Real New Zealand

Are you ready for an authentic adventure-packed ride through New Zealand? We begin our journey in Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau), its largest city. It's time to say hello to your brand new crew before we make our way to our first destination. See that cloud of steam bubbling from the ground? That's how you know you're in the natural wonderland of Rotorua!

Drop your bags off at our lakeside Marae Special Stay before we join a traditional Māori welcome ceremony. Then we'll get together to prep a traditional steamed meal - hangi. And while it's cooking, head out for an introductory tour of Ohinemutu Village & learn all about Tikanga and Kawa - Māori customs and protocols. Then, it's back to the guesthouse to reap the reward of our prep, and enjoy a delicious hangi dinner with the crew. Best first day ever? Quite possibly. (L/D) Stay: Marae Special Stay

Morning, travellers! Fresh air, serene views and a hearty breakfast awaits. You've got the entire day to spend exploring this charming landscape with a hike, zipline or tour of Hobbiton - you choose.

Later this evening, we'll regroup at the marae to learn about traditional Māori performing arts, including the superbly epic Haka (specially composed for Contiki!). Oh, what a day it's been! And to think that the adventure has just begun… (B)

It's time for some more exploration. Fill up on some breakfast before we say farewell to our Māori friends. We're in the Kiwi land, so you know we're making a stop at the National Kiwi Hatchery - where you'll learn all about Kiwi conservation and get some cuteness overload from the baby chicks! Hungry? You're free to grab some lunch at a scenic spot in the beautiful town of Taupō (Taupo-nui-a-Tia). And then it's back on the coach to our next destination.

Welcome to the oh-so-beautiful River Valley! You can either hire an e-bike and explore the wilderness on your own, or for a bit of adventure, try your hand at white water rafting. And in the evening, feast yourself to a wholesome & traditional farm-to-table dinner. (B/D) Stay: River Valley Lodge (or similar)

Morning Kiwis, today we'll wave goodbye to the undulating mountains and make our way down to the coast. Today's lunch pitstop? The cute and sunny town of Paraparaumu. Feast yourself on good food and good views before we hit the road one more time. (Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for a quick glimpse of the South Island!)

As much as we've been loving the nature time, the change of scenery to New Zealand's well-cultured capital will prove an utter delight. After an orientation through the narrow streets of Wellington (Te Whanganui a Tara), and a chance to explore the great food scene, a night on the town will be on the cards. (B) Stay: Haka House Wellington (or similar)

Ready to explore Wellington in all its glory? Today, why not head to a local cafe and try the famed flat white coffee in its city of origin (sorry Australians). Sign up for a trip to Zealandia, a 225-hectare (basically massive) eco-sanctuary that protects over 40 rare native wildlife species. Because Zealandia is fully fenced, you'll be able to walk alongside incredibly rare birds like the hihi and the takahē. Look out for the tuatara, a prehistoric reptile known as a 'living fossil', which can only be found in New Zealand!

So long North Island! Today we're making tracks for your southern brother, darting across the Cook Strait via the Interislander ferry. As zesty as its famous fruit - Motueka hops, we'll arrive in the gateway to NZ's small but stunning Abel National Park. Aaand we're officially here. We're in THE Abel Tasman National Park (one of NZ's most famous). Guess what? Tonight, we'll be staying in cosy little cabins right inside the national park(!). So, get ready for a non-stop show of incredible natural beauty - birds, islands, forests - you name it. Stay: The Barn Mārahau (or similar)

You've got the ENTIRE day to explore this natural wonderland just the way you like. River canyoning, skydiving, sailing, hiking - the options are endless. With its golden sandy beaches & lush rainforests that line up across the ocean - you just know Mother Nature took her time with this one.

Buh Bye beautiful Mārahau! We've got a long day ahead of us. A sunrise paddle Waka? Yup. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, you'll learn all about the ancient Māori practice this morning (and quite possibly catch one of the best sunrise views of your lifetime!). Time for a quick lunch pitstop in this historic gold rush town, decorated by two wonderful rivers.

Next, we'll drive down the rugged northwest coast, passing by rainforests & beaches (on a clear day you can even see the stunning Aoraki/Mt Cook!). First things first, we'll head out to explore the famed Paparoa Track. Expect alpine tops, limestone landscapes, thriving rainforests and jaw-dropping views. Next on the agenda? An optional but highly recommended - paddleboarding and sandstone carving experience.

And for dinner? Traditional Māori food. We'll sit by a campfire and prepare a BBQ dinner of whitebait fritters (and more) and watch the starry sky gleaming above us as we settle into our beach camps. This is what dreams are made of, people. Stay: Punakaiki Beach Camp (or similar)

Punakaiki - you've been mesmerising. But we've got more wonders waiting to be explored! Yes, they're 300 million years old. Yes, they look incredible And yes, they look like stacks of pancakes. But no, you can't eat them. Admire (and you will) from a distance. We'll pull up for lunch in glorious Franz Josef (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere), probably one of the most beautiful places you'll ever have set your eyes on. A bold statement we know, but well deserved.

Our first piece of NZ eye-candy comes in the form of Haast Pass (Tioripatea), beautified by ancient rainforests, small glaciers and waterfalls. Note how the scenery changes as we roll towards Queenstown through the Southern Alps and region of Otago. What.A. Beauty. Get ready to witness some of the best views of your lifetime. We've satisfied our inner adventurer, now it's time to satisfy our hungry tummies.

Tonight, we'll grab some dinner at a rustic 150-year-old hotel (with the mountains as our backdrop!). And then it's back to our hotel to rest our travel-tired limbs. (D) Stay: The Brownston Hostel (or similar)

It's adventure time! Today is yours to spend just the way you like. Rock climbing, hiking, skydiving - Wanaka is an adrenaline junkie's dream. When evening rolls around, why not check out one of the local restaurants, or grab some takeaway and head down to the lake's edge, and watch the sun dip behind Mount Aspiring National Park? It's the perfect way to wrap up your day.

It's time to say goodbye to Wānaka today. But there's no need to shed tears just yet. Because after breakfast, we're driving to another stunning lake. Got your camera ready? We're hopping on a cruise to check out the impressive landscape around Lake Manapōuri. But that's not all. We'll also drive through the incredibly lush rainforests at Wilmot Pass. Now, this? This is natural beauty at its peak. Welcome onboard.

You'll be spending tonight on a luxurious boat (with chefs on board!) So, hop on. Enjoy some afternoon tea and get ready for some more adventure! You'll kayak through the serene waters, plunge into the icy Fiord and tour Doubtful Sound (Patea) with a nature expert to tell us everything about this extraordinary landscape. And after all that adventure chasing, we'll be back on board to feast on a chef-made dinner with local produce. And then, it's just games, music, cruising and good times with your new mates. Fabulous. (D) Stay: Overnight Cruise

Another day to spend exploring the Fiordland? Wow. Today, you'll hop on a coach and get another look at Wilmot Pass. It's time to set sail on Lake Manapōuri again, and make our journey towards the final destination of this trip.

Welcome to Queenstown (Tāhuna)! Bet you're hungry after all that lake exploration. Don't worry, dinner is on us today! Make sure to get some rest tonight for the adventure that awaits us tomorrow. (B/D) Stay: Nomads Hostel (or similar)

Free time to explore is all you've got today - and oh gosh, there's no end to what you can do here. Bungy jumping, canyon swings, climbing waterfalls, vineyard tours, zip lining, skydiving - we bet you'll wanna do it all! Afterwards, you can grab some dinner with your crew before resting your travel-tired limbs for round two of the adventure tomorrow. Please Note: The Free Time Add Ons which take place on Day 13 & Day 14 can be booked for either day and your Trip Manager will arrange this for you.

You already know what we're doing today - ticking off your bucket list! You're free to spend the day continuing your adventure. Today, you can even choose to have dinner at the Skyline restaurant which has panoramic views of Queenstown. It's the last full day of the trip, so don't forget to live it up.

After 15 days filled with adventure, culture, cities and sticks (and getting to know what New Zealand is really ‘bout) - it's time to say goodbye. Don't forget to exchange contacts with your crew. Because after a magical journey like this one, we bet you'll want to do it all over again.