New Zealand: See & Experience it all in 9 days

Start your journey in Queenstown, New Zealand’s most popular resort destination. From here, enjoy day trips suitable for all ages and types of travelers. In the evening, take a cruise on the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship and stop at a homestead known for its sheep, alpacas, and beautiful garden. After dinner, visit a purpose-built amphitheater to watch a sheep-shearing demonstration and a thrilling sheepdog round-up, where dogs herd the sheep into a group.

For those seeking an extra thrill, you can extend your standard 9-day tour by one day to jump off the 43-meter (141-foot) Kawarau Bridge near Queenstown. Bungee jumping is not for everyone, which is why it is offered as an optional one-day extension to the full 11-day New Zealand tour.

Take a day trip to Milford Sound, traveling there and back to Queenstown by scenic flight. Upon arrival, enjoy a boat tour cruising on clear waters, framed by postcard-perfect mountains. Milford Sound has been recognized as the world’s top travel destination by TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Destinations Awards and is New Zealand’s most famous tourist attraction.

Please note that weather in and around Milford Sound can be unpredictable. If conditions require travel by land instead of air, your journey will include stops at Lake Te Anau, Mirror Lakes, the mountainous Monkey Creek, and the national park area known as the Chasm.

Take a day trip to Mount Cook, also known as Aoraki, National Park, traveling there and back to Queenstown by scenic flight. Upon arrival, board a helicopter to land on a glacier. Of New Zealand’s 20 peaks over 3,000 meters, all but one are found in this park. Glaciers cover 40 percent of the park, including the impressive Tasman Glacier.

Depending on the weather, land on either Tasman Glacier or Franz Josef Glacier and enjoy a guided hike using snowshoes or crampons. Explore striking blue ice grottoes and caves as you traverse the glacier. Please note that the minimum age for the glacier hike is 9.

Start your morning at the picturesque Skippers Canyon near Queenstown, a narrow, steep gorge with sheer drops of several hundred meters. After your scenic land expedition, head to the nearby Shotover River for a thrilling jet-boating ride at high speed, weaving through the river’s twists and turns.

Next, visit Skyline Queenstown and take a cable car ride to the top of Bob’s Peak, where panoramic views stretch in every direction. Conclude your day with an exhilarating zip-lining experience near Bob’s Peak, typically using six lines to soar above the stunning landscape.

Fly from Queenstown to Rotorua and travel to Tamaki, a Māori village where you’ll learn about native rituals and watch a cultural performance. Enjoy a traditional dinner, much of which is cooked in the ground, included as part of today’s experience.

Start the morning with a day trip to the nearby Waimangu Volcanic Valley. On a self-guided tour, explore volcanic craters, hot springs, and other fascinating geothermal features. After returning to Rotorua, visit Hell’s Gate Geothermal Reserve and Mud Spa, where you can relax and bathe in a mineral-rich mud pool.

Travel from Rotorua to Auckland, making two unforgettable stops along the way. First, visit the Hobbiton Movie Set, a key location for The Lord of the Rings films. Enjoy a guided tour and a included lunch amid the charming movie-set scenery. Next, explore the Waitomo Caves and take a boat ride through the glowing grottoes, a truly spectacular natural wonder, before continuing on to Auckland.

Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Auckland, taking in its diverse attractions. See the iconic Harbour Bridge and the beaches along Devonport Peninsula. Explore North Head Historic Reserve, also known as Maungauika, and visit the waterfront, Bastion Point, and Mission Bay. Drive along the scenic Tamaki Drive and stop at Achilles Point, a rocky headland. Wander through the historic suburb of Mount Eden, watch birds at Muriwai Gannet Colony, and enjoy wine tasting in local vineyards. Conclude with a visit to Parnell, a suburb renowned for upscale boutiques, galleries, and dining options, and explore the Domain Wintergardens.

Transportation will be arranged to take you to Auckland Airport.