Small groups lead to big experiences on this Small Group Discovery tour of New Zealand! While it’s true that sheep outnumber people in New Zealand five to one, lucky for ewe, you’ll enjoy a Small Group experience to discover this untamed land brimming with an impressive number of soaring mountains, lush rainforests, and stunning fiords.
New Zealand’s North Island sets the stage for the abundance of spectacular sights you’ll see on both of the country’s breathtaking islands. Rotorua’s shooting geysers and boiling mud pools are only surpassed by some of the coolest fiord scenery in the world in the South Island’s Milford Sound. Throughout your tour of New Zealand, you’ll have the opportunity to admire beautiful gardens during high tea in Hamilton, cheers over a glass of wine in the famous Marlborough vineyards, search for whales and other marine life along the Pacific east coast, and witness Te Anau’s glittering glowworm caves. With so many ways to work up an appetite, you’ll appreciate a special lunch at a local farm, a progressive walking dinner tour highlighting the Māori culture, and a boisterous farewell dinner in the high country. A Small Group Discovery tour to awaken the senses, naturally and culturally!
Globus All Access - Special features included in this tour:
- Guided city sightseeing of Auckland with guided visit to the All Blacks Experience
- Guided walking tour of Hamilton Gardens with high-tea lunch overlooking the Mansfield Garden
- Guided tour of the Hobbiton movie set including a beverage at the Green Dragon Inn
- Visits to the National Kiwi Hatchery and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
- Māori hangi dinner and cultural performance at Te Pā Tū
- Wine tasting in Marlborough wine country
- Whale-watching cruise off the coast of Kaikoura
- Walking dinner tour featuring local cuisine in Christchurch
- Cruise across Lake Te Anau with visit to the Glowworm Grotto
- Excursion to Fiordland National Park with scenic cruise on the famous Milford Sound
- Jetboat ride on the Waiau River with visit and lunch at a local farm
- Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm with TSS Earnslaw cruise
Itinerary
ARRIVE IN AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
Your Small Group Discovery tour begins!
Welcome to Aotearoa, Māori for “land of the long white cloud.” Your room is available for immediate check-in. A pre-night is not required for early check-in. Please schedule your flights to arrive by 4:30pm in order to attend this evening’s welcome briefing and dinner.
(D)
AUCKLAND
The City of Sails: Start your day with a visit to the All Blacks Experience followed by a sightseeing tour of Auckland. See bustling Queen Street, the city’s oldest park, Auckland Domain, and historic Parnell Village. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure.
(B)
AUCKLAND – MATAMATA – HAMILTON – ROTORUA
Home, Hobbits, Home: Depart Auckland and travel through the green pastoral region of Waikato to Hamilton. Take a guided tour of Hamilton Gardens, followed by a high tea lunch. Next, stop at a picturesque farm near Matamata, which was transformed into the Hobbiton movie set of the Lord of the Rings films. Continue to Rotorua, home to geothermal wonders, adventure activities, and a thriving Māori culture.
(B/L)
ROTORUA
The Living Earth: This morning starts with a guided tour and visit to the National Kiwi Hatchery. Next, visit Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, a spectacular showcase of New Zealand’s most colourful and unique geothermal elements sculpted by thousands of years of geothermal activity. The afternoon is at your leisure. You may wish to relax in a natural hot spring, zipline through the forest, or board a floatplane for flightseeing of this beautiful region. This evening, enjoy an authentic Māori dinner and performance at Te Pā Tū.
(B/D)
ROTORUA – WAIOURU – WELLINGTON
Wild & Woolly: Travel south today through rolling farmlands and pass massive Lake Taupo. Visit the National Army Museum in Waiouru to see its varied collections recalling stories of both wartime and peace. After lunch, continue to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city.
(B/L)
WELLINGTON
New Zealand Treasures: Your day begins with a sightseeing tour of Wellington. Take a scenic cable-car ride, visit the beautiful botanic gardens, see the famous Beehive and Parliament buildings, and enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of the city and harbor from the top of Mount Victoria. You’ll also spend time at Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. The remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own.
(B)
WELLINGTON – INTERISLANDER FERRY – PICTON – BLENHEIM
Sea Valleys & Vineyards: Today, enjoy a special treat as you sail from Wellington to Picton and enjoy the spectacular Marlborough Sounds on one of the most scenic ferry journeys in the world. Enjoy a photo opportunity amid this extensive network of submerged valleys where dolphins are known to accompany the ferries. On occasion, you might even spot a pod of whales or some penguins swimming by. Continue to Blenheim and enjoy an afternoon wine tasting.
(B)
BLENHEIM – KAIKOURA – CHRISTCHURCH
Legendary Landmarks & Leviathans: Drive along the coastline where dramatic coastlines and vistas lead you to the coastal town Kaikoura. Enjoy lunch here and take a whale watching cruise. Continue to Christchurch, known for its English heritage.
(B/L)
CHRISTCHURCH
Māori Hospitality: A sightseeing tour highlights some of Christchurch’s famous landmarks and spectacular gardens. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening, enjoy a cultural dinner tour.
(B/D)
CHRISTCHURCH – QUEENSTOWN – TE ANAU
Catamarans & Cave Dwellers: Fly to Queenstown, then drive to Te Anau, nestled on the edge of a lake and the gateway to Fiordland National Park. Tonight, cruise across Lake Te Anau to the glowworm grotto.
NOTE: This cave tour requires bending, walking, and navigating some stairs to reach the cave.
(B)
TE ANAU. EXCURSION TO MILFORD SOUND
Sights & Sound: Today, travel into scenic Fiordland National Park for a full day excursion to the Milford Sound. Boasting some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, this region of New Zealand has been named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was famously described by author, Rudyard Kipling, as the “eighth wonder of the world.” Return Te Anau late this afternoon.
NOTE: The excursion to Milford Sound may happen on Day 12 depending on weather and road conditions today.
(B/L)
TE ANAU – QUEENSTOWN
Waterways & Woolly Days: This morning, take a jet boat ride along the Waiau River. Next, sit down with a local farmer to learn about the history, industry, and animal welfare. Enjoy lunch here, then drive to Queenstown, the “Adventure Capital of the World.” Tonight, you’re free to enjoy dinner at one of Queenstown’s many restaurants or cafes and sample some of the regional wines.
(B/L)
QUEENSTOWN
Timeless Tales & Traditions: Enjoy a full day at leisure in one of New Zealand’s prettiest towns. Tour some of the sights used to film The Lord of the Rings trilogy, shop for souvenirs, or take a thrilling jetboat ride on the Dart River. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner.
(B/D)
QUEENSTOWN HAERE RA
(Māori for “Until Next Time”)
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. You may also choose to extend your time in Queenstown and explore more on your own. Extra nights are available for purchase.
(B)
Maximum enjoyment of the tour requires a moderate level of fitness.
Some crouching and bending is required at the entrance to the Te Anau glowworm cave and steps are involved. Photography and filming is not permitted in the caves.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
