(15 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch, Kaikoura, Greymouth, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Wharekauhau, and Wellington

This comprehensive luxury tour of New Zealand features both sophisticated cosmopolitan touring as well as majestic natural landscapes.

You'll visit New Zealand's most exciting cities, go whale watching, and take the legendary TranzAlpine train ride. Also tour dramatically beautiful fjords, glaciers, forests, and farmland, and experience the country's renowned cuisine and acclaimed wineries.

Each day is truly personalized and magical, with private touring led by the country's top guides and naturalists. At night, relax in your luxury accommodation at New Zealand most exquisite hotels and lodges, including Treetops, Matakauri, and Wharekauhau.

Auckland and Rotorua

• Begin with a night in the stylish city of Auckland, where private touring includes the waterfront, One Tree Hill, and the upscale suburb of Parnell.
  
  
• Next, drive to the thermal town of Rotorua, stopping to see fascinating glow worm caves en route. Rotorua is best known for its geysers, hot springs, and indigenous Maori population.
  
  
• Spend two nights at the exclusive Treetops Lodge, a gorgeous property with wood and stone architecture surrounded by lush forests, waterfalls, and volcanic crater lakes.

• Continue to the city of Christchurch for a day excursion spent whale watching in Kaikoura.
  
  
• Ride the TranzAlpine — one of the world's most famous train journeys — through spectacular gorges and lush forests.
  
  
• See the glaciers at Franz Josef and spend several days in Queenstown, perhaps the most famous destination in New Zealand.
  
  
• A touring highlight will be an excursion to the Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage park filled with snow covered mountains, glacial lakes and valleys, fiords, islands, waterfalls, and dense forests.

• Continue to Wharekauhau, a luxury estate on a working sheep station surrounded by breathtaking farmland and coastal scenery.
  
  
• Explore the Martinborough Region's vineyards, specialty shops, and wonderful restaurants while taking in the magnificent scenery — this region is a photographer's dream.
  
  
• Dine splendidly in Wharekauhau: featuring local produce, wines, cheeses, and olive oils.
  
  
• Conclude with several days in Wellington, New Zealand's most sophisticated city, best known for its lively arts, culture, and dining scene, as well as its stunning harbor and residential hills.

Day 01	Arrive Auckland Arrival transfer to Hyatt Regency Auckland for overnight. Introductory touring of city, One Tree Hill, and Parnell.
Day 02	Auckland - Rotorua - Treetops Lodge Private tour to Waitomo Glow Worm Caves and sheep show at the Agrodome. Continue to Treetops Lodge for 2 nights. Dinner at lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 03	Treetops Lodge Half-day of private touring or outdoor activity in Rotorua or Taupo. Dinner at lodge. (B,D)
Day 04	Rotorua - Christchurch Transfer and flight to Christchurch. Arrival transfer to The George Hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon private city touring of Christchurch's gardens and neighborhoods. (B)
Day 05	Kaikoura Full-day private whale watching excursion in Kaikoura. (B,L)
Day 06	Christchurch - Greymouth Transfer to station for TranzAlpine Train to Greymouth. Pick up rental car and drive to Kapitea Ridge Hokitika Lodge for overnight. Dinner at lodge. (B,D)
Day 07	Greymouth - Franz Josef Self drive, visiting glaciers en route, to Westwood Lodge for overnight. Dinner at lodge. (B,D)
Day 08	Franz Josef - Queenstown Continue self-drive to Queenstown to Matakauri Lodge for 3 nights. Dinner at lodge. (B,D)
Day 09	Queenstown Full-day Shotover River Jet Safari. Dinner at lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 10	Milford Sound & Queenstown Private drive to Milford Sound for cruise. Fly back to Queenstown this afternoon. Dinner at lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 11	Queenstown - Wellington - Wharekauhau Transfer and flight to Wellington. Arrival transfer to Wharekauhau Country Estate for 2 nights. Dinner at lodge. (B)
Day 12	Wharekauhau At leisure at lodge. Optional activities include: Vineyard visits in Martinborough region, jet boating, horse treks, nature and coastal walks, and the spa and facilities at Wharekauhau. Dinner at lodge. (B,D)
Day 13	Wharekauhau - Wellington Transfer to Wellington for 2 nights at the Duxton Hotel. (B)
Day 14	Wellington Half-day private city touring in Wellington, including the Te Papa Museum, the Waterfront, the Botanic Gardens, and the antique shops and galleries in Thorndon. (B)
Day 15	Depart New Zealand Transfer to Wellington Airport for flight elsewhere in NZ, Australia, or to connect with international flight. (B)

Cost

Per Person Cost (double occupancy): $13,425
* Cost does not include international or internal flights.

To request the complete itinerary for the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary, please contact an Artisans of Leisure travel expert.