Treasures of New Zealand: Heritage, Vines, & Vistas

Your Small Group Discovery tour begins! Welcome to Aotearoa, Maori for “land of the long white cloud.” Your room is available for immediate check-in. A pre-night is not required for early check-in. Please schedule your flights to arrive by 4:30pm in order to attend this evening’s welcome briefing and dinner. (D)

The City of Sails Start your day with a visit to the All Blacks Experience followed by a sightseeing tour of Auckland. See bustling Queen Street, the city’s oldest park, Auckland Domain, and historic Parnell Village. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGENDS OF THE GAME Immerse yourself into the legacy, culture and people who have made the All Blacks rugby team an important part of the history of New Zealand. During your guided tour of the All Blacks Experience, you'll feel the excitement and emotion of game day and be inspired by the full force of the haka. Through interactive exhibits and your guide’s enthusiastic storytelling, hear about past and present legends of the game. You’ll quickly understand how deeply this team and sport are intertwined with the heart and heritage of the country.

Home, Hobbits, Home Depart Auckland and travel through the green pastoral region of Waikato to Hamilton. Take a guided tour of Hamilton Gardens, followed by a high tea lunch. Next, stop at a picturesque farm near Matamata, which was transformed into the Hobbiton movie set of the Lord of the Rings films. Continue to Rotorua, home to geothermal wonders, adventure activities, and a thriving Maori culture. (B,L) TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURAL GEM Step into the lush pastures of the Shire with a guided walking tour of Hobbiton, as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. With the mighty Kaimai Mountain ranges towering in the distance, your guide will escort you through the 12-acre movie set, recounting details of how this location was transformed and how movie magic was made here. As you meander down the paths of the enchanted village, see the most iconic sites, the Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and the world-famous Green Dragon Inn where you’ll enjoy a cold beverage. The perfect ending to your Middle-Earth adventure! TOUR HIGHLIGHT SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Join your local guide for an enriching journey through Hamilton Gardens. This beautiful parkland is home to carefully curated gardens such as the Italian Renaissance Garden, the Te Parapara Garden, the ancient Egyptian Garden, and more. Journey through the collection of gardens from the surreal to the serene, showcasing diverse cultures and times. Learn the symbolism, design, and stories, then enjoy a delicious high tea lunch in the Summerhouse overlooking the Mansfield Garden.

The Living Earth This morning starts with a guided tour and visit to the National Kiwi Hatchery. Next, visit Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, a spectacular showcase of New Zealand’s most colourful and unique geothermal elements sculpted by thousands of years of geothermal activity. The afternoon is at your leisure. You may wish to relax in a natural hot spring, zipline through the forest, or board a floatplane for flightseeing of this beautiful region. This evening, enjoy an authentic Maori dinner and performance at Te Pa Tu. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT CONSERVATION HEROES Only about 5% of all Kiwi birds hatched in the wild survive to adulthood making them endangered. At the National Kiwi Hatchery, you’ll see conservation in action. Known as the national leader in hatching techniques and kiwi chick rearing, you’ll see each stage a kiwi chick goes through before being released into the national parks. 100% of your entry goes straight back to the Kiwi hatching program. LOCAL FAVORITE CULTURE & TRADITION Experience an authentic Maori cultural performance at [LOCAL FAVORITE] Te Pa Tu, followed by a delicious Hangi dinner (roasted meats and vegetables cooked underground with hot stones). Te Pa Tu offers evening experiences that change with each season of the maramataka, the Maori lunar calendar. Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within the forest Pa (village) - its towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and forest-formed amphitheatre. Kai horotai (indigenous canapes) are followed by a torch lit walk to a lavish 4-course Maori fusion feast. You might even be asked to join in a Haka, the traditional war dance of the Maori.

Wild & Woolly Travel south today through rolling farmlands and pass massive Lake Taupo. Visit the National Army Museum in Waiouru to see its varied collections recalling stories of both wartime and peace. After lunch, continue to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. (B,L) TOUR HIGHLIGHT COOL, CLEAR WATER During your drive to the end of the north island, stop at Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest freshwater lake. Dramatic landscapes draping crystal-clear waters offer a wonderful backdrop for photos.

New Zealand Treasures Your day begins with a sightseeing tour of Wellington. Take a scenic cable-car ride, visit the beautiful botanic gardens, see the famous Beehive and Parliament buildings, and enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of the city and harbor from the top of Mount Victoria. You’ll also spend time at Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. The remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURAL GEMS Meaning “the treasure box” in Maori, Te Papa is New Zealand’s national museum. Here you can explore the great stories of this country, Maori culture, heritage, and history. Learn about WWI, see a colossal giant squid, enjoy hands-on displays, and experience New Zealand’s many landscapes.

Sea Valleys & Vineyards Today, enjoy a special treat as you sail from Wellington to Picton and enjoy the spectacular Marlborough Sounds on one of the most scenic ferry journeys in the world. Enjoy a photo opportunity amid this extensive network of submerged valleys where dolphins are known to accompany the ferries. On occasion, you might even spot a pod of whales or some penguins swimming by. Continue to Blenheim and enjoy an afternoon wine tasting. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT LOCAL TASTES The Marlborough region on New Zealand’s south island is known for delicious fresh seafood, diverse landscapes, sheltered waterways, and its world-famous Sauvignon Blanc produced in its valleys of vines. Sit back and relax over a sumptuous tasting of local wines in the sunny town of Blenheim.

Legendary Landmarks & Leviathans Drive along the coastline where dramatic coastlines and vistas lead you to the coastal town Kaikoura. Enjoy lunch here and take a whale watching cruise. Continue to Christchurch, known for its English heritage. (B,L) LOCAL FAVORITE GIANTS OF THE DEEP Cruise on a modern catamaran into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Kaikoura in search of the giant sperm whale in its natural environment. Depending on the season, you may see other whales like blue, orca, humpback, or pilot. Sightings of seals and dolphins are not uncommon either. Your vessel is specially designed to minimize any effect on wildlife with great viewing opportunities from its spacious outdoor decks and air-conditioned indoor cabin fitted with comfortable seating.

Maori Hospitality A sightseeing tour highlights some of Christchurch’s famous landmarks and spectacular gardens. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening, enjoy a cultural dinner tour. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Tonight, dine your way around town during a cultural walking tour. Travel on foot, weaving through laneways, gardens, and hidden squares, as your guide shares stories of the Maori culture and the city’s best secrets. Your tour stops at two popular dining establishments, sharing kai (food) and tasting the region’s finest beverages. Please note, this tour requires two 15-minute walks along fairly flat terrain.

Catamarans & Cave Dwellers Fly to Queenstown, then drive to Te Anau, nestled on the edge of a lake and the gateway to Fiordland National Park. Tonight, cruise across Lake Te Anau to the glowworm grotto. (B) NOTE: This cave tour requires bending, walking, and navigating some stairs to reach the cave. TOUR HIGHLIGHT SPARKLING SPECTACLE Cruise by catamaran across Lake Te Anau to the western shores, then join a guided tour through the limestone chambers and passages of the cavern. Take a silent boat trip through Glowworm Grotto as you glide quietly beneath the lights of thousands of glowworms suspended from the cave ceiling and watch their glittering display.

Sights & Sound Today, travel into scenic Fiordland National Park for a full day excursion to the Milford Sound. Boasting some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, this region of New Zealand has been named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was famously described by author, Rudyard Kipling, as the “eighth wonder of the world.” Return Te Anau late this afternoon. (B,L) NOTE: The excursion to Milford Sound may happen on Day 12 depending on weather and road conditions today. TOUR HIGHLIGHT PICTURE PERFECT Cruise on the fiord with sheer rock walls rising thousands of feet from the water’s great depths. Experience dense rainforest, towering mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls. Have your cameras ready for marine life such as playful dolphins, seals, and penguins. It will be a day to remember as you experience New Zealand’s wild side at its absolute best!

Waterways & Woolly Days This morning, take a jet boat ride along the Waiau River. Next, sit down with a local farmer to learn about the history, industry, and animal welfare. Enjoy lunch here, then drive to Queenstown, the “Adventure Capital of the World.” Tonight, you’re free to enjoy dinner at one of Queenstown’s many restaurants or cafes and sample some of the regional wines. (B,L) TOUR HIGHLIGHT SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Break away from the crowd by epic jet boat ride from the glistening lakefront in Te Anau to the quiet banks of the Waiau River in Fiordland National Park. You’ll emerge onto Lake Manapouri to take in unforgettable views, search for trout in crystal-clear water, and listen for rare birds flying over head. Continue to the Farm Shed for a sheep shearing demonstration and conversation with a local farmer. You will learn about the history of the farming industry in New Zealand, the steps taken to produce some of the cleanest food in the world, and what is being done for animal conservation.

Timeless Tales & Traditions Enjoy a full day at leisure in one of New Zealand’s prettiest towns. Tour some of the sights used to film The Lord of the Rings trilogy, shop for souvenirs, or take a thrilling jetboat ride on the Dart River. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT EPIC RIDE Take a festive cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the 103-year-old TSS Earnslaw steamship to Walter Peak High Country Farm, home to sheep, deer, and Scottish Highland cattle. Relax in the unique rural setting at Colonel's Homestead Restaurant, where your meal features succulent barbecued meats, vegetables, salads, mouthwatering desserts, and New Zealand cheeses. After dinner, an entertaining demonstration provides a glimpse of life in the high country. On the magical cruise home, enjoy a fun sing-along or bask in the fresh night air on the moonlit decks as you watch the lights of Queenstown draw near.

(Maori for “Until Next Time”) Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. You may also choose to extend your time in Queenstown and explore more on your own. Extra nights are available for purchase. (B)