Highlights of New Zealand
G Adventures Classic
Two weeks is barely enough time to thoroughly explore your hometown, let alone a place as fascinating as New Zealand. For adventurers on a tight time-budget, this 15-day trip wraps up the must-sees of both islands with a nice little bow. Check out the Coromandel Peninsula’s gorgeous beaches, hang with the Maori in a traditional village, and get your adrenaline fix in Queenstown. Consider this your New Zealand starter kit.
Highlights
- Marvel at the striking Franz Josef glacier
- Feast on a hangi in a Maori village
- Let loose in Queenstown
- Cruise around the fjords of Doubtful Sound
Pricing
Private tour starting at $3,749* CAD per person, based on double occupancy
15 Days – Auckland to Christchurch
Travel Style: Classic
All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.
Service Level: Standard
Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.
Physical Rating: 2 – Light
Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Max 16, Avg 12.
What’s Included
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your Local Living Moment: Maori Village Overnight Visit, Rotorua
- Your Discover Moment: Franz Josef
- Your Discover Moment: Queenstown.
- Coromandel Peninsula visit.
- Cathedral Cove visit.
- Orientation walk in Wellington and Christchurch.
- Wine tasting.
- Fiordland National Park visit with Doubtful Sound day cruise.
- Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park visit with hiking opportunity (weather permitting).
- Free time in Rotorua, Wellington, Franz Josef, and Queenstown.
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
Day
Day 1
Location(s)
Auckland
Meals
Description
Arrive at any time.
Accommodation: Ramada Auckland – Federal Street (or similar)
Day 2
Auckland – Hahei
Dinner
Depart early for the stunning Coromandel Peninsula. Take a walk to Cathedral Cove or opt out in favour of sea kayaking. If the tide is right, grab a shovel and dig a natural jacuzzi in the sand on Hot Water Beach.
Accommodation: Tatahi Lodge Hahei (or similar)
Day 3
Rotorua – Maori Village
Dinner
Visit Rotorua and opt to check out the geothermal area or go whitewater rafting. Later, enjoy a cultural overnight in a Maori village featuring a traditional hangi dinner and show.
Accommodation: Tamaki Maori Village (or similar)
Day 4
Rotorua – Wellington
Breakfast
Take in the ever-changing scenery of the North Island and travel to the capital, Wellington.
Accommodation: C Hotel Wellington (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 5
Wellington
Breakfast
Enjoy the atmosphere in this relaxed but lively city. After an orientation walk, enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to visit the Te Papa Museum or take the cable car up to the botanical gardens.
Day 6
Wellington – Kaikoura
Fly to the South Island, then travel to the seaside town of Kaikoura, known for its diverse marine life.
Accommodation: White Morph (or similar)
Day 7
Kaikoura – Hanmer Springs
Opt to swim with dolphins or go whale watching during a free morning in Kaikoura before travelling to Hanmer Springs, stopping en route for a wine tasting at a local winery. Opt to take a soak in the hot springs.
Accommodation: Drifters Inn Hanmer Springs (or similar)
Day 8
Hanmer Springs – Franz Josef
Breakfast
Take in the stunning scenery while travelling across the Southern Alps to the rugged and remote West Coast, before staying in the rainforest near the world’s fastest moving glacier.
Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 9
Franz Josef
Breakfast
Enjoy a free day to explore the area around Franz Josef. Opt to explore the glacier with a heli hike.
Day 10
Franz Josef – Queenstown
Continue to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. With beautiful scenery and tons of activities, there’s something for everyone. Enjoy the great night life.
Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Queenstown (or similar, 3 nights)
Day 11
Queenstown
Breakfast
With free time here, opt to go bungee jumping (in its birthplace), jet boating (also born here!), skydiving, paragliding, hiking or mountain biking. Or take it a little slower and travel by gondola to the top of a local peak.
Day 12
Queenstown
Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy the stunning scenery of Fiordland National Park and Doubtful Sound on a day cruise. Take in the waterfalls and wildlife, then return to Queenstown for the night.
Day 13
Queenstown – Twizel
Breakfast
Head through the centre of the South Island to Twizel, near New Zealand’s highest peak, Mt Cook. Visit Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park and spend the afternoon hiking the region, taking in the alpine scenery. Learn more about mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary at the Visitor’s Centre.
Accommodation: Mountain Chalet Twizel (or similar)
Day 14
Twizel – Christchurch
Continue on to Christchurch and take in an orientation walk with your CEO. Enjoy one final night together with the group.
Accommodation: All Stars Inn on Bealey (or similar)
Day 15
Christchurch
Breakfast
Depart at any time.
*Hotel rooms are subject to availability and are confirmed by the supplier at time of booking; they may be replaced by other hotel rooms of similar category at the sole discretion of the supplier.
Interested in the itinerary above? Click on the “START PLANNING” button below and reference “Highlights of New Zealand” in the form, or give us a call at 587.997.5969 to book.
An adventure designed specifically for you
Let us work with you to tailor a journey based on your travel style and interests. We can use the existing itinerary above as a foundation, or build one from scratch to create your ideal vacation. Connect with us to start the conversation.
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*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to change and availability.