G Adventures - Highlights of New Zealand Itinerary

‘Haere Mai’ … Welcome to New Zealand!

Arrive in Auckland ‘The City of Sails’ at any time today and make your own way to the joining hotel. You may have time to explore New Zealand’s largest city before joining your CEO and travel companions at welcome meeting this evening.

Some Activities and sightseeing options if you have time:

** Please note this tour departs Auckland early on Day 2. If you are interested in exploring the city and its nearby attractions, like a local winery, it is recommended you book additional pre-trip accommodation nights.

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night (or similar)

Heading towards Rotorua we stop at Waitomo Caves where we will take a boat ride through the caves and see thousands of flickering glowworms lighting up the walls.

Rotorua sits over an active geothermal zone with bubbling mud pits and multi-coloured pools in different areas around the town. This is a fascinating region with Maori history and culture tied directly to the geothermal aspects of the land.

Waitomo Cave Excursion 
Enjoy a peaceful boat ride through 30 million year old caverns covered with magical glowworms that are unique to New Zealand. Hundreds of thousands of these tiny creatures radiate luminescent light in underground caves carved by rivers and time. Take in more than 136 years of cultural and natural history on this unique excursion.

Accommodation: Rotorua  - 2 Nights (or similar)

Rotorua is a geothermal spectacular. Giant geysers rocket into the air and colourful sulphur terraces hiss and boil. The earth's crust at its most exciting and accessible in the downtown parks and lakefront-  the smell of sulphur and sight of steaming vents invade the senses. But Rotorua is more than boiling mud, there are ancient forests set amongst pristine lakes, and the area is steeped in the history and tikanga (culture) of Maori, the first people of New Zealand. Opt to check out the geothermal area or go whitewater rafting. In the evening visit a Maori village for traditional ceremonies, a Hangi meal and entertainment.

Mitai Maori Cultural Experience
Visit the Mitai Maori Village and learn the migration story of Tamatekapua of the Te Arawa canoe to Aotearoa and the Maori Pacifica connection told in dance form. Enjoy a delicious Hangi meal, similar to a Hawaiian Luau, with dishes such as chicken, sweet potato (kumara) and lamb steamed over heated rocks. 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Rest your legs this morning as we drive south through rolling hill country to the capital city of Wellington. 

Wellington is a picture perfect city. It is compact, cultured and full of character. Nestled between the harbour and the hills, the downtown area is ideal for explorations on foot.

The city has long been recognized as the cultural and arts capital of New Zealand (with festivals almost every month) and is home to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Royal New Zealand Ballet, opera companies, theater and a large number of art galleries.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Wellington - 2 Nights (or similar)

Enjoy the atmosphere in this relaxed but lively city. After an orientation walk the rest of the afternoon is yours, so take your time as you stroll through the busy streets of this buzzing wee city. Absorb some of New Zealand’s history in the national museum - Te Papa, explore the waterfront or simply get lost admiring the heritage houses along one of the many improbably steep streets. Nowhere is very far in this walkable city.

Orientation Walk 
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.

Suggested outings in and around Wellington.

Fly to the South Island, then travel to the seaside town of Kaikoura, known for its diverse marine life.

Nestled between soaring mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Kaikoura is known as New Zealand’s ‘Serengeti of the Sea’. The natural wonders here are breath taking. Fur seals lounge on the rugged coastline and, just offshore, whales and dolphins thrive in an ocean that teems with life.

For dinner, opt to chow down on the national dish – fish and chips – near the beach.

Accommodation: Kaikoura - 1 Night (or similar)

Enjoy a free morning in Kaikoura. Opt to go on a whale watching tour and search for giant sperm whales. Or head out on a tour to swim in the open ocean in a place often visited by wild dolphins. In the afternoon, travel to Hanmer Springs. Opt to take a soak in the hot springs.

Suggested Wildlife Encounters in Kaikoura

Then travel to Hanmer Springs, a charming alpine village where you can take a soak in the hot springs.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hanmer Springs - 1 Night (or similar)

Travel across the Southern Alps via the stunningly scenic Arthur's Pass to Franz Josef Glacier. Stretch your legs with a mountain or rainforest walk as we head south into the National Park known as ‘Glacier Country’ – in parts, huge valleys of ice tumble down almost to sea level. Also blessed with lakes, rivers and wetlands; Westland is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Here, the landscapes are highly revered by those kiwis who have lived here for generations, as well as by the local Ngai Tahu tribe who hold this wild place in high spiritual esteem.

Meals: Breakfast 

Accommodation: Franz Josef - 2 Nights (or similar)

Spend the day exploring the stunning region around Franz Josef. Opt for various hiking adventures in the area, the most popular being a glacier trek. If relaxing is more your style, there are shorter day hikes and bush walks on offer. You are in the heart of Westland National Park, considered to be the most diverse and beautiful area in New Zealand.

There's plenty to see and do in Franz Josef, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like a glacial hike, quad biking, and a helicopter hike. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!

Excursions available in and around the Franz Josef.

Meals: Breakfast 

Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and ringed by towering mountains, Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s ultimate holiday destinations. It may be the adventure capital of the world, but it’s also home to an excellent food and wine scene as well as great shopping, hiking and endless opportunities to relax.

It’s just as easy to go fishing, golfing, gold panning or wine tasting as it is to Bungy jump or skydive. Famed for its international winter skiing profile and outdoor beauty, Queenstown is a brilliant destination to visit year-round. One thing is certain here: you won’t run out of things to do.  

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Queenstown - 3 Nights (or similar)

Explore everything Queenstown has to offer. With free time here, opt to go bungee jumping (in its birthplace), jet boating (also born here!), skydiving or hiking. You might like to take it a little slower and travel by gondola to the top of a local peak. Or if you prefer something more relaxing like a wine tour in the stunning vineyards of the Gibbston Valley, you won’t be disappointed. 

Recommended Queenstown excursions:

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy the stunning scenery of Fiordland National Park and Doubtful Sound on a day cruise. Take in the waterfalls and wildlife, then return to Queenstown for the night.

Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise 

Cruise through the stunning Doubtful Sound, one of the most untouched, remote places in the world. The only way to get here is by boat across Lake Manapouri, then bus across Wilmont Pass to Doubtful Sound. Marvel at the steep cliff walls and cascading waterfalls, and keep an eye out for area wildlife: dolphins, penguins, seals, and a variety of birds. This isolated part of New Zealand is truly a special place!
 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Travel north through the centre of the South Island to Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, named after New Zealand's highest peak. Spend the afternoon hiking the region, taking in the alpine scenery. Learn more about mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary at the Visitor's Centre, before a short but scenic journey to Tekapo Village.

Aoraki/Mount Cook
Aoraki/Mount Cook is both a village, a national park and the name of New Zealand's highest mountain. Located in central South Island, the park includes a mix of rocks and glaciers, as well as alpine plants including the world's largest buttercup, the Mount Cook lily. There are several short walks that reward with spectacular views. Stop by the visitor's centre to learn more about the region.

Meals: Breakfast 

Accommodation: Tekapo - 1 Night (or similar)

Spend the morning hiking the region surrounding Mt Cook, taking in the alpine scenery with the chance to learn more about mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary at the visitor's centre. Continue on to Christchurch for one final night together.

New Zealand’s second-largest city 'Christchurch' has bounced back after a series of major earthquakes, and has shown its resiliency with a number of new and exciting developments popping up everywhere. Christchurch continues to be a vibrant city to live, work and play. ​

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation Christchurch - 1 Night (or similar)

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!

We know you will enjoy the 'The Highlights of New Zealand Adventure Tour' and our promise to you is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with plenty of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand. 

Meals: Breakfast

Solo Travellers
No extra fee for Solo Travelers—same gender roommate will be provided or pay extra for your own room. Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single accommodation for all night stops, with the following exceptions: Night 9 (Doubtful Sound Cruise)

Itinerary Variations:
The provider strives to improve trip itineraries. If improvements can be made, or if circumstances beyond their control make changes necessary, the provider reserves the right to vary itineraries and to make substitutions.