Ultimate New Zealand Luxury Escorted Tour
From Mountains to Sea
24 day Scenic luxury escorted tour from $10,295 per person
A place of wild beauty and extraordinary friendliness, you’ll love getting to know New Zealand over 24 days of wonder. After falling in love with the ‘City of Sails’, Auckland, you’ll discover ancient kauri forests and the spectacular beauty and historical significance of the Bay of Islands. Explore ‘Middle-earth’ before taking in the geothermal wonders of Rotorua. Continue with a visit to Wellington before hopping on a ferry to the South Island. Sample crisp Sauvignon Blanc in its place of origin, and marvel at the diverse marine life along the East Coast before arriving in Christchurch. This city will delight visitors with its resilience and positive outlook before crossing the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine. The Franz Josef Glacier is a highlight, as is the energy and passion of Queenstown, while waking up to the views of Milford Sound and Mount Cook will be a treasured memory for years to come.
What's included?
- Fully escorted group touring
- 6 exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences
- Your choice of 42 Scenic Freechoice activities and dining
- 1 Scenic Sundowners event
- 6 memorable Scenic Special Stays
- 40 meals (23 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 15 dinners)
- Expert Tour Director and knowledgeable local guides
- Return airport transfers
- All tipping and gratuities
Highlights
- Take a ride on the TranzAlpine, the most stunning rail journey across the Southern Alps!
- Be awed by the beauty of Milford Sound
- Stay at the Hermitage Hotel with picturesque views of Mount Cook
- Travel to the very top of New Zealand – North Island, Cape Reinga
- Indulge in a variety of seafood during a cruise around Marlborough Sounds
- Taste wine from New Zealand’s oldest winery at Mission Estate
Departure Dates
2 Jan 22 | 30 Jan 22 | 24 Apr 22 | 1 May 22
Pricing
Twin Share
From $10,295 per person
Solo Traveller
From $13,420 per person
Based on 01 May 2022 departure
Itinerary
Day 1 - Auckland
Kia Ora and welcome to Auckland for your two night Special Stay. Celebrate the wonder of New Zealand at tonight’s welcome dinner.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2 - Auckland
Sail on an authentic America’s Cup yacht or explore the wine and cuisine of Waiheke Island. Alternatively, take a leisurely harbour cruise, discover the black sand beaches of the West Coast, or join a small group sightseeing tour of Auckland.
Choose between a sunset dinner yacht cruise, Orbit 360 at Sky City, or dinner at the hotel’s Grand Millennium Brasserie.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Auckland > Paihia
Travel north towards the Bay of Islands and visit the Kauri Museum to learn about the history of the local pioneers.
Seeing the mighty Tane Mahuta kauri tree for the first time is unforgettable. Listen to stories from your Maori guide about the ‘Lord of the Forest’.
Relax over an evening drink watching the sunset from your hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - Paihia
Take a lunch cruise or enjoy a ferry ride to Russell. Alternatively, cruise to Cape Brett Lighthouse and through the Hole in the Rock (weather permitting), or join a Taste of the Bay tour.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Paihia
Journey to the top of New Zealand – Cape Reinga – and enjoy the thrill of travelling along Ninety Mile Beach.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 - Paihia > Auckland
This morning, discover Waitangi Treaty Grounds with a Maori guide.
Be entertained by an authentic Maori cultural performance inside the meeting house.
Return to your hotel in Auckland for a one-night stay.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 7 - Auckland > Rotorua
Visit the Hobbiton™ Movie Set before arriving in Rotorua, home of Maori culture and bubbling mud pools. Later, visit the National Kiwi Trust, before your two night stay in Rotorua.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8 - Rotorua
Be amazed by Rotorua’s geothermal activity during a visit to Te Puia.
Witness a sheep show, take an amphibious duck tour or relax in the geothermal pools. Alternatively, enjoy the view from Skyline Rotorua while wine tasting.
Tonight, immerse yourself in Maori traditions at an authentic hangi dinner.
Optional flight - Take a floatplane flight over Mt Tarawera (additional expense, please book prior to departure).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9 - Rotorua > Napier
Witness the force of nature at Huka Falls before cruising magnificent Lake Taupo. Enjoy your overnight stay in the home of Art Deco, Napier.
Meet the makers at a special wine tasting and dinner at Mission Estate Winery.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 - Napier > Wellington
Take a walking tour of Napier’s Art Deco buildings, view the famous landmarks of Napier during a vintage car tour or discover a diverse range of aquatic animals and wildlife at the National Aquarium.
Continue to Wellington for a two-night stay.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11 - Wellington
Take an in-depth journey of Te Papa to discover the treasures and stories of New Zealand.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 12 - Wellington > Blenheim
Travel in the ferry’s premium lounge across the Marlborough Sounds to the South Island.
Enjoy a tasting at the home of Sauvignon Blanc, a visit to Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, or take an afternoon cruise on the Marlborough Sounds.
Enjoy an overnight stay at Blenheim.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13 - Blenheim > Christchurch
Drive along the spectacular East Coast where rugged mountains meet the ocean. Experience how Christchurch is recovering during your two-night stay.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 14 - Christchurch
Go punting on the Avon River, take a Botanic Gardens Tour or enjoy a city tour around Christchurch. Alternatively, visit the seaside town of Akaroa or the International Antarctic Centre.
Experience a Kiwi home-hosted dinner with a local family or enjoy dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 15 - Christchurch > Franz Josef
Join the TranzAlpine this morning for your rail journey across the Southern Alps. Stand in wonder at Franz Josef Glacier with its ever-changing face before your overnight Special Stay.
Optional flight - Take a helicopter flight over Franz Josef or Fox Glacier and experience the wonder in this natural alpine landscape (additional expense, please book prior to departure).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 16 - Franz Josef > Queenstown
Enjoy a ride on the Haast River Jet boat before you arrive in Queenstown for your three night stay.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 17 - Queenstown
Take the Dart River Wilderness Jet, or tour local wineries. Feel exhilarated on the Shotover Jet, a 4WD Skippers Canyon, or Safari of the Scenes tour.
Take a steamship cruise on TSS Earnslaw and enjoy dinner at Walter Peak, ride the Skyline Gondola and dine overlooking Queenstown, or simply relax at the hotel’s restaurant.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 18 - Queenstown
Enjoy a day at leisure to discover Queenstown.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 19 - Queenstown > Milford Sound
In the darkness of the Te Anau caves, see the shimmer of thousands of glow-worms. Enjoy an overnight Special Stay on board the Milford Mariner amidst the majesty of Milford Sound.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 20 - Milford Sound > Dunedin
Awake to breathtaking beauty in Milford Sound. Then immerse yourself in New Zealand’s oldest university city, Dunedin, with a two night Special Stay.
Choose between Speight’s Brewery and the hotel’s Parcels Restaurant.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 21 - Dunedin
Tour Larnach Castle or visit the breeding colony of Royal Albatross. Alternatively, take a heritage walking tour, cruise Otago Harbour or take the scenic Taieri Gorge Railway.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 22 - Dunedin > Mount Cook
Visit the Moeraki Boulders, featuring huge spherical boulders scattered across a sandy beach. Enjoy a Special Stay at Mount Cook.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 23 - Mount Cook > Christchurch
Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd before returning to Christchurch for your Special Stay.
Celebrate your adventures during an iconic tram ride.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 24 - Christchurch
Bid farewell to New Zealand.
The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the tour will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Book by 26 February 2021
Subject to availability
Conditions apply