Exploring New Zealand's Wonders featuring the North & South Islands

Your tour opens in Auckland, the “City of Sails,” consistently rated one of the world’s best places to live. Auckland’s Polynesian population instills into its chic atmosphere the vibrant feel of the Pacific Islands. As arrival times will vary greatly, there are no scheduled activities through the afternoon. This evening, meet your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

Come to know the best of Auckland during a panoramic city tour featuring the America’s Cup Village, the War Memorial, bustling Queen Street, and the Auckland Harbour Bridge. The remainder of the day is yours to explore New Zealand’s largest city on your own.

Depart Auckland and travel south to the town of Rotorua, known for geothermal activity and Maori culture. On the way, stop at The Red Barn for a private guided tour of a local farm and morning tea. Upon reaching Rotorua, marvel at the height and age of the redwoods in the Whakarewarewa Forest. Some of these trees are over 120 years old and nearly 250 feet tall.

Find yourself amid the dramatic geothermal landscape of Rotorua, known as the Maori capital of New Zealand. Visit Whakarewarewa, a Maori cultural and geothermal experience. Explore an authentic Maori village where people live using natural geothermal resources to cook, bathe, and heat their homes as they have done for centuries. In the evening, experience ceremonial Maori rituals at an authentic hangi dinner and performance.

Today, travel to Wellington – New Zealand’s capital, known as the “Windy City,” a coastal city nestled against the mountains.

Embark on a city tour of Wellington. See the Beehive, New Zealand’s Parliament, and the Old Government Building, the largest wooden building in the Southern Hemisphere. Then, get to know Wellington for its reputation as a foodie destination and explore the culinary scene on a private walking food tour. Visit some Wellington institutions and try some Kiwi favorites before enjoying a leisurely afternoon and evening, starting at 3:00 p.m. With your free time, perhaps you'll explore the vibrant waterfront, where you can stroll along Queen’s Wharf, visit Te Papa Museum, or relax at a harborside café while soaking in views of Wellington’s picturesque harbor.

Continue your exploration of New Zealand’s capital city with a full free day at leisure. Perhaps you’d like to see the rugged coast of New Zealand on a half-day tour to Seal Coast or take a half-day Lord of the Rings tour to get closer to the filming locations and learn about its legacy in Wellington.

Board a ferry and sail across Cook Strait. Experience what is considered to be one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world. Arrive in Picton on the South Island, then continue along the breathtaking east coast to the largest city on the South Island, Christchurch.

Christchurch, the “Garden City,” is still rebuilding and recreating itself after a devastating earthquake in 2011. See firsthand how this city is evolving on a sightseeing tour that highlights the city’s magnificent gardens and elegant park district. Pay a visit to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, a leader in the conservation of New Zealand species. Here, you’ll have the chance to view New Zealand’s “Big 5” – kiwi, kaka, tuatara, kea, and takahe. Learn about the local Indigenous culture of the Maori, with a paddle on the Avon River in a traditional canoe, or waka.

This morning, it’s your choice! Visit Quake City, a museum dedicated to remembering the Canterbury earthquakes and how the city has rebuilt -OR- get to know Christchurch’s long history of exploration in Antarctica during a visit to the International Antarctic Centre. Continue to explore Christchurch your way with free time for the rest of the day, starting at 1:00 p.m.

Journey through New Zealand’s unspoiled wilderness and arrive in the Aoraki / Mount Cook region, where extensive glaciers blanket the rugged peaks. The Maori word Aoraki means “cloud piercer.” This is where famed New Zealand mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary honed his skills before conquering Everest. You can take a nature walk, enjoy an optional glacier flightseeing tour (weather permitting), or simply meditate in the quiet of the Southern Alps.

Travel to Dunedin, situated on the southeast coast of New Zealand. One of the earliest European settlements on the islands, Dunedin holds proudly to its Scottish heritage and traditions. Visit Baldwin Street, the world’s steepest public road, as awarded by the Guinness Book of Records. Enjoy a free afternoon before dinner at a local ale house.

Start your morning with a panoramic tour of Dunedin before stepping back in time with a visit to Larnach Castle. Built in 1871, this gothic castle offers insight into Victorian culture during a pivotal time in Dunedin history. Afterward, pay a visit to the Royal Albatross Centre, the only mainland breeding location in the world for these otherworldly birds. Albatrosses are the focus in many seafaring myths, and their epic wingspan can reach nearly 10 feet.

Drive past vineyards, amazing landscapes, and the charming towns of Central Otago as you head to Queenstown. Dubbed the “adventure capital of the world,” it’s a mountainside town set against the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Arrive in the afternoon and take a gondola to Bob’s Peak for stunning views of the area.

During a cruise of the beautiful Milford Sound, you will see why this fjord is one of the most visited sites on the South Island. With rock faces that rise nearly 4000 feet (1219 meters) on either side, the scenery will take your breath away. On your return to Queenstown, perhaps you will consider an optional scenic flight, allowing you to see the landscape from an entirely new perspective.

Enjoy a relaxed start to your day or head out to explore. Consider an optional tour through the stunning Queenstown countryside, showcasing many of the locations where blockbuster movies have been filmed and learn about the gold rush that first brought travelers to the region. Leaving at 5:00 p.m. this evening, cruise Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by Queenstown’s stunning landscape aboard an iconic coal-fired steamship. Then, enjoy a lakeside barbecue dinner, followed by a sheepdog demonstration, before cruising back.

Your adventure comes to a close today, leaving you with many memories.