Itinerary

1. Day 1: New Zealand's Most Popular Destination And Taking Sheep to the Barber Shop

   • 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.

2. Day 2: A Pilot's View of Paradise as Well as Blue Lakes

   • 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’.

3. Day 3: Landing on a Field of Ice And Leaving the World Behind

   • 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.

4. Day 4: Bob’s Peak, Skippers Canyon, Flying Like a Bird And a Rollercoaster-Like Boat Ride

   • 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.
   • Our day ends near to Bob's Peak.
   • There we go zip-lining, using typically 6 lines in total.

5. Day 5: Eating with the Islands' First People And Native Dances

   • 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. 
   • The meal is included this evening.

6. Day 6: A Natural Healing Pool, a Volcanic Crater And Hot Water Springs

   • 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.

7. Day 7: An Internationally Acclaimed Film Made Here And Glowworm Grottoes

   • When relocating from Rotorua to the city of Auckland, two important stops are made along the way.
   • The first is at the Lord of the Rings movie set, home to the internationally acclaimed Lord of the Rings trilogy.
   • 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.

8. Day 8: The City of Sailboats And Seafood Restaurants And Wine-Tasting

   • 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.
   • A complex of gardens called Domain Wintergardens.

9. Day 9: Our Tour Ends Today

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