22 Days Total New Zealand (Christchurch to Christchurch)

Itinerary: day by day

Day 1 - Christchurch to Picton/Wellington 

We depart from Christchurch at 9am for a scenic drive to the port town of Picton. Check out views of the beautiful Marlborough Sounds and some great Wellington harbour shots as we take a flight over the Cook Strait.

Day 2 – Wellington to Auckland  

Today is an express journey from Wellington to Auckland. We stop along the way for photos and to have lunch in the township of a dual World Heritage area – Tongariro National Park. (B)

Day 3 – Free Day Auckland  

Your day is free to explore New Zealand's biggest city. Enjoy one of the many sailing trips on the harbour, (own expense) head up the Sky Tower for panoramic city views (own expense), indulge in some shopping or simply relax.  

Day 4 – Whakahoro to National Park

This morning we head back towards the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park with the chance to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, rated as NZ's best one-day walk. For those less active there will be shorter walks and a visit to the Volcanic Centre Museum. Tonight we stay at the spectacular alpine lodge 'The Park'. (B, D)

Day 5 - Hahei to Rotorua  

Travelling along the stunning Coromandel Coast we stop for some great walks on the way to Rotorua. We arrive at midday and you have the chance to do some awesome optional activities from walks to white water rafting (additional cost). We then head to our uniquely developed Maori cultural overnight stop at Tamaki Village, where you will be greeted with a powhiri (welcoming ceremony). In the evening you will be taught a waiata (song), enjoy a powerful cultural performance, have a hangi dinner (traditionally cooked on hot rocks covered in earth), then gather around a campfire for stories of the migration, settlement and survival of Maori in New Zealand. We spend the night in a marae (traditional Maori meeting house). (B, D)  

Day 6 –Rotorua to Whakahoro  

We leave the marae early this morning, stopping for a swim in a geothermal river, then on to the impressive Huka Falls. We drive around Lake Taupo towards the Central Plateau where we go deep into the wilderness to our remote environmental award-winning stop at Blue Duck Lodge. You can choose to kayak the last 6kms (own expense), take a 4WD eco-warrior tour, a historic walk, or join in on a hunt to eradicate some pests! Tonight we cook a traditional bush dinner using local produce, and learn about the area’s rich early-settlement history and the owner’s huge efforts to restore the local plants and birdlife to their former glory. (B, D)

Note: Winter conditions may prevent us from kayaking. In this situation, kayaking will be substituted with the 4WD eco-warrior tour.

Day 7 – Full day in Abel Tasman

An entire day to explore the Abel Tasman National Park. We have included a boat transfer out of the park so you can walk this famous coastal track, incorporating some of the NZ's best beaches. You can upgrade to one of the other great options including sea kayaking or sailing. We self-cater tonight with BBQ facilities available and stay again at our campsite right beside the National Park (B).

Day 8 - Abel Tasman to Hanmer Springs

Today we set off early passing through two more national parks en route to the tranquillity of Hanmer Springs. The Kahurangi and Nelson national parks boast fabulous scenery and some great small hikes with craggy mountain ranges draped with forest to the lake's edge. We will have a picnic on the lake edge today. We arrive at Hanmer Springs in the afternoon and have a relaxing soak in the hot pools. We go out for a group meal tonight (B, D).

Day 9- Wellington/Picton to Abel Tasman  

From Wellington we catch the inter-island ferry to the South Island port of Picton for the trip through

to Marahau. We stop for a wine tasting in Marlborough, NZ's premier wine region and world famous for its Sauvignon Blanc; then head across to Nelson and out to the Tasman region to experience the picturesque beaches and bays of Abel Tasman National Park. We stay in our exclusive campsite located adjacent to the national park, where your group gets the chance to plant a native tree or seedling to leave a legacy of your stay! Dinner tonight includes a taste of local seafood. (B, D)

Day 10 – Kaikoura via Christchurch to Franz Josef

We start early for a stunning journey across the Canterbury Plains, with a quick stop at Christchurch before heading over Arthur's Pass and down to the West Coast. Along the way the scenery changes constantly so we stop often for walks and photo opportunities. We stop in Hokitika, famous for pounamu (jade) and at the Bushman's centre to learn about the local history, before heading down to Franz Josef for its majestic glacier. We stay in a lodge in the rainforest at Franz Josef. (D)

Day 11 – Full day at Franz Josef

Today is free for exploring this World Heritage area. There are many great walks but we highly recommend that you pay to go on one of the guided trips (where they provide you with specialised equipment) so that you can get further onto the glacier. Self-cater tonight – there are great local cafes and a kitchen at the lodge. (B)

N.B. in winter a half day guided glacier hike is included.

Day 12 - Franz Josef to Makarora

We follow the coast further south today for even more amazing scenery (including NZ's most photographed lake), some great walks, waterfalls and a breathtaking alpine pass. We arrive at our wilderness accommodation at the foot of Mount Aspiring National Park by mid-afternoon. The locals provide some of the most spectacular activities from scenic flights to wilderness jet boating. Our accommodation tonight is in chalets. (B, D)

Day 13 - Kaikoura via Christchurch to Franz Josef  

We start early for a stunning journey across the Canterbury Plains. Enjoy a quick stop in Christchurch before heading over Arthur's Pass to the West Coast. The scenery changes constantly so we stop for many walks and photo opportunities along the way. We stop in Hokitika, famous for pounamu (jade) and stop in at the Bushman's Centre to learn about local history, before heading down to Franz Josef for its majestic glacier. We stay in a lodge in the rainforest at Franz Josef. (D)  

Day 14 and 15 - Full day Queenstown. Optional activities available (No meals).

Day 16 - Queenstown to Doubtful Sound

This morning we head into the awe-inspiring Fiordland National Park. Doubtful Sound is truly an amazing place; one of the most remote and untouched places on earth where you will see fur seals, Fiordland Crested Penguins and dolphins. We spend the day and night on a purpose-built boat (N.B. accommodation is quadshare only), which includes a dedicated nature guide and sea kayaks. We overnight in a secluded bay in the fiord. (D)

N.B. In winter we do the Doubtful Sound day cruise and stay overnight in Te Anau.

Day 17 – Doubtful Sound to Central Otago

The morning is spent departing Doubtful Sound. We board our own mini-coach at midday and head through the beautiful Otago region. We explore relics of the gold rush, which was responsible for the European settlement of this area. We stay in our own unique and historic accommodation in the middle of Otago gold country. You have the option of curling tonight (like bowling but with big stones on an ice rink), we challenge you to try and beat your guide. (B, D)

Day 18 – Central Otago to Rangitata

In the morning we grab our mountain bikes and head out to sample part of the old Otago Gold Mining Rail Trail. It is an ideal activity for riders of all abilities and a great way to soak up the incredible scenery and history of the area. We then express along the Canterbury plains to Rangitata, one of the region's original sheep stations surrounded by the Southern Alps. Tonight we build a campfire and exchange stories from the trip. (B)

Day 19 – Rangitata via Christchurch to Picton/Wellington

We leave Rangitata this morning for an express trip via Christchurch to Picton and Wellington. Enjoy the beautiful Marlborough Sounds and some great harbour shots of our capital as we take a flight over the Cook Strait.

Day 20 - Wellington to Auckland

Today is an express journey from Wellington to Auckland. We stop along the way for photos and to have lunch in the township of a dual World Heritage area – National Park. (B)

Day 21 - Auckland

Free Day Auckland – your day to explore New Zealand's biggest city. Enjoy one of the many sailing trips on the harbour, head up the Sky Tower for panoramic views or just relax (No meals).