Compare Highlights of New Zealand by Cosmos vs New Zealand Overnight Wilderness Trip - 11 Days by Travel for All

Day 1: ARRIVE AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand! Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in. A pre-night is not required for early check-in.

Day 2: AUCKLAND

This morning begins with a welcome briefing to meet fellow passengers and your Tour Director. Then, enjoy a sightseeing tour, discovering firsthand why Auckland is regarded as one of the best places in the world to live. See the Domain, the city’s oldest park, developed around an extinct volcano. Highlights also include charming Parnell Village, bustling Queens Street, and the Viaduct Harbour. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for additional sightseeing, shopping, and dining. (Breakfast)

Day 3: AUCKLAND–ROTORUA

Leave Auckland this morning and journey through lush farmland to Rotorua, home to New Zealand’s Máori culture and geothermal wonders. Our first stop is Te Puia where a guided tour allows you to see bubbling mud, pools of boiling water, and the famous Pohutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the southern hemisphere. You’ll also have a chance to witness traditional Máori carving and weaving along with a Máori cultural performance. Then, visit Agrodome to learn more about one of the country’s major industries--sheep! This evening is at leisure. (Breakfast)

Day 4: ROTORUA

Today is free to explore more of Rotorua. You may wish to take an optional excursion to visit magical Hobbiton, the set used as the Shire in the movie trilogies, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Other options include a zipline and canopy tour, helicopter and floatplane flights over the volcanic valley, or a relaxing soak in a natural hot spring at the Polynesian Spa. In the evening, you may want to attend an optional Máori Hangi dinner (roasted meats and vegetables cooked underground with hot stones), followed by an authentic Máori (indigenous Polynesian people) cultural performance with singing, dancing, and storytelling. (Breakfast)

Day 5: ROTORUA–LAKE TAUPO–NAPIER

Today we continue our journey on the North Island traveling past Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. Later, arrive in Napier, located in the beautiful Hawk’s Bay region. This afternoon, a walking tour explains how a natural disaster resulted in Napier becoming one of the purest Art Deco cities in the world. With the rest of the day at leisure, you may wish to take a stroll on the beach, shop for a favorite souvenir, or visit the National Aquarium to see sharks, stingrays, penguins, and more. (Breakfast)

Day 6: NAPIER–WELLINGTON

Continue to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city known for its vibrant art scene, world-class restaurant culture, and active outdoor lifestyle. Upon arrival, a sightseeing tour includes the famous Beehive and Parliament building and panoramic views of the city and harbor from the top of Mount Victoria. (Breakfast)

Day 7: WELLINGTON–INTERISLANDER FERRY–PICTON–CHRISTCHURCH

Today, enjoy a special treat as you sail from Wellington to Picton and enjoy the spectacular Marlborough Sound on one of the most scenic ferry journeys in the world. Make sure to have your camera ready as dolphins are frequent traveling companions of the ferry. On occasion, you might even spot a pod of whales or some penguins swimming by. Continue to Christchurch, the largest city on the South IsIand for an overnight stay. (Breakfast)

Day 8: CHRISTCHURCH–LAKE TEKAPO–QUEENSTOWN

Our journey continues across New Zealand’s South Island today. This is the land of towering mountains, rugged coastlines, and sweeping plains. Stop at beautiful Lake Tekapo for a visit to the picturesque Church of the Good Shepherd. Later, arrive in Queenstown, the “Adventure Capital,” for a 3-night stay. This evening you may want to take the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu below. (Breakfast)

Day 9: QUEENSTOWN

A full free day to explore on your own. You may want to take the historic TSS Earnslaw Steamship to Walter Peak Farm for a delicious lunch or dinner, discover a favorite boutique or art gallery, or take an exciting helicopter ride over the Remarkables Mountains. Tonight, join your Tour Director and travel companions for a festive farewell dinner. (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 10: QUEENSTOWN. EXCURSION TO MILFORD SOUND

Today, enjoy a full-day excursion to breathtaking Milford Sound. Cruise to see cascading waterfalls, sheer cliff walls, tropical rainforest, wildlife including seals and dolphins, and fantastic scenery. It’s sure to be a highlight of your trip! Return to Queenstown late this evening. (Breakfast)

NOTE:
The excursion to Milford Sound may occur on Day 9, based on weather and road conditions.

Day 11: QUEENSTOWN

Your vacation ends this morning. You may also choose to extend your time in Queenstown and explore more on your own. Extra nights are available for purchase. (Breakfast)

Day 1: Arrival in Christchurch

The first thing you’ll see once you’ve arrived in Christchurch is our smiley faces, ready to scoop you up and deliver you to your awesome accommodation. Settle in and enjoy Sumner, a seaside suburb of Christchurch. This place has beach, boardwalk, cafés, funky restaurants and bars. It’s the perfect spot to shake off your jet lag and prepare yourself for the next days of action.

The beautiful landscape of New Zealand glows in the morning light

Day 02: River Rafting

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

It’s an early start this morning as we need to meet the river crew 3 hours away. This is over the Lewis Pass, where Mauria River waits for us, nestled in the native beech and surrounding mountains. This class 2/ 3 river transports us and our equipment into the wilderness Freedom of river life, experience real wilderness.

When navigating the Mauria River where its waters spill from the mountains of the Lewis Pass; you will wind through a heavily forested and remote valley, making this trip a real gem. We spend the night camping beside the river, with a fire and great company. Also for the keen angler, Rainbow and Brown Trout fishing is legendary here giving you great challenge and fun, whatever your skill level.

Available to all abilities, making this possible is our Aqua harness. A fully releasable system to make you sit up on the raft (even without trunk control!). Leg floats, if you feel like floating through the pools, dry suits for those that do not have climate control (only hands and head are exposed). Tonight you camp in the wilderness, cooking on a fire. Experiencing why we call this pure New Zealand.

Wilderness Camping

Day 03: White Water Rafting

Meals: Brakefast

This morning, awaken to the sounds of native bird song and the flowing river. A great night’s sleep, on air and feathers (no pressure issues). After a hearty breakfast and when you’re ready, (accessible toilet facilities are carried with) its back on the river, going with the flow.

With the gear packed, it’s straight back into action as we tackle Maruia‘s white water once more. The rafts bob and weave their way around boulders and through waves, into the isolated valley where crystal clear pools nestle between rapids, giving us time to drift, swim, relax and take in the scenery. We can stop in many places along the river. We can even drift the craft in the middle to fish towards the sides, usually unheard of in the fishing community, on a river. As we ride the final rapids, the valley starts to open again and the river converges with the road to take us to our waiting transport. This afternoon we drive down the Buller Gorge to the wild West Coast, our accommodation waits next to the setting sun.

Picture of Buller Gorge on the Maruia River in New Zealand

Day 04: Scenic Flight

Enter into a relaxing morning waking to the sound of the sea. When we are ready the scenic road will take you to Hokitika greenstone and gold. Fingers crossed today is clear and calm as we drive the West Coast highway, with mountains on the left, ocean on the right and native forest galore. Soon after lunch, we arrive at Franz Josef Township where our next adventure awaits.

Here we meet the awesome crew that will fly us into glacier wonderland. This is the West Coast; helicopters are mandatory to access our piece of paradise. This scenic flight takes us onto the snowfields where Makingtrax ski-chair gets you up close and personal.

This evening we stay in Franz Josef.

Day 05: Lake Wanaka

A big day driving over the Gates of Haast to Wanaka. Although a big journey, the flora and fauna changes dramatically throughout, making this drive fly past. You’ll be there before you know it. Welcome to Lake Wanaka.

Day 06: Lake Wanaka

Enjoy the Lake Wanaka this morning, kayaking on the beautiful mountain lake or paragliding above. Today we head to Queenstown for more adventure, with its stunning mountainous backdrop. For the rest of the day, feel free to roam the streets of Queenstown, check the surrounding areas or relax by the lake. Your wish is our command.

This evening we stay in the beautiful area of Queenstown.

Bright blue skies with pearly white clouds seen across the distance of Lake Wanaka New Zealand

Day 07: Queenstown

You’re free to roam the streets of Queenstown, hit up more inclusive adventure. Another night spent in the spectacular Queenstown.

Colorful picture of the mountains near Queenstown New Zealand

Day 08: Milford Sounds

No trip to New Zealand is complete without visiting the infamous Milford Sounds. Enjoy an early flight out of Queenstown, this morning, as you fly into Milford Sound an area of extraordinary beauty. It offers a majestic fiord, dramatic and awe inspiring scenery and prolific flora and fauna.

Combine this with an optional Milford cruise on the fiord. Your pilot personally escorts you to the boat docks to board the ‘Pride’ to enjoy your Milford Sound Scenic Cruise. Spacious outdoor viewing decks allow you to take in all of the Fiordland scenic highlights, including waterfalls taller than Niagara Falls, and an array of indigenous flora and fauna. This is an optional experience, you can also enjoy a day of relaxation.

Soaring snow-capped mountain peaks reach for the deep blue sky in this picturesque scene of Milford Sounds in New Zealand

Day 09:Tekapo

Our northern journey starts today as we change our compass bearing and head to Tekapo. Aoraki, Kiwi Land’s highest mountain awaits your visit as we journey north. The backbone of the Southern Alps and the turquoise lakes pass you by, with a stop at Mt Cook salmon farm to select your dinner (if you’re a fish fan).

But the day is just beginning…the horses are waiting for you. No better place to enjoy a horse trek, Lake Tekapo. Our team will tailor this to your abilities; nothing’s an issue. A big day of adventure needs the perfect evening and the dark sky reserve star gazing or soaking in the hot pools is just that.

Spectacular fall foliage is reflected in the waters of Lake Tekapo in New Zealand

Day 10: Sky Diving

It’s our last day….so let’s finish on a high. 13,000 feet high to be precise… Skydiving! Makingtrax has a leg harness that makes this available to all abilities, The harness keeps your legs together in free fall and lifts your legs after your canopy is deployed, sliding in on your tandem master’s butt, not yours. Whilst you are still buzzing, it’s back to where we started, Sumner! You now can relax, absorb the last 10 days and get merry, as it’s your last night in this magical land.

Day 11: Departure

Wake up invigorated knowing your guide is going to collect you to take you to the airport, when required, leaving you time to find your new favourite café and reflect on your journey of self-discovery, what you have achieved and memories you have gained for a lifetime. Today your new journey begins as an adventurer…unstoppable!