Grand Tour of New Zealand

Your New Zealand adventure begins at London Heathrow, where we meet the Tour Manager and our travelling group before boarding our flight to Auckland, travelling via Singapore or Hong Kong.

Ahead of us are 18 full days of exploring New Zealand in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, a small island nation which packs a punch in terms of diversity - from multicultural cities and rural towns to untamed wilderness, glacial lakes and spectacular mountains. We can also look forward to journeys on New Zealand's scenic railways, discovering stunning geological sites and taking part in a variety of Māori cultural experiences.

Our long journey by air is broken with a stopover in Singapore, where we join a connecting flight to Auckland, New Zealand's most populous city in the North Island of New Zealand.

New Zealand was first inhabited by the Māori people who arrived by canoe in the early 13th-century from Eastern Polynesia. Centuries later, the explorer Abel Tasman landed there and the islands were named after the Dutch province of Zeeland in 1642. The country became a British colony in the 19th-century, with Auckland as its capital. Today, Auckland is a buzzing but friendly metropolis, a blend of Polynesian and Anglo culture with a thriving arts scene and unique cuisine.

With an outstanding location between two harbours and bordered by rainforest, Auckland is New Zealand's largest city. Due to its long maritime heritage, a busy marina and a bay dotted with sailing boats and yachts, it is known locally as the 'City of Sails'.

Arriving in Auckland around midday, we transfer to our centrally located hotel, where you are free for the rest of the day until dinner this evening.

You might like to unwind at the hotel or take a gentle stroll to the nearby Viaduct Harbour. This vibrant waterfront is home to sleek yachts, waterside cafés and open-air bars, offering a relaxed and scenic spot to soak up your first taste of New Zealand life before returning to the hotel for dinner.

• Dinner

After breakfast, we drive north through scenic farmland to Paihia, a small coastal town on the North Island known as the gateway to the Bay of Islands. Originally settled by the Māori people around 700 years ago, it was Captain James Cook who named this picturesque archipelago of 144 islands in 1769.

We stop enroute in Whangarei where there is time to purchase lunch, before heading to our next stop, the Waitangi Treaty House. Signed in 1840 by the British and around 540 Māori chiefs, the Waitangi Treaty is New Zealand's founding document. On a guided tour, we visit the Treaty House, the world's largest war canoe, the Meeting House and the famous Flagpole, with time to explore the grounds and museum.

Later, we continue by coach to Paihia, a small coastal town on the North Island known as the gateway to the Bay of Islands, where we check in to our hotel for two nights. This evening you are free to dine independently at one of the many restaurants around the harbour.

• Breakfast

One of the highlights of our tour awaits after breakfast this morning - a cruise on a luxury catamaran around the spectacular Bay of Islands to rugged Cape Brett. We pass the Cape Brett lighthouse, Motukokako Island and the famous Hole in the Rock, a stunning geological formation.

On our return trip we pass some of the Bay's many remote islands, fringed with golden sand beaches. On the return trip to Paihia, it is possible to disembark at Russell, New Zealand's first permanent European settlement, which also has a deep indigenous history (return ferry ticket - not included).

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure and you may like to take a dip in the inviting turquoise sea, or in the hotel pool. This evening, you're free to dine independently, with the chance to sample local cuisine in one of Paihia's welcoming restaurants.

• Breakfast

Heading to Auckland after breakfast, we travel first into the heart of the Waiomio Valley to visit the magical Kawiti Glowworm Caves. This unique cave system is renowned for its dramatic rock formations, lush rainforest setting and, of course, the spectacular sight of thousands of luminous glow worms. During our visit, we gain an insight into their fascinating ecosystem.

After lunch, we arrive in Auckland and enjoy a guided sightseeing tour. Enroute, we savour panoramic views over the city harbour from Bastion Point, before calling at Parnell Village, Auckland's oldest suburb. We continue along the waterfront drive to Viaduct Harbour, where there's free time. The harbour has tempting places to dine and interesting museums and galleries to visit. For example, the New Zealand Maritime Museum on Hobson Wharf, whose intriguing collection relates to its seafaring history, from Polynesian days to the present.

After returning to our hotel, the rest of the day is yours to explore. For dinner, you are spoilt for choice and could dine in one of the cafés or restaurants to be found in central Auckland.

• Breakfast

Our day starts with a nostalgic journey on the Glenbrook Vintage Railway, New Zealand's premier heritage line, travelling aboard a beautifully restored steam train. This 1922 route takes us on a round trip to the boundary of the Auckland and Waikato regions.

We continue by coach through the scenic Bombay Hills and Waikato Valley, before arriving in Rotorua, the spiritual home of the Māori. Known for its fascinating geothermal activity, therapeutic hot springs and bubbling mud pools, Rotorua will be our base for the next two nights. This amazing city is surrounded by a dozen lakes and multiple extinct volcanoes.

After an introductory orientation tour we check in to our hotel, and this evening is at leisure. There is a restaurant onsite at the hotel and there are many other enticing dining options in the town Rotorua.

• Breakfast

After a morning at leisure, we set out on a sightseeing tour of Rotorua. Our first stop is the magnificent Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest, where a peaceful walk among towering trees offers stunning views and a chance to soak up the tranquil atmosphere. We then continue to the Blue and Green Lakes, whose Māori names are Lake Tikitapu and Lake Rotokākahi, before visiting Lake Tarawera.

We return to our hotel before an afternoon drive to the Te Puia Thermal Park for a guided tour and Māori cultural experience. First, we are introduced to the geothermal activity in the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, its boiling mud pools, steaming silica terraces, hot springs and geysers including the famous Pohutu Geyser which erupts up to 30 metres high.

Next, we visit the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute where young Māori learn the skills of their ancestors. Later, we indulge in a buffet dinner prepared by hāngī (a Māori method of cooking), followed by a performance of song, traditional chant and dance. The evening ends with a hot chocolate served in the geothermal valley, which is bathed in coloured light. We're then transferred back to our hotel in Rotorua.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today we experience another highlight of the tour, boarding the renowned Northern Explorer for one of the world's greatest rail journeys. This stunning route takes us into 'King Country', an area once ruled by Māori kings, and from panoramic windows the volcano Mount Pirongia can be seen in the distance.

After passing Te Kuiti, the sheep shearing capital of the world, we cross the Waiteti viaduct, then travel through New Zealand's distinctive valleys, hills and hillocks, the landscape of Hobbiton in Tolkien's 'Lord of the Ring's. We also experience the fantastic Raurimu Spiral, a masterpiece of 19th-century railway engineering, and pass the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park.

After following rivers, entering gorges and crossing more viaducts, we finally reach the coastline of soft sands and crashing waves, with views across the Tasman Sea to Kapiti Island. On a clear evening, we may be lucky to witness a sensational sunset before arriving to Wellington. We are transferred to our hotel in the heart of the city with a free evening ahead.

• Breakfast

This morning, we set out on a half-day sightseeing tour, starting with a ride on the historic Wellington Cable Car to the Botanic Gardens. Travelling through the hillside terraced houses of Kelburn to Lambton Quay, enjoy sweeping views of the city and harbour at the top, before taking a stroll through the gardens' vibrant floral displays, exotic forests and native bush.

We continue by coach past city highlights including Oriental Bay, the iconic 'Beehive' and Old St Paul's Church - a fine example of colonial Gothic architecture. In Hannah's Laneway, a hub of boutique producers, you'll find sweet treats and local delicacies to try or buy. The tour ends at Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum, where you can join a guided tour to introduce you to the country's unique natural world, Māori culture and colonial history.

This afternoon is free to explore. You might visit Zealandia, a nearby eco-sanctuary for native wildlife, or simply relax in one of Wellington's many cafés or waterfront bars. From craft beer to classic Kiwi fish and chips, the city offers a fantastic mix of flavours to round off your day.

• Breakfast

We board the Interislander ferry this morning for a journey across Cook Strait, a stretch of ocean which serves as a passageway between New Zealand's North and South Islands. Arriving in the picturesque port town of Picton, at the heart of the calm Marlborough Sounds, there is free time over lunch, which you could spend in one of the inviting waterfront cafés in the harbour.

Next, we join the Coastal Pacific Train for another memorable rail journey, travelling to the South Island city of Christchurch. Along the way, enjoy stunning views of the Marlborough region and farmlands of the North Canterbury Plains. On a section of our route, the ocean unfolds on one side while mountains rise dramatically on the other.

We arrive in Christchurch this evening, the largest city in the South Island, where we spend the night. This cultural city is known for its contemporary international cuisine, sharing plates and its innovative approach to New Zealand dishes, and there are plenty of dining options to choose from this evening.

• Breakfast

With a day at leisure in Christchurch stretching ahead, there are many ways to enjoy it, and a complimentary day pass on the city's historic tram makes getting around the city easy. Besides its striking architecture and some of New Zealand's oldest buildings, there are many green spaces to explore. For example, the city's Botanic Gardens - whose restaurant serves authentic Spanish dishes, or the urban park on the banks of the Avon River.

This unique city also offers an eclectic mix of street art to fine art. To discover more, you could visit the Christchurch Art Gallery, whose Māori name is Te Puna o Waiwhetū, or the Centre for Contemporary Art.

A ride on the Christchurch Gondola is another popular option, for views across the city and Lyttelton Harbour, across to the Southern Alps, Canterbury Plains, beautiful Pegasus Bay and the Pacific Ocean. To venture beyond the city, you could take a wine tour of the nearby Waipara Region. In New Zealand's second largest city your dining options are endless, and Christchurch has a reputation for wholesome, healthy food and friendly hospitality.

• Breakfast

After breakfast we leave Christchurch to continue by coach for a beautifully scenic journey to Twizel, into the vast Mount Cook National Park. Our journey takes us through Fairlie, an attractive rural town, before crossing the mountainous Burke's Pass.

We make a short stop for lunch in the lakeside town of Tekapo, where you could visit the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd, set against a striking mountain backdrop on the shores of the lake. We also see Lake Pukaki, a stunning glacial lake with vivid blue waters.

Our journey continues alongside Lake Pukaki, a stunning alpine lake with icy blue waters in Mount Cook National Park. This dramatic terrain of ice and rock, in the form of immense glaciers and soaring mountains, includes New Zealand's highest alpine mountain, also known as Aoraki. We enjoy some free time in Mount Cook village before travelling on to the relaxed town of Twizel, where we spend the night.

• Breakfast

Today we leave the Mount Cook National Park and drive to Te Anau, a breathtaking setting on the eastern shores of Lake Te Anau, whose name in Māori means the Place of the Swirling Waters. Overlooked by magnificent snow-capped mountains, Te Anau is the gateway to New Zealand's Fiordland in the south-western corner of the South Island. Our route takes us past the summit of the beautiful Lindis Pass, along the Clutha River, besides Lake Dunstan and over the suspension bridge of the immense Kawararu river gorge.

On arrival in Te Anau, we visit the Fiordland Cinema for a viewing of 'Fiordland on Film', a 32-minute movie offering a great introduction to the local area, taking you on an unforgettable journey through one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the world.

This evening, you might like to explore the town's inviting restaurants, many of which showcase local produce and South Island wines.

• Breakfast

Today we set out after breakfast on a full-day coach excursion into the world-acclaimed Fiordland National Park. Part of the UNESCO Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area, the park is one of the great wilderness areas of the Southern Hemisphere, featuring ancient fjords, towering forests and craggy mountains. Enroute, we stop at the spectacular Mirror Lakes, two deep, blue lakes framed by a striking mountain backdrop, before continuing through the scenic Hollyford valley.

Milford Sound is our destination, the most famous of New Zealand's ancient glacier-carved fjords. Here we see lush rainforest valleys where waterfalls cascade over sheer granite cliffs to the sea below. We cruise across the serene water, with a boxed lunch served on board. Back on land, we continue by road, via the scenic Eglinton Valley and the incredible Homer tunnel, hewn from solid granite, to our lakefront hotel in Queenstown.

This popular destination offers more majestic scenery, a picturesque lake, hot springs, and a great selection of places to eat.

• Breakfast, Lunch

After a free morning in New Zealand's 'adventure capital', Queenstown, we are given a guided sightseeing tour of the city. We visit historic Arrowtown, the site of a gold rush in the 1860s and a 'Lord of the Rings' filming location, before continuing to the famous Gibbston Valley Wine Cave, where we enjoy a look around the deep underground cellars and a taste of some of these highly rated wines.

Next, we board the vintage steamship, TSS Earnslaw, for a cruise across azure Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand's longest lake. Sailing since 1912, this is the oldest passenger carrying steamship in the Southern hemisphere. We pass an impressive range of snow-capped mountains called the Remarkables and the distinctive tip of Cecil Peak.

Mooring up at the Colonel's Homestead, we then enjoy a barbecue dinner at the Walter Peak High Country farm, followed by a demonstration of farming activities. Later, we rejoin our ship for a night-time sailing back to Queenstown.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A full free day awaits after breakfast this morning, providing a chance to explore Queenstown at your own pace. For fantastic views across the town, maybe take the gondola up to Bob's peak, a towering ridge with panoramic vistas. Or you may prefer to visit the peaceful Queenstown Gardens, a haven of native and exotic trees, with a lake and formal gardens, a short distance from the busy town along a peninsula.

Other options include taking a gentle walk (or a serious hike!) along the coastline or indulging in a spa experience at the Onsen Hot Pools, reachable by taxi, in a spectacular setting overlooking the Shotover River. Booking ahead for treatments at the spa is recommended.

The town has an excellent food scene and an exciting choice of restaurants and cafés offering fresh and healthy dishes with a creative twist.

• Breakfast

Today is an excursion to the Franz Josef Glacier, and we set off on a scenic drive through Kawarau Valley Gorge to Cromwell. This popular fruit growing valley has become an important wine producing area in recent years. Stopping at Jones Family Fruit Stall, there's free time to buy fresh produce, honey, preserves or gifts, or maybe indulge in a real fruit ice cream. Alternatively, you could choose to walk through the orchards and visit the rose and dahlia gardens.

Our tour continues around Lake Dunstan into New Zealand's breathtaking Glacier Country, passing the ski-resort of Wanaka on the beautiful shores of the glacial Lake Wanaka and Hawea, then crossing the Haast Mountain Pass through the Southern Alps. After descending to follow the course of the Haast River towards the coast, we travel north through natural rainforest and past pretty bush-fringed lakes. Around 30 minutes after passing the Fox Glacier we arrive in the town of Franz Josef, whose Māori name is Waiau.

• Breakfast

This morning, we leave Franz Josef and travel north by coach through forests and farmlands, with the Southern Alps rising sharply to the east and vistas of the Tasman Sea to the west. We stop in Hokitika where we have free time to explore the charming town, enjoy lunch and perhaps visit a boutique jade shop, where local craftspeople create jewellery and ornaments from greenstone (pounamu). Next, we continue inland to the small, remote village of Arthur's Pass, nestled in the heart of Arthur's Pass National Park.

This afternoon is a highlight of our holiday, a journey aboard the TranzAlpine train into New Zealand's spectacular Southern Alps from Arthur's Pass to Christchurch. Travelling in panoramic viewing carriages, one end of the train has an open-air viewing platform. The train crosses viaducts, picturesque gorges and river valleys, into the fertile Canterbury Plains before arriving in the city of Christchurch.

After checking in to our hotel, we mark our last night in New Zealand with a farewell group dinner. Later, you may like to try one of the city's live music venues in the Boxed Quarter, where you can hear local blues among music of other genres.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning after breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our return flight to London Heathrow, where we arrive the next day.

• Breakfast

This outstanding New Zealand adventure has taken us from the dynamic city of Auckland to the breathtaking Bay of Islands, and from the spiritual home of Māori, Rotorua, to the harbour city of Wellington at the southern tip of the North Island. We have experienced the epic scenery of the South Island, from Mount Cook National Park to the stunning Fiordland and the iconic Franz Josef Glacier. We've also travelled on some of the world's most celebrated railways including the Northern Explorer, Coastal Pacific and the TranzAlpine.

On arrival back in London Heathrow this morning, our 'Grand Tour of New Zealand' concludes, and you are free to make your way home.