Tour highlights: Auckland - Waipoua Forest - Cape Reinga - Bay of Islands - Waitomo Caves - Rotorua - Taupo - Tongariro National Park - Wellington - Punakaiki Pancake Rocks - Glaciers - Westland - Queenstown - Milford Sound - Catlins - Dunedin - Oamaru - Mount Cook - Christchurch
7 National Parks 4 cities 2 islands (North Island and South Island)
This suggested New Zealand tour itinerary starts in Auckland and ends in Christchurch. You can purchase international flights arriving into one city and leaving from the other. Alternatively, I can supply a domestic connecting flight upon request. The duration of this tour can be easily reduced to 20 days by removing days 2-6. May I recommend to book your tour well ahead; I am usually booked 3-6 months in advance. I hope to have the pleasure to guide you on your New Zealand tour. - Mark Wolk
Day 1: Auckland
New Zealand Splendour Tour
Early arrival at Auckland International Airport. Your driver-guide awaits you. Transfer to your accommodation (available from 12:00). Time for rest and sightseeing including Mount Eden, Kelly Tarlton aquarium, America's Cup village, Ponsonby. Early dinner and overnight in Auckland. - LDA*
2: Auckland - Dargaville
New Zealand Splendour Tour
Waitakere jungle (native plants and birds) and Muriwai gannet colony. Matakohe kauri museum. Overnight in Dargaville area. - BLDA*
3: Dargaville - Kaitaia
New Zealand Splendour Tour
Waipoua Forest National Park with world's second largest trees. Opononi and the sad story of dolphin Opo. Rawene ferry. Overnight in Kaitaia area. - BLDA*
4: Kaitaia - Bay of Islands
New Zealand Splendour Tour
Ninety Mile beach by private 4WD. Sand dunes. Cape Reinga ("top" of New Zealand). Tapotupotu Bay. Wagener Museum. Kauri World. Mangonui. 2 nights in Paihia (Bay of Islands). - BLDA*
5: Bay of Islands
New Zealand Splendour Tour
Scenic flight over the Bay of Islands. Kerikeri (oldest New Zealand house). Maori village replica. Haruru Falls. Mangrove Forest. - BLDA*
6: Bay of Islands - Auckland
New Zealand Splendour Tour
Waiomio Caves (glowworms). Clapham's Clock Museum. Whangarei Museum (kiwi birds). Back to Auckland for one night. Dinner at Sky Tower's panoramic restaurant (52nd floor). Overnight in Auckland. - BLDA*
7: Auckland - Waitomo Caves
New Zealand Splendour Tour
Scenic coastal road. Winery tour. Waikato plains. Farm tour. Overnight in a very comfortable farm in Otorohanga / Waitomo Caves. - BLDA*
8: Waitomo Caves - Rotorua
New Zealand Splendour Tour
Waitomo glowworm caves. Waimangu geothermal valley (world's largest hot spring). 2 nights in Rotorua. - BLDA*
9: Rotorua
New Zealand Splendour Tour
Ohinemutu Maori village and church. Agrodome farm show. Whakarewarewa geysers. Maori concert. Maori arts & crafts institute. Second night in Rotorua. - BLDA*
10: Rotorua - Mangaweka
New Zealand Splendour Tour
Wairakei geothermal power station. Huka Falls. Taupo and its lake. Mt Ruapehu (ski fields and lava) and Tongariro National Park. Overnight in remote countryside. - BLDA*
11: Mangaweka - Wellington
New Zealand Splendour Tour
Wellington, the southernmost capital in the world. Mt Victoria panoramic view, Old St Pauls Cathedral, Te Papa National Museum. Overnight in Wellington. - BLDA*
12: Wellington - Picton
New Zealand Splendour Tour
More time to enjoy Welllington. Early afternoon ferry crossing over Cook Strait (3 hours cruise). Overnight in Picton. - BLDA*
13: Picton - Murchison
New Zealand Splendour Tour
Queen Charlotte drive. Nelson, its orchards and crafts. Tasman Bay. Nelson Lakes National Park. Overnight in Murchison, in a remote farm. - BLDA*
14: Murchison - Punakaiki
New Zealand Splendour Tour
Buller Gorge. Cape Foulwind furseal colony. Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and rainforest 4WD guided tour in Paparoa National Park. Overnight in Punakaiki. - BLDA*
15: Punakaiki - Fox Glacier
New Zealand Splendour Tour
Hokitika ghost and jade town. Ross gold mine. Franz Joseph and Fox glaciers. Optional helicopter flights. Overnight at Fox Glacier. - BLDA*
16: Fox Glacier - Haast
New Zealand Splendour Tour
If desired, early wake-up to see the sunrise over Lake Matheson. Westland National Park. West Coast rainforest walks. Ship Creek swamp and dune ecosystems. Jackson's Bay. Overnight in Haast. - BLDA*
17: Haast - Queenstown
New Zealand Splendour Tour
Haast Pass. Wanaka and its lake. Queenstown sightseeing (bungy jumping, jet- boating) and shopping. Overnight in Queenstown / Arrowtown. - BLDA*
18: Queenstown - Milford Sound
New Zealand Splendour Tour
Lake Wakatipu. Te Anau wildlife sanctuary. Fiordland National Park. Kea mountain parrot spotting. Overnight cruise on a very comfortable boat on Milford Sound. (Subject to availability; if not available, overnight in Te Anau.) - BLDA*
19: Milford Sound - Catlins
New Zealand Splendour Tour
Back to the East coast, to the Catlins wilderness area. 2 nights in the Catlins. - BLDA*
20: Catlins
New Zealand Splendour Tour
Full day wildlife and nature sightseeing with local naturalist guide. Hooker sealions, yellow-eyed penguins, and endemic plants of Catlins National Park. Second night in the Catlins. - BLDA*
Moeraki Boulders. Oamaru white stone city. Blue penguin colony. Overnight in Oamaru. - BLDA*
23: Oamaru - Twizel (Mount Cook)
New Zealand Splendour Tour
Maori rock paintings. Mt Cook National Park views and walks. Overnight in Twizel, one of the world's youngest towns (founded 1965). - BLDA*
24: Twizel (Mount Cook) - Christchurch
New Zealand Splendour Tour
Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo. Good Shepherd's chapel. Christchurch sightseeing: cathedral, Arts Centre, Museum. Overnight in Christchurch. - BLDA*
25: Christchurch
New Zealand Splendour Tour
More time for sightseeing and free time in Christchurch. Drop-off at Christchurch International or domestic airport. Haere ra e te manuhiri tuarangi (farewell, honoured guests). - BL*
* B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner; A = Accommodation
Prices include: private driver-guide, transport (all tour vehicles air conditioned), Ninety Mile beach tour by private 4WD, scenic flight over the Bay of Islands, ferry crossing Wellington - Picton, all entrance fees as per suggested itinerary, accommodation in boutique/luxury style small hotels and Bed & Breakfasts (comfortable double room with private bathroom), continental breakfasts, light lunches (i.e. quiche, sandwich, soup), dinners in best available restaurants (3 items to choose freely ŕ la carte) with best available New Zealand wine (half a bottle per dinner per person), all taxes and tolls, all guide's fees and expenses including repositioning from Christchurch to Auckland. This price does not include: personal expenses, insurance, flights to and from New Zealand, drinks other than mentioned and optional activities.
To secure your booking, New Zealand Splendeur Tours need 20% non refundable deposit a.s.a.p. (usually 3-6 months ahead); balance is payable 60 days before the start of the tour. Visa / Mastercard accepted. Please use the secure payment means as described during
our booking correspondence.
Cancellations: the 20% deposit is non refundable; 50% refund for cancellations received in writing until 30 days before departure; 20% refund for cancellations received in writing until the day before departure; no refund for cancellations received later.
I look forward to guiding you in New Zealand. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions by emailing me at
private.tours@nzst.co.nz. I am always gladly at your service. - Mark Wolk
