Day 1 : Depart the USA

Following our included flight to California, we board our overnight flight for Auckland. Enjoy delicious meals and attentive service en route to our destination.

Day 2 : New Zealand Bound

When we cross the International Date Line, we lose a calendar day.

Day 3 : Christchurch, South Island

Upon arrival, we clear customs in Christchurch on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island.  We transfer to our hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 4 : Glacial Lakes & Southern Alps

This morning we travel through picturesque patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains and enter the Geraldine foothills within expansive Mackenzie Country. We stop to visit the Church of the Good Shepherd overlooking Lake Tekapo’s pristine waters where we view the bronze statue of a sheep dog, symbolizing the important role these animals have played in the development of high-country farming. We then drive along Lake Pukaki’s shimmering, turquoise glacial waters while enjoying the spectacular backdrop of Mount Cook and the Southern Alps. Our journey continues over Lindis Pass and through the tussock-covered plains of Mackenzie Country to the Fruitlands of Central Otago, famous for its summer fruit production including apricots, peaches, nectarines, and plums. We make a stop at Jones Family Fruit Stall, a family orchard that got its start 40 years ago with a small fruit stall. Our memorable day ends in Queenstown, situated on the rippling shores of Lake Wakatipu and set against the dramatic 7,000-foot Remarkables mountains.

Day 5 : Kiwi & Birdlife Park

Enjoy a private homemade breakfast featuring local produce at the Kiwi Birdlife Park. Afterwards, we have the rare opportunity to meet New Zealand’s most iconic bird, courtesy of specially designed nocturnal houses that allow us to view the kiwi during the day. Later, we visit the historic and picturesque “gold rush” settlement of Arrowtown, and stop at the Kawarau River suspension bridge where bungee jumpers come for thrills from all over the world. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy New Zealand’s adventure capital with jet boating, golf, picturesque walks, and abundant restaurants and shops in one of the most scenic settings in the world.

Day 6 : Milford Sound Cruise

Today, we travel through an ancient ice age region by first crossing pasturelands on our way to Fiordland National Park. We journey through beech forests and the beautiful Eglinton Valley to the Homer Tunnel before descending through the spectacular Cleddau Canyon, reaching Milford Sound. Our cruise takes us past Mitre Peak, rising over 5,500 feet, as well as the phenomenal Stirling and Bowen Falls. Cascading at more than 500 feet, these falls flow from valleys formed by receding glaciers. Watch for majestic wildlife throughout our journey, such as sea lions and a variety of birds. Our accommodations tonight are in Te Anau, the town nestled on the shores of Lake Te Anau with a spectacular backdrop of Mount Luxmore and the Murchison Mountains.

Day 7 : Larnach Castle & Dunedin

Departing Te Anau, we travel through some of New Zealand’s most populated sheep country, taking us through Lumsden and Gore to the historic Larnach Castle and Gardens nestled on picturesque Otago Peninsula. With its exciting and at times scandalous and tragic history, our guided tour of the castle and gardens offers a vision of the past and present. Marvel at magnificent carved ceilings, antiques, and breathtaking views. We arrive in Dunedin, known for its Scottish heritage and Victorian and Edwardian architecture. We witness some of the city’s iconic attractions such as Speights Brewery, the University of Otago, the world’s steepest street, and First Church of Otago.

Day 8 : Natures Wonders and Toitū Settlers Museum

Today we travel to Natures Wonders for an amazing wildlife experience. This family-owned conservation has a focus on restoring nature, with all native trees planted on the 650 acres of protected land. Throughout our guided tour, we see some of the world’s rarest penguins in their natural habitats, along with fur seals and albatross. Later, we visit the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum dedicated to telling the story of the Dunedin people whose character, culture, technology, art, fashion, and transportation shaped the surrounding area and New Zealand’s first great city. We then return to the hotel and come together for an included dinner this evening.

Day 9 : Lake Taupo

This morning we fly to the North Island and transfer to the quaint town of Taupo located on the edge of New Zealand’s largest lake. Taupo is home to award-winning attractions, activities, and breathtaking lake and mountain vistas. Our lodging for two nights is at the Hilton Lake Taupo, featuring spacious rooms overlooking the thermally heated pool. Enjoy an included dinner tonight at a local eatery.

Day 10 : Orakei Korako & Maori Performance

We begin our day with a visit to Orakei Korako, one of the finest thermal areas in the world. On our walk through the Hidden Valley, we see silica terraces, boiling pools, geysers and a rare geothermal cave. After lunch at leisure in Taupo’s town center, we cruise the Waikato River and witness the impressive Huka Falls, New Zealand’s most visited natural wonder. Tonight we enjoy an authentic Maori hangi feast including a customary cooking method that prepares food in an underground pit oven, followed by powerful song and dance from the traditional culture.

Day 11 : Hobbiton™ & The Red Barn

We spend the first half of our day at Alexander Sheep & Cattle Farm in Matamata, a working sheep farm and home to Hobbiton™, The Shire™ from Middle-earth™. Our visit includes a drive through the picturesque 1,250-acre farm with spectacular views acrossthe Kaimai Ranges and a guided tour of the Hobbiton™ Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. The set has been completely rebuilt and remains as it was seen in these films. During our tour, we see Hobbit Holes™, The Green Dragon Inn™, the mill, the double-arched bridge, and other structures and gardens built for this beloved imaginary world. For our delightful Farewell Lunch, we enjoy a traditional pasture-to-plate meal at The Red Barn, a 500-acre working dairy farm. Originally built at the turn of the previous century as a livery stable for horses journeying across the greater Waikato, The Red Barn showcases the very best of New Zealand cuisine and country hospitality. Later we take a pleasant drive to Cambridge in the heart of rural Waikato, a picture-perfect country town characterized by quaint charm and tree-lined streets. Tonight, we have the evening at leisure.

Day 12 : Auckland & Evening Flight

This morning we travel to Auckland, the largest Polynesian city in the Southern Hemisphere. We visit SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium, one of the city’s top attractions. Here, we view the world’s largest sub-Antarctic penguin colony display and the magical Seahorse Kingdom, then take an underwater journey to discover a diverse collection of aquatic life up close. After an included lunch, we ascend Auckland’s iconic Sky Tower, the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand, offering breathtaking views in every direction. Later, we embark on a brief sightseeing tour of the city including American’s Cup Village, lively Queen Street, and the Harbor Bridge before heading to the airport for our evening flight to Los Angeles. We cross the International Date Line and gain a day, arriving early in the afternoon.

Day 13 : Homeward