Premium New Zealand Encompassed

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

4.6 out of 5 based on 7 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
EUR €7,865
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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

Map of Premium New Zealand Encompassed including New Zealand
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
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.
Premium accommodation

Our best 4-star accommodation and the highest level of service

Premium experiences

All must-see locations plus authentic experiences exclusive to Premium

Premium knowledge

Trips led by our most experienced and highest-rated local leaders


Why you'll love this trip
  • 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.

Is this trip right for you?
  • 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

Map of Premium New Zealand Encompassed including New Zealand

Inclusions

Meals

16 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Catamaran, Flight, Jet boat, Cruise boat

Accommodation

Hotel (9 nights), Resort (3 nights), Homestead (2 nights), Cruise boat (1 night)

Premium Inclusions
  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
  • Luggage transfer
  • Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
  • 24/7 on-ground support
Activities
  • Auckland - Welcome Dinner
  • 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
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer - Premium Trip
  • 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
Add on activities
  • Rotorua - Polynesian Spa - from - NZD34
  • Rotorua - Redwoods Treetop Walkway - NZD37
  • Taupo - Lake Taupo Sailing Adventure - NZD69
  • Franz Josef - Lake Mapourika Scenic Cruise - NZD115
  • Franz Josef - Waiho Hot Tubs - from - NZD89
  • Franz Josef - Heli-Hiking Tour - from - NZD485
  • Franz Josef - Kayaking Excursion - from - NZD130

Dates and availability

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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.

Essential Trip Information

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.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 based on 7 reviews submitted.
While we try our best to display all reviews, removal may be due to the following: privacy concerns, profanity/inappropriate content or it is unrelated to this trip. We welcome honest feedback and will directly respond to negative reviews.

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Benjamin · Traveled March 2023
The trip had great coverage of North and South Island of New Zealand in only 17 days, with a good mix of culture, nature and adventure. Highlights for us were going to Hobbiton and Milford Sound! Some activities were very weather dependent and there were some adjustments to the published itinerary/activities.
Review submitted 15 Apr 2023

Lucy · Traveled March 2023
Our group got lucky and had a good variety of lovely people on the tour. Our guide was friendly, efficient & enthusiastic. NZ is an incredible place to visit & this tour was definitely an effective way to see the main things in a relatively short space of time, particularly if you're travelling alone and/or want someone to take care of everything for you! The hotels are good quality and you eat some amazing food in the included meals. Driving times are long but that's to be expected - the scenery is so stunning that it's easy to wile away the time looking out of the window. With the changeable weather there can be some disappointments with activities not being able to take place so you should definitely be prepared for that. And take good waterproofs! Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the tour & the NZ experience, my highlights being Waiheke Island wine tasting, Wanaka & the Milford Sound overnight cruise. You don't get to spend much time in the cities so definitely come early & stay after if this interests you - Queenstown warrants a weekend for sure.
Review submitted 23 Jul 2023

Susan · Traveled February 2023
New Zealand was shown in all it's beautiful and amazing glory. The itinerary was great although I would have liked a little more time in Wellington and Christchurch. It is a great trip for us older back packers who now need a little more comfort when travelling. The accommodation was fabulous as were our two tour leaders George and Michelle. The inclusions were great especially Waiheke Island. The overnight boat on Milford Sound was also a highlight. A few long days travelling were made magnificent by the scenery.
Review submitted 12 Mar 2023

Ronald · Traveled January 2023
Crap happens. During our trip we contracted COVID. When faced with an illness far from home in a foreign land it is easy to become overwhelmed. Intrepid stepped forward, held our hand and walked us through all the issues we faced. I look forward to our future travels with Intrepid.
Review submitted 20 Feb 2023

Cindy · Traveled January 2023
Our tour leader was exceptional, she had great local knowledge and was enthusiastic about sharing this. Some days were very long driving days, this can become tiring and there needed to be more free time. But overall this was a wonderful experience.
Review submitted 08 Feb 2023
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EUR €7,865