SCENIC NEW ZEALAND

DAY 1

Welcome to Auckland

Your New Zealand journey begins in Auckland, the City of Sails. You’ll arrive at Auckland Airport (flights should arrive before 4 pm) and then meet your Travel Director and group. A Welcome Reception awaits you at Gusto at the Grand, located in your centrally located hotel, The Grand by SkyCity. Here, you’ll enjoy Italian cuisine with a New Zealand twist, featuring dishes like homemade pastas and from-scratch risotto, setting the stage for your upcoming New Zealand adventures.

Meals: Welcome Reception

Hotel: The Grand by SkyCity

DAY 2

Auckland Sights & Free Time

Your first full day in New Zealand begins with a city sightseeing tour of Auckland. You’ll explore Mission Bay’s beautiful waterfront, Bastion Point’s historic overlook, and the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial’s spacious gardens and sunken pool, offering stunning views of Waitemata Harbor and the North Shore. The tour continues past the Auckland Museum, situated atop the dormant volcano Pukekawa. The afternoon is yours to explore at your leisure. You can opt for an excursion to Waiheke Island for a wine tour or indulge your sweet tooth with an experience at Giapo’s ice cream parlor.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: The Grand by SkyCity

DAY 3

Rotorua – The Cultural Capital

Today, you’ll leave the city behind and embark on a journey through the dramatic landscapes of Waikato on your way to Rotorua, the cultural capital of New Zealand. Along the way, you’ll stop in Cambridge, a town known for its thoroughbred racehorse training grounds. In Rotorua, you’ll join a Local Specialist for a tour of the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa. Here, you’ll learn about the conservation efforts to save the native kiwi bird and have the unique opportunity to see kiwi eggs being incubated and newly hatched chicks. In the evening, you’ll immerse yourself in Maori traditions with a Dive Into Culture experience at Te Pā Tū Māori Experience. This experience includes a traditional welcome, Poi and Haka dances, forest kai horotai (summer season canapés), and a seasonal three-course dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Regional Dinner

Hotel: Millennium

DAY 4

Hobbiton and Flight to Queenstown

Today’s adventure takes you to the charming village of Hobbiton, the movie set of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. You’ll enjoy breakfast at a movie site and embark on a guided tour of the 12-acre set, where you can explore Hobbit Holes, the Alexander family sheep farm, and learn about the movie-making process. After experiencing the countryside’s beauty, you’ll return to Auckland for a flight to Queenstown, known as the adventure capital of the world. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and seek recommendations from your Travel Director for dining options in Queenstown.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Millennium

DAY 5

Cruise on Spectacular Milford Sound

On this day, you’ll travel along the picturesque shores of Lake Wakatipu to Devil’s Staircase and Te Anau. The journey takes you through stunning landscapes, including Mirror Lakes and the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel. You’ll arrive at the World Heritage-listed Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, where you’ll embark on a scenic cruise. During the cruise, you’ll witness sheer cliffs, white-capped peaks, waterfalls, and have the chance to spot dolphins, penguins, and seals. Learn about the region’s glacial formation and capture plenty of photos of this breathtaking landscape. After returning to Queenstown, you can choose to dine at one of the many restaurants overlooking Lake Wakatipu.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Millennium

DAY 6

Free Day in Queenstown

Enjoy a full day in Queenstown with various options for adventure. If you’re a wine enthusiast, you can opt for a wine tour to three premium boutique vineyards in the renowned Otago region. Alternatively, experience country life by cruising Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a Kiwi farming experience, including a sheepdog demonstration and gourmet barbecue lunch. Explore the region’s history and vineyards, culminating in a platter lunch in a picturesque setting. In the evening, gather for a Regional Dinner in nearby historic Arrowtown at the Postmasters Cottage.

Meals: Breakfast, Regional Dinner

Hotel: Millennium

DAY 7

Turquoise-Colored Lake Tekapo

Today, you’ll journey to Lake Tekapo, known for its turquoise waters. Along the way, you’ll visit Jones Family Fruit stall in Cromwell to sample juicy stone fruits like apricots, nectarines, peaches, and plums. You’ll also make a stop at the lakeside Church of the Good Shepherd, welcomed by a bronze sheepdog statue. As evening falls, you’ll embark on a stargazing experience in the UNESCO Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. With the guidance of a Local Specialist, you’ll have the opportunity to observe the Southern Cross, Magellanic Cloud, Milky Way, and more through a powerful optical telescope. Your day concludes with an overnight stay at Peppers Bluewater Resort, where you can appreciate the remarkable night sky.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Peppers Bluewater Resort

DAY 8

hristchurch – The Garden City

Start the day early with a beautiful sunrise over Lake Tekapo or take a leisurely morning. You’ll then head north to Christchurch, known as the Garden City. Your tour of Christchurch includes a visit to the Transitional Cathedral, also called “The Cardboard Cathedral,” known for its colorful stained-glass windows and sustainable cardboard construction. Explore other city highlights, such as Canterbury Museum, Christchurch Earthquake Memorial, and the Bridge of Remembrance.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Distinction

DAY 9

Meet the Farming Locals

Today, you’ll travel through rolling countryside to Hurunui Hills, a hill country farm in North Canterbury. Here, you’ll experience warm Kiwi hospitality with the Bamford Family, who have been farming at Hurunui since 1884. Enjoy morning tea, meet farm animals, and gain insights into life on the land during this unique By My Guest experience. Later, visit a local vineyard, Waipara Springs Winery, for a platter-style lunch among the vines. In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Farewell Dinner featuring produce from the Canterbury region.

Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest, Farewell Dinner

Hotel: Distinction

DAY 10

Farewell Christchurch

Your New Zealand adventure comes to an end as you