wellington’s waterfront and city sights and drive up Mt Victoria for the harbour views. Your hotel provides easy access to the city’s eclectic cafe scene.
Bolton Hotel

Day 7
This morning, catch the Interislander ferry for 3 hours across Cook Strait into Tory Channel and up beautiful Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton in the renowned Marlborough wine region. Enjoy a wine tasting before driving up to the mountains and St Anaud, a tiny hamlet in the middle of the Nelson Lakes National Park, close to beautiful Lake Rotoiti. From here, it’s a downhill run to Nelson, the sunshine capital of New Zealand.
5-star hotel in Nelson

Day 8
Today, you can choose a full scenic cruise or a cruise and walk along the beautiful Abel Tasman coastline. Near-shore islands, sheltered waters, estuaries, and golden sandy beaches characterize the coastline. After your cruise or walk, return to Nelson for the remainder of the day.
5-star hotel in Nelson

Day 9
Leaving Nelson, you’ll wind over the hills through Blenheim to reach the wild coastal road that hugs the cliffs between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikoura Ranges. Your afternoon is free to explore Kaikoura’s wildlife, perhaps enjoying a close-up encounter with marine life. You can choose from many optional excursions, including the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway, whale-watching cruises, and flights.
The White Morph

Day 10
First, continue down the coast. Then your tour heads inland down the Canterbury Plains to Akaunui Farm homestead. At this century-old farmstead, enjoy a private lunch and an introduction to the delights of the mid-Canterbury region, with sweeping vistas of tussock lands and mountains ahead. Tonight, you’ll stay in a valley surrounded by mountains.
The Hermitage Hotel

Day 11
This morning, perhaps take an optional boat cruise to the terminal face of the Tasman Glacier or a scenic flight to take in the beautiful area around Mt Cook. Alternatively, an early morning walk through magnificent alpine scenery to Kea Point is unforgettable. Later, drive through the golden grasses of the Mackenzie Basin and the Lindis Pass. The rugged Kawarau Gorge road leads you to Queenstown. On arrival, you can ride the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak for a scenic overview of this beautiful resort town.
4-star hotel in Queenstown

Day 12
Travel alongside Lake Wakatipu to Lake Te Anau and Milford Sound, deep in the heart of Fiordland National Park. Enjoy a panorama of high mountains and deep valleys studded with glaciers, waterfalls, and mirror lakes. Then, cruise down Milford Sound, a majestic fiord lined with waterfalls dominated by iconic Mitre Peak. See colonies of seals lounging on the rocks where the sound reaches the Tasman Sea. Return to Queenstown from Milford on an amazing scenic flight over the Southern Alps and across Lake Wakatipu.
4-star hotel in Queenstown

Day 13
Today is yours to spend at leisure in Queenstown. We recommend an optional excursion such as a jet boat ride on the remote Dart River, white water rafting down the Shotover or Kawarau River, or a cruise on the lake on the vintage steamer TSS Earnslaw. Alternatively, you can take a wine tour to sample Central Otago’s renowned pinot noir.
4-star hotel in Queenstown

Day 14
Today, your New Zealand vacation comes to an end. After a leisurely breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel for your transfer to Queenstown Airport to catch your flight home.