Premium New Zealand Encompassed

18 days
From $539/day
$9,706
From: 
$13,103
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
93%
Trip last updated: 11/30/2024
Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule
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Overview

Highlights

    • Sip your way around Waiheke Island off the shores of Auckland during an Exclusive Experience, cellar doors to learn about their production methods, sample some seriously excellent wine and enjoy a winery lunch.
    • Explore the concepts, rituals and stories of ancient Maori warfare and peace in a feast of culture and cuisine in Te Pa Tu. A local expert will guide you in celebrating the abundant harvest and you’ll hear stories through haka, song and drama before a 2-course feast.
    • Be amazed by Tongariro National Park as you spend the day exploring its volcanic landscapes, then retire to your chateau-style Feature Stay where you can sit back and soak in views of Tongariro’s dazzling peaks.
    • Cruise the waters of iconic Milford Sound on a Premium day cruise, where you’ll enjoy drinks and canapes on board as you look out for the waterfalls, local wildlife and learn about the area.
    • Soak up one of the best parts of New Zealand’s South Island – it's wine! During your Feature Stay in Gibbston Valley, you’ll enjoy a wine tasting, indulge in a 3-course dinner and watch the sunset over the mountains (maybe from the on-site hot tubs)!

What's this trip about?

    Dramatic peaks, glittering glaciers and geothermal wonders await on this 18-day Premium adventure through New Zealand’s north and south islands. With a passionate local leader to guide the way, you’ll experience a landscape that has been shaped by the elements over thousands of years. Taste local wines at picturesque cellar doors and wineries, set out in search of kiwis, explore the mythical world of Hobbiton and explore the volcanic landscapes of Tongariro. From the pure spectacle of Milford Sound to the simmering geysers of Rotorua, this adventure is sure to blow you away.
Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age range65+, 50 - 64, 36 - 49, 18 - 35, 12 - 17, 6 - 11
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityAuckland
End CityQueenstown

Travel Themes

Trip includes

    • Auckland - Welcome Dinner
    • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
    • Waiheke Island - Day Trip by Ferry
    • Waiheke Island - Winery Visits with Wine Tasting & Lunch
    • Hobbiton - Visit to the Lord of the Rings Movie Set
    • Hobbiton - Drink at the Green Dragon
    • Waitomo - Ruakuri Glow Worm Cave Visit
    • Rotorua - Visit to Te Puia Geothermal Area with Local Guide & Hangi Lunch
    • Rotorua - Ahua Gallery & Kiwi Conservation Centre
    • Rotorua - Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland
    • Tongariro National Park - Taranaki Falls
    • Wellington - Evening Cruise on Wellington Harbour
    • Wellington - Ferry Cruise through Marlborough Sound
    • Christchurch - Welcome Dinner
    • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
    • Greymouth - Monteith's Brewery Tour & Tasting
    • Greymouth - Pounamu (Greenstone) Studio Visit
    • Christchurch - Leader-led Orientation Walk
    • Lake Brunner - Nature Walk
    • Hokitika - West Coast Treetops Walk
    • Franz Josef - West Coast Wildlife Centre Visit with Ranger
    • Punakaiki - Rocks & Blowhole Visit
    • Franz Josef - Glacier View Walk
    • Makaroa - Aspiring Biodiversity Trust Lunch
    • Makaroa - Guided Flora and Fauna Walk with Local Ornithologist
    • Wanaka - Criffel Station Foraging & Lunch Experience with Local Chef
    • Gibbston Valley - Wine Tasting
    • Arrowtown - Walking Tour
    • Milford Sound - Day Cruise
    • Queenstown - Walter High Peak Country Farm visit and BBQ dinner
    • Queenstown - Lake Whakatipu Steamboat Cruise

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Auckland

Welcome to New Zealand! Your adventure of the volcanic North Island begins in Auckland – New Zealand’s most populated city, fringed with beaches, harbours, volcanoes and farmland. You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, where you’ll have a welcome ...

Day 2 Auckland (Waiheke Island)

Leave the bustle of the big city behind and head offshore to Waiheke Island, famed for its sandy beaches and local wine. Board a ferry from Auckland – if you’re lucky, you may even see dolphins or orcas along the way. The day will be spent sipping your way around the ...

Day 3 Auckland via Waitomo & Hobbiton to Rotorua

After breakfast this morning, hit the road and drive to the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves – an extensive underground network of tunnels and caverns decorated with stalactites, stalagmites and luminous glow worms. Join a local expert for an in-depth tour of the Ruakuri Cave,...

Day 4 Rotorua

Wake up in Rotorua to the unmistakable scent of sulphur coming off the town’s many geothermal pools. After breakfast, visit to Te Puia – over 70 hectares of land within the Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley is dotted with hot springs, mud pools and geysers. A local e...

Day 5 Rotorua to Taupo

Say goodbye to Rotorua and drive on to Taupo – sitting on the shores of Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand, this is a popular and scenic town. On the way, visit Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, where you’ll walk through thousands of years of geothermal history an...

Day 6 Taupo via Tongariro National Park to Ohakune

Today, uncover the natural wonders of Tongariro National Park, as spiritually significant as it is naturally beautiful. Your leader will guide you on a scenic two-hour walk to the Taranaki Falls – an impressive 20 m cascade tumbling over volcanic cliffs. Later in the ...

Day 7 Ohakune to Wellington

This morning, make tracks for Wellington – New Zealand’s trendy capital city. After settling in, hop aboard a private catamaran and get to know the city on an evening cruise around Wellington Harbour. Return to land after an hour and join your group for dinner at a waterfront restaurant – the perfect chance to reminisce about your North Island adventure.

Day 8 Wellington to Christchurch

This morning, check out of your hotel after breakfast and head to the South Island. Cross the Cook Strait on a ferry, taking in some unforgettable views along the way. Your introduction to New Zealand’s South Island sets the tone for the rest of the journey – pass thr...

Day 9 Christchurch

Enjoy a free day in Christchurch. This city has great food and drink culture and museums for all interests, so take it easy and fill your day with as much or as little as you choose. You’ll have a second welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to welcome any new travellers jo...

Day 10 Christchurch / Greymouth / Punakaiki

Take a morning stroll with your leader around some of the landmarks of Christchurch. Then, set off for Punakaiki, driving through Arthur’s Pass and Castle Hill – the spectacular mountain scenery may look familiar, as parts of The Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the R...

Day 11 Hokitika / Franz Josef

After breakfast, explore the Punakaiki Rocks and Blowholes before the drive to Franz Josef. Along the way, stretch your legs at the charming west coast town of Hokitika and enjoy an exhilarating treetop adventure on a walk through the ancient Rimu and Kamahi tree cano...

Day 12 Franz Josef

Begin your day with a self-guided walk to see the icy wonderland created by the Franz Josef Glacier – one of the steepest glaciers in New Zealand. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you may like to join an optional heli-hiking tour and get even closer to the glacier. Other optional activities include kayaking, a scenic cruise on Lake Mapourika or a soak in the hot tubs at Franz Josef.

Day 13 Makaroa / Wanaka

Depart Franz Josef for the resort town of Wanaka – the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park, located in the Otago region. Stop along the way at Makorora and visit the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust – an organisation that strives to protect and restore indigenous biodi...

Day 14 Wanaka

Enjoy a sleep in this morning or start your day with a hike up Mt Iron for a view over Lake Wanaka and the surrounding peaks. Central Otago is a region well known for food and wine, and today you’ll visit the spectacular Criffel Station for a chef-guided tasting and foraging tour, followed by a delicious lunch, washed down with some Central Otago wines.

Day 15 Wanaka / Gibbston Valley

Soak up a free morning in gorgeous Wanaka, then take the short drive to Arrowtown – known for its heritage town centre and autumn festival, this leafy community is perfect to explore on foot. When you arrive, you’ll take a leader-led walking tour through the cute shop...

Day 16 Gibbston Valley / Milford Sound / Queenstown

Today is all about the gorgeous scenery of the South Island! Say goodbye to the vineyard after breakfast and start your journey to the iconic Milford Sound – surrounded by mountains and, depending on the season and rainfall, hundreds of waterfalls, this place is well-...

Day 17 Queenstown

Soak up a free morning and early afternoon in Queenstown, making the most of your time in this scenic city. Wander at your own pace, then head out in the late afternoon with your group. You’ll board the TSS Earnslaw – an iconic, century-old coal-fired steamship. Cruis...

Day 18 Queenstown

Your New Zealand adventure ends this morning after breakfast. As this trip spends little time in Queenstown, it’s recommended that you spend an extra day or two if you want to experience all the town has to offer. Your booking agent will be happy to book additional accommodation for you, just get in touch ahead of time.

Dates & Availability

Price from
$9,706
Price per day
$539

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

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Associations

United States Tour Operators Association

Details

Accommodation:

Hotel (14 nights),Resort (2 night),Cruise boat (1 night)

Flights & transport:

Private vehicle,Catamaran,Ferry,Jet boat,Cruise boat

Group size:

Small Group - 24 max

Maximum number of people in group:

12

Trip Excludes:

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