Your tour starts from Auckland, New Zealand’s "City of Sails" and one of the friendly MoaTrek team will meet you on arrival. With 3 weeks you won’t miss a thing - from the Bay of Islands and Rotorua in the north, to Queenstown and Milford Sound in the south, with plenty of time off the beaten track too. You'll love feeling like a local, not a visitor.

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
• 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
• All breakfasts
• Four lunches; Lake Tarawera,Rotorua, with the Walmsley family; Forrest Estate Vineyard, Marlborough, with wine tasting; Akaunui Farm homestead, Canterbury, with Di & Ian Mackenzie; Picnic on beach, in Abel Tasman National Park

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

Day 2 - Cross International Date Line

Day 3 - Arrive 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 - Grand Mercure Auckland

Day 4 - Auckland – Matakohe – Waipoua Forest – Omapere
Your adventure begins with a stroll to the gannet colony above Muriwai Beach on the West Coast. We visit the Kauri Museum at Matakohe and in Waipoua Forest, accompanied by our Maori guide, we see the greatest kauri of all, Tane Mahuta, Lord of the Forest. Our waterside hotel Copthorne Omapere has stunning views over the Hokianga Harbour.

Accomodation - Copthorne Omapere

Day 5 - Omapere – Hokianga Harbour – Waitangi, Bay of Islands
We cruise across the harbour to the magnificent golden sand dunes, the perfect place to try sandboarding or walk along the deserted beach. Then we cross to the East Coast to visit Kerikeri’s historic Stone Store and Waitangi where Maori signed the Treaty with Queen Victoria’s representatives in 1840.

Accommodation - Copthorne Hotel Waitangi

Day 6 - Waitangi – Bay of Islands Cruise – Russell – Waitangi
Look out for dolphins on your relaxed cruise among the islands to Cape Brett and the famous “Hole in the Rock”. We come ashore at Russell, a pretty town with a rollicking 19th century past, once known as the “Hell Hole of the Pacific”, and the first capital of New Zealand. Later return by ferry to Paihia and Waitangi.

Accommodation - Copthorne Hotel Waitangi

Day 7 - Bay of Islands – Kawiti Caves – Whangarei – Auckland
At Kawiti Caves thousands of twinkling glow worms are a breath-taking sight on our guided walk through the limestone cave. Still owned today by descendants of Maori chief Kawiti, the first visitors were shown through the caves in the 1950s. This afternoon we call into Whangarei and continue down the East Coast.

Accommodation - Grand Mercure Auckland

Day 8 - Auckland – Karangahake Gorge – Lake Rotoiti – Rotorua
Our Karangahake Gorge walk combines dramatic river scenery, native bush and relics of early goldmines. At a Kiwifruit orchard we hear all about this famous fruit. Our private cruise on a 53ft catamaran on Lake Rotoiti is a special highlight, calling into secluded bays and hot pools reached only by water.

Accommodation - Novotel Rotorua Lakeside

Day 9 - Rotorua
There’s time to enjoy one of Rotorua’s unique optional activities or simply wander beside Lake Rotorua near your hotel. We drive out to beautiful Lake Tarawera to lunch with the Walmsley family who have many stories to tell of their Maori and Pakeha (European) history in this region once famous for the Pink and White Terraces.

Accommodation - Novotel Rotorua Lakeside

Day 10 - Rotorua – Lake Taupo – Tongariro National Park
The surreal, geothermal reserve WaiO-Tapu is alive with bubbling mud pools, silica terraces and deep pools of unforgettable colours. We stop at thundering Huka Falls and Lake Taupo and stay the night in the World Heritage Tongariro National Park.

Accommodation - Chateau Tongariro

Day 11 - Tongariro National Park – Ohakune – Wellington
We drive up Mt Ruapehu to the Top o’ the Bruce for panoramic views of Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro before we continue down the centre of the island to Wellington. We tour the city and check out the sights from Mt Victoria.

Accommodation - Bolton Hotel

Day 12 - Wellington
The day is yours to enjoy. The waterfront and Te Papa National Museum are just a short walk away. There’s a selection of activities to choose from plus great cafes and boutique breweries. Wellington is also the spiritual home of “The Lord of the Rings” and you can visit Weta Workshop too.

Accommodation - The Bolton Hotel

Day 13 - Wellington – Cook Strait - Picton - Marlborough vineyard - Nelson
We cruise across Cook Strait on the Interislander ferry and up stunning Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton to step ashore on the South Island. At Forrest Estate Wines we call in for a tasting and lunch in this premier wine region before continuing to Nelson and Trailways Hotel, our home for two nights.

Accommodation - Trailways hotel

Day 14 - Nelson - Abel Tasman National Park - Nelson
At Kaiteriteri Beach we meet our local guide and cruise by catamaran and walk, as much or as little as you choose, along the stunning Abel Tasman coastline of islands, sheltered bays, estuaries and golden, sandy beaches. There’s time to relax on the beach with a picnic lunch and take a swim before returning to Nelson.

Accommodation - Trailways hotel

Day 15 - Nelson - Kaikoura
The road hugs the spectacular coastline between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikoura Ranges. Your afternoon is free to see Kaikoura’s bountiful marine life, the result of the ocean canyon close offshore. Optional excursions include whale watching cruises and flights and kayaking at sunset.

Acommodation - The White Morph

Day 16 - Kaikoura - Akaunui Farm - Lake Tekapo - Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
From Kaikoura the Hunderlee Hills lead to the Canterbury Plains where we join our hosts Di and Ian Mackenzie for a memorable lunch at their Akaunui Farm homestead set amid beautiful gardens. The turquoise-coloured lakes, Tekapo and Pukaki, are unforgettable photo stops on our way to the alps.

Accommodation - The Hermitage Hotel

Day 17 - Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park - Lindis Pass - Queenstown
Explore the magnificent landscape crowned by Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, on an easy walking track from the village or treat yourself to a scenic flight or cruise on a glacial lake. Later we drive over the golden tussock lands of the Lindis Pass and onto Queenstown, our home for three nights.

Accommodation - Scenic Suites Queenstown

Day 18 - Queenstown - Milford Sound Nature Cruise - Scenic Flight Queenstown
From Queenstown we follow the shores of the great lakes Wakatipu and Te Anau into the mountains and waterfalls of Fiordland National Park. We cruise on Milford Sound dominated by iconic Mitre Peak and home to seal colonies and dolphins. A magnificent scenic flight back over the Southern Alps to Queenstown ends this fantastic day.

Accommodation - Scenic Suites Queenstown

Day 19 - Queenstown
Today is yours to make the most of the infinite number of activities Queenstown has to offer. Your Kiwi Guide can help you choose from a jet boat ride on the Dart River in The Lord of the Rings scenery, wine tasting at the vineyards or a day walk on the famous Routeburn Track and many more.

Accommodation - Scenic Suites Queenstown

Day 20 - Queenstown - Arrowtown - Cardrona Valley - Wanaka
In the leafy village of Arrowtown gold mining history comes alive beside the Arrow River. We drive over the Crown Range and stop for the last views of the Wakatipu basin then call in for refreshments at picture perfect Cardrona Hotel. From Edgewater, our lakeside hotel, you can bike the waterfront trail or kayak on the lake.

Accommodation - Edgewater Resort

Day 21: Wanaka - Haast Pass - Fox Glacier - Franz Josef
The pristine Haast Pass in Mt Aspiring National Park has well-maintained short tracks leading to cascading waterfalls and clear blue pools. Discover the beauty of Westland Tai Poutini World Heritage Area’s wild West Coast beaches and lush, primeval rainforest and stop at Fox Glacier and Lake Matheson before we reach Franz Josef

Accommodation - Scenic Hotel Franz Josef

Day 22: Franz Josef - Hokitika Punakaiki
The morning is free to walk to Franz Josef Glacier lookout or take an optional helihike or flight or cruise out on Okarito lagoon in search of the rare Kotuku, White Heron. In Hokitika, the home of Pounamu (greenstone), meet the carvers of this treasured stone

Accommodation - Punakaiki Resort

Day 23 - Punakaiki - Paparoa National Park - Charleston - Cape Foulwind
Close to our hotel is the leading local attraction, the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes, limestone stacks weathered by the sea. Paparoa Park has towering limestone cliffs and karst rock formations with river valleys draped in subtropical forest. Walk to an isolated beach or the seal colony at Cape Foulwind. A favourite option is the glow worm cave at Charleston.

Accommodation - Punakaiki Resort

Day 24 - Punakaiki - Arthur’s Pass -Christchurch
Leaving the West Coast we head eastwards to Christchurch through the alpine beech forests of Arthur’s Pass National Park. We stop to enjoy the mischievous antics of the Keas (alpine parrots) and take short walks in the forest and to the rock formations at Castle Hill. The dramatic landscapes make a fitting finale to your adventure with MoaTrek.

Accommodation - Christchurch - Chateau on the Park

Day 25 - 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.

Read More about NZETA & IVL

- 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.