New Zealand Amplified (Northbound)

17 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Additional images not provided by operator
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
93%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
premier

Health Safety +

USTOA

Small Group Tour
Get ready for an adventure of epic proportions – the best of New Zealand is waiting! Spend 17 days discovering the South Island and North Island with the guidance of a passionate local leader. See the innovative ways Christchurch has rebuilt post-quake, get to know the adventure capital of the world in Queenstown and experience the natural beauty of Franz Jos...
29%
$4,249
From$3,035
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

    • Calling all adventure seekers! Queenstown is overflowing with adrenaline-pumping activities, so dive straight in or sit back with a glass of world-class local wine.
    • All aboard for one of the world’s most spectacular train journeys – take the famous TranzAlpine through the Southern Alps from the West Coast to Christchurch.
    • Visit a Maori village where profits from your visit are fed back into the community, learn the haka and Maori weaving before tucking into a traditional hangi dinner.
    • Experience the geothermal delights of Rotorua, watch New Zealand’s largest geyser erupt and observe adorable kiwis in a nocturnal house at a conservation centre.
    • A little piece of paradise awaits on the Coromandel Peninsula – dig your own natural hot tub on Hot Water Beach and check out the much-photographed Cathedral Cove.

What's this trip about?

    Get ready for an adventure of epic proportions – the best of New Zealand is waiting! Spend 17 days discovering the South Island and North Island with the guidance of a passionate local leader. See the innovative ways Christchurch has rebuilt post-quake, get to know the adventure capital of the world in Queenstown and experience the natural beauty of Franz Josef. Cross the Cook Strait and hang out in delightful Wellington, hop between beaches on the Coromandel Peninsula, learn about local culture at a Maori village and check out the geothermal wonders of Rotorua. From spectacular scenery to fascinating culture, New Zealand is sure to leave you in awe. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Accommodation on this trip is in mixed-gender multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared facilities. We are aware of a system functionality limitation incorrectly indicating

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range18 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityChristchurch
End CityAuckland

Travel Themes

  • High Adventure

Destinations

  • New Zealand

Attractions

  • Auckland
  • Christchurch
  • Queenstown
  • Rotorua
  • Wellington

Trip includes

    • Lake Tekapo - Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd
    • Christchurch - City Tour
    • Queenstown - Kawarau Gorge
    • Arrowtown - Village visit
    • West Coast - Haast Pass
    • West Coast - Lake Hawea Lookout
    • Franz Josef - Carve your own Pounamu Necklace
    • Greymouth - Tranz Alpine Train Journey
    • Hokitika - Mountain Jade Greenstone Factory
    • Kaikoura - Visit to a Seal Colony
    • Marlborough - Cook Strait Ferry Crossing
    • Wellington - Mount Victoria Lookout
    • Tongariro National Park - Scenic Drive
    • Murupara - Learn to Weave Flax
    • Murupara - Hangi Dinner
    • Murupara - Village Tour with Maori Elder
    • Murupara - Learn the Haka
    • Rotorua - Visit Te Puia Maori Village
    • Rotorua - Pohutu Geyser
    • Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove
    • Rotorua - Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
    • Coromandel Peninsula - Hot Water Beach

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Christchurch / Lake Tekapo

Welcome to New Zealand! Your adventure begins in Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island. Meet up with your local leader and fellow travellers at 8am this morning to find out about what lies ahead on your journey, then head out to get to know Christchurch. ...

Day 2 Queenstown

Rise and shine! If you’d like to really embrace the morning, a hike to the summit of Mt John rewards with showstopping views of the Southern Alps. If you skip out on the walk, don’t worry, there’s still plenty of incredible views to be seen today. Drive past the tusso...

Day 3 Queenstown

The day is yours to experience all Queenstown has to offer. If you want to get your heart racing, look no further! Paragliding, jet boating, mountain biking, canyon swinging and bungy jumping could all be on the cards for you today – just speak to your leader about ar...

Day 4 Queenstown / Wanaka

Take the morning to tick off anything you didn’t get to see or do yesterday, then leave Queenstown in the rear-view mirror and begin the super scenic drive across the Crown Range to Wanaka. Along the way, stop off in the lovely little gold-rush town of Arrowtown, wher...

Day 5 Wanaka / Franz Josef

Enjoy a morning at leisure for your own explorations of Wanaka. There’s no shortage of amazing things to see and do here, so be sure to chat to your leader for their top tips. You may like to take a pleasant bike ride along the shores of Lake Wanaka or get on the wate...

Day 6 Franz Josef

Franz Josef is the stuff of dreams, where glittering glaciers and soaring peaks provide a spectacular background to daily life. This part of the country is known as Te Wahi Pounamu, meaning ‘the place of greenstone’, due to the region’s abundance of this culturally an...

Day 7 Hokitika / Greymouth / Christchurch

Travel up the wild and wet West Coast, where the country’s highest annual rainfall means the landscapes are unbelievably green and lush, standing in striking contrast to the blue ocean. Stop off in the town of Hokitika and pop into a pounamu factory where you’ll have ...

Day 8 Christchurch / Kaikoura

Enjoy a morning at leisure in Christchurch. With plenty of pleasant cafes and interesting shops, there’s a lovely morning to be had wandering around town. Then it’s time to leave the city behind and make tracks for Kaikoura, a seaside town known for its rugged mountai...

Day 9 Kaikoura / Wellington

Take the morning to soak in the stunning scenery of Kaikoura before heading north to Picton. Take a stroll around this delightful harbour town and perhaps pick up a bite to eat before boarding the ferry to Wellington. But this is no ordinary ferry trip – crossing the ...

Day 10 Wellington / Taupo

Wellington is as cool and creative as it is windy (and it’s thought to be the windiest city in the world!). Your leader will show you around the capital this morning. Depending on the interests of the group, this may include a visit to Weta Workshop of Lord of the Rin...

Day 11 Taupo

The day is yours to enjoy all Taupo has to offer. Chill out lakeside to soak in the inspiring views, or get active and take on one of the awesome hiking trails in the area. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, the Tongariro Crossing in the nearby Tongariro National Pa...

Day 12 Taupo / Murupara

Travel today to the Kohutapu Lodge in Murupara – the majority of proceeds from the activities you take part in here are fed back into the local community. You’ll be greeted by a Maori elder who will show you around the Ngati Manawa Tribal Lands while sharing the histo...

Day 13 Rotorua

Your journey continues as you drive north towards Rotorua, known for its geothermal activity and the pervasive sulphur smell it lends the town. Fluorescent lakes, bubbling mud pools, active volcanoes and dramatic geysers punctuate the landscape here, making it feel li...

Day 14 Rotorua

There’s so much to see and do in Rotorua, so today is free to discover it all. Have a chat to your local leader for tips on how to get the most out of your day here. You may like to take an unforgettable stroll through Kuirau Park, surrounded by bubbling and boiling m...

Day 15 Coromandel Peninsula

We start today with a visit to Hobbiton, an absolute must-do on the way through Matamata. On a fully guided tour of the set you will see Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and even enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. This afternoon we head to the Coromandel Peninsula, a land...

Day 16 Coromandel Peninsula / Auckland

Of all the Coromandel Peninsula’s marvellous beaches, one stands out above the rest. Hot Water Beach is made famous by the warm waters that run beneath its sand, meaning all you need to do to make your own hot tub is dig a hole. Visit at low tide and get digging – unw...

Day 17 Auckland

Your North Island adventure comes to an end this morning after breakfast. If you’d like to spend more time getting to know Auckland, just get in touch ahead of time and we’d be happy to arrange extra accommodation (subject to availability).

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $3,035
Price per day$179
Last Updated: 10/11/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
27 Nov 2024
13 Dec 2024
$3,355
03 Dec 2024
19 Dec 2024
$3,355
15 Dec 2024
31 Dec 2024
$3,355
26 Dec 2024
11 Jan 2025
$3,355
04 Jan 2025
20 Jan 2025
$3,355
01 Feb 2025
17 Feb 2025
$3,355
06 Feb 2025
22 Feb 2025
$3,355
13 Feb 2025
01 Mar 2025
$3,355
10 Mar 2025
26 Mar 2025
$3,355
21 Mar 2025
06 Apr 2025
$3,355

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Intrepid Travel Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
Excellent
3,342
Great
666
Average
149
Disappointing
81
Terrible
215
Write a Review

Other Intrepid Travel Reviews

M

Michele Twigden

Aug 2024

Written on

Completed 3 trips with Intrepid this…

Completed 3 trips with Intrepid this year. A prior last year. The Leaders are well organized, informative and fun. Travelling inland in Greece and the Greek Island...

j

jasonemeraldrealestate.com.au

Aug 2024

Written on

The intrepid group were excellent to…

The intrepid group were excellent to work with and were very helpful at all times and made organising the trip a breeze. This was an excellent trip, and was enjoyed ...

M

Michael Campbell

Aug 2024

Written on

Awful waste of time and money.

I’m aware that Intrepid responds to reviews, so here’s my updated take. I paid approximately $1,800 USD for a 9-day trip to Costa Rica. However, between the arrival...

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

premier
View Profile

The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for all types of travelers at a range of different price points and trips to off-the-beaten-path destinations.

Associations

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Accommodation

Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (16 nights),

Transportation & Flights

Private Vehicle,Train,Ferry,

Transportation & flights

Private Vehicle,Train,Ferry
Guides
All Intrepid group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. In New Zealand your group leader is also your driver, taking you from start to finish in a coaster vehicle. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Our crew are chosen for their driving skills, their knowledge of the country, their personality, and of course their leadership abilities. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services Australians travelling to New Zealand are eligible for publicly funded health care whilst in New Zealand. This medical care generally covers emergency treatment and is free. Please note that Intrepid travellers still require comprehensive travel insurance to cover against emergency repatriation, personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements Some passport holders are required to request a NZeTA ((New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) prior to travelling to New Zealand. It's important that you check the requirements prior to travel. For the most up to date information on this and all visa requirements, we recommend you contact the New Zealand embassy in your country or visit http://www.immigration.govt.nz
Health & Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines
Age Requirements
18 years and up
Additional Information

Finish point

  • Haka House Auckland City
  • 5 Turner Street
  • Auckland
  • 1010
  • NEW ZEALAND
Trip ID
intrepid-PHRXC

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >