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Travelling to New Zealand? Don't worry, you won't have to choose between the two islands. With all the activities available on each island, we'll keep things exciting but also give you some space to catch your breath — you're gonna need it. Across three weeks you can hike, kayak, and cycle across this diverse land. There's also time for boat cruises and local culture, just to be sure you don't miss out on anything.
- Duration: 22 Days
- Guaranteed Departure: Yes
- Physical rating: Average
- Supplier Tour ID: ONAM/242152
- Your Guide: English speaking
- Starts: Auckland, New Zealand
- Finishes: Christchurch, New Zealand
- Age requirement: 12 +
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Tongariro National Park
- Whanganui National Park
- Raglan
- Christchurch
- Kaikoura
- Abel Tasman National Park
- Nelson
- Lake Brunner
- Franz Josef
- Wanaka
- Queenstown
- Twizel
Itinerary
Day 1: Auckland
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Auckland/Rotorua
Enjoy a morning cycle through Karangahake Gorge, then travel to the Rotorua region to the Tamaki Maori Village. After a traditional greeting on the marae (meeting grounds), learn the arts of the haka and poi before a traditional hangi dinner.
In the evening visit a Maori village for traditional ceremonies, a Hangi meal and entertainment. After dinner, lounge by the bonfire and have some time to get to know the Maori hosts.
Day 3: Rotorua
Enjoy a free day in Rotorua, a town in a geothermal area with boiling mud and hotpools. Opt to go whitewater rafting, tackle an offroad mountain bike track, go hiking, or hit the spa.
This region of New Zealand is renowned for its geothermal qualities. Enjoy free time to experience the regions' geothermal wonders. Opt to mountain bike in the world famous Redwood Forest, go white water rafting, or indulge in the therapeutic hot springs.
Day 4: Rotorua/Tongariro National Park
Conquer the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand's top-rated 1-day trek and spend time hiking an active volcano.
Mt Tongariro's rocky, dramatic landscapes make this day-long trek truly one of New Zealand's "Great Walks", passing emerald lakes and beautiful alpine scenery. Start early and collect supplies before heading out. The transfer will drop the group off at the beginning of the self-guided trek and collect everyone at the other end. After the trek, travel to a ski lodge on the side of a mountain for the night and opt for a hot soak to ease those tired muscles.
Day 5: Tongariro National Park/Whanganui National Park
Admire the scenery while heading to Whanganui National Park.
Travel to Blue Duck Station, a working farm and nature conservancy that serves as our gateway to Whanganui National Park.
Marvel at the Whanganui River - the third longest in New Zealand - as it flows out to the west coast of the North Island from Mt Tongariro. Learn about the region's natural history, conservation efforts for indigenous wildlife (including the endangered New Zealand blue duck) and Blue Duck Station's sustainable farming practices.
Day 6: Whanganui National Park
Experience another of New Zealand's "Great Walks" (this time, from a canoe) on a day trip into the heart of Whanganui National Park. Explore the Whanganui River further by jet boat, visiting old Maori and European settlements.
During short walks or stops en route, learn about the region's history and local conservation efforts. If weather permits, head out for a visit to the abandoned Bridge to Nowhere. Return to Blue Duck Station for the night. Enjoy a delicious dinner.
Day 7: Whanganui National Park/Raglan
Travel north to the small town of Waitomo, located near an extensive underground cave system. Enjoy a free afternoon, and opt to tour the caves by boat, by foot or with a bit of adrenaline by rappelling into them. Continue on to Raglan for the night, and enjoy the sunset in this stunning coastal town.
Day 8: Raglan/Christchurch
In the morning, transfer to Auckland and hop on a flight to the South Island. Opt to explore Christchurch, or meet new members of the group at an optional welcome meeting.
Day 9: Christchurch/Kaikoura
Transfer to Kaikoura, with a free afternoon to explore the area or take in an optional activity.
Early start to drive the scenic coastal road up to Kaikoura.
A free afternoon can also be spent swimming or taking a scenic flight over the peninsula. Bird watchers will be pleased to know that big ocean birds such as albatrosses, petrels, and shearwaters frequent the area.
Hikers can opt to go on several day hikes in the Seaward Kaikoura mountains.
Day 10: Kaikoura/Abel Tasman National Park
Take in the scenery of the South Island while travelling to Abel Tasman National Park.
Day 11: Abel Tasman National Park/Nelson
Start the day with a short hike before setting off from the beach to kayak along the Abel Tasman coastline towards Marahau. Later, travel to Nelson.
Day 12: Nelson/Lake Brunner
Enjoy the scenery of the mountainous coastal Westland region, and stop en route to see the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks.
Day 13: Lake Brunner/Franz Josef
Transfer to Franz Josef, stopping for a walk at the wildlife mecca of Okarito Lagoon en route. Enjoy free time for optional activities such as hiking and checking out the stunning Franz Josef Glacier.
Continue south along the coast towards Franz Josef, stopping for an invigorating walk at the wildlife mecca of Okarito Lagoon. Spend 2 nights staying amongst verdant temperate rainforest.
Day 14: Franz Josef
A free day for optional activities. Options include various hikes, horseback riding, kayaking as well as the unique and stunning Franz Josef Glacier.
Day 15: Franz Josef/Wanaka
Transfer to Wanaka, where there are a variety of optional activities available. Opt to go mountain biking, skydiving, or check out the giant maze and optical illusions of Puzzling World.
Day 16: Wanaka/Queenstown
Continue onto the “adventure capital of the world,” Queenstown.
Free day to maximize time for all the optional activities in the area. Opt for a jet boat outing, bungee jumping, mountain biking, sky diving, or a vineyard tour. The options in this adventure capital are endless. Two nights are at a centrally-located hostel, which means you can make the most of your time here.
Pre-book the Queenstown Jet Boating activity on the checkout page to add this exhilarating optional to your trip.
Day 17: Queenstown
Enjoy a full-day hiking excursion along the world renowned Routeburn Track, taking in the gorgeous mountains, valleys, waterfalls, and lakes surrounding the track.
Day 18: Queenstown
Travel to the fiords of the South Island. Enjoy the stunning scenery of Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound from the deck of a boat, then return to Queenstown for the night.
Day 19: Queenstown/Twizel
Enjoy free time in Queenstown, before travelling on to the Aoraki/Mt Cook region.
Day 20: Twizel
Prepare for an action packed day! Start on two-wheels on a mountain biking excursion around the Aoraki/Mt Cook region. In the afternoon, discover stunning landscapes on foot.
Day 21: Twizel/Christchurch
Travel back to Christchurch. Join a guided tour this afternoon and learn about how the city was rebuilt following an earthquake in 2011. Enjoy some free time this evening and opt for a final dinner with the group.
Day 22: Christchurch
Depart at any time.
- Activities
- Your G for Good Moment: Resourceful Ōtautahi Walking Tour, Christchurch Your Local Living Moment: Maori Village Overnight Visit, Rotorua Your Discover Moment: Franz Josef
- Cycle through Karangahake Gorge
- Traditional hangi dinner
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing hiking excursion (weather dependent)
- Jet boat and kayaking along Whanganui River
- Free time in Rotorua and Waitomo
- Abel Tasman National Park hike
- Sea kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park
- Punakaiki pancake rocks visit
- Seal colony stop
- Okarito Lagoon walk
- Full-day Routeburn Track hiking excursion
- Fiordland National Park visit
- Cruise through Milford Sound
- Mt Cook cycling excursion
- Hike the Mt Cook area
- Free time in Franz Josef and Queenstown
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Hotels/hostels (18 nts, some multi-share), lodges (2 nts), Maori village (1 nt, multi-share)
- 18 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
- Private vehicle, jet boat, kayak, bicycle, boat, walking
- Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides
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