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17 DAYS, 15 NIGHTS

$$$$$

Signature New Zealand Guided Tour

Explore New Zealand’s scenic wonders from Christchurch to Queenstown to Auckland, with plenty of exciting stops in between!
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Booking Code: AA-31102-SGPN16

This Signature New Zealand Guided Tour offers the ultimate adventure for hassle-free exploration. Ideal for convenience and immersive experiences, this guided tour hits both the North and South Islands for a true New Zealand experience. Perfect for busy professionals, retirees, and adventurous spirits, this tour ensures optimized discovery and relaxation.

With expert guides leading you every step of the way, soak in breathtaking landscapes, delve into local culture, and savor authentic cuisine. This unforgettable journey through diverse New Zealand landscapes is perfect for first-time visitors to experience the best of Kiwi country Down Under!

Signature New Zealand Guided Tour

Inclusive Fully Guided New Zealand Trip Map

Day 1: International Flight to Christchurch
Days 2 – 17: Signature New Zealand Guided Tour
Day 17: International Flight from Auckland

Inclusive Fully Guided New Zealand Trip Map
WHAT’S INCLUDED
ITINERARY
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WHAT’S INCLUDED
ITINERARY
REQUEST A QUOTE
Inclusive & Fully Guided New Zealand Journey

What’s included in your
Inclusive & Fully Guided New Zealand Journey

Accommodation

Christchurch (1 Night), Twizel (1), Dunedin (1), Te Anau (1), Queenstown (2), Franz Josef (1), Christchurch (1), Wellington (2), Rotorua (2), Bay of Islands (2), Auckland (1)

Flights

International – Los Angeles to Christchurch, Auckland to Los Angeles

Transfers

Shuttle – Christchurch Airport to Accommodation, Auckland Accommodation to Airport

Day Tours

Christchurch – City Sights, TranzAlpine Rail Journey
Dunedin – Larnach Castle and Devonshire Tea
Milford Sound – Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch
Queenstown – Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw, Skyline Rotorua Gondola and Luge Ride
Arrowtown – Lakes District Museum
Wellington – Cruise on the Interislander Ferry, Queen Charlotte Lounge, Te Papa, NZ’s National Museum, Wellington City Sights Tour
Rotorua – Agrodome, Thermal mud pools and geysers, Te Puia traditional Maori Hangi and Concert
Bay of Islands – Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise
Waitangi – Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Northland – Kauri Museum
Auckland – City Sights

Meals

15 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast; 12 sumptuous dinners including complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 3 specialty dinners; 1 lunch; 1 delicious Devonshire Tea; Hotal Wine Time (discounted drinks)

All Taxes and
Fuel Levies

(Except where noted)

Fully Guided
Tour

With fixed departure dates and itinerary

VISA ISSUANCE
REQUIRED (NOT
INCLUDED)

your itinerary details

DAY 1

International Flight, Los Angeles to Christchurch

The estimated cost for this package includes the average price of international airfare from Los Angeles. Request a quote for your preferred routing and travel dates. Your flight will cross the international date line overnight, putting you 1 day ahead in New Zealand. So according to a calendar it will take you 2 days to get to New Zealand, but really, it’s just an overnight flight!

DAY 2

Arrive Christchurch

Spring in Christchurch New Zealand

Photo Credit: Getty Images

On arrival in Christchurch, you will be met by your tour representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening meets your Tour Leader and traveling companions.

Hotel Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Dinner included

Spring in Christchurch New Zealand

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Church Good Shepherd

Photo Credit : Ruklay Getty Images

DAY 3

Christchurch – Aoraki Mt Cook – Twizel

Church Good Shepherd

Photo Credit : Ruklay Getty Images

After an introductory city sights tour depart Christchurch and travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, visit The Church of the Good Shepherd and view the Sheep Dog Statue. Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available (time and weather permitting) to enjoy a scenic flight (optional) over the Southern Alps before traveling to Twizel.

Hotel MacKenzie Country Hotel
Breakfast & Dinner included

DAY 4

Twizel – Dunedin

Oamaru New Zealand

Photo Credit : Alan Tow Getty Images

Depart Twizel and see Lake Benmore before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy a city sights tour followed by some free time.

Hotel Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
Breakfast & Dinner included

Oamaru New Zealand

Photo Credit : Alan Tow Getty Images

Waitomo Caves

Photo Credit : Rumboalla Getty Images

DAY 5

Dunedin – Te Anau

Waitomo Caves

Photo Credit : Rumboalla Getty Images

Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch. This afternoon travel to Queenstown, overlooking magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year-round resort town which offers a wide range of activities and attractions. This evening is free, and you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.

Hotel: Millennium Hotel Queenstown (2 nights)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 6

Queenstown

Queenstown Trees

Photo Credit : Travel Coffee Book

Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown at leisure. Your Coach Captain and Tour Guide are available to assist with the many sightseeing options available, including the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour to Skippers Canyon or getting up close to a Kiwi bird. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner which the chef will prepare in front of you at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.

Meals: Breakfast & Specialty Dinner

Queenstown Trees

Photo Credit : Travel Coffee Book

Haast Pass New Zealand

Photo Credit : Santi Jk Getty Images

DAY 7

Queenstown – Arrowtown – Franz Josef

Haast Pass New Zealand

Photo Credit : Santi Jk Getty Images

Travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the mighty West Coast. See the snowcapped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to the township of Fox Glacier. Time is available (weather permitting) to experience a scenic flight (optional) over the spectacular glaciers.

Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Douglas Wing)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 8

Franz Josef – Arthur’s Pass – Christchurch

Franz Josef Glacier

Photo Credit : Holgs Getty Images Signature

Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue into Arthur’s Pass and board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains to the elegant city of Christchurch. On arrival your coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

Hotel: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Franz Josef Glacier

Photo Credit : Holgs Getty Images Signature

Picton

Photo Credit : Chameleonseye Getty Images

DAY 9

Christchurch – Picton – Wellington

Picton

Photo Credit : Chameleonseye Getty Images

Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikoura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you will board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington.

Hotel: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room) (2 nights)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 10

Wellington

Wellington

Photo Credit : Gagliardi Photography

A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Reboard your coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time this afternoon and this evening is also free to choose your own dining arrangements.

Meals: Breakfast

Wellington

Photo Credit : Gagliardi Photography

Taupo New Zealand

Photo Credit : Pavlina Lunakova Getty Images

DAY 13

Wellington – Taupo – Rotorua

Taupo New Zealand

Photo Credit : Pavlina Lunakova Getty Images

Depart Wellington and view the snowcapped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro as you travel to Lake Taupo. Visit the spectacular Huka Falls then travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua.

Hotel: Pullman Rotorua (City View Room) (2 nights)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 14

Rotorua

Bay of Islands Robert Island

Photo Credit : Action Adventure Getty Images

This morning you’ll depart Rotorua and travel north via Auckland. Continue via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy an introduction to the Bay of Islands, location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British.

Hotel: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (2 nights)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Bay of Islands Robert Island

Photo Credit : Action Adventure Getty Images

Bay of Islands

Photo Credit : Denizunlusu Getty Images Signature

DAY 15

Bay of Islands

Bay of Islands

Photo Credit : Denizunlusu Getty Images Signature

This morning you’ll cruise through the beautiful Bay of Islands on board a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. Keep an eye out for bottlenose and common dolphins before returning via Russell to Paihia for a free afternoon. A range of optional activities are available, or you may choose to relax and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the waterfront. This evening is also free, and you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 16

Bay of Islands – Auckland

Bay of Islands

Photo Credit : len4foto

Depart the Bay of Islands this morning and travel via Whangarei and Dargaville to Matakohe. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum before continuing to Auckland for a city sights tour. This evening you’ll enjoy a final dinner with your newfound friends.

Hotel: Sudima Auckland City
Meals: Breakfast & Specialty Dinner

Bay of Islands

Photo Credit : len4foto

DAY 17

Farewell Auckland

Time to say goodbye. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.

Breakfast included

Answers to your FAQs

To see all our most frequently asked questions, check out our full FAQ page.

OUR PROMISE

Whatever you want your custom tour of New Zealand to include, we’ll create
something fully unique for you — and only you.

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