10-Nights Wonders of New Zealand - Small Group Journeys from $13,495

Itinerary Details

1 Arrive Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland is found on New Zealand’s north island, set on a narrow isthmus framed by rolling hills. The city is a gleaming urban oasis on the doorstep of New Zealand’s wild frontier. Upon arrival, settle into your hotel, with immediate access to your room pre-registered by A&K. This afternoon, take in city highlights such as the Harbour Bridge, Eden Park, Mount Eden and Bastion Point. Later, join a private guide for an interactive experience that showcases New Zealand’s iconic rugby team, the All Blacks, revealing the story behind their pulse-pounding rendition of the haka, a Maori ceremonial dance.

Board a ferry to Waiheke Island for a day of private food and wine tastings. Enjoy locallyproduced specialty foods, accompanied by wines from some of the island’s top boutique vineyards, followed by lunch at one of New Zealand’s top vineyard restaurants.

Venture through the lush pasturelands of Waikato to rural Matamata, the iconic MiddleEarth film location featured in the smash-hit movie trilogy of The Lord of the Rings. Privately tour Hobbiton, where J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary stories came to cinematic life. Continue into the highlands to Rotorua. Set on a lake near the center of New Zealand’s vast North Island, Rotorua boasts an astonishing wealth of geothermal wonders — geysers, hot springs and mud pools.

Start your day with a guided geothermal walk for an up-close look at the bubbling mud pools and steaming geysers unique to this region. Then, partake in an A&K-exclusive experience as you enjoy a private tour of the National Kiwi Hatchery, a project supported by A&K Philanthropy. Observe the inner workings of a kiwi nursery and hatchery — the largest of its kind in the world — and hear about the other work being done to conserve the small f lightless bird that serves as a proud symbol of this island nation. Proceed to a local Maorivillage, where you are traditionally welcomed to the marae (gathering place). Learn about the special occasions celebrated there and discover the site’s enduring importance to the tribe. Cap off your visit with a private lunch hosted in a local home, gaining insights into the day-to-day life of local people over a meal prepared with Maori traditional tastes and influences in mind. Enjoy the rest of your day on your own.

Fly to Wellington, New Zealand’s trendsetting capital, where you encounter authentic “Kiwi” life. This relatively small city is nonetheless worldly, brimming with hip galleries, fascinating museums, craft breweries and trendy cafés. Upon arrival, visit the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa to view its vast collection of cultural and indigenous treasures. Ascend by cable car to a scenic outlook for incredible views over Wellington Harbour. This evening, dine at a local restaurant.

Fly to Blenheim on New Zealand’s South Island, where you drive to the Omaka Heritage Centre for a behind-the-scenes tour. Then privately explore one of the Marlborough’s premier wineries and vineyards, tasting its fine wine. This afternoon, board the Coastal Pacific Train for a relaxing ride to Kaikoura, a picturesque rail journey that follows the rugged coast between the mountains and the sea. On arrival, check into your hotel.

Embark on an exciting whale-watching cruise, seeking out a breathtaking up-close encounter with sperm whales, the deep-diving species that was the model for Melville’s Moby Dick. You may also sight orcas, New Zealand’s tiny Hector dolphins or high-spirited dusky dolphins. Kaikoura also boasts a large concentration of seabirds, including albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters. Back on land, proceed to Hapuku Kitchen for an A&K exclusive culinary experience. Start with a three-course farm-to-table lunch accompanied by beer and wine. Then forage the on-site garden with your chef for fruits and herbs. Your harvest bounty is used to craft a seasonal, local dessert in a hands-on cooking demonstration. Enjoy the fruits of your labor with a cup of herbal tea.

Drive to Christchurch for your flight to Queenstown. Flanked by soaring mountains, this sophisticated enclave graces the shores of a pristine lake. It was once a Maori settlement and later a gold mining outpost. Today, it’s a hub for adventure. Upon touchdown, drive to nearby Arrowtown, a settlement established in 1862 during the Otago gold rush, which you have time to explore on your own.

Board a flight to Milford Sound (weather permitting), taking in the stunning alpine views along the way. Once there, embark on a cruise of the sound’s majestic scenery. Glide on New Zealand’s southern fjords amid towering cliffs, viewing sparkling waterfalls and watching for wildlife. Return by air to Queenstown and later drive to a picturesque sheep and cattle station with a rich history. Meet your hosts and watch a working sheep dog muster a flock.

After a relaxing morning at leisure, enjoy one of these Design Your Day options.

• Embark on an Exhilarating Jet Boat Ride through the stunning natural scenery of Shotover Canyon.
• Tour the Otago Wine Region, visiting wineries and tasting wines, including the region’s renowned Pinot Noir.
• Hike the Shores of Lake Wakatipu through native beech forest and follow Twelve Mile Creek to view relics from the area’s historic old-mining era and take in lake vistas.

This evening, gather for a special farewell dinner.

After breakfast, take your private transfer to the airport for your departing flight.