New Zealand Tour

Discovering Scenic Wonders of the Majestic Land

Welcome to Christchurch, the most “English” city in New Zealand, known for its beautiful gardens, historic architecture, and vibrant arts scene. Often referred to as the “Garden City,” Christchurch boasts stunning parks and botanical gardens, which provide a serene backdrop to the bustling city life. The city is also famous for its picturesque Avon River, where you can enjoy punting or walking along the riverbanks. With a blend of heritage and modernity, visitors can explore unique galleries, cafes, and the Cardboard Cathedral, a symbol of the city’s resilience following the earthquakes.

Upon arrival, meet our representative and enjoy a private transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Christchurch.

After breakfast, you will pick up your rental car and embark on a scenic drive of approximately 2.5 hours to Kaikoura. The name Kaikoura translates to “the place where crayfish are eaten,” and indeed, this coastal town is the perfect spot to experience all things marine.

Upon arrival, we will join a shared catamaran cruise for a thrilling whale-watching experience. Kaikoura is renowned as one of the few places in the world where you can see the Giant Sperm Whale year-round. These magnificent creatures can reach lengths of up to 18.5 meters and weigh over 55 tons! During the cruise, you may also spot albatrosses, dolphins, sharks, and seals, making it a truly unforgettable adventure.
Overnight in Kaikoura.

After breakfast, you will embark on a drive of approximately 5.5 hours (420 km) to Nelson, known as the “sunshine capital” of New Zealand. Nestled near the stunning Marlborough Sounds, Nelson serves as a gateway for excursions into the Abel Tasman and Nelson Lakes National Parks.

This vibrant city is situated in the heart of a fertile agricultural region, making it an excellent starting point for exploring some of the most beautiful beaches in New Zealand. Enjoy the unique charm of Nelson, with its artistic vibe and outdoor adventures that await you.
Overnight in Nelson.

After breakfast, we will embark on a day trip to Abel Tasman National Park, named after the Dutch captain who discovered New Zealand and paid the price with the lives of some of his unfortunate crew members, who were eaten by local Māori. He is also the one who named the country “Nova Zeelandia,” after a region in Holland, so it was only fitting that this land reward him with a park named after him.

The park features golden beaches interspersed with lush rainforests, and with a bit of luck, you might spot various marine mammals. The tides also reveal and submerge kilometers of land-sea.

We will head to the golden sands of Kaiteriteri Bay, from where we will board a water taxi for a several-hour tour deep into the park. During the boat ride, we will see a colony of fur seals and explore hidden coves, where we can take short walks to appreciate the unique flora and fauna of the area. We will sail to Bark Bay and then hike to Akoranga via Torrent Bay and Cleopatra’s Pool, where we can enjoy stunning views of the forest and the coastline below. Continuing our walk, we will cross the suspension bridge over the Fall River on this spectacular trail, eventually arriving at Torrent Bay, where we will connect with the water taxi back to Kaiteriteri.
Overnight in Nelson.

After breakfast, we will embark on a scenic drive of approximately 3.5 hours (265 km) to Punakaiki Park, where you can witness the stunning phenomenon of sedimentary rock layers formed over millions of years of rising and falling sea levels. These rocks have created formations that remind the settlers of piles of pancakes—though perhaps it was just the name “Punakaiki” that suggested this connection!

Following our exploration at Punakaiki, we will continue our journey with a 3-hour drive (217 km) along the wild shores of the Tasman Sea. We will arrive at the charming town of Franz Josef, named after the nearby glacier. This name pays homage to the Austrian geologist Julius von Haast, who dedicated the glacier to the Austrian emperor.
Overnight in Franz Josef.

After breakfast, we will embark on a breathtaking helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier, followed by a short walk on the glacier itself.

Afterwards, we will drive approximately 3.5 hours (288 km) south along the rugged west coast, experiencing what “the end of the world” truly means in its finest form. In the area of Haast, we will turn east and start ascending through the Haast Pass. The scenery and vegetation will dramatically change from dense, green rainforests to open alpine landscapes.

We will pass between two of New Zealand’s largest lakes – Wanaka and Hawea – through a narrow corridor known as “the neck.” After several essential photo stops (because there’s really nothing like this in the world!), we will continue to the alpine town of Wanaka, located on the shores of the lake of the same name.
Overnight in Wanaka.

After breakfast, enjoy a free day in Wanaka.

Later, we will embark on a winding drive of about one hour (67 km) along the gold rush rivers on our way to Queenstown, the adrenaline capital of New Zealand and perhaps the world, all while surrounded by serene landscapes. Just three decades ago, it was a pleasant and sleepy resort town on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, which, according to legend, still harbors the heartbeat of a fearsome monster in its depths (at least that’s what the stories say, and who are we to dispute that?).
Overnight in Queenstown.

After breakfast, you will embark on one of the most popular activities in Queenstown: a jet boat ride on the rivers. The jet engine provides high maneuverability at speeds of up to 90 kilometers per hour, even in just seven centimeters of water. The boats twist and turn just inches from the jagged rocks, performing thrilling 360-degree spins to the cheers of the excited passengers.

In the evening, we will take a gondola ride up to Bob’s Peak, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the town and its stunning surroundings from a bird’s-eye perspective. There, we will savor a delicious dinner accompanied by a fine New Zealand wine at the mountaintop restaurant. An unforgettable experience!
Overnight in Queenstown.

After breakfast, we will embark on a two-and-a-half-hour drive alongside Lake Wakatipu and Lake Te Anau, the largest lakes on the South Island. Traveling along the “Milford Road,” we will enter the land of fiords. This scenic route features breathtaking landscapes, where we will stop to admire stunning mirror lakes and visit cascading spiral waterfalls.

We will pass through the Homer Tunnel, which cuts through the towering mountain range that borders the fiord area, and soon we will find ourselves in Fiordland National Park, which covers an area equivalent to the entire state of Israel and is the largest national park in New Zealand. We will traverse the land of a thousand waterfalls, aptly named for the countless waterfalls plummeting from heights of hundreds of meters. The sight is truly astonishing! Milford Sound is the northernmost, deepest, and most beautiful of the fiords.

We will board one of the boats cruising through the fiord and marvel at the giant cliffs surrounding us, rising up to 1,700 meters, from which countless waterfalls cascade down with incredible force. Lunch will be provided (shared cruise).

After the cruise, we will drive approximately an hour and a half (118 km) to Te Anau.
Overnight in Te Anau.

After breakfast, we will embark on a shared cruise on Lake Te Anau. We will enter a system of limestone caves where thousands of glowworms shine above us in a mesmerizing blue light. It’s an amazing experience!

Following our cave exploration, we will drive approximately 3.5 hours (290 km) to Dunedin. The remote road takes us past fossil forests, hidden coves, deserted beaches, coastal cliffs, waterfalls, and abundant marine mammals, including one of the southernmost lighthouses in the world.
Overnight in Dunedin.

After breakfast, we will embark on a city tour of Dunedin. We will visit the beautiful botanic gardens, the famous Baldwin Street, the Dunedin Art Museum, and Larnach Castle.
Later, we will take a shared cruise to the yellow-eyed penguin colony, where you can get very close to these unique birds.

Following the cruise, we will enjoy a one-hour walk to observe the majestic royal albatross.
Overnight in Dunedin.

After breakfast, we will embark on a drive of approximately 4.5 hours (361 km) to Christchurch.

On the way, we’ll stop at the beautiful Otago Bay, established in 1848 by Scottish settlers. Continuing through the Otago Hills, we will make a stop at Moeraki, where you can see the famous Moeraki Boulders, giant spherical rocks scattered along the shore.

Upon arrival in Christchurch, we will visit the Antarctic Centre, where you can learn about the Antarctic region and its unique wildlife.
Overnight in Christchurch.

After breakfast, we will drive to Banks Peninsula, located southeast of Christchurch, which is the result of extensive volcanic activity.

Upon arrival, we will embark on a shared catamaran cruise, enjoying the beautiful views of Akaroa Harbor and the peninsula. During the cruise, we may encounter a variety of marine wildlife, including dolphins and numerous bird species.
Overnight in Christchurch.

After breakfast and depending on your flight time, we will drive to the airport, return your rental car, and catch your flight back home.