Day 1 Auckland to the Bay of Islands - Trip to the beautiful Bay of Islands We leave the City of Sails (Auckland) at 10 am heading north to the golden beaches and warm waters of the Bay of Islands. On route, we take time for a break, and a quick swim for those that are keen, at beautiful Uretiti beach. It
Day 2 Bay of Islands - A full day in the bay Experience a full day exploring the Bay of Islands and its turquoise waters. This subtropical region is the perfect playground for water lovers and a great place to soak up the sunshine. With a staggering 144 islands, the Bay of Islands offers swimming, sailing, dolphin viewing, kayaking plus much more along with some excellent walks in the native forests. This region is also home to some of the oldest European settlements in New Zealand.Bike Rides: If not doing an activity hop on a bike to explore Paihia. Walks and Hikes: If not doing an activity walk into Paihia or take a trip over to the historic town of Russell Optional Activities: Sailing, fishing, diving, kayaking, Maori Culture Available Upgrades: Yes (limited options) Drive Distance: No driving today
Day 3 Bay of Islands to Orewa - Sand dunes, huge trees and beautiful beaches Today we cross the top of the north to the giant sand dunes of Opononi for beach fun and optional sandboarding. After time on the dunes, we head to Waipoua Forest, home to the giant Kauri trees and a variety of scenic short walks and bike rides. We end the day heading down the Hibiscus Coast to our beachside camp at Orewa. Enjoy a tasty evening meal with a sea view before a spot of stargazing in the crystal-clear skies. The roads around this region pass through forest dominated by huge kauri trees. These tower above you at heights of up to 60 meters with a trunk five or more in diameter. These trees are slow-growing and some are over 2000 years old. Beautiful Opononi is an excellent stop with its endless dunes lined by beautiful pohutakawa trees (the New Zealand Christmas tree). Bike Rides: Ride through the Waipoua forest and the historic settlement of Donnelley's crossing and later on in the day there's a short casual ride around quiet estuary walkway Walks and Hikes: Enjoy getting up close and personal as you walk through one of New Zealand
Day 4 Orewa to Coromandel - From one great beach to another Orewa is often blessed with a beautiful sunrise over the sea which is well worth the early start to check it out. We then travel the short distance to Auckland where we farewell those finishing their tour and welcome new travelers joining us there. Leaving Auckland at 10 are we continue onwards to the Coromandel, renowned for its natural beauty, misty rainforests and pristine white, sandy beaches. Marvel at the views on a beautiful coastal walk or take in the coastline from the water by kayak. Visit the unique and famous Hot Water Beach to dig, then relax, in your own thermal pool! Soak up the breath-taking scenery and cameras ready for spectacular sunsets at our beachside camp. Bike Rides: 8km road cycling Walks and Hikes: Stunning coastal walk with views over the Pacific
Day 5 Coromandel to Rotorua - White sandy beaches to Sulphur City After breakfast, we start the journey towards the central area of the North Island but before we get there we will explore a little more of the Coromandel Peninsula. We will be driving to the historic gold mining town of Waihi and take a look at the huge working gold mine, Martha
Day 6 Rotorua to Taupo - Stunning lakes and craters Leave camp for Wai-O-Tapu geothermal Wonderland before continuing on to the impressive Huka Falls. We then head to Taupo, nestled next to one of the largest crater lakes in the World with some great hiking and cycling opportunities. Taupo is also a great place for adventure with heaps of optional activities to choose from. Tonight we enjoy a camp near Tongariro National Park. This region is centered around Lake Taupo, NZ's largest lake at 619sq km - about the size of Singapore! The Lake is in a caldera created by the Taupo supervolcano some 26000 years ago and the area is still considered dormant today with moderate geothermal activity in the area such as the mud pools, hot springs and vents. Bike Rides: Ride an awesome single track from Huka Falls stopping in for a quick soak in a natural hot stream on your way into Taupo or grab the bike in the city for a cruisey ride around the edge of the lake. Walks and Hikes: Follow the trail from an iconic waterfall alongside the mighty Waikato River winding past a natural hot spring that you can soak in followed by walking past a Bungy jump watching adrenaline junkies dive into the river! Optional Activities: Skydiving, Bungy, giant swing, Wai-O-Tapu (free - this one is on us) Available Upgrades: Yes Drive Distance: Approx. 2 hours
Day 7 Taupo to Kapiti Coast - The best walk in the world Experience one of NZ
Day 8 Kapiti Coast to Picton - The capital city and across the Cook Straight Our early arrival into Wellington by 9 am gives us the opportunity to see such great attractions as the celebrated Te Papa museum, Zealandia and the gorgeous Botanical Gardens. Wellington has a wonderful harbor, caf
Day 9 Picton to Kaikoura - The incredible Pacific Coast Today we travel the scenic Pacific coast to Kaikoura where close encounters with seals and seabirds are common. This picturesque town sits right on the ocean at the foot of the mountains
Day 10 Kaikoura to Rangitata - Dolphin swimming and traveling the Canterbury plains For those that are keen, there is the chance to rise early for a wonderful sunrise and then enjoy one of our most highly rated optional activities
Day 11 Rangitata to Lake Tekapo - Forests, mountains and glacier lakes Wake up to mountain views and try white water rafting on the mighty Rangitata River! If rafting isn
Day 12 Lake Tekapo to the last coast via Aoraki/Mt. Cook - Big mountains and back to the Pacific Coast Today is a real chance to immerse yourself in the snow-capped mountain scenery that New Zealand is famous for. We will be exploring Aoraki National Park and hike to the base of NZ
Day 13 Moeraki to Dunedin - Beach boulders and the Otago coastline If the tide is low then we can walk along the beach to the mysterious Moeraki boulders. These perfectly round spheres of rock have formed over millions of years and have found their way onto the beach near Moeraki and make for some fun photo opportunities. We then travel to Dunedin, a city with a Scottish heritage, the name is actually the Scots Gaelic word for Edinburgh, the Scottish capital. The city has an interesting European history which you can learn about in the Otago Settlers Museum. We will be visiting the world
Day 14 Dunedin to Fiorland National Park - Farmland makes way to epic mountains and the huge valleys of Fiorland Journey through scenic southern pastures to Te Anau, the hub and jumping-off point for Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. Our accommodation tonight is a unique and historic site hidden in the unspoiled Hollyford Valley - a true wilderness escape. There is even an onsite museum to learn more about the region and history. For cyclists, there is the chance to cycle into camp and for the hikers, this camp offers some great short treks (ask your guide about secret glow worm trails). The southwest corner of New Zealand is home to Fiordland - home to wild, dramatic and rugged landscapes. The main town for access to the Fiordland National park region is Te Anau, the park is a World Heritage Area over 1.2 million hectares in size. In this area everything is oversized - gigantic waterfalls, towering mountains and forested valleys meet you around every corner. Bike Rides: Enjoy riding through the isolated and moody Fiordland National Park into Hollyford Valley where you
Day 15 Milford Sound, the Routeburn and Te Anau - Exploring the mighty Milford Sound Travel one of the world
Day 16 Te Anau to Queenstown - Heading to the adrenaline capital of the world! Today we journey to Queenstown along the shores of the photogenic Lake Wakatipu. Once we arrive at the adventure capital of New Zealand you have a huge selection of activities to choose from. There is everything here, from adrenalin pumping bungy, canyon swing and skydiving to a relaxing horse trek or boat cruise
Day 17 Queenstown - Something for everyone in the adventure capital With so much to do we spend a full day in fantastic Queenstown with the opportunity to enjoy those once in a lifetime experiences (don
Day 18 Queenstown to Lake Wanaka - Journeying past mountains and lakes Our final morning in Queenstown and your last chance to indulge in the Queenstown
Day 19 Lake Wanaka to Glacier country - Following glacier carved valleys to the wild West coast Today is a substantial drive but the scenery we'll be traveling through is quite dramatic plus we'll be making stops along the way for walks, views, waterfalls, coastline and a couple of bike options! We start the day tracing the northern edge of Mt Aspiring National park crossing the Haast Pass and the gateway to the Westland region before meeting the Tasman Sea. Tonight, we will be staying beside the beautiful Lake Paringa enjoying a true West Coast wilderness experience. The wild "West Coast" refers to the beautiful and diverse area lodged between the Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea. This area is home to arguably the most dramatic scenery in New Zealand and the least number of people - a perfect combination for our tours. The region is dotted with towering mountain peaks, glaciers, lakes, thundering rivers and rain forest. The national parks in this region have been designated as World Heritage Areas to help keep this area of supreme natural beauty intact. Residents of the region are known as "coasters" and known for their genuine friendliness. Bike Rides: Later in the day you have an option of a long ride into camp from Knights Point lookout to Lake Paringa Walks and Hikes: There are quite a number of short walks today as we make frequent stops on this epic journey to the West Coast Available Upgrades: Yes limited options Drive Distance: Approx. 3 hours
Day 20 Glacier country to Okarito - Awe inspiring scenery and one of our favourite beach camps This morning is all about the highly recommend Lake Matheson hike where you get incredible views over the Southern Alps if the weather is clear, and if it
Day 21 Okarito to Christchurch - The Greenstone capital to the garden city If you're feeling up to it then you can head out on an early morning walk to watch the sunrise before we continue up this spectacular coastal stretch to Hokitika
