Legendary New Zealand

21 days
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Small Group Tour
Refreshing landscapes made up of snowy peaks, icy glaciers, clear waters and golden beaches – it’s all one big treat for the senses. Spend 21 days discovering the very best of New Zealand, from the North Island to the South Island, travelling with a local leader to see the country through the eyes of a Kiwi. Marvel at Rotorua’s geothermal features, learn abou...
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$4,789
From$3,421
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Overview

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

Highlights

    • From the geothermal delight of Rotorua to the pristine beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula and endless waters of Lake Taupo, experience the beauty of the North Island.
    • Head to 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.
    • 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.
    • Stand in awe of the epic Franz Josef glacier and visit a local gallery to learn about the significance of pounamu (greenstone) to Maori culture while carving your own pendant.
    • Explore the coastal delights of Abel Tasman National Park, where secluded coves and golden beaches make walking, kayaking and swimming a real joy.

What's this trip about?

    Refreshing landscapes made up of snowy peaks, icy glaciers, clear waters and golden beaches – it’s all one big treat for the senses. Spend 21 days discovering the very best of New Zealand, from the North Island to the South Island, travelling with a local leader to see the country through the eyes of a Kiwi. Marvel at Rotorua’s geothermal features, learn about local culture in a Maori village and hang out in trendy Wellington. Hop over the Cook Strait to get your heart racing in adventurous Queenstown, stand in awe of the Franz Josef Glacier and explore the pristine coastline of Abel Tasman National Park. 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 CityAuckland
End CityWellington

Travel Themes

  • High Adventure

Destinations

Attractions

  • Abel Tasman National Park
  • Christchurch
  • Queenstown
  • Rotorua
  • Tasman National Park
  • Wellington

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

Trip includes

    • Coromandel Peninsula - Hot Water Beach
    • Rotorua - Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
    • Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove
    • Murupara - Hangi Dinner
    • Rotorua - Pohutu Geyser
    • Rotorua - Visit Te Puia Maori Village
    • Murupara - Learn to Weave Flax
    • Murupara - Learn the Haka
    • Murupara - Village Tour with Maori Elder
    • Tongariro National Park - Scenic Drive
    • Wellington - Mount Victoria Lookout
    • Marlborough - Cook Strait Ferry Crossing
    • Wellington - Mount Victoria Lookout
    • Kaikoura - Visit to a Seal Colony
    • 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
    • Hokitika - Mountain Jade Greenstone Factory
    • Punakaiki - Overnight in a Rainforest Retreat
    • Punakaiki - Pancake Rocks Visit
    • Marlborough - Cook Strait Ferry Crossing
    • Marlborough - Visit Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve
    • Abel Tasman National Park - Paddle a Waka (war canoe)

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Auckland / Coromandel Peninsula

Welcome to the North Island! Your adventure begins in Auckland where you’ll meet up with your local leader and new travel buddies for an 8am welcome meeting and included breakfast. You won’t hang around in the city for long – after your meeting, get on the road and tr...

Day 2 Rotorua

Take a deeper dive into the inspiring landscapes of the Coromandel Peninsula with a walk along the clifftops and down to Cathedral Cove, one of the region’s most beautiful and photogenic spots – the rock arches, columns and pristine beaches are a truly impressive sigh...

Day 3 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 4 Murupara

Start the day with a visit to the Te Puia Maori Village, where you’ll get firsthand insight into Maori culture. You’ll also have the chance to see Pohutu, New Zealand’s largest geyser, in action – this is a sight that will blow you away! A visit to the kiwi conservati...

Day 5 Taupo

Hit the road this morning and head to Taupo, but not before making some interesting stops along the way. Check out simmering mud pools, the rushing waters of the Huka Falls and the impressive Aratiatia Dam and rapids. Arrive in Taupo, nestled into the shores of Lake T...

Day 6 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 7 Wellington

Get ready for a long drive from Taupo to Wellington with views so incredible you’ll wish the drive was longer! Weave through the barren landscapes of the Rangipo Desert and pass through Tongariro National Park. Look out for the volcanic peaks of Mount Ruapehu, Mount T...

Day 8 Wellington / Kaikoura

Say goodbye to the North Island and jump on a ferry across the Cook Strait. Your introduction to the South Island is certainly a beautiful one as you cruise through the magnificent Marlborough Sounds and into Picton Harbour. Next up, travel down to Kaikoura, famous fo...

Day 9 Kaikoura / Christchurch

Experiencing Kaikoura’s wildlife while you’re in this corner of the country is a must, so take the chance this morning to get to know the town’s most famous creatures. You may like to set out on a trip to encounter dolphins in their natural habitat – dusky dolphins, h...

Day 10 Christchurch / Lake Tekapo

A meeting will take place at 8am this morning to welcome any new travellers joining you for the next leg of your journey before heading out to get to know Christchurch. After being rocked by an earthquake in 2011, much of Christchurch’s downtown was destroyed, but the...

Day 11 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 12 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 13 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 14 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 15 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 16 Punakaiki

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 17 Punakaiki

Wake up to the sounds of the rainforest and embrace the day ahead. Punakaiki’s most famous geological feature is the Pancake Rocks – every bit as enticing as they sound! A short walk will lead you to these impressive stacks of limestone, and when the wind and waves hi...

Day 18 Abel Tasman National Park

As you travel on from Punakaiki, watch out the window as more remarkable scenery unfolds before your eyes. Rivers, rugged coastline and dramatic gorges all stream past the window as you make your way towards Nelson, where you’ll stop in to gather supplies before headi...

Day 19 Abel Tasman National Park

The day is yours to discover all the inspiring sights of Abel Tasman National Park – be sure to chat to your leader for tips on the best things to do here. If you’re feeling active, the Abel Tasman Coast Track has your name on it – it’s one of New Zealand’s nine Great...

Day 20 Abel Tasman National Park / Wellington

Kick off the day with an unforgettable experience – learning how to paddle a traditional Maori waka (war canoe). You’ll receive a karakia (blessing) before you set off, and learn tikanga (waka etiquette) as you row over calm waters. Then, follow the northern edge of t...

Day 21 Wellington

Your adventure comes to an end this morning, but if you'd like to spend more time exploring Wellington, just get in touch ahead of time and we'd be happy to arrange additional accommodation (subject to availability).

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,421
Price per day$163
Last Updated: 11/19/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
11 Jan 2025
31 Jan 2025
$3,557
08 Feb 2025
28 Feb 2025
$3,557
15 Feb 2025
07 Mar 2025
$3,557
01 Mar 2025
21 Mar 2025
$3,421
08 Mar 2025
28 Mar 2025
$3,421
14 Mar 2025
03 Apr 2025
$3,421
05 Apr 2025
25 Apr 2025
$3,421
18 Apr 2025
08 May 2025
$3,421
25 Apr 2025
15 May 2025
$3,421

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.

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Intrepid Travel

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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.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (20 nights)

Transportation & Flights

Private Vehicle,Ferry,

Transportation & flights

Private Vehicle,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

  • YHA Wellington Backpacker Hostel
  • 292 Wakefield Street, Te Aro
  • Wellington
  • NEW ZEALAND
Trip ID
intrepid-PHRZC

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