Luxury and exploration will highlight diverse landscapes and timeless adventures during your 14-day best of New Zealand tour. Tropical islands in the north will juxtapose the mist-covered fiords of the south. Vineyards will blanket the hills leading to dramatic coastlines. Glaciers will tumble through mountain passes and calve into glassy lakes. Maori culture and remarkable scenery will highlight history as you discover the best of the North and South islands.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Auckland – Exploring the Waterfront
Land in Auckland and you may find it hard to believe that this is New Zealand’s biggest city. Yachts lull in the harbor as hills poke up to dominate the cityscape. The waters are blue and inviting, and though a third of the country lives here the urban landscape is dwarfed by nature. This is just the beginning of the New Zealand experience as you have landed in a country where nature writes the script. Today it will be a coastline narrative as you check into your waterfront hotel and explore the promenade as popup cafes juxtapose with sailing yachts. Islands jut out along the horizon, and you will find the laid-back culture of a land cast adrift in the South Pacific.
What's Included:
Day 2
Auckland – Day Trip to Waiheke Island
Day 3
Rotorua – The Movie Set and a Maori Evening
Day 4
Rotorua – Outdoor Adventure and Mud Pools
Day 5
Lake Taupo – Waterfalls and Geothermals
Day 6
Wellington – Culture and Character in the Capital
Day 7
Blenheim – Marlborough Sounds and Wine Tasting
Day 8
Abel Tasman National Park – The Beaches and Coastline
Day 9
Greymouth – Blowholes and Paparoa
Day 10
Franz Josef Glacier – Heli Hike on a Glacier
Day 11
Wanaka – Mt. Aspiring National Park
Day 12
Queenstown – Relaxing Along Lake Wakatipu
Day 13
Milford Sound – Milford Sound Overnight Trip
Day 14
Queenstown – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Ride a helicopter onto a glacier above a rainforest, and then take a walk across the ice
- Stroll around New Zealand’s lakes with Taupo, Wakatipu and Wanaka all featured during your two-week itinerary
- Escape into the ethereal landscape of Milford Sound on an intimate overnight cruise
- Feel the adventure of the road with a four-day self-drive route across New Zealand’s national parks
- Experience New Zealand’s volcanic history, including the Rotorua geysers, Punakaiki blowholes, and a bubbling mud pool spa
- Wander through the preserved movie set of Hobbiton
- Explore the tropical bliss of Waiheke, an island of beaches and vineyards just north of Auckland
- Connect with the Maori culture with a dramatic local welcome and hangi dinner at Te Hana Te Ao Marama Maori Cultural Centre
- Cruise the coastlines as these two weeks include boat trips in Marlborough Sounds and Abel Tasman National Park
- Relax into the characterful culture of modern New Zealand, particularly during your days in Blenheim and Wellington
- Gasp at the incredible Huka Falls, try the famous Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, and bask in the daily outdoor adventure
Starting Price
$16,000 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.85 stars based on 1709 reviews.
We very much enjoyed our time in New Zealand and Australia. The tours were all very good. Zicasso's travel agent and our tour partner were very responsive and helpful throughout the planning phase and while we were on vacation.
The only feedback we have is that the hotels selected, other than the hotels in New Zealand, did not have the amenities we were hoping to get from four-star properties. We'll do a better job of indicating what we need in hotel selections moving forward, but we thought the hotels could have been a notch better than they were.
Reviewed By Tim G.
We absolutely loved so much of our trip! My kids’ (ages 11 and eight) favorite activities were luging in Rotorua, NZ, and the sunset camel ride in Uluru, AU, while my husband and I were enchanted by Hobbiton and enjoyed exploring a glowworm cave with the owner's father! We all loved Tasmania.
There were a few hiccups. However, we were very happy with all the support the Zicasso travel company's team provided in real time to help us get back on track.
The overall trip was fantastic. My husband and I appreciated having the team support our adventures, both the highs and the lows. The team members were detailed-oriented. This trip exceeded our expectations and we’re incredibly grateful for their expertise in curating such memorable experiences.
Reviewed By Sivly R.
The trip was awesome; the trip of a lifetime! We saw/experienced everything we could imagine. The trip reflected all of our wish-list items. Zicasso's travel specialist was very accommodating to our ideas and was very detail-oriented. We didn't have to worry about a thing on this vacation.
Reviewed By Sharon B.
We had a fabulous time celebrating my 75th birthday in New Zealand and Bora Bora. Zicasso's travel specialist was fantastic to work with. She was very responsive to all of our questions and concerns and even checked in with us numerous times while we were on the trip. I'd highly recommend her and the travel company when traveling to New Zealand or French Polynesia.
Reviewed By Paul S.
Zicasso's travel specialist worked with us every step of the way to create an amazing itinerary filled with adventure in New Zealand and luxurious relaxation in Fiji. She helped us adjust the itinerary until it was just right. Unfortunately, there were a couple of excursions that were impacted by the weather and other logistics, which impacted our experience, but it was not her fault and she was willing to try to find other options.
Reviewed By Stephanie G.
Great trip! Zicasso's travel planner was responsive to our needs and put together an enjoyable trip. It was organized, with all documents in order and no surprises!
Reviewed By Lisa D.