From CAD 4,724 Was CAD 5,249
Guarantee
Small Group
Light
Rating
(21 reviews)
Experience Overview
Two weeks is barely enough time to thoroughly explore your hometown, let alone a place as fascinating as New Zealand. For adventurers on a tight time-budget, this 15-day trip wraps up the must-sees of both islands with a nice little bow. Discover ethereal glowworm caves in Waitomo, discover Maori culture, and get your adrenaline fix in Queenstown. Consider this your New Zealand starter kit.
Highlights
- Marvel at the striking Franz Josef glacier
- Feast on a hangi in a Maori village
- Let loose in Queenstown
- Cruise around the fjords of Doubtful Sound
Trip Details
Product Code: 2655
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Private vehicle, plane, walking, boat.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Budget
Supplier Code: ONAC
Starts: Auckland, New Zealand
Finishes: Christchurch, New Zealand
Duration: 15 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Light
Includes
Activities
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Franz Josef Your Discover Moment: Queenstown
- Waitomo Glowworm caves visit
- Orientation walk in Wellington and Christchurch
- Wine tasting
- Fiordland National Park visit with Doubtful Sound day cruise
- Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park visit with hiking opportunity (weather permitting)
- Internal flight between Wellington and Christchurch
- Free time in Rotorua, Wellington, Franz Josef, and Queenstown
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels/motels (14nts).
- 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Transport
- Private vehicle, plane, walking, boat.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 4724 (CAD 315 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Auckland
Arrive at any time.
There are no activities until an evening welcome meeting, so head out and enjoy the city.
Day 2: Auckland/Rotorua
Drive to the lakeside town of Rotorua, situated over an active geothermal zone and known for its volcanic features and rich Maori heritage. Stop en route at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Take a boat ride through this spectacular underground realm to see thousands of flickering glowworms light up in the dark.
Day 3: Rotorua
Visit Rotorua and opt to check out the geothermal area or go whitewater rafting. In the evening visit a Maori village for traditional ceremonies, a Hangi meal and entertainment.
Rotorua sits over an active volcanic zone with bubbling mud pits and multi-coloured pools in different areas around the town. Opt to visit one of the sites, or go whitewater rafting nearby.
Day 4: Rotorua/Wellington
Take in the ever-changing scenery of the North Island and travel to the capital, Wellington.
Day 5: Wellington
Enjoy the atmosphere in this relaxed but lively city. After an orientation walk, enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to visit the Te Papa Museum or take the cable car up to the botanical gardens.
Day 6: Wellington/Kaikoura
Fly to the South Island and travel to the seaside town of Kaikoura, known for its diverse marine life. Stop en route for a wine tasting at a local winery.
Day 7: Kaikoura/Hanmer Springs
Enjoy a free morning in Kaikoura. Opt to go on a whale watching tour and search for giant sperm whales. Or head out on a tour to swim in the open ocean in a place often visited by wild dolphins. In the afternoon, travel to Hanmer Springs. Opt to take a soak in the hot springs.
Day 8: Hanmer Springs/Franz Josef
Take in the stunning scenery while travelling across the Southern Alps to the rugged and remote West Coast, before staying in the rainforest near the world's fastest moving glacier.
Day 9: Franz Josef
Enjoy a free day to explore the area around Franz Josef. Opt to explore the glacier with a heli hike.
There are dozens of optional activities in the area to suit just about any budget and preference. Try heli hiking, scenic helicopter flights, skydiving, lake kayaking or a hot pools visit.
Day 10: Franz Josef/Queenstown
Continue to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. With beautiful scenery and tons of activities, there's something for everyone. Enjoy the great night life.
Day 11: Queenstown
With free time here, opt to go bungee jumping (in its birthplace), jet boating (also born here!), skydiving or hiking. Or take it a little slower and travel by gondola to the top of a local peak.
Opt to pre-book the "Queenstown Jet Boating" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Day 12: Queenstown
Enjoy the stunning scenery of Fiordland National Park and Doubtful Sound on a day cruise. Take in the waterfalls and wildlife, then return to Queenstown for the night.
Day 13: Queenstown to Tekapo
Travel north through the centre of the South Island to Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, named after New Zealand's highest peak. Spend the afternoon hiking the region, taking in the alpine scenery. Learn more about mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary at the Visitor's Centre, before a short but scenic journey to Tekapo Village.
Day 14: Tekapo to Christchurch
Continue on to Christchurch and take in an orientation walk with your CEO. Enjoy one final night together with the group.
Travel to the Garden City of Christchurch, a little piece of England in New Zealand, still recovering from a devastating earthquake.
Day 15: Christchurch
Depart at any time.
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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
Shagufta D. - Traveled, November 2023
Excellent organization, itinerary, good accommodation and transport, group size great,
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/28/2023
Nancy S. - Traveled, December 2023
I like the smaller group style of travel.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/28/2023
Nazmulhussein D. - Traveled, December 2023
Our 7th tour with G - we like your style
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/28/2023
Mateusz S. - Traveled, December 2023
Really enjoyable
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/28/2023
Ariel B. - Traveled, November 2023
Great CEO, Fantastic group, Good viverage of New Zealand.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/14/2023
Ruth M. - Traveled, November 2023
The guide on our tour Josey had a passion for New Zealand which she shared with us. She was so informed on so many facets of New Zealand life including fauna, flora, music , politics .
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/14/2023
Michael M. - Traveled, November 2023
Very well organized and covers a lot of ground in New Zealand
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/14/2023
Kevin T. - Traveled, November 2023
I don't think the experience is for everyone.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/14/2023
Nicholas W. - Traveled, November 2023
The whole trip was excellent. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable and really added to the experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/14/2023
Junius M. - Traveled, November 2023
Exciting and adventurous experience with a fantastic tour guide Josey Wallace
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/14/2023
Isaac E. - Traveled, November 2023
I had a great time but one hotel was small
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/14/2023
Laurie S. - Traveled, November 2023
The trips are very well organized, the tour members are always very interesting, the tour leader is always friendly, energetic, and knowledgeable, and you always have a great selection of spots to visit.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/14/2023
Isaac E. - Traveled, November 2023
I had a great time but one hotel was small
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/14/2023
Claire B. - Traveled, December 2023
The itinerary was great and we saw the best that New Zealand has to offer. The hotels were great. The company needs to review the hotel location in Christchurch - it is too far from the central action of town. I was able to book a Hotel 'Give' for US$ 88.00 through RCI located right across from the Botanical Gardens. Your company charged me NZ 150.00. Seems high for the location.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/28/2023
Marc A. - Traveled, December 2023
Mainly the group CEO Tori. She was simply amazing, always going above and beyond to ensure we (our group) had the best possible experience. Her knowledge of the local area, plus her driving ability was excellent. She is a credit to G Adventures, and someone you should cherish, as her dedication to her profession is very rare.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/28/2023
Michael L. - Traveled, December 2023
Meal quantity and quality Accommodations lacking basics: functional room safes, gyms with weights.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/21/2023
Andrea C. - Traveled, December 2023
One driver and tour guide and very few included activities.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/21/2023
Melinda D. - Traveled, December 2023
Friendly CEO. Well organized tours. Would like more included and less optional/extra activities and costs (dinner)
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/21/2023
Anne L. - Traveled, December 2023
Fabulous experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/21/2023
Geoffrey L. - Traveled, December 2023
We had a brilliant host/driver (Peter Fletcher) who was very knowledgeable and passionate about New Zealand. We visited some lovely places and scenery in this great country, although we didn't partake in a lot of the activities it was lovely to share the joy of the youngsters that did and Peter certainly gave great advice as to alternative walks etc to fill our days. I would thoroughly recommend this trip to all and have already done so.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/21/2023
Judith M. - Traveled, November 2023
Extremely well planned, lots of individual experiences to choose from, amazing CEO - Josey Wallace
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/14/2023
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