Experience Overview
Travelling to New Zealand? Don't worry, you won't have to choose between the two islands. With all the activities available on each island, we'll keep things exciting but also give you some space to catch your breath — you're gonna need it. Across three weeks you can hike, kayak, and cycle across this diverse land. There's also time for boat cruises and local culture, just to be sure you don't miss out on anything.
Highlights
- Cycle through the stunning Karangahake Gorge
- Learn about traditional Maori artistry
- Hike the Tongariro Crossing — one of the world's greatest one-day hikes
- Kayak along the Whanganui River
- Cruise through Milford Sound
- Hike on the Routeburn Track.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2658
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Basic
Transport: Private vehicle, jet boat, kayak, bicycle, boat, walking.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Budget
Tour Operator: G Adventures
Supplier Code: ONAM
Starts: Auckland, New Zealand
Finishes: Christchurch, New Zealand
Duration: 22 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Average
Includes
Activities
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Franz Josef
- All Blacks Experience
- Cycle through Karangahake Gorge
- Traditional hangi lunch
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing hiking excursion (weather dependent)
- Jet boat and kayaking along Whanganui River
- Free time in Rotorua and Waitomo
- Abel Tasman National Park hike
- Sea kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park
- Punakaiki pancake rocks visit
- Seal colony stop
- Okarito Lagoon walk
- Full-day Routeburn Track hiking excursion
- Fiordland National Park visit
- Cruise through Milford Sound
- Hike the Mt Cook area
- Orientation walk in Christchurch
- Free time in Franz Josef and Queenstown
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels/hostels (19 nts), lodges (2 nts)
- 17 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
Transport
- Private vehicle, jet boat, kayak, bicycle, boat, walking.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $6,639 ($302 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Auckland
Arrive to your hotel by 3pm today to jump straight into the action with an exclusive introduction to the All Blacks, New Zealand's national rugby union team. Experience the mighty Haka and then opt to grab dinner with your group.
Day 2: Auckland/Rotorua
Enjoy a morning cycle through the beautiful Karangahake Gorge, then travel on to the lakes region of Rotorua. En route to Rotorua visit Okere falls.
Day 3: Rotorua
Enjoy a free morning in Rotorua, a town in a geothermal area with boiling mud and hotpools. Opt to go whitewater rafting, go hiking, or soak in some hot springs. Later in the afternoon, visit the New Zealand Arts and Crafts Institute to speak to local Maori carvers and tuck into a delicious Hangi meal cooked underground.
This region of New Zealand is renowned for its geothermal qualities. Enjoy free time to experience the regions' geothermal wonders. Go white water rafting or indulge in the therapeutic hot springs.
Day 4: Rotorua/Whanganui National Park
Admire the scenery while heading to Whanganui National Park.
Travel to Blue Duck Station, a working farm and nature conservancy that serves as our gateway to Whanganui National Park.
Marvel at the Whanganui River - the third longest in New Zealand - as it flows out to the west coast of the North Island from Mt Tongariro. Learn about the region's natural history, conservation efforts for indigenous wildlife (including the endangered New Zealand blue duck) and Blue Duck Station's sustainable farming practices.
Day 5: Whanganui National Park
Experience one of New Zealand's “Great Walks” by kayak on a day trip into the heart of Whanganui National Park. Explore the Whanganui River further by jet boat, visiting old Maori and European settlements. Learn about the region's natural history, conservation efforts for indigenous wildlife (including the endangered New Zealand blue duck) and Blue Duck Station's sustainable farming practices.
During short walks or stops en route, learn about the region's history and local conservation efforts. Return to Blue Duck Station for the night. Enjoy a delicious dinner.
Day 6: Whanganui National Park/Tongariro National Park
Today we conquer the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand's top-rated 1-day trek and spend time hiking an active volcano. Mt Tongariro's rocky, dramatic landscapes make this day-long trek truly one of New Zealand's "Great Walks", passing emerald lakes and beautiful alpine scenery.
Mt Tongariro's rocky, dramatic landscapes make this day-long trek truly one of New Zealand's "Great Walks", passing emerald lakes and beautiful alpine scenery. Start early and collect supplies before heading out. The transfer will drop the group off at the beginning of the self-guided trek and collect everyone at the other end. After the trek, travel to a nearby alpine village for the night and enjoy a well earned dinner with your travel companions.
Day 7: Tongariro National Park/Waitomo District
Travel north to the small town of Waitomo, located near an extensive underground cave system. Enjoy a free afternoon, and opt to explore Waitomo Valley's unique landscape by foot. Settle into your accommodation close by, and enjoy a final dinner together to say farewell to those finishing their tour in Auckland tomorrow.
Day 8: Waitomo to Christchurch via Auckland.
After an early start, visit the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, and take a boat ride through this spectacular underground realm to see thousands of flickering glowworms light up in the dark. Travel north to Auckland and hop on a flight to the South Island. Meet the new members of the group and then explore Christchurch.
Day 9: Christchurch/Kaikoura
Transfer north, along the scenic coastal road up to Kaikoura. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the area or take in an optional activity.
A free afternoon can be spent visiting a colony of Southern Fur seals, partaking in a peninsula walkway walk, or taking a scenic flight over the peninsula. Bird watchers will be pleased to know that big ocean birds such as albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters frequent the area.
Day 10: Kaikoura to Abel Tasman
Take in the scenery of the South Island while travelling to Marahau, situated right on the edge of the Abel Tasman National Park. Sample some local produce and wine as you travel through the renowned Marlborough wine region. Enjoy free time to explore upon arrival.
Day 11: Abel Tasman National Park/Marahau
Experience the stunning natural beauty of Abel Tasman National Park by boat, sea kayak and on foot. After a full day of exploring, reward your efforts with a well earned meal at one of Marahau local eateries.
Day 12: Marahau/Lake Brunner
Enjoy the scenery of the mountainous coastal Westland region, and stop en route to see the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks.
Day 13: Lake Brunner/Franz Josef
Transfer to Franz Josef, stopping for a walk at the wildlife mecca of Okarito Lagoon en route. Enjoy free time for optional activities such as hiking and checking out the stunning Franz Josef Glacier.
Day 14: Franz Josef
A free day for optional activities. Options include a helicopter hike, a glacier valley walk, kayaking as well as the unique and stunning Franz Josef Glacier.
Day 15: Franz Josef/Wanaka
Transfer to Wanaka, where there are a variety of optional activities available. Opt to hiking or check out the giant maze and optical illusions of Puzzling World.
Day 16: Wanaka/Queenstown
Drive the winding route between Wanaka and Queenstown passing through picturesque wine country and the turquoise waters of the Kawarau River. Watch as the scenery shifts from vast open valleys to the hustle and bustle of the city, and get ready to enjoy a free afternoon in the "adventure capital of the world."
Enjoy a free afternoon to maximize time for all the optional activities in the area. Opt for a jet boat outing, bungee jumping, mountain biking, sky diving, or a vineyard tour. The options in this adventure capital are endless.
Opt to pre-book the "Queenstown Jet Boating" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Day 17: Queenstown
Enjoy a full-day hiking excursion along the world renowned Routeburn Track, taking in the gorgeous mountains, valleys, waterfalls, and lakes surrounding the track.
Day 18: Queenstown
Travel to the fjords of the South Island. Enjoy the stunning scenery of Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound from the deck of a boat, then return to Queenstown for the night.
Day 19: Queenstown/Twizel
Enjoy free time in Queenstown, before travelling on to the Aoraki/Mt Cook region.
Day 20: Twizel
Prepare for an action packed day! Start on two-wheels on a mountain biking excursion around the Aoraki/Mt Cook region. In the afternoon, discover stunning landscapes on foot.
Day 21: Twizel/Christchurch
Travel back to Christchurch. Head out for an orientation drive with your CEO before enjoying a few hours to explore the city.
Day 22: Christchurch
Depart at any time.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Katja R. - Traveled, November 2023
The combination of activities and the travel route are a perfect choice to get a feeling for the country
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023
Jordan H. - Traveled, November 2023
Great trip, great guide, great activities. Hotels and make-your-own breakfast might turn others off.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023
Jay S. - Traveled, December 2023
The New Zealand MultiSport was all it could be even though there were a number of optional adventures there was not time for and we had some cancelled due to weather (as G Adventures advised before we left home). I would love to see G Adventures offer a New Zealand MultiSport II that offers a similar type of very active travel but goes to places that MultiSport I did not. I bet our CEO James McNicol could put together such a tour and then G Adventures send the invite to all who haver done the first MultiSport tour!!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023
Priscilla H. - Traveled, December 2023
Efficiency
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023
Susan V. - Traveled, November 2023
Different people have different likes and dislikes, even within the same / similar style of travel. I would tell my friend/ family member the pro',s and cons of this style of travel based on what I know of them.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
Michelle W. - Traveled, November 2023
Good selection of activities
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
Delores B. - Traveled, November 2023
Good value and range of activities offered.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
Geert F. - Traveled, November 2023
De gids vond ik soms een beetje te enthousiast, soms bijna ergerlijk. Een minpuntjeis zeker het gebrek aan flexibiliteit in de planning. Er kan blijkbaar niet van afgeweken worden.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
Sterai P. - Traveled, November 2023
The out door activities
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
Michelle W. - Traveled, November 2023
Good selection of activities
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
Rita B. - Traveled, November 2023
Great value for money. Got to see places would never go to. Love the small group and great guide.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/10/2023
Louis B. - Traveled, November 2023
Love the small group atmosphere. Met amazing people. Our guide Aemon was incredible. Nice not to have to drive.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/10/2023
Vincent S. - Traveled, November 2023
Unbelievable & unforgettable. Fantastic holiday. Well organised & very friendly. Eco tourism at it's exceptional best.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/10/2023
Yvonne H. - Traveled, November 2023
A fantastic trip with lots of activities and beautiful scenery.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/10/2023
Michelle H. - Traveled, November 2023
Everything about the trip was amazing including the itinerary, experiences and our CEO.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/10/2023
Eden C. - Traveled, November 2023
Fab organization and guide
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/10/2023
Jon E. - Traveled, November 2023
With a G Adventures CEO you don't have to worry about anything! They plan for you and can asnwer any questions. wouldn't have wanted to do this trip without them!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/10/2023
Daniela T. - Traveled, November 2023
Perfect planning
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/03/2023
Hazel D. - Traveled, November 2023
We had a fabulous guide, James McNicol, who was very informative, helpful and jolly every day. I
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/03/2023
Esther B. - Traveled, November 2023
James was the best Co I ever had He loves his country and his work He is respectful to the nature and the Maori
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/03/2023
Regina D. - Traveled, November 2023
Perfect trip which exceeded my expectations.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/03/2023
Share a personalized trip brochure!
Why Choose Us?
We Work for You
Our goal to make you happy! That means ensuring our travel consultants have the best product knowledge and excellent customer service. A positive customer experience is our #1 goal!
Our Products
We offer an broad selection of travel products, including all-inclusive vacation packages, pre-packaged tours, custom travel itineraries, destination weddings, and luxury vacations.
Escapes Cares
We believe in giving back. When you book with us, you are contributing to tree planting through our partners at Veritree, as well ocean conservation though Oceana Canada.