Your private 10-day New Zealand tour for seniors reveals the highlights of the North and South islands from Maori culture in Rotorua to the captivating nature of Marlborough Sound. Sample delicious wines, cruise the stunning Hauraki Gulf, search for enchanting whales, and wander the lively streets of Christchurch. You will experience the mixture of relaxation and adventure, heritage and natural wonder at your preferred pace.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Auckland – Auckland Attractions
Auckland may be New Zealand’s largest city, but it is a leisurely place that reflects the country’s laid-back atmosphere. Most international flights land early in the morning, so you will have a full day to explore some of the city’s highlights. You will be met at the airport by your private guide, and this day is entirely flexible. Given the jet lag and travel time, you will probably spend part of the day sleeping or at least just relaxing close to your hotel on the harbor-front. Your guide will outline a number of attractions for you, such as the Sky Tower, a walk on Mt. Eden, or one of the quirky neighborhoods that are famous for cafes and coffee.
What's Included:
Day 2
Auckland – On the Hauraki Gulf
Day 3
Rotorua – Laid-Back Sightseeing
Day 4
Rotorua – Maori Culture and Volcanic History
Day 5
Napier – A Secluded City
Day 6
Wellington – Iconic Countryside
Day 7
Marlborough – New Zealand Wineries
Day 8
Kaikoura – Whales and Wildlife
Day 9
Christchurch – A Revitalized City
Day 10
Christchurch – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy authentic Maori experiences during a full day of cultural immersion in Rotorua
- Marvel at sperm whales as they frolic in the blue waters off Kaikoura
- Cross the Cook Strait to discover the superlative Marlborough Sound
- Admire the city lights of quirky Wellington
- Spend a day cruising around the Hauraki Gulf, which is located in tropical Northern New Zealand
- Relax in the wineries of Hawkes Bay and Marlborough
- Venture off the beaten track with an afternoon in Napier and some lesser-known Middle Earth locations
- Discover how Christchurch is innovatively recovering from earthquake damage
Detailed Description
New Zealand has too many highlights for ten days, and you would probably need ten months to go everywhere and to see everything, but ten days can be perfect for travelers because it offers a wide variety of sights and experiences from quirky cities to extravagant landscapes. You can see and do a lot while still traveling at a laid-back pace that reflects the country’s prevailing atmosphere. This exciting, 10-day journey to New Zealand is handcrafted for senior travelers and is privately escorted. You can travel at your pace and stop wherever you want. An experienced local guide will do the driving to ensure that you get to enjoy authentic experiences rather than just the famous tourist sights.
You will travel from Auckland to Christchurch with most nights being spent in a new destination. Six days will celebrate the highlights of the North Island before you experience the South Island’s soul-stirring landscapes. After easing into your vacation on day one, you will spend day two cruising Hauraki Gulf in the country’s tropical north. Karangahake Gorge and Te Puke are just two highlights on the road to Rotorua, which is where you will spend two nights at the home and heart of Maori culture. This is a wonderful place to explore indigenous traditions, including food, music, and dance. It is also a town that is dominated by volcanic life, and you will witness enormous geysers and mud pools.
Your guide will lead you to Napier on day five, which is a cool and quirky little city that is excluded from most tourist itineraries. The surrounding countryside is breathtaking whether you choose to visit the coast or cruise around vineyards. Hawkes Bay is another bucolic spot, and you can choose how much time to spend there en route to Wellington, which is the world’s cutest capital city. During these ten days, you will learn that the journey is a large part of the experience in New Zealand, and sometimes it can be as inspiring as the actual destinations. Often, it is the landscapes that you see on the way that are most memorable in a country with such an incredible variety of them.
On day seven, you will traverse the Cook Strait en route to Marlborough, which is New Zealand’s most famous wine region. Here, you can sample world-renowned Sauvignon blanc and relax among the wineries. Afterward, you will have a relatively long drive to Marlborough, where you will hug the coastline beneath landscapes that are carved by volcanos. Kaikoura is where you will search for sperm whales and other wildlife before a short jaunt to Christchurch, which is an artistic city that is reinventing itself after a massive earthquake. Your guide will accompany you from Auckland to Christchurch, and each day will present opportunities for you to customize your route and activities.
We work closely with the best New Zealand tour operators to ensure that you have a fully personalized trip of a lifetime.
Starting Price
$4,100 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
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
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