Style : Group tour
Milford Sound view at New Zealand_P

New Zealand: Untamed Landscapes

Go Ahead Tours
4.9 . Excellent
98%
Travel Style: Array Mixed
Physical Level: Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment. Easy
Lodging Level: Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels. Value (3*)
15 days
From: Check price
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Overview

Highlights (Bullets)

  • 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

Short Description

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.

Style Group tour
See all the highlights and popular spots on a classic tour.
Itinerary Focus Classic Highlights
Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels.
Lodging Level Value (3*)
Flight & Transport Inclusions All internal ground transport
Start City Queenstown
End City Auckland

Itinerary

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

Enjoy free time in the picturesque seaside town of Picton

Board a ferry for a scenic cruise across the Cook Strait to the city of Wellington on the North Island

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 about Operation Nest Egg at Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park, New Zealand’s largest kiwi hatchery

Enjoy a free afternoon in Rotorua or add an excursion.

Optional Excursion - Maori Cultural Tour $109pp* Details

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.

Enjoy Domain Park, Parnell shopping area, the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial and Auckland Bridge on a driving tour of New Zealand’s largest city

Take an elevator to the top of the 1,076-foot-high Sky Tower

Tonight, raise a toast to your trip at a farewell dinner with your group.

Day 15: Departure

Meals: Breakfast

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

Availability

Checking price
Price From NA
Price Per Day: NA
  • Deposit Price: $ 450

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

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.

150 Go Ahead Tours Travel Reviews & Ratings

98%
4.9 out of 5 (100+ reviews)
Excellent 144
Great 2
Average 0
Disappointing 0
Terrible 4
Value
4.9
Guide
4.9
Activities
4.9
Lodging
4.9
Transportation
4.9
Meals
4.9

New Zealand: Untamed Landscapes

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Company Reviews

Will Refuse to Refund

1.0
Details
Value1.0
Guide1.0
Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
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 on last Thursday (11/16/2023) to place my reservation, the agent (Kathy) I talked to stressed about she "cannot" guarantee that I will be able to go on the trip. Before I provided the payment information, I specifically asked if I will be able to get the refund because the trip is coming up so soon. The agent ensured that I will be able to get a full refund back within 60 days if I decided to cancel the trip. I was also told that I am basically on a wait list and someone will contact me once I can go on the trip. No one contacted me about whether the agency was able to process my information at all, so I've been left in the dark about this trip since the beginning.

I called the help line this morning (11/20/2023) around 9:00 Eastern Standard Time to cancel my reservation. I was informed by the agent that I will not be able to get my full refund back since it's too close to the trip date. Basically I was told that Kathy gave me the wrong information, so I will have to pay the cancellation fee. The only reason I provided my payment information is because Kathy specifically stated that I will be able to cancel the trip and receive a full refund.

I've never been so frustrated with a traveling agency. I made sure to ask this agent regarding the refund policy twice before giving her my payment information, and she still couldn't provide me with the correct information. It's unbelievable that such a big traveling agency cannot uniformly train their employees with the correct set of information.
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Stay Away - Class Action lawsuit for ripping off children

1.0
Details
Value1.0
Guide1.0
Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
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 have a pattern of canceling trips and keeping your money and you get nothing! They only care about money and not earning it.
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Wouldn't Refund Full Payment of Tour They Cancelled

1.0
Details
Value1.0
Guide1.0
Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
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 refund, the only way we would NOT lose our deposit of $600 was if we allowed them to keep the entire amount paid until the trip was rescheduled or changed to another tour. We asked them to refund everything EXCEPT the deposit and carry the deposit until another trip could be scheduled. They refused to consider carrying our deposit. The only was to get our $6000 payment back was to lose our $600 deposit. After several wonderful tours, Go Ahead proved themselves to be unconcerned about our financial loss or hardships caused by their inflexibility.
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I took every additional tour and the tour guides were excellent!

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Go Ahead Tours was selected for their attention to detail, and this tour did not disappoint! I must give credit to our wonderful tour director, Alessandra, who has over 25 years of experience, and we were the beneficiaries of her compassionate regard for our tour's wellbeing. She was attentive and even gave us souvenir momentos from each city we visited. I took every additional tour and the tour guides were excellent! I especially liked our guides for the Colosseum, in Rome, a mature woman who was Greek, and thus, she was very personable. Also, Katia, our tour guide for the Vatican and the Catacombs was very knowledgeable and entertaining. The last night was fun in our send off dinner consisted of a dinner theater billed as four tenors and featured an opera troup serenading us during our three-course meal. Great fun and the perfect meal to conclude our action packed 7-day tour of three Italian Cities boasting magnificent art and history!
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Amazing trip of a lifetime!

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
My husband and I went on this tour for our five year anniversary. It was both of our first trips to Europe and it was WONDERFUL! Our tour guide, Alessandra, was fantastic & our group got along so well. We made friends and always had a blast. It's a wonderful mix of guided tours & free time. It was so nice to not have to stress about travel arrangements between cities because Go Ahead has done it all. We would definitely book again!
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By far the BEST Trip EVER

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
WOW. That’s the best word to summarize this tour. 1st class everything, from the private chauffeur upon arrival to the 5 star hotels to the fancy restaurants, but the icing on the cake is the guided tour director. Nicola was BY FAR THE BEST trip mom EVER. I went to Europe by myself and she made sure I was always fitting right in, she was very patient, kind and understanding. Very knowledgeable, oh man she was the absolute best seriously. I want her on every tour
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Details

Trip Photos (affiliate link)

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.

Flight & Transport Inclusions

All internal ground transport

Group Size

Standard Group - 25 + people

Maximum Number of People in Group: 35

Accommodations

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.

Trip ID#:

NewZeaGoa

What's excluded

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

Meals Included

13 Breakfasts and 5 Dinners

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