Depart USA 

Depart the USA on the Monday, November 1. You will arrive in New Zealand on Tuesday, November 3 local time due to time difference and crossing the international date line. Sorry if your birthday is November 2!

Arrive Auckland - Bay of Islands

Kia Ora and welcome to Auckland, New Zealand! Kia Ora (literally means “be well/and Healthy” and is translated as an informal "hi" in the Māori Language). Upon arrival in Auckland, we will meet our guide and driver before traveling together to the Bay of Islands. Along the way, we visit The Kauri Museum to explore its remarkable displays on kauri timber, gum, and early pioneer life. We then meet our local guide in the Waipoua Forest to learn about Tāne Mahuta and the significance of the ancient kauri trees. At Waitangi, we enjoy a guided tour of the treaty grounds and a Māori cultural performance before checking into our hotel for a relaxing evening.

Bay of Islands - Auckland

After breakfast, we take a scenic cruise to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock, watching for dolphins and enjoying time to relax at Otehei Bay. Later, we travel back to Auckland, check into our hotel, and have the rest of the day at leisure.

Auckland City Highlights

We begin our day with a visit to the Auckland Botanic Gardens and the Auckland Temple, then continue exploring the city with stops at the Harbour Bridge, Waterfront, Mission Bay, Tamaki Drive, Savage Point, Parnell, the Auckland Domain, and the city centre. Our day concludes with a visit to the Sky Tower.

Auckland - Hamilton - Matamata - Rotorua

This morning we travel from Auckland to Rotorua, stopping in Hamilton to visit the Matthew Cowley Pacific Church History Centre and view significant church sites. After a quick lunch break, we continue to Hobbiton for a guided tour through the Shire, ending with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. We then continue to Rotorua and settle into our hotel.

Rotorua - Waitomo - Rotorua

We journey from Rotorua to Waitomo to explore the Glowworm Caves, admiring the cave formations and experiencing the magical boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto. Back in Rotorua, we enjoy the Te Pō experience at Te Puia, combining a guided geothermal valley tour, Māori arts and culture, a buffet dinner, a cultural performance, and a nighttime shuttle through the illuminated valley.

Rotorua

We begin with sightseeing around Rotorua, including Lake Rotorua, the Redwood Forest, and the Government Gardens. At the National Kiwi Hatchery, we learn about kiwi conservation and see chicks and incubation in action. We ride the gondola for a buffet lunch at Skyline Rotorua before exploring Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland and ending the day with the Redwoods Treewalk.

Rotorua - Fly - Christchurch

After breakfast, we transfer to the Rotorua Airport and fly to Christchurch. Upon arrival, we meet our guide and spend the day exploring the city, including the Botanic Gardens, Canterbury Museum, Cathedral Square, and the CBD, before checking into our hotel.

Christchurch - Tranz Alpine - Greymouth - Franz Josef

We board the TranzAlpine train for a scenic journey across the South Island, taking in dramatic mountains, gorges, and plains. Upon arrival in Greymouth, we meet our coach and continue to Franz Josef via Hokitika, with time to visit a glacier lookout before checking in for the night.

Franz Josef - Wanaka - Queenstown

Queenstown - Milford Sound Cruise - Queenstown

We set out on a full-day adventure to Milford Sound, traveling through Fiordland’s dramatic landscapes with scenic stops along the way. In Milford Sound, we enjoy a RealNZ cruise featuring waterfalls, mountains, wildlife, and a hot buffet lunch, before returning to Queenstown in the evening.

Queenstown City Sightseeing Highlights

Today we explore Queenstown and nearby Arrowtown, view the famous bungy jumping site, and enjoy lakeside scenery. We then cruise aboard the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak for a gourmet BBQ lunch and a farm demonstration before returning to Queenstown with free time to explore.

Queenstown - Mount Cook - Tekapo

We travel from Queenstown through Cromwell, Lindis Pass, and Twizel to Mount Cook, where we enjoy a buffet lunch at the Hermitage. We then join the Glacier Explorer experience, walking to Tasman Lake for a boat tour among icebergs with views of the glacier. If time allows, we stop for photos at Lake Pukaki before continuing to Tekapo for the night.

Lake Tekapo - Christchurch

After a relaxed morning, we travel from Tekapo through South Canterbury with a stop in the charming village of Geraldine. Upon arriving in Christchurch, we have free time to explore before enjoying a three-course dinner at Curator’s House Restaurant.

Depart Christchurch - Salt Lake City

Wish New Zealand goodbye today after breakfast after we check out from the hotel. Meet your driver at the hotel lobby and transfer to Christchurch Airport for our departure flight back to the USA. Kakete ano! (Farewell and safe travels!)