7-Night Classic New Zealand

Day 2

Accommodation

Central Harbor Hotel - Auckland, North Island

Check in policies:

Check-in time is after 2 PM on your day of arrival. Check-out before 10 AM.

Included Unique Activities

Essence of Wine Tour

On this tour, you will visit three of Waiheke’s top vineyards and sample a range of their wines. Along
the way enjoy a commentated scenic drive, learning about the Island’s history, geography, people and
culture from your knowledgeable local guide. After your wine tasting experience sit back, relax and
enjoy a lunch and a glass of Waiheke wine or beer at a local favourite before heading back to the ferry
or your accommodation.

Includes: Waiheke Island hotel or Waiheke ferry terminal pick up and drop off. One course lunch
with glass of wine or beer.

Take the Ferry to Waiheke Island

Board your ferry at the Downtown Auckland Ferry Terminal and enjoy the scenic 40 minute cruise to Waiheke Island through the beautiful Hauraki Gulf. This stunning island just off the Auckland coast boasts 92 square kilometres of beautiful beaches, vineyards, olive groves, native bush and laid back seaside villages. Some sailings will travel via the Devonport Ferry Terminal. 

On arrival at Waiheke Island wharf, look for the Ananda guide who will be holding a signboard.

Suggested Sightseeing

Waiheke Island, North Island

On the Map: Waiheke Island, the most populated island of New Zealand, is located just off the coast of Auckland. The island can be accessed via ferry and is just under two hours away from Auckland. 

Located just off the coast of Auckland, Waiheke Island is a haven of vineyards, olive groves, and beaches. In just 40 minutes, the ferry from downtown Auckland will bring you to this stunning island - you can even bring your car or bike on the ferry! Once on the island, there is plenty to see and do. Head to one of the island’s white sandy beaches at Oneroa, Palm Beach, or Onetangi - all perfect for swimming, kayaking, or enjoying a seaside picnic! Waiheke is particularly popular among walking and hiking enthusiasts. Get lost on one of the island’s many trails which meander along cliff tops, down to beaches, and into the forest. One walkway in particular - Stony Batter Walkway - brings its visitors face-to-face with World War II gun emplacements and underground tunnels. Be sure to spend a day or two on this magnificent island - a world away, in Auckland’s backyard.

Day 3

Accommodation

Stunning Attractions Hotel - Rotorua, North Island

Check in policies:

Check-in time is after 2 PM on your day of arrival. Check-out before 10 AM.

Included Unique Activities

Waitomo Glowworm Cave Guided Tour

The Waitomo glowworm, Arachnocampa luminosa, is unique to New Zealand. Thousands of these tiny creatures radiate their unmistakable luminescent light as our expert guides provide informative commentary on the Caves historical and geological significance. Over the 45 minute guided tour, take in the spectacular Glowworm Cave with its majestic and ornate cave decorations, the deep limestone shaft known as the Tomo and the equally magnificent Cathedral cavern where New Zealands own opera diva Kiri Te Kanawa once performed. The guide will deliver an informative and entertaining commentary, sharing stories, cultural legends and the natural wonders of this living masterpiece. Conclude the visit with a brief, yet remarkably moving, boat trip through the Glowworm Grotto.

Suggested Sightseeing

Waitomo Caves, North Island

On the map: The Waitomo Caves are an extensive labyrinth of caves, sinkholes, and underground rivers. The caves are located on New Zealand’s North Island and are roughly 200 km (124 miles) south of Auckland and 150 km (93 miles) west of Rotorua. 

Originating from the Maori words wai (water) and tomo (hole), the Waitomo Caves are an extensive labyrinth of caves, sinkholes, and underground rivers. The main caves in the area include the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, the Ruakuri Cave, the Aranui Cave, and Gardner’s Gut - each with their own stalactite and stalagmite displays. The caves are world-famous for their display of glowworms (actually a fungus gnat that lives in the caves). The glowworms are luminescent and create a beautiful blue light throughout the caves. Visitors can arrange to join a walking or boat tour to explore these stunning caves. For those looking for something more adventurous, try black water rafting where you will crawl, swim and float through the caves on a rubber tube! The caves also offer abseiling and zip-lining!

Waitomo, North Island

On the map: A small and still relatively remote region of New Zealand, Waitomo today is an exciting destination for any travelers seeking a subterranean adventure, and a Lord of the Rings fix. Boasting rolling green fields, picturesque hamlets and spectacular rural vistas, the region of Waitomo is certainly a peaceful part of New Zealand. Yet it was not always this tranquil. Indeed, for 30 million years, the region lay at the bottom of the ocean before violent tectonic activity pushed it to the surface. 

Millions of years in the making, Waitomo’s awe-inspiring cave network known for its glowworms, draws people looking for adventure and those looking for a sense of wonder. Above ground, there are good cafes, agricultural shows and top walks including the beautiful Marokopa Falls and natural limestone Mangapohue bridge.

Overnight Location

Rotorua, North Island

On the map: Rotorua is a small town set on Lake Rotorua - on New Zealand’s North Island - and is roughly 228 km (142 miles) southeast of Auckland. 

Sitting within the Pacific Rim of Fire, Rotorua is the centre of an extensive thermal region. Geysers, bubbling mud pools and steaming, sulphurous lakes give evidence of nature's frightening yet fascinating power. After marvelling at the distinctive landscapes and volcanic activity within a geothermal park, enjoy a simple soak in a natural hot stream or take advantage of the area’s surrounding lakes, which offer some of the world's best trout fishing. Not only is Rotorua a center for stunning geological sites, the city is home to the deeply-rooted Maori people. Here you can enjoy the culture and entertainment of these native peoples - try a hangi feast cooked in the steaming ground or take a tour of an authentic pre-European village. For those who are looking to experience a thrilling adventure, Rotorua is home to the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world, and offers everything from bungy jumping and luging to zorbing and ziplining! No matter how you choose to spend your time here, Rotorua is sure to bring you the perfect blend of adventure and culture.

Day 4

Accommodation

Stunning Attractions Hotel - Rotorua, North Island

Check in policies:

Check-in time is after 2 PM on your day of arrival. Check-out before 10 AM.

Included Unique Activities

Rotorua Cultural Eco Tour Full Day

Today learn about the volcanic processes of Rotorua and New Zealand. See volcanoes, geysers, New Zealand's largest boiling mud pool and hot springs on a scenic drive around volcanic landscapes, along with native and exotic forests. The two heritage parks visited today offer a variety of thermal activity; at Wai-o-tapu the amazingly colourful hot springs and moonlike landscapes are the key features along with the famous Lady Know geyser.

In the afternoon afternoon take a journey with a local guide in the footprints of the Maori tribe “Tuhourangi “ and spend the afternoon learning about the history of the eighth wonder of the world, the pink and white terraces and the great 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera that destroyed both the tribal village and the terraces. Enjoy a scenic drive to the Blue and Green Lakes lookout and visit the Buried Village. The tour includes a beautiful native bush walk to a waterfall and Lake Tarawera lookouts.

Departs at 8am, returns at 5pm

Day 5

Accommodation

5-Star Boutique Hotel - Queenstown, South Island

Check in policies:

Check-in time is after 2 PM on your day of arrival. Check-out before 11 AM.

Daily Itinerary

Fly Rotorua to Queenstown

Today you will need to take a flight from Rotorua in the North Island to Queenstown in the South Island. This flight can be booked independently or you can request you Destination Expert to include it in your itinerary.

Suggested Sightseeing

Lake Wakatipu, South Island

On the map: Lake Wakatipu fills a deep, glacier-carved valley and is surrounded on all sides by mountains, the highest being Mount Earnslaw at 9,300 ft. This is what we call Real Mountains! The views are impressive. (Sometimes it seems there’s a magnificent vista around every corner in Queenstown.) Because the lake has an unusual Z-shape, carved out 15,000 years ago, there’s a standing wave which causes the water to rise and fall every twenty-five minutes or so. According to Māori tradition, this is caused by the heartbeat of a huge monster, Matau, who sleeps at the bottom of Wakatipu. The longest lake in New Zealand, it holds legends and secrets all but lost in the mists of time. Its name in Māori, Whakatipu wai-māori, means ‘bay of spirits.’ The first European to sail Wakatipu was a Scot who found a reed raft and used his gray wool blanket as a sail. He was in search of farmland. The gent was pummeled by snow and wind, but he had tales of an extraordinary adventure. Take in the wonder that’s Wakatipu.

Overnight Location

Queenstown, South Island

On the map: Queenstown is a small lakeside town located on New Zealand’s South Island. The town is roughly 171 km (106 miles) northeast of Te Anau and 483 km (300 miles) southwest of Christchurch. 

Queenstown is a year-round alpine resort nestled amid steep mountain ranges and pockets of native bush with the jagged peaks of the Remarkables Range rising from Lake Wakatipu. The lake was created by glacial action thousands of years ago. A mysterious phenomenon causes the lake to vary several inches in depth every few minutes, giving credence to a Maori legend of an ancient Taniwha (demon) still breathing beneath the surface. The town is compact enough to travel around on foot and features a great range of restaurants, bars and boutique stores. If spectacular views and action-packed activities are on your travel bucket list, look no further than Bob’s Peak. Sitting just above Queenstown, Bob’s Peak can be reached via gondola or by the Tiki Trail. Once at the top, you will be rewarded with stunning vistas, a delicious restaurant, and a full day of adventure. Try the Skyline Luge (a gravity-fueled ride down one of two tracks in a luge cart), bungy jumping, paragliding, or mountain biking - all available at Bob’s Peak. For those who prefer to stay lakeside, take a stroll to the Queenstown Gardens, or take a guided ½ day nature walk through native Beech Forest. You can even take a cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard the steamship TSS Earnslaw and visit a high country sheep station for a farm tour. If the steamship is too slow for your taste, take a ride on a jetboat that brings you up narrow river chasms. However you choose to spend your days here, Queenstown is sure to bring you lifelong memories.

Day 6

Accommodation

5-Star Boutique Hotel - Queenstown, South Island

Check in policies:

Check-in time is after 2 PM on your day of arrival. Check-out before 11 AM.

Included Unique Activities

Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, & Fly Tour

Travel alongside Lake Wakatipu in a glass roof coach and through farming country to Te Anau for a short rest stop. The overland journey to Milford Sound is a showcase of sheer mountains and towering cliffs, rugged valleys and native rainforest surrounded by teeming waterfalls and glacial lakes. Enjoy the short walks and photo opportunities along the way. On arrival, board a small Nature Cruise for an interactive and personal experience offering spectacular scenery and wildlife including seals, dolphins, and penguins when in season. Following the cruise and a picnic lunch, visit the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory for a journey through the natural history, geology and conservation efforts of this unique marine reserve. Descend 10 metres down 64 steps beneath the water into a spacious viewing chamber with uninterrupted 360-degree views of the undersea world to see rare black coral and colourful sea creatures. Return to Milford wharf and transfer to Milford airport for the 40-minute flight to Queenstown (weather permitting). Fly over untouched wilderness and stunning alpine scenery with breath-taking views of Milford Sound and the Southern Alps. On arrival at Queenstown airport, transfers are provided to your accommodation.

Suggested Sightseeing

Milford Sound, South Island

On the map: Known for its stunning landscapes, Milford Sound is a fiord in New Zealand’s South Island. The fiord can be reached via route 94 and is roughly 118 km (73 miles) north of Te Anau. 

Known for its stunning landscapes and described by Rudyard Kipling as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’, Milford Sound is a must-see for anyone traveling to New Zealand. This stunning fiord was carved by glaciers during the ice ages and offers breathtaking views in any weather. With steep cliffs rising from dark waters and powerful waterfalls cascading down from the tops of mountains, Milford Sound is truly a magnificent sight to behold. For those seeking adventure, take in all the views from a kayak or from the sky (in a prearranged helicopter or small plane ride). If hiking or trekking is more your style, try out the Milford Track, beginning at the northern end of Lake Te Anau and ending at Sandfly Point where you will take a boat to the Milford Sound Wharf. Of course there are always day boat trips available for those just wanting to cruise around the fiord. For those interested in marine life, head to the underwater observatory at Harrison Cove to marvel at black coral, 11-legged sea stars, and elegant anemones. 

Day 7

Accommodation

5-Star Boutique Hotel - Queenstown, South Island

Check in policies:

Check-in time is after 2 PM on your day of arrival. Check-out before 11 AM.

Suggested Sightseeing

The Kawarau River, South Island

On the map: The Kawarau River is fed by the Wakatipu, the Shotover, and the Nevis Rivers. On its tumbling trip east, it passes through the steep Kawarau gorge. Words aren’t necessary to describe the magnificent power of the Kawarau—the stones and gorges tell the river’s muscular story. In the 19th century, gold was found in the Kawarau. The Goldfields Mining Centre features a working exhibition of 19th-century gold-mining techniques. Some of the miners’ huts still remain, many of them, strangely enough, dot today’s thriving vineyards. Outdoor enthusiasts love this area, as do photographers. The Kawarau Bridge, 142 feet above the river, is the site of the world's first commercial bungee jumping operation. The Kawarau is also the largest volume river that’s commercially rafted in New Zealand, with an average flow of 7,600 cubic ft./sec. If you saw the movie, ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,’ you’ve seen Kawarau. A star in every way, it was featured in the film. You have to see this river for yourself to fully appreciate its glory.

Bob's Peak and Skyline Gondola, South Island

On the map: Take a scenic ride in the iconic Skyline Gondola, a Queenstown must. Be amazed by the stunning views as you experience the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere. You’ll ride 150-feet above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu to the top of Bob's Peak, where you’ll thrill to a spectacular panorama with breathtaking views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Walter and Cecil Peak and, of course, Queenstown. After you reach the summit, you may want to relax with a drink and sumptuous meal at the Stratosphere Restaurant. Top it all off with a Stargazing tour of the Southern skies—the stars are different here. Count them!

Day 8