New Zealand Uncovered (Southbound)

20 days
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Small Group Tour
Welcome to New Zealand, where snow-dusted peaks rub shoulders with glacial lakes, and off-the-grid surf towns give way to cosmopolitan cities. This in-depth 20-day adventure takes you to all the places where you can see the country at its best, from the North Island to the South Island. Join a local leader in Auckland and travel through the geothermal wonders...
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$7,505
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

    • Discover the diversity of Rotorua, from the geothermal activity to the rich Maori culture – visit a Maori village for a hangi dinner and watch a traditional haka performance.
    • Admire the landscapes of Tongariro National Park – home to emerald green lakes and soaring volcanic peaks. If you’re up for the challenge, tackle the famous Tongariro Crossing.
    • Get to know New Zealand’s creative and cosmopolitan capital, Wellington. Your local leader will show you the best of the city, including the Weta Workshop of Lord of the Rings fame.
    • Live it up in the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown. Whether you fancy bungy jumping, jet boating, 4WD-ing through Lord of the Rings scenery or wine tasting, there’s something here for everyone.
    • Take one of the world’s most scenic train journeys and cross the spectacular Southern Alps on the famous TranzAlpine from the West Coast to Christchurch.

What's this trip about?

    Welcome to New Zealand, where snow-dusted peaks rub shoulders with glacial lakes, and off-the-grid surf towns give way to cosmopolitan cities. This in-depth 20-day adventure takes you to all the places where you can see the country at its best, from the North Island to the South Island. Join a local leader in Auckland and travel through the geothermal wonders of Rotorua, chill out on the beaches of Coromandel and Raglan, explore the otherworldly landscapes of Tongariro National Park and get to know Wellington’s creative side. Hop over to the South Island where the high-adrenaline activities of Queenstown, fabulous wineries of Marlborough and awe-inspiring scenery of Franz Josef await.

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 CityChristchurch

Travel Themes

  • High Adventure

Destinations

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

Trip includes

    • Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove
    • Coromandel Peninsula - Hot Water Beach
    • Raglan - Fish & Chips Dinner
    • Raglan - Sunset Boat Cruise
    • Waitomo - Ruakuri Bush Walk
    • Rotorua - Redwood Forest Canopy Walk
    • Rotorua - Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
    • Rotorua - Pohutu Geyser
    • Rotorua - Hangi Dinner & Haka Dance
    • Taupo - Huka Falls
    • Wellington - Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary
    • Lake Tekapo - Mt John Lookout
    • Wanaka - Mou Waho Island Cruise & Guided Nature Walk
    • Franz Josef - Greenstone Pendant Carving
    • Greymouth - Tranz Alpine Train Journey
    • Hokitika - Mountain Jade Greenstone Factory

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Day 1 Auckland

Welcome to Aotearoa (New Zealand) – the land of the long white cloud! Your adventure begins in Auckland, New Zealand’s biggest, busiest city on the North Island. Meet your local leader and new travel friends at your accommodation at 6 pm for a welcome meeting tonight....

Day 2 Coromandel Peninsula

This morning, leave the bright lights of Auckland City in the rear-view mirror as you jump in your vehicle and drive to the Coromandel Peninsula, following the coastline. A land of white sand beaches and rainforests, the Coromandel Peninsula feels a world away from wh...

Day 3 Raglan

Hit the road and make a scenic drive to Raglan, passing hills and valleys. The journey will be broken up with photo stops, including a visit to the 55-m cascade of the Bridal Veil Falls. Widely considered to be New Zealand’s premier surf spot, Raglan is the ideal plac...

Day 4 Waitomo / Rotorua

This morning’s adventure takes you underground during an optional visit to the Waitomo Caves – a subterranean system of caverns and passageways illuminated by thousands of glow worms. You may like to join a walking tour to hear the story of the caves’ history, geology...

Day 5 Rotorua

Spend the day discovering the natural and cultural wonders of Rotorua – home to simmering mud pools, dramatic geysers and fluorescent lakes. If you’ve got a head for heights, ziplining through Rotorua’s ancient forests is an unbeatable way to take it all in. This even...

Day 6 Taupo

Rotorua’s Polynesian Spa is the perfect place to unwind with your free morning. Or, you can head to Kuirau Park to walk through a landscape of hissing natural hot pools. This afternoon, say goodbye to Rotorua and get on the road for Taupo. Stop at the thundering Huka ...

Day 7 Taupo

A volcanic eruption 70,000 years ago created the magnificent Lake Taupo, which now hosts visitors from around New Zealand and the world, keen to both relax and get their blood pumping with the adventure sports and hikes on offer. With a free day here, you’ll have plen...

Day 8 Wellington

Wellington is calling – leave Taupo behind and drive on to New Zealand’s trendy capital city. Strung between green hills and the harbour, Wellington holds onto a small-town charm despite its capital status. The city is known for its creative and artistic endeavours, a...

Day 9 Wellington

Kick the day off with an orientation tour of the city with your leader, checking out the bays, central Wellington, the Botanic Gardens and the Parliament Buildings. Next up it's a visit to Zealandia – a groundbreaking conservation project that has successfully reintro...

Day 10 Wellington

Today is a free day in Wellington to explore at your own pace. After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to the members leaving your group and get ready for the next stage of the adventure.

Day 11 Christchurch

Embrace a free morning to enjoy all Wellington has to offer. You’ll then fly down to Christchurch – the South Island’s biggest city. Sparsely populated and spectacularly beautiful, the South Island is a paradise for lovers of nature, wildlife and the great outdoors. Y...

Day 12 Christchurch / Lake Tekapo / Ohau

Christchurch is not just a pretty city – it’s also remarkably resilient. After a devastating earthquake destroyed much of the downtown area in 2011, the city has begun to rebuild in innovative and creative ways. Head out with your leader this morning to see this for y...

Day 13 Mackenzie Country / Queenstown

Hit the road this morning for a journey to remember – watch out the window as you pass the sprawling grasslands of the Mackenzie Basin and showstopping peaks of the Southern Alps. Your drive will be broken up with plenty of scenic stops, including a visit to Kawarau G...

Day 14 Queenstown

The day is all yours to discover the varied delights of Queenstown. There are loads of options to get your heartrate up, whether you fancy shooting down the river on a jet boat, river kayaking, flying above the town in a gondola or a 4WD adventure through landscapes o...

Day 15 Queenstown / Wanaka

Take the chance this morning to cross off any Queenstown activities you didn’t have time for yesterday – be sure to speak to your leader for tips on the best way to spend a morning here. In the afternoon, get back on the road for the scenic drive to Wanaka, through th...

Day 16 Wanaka

Visit Mou Waho Island today. Accessible only by boat and famous for being home to an (unnamed) island, in a lake (Arethusa Pool), on an island (Mou Waho), in a lake (Lake Wanaka), on an island (the South Island) in the ocean (the Pacific). Sounds complicated, but once...

Day 17 Wanaka / Franz Josef

Enjoy a free morning in Wanaka, then get back on the road and make tracks for Franz Josef. This is another incredible drive, so have your camera ready! Depending on the weather, stop off at either Lake Hawea or Lake Wanaka lookout points. Along the way, your leader wi...

Day 18 Franz Josef

Rise and shine – you’re in one of the most beautiful places in the world, and there's so much to discover here. Known for the dazzling Franz Josef Glacier and awe-inspiring views of Mt Cook, this is natural beauty on the biggest scale. The region also has a cultural h...

Day 19 Hokitika / Greymouth / Christchurch

Begin the journey up the west coast – this is the rainiest part of New Zealand, resulting in greenery and lush rainforests like nowhere else in the country. Stop off in the town of Hokitika to visit a pounamu factory and maybe pick up any last minute souvenirs of gift...

Day 20 Christchurch

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to spend some more time in Christchurch, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,102
Price per day$305
Last Updated: 11/30/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
10 Dec 2024
29 Dec 2024
$6,147
06 Jan 2025
25 Jan 2025
$6,147
14 Jan 2025
02 Feb 2025
$6,147
16 Jan 2025
04 Feb 2025
$6,147
04 Feb 2025
23 Feb 2025
$6,147
13 Feb 2025
04 Mar 2025
$6,147
20 Feb 2025
11 Mar 2025
$6,147
04 Mar 2025
23 Mar 2025
$6,102
20 Mar 2025
08 Apr 2025
$6,102
17 Apr 2025
06 May 2025
$6,102

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

Hotel/Motel (19 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

  • Bealey Quarter Studios
  • 263 Bealey Avenue
  • Christchurch
  • NEW ZEALAND
Trip ID
intrepid-PHKYC

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