Discover a deeper side of New Zealand on this expertly curated independent journey, where every detail is seamlessly arranged for you. From international and domestic flights to airport transfers, quality accommodation, and carefully selected small group sightseeing tours, your itinerary has been thoughtfully planned, allowing you to simply relax and immerse yourself in New Zealand's spectacular wilderness, rich Maori culture, and unforgettable natural landscapes.

Begin your adventure in Queenstown, surrounded by crystal-clear lakes, towering mountains, and breathtaking fiords. Experience the majesty of Milford Sound, the thrill of a jet boat ride, and the alpine beauty of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park before traveling through the picturesque Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Continue north to Rotorua, where geothermal wonders, natural hot springs, and authentic Maori cultural experiences reveal the unique spirit of Aotearoa, before exploring the magical Waitomo Glowworm Caves and concluding your journey in the beautiful harbour city of Auckland.

Designed for travelers seeking the perfect balance of comfort, convenience, and authentic experiences, this carefully crafted itinerary combines the ease of independent travel with the expertise of locally guided small group tours, ensuring you experience the very best of New Zealand without the stress of planning the logistics.

• Round-trip International Economy Class flights from Los Angeles. Option to depart from New York JFK, Houston, or San Francisco with Air New Zealand, with connections from your local airport at an additional cost)
• Internal New Zealand flights
• 4 nights Queenstown in 4* accommodation
• Small group Wilderness Jetboat tour
• Small group Milford Sound tour & cruise
• Small group tour from Queenstown – Mt Cook
• 1 Night Mt Cook in 4* accommodation
• Glacier Boat Cruise
• Small group tour from Mt Cook - Christchurch
• 2-nights Christchurch in 4* accommodation
• Christchurch tram & punting tour
• 2 nights Rotorua in 4* accommodation
• Evening Maori cultural dinner experience
• Small group tour of Rotorua Geothermal parks & valleys
• Polynesian thermal Spa experience
• Small group tour from Rotorua to the Waitomo Caves to Auckland
• 2 nights Auckland in 4* accommodation
• Small group half-day tour of Auckland
• Private airport transfers in Queenstown, Christchurch, Rotorua and Auckland as listed
• All taxes & fuel surcharges

Day 1 – Depart Los Angeles with Air New Zealand non-stop to Auckland
Your New Zealand adventure begins the moment you step onboard your overnight Air New Zealand flight from Los Angeles to Auckland. Renowned for its exceptional service and Kiwi hospitality, Air New Zealand offers a comfortable and memorable way to begin your journey.

Flights from other Air New Zealand gateways, including San Francisco, Houston, and New York JFK, are available at an additional cost, along with connecting airfares from other US cities. Choose from Business Premier, Premium Economy, or Economy cabins, with the option to experience the innovative Skycouch™ in Economy for added comfort on your overnight flight.

Day 2 - Cross International Date 

Day 3 - Arrive Auckland & continue to Queenstown
Welcome to New Zealand! On arrival in Auckland, connect with your short flight to Queenstown to commence your journey of New Zealand in the South Island.

On arrival into Queenstown, you will be transferred to your accommodation. Queenstown, surrounded by majestic mountains and nestled on the shores of crystal-clear Lake Whakatipu, offers diverse, world-class experiences, a warm welcome and a cosmopolitan vibe. Queenstown has fueled imaginations and inspired many to explore. Whether you are chasing the snow, exploring the trails, indulging in food and wine, discovering stunning fairways or seeking adrenaline thrills, Queenstown sets the stage for adventure.

Image: Tourism New Zealand

Day 4 - Queenstown
Today enjoy a half Day Wilderness Jetboat Safari. Discover and explore every aspect of this magnificent area through a combination of exciting wilderness jet boating, an informative guided walk and picturesque back-country drive. Surrounded by breathtaking snow-covered peaks, hidden valleys, waterfalls and glacial valleys frozen in time, you’ll be thrilled by an exciting jet boat journey navigating the ever-changing shallow channels of the Dart Rivers braided river system. Your jet boat driver will stop along the way to highlight points of interest and discuss the natural and cultural significance of this exceptional area. Walk amongst the ancient beech tree forests – an atmosphere you may recognize from The Lord of the Rings films.

Day 5 - Queenstown
An early morning starts today to experience a full day small group tour to Milford Sound (approx. 12 hours duration).

Set off from Queenstown and travel along Lake Wakatipu towards Te Anau – enjoying many scenic stops enroute. Continue to Milford Sound, with several stops for short walks and photo opportunities. At Milford Sound, board a Boutique Small Boat cruise. Enjoy your packed lunch box and complimentary coffee on board while cruising past sheer cliff faces and cascading waterfalls. The smaller size of the vessel enables you to get you up close and personal with the local wildlife, like New Zealand fur seals, dolphins, and the rare Fiordland crested penguin. A “Glacial Facial” under the Stirling Falls is an experience not to be missed. After the cruise returns, travel back to Queenstown after an amazing day in Fiordland. Optional upgrade to scenic flights back to Queenstown available for an additional cost (weather permitting)

Day 6 - Queenstown
Explore Queenstown at your leisure or consider adding one of our tour options - Some of our favorites (additional cost applies):

• Appellation Central Wine Tours
  Appellation Central offers guided tours showcasing Central Otago's fine wine and cuisine. These tours venture into the heartland of Central Otago visiting vineyards in Gibbston, Bannockburn and Cromwell. Small groups and custom fit minibuses ensure a relaxed and interactive day out from Queenstown and a great way to experience Central Otago.
• Nomad Safari - Skippers Canyon
  A half-day heritage tour that follows the rugged and once treacherous Skippers Road. Hacked by hand into the sheer cliff sides of the Shotover River Valley. Navigate this awe-inspiring canyon and visit many historic sites such as the Skippers Suspension Bridge, township of Skippers, and the restored schoolhouse - gain a real insight into the local heritage through photos and histories of life in this tough environment.
• Skyline Gondola & Zipline Ecotour
  Commence an ecotour on Queenstown's original zipline course and the perfect starter to your adventure experience. Comprised of four ziplines, starting and finishing at the top of the Skyline gondola, the tour is designed to start low and slow and gradually build your confidence as it gets progressively longer, higher and faster. All ages love the interaction this guided aerial tour has to offer.

Day 7 - Queenstown – Mount Cook
Depart Queenstown on your small group tour and transfer to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand's highest mountain. Travel through the stunning Kawarau Gorge, passing the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and the famous Roaring Meg Lookout. Exiting the Gorge we enter the fruit and wine growing region of Cromwell, we cross Lake Dunstan and follow this beautiful lake towards Lindis Pass. Climbing in altitude, Lindis Pass has fantastic views down through the valleys. Being one of only three alpine roads through the otherwise impassable Southern Alps. Enter the Aoraki National Park and Lake Pukaki, one of the bluest lakes you will ever see, stunningly framed by the backdrop of Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. Continue through the rugged high country landscape of the Mackenzie Basin to arrive at Mount Cook Village, where you can gaze up at the 3,724m/12,218ft high mountain Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Image: Tourism New Zealand

Day 8 - Mount Cook - Christchurch
This morning, enjoy an amazing encounter with New Zealand's largest glacier, the Tasman Glacier. On this 3-hour tour, explore and learn about the ever-changing glacial landscape as you journey across the terminal lake in a custom-built MAC Boat with your experienced guides. Icebergs of every shape and size periodically tear away from the face of the glacier into the rapidly growing lake. With the effects of global warming and other climatic processes taking their toll on New Zealand glaciers, their retreat is imminent. Now approximately 27km long and 600m deep, the Tasman Glacier is melting and calving exponentially. In recent years, the Tasman Glacier has changed from a 'melting' to a 'calving and melting' terminus, resulting in a terminal lake that is rapidly increasing in size.

This afternoon, board your small group transfer to Christchurch. Farewelling Mt Cook, head to Lake Tekapo. This turquoise-blue lake is famous the world over for its pristine beauty. Enjoy a quick visit to the Church of the Good Shepard and see the Mackenzie dog before heading towards Christchurch. Leaving Tekapo for Christchurch, pass through more amazing passes and high country towns before arriving in Christchurch.

Day 9 - Christchurch
Otautahi Christchurch is New Zealand's second-largest city, its newest, and perhaps it's most exciting. This urban hub at the heart of the South Island is stacked with street art, long-standing visitor attractions, world-class hospitality, diverse accommodation, and state-of-the-art architecture alongside the country's best heritage gems. Wander the walkable central city to discover riverside markets, global cuisine, laneway shopping, and rooftop bars. Numerous beaches bordering the Pacific Ocean, the majestic Southern Alps, and an ancient volcanic peninsula are within easy reach.

Board the Christchurch Tram and enjoy a 50-minute journey in style through the changing face of Christchurch's city center on board a beautifully restored heritage Tram. Friendly and knowledgeable drivers will inform you about the city, its landmarks, and local sights.

Enjoy an authentic Punt ride along the Avon River. Punting on the Avon has been one of Christchurch's iconic attractions since 1986. An Edwardian-dressed Punter will guide you quietly past trailing willows, woodlands, and the leafy banks of the Botanic Gardens or through the rebuilding city center of Christchurch on board a classic Punt.

Day 10 - Fly Christchurch to Rotorua
This morning, transfer to Christchurch Airport and depart on your nonstop flight to Rotorua. On arrival in Rotorua, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Located in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, Rotorua is the place to enjoy some of the country’s most iconic natural attractions and geothermal landscapes, incredible experiences from adventure to enrichment and relaxation, and welcoming people who are proud of sharing their rich Maori culture with you.

Early evening, you will be picked up from your hotel for an evening experience - Te Puia's world-famous hangi buffet dinner is served in Pataka Kai Restaurant, Bar & Café. The cultural performance takes place in a beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. It will include a pohiri (traditional welcome), waiata (song), moteatea (traditional chant) poi and haka. The evening culminates with hot chocolate and steamed pudding surrounded by steam, and the geyser terrace bathed in colored light.

Image: Tourism New Zealand

Day 11 - Rotorua
This morning join your small group half day tour to visits Rotorua's most natural and popular geothermal parks, Wai O Tapu and Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Your local naturalist guide will explain the volcanic processes of Rotorua and New Zealand. See volcanoes, geysers, New Zealand's largest boiling mud pool and hot springs on a scenic drive around volcanic landscapes, native and exotic forests. The two heritage parks offer a variety of thermal activity; at Wai-o-tapu the amazingly colorful hot springs and moon like landscapes are the key features along with the famous Lady Knox geyser. At Waimangu Volcanic valley, learn about the Mt Tarawera eruption, native flora and fauna and the geothermal features which were blown open in 1886.

This afternoon relax and unwind on the tranquil shores of Lake Rotorua at Polynesian Spa. Channeling geothermal marvels in its backyard, the 27 mineral pools at Polynesian Spa are fed from two natural springs for a combination that both nourishes the skin and relieves tired muscles, aches, and pains. The two types of mineral waters that feed the pools are called alkaline pool Whangapipiro and acidic pool Te Pupunitanga and have been used by Maori for generations. Deluxe Private Pools offer panoramic views over Lake Rotorua. The pools are filled with soothing alkaline mineral water leaving your skin soft and supple. Enjoy 30 minutes of private bathing

Day 12 – Rotorua – Waitomo Caves – Auckland
Travel from Rotorua to the enchanting Waitomo Glowworm Caves for a guided 45-minute tour through this underground wonder, seeing stalactites, stalagmites and sparkling glow-worms before continuing on to Auckland where you will be dropped off at your hotel.

Image: Tourism New Zealand

Day 13 - Auckland
Don't think of Auckland as a city, even though it's New Zealand's largest. Think of it as half urban, half marine - a cosmopolitan experience wrapped up in a fascinating water world and surrounded by over 50 islands.

Experience the best sights of Auckland City on your 3-hour morning tour. Auckland is set on 52 dormant volcanic cones and between two harbours, the sparkling Waitemata and the brooding Manukau. Known as the City of Sails, it’s New Zealand’s largest and busiest city. The morning tour is a journey of discovery designed to explore the history and sights as well as see how Aucklanders live and play. Travel up Queen Street, through Auckland’s central business district, past the Auckland University and through the inner city park, known as the Domain. Continue on through the picturesque suburb of Ponsonby, with its historic buildings before heading over the Harbour Bridge to Auckland’s North Shore. Stroll on one of our beautiful white sand beaches where there is time for a coffee before continuing up to the summit of Mt Victoria with its stunning panoramic views of Auckland City and historic Devonport. Travel back over the Harbour Bridge to Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere before continuing on to the Viaduct Harbour home of the 2000 and 2003 Americas’ Cup.

Image: Tourism New Zealand

Day 14 – Auckland at leisure followed by an evening flight back to Los Angeles with Air New Zealand
Enjoy your final morning in New Zealand at leisure or, if time permits, consider taking the 35-minute ferry to Waiheke Island, known as the “Island of wine,” where you can sample local wines, enjoy olive oil tastings, browse boutique shops, and relax on its beautiful beaches.

Later in the day, you will be transferred to Auckland International Airport for your overnight Air New Zealand flight back to Los Angeles, or onward to your next destination. Return flights via Air New Zealand to other gateways, including San Francisco, Houston, and New York JFK, are available at an additional cost, along with connecting flights to your local US city.

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$5,499 per person

Note: Daily departures, this package is an independent itinerary with flexible departures (not a group tour)

Single Supplement: From $1,999

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 NZETA & IVL

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

• Upgrade to premium economy from $1,150 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.

Terms & Conditions

The package from pricing is based on double occupancy (2 people sharing a room) departing from Los Angeles with travel Mondays through Thursdays in both directions. A $60 air supplement applies each way for international travel from Friday to Sunday. Add-on airfares are available from other US cities at an additional cost. Specific blackout dates apply to accommodation and tour value offers. 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 our terms and conditions for credit card payments. Cancellation penalties and other restrictions apply. Travel insurance is highly recommended for travel to New Zealand. Aspire Down Under partners with Generali Travel Insurance.