Perfect for those wanting to explore the great outdoors from the rugged coast to the gentle golden sand bays, with plenty of time to soak up the wild seascapes and untamed lands.
Auckland - Rotorua - Auckland (Flight Not Included) - Nelson - Punakaiki - Franz Josef - Queenstown - Mt Cook Region - Tekapo - Christchurch
14 days / 13 nights
SUMMER SEASON ONLY with limited departures for this itinerary.
Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, set between two harbours with gentle sandy shores on the east coast and black sand, wild surf beaches on the west coast. This afternoon’s guided tour visits Auckland’s rugged west coast for some spectacular views and a walk among the giant tree ferns in the scenic rainforest. Overnight: Auckland
Enjoy a full day tour to the fascinating geothermal landscape at Rotorua with its unique steam vents, spouting geysers and bubbling mud pools. Your Rotorua Highlights tour also includes a guided tour through the geothermal valley at Te Puia for, a cultural performance and buffet lunch before returning to Auckland. Overnight: Auckland
Today’s adventure takes you to the beginning of Abel Tasman National Park for a cruise on the crystal-clear waters, past golden beaches and lush forests. View seals and seabirds in their natural habitat before taking a short walk on Bark Vay Waterfall Trail with its picturesque suspension bridge before the return cruise and shuttle back to Nelson. Overnight: Nelson
Travel through the wild and picturesque Buller Gorge valley and along the Great Coast Road to Punakaiki. This afternoon, make your own way to the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowholes for some dramatic views of the rock systems and most spectacular when the tide is high and the sea is rough. Enjoy a self-guided tour at the Paparoa Experience exhibition centre for a cultural and geological history of the fascinating rock formations. Overnight: Punakaiki
Half-way through the journey, the landscape changes from wild seascapes and subtropical palms to a forested interior where tumbling glaciers provide unique relics of the last ice age. Overnight: Franz Josef
Tucked into the forested foothills of the Southern Alps, small but lively Franz Josef Glacier Village is a popular base for glacier hikes and scenic flights. The area is full of wild, natural beauty, filled with rainforest, waterfalls, and mirror lakes. Today has been left available to add an optional tour or two of your choosing (extra cost applies). Overnight: Franz Josef
It’s a spectacular drive today through the Haast World Heritage Area with its rugged coastline, glacier fed blue pools, rushing rivers and towering waterfalls. Overnight: Queenstown
Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town. Enjoy a morning highlights tour of Queenstown’s “must see” locations including Kawarau Gorge, Gibbston Valley and Arrowtown. The afternoon is free to add an optional tour of your choosing (extra cost applies). Overnight: Queenstown
With such an expansive natural physical environment it is not surprising that Queenstown has been described as the Adventure Capital of the World. Today has been left available to add some of the endless optional activities on offer (extra cost applies). Overnight Queenstown
It’s a pleasant scenic drive past lakes and rivers through the rugged and beautiful landscape of the Central Otago Region. Continue through the dramatic Lindis Pass to a region dotted with lakes too blue to be true and framed by snow-capped mountains. Overnight: Mt Cook, Twizel or Tekapo
Enjoy another day of lovely road-side scenery on the drive over the golden tussock lands and wide braided rivers until the impressive green patchwork of the Canterbury Plains leads you into Christchurch. Overnight: Christchurch
Your prompt responses, attention to detail, and cooperative approach made the entire planning process smooth and stress-free. The clients are absolutely...
Shreya Gupta, India
General Travel New Zealand, is extraordinary. Highly recommended. Good hotels, good itinerary. Every thing is conducted clockwork!
Asha Singh, India
Thank you so much for organising our trip of a lifetime around New Zealand. Your tips and suggestions made the best use of our time and introduced us to...
Scott & Sue Wallace, Canada
Thank you so much for your excellent arrangements and cooperation pre-tour and while on tour, constantly replying to all my queries.
Munish, India
Your meticulous planning enabled a smooth travel experience for us. We are grateful to you in ensuring meeting our needs with regards to halal meal and my...
M. Youseff, Singapore
We absolutely loved our trip around New Zealand. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly! Matt has some mobility issues to deal with so it was fantastic...
Georgia & Matt Pace, USA
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you and your team did...thanks for the excellent coordination during the toughest Christmas time.
