New Zealand ripples with choice for the solo traveler, the nation of superlatives packed with the unique experiences of a lifetime. Volcano trekking, Hobbit Hole exploring, dolphin swimming, river rafting...there's no need to wait for a travel partner with this ultimate handcrafted journey; each day will bursting with thrilling excitement and untamed beauty. Just pack your adventurous spirit and let some of the country's finest guides do the rest.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Arriving in Auckland
There's a wonderful tinge of excitement as you touch down in New Zealand, disembarking at Auckland International and walking straight into a luxury chauffeured private transfer. Despite being New Zealand's largest, this city has an endearing atmosphere and small town feel. With yachts flickering across the harbor and cute streets offering doses of intrigue, your first day on vacation is an easy one. Explore the local sights at your own pace and settle into the local rhythm. You'll notice that everything moves slowly here, the relaxed lifestyle ensuring that there's always time to say hello and meet the locals.
What's Included:
Day 2
Exploring The Holes of Hobbiton
Day 3 - 4
Thrilling Outdoor Adventure and Maori Culture in Rotorua
Day 5
Standing on the Edge of an Active Volcano
Day 6
Exploring the Enthusiasm of Rebuilt Christchurch
Day 7
Swimming With the World's Smallest Dolphin Species
Day 8
A Day of Tranquility in Queenstown
Day 9
A Day of Adrenalin in Queenstown
Day 10
Helicoptering Into Milford Sound and Fjordland National Park
Day 11
Departure from New Zealand
Trip Highlights
- Experience the evocative round holes of Hobbiton, the renowned movie set coming alive before your eyes
- Enjoy two days of serious adventure in the Maori hub of Rotorua; the astonishing landscape explored by white water rafting, trekking, mountain biking, and lake kayaking
- Stand on the edge of an active volcano, and then descend into its inner reaches, following the fault line of fire on this once in a lifetime trek
- Admire the world's smallest and cutest dolphin species, then jump in the water and get acquainted with their jovial antics
- Accelerate across jaw-dropping rivers in a jet boat, a dazzling ring of domineering mountains omnipresent throughout the journey
- Marvel at the unadulterated natural wonder of Milford Sound and Fjordland National Park, boat cruises and helicopter rides revealing secluded glaciers and unforgettable waterfalls
- Enjoy the services of some of New Zealand's finest guides, each ensuring your solo travel experience brings eclectic new friends and an itinerary that runs at your pace
- Connect to destinations with internal flights, minimizing travel time and maximizing the unique adventure
Detailed Description
Superlatives cascade out of New Zealand, the country exuding natural marvel and effervescent adventure. An eclectic range of experiences burst from its seams, everything from trekking on volcanoes to learning how to perform a Maori warrior dance, swimming with dolphins to landing on a glacier in a helicopter. You don't need to wait for a travel partner to enjoy this once in a lifetime adventure. This itinerary has been carefully handcrafted for the solo traveler, combining the country's most popular destinations with its most unique experiences. New Zealand's best guides become new friends and the country's great reputation for friendliness and safety is an omnipresent part of the experience. While traveling alone can sometimes sound scary, it offers a wonderful sense of freedom and opportunity. Nowhere amplifies this promise more than New Zealand.
Fly into Auckland, and after a day to relax, engulf yourself in Middle Earth. Wander around the cute circular holes of Hobbiton, the stunning movie set so real that you're surprised when Gandolf doesn't saunter past. The whole New Zealand landscape is packed with mythical revelry, each angle more disbelieving than the last. In Rotorua you get far off the road and into this surreal world of ancient forests, tranquil lakes, thermal baths, and thunderous rivers. The adventure is always tailored by you and this volcanic landscape can be explored by mountain bikes, river rafts, kayaks, and stunning hiking trails. A whole fault line of fire crosses New Zealand and some of the volcanic craters are still active. You'll stand on the edge of one, watching the eerie steam roar out of the crater lake as you explore a fascinating rugged geology. Like everywhere in New Zealand there's nothing to fear. This is one of the easiest and safest countries for solo travelers to visit. Most rural houses never lock the doors and the ebullient geniality of locals means you're always making new friends. Furthermore, the carefully selected destinations on this itinerary are well regarded around the world for being ideal for single travelers.
Christchurch is your next destination. Ravaged by an earthquake just a few years ago, it's being ingeniously rebuilt by wonderfully determined and enthusiastic residents. Soak up the quirky sights and spend a day cruising the ocean waters, gazing at the world's smallest dolphin species and then jumping into the water with these playful marine marvels. Your final stop is Queenstown, majestically fringed by snow tinged mountains and gazing across a tranquil blue lake. It's a place of indelible relaxation and serenity; the dazzling natural surroundings soothe every soul. Yet it's also one of the planet's most thrilling adventure capitals, and your four days include bungee jumping, jet boat riding, followed by a helicopter tour into Fjordland National Park. Land on a secluded glacier and fly between shimmering natural ice sculptures with a boat cruise into world famous Milford Sound adding to the enchantment.
This is just a small sample of the highlights. Add in a pervasive smothering of Maori culture, a continual immersion in astonishing landscapes, and a smooth collection of luxury transfers and connections and your vacation will be no less than perfect. While New Zealand runs on a laid-back rhythm the overarching professionalism means all your experiences run on time. Everything on this itinerary is customizable. This is your adventure so there's no need to negotiate the details with a travel partner. Any New Zealand interests and dreams can be incorporated and each facet of the itinerary will be carefully scheduled to meet your individual tastes.
Zicasso offers a variety of tour options. Please visit the vacations to New Zealand section or see the New Zealand tours reviews.
Starting Price
$12,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
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 1710 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.