New Zealand experience

new zealand experience
The New Zealand Experience encapsulates both the North and South Island Experience tours. For those wanting to maximize their New Zealand adventure, this three-week tour is a wonderful showcase of the country’s diverse culture and landscape. 

Day 1: Auckland to Bay of Islands Welcome to New Zealand! This morning, you’re met by your guide for the start of your New Zealand Experience. It’s a scenic drive to the Northland region, a remote and breathtaking area that time seems to have forgotten. Our accommodation for the next three nights is in the beautiful Bay of Islands. An afternoon hike, offering stunning views of the glittering bay, allows you to rejuvenate after your overseas journey . This evening, we enjoy a relaxed dinner overlooking the bay. (L/D)

Day 2: Sailing on the Bay This morning, board a sailing vessel for a cruise around the multitude of picturesque islands. Help set the sails and take the helm if you wish, or just sit back and enjoy the sea breeze and the views. You may even catch a glimpse of the shy little blue penguins resident here. For lunch, your boat anchors in a secluded island bay where you can step ashore to take a walk, relax on the beach, or swim in the emerald waters before returning to the mainland for dinner and a restful evening. (B/L/D) 

Day 3: Walking through History Northland was once blanketed by ancient kauri trees, lords of the forest rivaled only by the redwoods in girth. We spend the morning walking amongst these giants in a lush conservation area. In the afternoon, we visit New Zealand’s most historic site, where the treaty between Maori and the British Crown was signed in 1840, making it the cradle of New Zealand as a nation. The extensive park-like grounds are home to a fully carved Maori Meeting House (whare runanga), a ceremonial war canoe (waka) and the Treaty House, built in 1832. A guided tour and cultural performance allow you to immerse yourself in ancient and contemporary Maori culture. (B)

Day 4: Bay of Islands to Auckland We bid the Bay farewell and return to Auckland, stopping at scenic points along the way. Just north of the city, on the ruggedly beautiful west coast, is one of New Zealand’s largest gannet colonies. We stop for a close-up view of these wonderful birds as they court, breed, and nest. In Auckland, our hotel is in the heart of downtown. Dinner this evening is on your own, so you’re free to explore the city, its restaurants, and nightlife. (B/L)

Day 5: Auckland to Coromandel Peninsula Departing Auckland, we head for the lush and peaceful Coromandel Peninsula. This afternoon, we join a member of an award-winning team of naturalists for a half-day excursion through the Coromandel’s subtropical rainforest, learning about natural Maori medicines, exploring historic goldmines, and standing beneath the world’s largest ferns. Our accommodation for the next two nights lies in a tiny seaside village and is just a short stroll from one of the prettiest beaches in New Zealand. (B/L/D)

Day 6: Exploring the Peninsula A casual day is spent enjoying the area. Start the day with a scenic boat tour of the region’s stunning coastline, with white sand beaches, sea caves, and sandstone pinnacles. Back on land, an optional self-guided hike along the coast leads to a secluded cove featuring beautiful rock formations . Alternatively, hire snorkel gear and follow the Gemstone Bay snorkel trail through a pristine marine reserve. Your guide is there to help maximise your enjoyment of this beautiful region. (B)

Day 7: Coromandel Peninsula to Rotorua We head south to Rotorua, a cultural center for Maoridom and an active volcanic region. Here, we visit the Rotorua Museum, housed in the historic Bath House where visitors came over a century ago to “take the cures” in the mineral waters. To test the healing theories we head to Rotorua’s modern spa facility for a soak in its thermal pools. Relaxed and rejuvenated, head out this evening to explore the city’s popular and diverse dining district. (B)

Day 8: Geothermal Activity There are two options for experiencing the region’s volcanic features today, depending on conditions. The first is to travel by boat to White Island, an active volcano 30 miles off the eastern coast. We explore the volcano on foot, hosted by professional geothermal guides. If conditions preclude a trip to White Island, the alternative is to take a scenic flight over the giant crater resulting from the 1886 eruption of Mt. Tarawera, then view some of the active geothermal features of the area by land – boiling lakes, turquoise pools, and hot streams that continue to change and develop. We take a walk in the nearby forest and explore other interesting features of this thermal wonderland. (B/L)

Day 9: Rotorua to Wellington This morning, we depart Rotorua and fly to Wellington, New Zealand’s picturesque capital city. As well as Parliament, Wellington is home to Te Papa, the country’s spectacular national museum. Your day is free to explore this cultural and architectural feat, along with the other wonderful features of the city. Wellington is the final destination for the 9-day North Island Experience tour and the starting point for the 14-day South Island Experience. We reconvene for dinner this evening to bid our North Island friends farewell and welcome our new members to the flock. (B/D)

Day 10: Wellington to Nelson We take the ferry across the Cook Strait to the South Island, gliding past the spectacular coastline of the Marlborough Sounds. Landing in Picton, we travel to the Marlborough wine region, renowned for its world-class Sauvignon Blancs and Chardonnays. After tastings and a winery lunch, we continue on to our accommodation in sun-drenched Nelson, pausing for a short hike through native beech forest on route. (B/L/D)

Day 11: The Abel Tasman National Park The nearby Abel Tasman, with its temperate forest, aquamarine waters, and golden sand beaches, is arguably one of the most beautiful parks in the country. Travel to the park this morning to experience a very special sea kayaking and hiking experience along its coast, ducking in and out of secluded bays, strolling along its beaches, and drawing in the tranquil beauty of the sea . Alternatively, choose a guided hike-only or scenic cruise option, returning to Nelson in the evening to dine as you choose and to relax after your adventure. (B/L)

Day 12: Nelson to Kaikoura We depart the Nelson region and journey east to the dramatic Pacific coast and the seaside hamlet of Kaikoura, New Zealand’s marine-life center, backed by the dramatic Kaikoura Ranges. Scenic stops along the way highlight the environmental diversity and wildlife of the region. After settling into our waterfront accommodation, you’re free to explore the town and enjoy beachcombing along the rocky shoreline. Kaikoura means “to eat crayfish (lobster)” in Maori, and tonight is a chance to sample the local specialty. (B/L/D)

Day 13: Marine-life Encounters Today, you’ll have the chance to behold some of Kaikoura’s tremendous creatures in their natural habitat in a choice of ways. The adventurous can don wetsuits and snorkel gear for an up-close encounter with Kaikoura’s playful fur seals or dolphins . Alternatively, a boat trip to the feeding grounds of Kaikoura’s sea birds offers a unique opportunity to view albtross, shearwaters, and other pelagic wildlife on the wing and in the water. The most famous Kaikoura residents are its sperm whales, and you may prefer a boat trip or whale flight for the opportunity of viewing these gentle leviathans from the water or above. This afternoon, consider taking a spectacular self-guided hike around the Kaikoura peninsula, a dominant feature in the region’s landscape. The hike offers magnificent views of the surrounding sea and mountains as it winds past intriguing limestone formations and fur seals lounging on the rocks  – . (B)

Day 14: Kaikoura to Christchurch Departing Kaikoura, we journey south to the Canterbury region and the city of Christchurch, described by some as the most English of New Zealand’s cities. The central city is still under repair following the 2011 earthquake; however, the artistic creativity sprouting up to disguise the construction and commemorate the fallen is a marvel of hope and ingenuity. Enjoy the peaceful beauty of the Botanic Gardens and picturesque Avon River, the adjacent Canterbury Museum, and the innovative shopping district before settling into your central city hotel. Your guide can recommend a wealth of excellent restaurants to dine at this evening. (B)

Day 15: Christchurch to Punakaiki This morning, board the famous TranzAlpine train for a trip over the glorious Southern Alps. Crossing alpine rivers and winding beneath snow-capped peaks, descend to the wild and woolly West Coast region. Upon reaching the coast, it’s a short drive along stunning shoreline to our seaside accommodation for the next two nights, on the edge of the Paparoa National Park. The afternoon allows time to explore the area’s features, including the intriguing Pancake Rocks and the bounty of talented craftspeople here. (B/D)

Day 16: Punakaiki Crafted from limestone, this part of the South Island is honeycombed with intricate cave systems. The morning gives us the opportunity to explore one of these systems in a choice of two ways. Scenic Caving is available for those wishing to explore a natural cave virtually unspoiled by humans. We examine chambers filled with delicate formations and the eerie blue constellations of glow worms as we learn about the cave’s creation . Alternatively, those wanting a taste of the surreal can go on one of New Zealand’s most unusual and iconic experiences, Cave Rafting. Outfitted with wetsuits and inner tubes and led by an experienced guide, we hike through the cave to a meandering underground river and board our tubes to drift through a magnificent glow-worm grotto. Exiting the cave, we ride gentle  river rapids back to our launching point. Plenty of laughs are had on this memorable adventure . For those wishing to remain above ground on this day, other enjoyable alternatives can be arranged. (B/L/D)

Day 17: Punakaiki to the Glaciers This morning, it’s a spectacular drive down to New Zealand’s glacier region. Stopping in the picturesque village of Franz Josef, we take a scenic helicopter flight over the glaciers, landing on the neve. During our visit to the region, we hike along the glacial riverbed for a view of the imposing glacier face. From Franz Josef, we travel to its sister village of Fox where we settle into our comfortable alpine lodging. Nearby is perhaps one of the prettiest little walking trails in New Zealand where you can stroll or hire a bike and cycle beneath a thick canopy of old-growth rainforest before dinner. (B/D)

Day 18: The Glaciers to Queenstown This morning, we walk around a nearby kettle lake, created by retreating glaciers long ago, and now ringed by lush forest. From here, it’s a stunning drive over the Haast Pass on our way to Queenstown. Dense rainforests give way to the stark mountains of the Mt. Aspiring National Park as we enter the Otago region, New Zealand’s outback and home to its high country sheep stations. After pausing in the serene, lakeside town of Wanaka, we cross the spectacular Crown Range and descend into Queenstown. Resting on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and flanked by The Remarkables, this is a stunning setting in which to base ourselves for the next few days. (B/L)

Day 19: Queenstown Queenstown is New Zealand’s adrenalin center. Because there are so many things to do here to cater to your diverse interests, we have left the day free for you to pick and choose whatever optional activities you desire, be they whitewater rafting, jet boating, or bungy jumping, or more leisurely pursuits such as walking, shopping, and wine trails. Lunch and dinner are on your own this day to give you full freedom to set your own schedule and enjoy both physical and culinary adventures. (B)

Day 20: Queenstown to Fiordland This morning, we pack an overnight bag for our excursion to spectacular Fiordland National Park. The journey to the fiord is one of the most scenic drives in the world, and we stop and explore some of nature’s wonders along the way. At the fiord, board your vessel for the unique experience of an overnight stay. Very few see Fiordland in this way and it allows you maximum time to absorb its overwhelming beauty. Cruise toward the mouth of the fiord, passing alongside thundering waterfalls and fur seals basking on the rocks. From the mouth, return to the fiord and anchor overnight in a sheltered cove. (B/L/D)

Day 21: Fiordland to Queenstown This morning, you are a rare witness to a Fiordland dawn as you wake to a hearty breakfast and the opportunity to kayak in the fiord. Heading back to land, we return to Queenstown, stopping along the way for a morning walk through moss-laden beech forest to a pristine alpine lake. We resettle at our accommodation for a relaxing afternoon. Our farewell dinner is tonight, where we reflect upon the highlights of our trip and celebrate the friendships we’ve made. (B/D)

Day 22: Homeward Bound On our final morning, depending on your flight schedule, you’ll have time to relax, make final purchases, and even reconsider that bungy jump before traveling home or to your next destination. Spend your flight revelling in memories of the adventures you’ve had and the friendships you’ve made. (B)