New Zealand: Untamed Landscapes

15 days
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Group Tour
This island nation is known for its stunningly varied range of natural landscapes; you’ll understand why when you cruise through the fjords of Milford Sound or ascend the peaks of the Southern Alps. Amid these spectacular untamed settings, you’ll get a taste of the welcoming Kiwi culture.
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Stunning volcanic landscapes
    • The intriguing Maori culture
    • The South Island’s beautiful bays & beaches
    • The spectacular Milford Sound
    • Sharing a home-cooked meal with a Kiwi family

What's this trip about?

    This island nation is known for its stunningly varied range of natural landscapes; you’ll understand why when you cruise through the fjords of Milford Sound or ascend the peaks of the Southern Alps. Amid these spectacular untamed settings, you’ll get a taste of the welcoming Kiwi culture.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeGroup - max of 35 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityQueenstown
End CityAuckland

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

  • New Zealand

Attractions

  • Abel Tasman National Park
  • Auckland
  • Nelson
  • Queenstown
  • Tongariro National Park

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • Nature
  • Short Cruise
  • Wine Tasting

Trip includes

    • 12 nights in handpicked hotels
    • Breakfast daily, 5 three-course dinners with beer or wine, 1 wine tasting
    • Guided sightseeing
    • Multilingual Tour Director
    • Private deluxe motor coach
    • Select entrance fees

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Travel day

Cross the International Date Line in flight and “lose” a day.

Day 2: Travel day

Your flight continues to New Zealand.

Queenstown 3 nights Hotel info

Day 3: Arrival in Queenstown

Meals: Dinner

Welcome to Queenstown! Transfer to your hotel, then meet your fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 4: Milford Sound

Meals: Breakfast

Head out to explore the breathtaking Milford Sound in New Zealand’s Fiordland, home to some of the most memorable scenery in the world.

Travel through the Five Rivers farming region and past Lake Te’Anau

Pass through beautiful beech forests and by glittering mirror lakes

Cruise around Milford Sound, in view of Mitre Peak

Day 5: Free day in Queenstown

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a day at your leisure in Queenstown, or add an excursion.

Optional Excursion - Walter Peak: Lake Cruise & Dinner $109pp* Details

Fox Glacier 1 night Hotel info

Day 6: Transfer to Fox Glacier

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a scenic drive through the island’s Southern Alps to Fox Glacier, stopping at Lake Hawea, Lake Wanaka, Knight’s Point and Thunder Creek Falls along the way.

Day 7: Transfer to Hokitika

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a free morning at Fox Glacier or add an excursion.

Then, transfer to Hokitika for the night.

Optional Excursion - Fox Glacier Helicopter Ride $219pp* Details

Day 8: Transfer to Nelson via Punakaiki

Meals: Breakfast

Leave Hokitika behind as you set out for Nelson, stopping at Punakaiki en route.

Visit the distinctive “pancake” rocks and tidal blowholes of Punakaiki

Pass through the dramatic Buller Gorge before arriving in Nelson

Day 9: Abel Tasman National Park & Cruise

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Head out to explore Abel Tasman National Park and Kaiteriteri Beach, where you’ll embark on a scenic cruise.

Journey by boat through South Island’s pristine coves and turquoise waters

Visit breathtaking Kaiteriteri Beach

Tonight, dine with a Kiwi family at a traditional home-hosted dinner.

Day 10: Transfer to Wellington

Meals: Breakfast

Included entrances: Wine tasting

On your way to Wellington, make stops in New Zealand’s wine country and the charming coastal town of Picton.

Stop for a wine tasting in Marlborough, a region renowned for its sauvignon blanc

Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Wellington

Meals: Breakfast

Get to know Wellington, the southernmost capital city of any sovereign state, on a guided tour led by your Tour Director.

Explore the interactive exhibitions at Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum

Take in views of the city from soaring Mount Victoria

Wander along the Wellington waterfront

Day 12: Transfer to Rotorua

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Head to Rotorua, in the heart of the North Island’s Maori country.

Stop at Lake Taupo and Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site

Sample “Pavlova” a traditional dessert at tonight’s traditional hangi feast

Day 13: Sightseeing tour of Rotorua & Kiwi Wildlife Park

Meals: Breakfast

See the sights in Rotorua on a guided tour with your Tour Director, then pay a visit to a Kiwi Wildlife Park.

Visit the Government Gardens, a public park and site of great historical importance to the local Maori people

Learn abou...

Day 14: Transfer to Auckland via Waitomo

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

En route to Auckland, stop at Waitomo Caves to try your hand at spelunking. Then, take a subterranean cruise to view the remarkable Glowworm Grotto on a guided tour. Later, explore Auckland with your Tour Director leading the way.

Day 15: Departure

Meals: Breakfast

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to explore Fiji.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $0
Price per day$0
Last Updated: 8/2/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Go Ahead Tours.

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.

Go Ahead Tours Reviews & Ratings

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Nov 2023

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Will Refuse to Refund

I made a reservation last Thursday (11/16/2023) for a trip to Iceland from 12/02/2023-12/07/2023 and then I was told that I can’t have my refund back. When I called...

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Greedy Unethical Company Keeps Your Money When They Cancel Trips

Apr 2020

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This greedy and unethical company is being sued for keeping money from school children and their parents after the company canceled trips due to Coronavirus. They ...

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Lousy Customer Service

Apr 2020

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Our trip was to be in May 2020 and was cancelled by Go Ahead due to the Coronavirus after we had paid the full cost of the trip for two. When contacted about a refu...

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We're a company of passionate adventurers dedicated to creating the best journey for every traveler. As a proud part of EF Education First, we draw on 50 years of expertise to continue to add meaningful travel experiences to our portfolio of more than 100 tours. 

GLOBAL EXPERTISE

Thanks to the global EF network, we have offices all over the world—you can count on expert support everywhere you go. And since we help thousands of people see the world each year, we’re able to negotiate the best rates with our partners.

A COMMITMENT TO QUALITY

Our team carefully considers the details of every itinerary and reads every review we receive to ensure that we're offering you the best possible travel experience. Our tour groups are always capped at between 14 to 35 travelers—well below the industry average.

UNMATCHED SERVICE

Your own expertly trained Tour Consultant will help with every step of the planning process. Then, once you’re on tour, your Tour Director will give you an inside look at all the best sights and hidden local favorites. Plus, you can reach us at any time on our 24/7 support line.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International Flight charges
    • Passport and visa charges
    • Any kind of insurance
    • Personal Expenses

Accommodation

,Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown Situated on the shores of beautiful Lake Wakatipu, the Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown is only a 5 minute walk along the Lakefront to the center of town. The hotels 255 guest rooms are endowed with contemporary amenities to assure you immense pleasure throughout your stay. All the rooms offer spectacular views of the Lake Wakatipu. The Ben Lomond is a stylish and a casual restaurant that offers delicious contemporary New Zealand cuisine for breakfast and dinner. For your comfort and relaxation, the hotel offers a spa pool, heated outdoor swimming pool and a sauna. Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier Conveniently located in Fox Glacier village (population 280), Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier is the perfect ‘base camp’ for discovering this spectacular area. Have fun exploring the great outdoors by day, then reflect on your adventures each evening as you enjoy our warm hospitality and cozy setting. Beachfront Hotel Hokitika The accommodation comprises two very different wings; from comfortable street frontage rooms to modern, luxury beachfront rooms. Full services including restaurant, bar and event facilities for weddings, conferences, meetings and parties are all available. Hokitika is centrally located, making it easy to travel to the main West Coast attractions such as the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, Shantytown, Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier, as well as numerous rainforest walks and gold mining history. Book your stay at Beachfront Hotel Hokitika and experience the best of the South’s Island’s West Coast. Grand Mercure Monaco The award-winning Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco Resort, located in the sunny city of Nelson, is renowned for its relaxed atmosphere. All of its cottages, restaurant and facilities are arranged around a beautiful, village-style setting. Gorgeously landscaped around its own quiet stream and village green, it's the perfect place to disappear and relax. James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor Enjoy stylish ambiance and sophisticated amenities – including two highly acclaimed restaurants and bars and a modern fitness room offering a variety of equipment. For corporate guests, high-speed Internet connectivity is available throughout the hotel, and our exclusive 26th floor Club Lounge affords the pinnacle of executive comfort with complimentary full buffet breakfasts, evening bar service and a business centre with spectacular harbor views. Rydges Wellington Hotel The new Rydges Wellington is centrally located downtown on Featherston Street, close to Custom Quay, Westpac Stadium, Victoria University and Wellington Railway Station. Rydges Wellington features fantastic harbor views and offers you 280 spacious accommodation rooms, all with kitchenettes, and leisure center  including a lap pool, spa pool, sauna and exercise room. Valet parking is available. Dine in the retro-chic Plate Restaurant and Bar or order from the Take Inn Menu. Millenium Hotel Rotorua Centrally located in the city beside mystical Lake Rotorua, this welcoming, international class Rotorua Hotel is just a brief stroll from the Rotorua Museum, Convention Centres and adjacent to Polynesian Spa. At Millennium Hotel Rotorua, you will find 227 air-conditioned rooms offering you a wide choice of accommodation styles, including the Club floor rooms with complimentary use of the exclusive Club Lounge. Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua Set on the shores of beautiful Lake Rotorua, adjacent to the world famous Polynesian Spa complex and just a short stroll to all the attractions in Rotorua’s vibrant city center, The Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua enjoys a location that is second-to-none. Its 248 guest rooms, many with superb views across Lake Rotorua, feature an ensuite bathroom, wireless broadband internet, Sky Television and much more. Rydges Auckland March ’10 sees the grand re-opening of the new Rydges Harbour View Auckland. Auckland’s newest and freshest hotel will set a new standard in style, and service. The hotel’s close proximity to the centre of the city makes it ideal for both business and leisure. The central city, SkyCity Casino, Sky Tower, Vector Arena and a variety of thriving bars, cafes and restaurants in Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour are just a short walk away. Freshly refurbished, our superior rooms are stylish, spacious sanctuaries. These rooms feature a spacious easy accessible bathroom. Sink into the luxurious new king bed with sumptuous triple sheeting and feather & down duvets or relax with the 32’ flat-screen LCD television and convenient mini bar.Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown
Cancellation policy

If you cancel your reservation, the cancellation fee schedule below will apply. If you are booked in a double/twin room and your roommate cancels his or her tour more than 45 days prior to departure, you will be responsible for paying the single supplement fee. Upon notifying GAT of your cancellation, you will be given a confirmation number that verifies your cancellation. If you purchased travel protection and are cancelling for a reason covered under the policy guidelines, cancellation fees will be reimbursed to you directly from the insurance company. In the event that you have to cancel your tour on the day of departure, you must notify GAT prior to the departure of your first flight. Any penalties for supplemental services/guarantees (including, but not limited to, flights, hotels or late additions) resulting from cancellations made at your request will be your responsibility, and all service fees are non-refundable. Substitution of travelers is not permitted. If you choose not to travel, but fail to cancel your tour prior to the departure date or if you return home before the scheduled completion of your tour, you will not be eligible for any refund or reimbursement from GAT for any unused portion of your trip or costs incurred by leaving your trip early.

For travelers with the travel protection policy (goaheadtours.com/travelprotection), Go Ahead Tours will reimburse the participant in the form of a credit voucher in the event the participant wants to interrupt their tour due to reasons not covered by their travel protection policy. The voucher is valid for one year from the day of the interruption of the tour and represents the value of the missed time on tour including any unused air, land or sea arrangements already paid for by the participant up to a maximum of $1,000 as determined by Go Ahead Tours. The voucher is personal and non-transferable and may be applied towards a future Go Ahead tour and is not exchangeable for cash. The participant is responsible for any additional costs incurred by interrupting the tour including but not limited to the return flight and other transportation costs due to the interruption. Reservation fees, rebooking fees, change fees, late and returned check fees, revision fees, supplemental fees for international deliveries and special arrangement fees are considered Used Fees once incurred and will not be refundable.

Cancellation of European land tours

If Days Prior to Departure is 71 days or more, then Cancellation Fee  (Includes reservation fee) is $ 450

If Days Prior to Departure is 70–46 days, then Cancellation Fee  (Includes reservation fee) is 30%

If Days Prior to Departure is 45–8 days, then Cancellation Fee  (Includes reservation fee) is 50%

If Days Prior to Departure is 7–0 days, then Cancellation Fee  (Includes reservation fee) is 100%*

*Percentages listed above are of the total tour cost, including reservation fee. Listed cancellation fee is applicable per traveler.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

13 Breakfasts and 5 Dinners

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Optional Activities

Extension to Fiji $749 pp

Conjure up your fantasy of paradise on earth: you’re probably imagining Fiji. Gorgeous palm-fringed beaches, crystal-clear lagoons, colorful coral reefs, lush tropical rainforests and majestic mountains—that’s what makes this island nation in the South Pacific one of the most enticing places on Earth. Paradise, aside, perhaps the true allure of Fiji lies with the warmth of the people and the fascinating blend of cultures that has endured for centuries.

Trip ID
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