Day : 1
Arrive Christchurch
Number of Days : 1
Discover 100% Pure New Zealand on this Hidden Journey through its South and North Islands. The launch pad for our epic adventure is Christchurch, the Garden City of New Zealand, most noteworthy for its vivid blue, red and green container mall that emerged following a devastating earthquake. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel (flights to arrive prior to 4pm). Spend some free time relaxing or explore this lively city on your own terms. Tonight, we meet our Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception and dinner.
Day : 2
Christchurch - Punakaiki
Number of Days : 1
Climb aboard one of the world's most famous and spectacular scenic rail journeys, travelling through the heart of the snow-capped Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass. We travel to Punakaiki to see the limestone Pancake Rocks and the Blowholes through which the force of the Tasman Sea bursts forth during high tide. Tonight, we stay in an eco-friendly resort on the waterfront, surrounded by the Paparoa National Park.
Day : 3
Punakaiki - Franz Josef
Number of Days : 1
Our day starts at a leisurely pace before visiting the greenstone centre of Hokitika, where we will see an exclusive jewellery demonstration by a Local Specialist jade carver. Our small group will travel south to the West Coast Treetop Walk for an intimate encounter with the creatures that find sanctuary in the surrounding Rimu and Kamahi forest. We proceed to the self-proclaimed wonderfully wacky gold mining town of Ross before arriving at the luminous blue-white Franz Josef Glacier. Get up close to the glacier on a guided tour to the viewing area with a Local Specialist before arriving at your eco-friendly accommodation in the bush, where you will enjoy a unique opportunity to relax in Franz Josef's local geothermal hot pools.
Day : 4
Franz Josef - Queenstown (3 nights)
Number of Days : 1
Spend the morning at leisure relaxing at your forest retreat or see the imposing glacier from the air (at your own expense). Traversing Haast Pass through New Zealand's imposing Southern Alps and lush green beech forest, we arrive on the pebbled shores of the glacial lakes of Wanaka and Hawea, stopping at Makarora. We delve into the gold mining heritage of Arrowtown before arriving in the adventure tourism hotspot of Queenstown.
Day : 5
Queenstown Free Time
Number of Days : 1
Embrace the Kiwi philosophy to life of 'She'll be Right' and dive straight into the adrenalin capital of New Zealand. Our group has the opportunity of riding the Skyline Gondola to Bob's Peak for a Regional Meal with extraordinary views overlooking stunning Queenstown.
Day : 6
Queenstown Free Time
Number of Days : 1
A final day in Queenstown at your leisure could see you take an Optional Experience to the Gibbston Valley Winery for fine bouquets of handcrafted premium wines and gourmet food or embarking on yet another day of adrenalin-busting fun. Spend the evening dining at one of the many local restaurants and cafés in town against the backdrop of the beautiful snow-capped Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu.
Day : 7
Queenstown - Milford Sound
Number of Days : 1
Our epic discovery of New Zealand's natural wonders continues south along the tranquil shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau and deep into the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. We drive through the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel and emerge into a photographer's paradise, surrounded by Pop's Lookout, Cleddau Valley and the scenic Mirror Lakes. Our journey to Milford Sound sees us step off the beaten track and on the Chasm Walk for dramatic views of waterfalls and water-sculpted shapes in the rock. We experience the beauty and majesty of this destination tonight at Milford Sound Lodge with a unique and intimate opportunity to view the valleys, rainforest, mountains and wildlife of this soulful natural wonder.
Day : 8
Milford Sound - Stewart Island (2 nights)
Number of Days : 1
Spend the morning admiring the simple beauty of Milford Sound on a cruise out to the Tasman Sea. Leaving the stillness to lunch in Te Anau, we continue thereafter to the southern-most city in New Zealand, Invercargill. Priming our sea legs yet again, we board a ferry at Bluff to cruise to our overnight stop on Stewart Island.
Day : 9
Stewart Island Sightseeing
Number of Days : 1
Settle into a slower pace of life and gain an entertaining insight into New Zealand's southernmost community during a Village and Bays tour of Stewart Island, visiting the beautiful bays of Horseshoe and Lee before embarking on a leisurely cruise of the picturesque Paterson Inlet for lunch on the water. Our group is treated to a special visit to the remote Ulva Island where we will enjoy an exclusive tour with a Local Specialist from the Department of Conservation on Ulva Island's wildlife sanctuary.
Day : 10
Stewart Island - Mt Cook
Number of Days : 1
Meandering along the shores of Lake Pukaki back to Queenstown, we arrive at the foothills of snowcapped Mt. Cook, the highest mountain in the southern hemisphere, spending the night in the beautiful Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park.
Day : 11
Mt Cook - Christchurch
Number of Days : 1
We visit the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo with its altar window framing stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains. En route to Christchurch, warm Kiwi hospitality is ours to enjoy at the home of Angie and Stan Taylor who host us at their Morelea Farm for a Be My Guest barbecue lunch in their 600-acre garden. Crossing the Canterbury Plains, we arrive in Christchurch and embark on a sightseeing tour to discover how the city is being rebuilt after the earthquake of 2011.
Day : 12
Christchurch - Wellington (2 nights)
Number of Days : 1
We leave New Zealand's beautiful South Island for the north, and ease in to the culinary capital of New Zealand, Wellington. The afternoon is yours at leisure to breathe in the aromas of Wellington's unique coffee and craft brew culture, or wander around the waterfront to Oriental Bay.
Day : 13
Wellington Free Time
Number of Days : 1
Spend the day at leisure exploring the 'Capital of Cool' on your terms. Visit Mount Victoria Lookout and Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum. Take a ride on Wellington's famous Cable Car or go behind the scenes and experience a world of imagination at Weta Cave - the artistic geniuses behind the Lord of the Rings and Hobbits trilogies. Your Travel Director will help you book all your chosen Optional Experiences. This evening is yours to indulge in the culinary delights of Wellington.
Day : 14
Wellington - Taupo
Number of Days : 1
Drive along the rugged Kapiti Coast to catch a glimpse of the three active volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park. From the volatile earth's crust came Lake Taupo, our next stop and New Zealand's largest lake which now lies peaceful within the caldera of a volcano. Before arriving at our hotel, we'll stop in to view the raging Huka Falls and pass the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station.
Day : 15
Taupo - Rotorua (2 nights)
Number of Days : 1
We enjoy a leisurely start to our day before heading to nearby Rotorua. Here we will delve into the fascinating culture and rituals of the Maori people against the backdrop of some of New Zealand's most dramatic volcanic landscapes, gaining unique insight into local customs like the Hongi greeting before enjoying a Be My Guest traditional Maori Hangi meal cooked in the ground using geothermal steam.
Day : 16
Rotorua Sightseeing
Number of Days : 1
Meet New Zealand's woolly flock at the highly entertaining Agrodome Farm Show, where you will witness the art of sheep shearing. Come face-to-face with New Zealand's extraordinarily unique wildlife at the Rainbow Springs Nature Park. And visit Whakarewarewa Living Village where we will enjoy in-depth insights into the lives of the Maori people and the special bond they share with this ancient land.
Day : 17
Rotorua - Coromandel
Number of Days : 1
The iridescent cave walls of Waitomo Caves are our first stop today as we join a Local Specialist to navigate the dark depths that provide sanctuary to millions of glow worms. See the beauty of Footwhistle Cave and dramatic cave formations before heading back to 'Living Earth', to Coromandel and Puka Park Resort - our accommodation tonight is in Tree Hut Chalets.
Day : 18
Coromandel - Auckland
Number of Days : 1
A lazy start to our day sees us travel to the City of Sails. Ease into laid-back Auckland vibes after a sightseeing tour of the city, with your afternoon at leisure to explore on your own terms.
Day : 19
Auckland - Bay of Islands (2 nights)
Number of Days : 1
The golden sands of Orewa along the scenic Hibiscus Coast is our first stop today, before continuing to the lush native forest of Waipoua, home to the largest Kauri tree in existence. Venturing deep into the forest, a Local Specialist Maori guide explains the heritage and fascinating legends of these mighty trees. We then head to our waterfront resort in the subtropical Bay of Islands and enjoy a delicious dinner together.
Day : 20
Bay of Islands Sightseeing
Number of Days : 1
Wake up in paradise and set off by ferry across the harbour to Russell, New Zealand's first permanent European settlement, where we will enjoy a guided tour with a Local Specialist into this town's fascinating settler and seafaring heritage. We enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Day : 21
Bay of Islands - Auckland
Number of Days : 1
The wind in our hair, we set forth across the Bay of Islands, cruising to the Hole in the Rock where Maori legend has it was the landing place of the canoe Tunui-a-rangi before it went to Ngunguru and Whangarei. We see historic Cape Brett along our exploration of some of the 165 islands in the bay, spending time in the pretty tourist town of Paihia. Tonight, we celebrate our Hidden Journey through New Zealand's picturesque North Island at a Farewell Dinner in Auckland.
Day : 22
Depart Auckland
Number of Days : 1
For now, it's a fond haera ra from 100% Pure New Zealand. Our Hidden Journey has come to an end and we transfer you to Auckland Airport for your onward flight (flights anytime).
