9-Day New Zealand Adventure Tour with Scenic Flights and Glacier Hike

1

Day 01

Queenstown and an Evening at the Farm

• Our tour starts in Queenstown.
• This vibrant resort is New Zealand's most popular destination.
• From here, we make day trips that are fun for all ages and types of travellers.
• In the evening, we take a cruise on the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship.
• During the excursion, we stop at a homestead known for its sheep, alpacas, and beautiful garden.
• After dinner, we visit a purpose-built amphitheatre.
• There, we see sheep shearing and watch a sheepdog round-up.
• Please note that you can extend this standard 11-day tour by one day if you wish to jump from the 43-meter (141-foot) Kawarau Bridge.
• Kawarau is near Queenstown.
• Bungee jumping is not for everyone.
• That is why we offer it as a one-day extension to our standard 11-day tour around New Zealand.
• Let us know if you are interested.

2

Day 02

Milford Sound Scenic Flight and Cruise

• Today we make a day trip to Milford Sound.
• We travel there and back to Queenstown by scenic flight.
• Upon arrival, we go on a boat tour, cruising atop clear waters and between postcard-perfect mountains.
• Milford Sound was judged the world's top travel destination in an international TripAdvisor survey, receiving the Travelers' Choice Destinations Awards.
• It is also acclaimed as New Zealand's most famous tourist attraction.
• Please note that weather conditions in and around Milford Sound can be unpredictable.
• It is common for customers to travel there or return by land instead.
• When this happens, stops are made so we can enjoy Lake Te Anau, Mirror Lakes, Monkey Creek, and the Chasm.

3

Day 03

Mount Cook Glacier Landing and Snow Hike

• Today we make a day trip to Mount Cook, also known as Aoraki, National Park.
• We travel there and back to Queenstown by scenic flight.
• Upon arrival at Mount Cook, we use a helicopter to land on a glacier.
• Of New Zealand's 20 peaks over 3,000 meters, all except one lie in this park.
• Glaciers cover 40 percent of the park area, notably the Tasman Glacier.
• After landing there, or on Franz Josef Glacier depending on the weather, we go on a guided snowshoeing or crampon hike, again depending on the weather, and see blue ice grottoes and caves.
• Please note that the minimum age for the glacier hike is 9.

4

Day 04

Skippers Canyon, Shotover River, and Bob's Peak

• Our morning starts at a picturesque gorge near Queenstown called Skippers Canyon.
• It is mostly one-way, narrow, and steep, with sheer drops of several hundred meters.
• After our scenic land expedition, we head to the nearby Shotover River.
• There, we go on a very fast and swerving jet-boat ride.
• Next, we go to Skyline Queenstown.
• There, we take a cable car ride to the top of Bob's Peak.
• Beautiful views can be seen in every direction.
• Our day ends near Bob's Peak.
• There, we go zip-lining, using typically six lines in total.

5

Day 05

Flight to Rotorua and Māori Cultural Evening

• After relocating by flight from Queenstown to the town of Rotorua, we head to Tamaki.
• At this Māori village, we learn about native rituals, watch a show, and enjoy a traditional dinner.
• The meal is included this evening.

6

Day 06

Waimangu Volcanic Valley and Hell's Gate Mud Spa

• This morning starts with a day trip to the nearby Waimangu Volcanic Valley.
• On a self-guided tour, we see volcanic craters, hot water springs, and other geothermal features.
• Upon returning to Rotorua, we are taken to Hell's Gate Geothermal Reserve and Mud Spa.
• There, we bathe in a mud pool.

7

Day 07

Movie Set Visit and Waitomo Glowworm Caves

• When relocating from Rotorua to the city of Auckland, two important stops are made along the way.
• The first is at the Lord of the Rings movie set, home to the internationally acclaimed Lord of the Rings trilogy.
• There, we are provided with a guided tour and lunch.
• The other important stop before reaching Auckland is at the Waitomo Caves.
• There, we are provided with a boat ride through glowworm grottoes.
• The site is spectacular, to say the least.

8

Day 08

Auckland Sightseeing and Wine-Tasting

• We are provided with a guided sightseeing tour of Auckland.
• Highlights for today include the Harbour Bridge.
• A volcano called Maungauika.
• The waterfront.
• A promontory called Bastion Point.
• The beaches along Mission Bay, with viewing only and no swimming today.
• A scenic drive along the coastal road called Tamaki Drive.
• A rocky point called Achilles Point.
• Wine-tasting.
• A complex of gardens called Domain Wintergardens.

9

Day 09

Departure from Auckland

• Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Auckland.