In our opinion the best fully inclusive two week fully escorted tour of New Zealand out there!

Experience the natural beauty and unique culture of both the North and South Islands by modern coach without breaking the budget. This inclusive package features quality accommodations, most meals, the "must do" icons of New Zealand and an extensive list of tours included in your tour price.

Commence your tour in Christchurch, travel across the Southern Alps to Lake Tekapo and the Scottish settlement of Dunedin before arriving at one of the highlights of the South Island – Milford Sound. Continue on to the alpine resort town of Queenstown, across the West Coast Glaciers and board the stunning Tranz Alpine Express Rail Journey, lauded as one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. Head North and crossing from the South to the North Islands by ferry and arrive at the capital city of Wellington, later on to the Maori cultural center of Rotorua and ending in New Zealand’s largest city Auckland having truly experienced the best of New Zealand from South to North.

• Round trip coach class air travel from Los Angeles to New Zealand
• Personalized Meet & Greet on arrival
• 14 Days of Modern coach travel with 2-door access, restroom, reclining seats, and panoramic windows (maximum of 32 passengers)
• Professional Coach Captain operating as your driver/guide
• 13 nights accommodation in 4* accommodation
• All sightseeing and pre-paid attractions as outlined in the itinerary
• 13 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast: Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua, 11 sumptuous dinners including 3 specialty dinners: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Maori Hangi and Concert, Rotorua, Farewell dinner in Auckland; 1 picnic lunch,1 delicious Devonshire Tea: Larnach Castle & Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks)
• Airport transfers in New Zealand
• All airport & hotel taxes

Day 1 - Depart Los Angeles or San Francisco for evening flight to New Zealand
Ask about our options with Premium Economy and Business class airfare.

Day 2 - Cross International Date Line

Day 3 - Arrive Christchurch
On arrival into Christchurch, you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoys a complimentary pre-dinner drink when you meet your Tour Leader and traveling companions for dinner.

Accommodation - Hotel Distinction Christchurch Hotel

Day 4 - Christchurch - Mt Cook - Twizel
After an introductory city sights tour, depart Christchurch and travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, The Church of the Good Shepherd, and the Sheep Dog Statue—Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges, including Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps before traveling to Twizel.

Accommodation - Hotel MacKenzie Country Hotel

Day 5 - Twizel - Dunedin
Depart Twizel and see Lake Benmore before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy a city sights tour followed by some free time.

Accommodation - Hotel Scenic Hotel Southern Cross

Day 6 - Dunedin - Te Anau
This morning travel out along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).

Accommodation - Distinction Luxmore Lake Te Anau (Superior Room)

Day 7 - Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound, where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy lunch. This afternoon travel to Queenstown, overlooking magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year-round resort which offers a wide range of activities and attractions. This evening is at leisure; you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.

Accommodation - Hotel Millennium Hotel Queenstown (2 nights)

Day 8 - Queenstown (Free Day)
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown, with many optional activities available. You can enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride or a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh, and locally sourced food at the Colonel's Homestead. After dinner, enjoy a short farm tour, then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing-along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.

Accommodation - Millennium Hotel Queenstown

Includes: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner

Day 9 - Queenstown – Franz Josef
Travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the mighty West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to the township of Franz Josef. Time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

Accommodation - Hotel Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Douglas Wing)

Day 10 - Franz Josef - Arthur's Pass - Christchurch
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue into Arthur's Pass and board the Tranz Alpine, renowned as one of the world's great train journeys. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts, and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains. On arrival into the elegant city of Christchurch, your coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

Accommodation - Hotel Distinction Christchurch Hotel

Includes: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 11 - Christchurch - Picton - Wellington
Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikõura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you will board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington.

Accommodation - Hotel James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room) (2 nights)

Day 12 - Wellington
This morning's highlight will be exploring the Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum. Cutting-edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Reboard your coach for an extensive city tour that showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time this afternoon, and this evening is also free to choose your own dining arrangements.

Accommodation - Hotel James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room)

Includes: Breakfast

Day 13 - Wellington - Taupo - Rotorua
Depart Wellington and view the snowcapped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro as you travel to Lake Taupo. Visit the spectacular Huka Falls, then travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua.

Accommodation - Hotel Pullman Rotorua (City View Room) (2 nights)

Day 14 - Rotorua
Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua, with spectacular views. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride! The next stop is the Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education, unlike anything you've seen before. Free time is available this afternoon before traveling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening experience an entertaining Mãori Hãngi and Concert.

Accommodation - Hotel Pullman Rotorua (City View Room)

Day 15 - Rotorua - Auckland
This morning depart Rotorua and travel through the picturesque countryside to Hobbiton for a guided tour of the Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Your guide will recount how this beautiful piece of farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle Earth. Continue north to Auckland for an orientation tour. Enjoy a pre-dinner drink with your new friends this evening at the farewell dinner.

Accommodation - Hotel Sudima Auckland City

Day 16 - Depart Auckland
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.

Aspire Tip: This tour is very popular with the Australian traveler. So when you travel on the 16 Day Fully Escorted Tour of New Zealand, your traveling companions are most likely to be Australian which usually means for a fun time with a friendly group of like-minded travelers!

request a quote or virtual appointment

Before committing to a trip, please ensure you have a valid passport. New Zealand welcomes US travelers with an approved Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)

Read more about the NZ entry requirements

Add on airfares are available from most major airports – please ask an Aspire consultant for a quote

• Upgrade to premium economy from $1,050 per person each way
• Upgrade to business class from $3,500 per person each way*

Can take the upgrade one way or round trip and combine premium/business classes on same ticket

* Upgrade from pricing based on Monday through Thursday departures from Los Angeles - ask an Aspire consultant for the upgrade fee from other departure points and travel Thursday through Saturday.

Conditions

Package from pricing is based on double occupancy (2 people sharing a room) from Los Angeles or San Francisco for the 15 September 2023 tour. Add $180 per person for all other tour departures. Add-on fares are available from other cities. Seats are limited and may not be available on every flight. Hotels are subject to availability. All prices reflect a discount for purchases made by check/wire; please see the terms and conditions for credit card payments. Cancellation penalties and other restrictions apply.

To guarantee the package price & purchase the airline tickets, full payment is due at the time of booking. The purchase of travel Insurance is highly recommended for travel to New Zealand. Aspire Down Under partners with CSA Travel Protection.