New Zealand: Experience it ALL in 9 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours

Our tour starts in Queenstown, a vibrant resort which serves as New Zealand’s most popular destination. It is from here we make daytrips which are fun for all ages and types of travelers. In the evening, we take a cruise on the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship. While on the tour, we make a stop at a homestead which is known for its sheep, alpacas and a beautiful garden. After dinner, we visit a purpose-built amphitheater. There we see a farmyard of sheep shearing (cutting the sheep’s wool) and otherwise watch a ‘sheepdog round-up’ (the dog makes the sheep walk together as a group). Note that you can extend this standard 11-day tour by one day if you wish to jump off a 43-meter (141-foot) bridge called Kawarau. Kawarau is near to Queenstown. Bungee jumping is not for everyone. This is why we are offering it as a one-day extension to our standard 11-day tour around New Zealand. Let us know if you are interested.

Today we make a daytrip to Milford Sound, getting to there and back to Queenstown by scenic flight. Upon arrival, we go on a boat tour cruising atop clear waters and in between postcard-perfect mountains. Milford Sound has been judged the world’s top travel destination in an international survey taken by TripAdvisor, receiving the Travelers' Choice Destinations Awards. Milford Sound is acclaimed as New Zealand's most famous tourist attraction. Please note that due to unpredictable weather conditions in and around Milford Sound, it is common our customers get to there or return from there by land. When this happens, stops are made so we can enjoy Lake Te Anau, Mirror Lakes, the mountainous Monkey Creek and a national park called the ‘Chasm’.

Today we make a daytrip to Mount Cook (a.k.a. Aoraki) National Park, getting to there and back to Queenstown by scenic flight. Upon arrival in Mount Cook, we use a helicopter to land on a glacier. Of New Zealand's 20 peaks over 3,000 meters, all except one lie in this park. Glaciers cover 40 percent of the park area, notably the Tasman Glacier. After landing on it or on Franz Josef Glacier (depending on the weather), we go on a guided snow shoeing or crampon (again, depending on the weather) hike, seeing blue ice grottoes and caves. Please note that the minimum age for the glacier hike is 9.

Our morning starts at a picturesque gorge near to Queenstown, called Skippers Canyon. It is mostly one-way, narrow and steep with sheer drops of several hundred meters. After our scenic land expedition, we head to the nearby Shotover River. There we go on a very fast and swerving jet-boating ride. Next, we go to a place called Skyline Queenstown. There we take a cable car ride to the top of a mountain called Bob’s Peak. Beautiful views can be seen in every direction. Lastly, as an excursion from Queenstown, we head near to the village of Glenorchy. There we go zip-lining, using typically 6 lines in total.

After relocating by flight from Queenstown to the town of Rotorua, we head to Tamaki. At this Māori village, we learn about native rituals, watch a show and have a traditional dinner. Much of the food is cooked in the ground. The meal is included this evening.

This morning starts with a daytrip to the nearby Waimangu Volcanic Valley. On a self-guided tour, there we see volcanic craters, hot water springs and other geothermal features. Upon returning to Rotorua, we are taken to the so-called Hell’s Gate Geothermal Reserve and Mud Spa. There we bathe in a mud pool.

When relocating from Rotorua to the city of Auckland, two important stops are made along the way. The first is at the Hobbiton Movie Set, which served as a significant location for The Lord of the Rings film. There we are provided with a guided tour and lunch. The other important stop before reaching Auckland is at the Waitomo Caves. There we are provided with a boat ride through glowworm grottoes. The site is spectacular, to say the least.

We are provided with a guided sightseeing tour of Auckland. Highlights for today include the Harbour Bridge, a volcano called Maungauika, the waterfront, a promontory called Bastion Point, the beaches along Mission Bay (no swimming today-just viewing), a scenic drive along a coastal road called Tamaki Drive, a rocky point called Achilles Point, winetasting and a complex of gardens called Domain Wintergardens.

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Auckland.