Off-the-Beaten-Path New Zealand Tour

Composed of a captivating city skyline and an immaculate stretch of surrounding countryside, the city of Auckland is a stunning destination. Although Auckland's colorful streets will be buzzing with people from the minute you land, you will be pleasantly surprised by the hidden districts of the city. After settling in, a guide will lead you on a walking tour of Auckland's hidden gems. From artisanal chocolates crafted in boutique stores to fascinating pieces of art housed in hard-to-find galleries, you will discover untouched Auckland before venturing out on a yacht to sail through Auckland Harbor.

Today, you will uncover the majesty of the region’s flanking islands and natural environment, beginning with a seaplane tour to Waiheke. Sparkling seascapes, panoramas, and castaway coves will be revealed from your plane’s windows. After a sumptuous lunch platter paired with exclusive wines at an exquisite estate, you will continue to the flourishing forests of Tawharanui Regional Park, where you will witness the wildlife in its viridian habitats and enjoy an incredible supper.

You will stop at New Zealand’s phenomenal cave sites en route to Rotorua. Your scenic drive will present bucolic pastures that are peacefully grazed by cattle and rolling hills drenched in sunshine until you reach the entrance of the enormous web of dimly lit chambers. The entire cavernous construct will be vividly illuminated by millions of glow worms, which is a sight that will be too magical for words. You will slowly wander through the archaic rock tunnels to an underground stream where you can hop in an inflatable raft and ride to the cave’s exit.

Rotorua’s endless environmental beauty attracts massive crowds throughout the year, making it a hotly contested part of New Zealand to enjoy geological wonders. Today, you will explore Rotorua with the help of a private guide who will trace back the lineage of the Ancient Maori people on an exclusive cultural tour. In tribal villages backdropped by the geothermal landscape, you will connect with the community and delight in a traditional home-cooked lunch. Uncovering the origins and traditions of the native people will be a richly rewarding and absorbing experience.

Shrouded in a slow-paced atmosphere, Stewart Island will highlight New Zealand’s unparalleled island paradise scenes. Upon arriving by plane, you will tour the seaside neighborhoods and fishing villages where Maori culture is still very much prevalent. This evening, you will take pleasure in attempting to spot the native Kiwi bird in its natural habitat on an exclusive tour of private lands where the nocturnal creature is known to reside.

Chaperoned by your private guide for the day, you will experience New Zealand in its most natural environment during a transfer to the bewitching forests of Ulva Island. The island is a carpet of vegetation and home of indigenous wildlife. Walking through this shaded sanctuary, you will stumble upon animal sightings and blossoming flowers, learning more and more about the environment with each passing step.

In the morning, you will be whisked across the coastline on a yacht to Port William, where you will access the South Island’s Great Walk. Your stroll will wind beneath the forested canopy of Rakiura National Park to a breathtaking bay and traditional Maori saw-mill settlement. With moments spent watching the birds fly by from the cliffs of the bay to feeling the seclusion of an untamed wilderness, you will be at a loss for words. You can bask in the scenery of Stewart Island before transferring to the dramatic coastal route of the Catlins.

With a map in hand and snacks in tow, you may explore the spellbinding Catlins coastline to your heart's content. Along the meandering route lies immaculate coves. You can also capture incredible panoramas of the sprawling settings and bathe in the warm water of golden beaches. Massive cliffs composed of deep caves, towering waterfalls, and sandy bays will be all yours to enjoy today.

Your journey will bring you to a palatial resort nestled near New Zealand’s only castle, a charming accommodation just outside of Dunedin. Beyond admiring the incredible spires of the castle, you will also revel in the opportunity to venture away from the crowds to the remarkable Otago Peninsula. Your guide will lead you to isolated viewpoints that are unavailable to other visitors. Here, you will appreciate the ceaseless allure of the peninsula’s idyllic setting in addition to witnessing images of sea lions and penguins.

You will retreat to the incredible North Otago town of Oamaru this morning and check in to a boutique homestead accommodation. After dropping off your things, you will travel back in time during a tour of the 60-million-year-old boulders of Moeraki. You can cherish the moments among these iconic pieces of natural history before visiting the waddling Yellow-Eyed Penguin colony that lives in the on the boulders of Moeraki Lighthouse. Your evening will be topped off with a sumptuous dinner of canapes served table d’hote style.

Oamaru is yours to explore with the help of an experienced tour guide, who will bring to light the steeped history of the town's heritage sites and cultural centers. The distinctive architecture, antique stores, and traditional values all still play a pivotal role in retaining Oamaru’s New Zealand heritage despite the influx of tourism and growing globalization. You will treasure the little odes to the old world between the crowded paths before transferring to Wanaka to explore its geopark.

New Zealand’s, although dazzling and engrossing, is eclipsed by the country’s environmental wonders of its outback landscapes. Today, you will cruise across one of the country's most enchanting settings: Lake Wanaka. Fringed by trees and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the scenes from your boat will be postcard perfect. You can enjoy a delightful bushwalk through the greenery that will be complete with an opportunity to plant your own tree.

Although mistakenly dubbed a sound, the mesmerizing formations of Milford Sound are, in fact, the gateway to New Zealand’s fascinating fjords. Today, you will transfer over the Southern Alps to witness these natural phenomena that many argue to be the most incredible fjords in the world. You will fly above and cruise past these majestic landscapes, which will prove to be life-changing. You can savor the scenes as you tuck into an indulgent lunch on your boat before returning to shore later in the day.

Today will be dedicated to discovering more of the environmental beauty far from the beaten path of Milford Sound. Your ways of exploration will be a jet boat and bicycle. Your jet boat experience will zip you across the Upper Waiau River to capture the enchanting scenery, after which you will hop on a bicycle and slowly meander back to town. En route, you will stumble upon wildlife and be able to jump off at whim to cherish or capture them with your camera. These bewitching scenes will leave a lasting impression on you as you are absorbed in Milford Sound’s renowned environmental charm.

Although you will conclude your journey today, your last moments in New Zealand will be no less magical. You will make your way to Queenstown on the breathtaking back roads, and your expedition will weave past immaculate farmlands and lush valleys made famous in the Lord of the Rings films. Every inch of this spectacular countryside breathes magnificence. After arriving in Queenstown, you will be dropped off at the international airport so that you can connect with your departing flight.