New Zealand

13 Day Nikau, New Zealand Small Group Tour

Return to Small Group Tours

13 days Small Group Tours Auckland to Christchurch

Auckland - Coromandel - Rotorua - Napier - Wellington - Marlborough Sounds - Christchurch

New Zealand Small Group Tour - We'll take you to a few places off the beaten track and you will experience the true diversity of this breathtaking country. History, culture, scenery & adventure ... they all feature on this trip designed to give you a brief insight into the land they call ‘Aotearoa-Land of the Long White Cloud'.

Day 1 Arrive Auckland

Having cleared customs & immigration formalities, you will be met by our representative & transferred by limousine to your Auckland city hotel. The 'City of Sails' is New Zealand's largest and most vibrant, offering an exciting array of cosmopolitan experiences.

Stay Heritage Auckland Hotel (2 nights)

Day 2 Auckland at leisure (B)

Auckland's blend of islands, rainforest, Polynesian culture, glistening harbours and modern city environment creates an unbelievable lifestyle that is ranked amongst the highest in the world. Auckland provides visitors with so many wonderful experiences, plenty within easy reach of the downtown city centre. Today is a free day at leisure to relax & explore what Auckland has to offer.

Day 3 Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula (B)

Today, travel south to the Coromandel Peninsula, a beautiful rugged area fringed with dozens of excellent beaches that separate the Pacific Ocean from the Hauraki Gulf. It is a place where many kiwis choose to escape the hustle & hype of city life and is home to many arts & crafts people who seek an alternative lifestyle.

At the quaint township of Coromandel, we ride the Driving Creek narrow gauge railway to a fascinating artist colony before crossing the divide to the eastern side of the peninsula for our overnight stay in Tairua.

Stay Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort (1 night)

Day 4 Coromandel, Rotorua (B,D)

Journey along the Bay of Plenty coastline to Mt Maunganui & Tauranga. Then head inland across the volcanic plateau to the geothermal city of Rotorua, an area that has enchanted visitors from around the world for more than 160 years.

This evening, enjoy a twilight cruise across Lake Rotoiti to the natural themal springs of Manupirua Pools before enjoying a lakeside BBQ dinner at your resort.

Stay  Amora Lake Resort Okawa Bay (2 nights)

Day 5 Exclusive Lake Tarawera Cruise & Te Wairoa Buried Village (B,L)

The days highlight is an exclusive cruise across the pristine, clear waters of Lake Tarawera at the base of a gigantic dormant volcano. You'll experience spectacular scenery & some of the country's best trout fishing & have the opportunity to soak in the thermal waters of Hot Water Beach before enjoying a gourmet picnic lunch.

This afternoon, visit the Blue & Green Lakes and then wander around the famous buried village of Te Wairoa.

Day 6 Lake Taupo, Napier (B)

This morning, visit Wai-O-Tapu, a wonderland of geothermal activity. Walk at your own pace and marvel at the reserve's unique features that include the world famous Champagne Pool, geysers, bubbling mud, steaming ground, expansive vistas, huge volcanic craters & sinter terrace formations.

An hour south of Rotorua is Lake Taupo, itself a gigantic volcanic crater following an enormous explosion in AD183. View Huka Falls & the Wairakei Geothermal project and take time to walk around this popular lakeside resort.

Journey on to Napier, widely regarded as the 'Art Deco Capital of the World', the result of a thorough rebuilding after a massive earthquake in 1931. It boasts the largest collection of Art Deco buildings outside of Miami, Florida.

Nowhere else can you see as wide a variety of 1930's-style buildings in such a concentrated area, including Striped Classical, Spanish Mission and above all, Art Deco. Your local guide will bring this fascinating architecture to life on your walk around the town this afternoon.

Stay Te Pania Hotel (2 nights)

Day 7 At leisure in the Hawke's Bay (B)

Widely regarded as the ‘Tuscany of the South Pacific', the Hawkes Bay region boasts some of New Zealand's best and oldest wineries. You can enjoy a guided wine trail and taste some of the great wines produced locally, visit the world's largest mainland Gannet Colony, play a challenging round of golf at Cape Kidnappers, take to the skies on an early morning balloon ride over vineyards, olive groves and orchards or simply relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Day 8 Wairarapa, Wellington (B)

Travel this morning through the rural heartland of the Wairarapa region enroute to Wellington, the nations capital, and enjoy a brief sightseeing and orientation tour before checking into your accommodation. A visit to Te Papa National Museum is highly recommended.

Stay James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (1 night)

Day 9 Picton & the Marlborough Sounds (B, D)

This morning cruise across Cook Strait by Interislander ferry to the picturesque fishing village of Picton. Transfer by floatplane to your remote resort located in the stunning Kenepuru Sound. A scenic mussel cruise to the resort is also available for those who prefer to travel by boat.

Stay Raetihi Lodge (2 nights)

Day 10 Stunning Kenepuru Sound (B, D)

A free day to relax & marvel at the magic that is the Marlborough Sounds. Resort staff will share their love of the Sounds with you through the range of water and nature based experiences they put at your fingertips. Complimentary fishing tackle, kayaks & mountains bikes are provided at the
lodge and there are a number of bush walks to enjoy. Nearby is a picturesque
13-hole rural golf course grazed by sheep with fenced greens or you can
simply relax with a book & soak in the spectacular scenery.

Day 11 Blenheim, Kaikoura (B)

Return to Havelock by water taxi and rejoin your coach. Travel through Blenheim to Kaikoura, a coastal town nestled between the Kaikoura mountain range & the Pacific Ocean. There is time to enjoy one of the many optional marine activities like whale-watching, swimming with dolphins and seals or getting up close and personal to the largest wingspan in the world on a Wandering Albatross encounter.

Stay White Morph Inn (1 night)

Day 12 Coastal Pacific Train to Christchurch (B)

Today you will enjoy a multi-award winning eco-cultural experience with local Maori. Your hosts belong to the Ngai Tahu tribe and are descendants of Paikea, The Whale Rider. They will give you an insight into their culture, traditions, and spiritual values as well as an understanding of how they view the natural world. Later this afternoon, join the Coastal Pacific train for the scenic rail journey to Christchurch the South Island's largest city. On arrival, you will be transferred to your accommodation.

Stay The George Hotel (1 night)

Day 13 Depart Christchurch (B)

Sadly, your holiday is at an end and you will be transferred to Christchurch airport today for your onward flight.

Here, we bid you ‘Haere Ra', a fond farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Back to Top