New Zealand Nature Tour

Welcome to New Zealand. Your transfer will be waiting at the airport to take you to your accommodation. You can relax or explore Auckland on your own for the rest of the day. At 6:00 pm you will meet with your guide and the other travellers in the group to discuss the exciting trip ahead.

This morning we drive through King Country towards Rotorua. In Rotorua we take part in a 3-hour cultural 4WD tour and get an insight into the local ways of life, the land and the heritage of the Ngāti-Pikiao. Here we get to know the myths, legends and the rich history of the iwi, visit the marae and enjoy breathtaking views over the beautiful lake area around Rotorua. Later, you have the opportunity to visit a Māori village and experience Māori stories, arts and traditions. After the cultural experience, a hāngi is served - a traditional Māori meal cooked in the ground (all optional). Meals: B

Rotorua is known for the bubbling mud pools, shooting geysers and natural hot springs that shape the landscape. Today we depart Rotorua and visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, New Zealand's most colourful geothermal attraction. We continue towards Tongariro National Park, New Zealand's oldest national park, passing Lake Taupo. If the weather is good, we can take our first walk of the trip, around the beautiful Lake Rotopounamu. Meals: B

This morning we embark on New Zealand's most famous hike, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a challenging journey across a remarkable volcanic landscape. Lava flows, an active crater, steam vents, emerald-coloured lakes and magnificent views combine to make this an unforgettable walking journey. Alternatively, you can take a scenic flight with spectacular views over Mt. Tongariro and its sister volcanoes, Mt. Ngauruhoe and Mt. Ruapehu (optional). Meals: B, D

Today we leave the volcanoes behind and drive towards Wellington through agricultural areas. On the Kapiti Coast, we check-in into our accommodation near the coast. From there, we can take a walk along the beach. Meals: B

This morning we go on a boat trip to Kapiti Island, a nature reserve hosting some of New Zealand's most endangered birds. Kapiti Island Nature Reserve is ten kilometres long and two kilometres wide. Visitor numbers are strictly limited – access is only by licensed launch and a landing permit is required. Here, you can see numerous kākā (forest parrots) and the takahē, which is threatened on the mainland, as well as other endemic birds. If the weather is good, you can see the South Island from the viewpoint here. In the afternoon we return to the mainland and continue on to the capital of New Zealand, Wellington. This evening we have a guided tour of Zealandia Ecosanctuary , an urban sanctuary where rare native species are flourishing in the wild. With a little luck, we may see the kiwi, an endangered flightless bird and the unofficial national emblem of New Zealand. Meals: B, L

Today you have the opportunity to explore the capital city of New Zealand on your own. Surrounded by nature and fuelled by creative energy, Wellington is a compact city with a powerful mix of culture, history, nature and cuisine. Fuel your visit with strong coffee and world-class craft beer – Wellingtonians are masters of casual dining, with plenty of great restaurants, night markets and food trucks. Make sure to visit Te Papa Tongarewa National Museum , take the cable car up to the Botanic Gardens or relax in Oriental Bay. Meals: B

This morning we take the ferry from Wellington to the South Island, crossing the Cook Strait. The 3-hour boat trip through the Marlborough Sounds brings us to the small port town of Picton. We travel to the Pelorus Bridge, an enchanting scenic reserve that is a great starting point for easy walks through forest glades. After a walk in this area, we continue to Nelson, New Zealand's sunniest city. This evening we experience true New Zealand hospitality as we have dinner in a local family's home. Meals: B, D

Today takes us on a day trip into Abel Tasman National Park, a coastal paradise, renowned for its golden beaches. First, we take a catamaran boat ride around the park's numerous bays and peninsulas. Then we hike along the bays and back through native bush, with plenty of opportunities for a refreshing swim in the sea. This easy hike, lasting several hours, is one of the most popular in New Zealand. We return to Nelson for the evening. Meals: B, L

After breakfast we continue towards the West Coast, crossing the spectacular Buller Gorge before reaching Westport. Enjoy a close encounter with New Zealand fur seals in their natural habitat on a walk at Cape Foulwind. A wildly romantic landscape awaits us between Westport and Greymouth, with the mountain belt of the Paparoa National Park running parallel to the coast. A short walk takes us to the Pancake Rocks (limestone formations formed 30 million years ago and eroded by mildly acidic rain, wind and seawater). At high tide, spectacular blowholes can also be witnessed. We continue on to Hokitika, where we spend the night. Meals: B

This morning you have the opportunity to explore Hokitika a little more. Here there are many galleries specialising in jewellery and art made from pounamu, or greenstone. This type of stone is only found on the west coast of the South Island and is one of the great taonga (treasures) of the Māori. Some galleries even offer courses where you can carve your very own pounamu. We then continue along the West Coast and reach the Southern Alps. The Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are among the few on earth whose terminal faces reach down to the rainforest, less than 300 meters above sea level. You can take a scenic helicopter flight here to witness the fascinating glacial world and Mount Cook from a bird's eye view (optional). We end the day with dinner together. Meals: B, D

Our journey continues into Westland Tai Poutini National Park, where we take a 2-hour hike through the rainforest until we reach the roaring Tasman Sea. Depending on the season, we may be able to spot Fiordland Crested Penguins. We then continue to Haast, where we cross the Haast Pass - the water and climate divide of the Southern Alps. Surrounded by gigantic mountains, we drive along Lake Wanaka and Lake Hāwea. If time allows, we can take a short hike, before ending the day in Wanaka. Meals: B

Visitors from around the world are drawn to the Wanaka region by its outstanding beauty. The stunning mountain and lakeside setting, and proximity to Mount Aspiring National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Area, makes it the ultimate base for outdoor activities. There are numerous hiking trails of all levels of difficulty and today you have the opportunity to explore them on your own. Hiring a bike and cycling around the region also comes highly recommended. Your guide will be happy to assist you in choosing your activities – you are spoilt for choice!

This morning we drive to Queenstown over the Crown Range, a spectacular alpine road. Queenstown is wonderfully located on Lake Wakatipu, a long Z-shaped lake, created by glacial action. There are spectacular views of nearby mountains such as the Remarkables, Cecil and Walter Peak, Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill. You have the opportunity to explore this beautiful town, before we continue to Te Anau in the afternoon. Here you have the opportunity to visit the glowworm caves across Lake Te Anau, via boat (optional). Meals: B

Today marks a highlight of our journey, as we drive to Lake Manapouri in Fiordland National Park, to begin our trip into Doubtful Sound. Hardly any landscape embodies the term ‘wilderness' better than Fiordland. In the west, 14 fiords penetrate deep into the primeval forests of a rugged alpine world and snow-capped mountain peaks rise up to 2700 meters above alpine grasslands. Doubtful Sound, sometimes called ‘The Sound of Silence', is not directly accessible by road so it is much quieter and more remote than its famous neighbour Milford Sound. To reach it, we cross Lake Manapouri by boat and then continue by bus over the scenic Wilmot Pass to reach Deep Cove, our gateway to the fiord. In the seclusion of Doubtful Sound we get to know the flora and fauna of Fiordland, surrounded by steep mountains and lush green vegetation - keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and penguins. We spend a tranquil night on board a comfortable ship and end an unforgettable day with dinner together. Meals: B, D

After breakfast we leave Doubtful Sound and head towards Dunedin. We cross the highlands of Central Otago and reach the east coast of the South Island. The Otago Peninsula is particularly well known for its rich wildlife, being home to the only mainland albatross colony in the world. In the afternoon we take a boat trip to observe these albatrosses. Keep an eye out for seals and cormorants, which are also often seen here. We spend the night in Dunedin, also known as the Edinburgh of New Zealand. We end the day with dinner together in a historic local brewery. Meals: B, D

First, we take a wander through Dunedin, New Zealand's city of the south, wearing its Scottish heritage with pride. Surrounded by dramatic hills and at the foot of a long, picturesque harbour, Dunedin is one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere. After leaving Dunedin, we head to the Moeraki Boulders, mysteriously spherical stones scattered across a beach. Each boulder weighs several tonnes and is up to two metres high. On our way to the Mount Cook region, we have another opportunity for a short hike to get our first impression of this impressive area. Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is home to the highest mountains and the longest glaciers in New Zealand. It is alpine in the purest sense - with skyscraping peaks, glaciers and permanent snow fields, all set under a star-studded sky. We spend the night in Mount Cook Village, a comfortable haven in one of the most unforgiving parts of New Zealand. Meals: B

Today we have the opportunity to experience this rugged land of ice and rock, by completing a half-day hike in the stunning Hooker Valley. Along the way you will cross three swing bridges and encounter picturesque icebergs, glaciers and majestic mountains that will have you reaching for your camera at every turn. There are various other alpine walks beginning near the village, all about three hours return. In early summer, the famous Mount Cook Lily, the world's largest buttercup, blooms everywhere. At other times, the golden yellow Wild Spaniard plant can be seen. If the weather gods are kind to us, we will get breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountain peaks that frame the Hooker Valley. Make sure to look up at the incredible night sky as we spend another night in Mount Cook Village. Meals: B, L

Before we leave the Southern Alps, we stop at Lake Tekapo. We are now in Mackenzie Country, a landscape with character. Sparse rainfall makes this highland appear barren, with wide tussock plains spanning the hills like a carpet. Our journey continues through the extensive farmlands of the Canterbury Plains. In the afternoon we reach Christchurch, the ‘Garden City' of New Zealand. Today is the last evening of your trip and we invite you to a dinner, where you and your fellow travellers can review and celebrate the experiences you have had together over the last three weeks. Meals: B, D

After the devastating earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, Christchurch was rebuilt as a more creative and funky urban centre. Wander through the streets admiring the colourful murals that tell stories of the city's resilience and indomitable spirit. You can take the historic tram, visit the newly built cathedral, the Arts Centre or the award-winning Botanical Garden (all optional). Your journey across New Zealand ends around noon and a transfer will take you to the airport.