Itinerary Details
1 Arrive Auckland, New Zealand
Colorful, vibrant Auckland is often called the City of Sails. Its spectacular setting on sparkling Waitemata Harbour and landmarks such as the Harbour Bridge, the Sky Tower and Rangitoto Island — the region's youngest volcano — lend it a unique identity. From the magnificent harbor to nearby hills where hikers roam through native flora and fauna, Auckland beckons you to explore it. Touch down and settle into your waterfront hotel.
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2 Auckland | Maori Culture And The Waitakere Range
Join your guide for a private tour of Auckland, starting with a dive into the city’s fascinating Maori culture and history. Explore some of the many public gardens in Auckland, beautiful in any season, and walk the vibrant Viaduct Harbour, with sleek super yachts for a backdrop. Then drive along the scenic waterfront to the quaint Victorian village of Parnell for panoramic views of Mount Eden, an extinct volcano. This afternoon, journey to the Waitakere Ranges on the west coast, where more than 100 miles of walking tracks through native rainforest, many leading to spectacular beaches, await. Stop to see unsurpassed views of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean, and then visit the eclectic town of Titirangi, a suburb draped in a lush native forest canopy and set at the foot of the Waitakere Range, before returning to Auckland.
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3 Auckland | Food And Wine On Waiheke
Board a ferry to Waiheke Island for a private food and wine tour that introduces you to the island along the way. Waiheke Island is a gourmand’s paradise, blessed with more than its fair share of oyster beds, olive groves and boutique vineyards. Amid spectacular views of the surrounding waters, sample fine vintages and freshly prepared dishes while learning about Waiheke and its people. Visit two of Waiheke’s best-loved vineyards — Mudbrick and Cable Bay — followed by lunch at one of New Zealand’s top vineyard restaurants. Return to Auckland via the ferry.
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4 Bay Of Islands | Beautiful Northland
Fly to Kerikeri in the Bay of Islands, a region of unspoiled natural beauty steeped in early Maori and European history. The bay contains some 150 islands of varying size clustered in pristine turquoise waters that are home to spectacular sea life, offering visitors countless sandy beaches and bays, clear water and magnificent scenery as well as some of the best sailing and deep-sea fishing in New Zealand. Visit the sleepy Victorian township of Russell, once a haven for runaway sailors and escaped convicts and the site of New Zealand's first white settlement and capital.
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5 Bay Of Islands | Enchanting Cape Reinga
Fly up to Cape Reinga and explore the Northlands' spectacular harbors, including the Whangaroa Harbor and the Rangaunu Harbor. Pass over some beautiful beaches such as Coopers Beach, Doubtless Bay and renowned Ninety Mile Beach. Then fly inland to explore the region by vehicle, taking in sights of the Cape Reinga lighthouse and strolling the beach. Fly once more to the Bay of Islands to take in some of spectacular coastal scenery. Remote and without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand, this locale’s pure white silica sand and crystal-clear water are enchanting to behold. Pass across the Houhora Harbor, the Cavalli Islands, Kauri Cliff's golf course and the spectacular Bay of Islands before returning to KeriKeri.
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6 Bay Of Islands | Harbor Cruise By Catamaran
Embark by luxury sailing catamaran to glide among the breathtaking Bay of Islands. Relax and enjoy the views while cruising past some of the 144 islands, absorbing stunning scenery. Choose the pace of exploration that suits you, perhaps dropping anchor in a sheltered bay to sun yourself or going ashore to hike, lounge on the beach or snorkel, fish or paddleboard. Disembark in Paihia for a private tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. In 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, was signed here by the British Crown and Maori Chiefs, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s history. Delve into the stories, personalities, and events that shaped New Zealand as you visit the Te Kongahu Museum of Waitangi, Te Rau Aroha Museum, the Treaty House and Te Whare Runanga, and view Ngatokimatawhaorua, the world’s largest ceremonial war canoe, up close. Then stroll along the beautiful bay replete with breathtaking panoramic views.
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7 Taupo | Glowworm Caves Experience
Fly to Auckland, and then journey overland to Taupo, stopping for lunch at Footwhistle Glowworm Caves en route. Afterward, set out on a private tour of the caves, a stunning limestone network beneath Waitomo's hills. The solar-powered lights are kept low so you can appreciate the magnificent glowworm displays at their best, from only inches away. Around a corner lie the bones of one of New Zealand's lost treasures, the ancient Moa. Finish your tour with complimentary Kawakawa tea in a nearby ponga hut, nestled in native forest, before proceeding to Taupo, a natural haven for adventure and exploration surrounded by stunning landscapes of volcanoes, ski fields, alpine deserts, deep forests and trout-filled rivers.
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8 Rotorua | Exclusive Kiwi Hatchery Visit
Fly to Rotorua in New Zealand's cultural heartland, where the earth's crust is so thin that its molten heart bubbles and steams to the surface in the form of geothermal pools and shooting geysers. Start with an exclusive visit to a working kiwi nursery and hatchery, the largest such facility in the world. Nurtured here through maturity, the small, flightless birds are then returned to the wild to boost the country’s kiwi population. Head out for a private visit to Ohinemutu, a living Maori geothermal village that is home to the Ngati Whakaue, who first journeyed by waka (oceangoing canoe) from their Pacific homeland to New Zealand around 1350. Discover the village’s spiritual, historic and cultural importance, and visit the magnificently decorated St. Faith’s Anglican Church, completed in 1914. View its Tudor-style façade as well as its Maori-influenced interior featuring beautiful carvings and woven panels that incorporate Indigenous art styles.
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9 Taupo | Trout Fishing Excursion
Embark on a private fishing adventure, trolling for Taupo’s renowned trout with the help of your experienced boat crew. Snack on your catch, prepared either barbecue or sashimi style. Return to your luxurious lodge with time free to perhaps take a restorative treatment at the Huka Spa or simply relax amid the peaceful sonic backdrop of birdsong and the rippling passage of the Waikato River as it flows downstream.
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10 Christchurch | A City Restored
Fly to Christchurch and begin a tour of highlights led by your guide who explains how Christchurch has reemerged from the turmoil of the 2010-11 earthquakes to become a vibrant, ever-changing city. View artwork by New Zealand artists in the re-opened Cathedral Square. Also visit one of Christchurch's exciting new buildings, the Transitional “Cardboard” Cathedral constructed on the site of the former St. John's Latimer Square Anglican Church. See how the cathedral makes use of varied construction materials, from cardboard tubes to timber beams, structural steel and concrete.
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11 Ahuriri Valley | Country Living And Dining
Venture to New Zealand’s stunning Ahuriri Valley, driving through breathtaking mountain landscapes, admiring gorgeous vistas as you go. Stop for a refreshment in the quaint country town of Geraldine, taking the opportunity to taste some pies from the renowned Fairlie Bakehouse. Arrive at your superb hotel, built to cleverly blend into the vast plains of the pristine Ahuriri Valley in New Zealand's South Island.
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12 Ahuriri Valley | Diverse Outdoor Adventure
Head out for a private Ahuriri Valley Farm Tour. Travel down Birchwood Road sighting wetlands, wildlife and the geological timeline revealed in the landscapes of the Huxley and Barrier Ranges in the Southern Alps. The afternoon is yours to discover this spectacular region on your own. This evening, take in the night sky on a private tour with a guide who identifies some of the closer and brighter stars and star clusters. Sight Greek and Maori constellations and learn about ancient techniques used for celestial navigation.
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13 Queenstown | Immersed In The Wine Region
Once a Maori settlement and, later, a gold mining outpost, Queenstown has transformed in recent decades to become a frontier resort town renowned as an adventure destination. Oenophiles have much to discover here, too: nearby are Central Otago, the world’s southernmost wine region, and Gibbston Valley, whose celebrated vintners offer tours and tastings at pioneering local wine estates. Venture into this beloved region for a wine tour packed with insider access. Sample pinot noir from renowned Central Otago, then go behind the scenes at a renowned winery where internationally trained wine advisors lead you on a vineyard tour. Meet some of the viticulturists in charge of protecting the terroir and producing optimal fruit during this special, off-the-menu experience. Finish with a two-course lunch from Kinross's seasonal a la carte menu served with a glass of one of vineyard’s fine wines.
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14 Queenstown | Milford Sound Heli-Tour And Cruise
Lift off by helicopter for an extensive scenic tour of magnificent Milford Sound, taking in the rugged beauty of New Zealand’s snow-capped Southern Alps. Land for a cruise of the sound to view cascading waterfalls, towering rock faces and unique wildlife, and then venture out past St. Anne's Lighthouse to the Tasman Sea. Complete your journey with an exclusive alpine snow landing by helicopter for the ultimate Fiordland National Park experience (weather permitting) en route back to Queenstown.
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15 Queenstown | Dart River Funyak Adventure
Get ready for a day of excitement aboard a jet boat and a funyak — an easy-to-maneuver inflatable kayak — on the Dart River. Paddle deep into the heart of the world-renowned Mount Aspiring National Park, delving into hidden side streams, rock pools and dramatic chasms. Bask in the peace and tranquility of this stunning area as you float downstream on the sparkling water at your own pace. Then savor a gourmet picnic lunch before heading on to Glenorchy, absorbing paradisical vistas along the way. Finish along a back-country route, passing locations that brought Middle Earth to life in the movies.
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16 Depart Queenstown
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