Kowhai - 17 Day New Zealand Small Group Tour

Travel New Zealand in luxury and style!
Limited to only 10 guests, the Kowhai will delight the most discerning traveller. You’ll relish the luxury & refinement of award-winning hotels, lodges and resorts and find that each enjoys a certain style and charm that you will thoroughly enjoy. Several are situated in unique & special locations, close enough to but far enough away from the main tourist centres. Be sure to note some very special inclusions that really set this trip apart from many others.

Your Small Group Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Auckland
On arrival at Auckland airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your city hotel. The 'City of Sails' is New Zealand's largest and most vibrant, offering an exciting array of cosmopolitan experiences.
Stay The Langham Hotel

Day 2 Auckland sightseeing & Waiheke Island (B,L)
Enjoy a brief tour of the city this morning. Commence the day with a visit to Auckland Skytower, the tallest tower in the southern hemisphere and the city’s most prominent landmark. It’s a fantastic way to see the entire city, its twin harbours and magical islands. Next we drive past Auckland University en-rote to Auckland Domain, the city’s oldest park situated on a 62,000 year old volcano. Continue on to the trendy shopping area of Parnell village with its historic old buildings transformed into boutiques, anitique, craft & specialty shops. Continue along the scenic waterfront route of Tamaki Drive before returning to the downtown area where you board your ferry & cruise across the magnificent Waitemata Harbour to Waiheke Island. On arrival you will be met & transferred to Mudbrick Restaurant for a delightful luncheon overlooking vineyards & back over the harbour to the city skyline beyond. Then enjoy a brief, personalized tour of local vineyards before returning by boat back to the city. (Optional helicopter return flight available - contact us for details)
Stay The Langham Hotel

Day 3 Ruakuri Cave, Rotorua (B,D)
Travel south today through the rich farming districts of the Waikato to Ruakuri, one of the most complex caves in the Waitomo region. It has some unique features, including an ancient tapu place and fossil shells that are over 30 million years old. The Ghost Walk, the Bridal Chamber, the Mirror Pool and the roar of a hidden waterfall are among the reasons visitors are enthralled by this journey into an underground world of mystery and ancient spirituality. Ruakuri, or 'den of dogs' as it literally translates into the English language, was first discovered by local Maori between 400 and 500 years ago. It takes its name from the wild dogs that made their home in the cave entrance. Later, we continue on to the geothermal city of Rotorua whose raw beauty has enchanted visitors from around the world for over 160 years. Here you can stand upon volcanoes, peer into massive craters & see boiling mud and exploding geysers whilst native forests cloak the land. It is also home to a deep rooted Maori culture and the opportunity to experience a traditional hangi (feast) & cultural show should not be missed.
Stay Solitaire Lodge

Day 4 Exclusive Lake Tarawera Cruise, Te Wairoa Buried Village (B,L,D)
The days highlight is an exclusive cruise across the pristine, clear waters of Lake Tarawera at the base of a gigantic dormant volcano. You’ll experience spectacular scenery & some of the country’s best trout fishing & have the opportunity to soak in the thermal waters of Hot Water Beach before enjoying a gourmet picnic lunch. This afternoon, visit the Blue & Green Lakes and then wander around the famous buried village of Te Wairoa.
Stay Solitaire Lodge

Day 5 Rotorua at leisure (B,D)
A free day to explore Rotorua at leisure. Perhaps play a round of golf, soak in the natural thermal & mineral pools at the Polynesian Spa, enjoy lunch at the top of the Skyline Gondola, experience a floatplane sightseeing flight over the region or maybe even take a heli-tour to White Island Volcano off the Bay of Plenty Coastline, some 75 minutes flying time away. Your Tour Host will be pleased to advise & guide you on suitable activities.
Stay Solitaire Lodge

Day 6 Orakei Korako, Lake Taupo, Napier (B)
First stop this morning is Orakei Korako, rated by the Lonely Planet guide as ‘possibly the best thermal area left in New Zealand & one of the finest in the world’. Explore a world of gushing geysers, boiling mud pools & some of the largest silica terraces found anywhere. Travel down to the bottom of the Ruatapu Cave, one of only two of this type of cave in the world. A short drive brings us to Lake Taupo, itself a gigantic volcanic crater following an enormous explosion in AD183. View Huka Falls & the Wairakei Geothermal project and take time to walk around this popular lakeside resort. Journey on to Napier, often referred to as the Art Deco capital of the world. On arrival we embark on a guided walking tour of the town before checking into our accommodation.
Stay Mangapapa Petit Hotel

Day 7 Explore Hawke’s Bay Wine country (B,L)
Free time to relax & enjoy your surroundings this morning. Later, we visit the village of Havelock North nearby, regarded as “the richest little town in New Zealand”. A quick visit to the summit of legendary Te Mata Peak affords spectacular 360-degree views over the region & surrounding mountains. Next stop is Black Barn Bistro for a superb lunch overlooking local vineyards. After, enjoy a visit to some of the regions leading vineyards for tastings of some of New Zealand’s premier, award-winning wines.
Stay Mangapapa Petit Hotel

Day 8 Fly Napier / Queenstown (B)
Free time this morning for some last minute sightseeing. Walk along Napier Marine Parade & visit the many attractions along the way; visit Cape Kidnappers - home of the largest & most accessible mainland colony in the world; experience an early morning hot-air balloon ride over vineyards, orchards & olive groves; play an exciting round of gold on one of the countries leading & most challenging courses; fly fish for brown & rainbow trout in one of the region’s many rivers … your choices are endless! This afternoon, we board our aircraft & fly to the beautiful alpine resort of Queenstown, regarded as New Zealands’ premier holiday destination.
Stay Sofitel Queenstown

Day 9 Mighty Dart River Safari (B)
This morning, we are collected from our hotel & travel to Glenorchy to join our Dart River Jetboat Safari. Here you jet boat on crystal clear waters in a wild and scenic landscape amidst towering peaks, glaciers and the ancient rainforests of the Mt. Aspiring National Park. This is far more than a jet boat ride … it's a rare journey into the enchanted wilderness of a World Heritage area. This afternoon is free for further sightseeing.
Stay Sofitel Queenstown

Day 10 Overnight Wilderness Cruise on Doubtful Sound (B,D)
Travel along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau. On then to Manapouri where you board your catamaran & cruise across the lake to West Arm. You’ll then travel by coach through the dense rainforest of the Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove where you board your overnight vessel for a leisurely exploration of Doubtful Sound.

The Fiordland Navigator is designed along the lines of a traditional New Zealand trading scow to reflect Fiordland's heritage and you will be accommodated in private cabins with en-suite bathrooms in this purpose-built vessel. It boasts spacious deck areas for viewing the wilderness, scenery & wildlife of Doubtful Sound and activities include kayaking and excursions in the tender vessels (stabi craft) to explore the coastline.
Stay Overnight in one of Doubtful Sound’s hidden arms.

Day 11 & 12 Return to Queenstown, at leisure (B)
After disembarking from your overnight cruise, we retrace our steps back to Queenstown (optional helicopter flights back to Queenstown are available subject to weather conditions). Queenstown boasts adventure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. Here you can take a thrilling jet boat ride, pan for gold, raft the white water rapids, take a wine trail, fish for trout, play golf or 4WD sheer canyons & you have time over the next 2 days to experience all that this magnificent resort has to offer. Again, your Tour Host will be pleased to offer advice and help you in your selection.
Stay Sofitel Queenstown

Day 13 Arrowtown, Lake Wanaka, Mt Cook (B,D)
Set beneath the rugged Crown Range is Arrowtown, a fascinating collection of mining cottages with an atmosphere straight out of last century. Enjoy some time to stroll through this historic village located beside the Arrow River, once a haven for the gold prospectors of the 1860’s. A spectacular drive over the Crown Range brings us to Lake Wanaka with its breathtaking mountain & lake views. Later, we travel up the western side of Lake Pukaki to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. Mt Cook is Australasia's highest mountain at 3764 metres. The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery and is also home to the Tasman Glacier, the longest in the Southern hemisphere.(optional Ski-plane & helicopter flights are available subject to weather conditions).
Stay Mt Cook Hermitage

Day 14 Tasman Glacier Explorer (B,D)
This morning, you get to experience the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s largest, in the most unique way possible. An experienced guide will whisk you away in a stable MAC Boat to explore the melting ice-face of the Tasman Glacier where you will also get to touch & taste 400-year old icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the lake. The rest of the day is free for walking, sightseeing or simply relaxing in the spectacular surroundings.
Stay Mt Cook Hermitage

Day 15 Lake Tekapo, Christchurch (B)
This morning you travel to the stunning glacial fed lake of Tekapo. Here, we stop to view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built of local stone and oak in 1935. Then cross the historic Burkes Pass to the small farming township of Geraldine. From here, head towards the coast & journey through the rich pastoral farmland of the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Time for a brief city sightseeing & orientation tour on arrival before checking into our hotel.
Stay Outrigger at Clearwarter Resort

Day 16 Explore Christchurch & surrounds (B,D)
Christchurch is the nation’s second largest city. It is a city alive with colour, atmosphere and world class attractions. You can ride a punt down the Avon River through beautiful Hagley Park; enjoy a day excursion to the quaint seaside village of Akaroa, home to the early French settlers of the 1840’s; travel to Hanmer Springs & soak in its natural thermal waters; visit Kaikoura to experience whales & dolphins up close on a Whalewatch or Dolphin Encounter excursion; enjoy a 4WD Tranz Alpine train experience into the Southern Alps; maybe even try your luck at the Christchurch Casino ... the choices are numerous. Tonight, join fellow travellers for a farewell dinner in a delightful local restaurant.
Stay Outrigger at Clearwarter Resort

Day 17 Depart Christchurch (B)
Sadly, your journey is at an end. At leisure until you transferred to the airport for your flight home or onward journey to your next destination.

Here, we bid you ‘Haere Ra’, a fond farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand

Click here for a printer friendly version of this itinerary

 What's Included

Departure Dates

Tour Prices
Per Person in NZ$