17 Days | Journey through New Zealand’s most awe-inspiring landscapes

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Dramatic peaks, glittering glaciers and geothermal wonders await on a 17-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 wine at picturesque cellar doors, 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.
Trip overview

- Start
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Finish
- Queenstown, New Zealand
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- New Zealand
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Premium
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- PHPZC
Our best 4-star accommodation and the highest level of service
All must-see locations plus authentic experiences exclusive to Premium
Trips led by our most experienced and highest-rated local leaders
- Uncover the geothermal wonders of Rotorua during a guided visit to Te Puia, home to hot springs, geysers, mud pools, a Maori art gallery and a kiwi conservation centre.
- Sip your way around Waiheke Island off the shores of Auckland during an Exclusive Experience, visiting three cellar doors to learn about their production methods and sample some seriously excellent wine.
- 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.
- Experience some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery during your second Feature Stay on Milford Sound aboard a purpose-built vessel.
- Discover the best of the Otago region during your Exclusive Experiences – a chef-led food and foraging tour, and an adrenaline-pumping jetboat ride down the Shotover River.
- This trip is new to our range this year. Despite rigorous planning and research, new itineraries can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a welcome surprise, but every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that is what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.
- The diversity of the seasons here makes for incredible scenery, but the weather in this region can be unpredictable. It’s best to wear layers at all times of the year in case conditions change during the day. At night the temperature can really drop, so bring your warm clothes.
- There are walking opportunities throughout this trip. We recommend you bring good quality walking shoes if you're keen to enjoy a hike - or two!
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 July 2024 - 30 June 2025
Inclusions
16 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
Private vehicle, Catamaran, Flight, Jet boat, Cruise boat
Hotel (9 nights), Resort (3 nights), Homestead (2 nights), Cruise boat (1 night)
- Arrival airport transfer
- Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
- Luggage transfer
- Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
- 24/7 on-ground support
- Auckland - Welcome Dinner
- Complimentary Airport 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
- Christchurch - Welcome Dinner
- 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 Walk to the Blue Pools with Local Ornithologist
- Wanaka - Criffel Station Foraging & Lunch Experience with Local Chef
- Milford Sound - Overnight Boat Cruise
- Queenstown - Shotover River Jetboat Experience
- Gibbston Valley - Wine Cave Tour
- Arrowtown - Leader-led walk
- Queenstown - Farewell Aperitivo
- Rotorua - Polynesian Spa - from - NZD40
- Rotorua - Redwoods Treetop Walkway - NZD39
- Taupo - Lake Taupo Sailing Adventure - NZD69
- Franz Josef - Lake Mapourika Scenic Cruise - NZD120
- Franz Josef - Waiho Hot Tubs - from - NZD89
- Franz Josef - Heli-Hiking Tour - from - NZD695
- Franz Josef - Kayaking Excursion - from - NZD145
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A Single Supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. The price of the single supplement does not include the following nights, where a single room does not form part of the package. In this case you will be matched up with another traveller of the same gender:
- Day 14 - Milford Sound Cruise
Please also note that due to the small properties we use there is only a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent.
2. The Milford Sound Cruise is seasonal and weather dependent. Some departures may require a slight shift in itinerary to make sure the cruise is included. If the Cruise has finished for the season, the Feature Stay will instead be the Milford Sound Lodge.
3. Some changes will be required for departures over Christmas and New Years. PHPZC231228 will not overnight in Taupo, but Feature an additional overnight in Tongariro. The activities will remain the same. On PHPZC231212 and PHPZC231214, the visit to Aspiring Biodiversity on Day 12 will be replaced by a boat ride to explore islands on Lake Wanaka, and Criffel Station on Day 13 will be replaced by Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining on the final night.
4. Criffel Station will be closed during the following departures: PHPZC231221, PHPZC240123, and PHPZC240125. Instead, the visit will be replaced by Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining on the final night.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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