Iconic Northern New Zealand Tour from $2,525 USD

Travel Team > New Zealand - Escorted Tours > Iconic Northern New Zealand Tour from $2,525 USD

Day 1

Arrive Auckland (2 Nights)

Auckland is your gateway to New Zealand’s north. On arrival, transfer to your hotel by private car (flights to arrive prior to 4pm) and spend the rest of the day recovering or exploring the City of Sails on your own. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Reception and dinner at your hotel.

Hotel – Stamford Plaza

Included Meals – Welcome Reception

Day 2

Auckland Sightseeing

Let the adventure begin! Kickstart your holiday with an exhilarating city sightseeing tour from its heart, Auckland Waterfront to Mission Bay. Keep your camera at the ready to capture spectacular panoramic views of the skyline, sprawling North Shore and Waitemata Harbour from Bastion Point and Michael Joseph Savage Memorial. Your free afternoon could see you take a walk down Queen Street to Viaduct Harbour for a tasty meal in the sunshine paired with a glass of New Zealand’s crisp Sauvignon Blanc as you overlook the busy waterways of Waitemata Harbour.

Included Meals – Breakfast

Day 3

Auckland – Tauranga

Your Trafalgar Highlight today is a visit to Lance and Bridgette O’Sullivan’s dairy farm, where you’ll ‘Connect with Locals’ and discover New Zealand’s horse racing traditions over a country-style ‘Be My Guest’ lunch at the Red Barn on their Waikato farm. Continue to the harbourside city of Tauranga, located in the Bay of Plenty region. A bridge over the harbour connects Tauranga to Mount Maunganui, where you’ll have an afternoon at leisure. Why not walk up the extinct namesake volcano via the winding paths or relax on the main beach, whose glorious stretch of golden sand has been voted the best in the country.

Hotel – Trinity Wharf

Included Meals – Breakfast, Be My Guest, Dinner

Day 4

Tauranga – Rotorua (2 Nights)

Travel to Te Puke, the kiwifruit capital of New Zealand. Here you’ll visit Kiwifruit Country, a family-owned business set within a 60-hectare working kiwifruit orchard. Continue to Rotorua for an orientation tour with views of Lake Rotorua, then visit Te Puia and see the steaming hot springs and geysers of Whakawerawera Thermal Reserve. Tonight, an evening of culture, history and a traditional Māori meal awaits you at the Tamaki Māori Village. ‘Dive Into Culture’ as you stroll through the ancient forest village and learn about Māori art forms and traditions. Watch a concert featuring local performers and experience an authentic Māori Hangi Regional Dinner, steamed underground in the traditional way.

Hotel – Millennium

Included Meals – Breakfast, Regional Dinner

Day 5

Rotorua Sightseeing

Your choice of sightseeing could see you tour the movie set of Hobbiton and step into the lush pastures of the Shire, or enjoy a guided tour through the long galleries and lofty chambers of the world-famous Waitomo Glowworm Grotto instead. There’s a third option to explore Rotorua and its lakes in an amphibious WWII-era Duck. It’s a day of legends, lakes and mythical creatures for you to discover on your terms.

Included Meals – Breakfast

Day 6

Rotorua – Wellington

Say Haere Ra (goodbye) to Rotorua this morning and journey out through pine forests and farmland to a little hidden spot, the turquoise torrent of rapids known as Huka Falls. The road ahead unfolds in a broad panorama of Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. The stunningly blue fresh water of the lake is home to some of the best trout fishing in the world. You will then journey south over the Central Plateau, New Zealand’s main volcanic area, and along the Kapiti Coast to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington. Tonight, you are free to dine as you wish.

Hotel – James Cook Grand Chancellor

Included Meals – Breakfast

Day 7

Depart Wellington

Discover the treasures of New Zealand’s capital city this morning. Then ‘Dive Into Culture’ as you gain insights into Māori heritage and culture at Te Papa Museum of New Zealand. Your exploration of the iconic north at its end, say a fond farewell to your fellow travellers and transfer to Wellington Airport for your onward flight (flights to depart after 2pm).

Included Meals – Breakfast