New Zealand Discovery Privately Guided Tour Itinerary

When you touch down in New Zealand you will be met at the airport by Your Private Driver/Guide. 

Our guides have been with us for a long time and are seasoned professionals. Our aim is to give ‘you’ our guests a memorable experience of New Zealand and its stunning scenery. With years of experience in tourism in New Zealand, we guarantee that you will receive a first-class service!

The best part about our guides is that they are local and chances are they have their go-to destinations that only locals know about. Whether it’s a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, a favourite local pub, or a fantastic attraction that most tourists overlook, our guides can help recommend authentic experiences that you may not discover on your own.

Discover the vibrant charm of Auckland, New Zealand’s stunning “City of Sails,” where urban energy meets coastal beauty.

Relaxation begins the moment you arrive, with every detail thoughtfully arranged for your comfort and ease. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your central city luxury accommodation. Make the most of your free leisure time in the "City of Sails"—simply unwind or explore Auckland’s many attractions, from waterfront views to vibrant neighborhoods. This evening, we suggest heading to the viaduct for a memorable dinner by the water, enjoying the atmosphere and fresh local cuisine before returning to your hotel feeling refreshed and ready for the adventures ahead tomorrow morning.

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night

Journey south with your private driver to Rotorua, a culturally rich geothermal region known for its living Māori traditions and dramatic natural landscapes.

Tū Te Rā invites immersion in a summer celebration guided by the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar, when the sun’s energy is strongest. Over 3.5 hours, the evening unfolds in a forest pā among tawa trees and glowing bonfires. Seasonal kai horotai begins the experience before stories emerge through haka, song, and drama. As darkness falls, torchlight leads manuhiri to a three-course feast, where hāngi is shared alongside refined Māori-fusion cuisine, creating a powerful journey of culture, connection, and shared harvest.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Approximate Distance: 230 kms | 143 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours

Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 Nights

Discover the artistry and traditions surrounding pounamu on a private your followed by a restorative geothermal spa experience.

Your private tour begins with a knowledgeable guide sharing the history and legends of pounamu (New Zealand greenstone), followed by exclusive access to a working studio where a local artist demonstrates traditional carving techniques. You’ll try carving yourself and select a meaningful piece to string into a necklace. This afternoon, enjoy a two-hour Restorative Journey, guided by Māori ritual, exploring geothermal heat, water, mud, and steam. Conclude in the Spa Sanctuary with a one-hour traditional Māori massage using rongoā-infused oils, leaving you deeply relaxed, restored, and spiritually connected.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Experience a day of dramatic geothermal landscapes and volcanic scenery as you journey south toward Tongariro National Park and Ohakune.

Today, visit the surreal geothermal reserve of Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, where bubbling mud pools and vibrant silica terraces create an unforgettable landscape. Continue toward Lake Taupō, stopping to witness the powerful Huka Falls as the Waikato River surges through a narrow chasm. From Taupō, enjoy sweeping views of Tongariro National Park and its three volcanoes—Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu. Take a walk this afternoon before continuing on to Ohakune for the evening.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 215 kms | 134 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 45 mins

Accommodation: Ohakune - 1 Night

Journey across the volcanic plateau and high country of New Zealand’s North Island, heading south to the nation’s capital, Wellington.

Spend two nights in Wellington, widely celebrated as "the coolest little capital in the world." Explore the city’s vibrant cultural scene, from museums and galleries to theatres, boutiques, and cafés, before ascending Mount Victoria Lookout for stunning harbour views. In the evening, settle into your central accommodation and savour some local flavour with a trendy craft beer—our pick is Tuatara—alongside dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 290 kms | 180 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 45 mins

Accommodation: Wellington - 2 Nights

Experience the perfect blend of nature, culture, and creativity in New Zealand’s vibrant capital, Wellington.

Finding things to do in Wellington is blissfully easy, thanks to its stunning location between mountains and the sea. The city offers a mix of adventure and relaxation, from hiking and sailing to simply soaking in the vibrant atmosphere. Wellington is also New Zealand’s creative heart, bursting with art, culture, and innovation. Explore its lively galleries or take in local performances, and don’t miss an optional visit to Te Papa Tongarewa.

Included Meals: Breakfast

A day of travel from city to alpine adventure awaits you as you fly to the South Island today.

You will be transferred early to Wellington Airport, the hum of planes surrounding you. You will fly to Christchurch, the gateway to the South Island, with its vibrant cityscape framed by distant mountains. From Christchurch, you will continue your journey by road, winding through rolling hills, sparkling rivers, and tussock plains. As you approach Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, the towering snow-capped peaks come into view. The crisp alpine air will greet you, promising hikes, glaciers, and breathtaking vistas for your adventure.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Approximate Distance: 330 km | 205 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Mount Cook Village - 1 Night

A day of breathtaking alpine scenery and South Island adventure awaits you as you journey from Mount Cook to Queenstown.

You will spend your morning in Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, breathing in the crisp mountain air and marveling at towering snow-capped peaks, glacial rivers, and serene alpine lakes. Gentle trails invite you to explore the dramatic landscapes, perhaps spotting native wildlife along the way. By midday, you will journey south toward Queenstown, pausing in the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown before arriving in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the South Island, framed by Lake Wakatipu and the dramatic peaks of The Remarkables.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 265 km | 165 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Queenstown - 3 Nights

Discover Fiordland’s breathtaking beauty on an unforgettable alpine adventure, cruise the stunning fiords of Milford Sound and fly back to Queenstown.

Travel along the Milford Road, witnessing landscapes that shift from rolling grassy plains and ancient rainforests to glacial lakes, alpine herb fields, and soaring peaks. Explore the majestic Milford Sound, gliding beneath towering cliffs, feeling the mist of cascading waterfalls, and spotting seals, dolphins, and rare Fiordland crested penguins. Conclude with a scenic flight back to Queenstown, taking in panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, winding rivers, deep lakes, and lush rainforests—an unforgettable perspective on Fiordland’s dramatic, wild beauty.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today is yours to experience the beauty of Queenstown on your own terms.

While renowned as New Zealand’s “adventure capital,” Queenstown offers far more than high-octane thrills. Explore the Gibbston Valley wine trail to sample some of the region’s finest Pinot, or hop aboard the 100-year-old TSS Earnslaw steamship to Walter Peak Station for a farm tour and dinner. Stroll along the waterfront, enjoy the cafés, and soak in the scenery. For those seeking adventure, Queenstown delivers with options like the Shotover Jet, Nevis Bungy, Canyon Swing, Zipline, Luge, or skydiving.

Included Meals: Breakfast
 

Experience New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes on a journey from Queenstown to Franz Josef.

The drive is among the country’s most scenic, winding through alpine passes that open onto lush, ancient rainforests and the windswept West Coast. Every turn reveals new wonders—woodland trails, rushing rivers, and dramatic waterfalls ideal for a picnic or short stroll. Franz Josef Glacier Village, tucked into a rainforest clearing, sits at the heart of Westland National Park, offering a gateway to towering glaciers and untamed wilderness. This region captures New Zealand’s incredible diversity and natural beauty, leaving travelers awe-inspired at every stop.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 355 km | 220 miles  Total Driving Time: 5 hours

Accommodation: Franz Joseph - 2 Nights

Experience New Zealand’s glaciers like never before on the Franz Josef Mountain Scenic Spectacular.

Soar over Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier, and Aoraki / Mount Cook, the highest peak in Aotearoa New Zealand on a scenic helicopter flight, before a landing on pristine snow for a walk on ancient ice. Marvel at the vast Tasman Glacier, the country’s longest, stretching along the Southern Alps. Throughout the flight, take in towering ice formations, dramatic mountain peaks, and the raw, stunning beauty that defines this iconic glacial landscape, making it an unforgettable alpine adventure.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Discover one of the world’s most iconic train journeys on the TranzAlpine Scenic Plus experience.

This morning, travel to Greymouth to board the TranzAlpine for the journey to Christchurch. Renowned as one of the world’s great train journeys, the route winds through the Southern Alps, descending spectacular gorges, winding river valleys, and crossing massive viaducts. Opt for the Scenic Plus upgrade to enjoy panoramic windows, premium seating, and enhanced onboard service, making the breathtaking landscapes even more unforgettable. Arrive in Christchurch having experienced the dramatic beauty of New Zealand’s South Island in unparalleled comfort.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 45 kms | 28 miles  Total Driving Time: 45 mins

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

“Haere rā” – Goodbye and Bon Voyage!

Today you will be transferred to Christchurch Airport to board your onward flight, carrying with you the unforgettable memories of a truly remarkable New Zealand adventure. From soaring glaciers to majestic mountains, sparkling lakes, and charming towns, the magic of Aotearoa will stay with you long after your journey ends.

Included Meals: Breakfast