Your tour starts from Auckland, New Zealand’s "City of Sails" and one of the friendly MoaTrek team will meet you on arrival. Explore roads less travelled on this special small group New Zealand tour and discover country hospitality and nature in the wild. In the North Island we discover authentic Maori culture around Rotorua and visit Tongariro National Park, in the South Island we tour the Mount Cook region and visit famous Milford Sound by land, sea and air. Meet the locals over private lunches at Lake Tarawera, a mid-Canterbury farmhouse and Lake Wanaka.

Moatrek knows what really makes any trip extra special, they'll introduce you to people they're lucky to call mates - guardians of ‘Tane Mahuta’ Lord of the Forest and hear legends from guides who were literally born into Maanakitanga (hospitality) and Kaitiakitanga (guardianship). MoaTrek is a family owned New Zealand company, started in 1971 and run by mother and son team Ena and Miles - with a few more ‘extended’ family around these days too and of course wonderful 'Kiwi Guides'. From planning your big trip, right through to finding that special Kiwi momento once you’re touring with Moatrek, you will be looked after you every step of the way.

• Round trip coach class air travel from Los Angeles to New Zealand
• All travel in comfortable, air conditioned coaches (maximum of 18 travelers)
• Your MoaTrek 'Kiwi Guide' is at your service every day of your tour
• Relax in quality accommodation handpicked for the best views and location, porterage included
• Learn about the history of Northland and the mighty Kauri tree at the Kauri Museum, Matakohe.
• Enjoy a spiritual journey with Maori guides to Tane Mahuta, the ancient ‘Lord of the Forest.’
• Cruise across the glistening waters of Hokianga Harbour and sand boarding.
• Explore Kerikeri’s historic Stone Store.
• Learn about the history of New Zealand at the Waitangi Treaty House.
• Enjoy a dolphin cruise out to the famous Hole in the Rock and Cape Brett, with the chance to swim with the dolphins in the Bay of Islands.
• See thousands of twinkling glowworms on a guided tour through Kawiti Caves.
• Visit a working Kiwifruit orchard, meet the growers and taste the fruit fresh off the vine.
• Cruise across Lake Rotoiti on the luxury yacht “Tuia” before soaking in mineral hot pools on the edge of the lake.
• Te Wairoa Buried Village Museum and grounds.
• Visit the Kiwi Encounter in Rotorua and learn all about the work being done to protect our national bird.
• Wander New Zealand's most colourful geothermal park at Wai-O-Tapu.
• Explore Napier with a private guided tour of this famous Art Deco town.
• Enjoy a scenic cruise across the Cook Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound on-board the Interislander ferry.
• Taste a selection of wines in Marlborough, New Zealand’s premier wine-growing region.
• Take a cruise to the golden sands of the Abel Tasman National Park.
• Enjoy breathtaking views of Queenstown on the Skyline Gondola.
• Experience the pristine landscapes of Milford Sound with a 1.45 hour nature and wildlife cruise.
• Soar high above the Southern Alps from Milford Sound to Queenstown on a scenic flight.
Enjoy a guided kayak or leisurely cruise around the shallow waters of secluded Okarito Lagoon.
• All breakfasts are included
• A selection of special lunches - Te Wairoa Buried Village, Lake Tarawera, Rotorua; Akaunui Farm homestead, Canterbury, private Wanaka homestead, Wanaka.
• Two special dinners - Copthorne Hotel and Resort, Hokianga; celebratory final dinner at Punakaiki Resort.

Day 1 - Depart US
Ask about our options with Premium Economy and Business class airfare.

Day 2 - Cross International Date Line

Day 3 - Arrive in Auckland
Your tour starts from Auckland, New Zealand’s "City of Sails" and one of the friendly MoaTrek team will meet you at the airport today (or whenever you arrive) and will drop you off at your hotel. Your home for the night is just a short stroll away from the cafes and restaurants of Viaduct Harbour, Wynyard Quarter, Princes Wharf and the downtown shopping district. Can’t wait to get out into that New Zealand fresh air? Ferries to Devonport or the Hauraki Gulf islands are right there too!

There’s no better way to get your bearings than to take the stunning view from the Sky Tower, or a short ride to the Auckland Museum, watching over the city from the Auckland Domain.

Accommodation - Auckland Viaduct - Sebel Suites

Day 4 - Auckland - Rotorua
From Auckland our tour continues to Rotorua, via the lush pastures of the Waikato and fruit basket of the Bay of Plenty. Our first stop is the dramatic Karangahake Gorge for a stroll alongside the Ohinemuri River through native bush to the relics and ruins of this region's gold-mining past.

We pass through Te Puke, the Kiwifruit capital of the world, where we'll visit a working Kiwifruit orchard before continuing on to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua. Along the way, at Okawa Bay, we board "Tiua", a 53ft catamaran for a relaxing sail on serene Lake Rotoiti to secluded coves and natural hot pools reached only by boat - a memorable end to an awesome day.

Accommodation - Rotorua - Novotel Lakeside

Day 5 - Rotorua tours and activities
We’ve got two nights in Rotorua, so take it easy this morning! Perhaps stroll down to the lakeside, just minutes from your hotel, or enjoy one of Rotorua's many guided tours and attractions. Don’t miss nearby Ohinemutu marae, one of only two living Maori villages left in New Zealand. We'll head to the famous 'Buried Village of Te Wairoa' for a hosted lunch with our friends David and Karen, you’ll love them and their stories from their Maori and European histories.

After lunch let’s take a walk around the village itself before we learn all about our national icon (the Kiwi bird) and the amazing efforts that go into ensuring their survival at the Rotorua Kiwi Encounter. When you see a live Kiwi you'll be amazed at how big they are!

Accommodation - Rotorua - Novotel Lakeside

Day 6 - Rotorua - Tongariro National Park
No Kiwi holiday would be complete without a visit to the surreal, geothermal reserve of Wai-O-Tapu. The bubbling mud pools and incredibly colourful silica terraces are unforgettable.

From Rotorua we continue on our adventure to ‘Great Lake’ Taupo, for a stop at the famous Huka Falls. We’ll take our time and make plenty of stops around the lake to enjoy the magnificent views of our three volcanoes - Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu. These lunar landscape of the volcanic plateau are our next stop on tour, Tongariro National Park. You’ll love the grandeur of our home for the night ‘Chateau Tongariro’ at the foot of Mt Ruapehu, the perfect spot to stretch your legs on a short walk before dinner.

Accommodation - Tongariro National Park - Chateau Tongariro

Day 7 - Tongariro National Park - Napier
Our day starts in style, with breakfast at the historic Chateau Tongariro nestled at the base of the mountains. This is the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, from this volcanic plateau we make our way across the high country and down to the seaside holiday spot of Hawke’s Bay. There won’t be many Kiwis who don’t have awesome summer holiday memories from ‘the Bay’! You'll slip right into holiday mode as we pass through the idyllic Hawke's Bay patchwork of orchards, pasture, vineyards and of course the sweeping coastline. On to Napier, where the afternoon is yours to explore the town at your leisure.

Renowned for its Art Deco architecture, Napier was rebuilt in this style after an earthquake in 1931 and nowadays the whole community embraces Art Deco, there’s definitely a ‘Great Gatsby’ feel to the place! On arrival, take your pick of a guided walking tour of the Napier's impressive Art Deco buildings, or you may prefer a cocktail overlooking the ocean, we’re in the best spot possible tonight!

Accommodation - Napier - Scenic Hotel Te Pania

Day 8 - Napier - Wellington
Say goodbye to Napier as we travel through the countryside and vineyards, through the small towns of Norsewood and Dannevirke before heading down the Wairarapa Plains to historic, arty Greytown. Its picturesque main street is lined with antique, craft and gift shops, it’s also at the centre of the Wairarapa's premium wine-growing region, go on, grab a glass with lunch, you’re on holiday!

Something different about our tour is the overnight stay in Wellington, we reckon you can’t miss ’the coolest little capital in the world'. We’ll check out the city's sights and head up Mt Victoria for the stunning views over the harbour before getting settled for the night. We’re right in the heart of Wellington's vibrant hub of museums, theatres, galleries, boutiques and cafes. Looking for some local flavour? Ask for one of Wellington’s trendy craft beers with your dinner (Our pick – Tuatara)

Accommodation - Wellington - The Bolton Hotel

Day 9 - Wellington - Cook Strait Crossing - Picton - Blenheim - Nelson
Loading up the car and heading across to ‘the mainland’ is what we all used to do on holiday as kids, it’s a Kiwi rite of passage! We cruise on the Interislander ferry for three hours across Cook Strait and into beautiful Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton to plant our feet firmly on “Te Waka a Maui”, the South Island. Our first port of call is Forrest vineyard for wine tasting and lunch, right in the heart of the world famous Marlborough sauvignon blanc region.

From wine country we head to through the heart of Marlborough toward Nelson, the sunshine capital of New Zealand and gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park. Along the way we cross the Pelorus River bridge, scene of the Barrel Run scene from the Hobbit movies. In Nelson relax and unpack, this is home for 2 nights.

Accommodation - Nelson - Trailways Hotel

Day 10 - Nelson - Abel Tasman National Park
Today is a highlight of the tour for many people – everyone has seen stunning photos of Abel Tasman National Park and now you’re here! Take your pick from a full scenic cruise or a cruise / walk combo to hike a section of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. Find out how a recent crowd funded initiative increased the area our country's smallest national park to protect even more of this iconic landscape.

The coast is dotted with islands just offshore, sheltered bays, estuaries and golden sand beaches. Lie on the beach, or go for a swim, keeping your eye out for dolphins who often make an appearance. The park is sheltered from ocean swells and enjoys fantastic weather all year round, which is why so many Kiwis dream of visiting Abel Tasman too! After your magical day out we'll return to Nelson for another night.

Accommodation - Nelson - Trailways Hotel

Day 11 - Nelson - Methven*
We depart Nelson for the famous Pelorus River (scene of the Barrel Run from the Hobbit) before leaving the orchards and artisans behind for the foothills of the Southern Alps and Canterbury. The road travels through the picturesque countryside of the upper South Island before traversing the Southern Alps at the Lewis Pass and continuing on to Methven at the foot of the mountains.

*Due to long term road closures we have amended our itinerary and will stay in Methven until the northern road to Kaikoura is open again.

Accommodation - Methven - Skitime Lodge

Day 12 - Methven - Akaunui Homestead - Aoraki / Mt Cook
Waking up at the foot of the Southern Alps in the distance, it's just a short hop to visit Akaunui Homestead, a working farm and Canterbury heritage building surrounded by huge gardens. They'll show us round their farm and home, as we enjoy great Kiwi company and fresh produce straight from the garden of our friends, Di and Ian Mackenzie.

After lunch we continue on our journey through Burke's Pass to New Zealand’s spectacular Mackenzie Country, for sweeping vistas of tussock lands and the backbone of the South Island, the Southern Alps. We’ll make plenty for stops en route, we can’t miss the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo and the unreal turquoise blue of Lake Pukaki. No, we don’t put dye in the lake, it’s that blue!

Accommodation - Mount Cook - The Hermitage

Day 13 - Aoraki/Mt Cook - Queenstown
Always a memorable time on tour, your day in Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain and ‘home ground’ of the most famous Kiwi of all, Sir Edmund Hillary. Take your pick from exploring the dramatic landscape on one of the many easy walking tracks around the village, or make it an experience you’ll never forget with a boat cruise on the glacial lake, a scenic flight or a heli hike high up on the Tasman Glacier!

After lunch we’ll head south, over the Lindis Pass and through the rugged scenery of the Kawarau Gorge onto Queenstown – the adventure capital of New Zealand. We’ll all head up the Gondola to Bob’s Peak for breathtaking views to give you a bird’s eye view of the stunning Wakatipu. Tonight take your pick from the best of Queenstown's restaurants and bars, all an easy walk from our home for the next three nights!

Accommodation - Queenstown Scenic Suites

Day 14 - Queenstown - Milford Sound
Today is all about the one and only Milford Sound, from Queenstown we follow the shores of the great southern lakes before heading into the heart of Fiordland National Park on the spectacular Milford Road. Everything you’ve heard is true, this is unreal countryside.

On arrival into Milford head out onto the water on our cruise out onto the sound, dominated by iconic Mitre Peak and home to birdlife, seal colonies and pods of dolphins. A magical flight over the Southern Alps returns us to Queenstown at the end of a fantastic day of touring by land, sea and air. The very best of Milford!

Accommodation - Queenstown Scenic Suites

Day 15 - Queenstown Activities and Day Tours
Today is yours to make the most of the infinite choice of day tours and activities Queenstown has to offer, your ‘Kiwi Guide’ will be right there to help. These days, the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’, caters for a lot more than just adrenalin junkies, the best way we know to sum up Queenstown is by saying that if you went on a holiday to Queenstown with three generations of your family, you’d all have the time of your lives!

What do we love in Queenstown? A jet boat ride on the remote and beautiful Dart River in The Lord of the Rings scenery, walking along the lakeshore and the Botanic Gardens or take a thrilling raft ride on the Kawarau River. Other favourites are wine tasting in the celebrated boutique vineyards of Central Otago, golf on one of New Zealand’s best courses, a day walk on the famous Routeburn Track or cruising Lake Wakatipu on the 1912 Steamship, the Earnslaw.

Accommodation - Queenstown Scenic Suites

Day 16 - Queenstown - Arrowtown - Wanaka
Our day starts with a short hop to leafy Arrowtown, where gold mining history comes alive beside the Arrow River and in the excellent museum. Then we head into tussock country for the climb up the Crown Range and our last views of the beautiful Wakatipu basin. We call into picture perfect Cardrona Hotel, its history dates back to the colonial era, then continue on to Wanaka. We relax with fine local wines and the chance to meet locals over lunch at their Wanaka lakeside home. Hmm, anyone thinking of moving here yet?

Our hotel this evening is right on the lake edge, you’ve got plenty of time after lunch to discover this lovely lakeside town for yourself. Bike the waterfront trail, get out on the lake in a kayak or head next door to Rippon Vineyard for wine tasting with a view!

Accommodation - Wanaka - Edgewater Resort

Day 17 - Wanaka - Haast Pass - Franz Josef Glacier
Today is a quintessential kiwi day, where else in the world can you visit the seaside, a rainforest and a glacier all in the same day? In New Zealand, no worries! We start off following the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea before reaching the pristine mountain and river scenery of the Mount Aspiring National Park. Then it’s up and over the Haast Pass through beech forests, past cascading waterfalls and clear blue pools where before following the Haast river out to the sea. There’s plenty of time for short walks and photo stops on the way, we’re in no hurry!

Once we hit the coast let’s head north through the lush, prehistoric Gondwanaland forest of the Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area, stopping at Ship Creek to stroll the beach, keep your eye out for dolphins feeding in the shallows! More stops along the way as we hit glacier country, get your cameras ready for Lake Matheson’s famous reflections and our first glimpse of Fox Glacier descending from Mount Cook. Our home for the next 2 nights is Franz Josef.

Accommodation - Franz Josef - Punga Grove

Day 18 - Franz Josef Glacier - Okarito Lagoon
We’ve got the whole day to enjoy the beauty of this remote corner of the country, a place many Kiwis don’t even get to visit. This is the best part of New Zealand to get to the glaciers, that’s why we’re here! Your choice of a stunning walk to the terminal face of Franz Josef Glacier, or get right out on the ice on a heli hike or glacier landing.

Everyone loves Okarito, a tiny settlement nestled between the Tasman Sea and Okarito Lagoon, take your pick from guided kayaking or a wildlife cruise on the shallow waters of the lagoon, a feeding ground of the extremely rare white heron (kotuku) which breeds nearby in the Waitangi Roto Nature Reserve. For pure relaxation take a soak in hot pools fed by pure glacier water.

Accommodation - Franz Josef - Punga Grove

Day 19 - Franz Josef Glacier - Hokitika - Punakaiki
Discover, the ‘wild’ west coast of the South Island, we head north through countryside dotted with little lakes and boulder strewn rivers, all under the watchful eye of the mighty Southern Alps in the distance. Coffee time in Hokitika, once a real centre of commerce and the setting for the colonial epic ’The Luminaries’. Hokitika people are crafty folk and of course, it’s the Pounamu (greenstone) capital of the country and you’ll have the chance to visit the carvers as well as glass blowing, wood and copper artisans.

Our journey continues north to Paparoa National Park and Punakaiki, where our surroundings change dramatically, the alps have retreated and are replaced by towering limestone cliffs, draped with tropical looking forest, including New Zealand’s only native palm tree, the Nikau Palm. Punakaiki is home to the Pancake Rocks, sculpted limestone sea stacks and towering cliffs. Your ‘Kiwi Guide’ will let you know the perfect time to visit to see the blowholes at full force. Our home tonight is a stunning spot right on the beach, perfect a drink on the beach to celebrate our last sunset together!

Accommodation - Punakaiki - Punakaiki Resort

Day 20 - Punakaiki - Arthur’s Pass Christchurch
Wake up to the sounds of the waves crashing on the beach, cross New Zealand’s main divide, traverse the stunning Canterbury High Country and cross the plains into the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch. To do this in most countries would take days or weeks, in New Zealand it’s easy, we’ve even got plenty on the way of time for short walks and photo stops. Nice one, New Zealand!

Highlights will be the Otira Viaduct, a spectacular cantilevered road through towering mountains to Arthur’s Pass National Park, with dramatic views from the lookout at the top of the Gorge and one of the best places in the country to see the hilarious antics of our alpine parrot, the Kea. Stretch your legs in the beech forests at Arthur’s Pass National Park and again at the massive limestone rocks rising out of bare pasture at Castle Hill before we descend Porter’s Pass to the Canterbury Plains reaching Christchurch in the late afternoon.

Accommodation - Christchurch - Chateau on the Park

Day 21 - Depart Christchurch
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the last day of your tour in Christchurch, we'll drop you off at the airport for your flight home after your New Zealand ’Trip of a Lifetime'.

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NZETA & IVL to enter New Zealand $50 per person. Before committing to your trip please ensure you hold a valid passport with at least six months’ validity from the date you plan to return to the USA.

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- Depart on Air New Zealand’s non-stop Houston or Chicago – Auckland flight for a supplement of $150 per person
- Add on airfares available from most major airports - Add $200 from Dallas, Add $320 from Denver, Seattle, Add $400 from Chicago, Minneapolis, Add $450 from NYC, Boston, Miami, Washington

Conditions

Package from pricing is based on double occupancy (2 people sharing a room) from Los Angeles. Add on fares are available from other cities. Seats are limited and may not be available on every flight. Tours are fixed departure dates and are subject to availability. All prices reflect a discount for purchases made by cash/wire transfer/check, please see terms and conditions for credit card payments. Cancellation penalties and other restrictions apply.