15-Day Traditional Highlights Tour New Zealand

This sample itinerary is our guests' favourite starting point time and time again. It's your dream to come to our country; you have heard about us so much, and it will be your only trip ever, so what should you see?

Relax in the Viaduct (Americas Cup Village) in the City of Sails, see the world-famous glowworms and get educated in our Māori history in Rotorua's cultural and thermal wonderland. Cross the Southern Alps through the famous Arthur Pass before you walk through the pristine rainforest. Fly in a helicopter, land on the unique West Coast glaciers, and experience an exhilarating jet boat ride on the Shotover River. Finally, cruise through the most magnificent world of our Fiordland National Park. 

Day 1: Auckland arrival

• A day at your leisure
• Or: City tour

Day 2: Auckland – Waitomo Caves

• Glow-worm caves,
• Farm-stay

Day 3: Waitomo - Rotorua

• Agrodome Sheep-show, Māori show and Hangi,
• Or: Private Dinner Cruise

Day 4: Rotorua – Lake Taupo 

• Geothermal areas,
• dinner/cruise on the lake

Day 5: Taupo - Napier/Hawkes Bay

• Huka Falls, art deco city and winery tour

Day 6: Hawkes Bay – Wairarapa - Wellington

• The capital city, Te Papa museum

Day 7: Wellington - Marlborough Sounds - Kaikoura Or: Christchurch

• Ferry through the Sounds, Whale-watch cruise

Day 8: Kaikoura – Arthur Pass National Park

• Castle Rock, Wilderness Lodge/high country sheep station
• Or: If staying in Christchurch, Tranz Alpine Train

Day 9: Arthur Pass - Punakaiki – Hokitika - Franz Josef Glacier

• Pancake rocks, Treetops walk, Hokitika Gorge, glacier area
• Or: Heli to Glacier

Day 10: Franz Josef Glacier - Mt Aspiring National Park - Queenstown

• Rainforest walks, wetlands and remote waterfalls

Day 11: Queenstown - Lake Wakatipu

•  A day for your leisure

Day 12: Queenstown - Te Anau/Fiordland National Park

• Scenic drive/cruise in Milford Sound
• Or: Doubtful Sounds

Day 13: Te Anau – Dunedin - Otago Peninsula 

• Larnach Castle, Royal Albatross Colony, Penguin Colonies, Sea lions

Day 14: Dunedin - Mt Cook or Lake Tekapo

• Moeraki Boulders, Mt Cook area and Glacier Lake Explorer cruise

Day 15: Tekapo - Christchurch afternoon departure