New Zealand
New Zealand is a mecca for nature lovers, with an astounding range of landscapes within a small but mighty country. Along with breathtaking glaciers, volcanoes, beaches, and forests scattered across the North and South Islands, opportunities abound to learn about the rich Maori culture, and visit world-class wineries with luxurious accommodations.
Everyone’s perfect trip looks a little different.
We’ll design your itinerary around you (learn about our process), but to whet your appetite here’s a sample of what you can experience on a bespoke New Zealand adventure with us.
Sample Trip: New Zealand Nature, Culture, and Wine.
Day 1. Arrive in Auckland and private transfer to Princes Gate Wharf for the short ferry to beautiful Waiheke Island. Private transfer to your accommodations, where you can enjoy a relaxing glass of wine overlooking the vineyards and the sea (Marino Ridge).
Day 2. Private half-day tour of Waiheke Island’s wineries, including the chance to sample the island’s wonderful wine, olive oil, honey, produce, and oysters.
Day 3. Private transfer to Waiheke Ferry Terminal for the short ferry back to Auckland, where you will pick up your rental vehicle. Begin your drive to Lake Taupo through the lush farmland of Waikato, with a stop at the Waitomo Caves en route, and dinner on the waters of Lake Taupo aboard a private charter boat (Acacia Cliffs Lodge).
Day 4. Rotorua helicopter tour including stops on the inactive Mount Tarawera and the active volcano of White Island.
Day 5. Today you will make the leisurely scenic drive to the art deco city of Napier, located in Hawke’s Bay on the east coast of the North Island. Enjoy a relaxing evening overlooking the lovely vineyards and rural landscape (Breckenridge Lodge).
Day 6. Private half-day tour of Hawke’s Bay, including visits to a selection of the area’s best family-owned wineries, and the chance to sample the region’s culinary bounty. You may also wish to visit Cape Kidnappers or Te Mata Peak.
Day 7. Make the scenic drive to New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, where you will drop off your vehicle and can enjoy an evening along the city’s lively waterfront. En route you can stop in the Norwegian and Danish settlements of Norsewood and Dannevirke, the rural regions of the Manawatu, the wine region of Wairarapa, and the Victorian country village of Greytown (Bolton Hotel).
Day 8. Private half-day walking tour of Wellington a city well-known for its charming tucked-away bars, award-winning restaurants, and quirky cafes, including Courtenay Place, Cuba Street, and Lambton Qua.
Day 9. Private transfer to the airport for your flight to Blenheim (Woodbourne), gateway to the Marlborough Sounds. Private winery tour by bicycle through picturesque Marlborough vineyards specializing in Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Gris. Private transfer to your secluded lodge overlooking Queen Charlotte Sound (The Sounds Retreat).
Day 10. Private full-day boat trip through the Marlborough Sounds, the most immersive way to see the area’s many small settlements and isolated houses. Cruise beautiful bays and enjoy the scenery, fish, kayak – or simply relax and enjoy delicious food and wine onboard.
Day 11. Private transfer to Blenheim, where you will pick up your rental vehicle. Enjoy a day trip to Nelson (home to long, golden beaches, untouched forests and mountains, and plentiful artists’ studios) or Abel Tasman National Park (excellent hiking).
Day 12. Today you’ll drive to remote Westport, in one of New Zealand’s most protected regions. En route you’ll drive through Nelson Lakes, across the Southern Alps, and past untouched beech forest, alpine scenery, crystal-clear rivers, and the gorges of Buller Valley. After exploring the wild coastline, enjoy a soak in the outdoor spa, superb cuisine, and a glass of wine by the fire (Birds Ferry Lodge).
Day 13. Drive to the glacier region, with a stop in Punakaiki (where you can take a remote beach walk through dense rainforest) en route. Helicopter tour of Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier snowfields, with fantastic views of Tasman Glacier and Mount Cook (Te Waonui Forest Retreat).
Day 14. Today you’ll drive to Wanaka, passing Haast (home to New Zealand’s tallest tree, the Kahikatea, and more resident seals and penguins than people), along the winding road through Mt. Aspiring National Park’s steep mountain rainforests (home to the Roaring Billy and Thunder Creek waterfalls, and glacier-fed Blue Pools), and “The Neck,” separating the two great lakes of Hawea and Wanaka (Silverpine Lodge).
Day 15. Drive to nearby Wanaka Airport for your scenic helicopter flight to Fiordland World Heritage National Park, with the chance to land at Milford Sound and enjoy a short hike amidst beautiful rainforest. In the afternoon, enjoy a half-day trip to Central Otago (a quickly-growing wine region), Queenstown (a cosmopolitan town on Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by majestic mountains), or Glenorchy (one of the country’s most beautiful settings, and a favorite Hollywood filming location).
Day 16. Private half-day jet-boating adventure on Lake Wanaka, past mountains and glaciers, including a hike through ancient forests to a waterfall, surrounded by the spectacular scenery of Mount Aspiring National Park.
Day 17. Today you’ll make the scenic drive to Mt. Cook, deep in the Southern Alps, driving through Canterbury Plains and Timaru (home to much of New Zealand’s sheep population). Settle into your lakeside lodge, hidden in a verdant pine forest, and enjoy dinner overlooking the turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki (Mt. Cook Lakeside Retreat).
Day 18. Enjoy a day of great wine, garden-to-plate cuisine, contemplation, and relaxation, or drive to nearby Mt. Cook, where you can choose from a number of walks, all with spectacular scenery.
Day 19. After an epic adventure through New Zealand, drive to Christchurch to drop off your vehicle. Private transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Unique accommodations.
When it comes to accommodations there is no “one size fits all.”
We typically suggest small, boutique properties with tasteful style and great service, though sometimes it makes sense to stay at a larger luxury hotel (or a cozy lodge)!
For your bespoke trip, we’ll make personalized suggestions based on your unique taste and priorities.
Private trip pricing.
Pricing for our luxury New Zealand adventures begins at US $1,000-$1,500 per person per day and up, including accommodations, in-country transport, unique private tours, and more (see what our trips include).
Take the next step.
Get in touch to start planning or brainstorm your next adventure.