New Zealand – Nature & Culture

13 days,

12 nights |

from $6669 per person*

TOUR CODE: NATURECUL

Discover the breathtaking world of New Zealand, where culture echoes through daily life and natural landscapes will surprise you at every turn. Discover the charming cities, photographic landscapes and alpine settings on your journey from the South Island to the North.

Known as New Zealand’s “Garden City”, Christchurch offers an abundance of parks and botanic gardens. Sit back, relax and see Christchurch from a classic punt and a heritage tramcar! Relax and see the Botanic Gardens from a fresh perspective on board a tranquil 30-minute punt ride, then explore the city on a hop on and off heritage tramcar. Enjoy a day trip to the only settlement attempted by the French in New Zealand, Akaroa, located on the stunning Banks Peninsular. Board a nature cruise on arrival and see Hectors Dolphins, little blue penguins, NZ fur seals and local bird life. Learn more about the local history from your boat skipper and be awed by the volcanic cliffs that act as sentinels to the harbour entrance.

Board the TranzAlpine Train for a stunning journey that travels from coast-to-coast through the Great Divide and the indomitable spine of mountains that partitions New Zealand’s South Island.

Travel to Franz Josef (by coach OR rental car) and enjoy a cruise across Lake Mapourika to a private rainforest trail through the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary. Step off the boat and into a Jurassic rainforest that feels like another world! Experience the old growth rainforest in its pristine state!  This is some of Westland’s oldest untouched rainforest full of abundant birdlife – including white herons and native bush birds.  Experience a Franz Josef Glacier heli-hike as you explore ice caves and other glacial terrain with a professional guide.  Then don provided boots, jacket and ice axe for a guided hike past deep crevasses and towering ice-blue pinnacles before the return chopper ride down.

Continue to the alpine village of Queenstown, located over Haast Pass on the banks of Lake Wakatipu. Enjoy exceptional views from the top of Skyline Gondola and a sumptuous buffet dining experience at Skyline’s Stratosfare Restaurant & Bar. As you dine, the floor to ceiling windows and panoramic views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains will captivate you day and night. Explore Milford Sound on a full-day tour from Queenstown with a combination of a scenic coach ride, 2-hour sightseeing cruise, and return flight over the pristine mountain wilderness.  Sit back and relax whilst a specialist Wine Guide takes you off the beaten track to explore the dramatic scenery for an afternoon of wine tasting around the Queenstown region.

Fly to Rotorua for a three-night stay and experience both Maori heritage and culture as well as witness the incredible geothermal activity for which Rotorua is famed. Enjoy a  our mouth-watering buffet at Pātaka Kai Restaurant, Bar and Cafe at Te Puia followed by an exhilarating cultural performance in the beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. Afterwards, enter the geothermal valley on the waka (people moving vehicle) and discover one of New Zealand’s most magnificent geothermal wonderlands – featuring dramatic geysers, bubbling mud, and beautiful native bush. Enjoy a half-day Geothermal tour during daylight hours at Waiotapu Thermal Reserve and see the largest boiling mud lake. Pack your sense of adventure for an Indian Jones style  and experience the beautiful Whakarewarewa Forest by day with a two hour guided tour, up to 25m high, negotiating swing bridges and ziplines! Then head back and see the forest by night with Treewalk Nightlights where you are transported to a captivating world of color and light, and you see forest and fantasy come alive.

Depart from Rotorua with a scenic drive across to Matamata for the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour.  Take a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set and learn how this picturesque farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle earth. See Hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Party Tree, the Mill, and many other structures from the movies before continuing to Auckland for a two-night stay.
Travel by ferry to Waiheke Island for a half-day wine tasting tour with lunch before returning to the city. Visit the All Blacks Experience and join a 45 minute guided tour where you learn what it takes to make, shape and be an All Black. This will include learning the story and feeling the passion behind the All Blacks haka, up close and personal. Test your rugby skills against All Blacks and Black Ferns in the hands on, interactive zone.

Want more? All vacations can be customized to suit to call one of our Destination Specialists to customize your dream vacation to New Zealand.

 

 

 

  • Round-trip airfare on Air New Zealand from Los Angeles to Christchurch, returning from Auckland
  • One way airfare from Queenstown to Rotorua
  • Christchurch private arrival transfer airport/hotel
  • 2-nights Christchurch at The Mayfair
    • Tram and Punting on the Avon Combo
    • Akaroa Day Tour with Nature Cruise
  • Christchurch private departure transfer hotel/rail station
  • TranzAlpine Rail Journey from Christchurch to Greymouth
  • One-way coach transfer from Greymouth to Franz Josef and Queenstown OR 3-days car hire with unlimited mileage
  • 2-nights Franz Josef at the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef
    • Cruise and Walk tour
    • Franz Josef Heli-hike
  • 3-nights Queenstown at the Hotel St Moritz Queenstown – MGallery
    • Milford Sound Cruise – Coach, Cruise and Fly
    • Skyline Gondola and Dinner
    • Boutique Wine Tour
  • Queenstown Private Departure transfer hotel/airport
  • Rotorua Private Arrival transfer airport/hotel
  • 3-nights Rotorua at the Pullman Rotorua
    • Te Po Indigenous Experience
    • Half-day Geothermal Wonderland Tour
    • Redwood Altitude and VIP Nightlights Treewalk
  • Hobbiton Express from Rotorua to Auckland including guided tour of Hobbiton
  • 2-nights Auckland at SO/Auckland
    • Half-day Scenic Wine and Lunch tour Waiheke Island including ferry transfers
    • All Blacks Experience
  • Auckland Private Departure transfer hotel/airport
  • US/foreign taxes and fees including September 11 Security Fee

All trips include 24-hour emergency travel assistance.

Book by:

May 31, 2023

Valid for travel between:

May 1 – June 23, 2023

Additional dates, gateway cities and airlines may be available.

Need some help? Contact us here.

This package is 100% customizable and no set itinerary is available.

Need some help? Contact us here.

Based on departures June 29 – July 23, 2023 – from $7149/person based on double occupancy

Based on departures July 24 – September 17, 2023 – from $6999/person based on double occupancy

Based on departures September 18 – October 15, 2023 – from $7749/person based on double occupancy

Based on departures October 16 – November 27, 2023 – from $7299/person based on double occupancy

Call for pricing and availability departures November 28, 2023 – January 17, 2024

Based on departures January 18 – February 14, 2024 – from $8749/person based on double occupancy

Additional upgrades and add-ons may be available.

Need some help? Contact us here.

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*Terms & Conditions: Pricing is per person based on double occupancy. All prices are in US dollars and correct at time of posting for travel during specified travel dates. Single supplements, black-out dates and seasonal supplements may apply. Airfare is not included unless indicated. Prices may differ when you book your travel and are not guaranteed until full payment is received. Airline and hotels frequently change their prices as a result of fare increases and/or fuel surcharges. Prices may increase before full payment for those and other reasons. Package is not combinable with any other offer or discounted vacation package. After full payment, prices are guaranteed except only due to an increase in government-imposed taxes or fees. By paying your deposit, you affirmatively agree to the possibility of such increases. Package is strictly subject to availability, not retroactive and not combinable with any other special or vacation package offer. Minimum night stays or required room types may apply. All prices, itineraries and routings are subject to change without notice. Please call for our current prices. CST#2001136-20

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