Enchanting New Zealand - 16 days
Enchanting New Zealand - 16 days
Enchanting New Zealand - 16 days
16 Days Starting in Auckland, New Zealand and ending in Queenstown, New Zealand
Visiting: Auckland, Whitianga, Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Abel Tasman National Park, Fox Glacier, Mt Aspiring National Park, Wanaka, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park, Queenstown
Tour operator:
Tour code:
1618/ENZ
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
18-75
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a 16-day journey through the enchanting landscapes of New Zealand, starting in the vibrant city of Auckland and concluding in the adventure capital, Queenstown. This small group tour offers a blend of urban exploration and natural wonders, from the geothermal marvels of Rotorua to the serene beauty of Abel Tasman National Park. Experience the cultural richness of a Te Pa Tu Maori evening, the cinematic allure of Hobbiton, and the breathtaking vistas of Milford Sound. Enjoy wine tasting in Marlborough, cruise through the Cook Strait, and marvel at the iconic Pancake Rocks. With expert local guides, comfortable 4-star accommodations, and a variety of included activities, this tour promises an unforgettable exploration of New Zealand's diverse landscapes and cultures.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Auckland
Location: Auckland
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Upon arrival into Auckland you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day offers free time for you to explore the local area; why not ask your guide for tips on where to eat in the evening.
Day 2: Auckland
Location: Whitianga
Accommodation Name: Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast
Auckland – Whitianga. Today we head south across the Hauraki Plains to Thames before continuing up the western side of the Coromandel Peninsula. The coastal drive along this route is truly breathtaking. On clear days, be sure to watch for the SkyTower, visible across the Firth of Thames. We pay a visit to the nearby Driving Creek Railway, where we climb 120 meters on a narrow-gauge line to the 'EyeFull' Tower, offering panoramic views of the picturesque countryside and back over the Hauraki Gulf. We continue our journey across the peninsula until we arrive at the resort of Whitianga on Mercury Bay.
Day 3: Whitianga
Location: Whitianga
Accommodation Name: Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast
The Coromandel region is a vibrant canvas of white cliffs, sun-kissed golden beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and lush green forests. In the summer, vibrant scarlet hues emerge thanks to the blossoming Pohutukawa trees. One of its most renowned attractions is Hot Water Beach, where natural hot springs bubble up through the sandy shores and during the right tide conditions you can create your own "spa" pool in the warm waters.
Stroll along the beautiful sandy beaches of Hahei and visit Cooks Beach, named in honour of Captain James Cook who sailed into Mercury Bay in 1769.
From Cooks Beach you can choose to catch the short ferry ride back to Whitianga and walk to our accommodation or travel back with our driver.
Day 4: Whitianga
Location: Rotorua
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Whitianga – Rotorua. Setting off in the morning we follow the Pacific Coast Highway through the coastal towns of Whangamata and Tauranga before turning inland. We stop for a bushwalk with scenic views over Okere Falls, before continuing to Rotorua, the epicentre of Maori heritage and New Zealand’s geothermal activity. Here we visit Te Puia. Te Puia is an active geothermal site, the nation’s centre for indigenous arts and crafts, and a Kiwi conservation project.
Day 5: Rotorua
Location: Rotorua
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Your choice of activity today must be made at the time of booking. Please let our Reservations team know which included activity you would like to partake in.
Today we have a choice between two different activities. Option 1 is a visit to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley which is the site of the Mt Tarawera eruption in 1886. This monumental event reshaped the landscape permanently, giving rise to the valley we explore today. As we wander through we encounter bubbling craters and brilliantly coloured steaming lakes. We embark on a cruise across Lake Rotomahana to the location of the silica terraces where we witness the gradual formation of new silica terraces.
Option 2 is a Middle-earth experience with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set where we explore the iconic Shire. Our guide will walk us through the ten-acre site, sharing insights on how the movie set was brought to life. We get to see the Hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn, The Millhouse, and other film structures, witnessing the transformation of this beautiful Waikato farmland into Middle-earth's Shire.
In the evening we head to the Tamaki Maori Village for Te Pa Tu. The experience aligns with the Maori lunar calendar, offering Maori traditions, songs, and seasonal cuisine within the forest village. We enjoy a 4-course fusion feast designed by Maori chefs and served outdoors or in the dining room, depending on the weather.
Return hotel transfers are included, and we join other travellers for this enriching experience.
Day 6: Rotorua
Location: Napier
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Rotorua – Napier. This morning we head south, past Huka Falls to the vast Lake Taupo. If clear skies permit, from here we should be able to see the peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro, where lays the volcanic terrain that acted as the backdrop of ‘Mordor’ in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. We continue our journey to Napier, a joyful seaside town that had a tragic birth which we learn about today as we explore its sights on foot.
Our journey today has brought us to the North Island’s wine country, so this evening we are treated to dinner with a glass of wine at the Mission Estate Winery. First set up by missionaries in the mid-19th century, today these vineyards produce award-winning wines. We enjoy a tour of the winery before enjoying our dinner with sweeping views over Napier.
Day 7: Napier
Location: Wellington
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Napier – Wellington. This morning we make our way to New Zealand’s capital city of Wellington, home to artists, writers and filmmakers with a trendy cafe culture. We see the magnificent Parliament Buildings, including the iconic 'Beehive' building before heading to the Kelburn Lookout. After taking the cable car down to the city centre we go to the Te Papa, one of the most exciting museums in the world where we have a lesson in the land, people, wildlife, landscapes and culture of New Zealand.
Day 8: Wellington
Location: Nelson
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wellington – Nelson. Today we cross the Cook Strait on one of the most picturesque ferry journeys in the world. Often accompanied by dolphins riding the bow wave, we arrive in Picton on the South Island. We travel to Blenheim, nestled in the heart of the renowned Marlborough wine country. What could be a more perfect way to savour this region, celebrated for its Sauvignon Blanc, than indulging in wine tasting at one of Marlborough's top wineries? From here we head to the delightful town of Nelson, where we spend the next two nights.
Day 9: Nelson
Location: Abel Tasman National Park
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your choice of activity today must be made at the time of booking. Please let our Reservations team know which included activity you would like to partake in.
We spend today soaking up the beauty of Abel Tasman National Park, with its golden coves, turquoise lagoons and forest ranges. Since there are few roads in this national park we see the sights of it by boat instead. Boarding a small cruiser at Kaiteriteri we head out to enjoy the scenery with plenty of stops along the way for swimming and exploring on foot. Arriving back in Kaiteriteri after the cruise, you have three options.
Option 1 is to relax in the town of Kaiteriteri at leisure.
Option 2 is to join a shorter 7km (2.5 hour) self-guided walk to fabulous Anchorage Beach.
Option 3 is to join a longer 10.5km (4 hour) self-guided walk to Anchorage Beach including the scenic highlights of the South Head lookout, the famous Falls River swing-bridge and Cleopatra’s Pool.
After these activities are completed, we transfer back to Nelson for the evening.
Day 10: Nelson
Location: Nelson
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Nelson – Punakaiki. This morning we journey through the captivating Nelson Lakes National Park, which features rugged peaks, lush forests, glacial lakes, and the majestic Southern Alps. We take some time to explore the charming village of St. Arnaud, before turning inland along the Buller River Gorge, a stunning scenic drive. We then follow the coastline south to the small settlement of Punakaiki. This area is renowned for its wild and untamed shoreline, as well as the famous 'Pancake Rocks' – striking limestone formations that stand as a remarkable testament to the forces of nature.
Day 11: Punakaiki
Location: Fox Glacier
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Punakaiki – Fox Glacier. Leaving Punakaiki behind we travel on to Hokitika on the West Coast where we visit its galleries of greenstone jewellery and artwork. Continuing to Hokitika Gorge we stretch our legs and discover the blue/green waters that pass through the rugged rocks. Following the road south we reach Franz Josef and then on to the village of Fox which is where the huge rivers of snow and ice of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers flow from vast snowfields high in the Southern Alps, down almost to sea level. If the weather allows there is the option of a helicopter ride over the glaciers at an extra cost.
Day 12: Mt Aspiring National Park
Location: Mt Aspiring National Park
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Fox Glacier – Wanaka. First thing today we visit nearby Lake Matheson which, when weather conditions are just right, perfectly mirrors Mount Cook in its waters creating a stunning visual effect. From here we head up over the Haast Past along the river road, which took more than 40 years to complete, travelling deep into Mt Aspiring National Park to Lake Wanaka and the picturesque resort town of Wanaka.
Day 13: Wanaka
Location: Wanaka
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your choice of activity today must be made at the time of booking. Please let our Reservations team know which included activity you would like to partake in.
Today we have a choice of two included excursions. Option 1 sees you join an eco tour. Depart Wanaka by boat and escape civilisation as we cruise to an island where we hike through vibrant native vegetation to find a hidden mountaintop lake surrounded by small islands. We trek on to reach the island's summit for a 360-degree view of Lake Wanaka, its mountains and valleys, and the Arethusa Pool. Look out for the rare Buff Weka, a flightless bird extinct on Mainland NZ since 1920, which often joins visitors.
Option 2 is a 4WD adventure. We will explore a perfect mix of stunning scenery, history, and farm life in New Zealand's High Country. We will traverse remote back roads on an authentic farm with Lake Wanaka as our backdrop, surrounded by nature's beauty. We get up close to farm animals and visit historical sites, all while enjoying optional hikes through alpine meadows and lakeside forests, offering a unique insight into Wanaka's history, heritage, modern farming, and breathtaking landscapes.
When we return to Wanaka we have the afternoon at leisure to relax or enjoy the town.
Day 14: Wanaka
Location: Te Anau
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wanaka – Te Anau. We begin our day from Wanaka, stopping at the iconic Cardrona Pub. Then we venture through the Crown Range road to explore historic Arrowtown, a charming gold rush village nestled beneath majestic peaks near the Arrow River. We carry on along the scenic road between the Remarkables mountain range and stunning Lake Wakatipu before traversing a glacial valley turned farmland to reach Lake Te Anau. This is the South Island's largest freshwater lake and the entry point to Fiordland National Park.
Day 15: Te Anau
Location: Fiordland National Park
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Te Anau – Queenstown. The journey from Te Anau to Milford Sound is one of the most scenic drives you can experience. Fiordland National Park, part of the Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area is awe-inspiring, and features towering mountains and deep valleys sculpted by ancient glaciers. Milford Sound, famously dubbed the 'eighth wonder of the world' by Rudyard Kipling, is a breathtaking destination in any weather.
Following this we embark on a comfortable cruise, passing the iconic Mitre Peak to reach the Tasman Sea. Keep a lookout for seals and dolphins, which often grace the fiord's waters. After the cruise we retrace our route back to Te Anau and then journey through the Southland farmlands and circle the stunning Lake Wakatipu to reach Queenstown.
Day 16: Queenstown
Location: Queenstown
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today our adventure in New Zealand comes to an end. A transfer takes you to Queenstown Airport for your flight home.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4-star hotels -
15 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 3 dinners
Enjoy 15 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 3 dinners during your tour.
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15 nights 4 star hotels
Stay in 4-star hotels for 15 nights throughout the tour.
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Airport arrival and departure transfers on day 1 and day 16
Airport transfers are provided on the first and last day of the tour.
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Escorted by an expert local guide/driver with specialist local guides at some sites
The tour is escorted by an expert local guide/driver, with specialist local guides at certain sites.
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All relevant transfers and transportation in modern air-conditioned vehicle
All transfers and transportation are provided in a modern air-conditioned vehicle.
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Ferry across the Cook Strait
Experience a ferry ride across the Cook Strait.
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Touring of Napier & Wellington
Enjoy guided tours of Napier and Wellington.
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Coromandel narrow-gauge railway
Ride the Coromandel narrow-gauge railway.
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Visit to Waimangu Volcanic Valley or Hobbiton Movie Set
Choose between a visit to Waimangu Volcanic Valley or the Hobbiton Movie Set.
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Te Pa Tu Maori experience
Experience the Te Pa Tu Maori cultural evening.
What's Not Included
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International flights and visas
International flights and visas are not included in the tour package.
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Items of a personal nature (telephone calls, laundry, travel insurance etc)
Personal items such as telephone calls, laundry, and travel insurance are not included.
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Optional activities
Optional activities are not included in the tour package.
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Tip for your tour guide / driver
Tips for your tour guide/driver are not included.
It is recommended to allow $4 - 7 USD per day per traveler.
Age Policy
18+The average age of passengers on these tours is between 55-75yrs. Pure Discoveries do not permit children.
Mode of Transport
Travel in modern air-conditioned vehicles with all relevant transfers included, and experience a scenic ferry ride across the Cook Strait.
Accommodation
Enjoy 15 nights in 4-star hotels, providing comfort and relaxation after each day's adventure across New Zealand's stunning landscapes.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 15 nights in 4-star hotels.
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Are airport transfers included in the tour package?
Yes, airport arrival and departure transfers are included on day 1 and day 16.
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Is there a guide provided during the tour?
Yes, the tour is escorted by an expert local guide/driver, with specialist local guides at some sites.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 15 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 3 dinners.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, there are optional activities available, but they are not included in the tour package.
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What is the recommended tipping amount for the tour guide?
It is recommended to allow $4 - 7 USD per day per traveller for tipping the tour guide, although it is an entirely personal gesture.
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What are the age restrictions for this tour?
The tour is for adults aged 18 and over, with the average age of passengers being between 55-75 years. Children are not permitted.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
All relevant transfers and transportation are provided in a modern air-conditioned vehicle.
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Is there a ferry ride included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes a ferry ride across the Cook Strait.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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