Day 1: Welcome to Christchurch
Your New Zealand luxury tour begins by private car to your boutique hotel located in the heart of Christchurch and just minutes from North Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens. Pay a visit to the blooms at the Botanic Gardens or ride the Christchurch Tram before meeting your Travel Concierge where you’ll raise a glass to a grand journey.
Day 2: Christchurch to Franz Josef
Embark on one of the world's great scenic railway journeys aboard the TranzAlpine train to the small village of Arthur's Pass. Along your journey, view the stunning scenery just outside your massive windows as you traverse the Canterbury Plains through the dramatic Southern Alps passing the ice fed Waimakariri River and native beech forest. From Arthur's Pass continue by coach to the charming town of Hokitika, the cultural centre of the West Coast. You will meet a local expert for a guided history walk in historic Holkitika. In the the town of Franz Josef, your eco friendly retreat nestled in the wilderness welcomes with natural ambience paired with impeccable luxury, inviting you to enjoy the view from your private balcony.
Day 3: The Mighty Franz Josef Glacier
Immerse yourself in the grand natural surroundings traversing the brilliant blue ice and deep crevasses of Franz Josef Glacier on a valley walk with a Local Expert. Learn about this uniquely accessible glacier with only a seven-mile descent from the Southern Alps and less than 1,000 feet above sea level. Take in its majesty surrounded by distant rainforest, mountain tops, waterfalls and the upper glacier.
Day 4: Travel from Franz Josef to Wānaka
Cruise down the Haast River in a purpose-built, fully enclosed jet boat past snow-capped mountains contrasting with sub-tropical, untouched rainforest basking in the beauty of the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area. Your guide is eager to share their expert knowledge of this glacial valley as the sunlight pours across the wilderness or the waterfalls tumble down in a light, misty rain. Experience fairy-tale lavender fields. Your destination is your hotel in Wānaka: sitting at the edge of Lake Wānaka and designed to flow with the seasons, Edgewater is a place you’ll find nature at your own pace.
Day 5: Wānaka
Cruise the tranquil waters of Lake Wānaka to Stevenson’s Island, where a guided walk with your Local Expert reveals dramatic alpine vistas. This afternoon, immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the region with a leisurely walk in serene surroundings.
Day 6: Wanaka to Queenstown
Visit Highlands Motorsport Museum and come face to face with the state-of-the-art machines. Meet Mrs Jones Orchard, a traditional fruit stall owner, and indulge in real fruit ice-cream and stone fruit. Enjoy lunch and experience exclusive wine tasting in Gibbston Valley of the Vines at Kinross. Visit the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown.
Day 7: Queenstown
Take in the surrounding landscape on a Lake Wakatipu scenic cruise aboard TSS Earnslaw and visit Walter Peak High Country farm for an Eco Experience - an idyllic place to spend a few peaceful hours. Or, choose a guided e-bike scenic ride along the lake. Enjoy dinner tonight at local restaurant The Bathhouse, located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
Day 8: Queenstown to Doubtful Sound (overnight cruise)
Travel by road to Manapouri, then by Catamaran and coach to Doubtful Sound to meet the Fiordland Navigator. Doubtful Sound is a stunning fiord with ancient valleys, waterfalls and wildlife. Your overnight nature cruise comes complete with an onboard naturalist, activities and lectures, not to mention delicious locally sourced cuisine.
Day 9: Doubtful Sound to Dunedin
Upon disembarking the cruise, continue by road to Dunedin, stopping for lunch at Te Anau. In Dunedin, your heritage hotel welcomes you with a cosy atmosphere in the city centre. Dine on favourites such as surf and turf, braised lamb, catch of the day, or other modern twists on traditional local dishes at Parcels Restaurant.
Day 10: Distillery Tour and Dunedin at Leisure
Enjoy a relaxed start this morning before taking a guided tour at Dunedin Craft Distillers, the first distillery in Aotearoa New Zealand and one of only a handful worldwide, to produce botanical spirits from surplus bread and bakery products that would otherwise go to landfill. Discover on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, how owners, Jenny McDonald and Sue Stockwell do it in a ‘Bread to Bottle Tour’ which takes you through the process used to turn bread into spirits. Venture just next door for a special Chocolate tasting journey at OCHO Chocolate covering the history of chocolate in Dunedin, OCHO's genesis, how 'real' chocolate is made and a 10-sample bean to bar tasting. Relax or continue exploring Dunedin as you wish. Perhaps take a wildlife cruise of the Otago Peninsula or visit the iconic Larnach Castle.
Day 11: Dunedin to Christchurch
Travel up the coast through the towns of Oamaru and Timaru to Christchurch to uncover the city’s highlights on a fascinating sightseeing tour. On arrival in Christchurch embark on a sightseeing tour of the city to learn about its rebirth after the devastating 2011 earthquake. View historic landmarks including Canterbury Museum built in the late 1800s and New Regent Street’s Spanish Mission architectural style and quirky boutiques. Sample the best of Christchurch over dinner at Montreal Bar and Restaurant, highlighting seasonal ingredients with sophistication.
Day 12: Christchurch to Wellington
Travel the dramatic rugged coastline to the whale watching hub of Kaikoura and onto the seaside town of Picton. Cruise on Queen Charlotte Sound and across Cook Strait to Wellington where you’ll get acquainted with the city on an illuminating tour. Discover the highlights of this capital city, viewing the 1866 Old St. Paul’s gothic cathedral with an interior made of native timber. Stop at the political hub of the Parliament Buildings before finishing at Mount Victoria and the scenic waterfront. Unwind this evening with a drink and dinner in your hotel’s Lola Rouge Restaurant.
Day 13: Wellington Sightseeing
Today personalise your day. Choose from the the urban eco-sanctuary of Zealandia/Te Māra a Tāne or discover the stunning waterfront and hidden lanes of Wellington with a local expert.
Day 14: Wellington to Hawke's Bay
Wind your way through the pastoral dairy farming land of Manawatū to Napier in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand’s Art Deco capital and world-renowned wine country. This evening savour a tasting and dinner at family-owned Craggy Range Winery in the shadow of Te Mata Peak. Sample the region’s premium wines Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir while dining on Head Chef Casey McDonald’s signature seasonal Hawke’s Bay produce from their award-winning restaurant. After a sumptuous evening, relax in your plush room decorated with original local artwork in your boutique hotel in charming Havelock North Village.
Day 15: Exploring Napier
Partake in a Gannet safari for a rare encounter with the world's largest gannet colony. Your participation on Gannet Overland Safaris contributes to our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® initiative: TTC makes a donation on behalf of each guest to the Cape Sanctuary. Their amazing team is made up of over 300 volunteers that are giving their time to restore our beautiful land and replant grasses and natives to support the return of our wildlife. Take in Napier’s art deco architecture with a Local Expert in a vintage car, another MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.
Day 16: Geothermal Rotorua
Continue your journey to Rotorua, where this afternoon, armed with a packed lunch, you'll join a local guide for a cultural walking eco-tour to discover the Jurassic Whirinaki Forest, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.
Day 17: The Sights of Rotorua
Unveil the sights of Rotorua viewing the 120-yearold Californian Coastal Redwoods of Whakarewarewa Forest at Redwoods Treewalk. Crossing 28 suspension bridges from 65 feet above ground, feeling like one of the native birds sweeping through the forest. Learn more about the “local residents” going behind the scenes on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa. Understand how this working kiwi nursery and hatchery is leading the conservation efforts of the national icon and perhaps see a newly hatched kiwi chick. Tonight, visit Te Pā Tū for insights into the local rituals and traditions of fascinating Māori culture with a celebration of the abundant harvest of the season, and explore concepts, rituals and stories of ancient warfare and peace in an amalgamation of culture and cuisine. Enjoy a special three-course feast with aperitif.
Day 18: Waitomo and Auckland
Your final full day finds you embarking on an exclusive, private guided tour of Waitomo Cave on a five-star Eco Glow Worm experience at Caveworld. Your guide sets the scene for an underground cave experience where you will see glow worms, cave formations and appreciate the beauty of Footwhistle Cave. Then you’re off to Auckland for a tour showcasing bustling Queen Street and the striking Auckland Harbour Bridge before you're treated to dinner with one of New Zealand’s famous former All Black rugby players. Feast on local fare as you are regaled with stories and learn about life on one of the most successful teams in the world.
Day 19: Farewell Auckland
After one final breakfast, say farewell to your Christchurch-to-Auckland luxury tour as you are chauffeured to Auckland Airport.
