16D15N New Zealand in Luxury

Exceptional Experiences:

• Auckland Bridge Climb Experience: Scaling the Auckland Harbour Bridge is rewarding and educational. This fully-guided tour which will take you right to the top – giving you a 360-degree view of Auckland.

• Private Hobbiton Movie Set Guided Tour: Step into the enchanting village of Hobbiton Movie Set where your guide will take you on a two-hour tour around the set, showing the intricate detailing, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how the movie magic was made.

• Private Access to Natural Hot Springs of Lake Tarawera & Trout Fishing: Enjoy soaking in the thermal waters rising gently through the lake bed as the morning sun filters through native bush. Then, try to fish for some trout and the enjoy fresh trout prepared for you by our Chef.

• 2 Night Stay at Award-Winning Huka Lodge: Within 17-acres of magnificently manicured grounds, luxury accommodation is available within just 26 suites. All nestling along the banks of the magnificent Waikato River, upstream from the mighty Huka Falls.

• Unique Stargazing Experience: Take the opportunity to relax by floating in the pool with the assistance of a buoyancy pillow as you look straight up the incredible night sky. Picturesque by day and dazzling by night, Lake Tekapo part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, making it the perfect spot for stargazing.

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Itinerary:

Day 1: Singapore – Auckland

Depart Singapore for Auckland

Day 2: Auckland

Upon arrival in Auckland, start your trip with an adventure and scale the Auckland Harbour Bridge and experience the Auckland Bridge Climb. Scaling the Auckland Harbour Bridge is rewarding and educational. This fully-guided tour which will take you right to the top – giving you a 360-degree view of Auckland. With custom-engineered walkways, it is safe and an experience not to be missed.

Then, head to Auckland’s oldest suburb, Parnell Village, known for upscale boutiques, galleries and dining options, posh restaurants, quaint cafes, diverse galleries and shopping districts, and is definitely a top spot to explore whilst in the area. Venture a little further south and you’ll stumble upon the eternally bustling area of Newmarket, a suburb boasting a reputation as the fashion and trend capital of New Zealand.

Make your way to your accommodation to check-in at SO/ Auckland, the trendiest artistic and musical melting pot in town. Situated downtown in the lively Britomart district, SO is placed within the dynamic vibe of the city. Walk to nearby fashionable boutiques and galleries, Viaduct Precinct and Wynyard Quarter with cafes, restaurants and nightlife along the waterfront.

Wine and dine in Harbour Society where our SO passionate team of Chefs reinterpret French culinary traditions with an unconventional twist.

Accommodation: 5* S/O Auckland

Day 3: Mata Mata

This morning after breakfast, travel towards the Pacific Coastal Highway and embark on a private Hobbiton Movie Set Guided Tour.

Step into the enchanting village of Hobbiton Movie Set where your guide will take you on a two-hour tour around the set, showing the intricate detailing, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how the movie magic was made. View Hobbit Holes, the Mill and Green Dragon Inn and conclude your own Middle-earth adventure.

After which, check into your accommodation, Solitaire Lodge at Rotorua or similar. Solitaire Lodge Rotorua, one of New Zealand’s premier luxury lodges, enjoys breathtaking views over Lake Tarawera, with lush natural bush and volcanic landscape backdrop. The subtle design brings the outdoors in, inviting you to unwind and soak up the peace and quiet of this tranquil setting.

In the evening, head for a Mitai Cultural Experience incl Hangi Dinner Experience. This experience will give you an authentic introduction to Maori culture leaving you amazed and in awe. Be enthralled by the natural bush setting and witness warriors in traditional dress paddle an ancient warrior canoe (waka) down the Wai-o-whiro stream.

Marvel at the crystal clear water full of eels and trout, flowing directly from the earth at the sacred Fairy Spring. Then, see how the traditionally cooked hangi meal is lifted from the ground. During the cultural performance, learn about Maoridom's past, carvings and ta moko (tattoo art). Be captivated by the displays of weaponry and combat, coupled with the grace and beauty of the poi dance.

Return to your accommodation after dinner and rest for the night.

Accommodation: 5* Solitaire Lodge

Day 4: Rotorua

This morning, head to Polynesian Hot Pools and Spa. Polynesian Spa's geothermal hot mineral waters are sourced from two natural springs and feed into 28 hot mineral pools. It is New Zealand’s original and iconic geothermal bathing experience, with exclusive access to both acidic and alkaline natural mineral springs, and unique spa therapies for the ultimate in rest and relaxation. Here, relax and enjoy a hot mineral soak, your choice of therapy and the relaxation lounge.

In the late afternoon, visit the Redwoods Treewalk that takes you through exotic redwoods forest at new heights! Experience the Redwoods Nightlights – where forest and fantasy come to life. Redwoods Nightlights™ is one of New Zealand’s top design-led tourism experiences that features 30 exquisite lanterns designed by world-renowned designer and sustainability champion David Trubridge. Floating between 9-20 metres above the forest floor, this award-winning, eco-tourism walk is 700 metres long, spans across 28 suspension bridges and 27 platforms and takes about 40 minutes to complete. Surround yourself with gentle giants, native fauna and sweeping silver ferns in this peaceful haven above the forest floor.   The stunning light displays lighting up the forest in colourful and creative ways giving you the perfect photo opportunity.

In the evening, check into your accommodation.

Tonight, enjoy a five-course meal that includes starter, entrée, sorbet, choice of 2 mains and dessert. Engage in lively conversation with fellow guests in the Lodge’s dining room, or choose an intimate dinner for two in your Suite.

Accommodation: 5* Solitaire Lodge

Day 5: Taupo – Huka Lodge

This morning, take a 15-minute private launch excursion to the natural hot springs of Lake Tarawera. Best accessed prior to breakfast. Enjoy soaking in the thermal waters rising gently through the lake bed as the morning sun filters through native bush.

Then, board a Catamaran at the Solitaire Lodge Jetty and go on a private lake excursion. Have breakfast on board. Lake Tarawera boasts the largest water volume in the Lakes District, at an average of 200ft deep, and is the ideal spawning ground for Rainbow Trout. Catching 4 to 5-pound trout is a regular occurrence, the excitement of which is only matched by the lure of the chase, and the enjoyment of fresh trout prepared for you by our Chef.

Then, visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve and encounter bubbling mud, pools of boiling water still used for cooking, and stunning geysers. The Pōhutu geyser is the star of the show.

This evening, make your way to your accommodation at Huka Lodge at Taupo. Offering elegance and refinement, this accommodation in Taupo endears its self to discerning luxury travellers in New Zealand. Within 17-acres of magnificently manicured grounds, luxury accommodation is available within just 26 suites. All nestling along the banks of the magnificent Waikato River, upstream from the mighty Huka Falls.

Accommodation: 5* Huka Lodge

Day 6: Taupo – Huka Lodge

This morning, visit New Zealand's most spectacular and most visited natural attractions, Huka Falls via the Hukafalls Jet. At Huka Falls you can witness the phenomenon of natural hydropower with more than 220,000 litres of water per sec barreling over 11meter high waterfall.

As we board the Hukafalls Jet, it takes us along a beautiful river environment, lined with native bush, sheer rock cliff face and hot water streams. Hold on tight as you'll be travelling at an incredible 80km an hour! Along the way, be prepared for 360-degree spins that will leave you with a beaming smile and a heart pumping with adrenaline.

Then, take a drive to Tongariro National Park en route via Bulli Point, passing Lake Taupo. Make a stop if you wish and snap away. If you are feeling adventurous, take the plunge into the fresh blue water of Lake Taupō from Bulli Point / Te Poporo.

Make your way to your accommodation at Huka Lodge at Taupo.

Accommodation: 5* Huka Lodge

Day 7: Christchurch – Franz Josef

This morning, board a domestic flight for Christchurch. Arrive in Christchurch, and drive past the towns of Otira and along the Taramakau River to Kumara, past the town of Hokitika, well known for its jade carvers. Then, continue your journey to the Glacier Region of Fox and Franz Josef.

Formed during the ice ages, the glaciers advance and retreat with seasonal weather patterns. They make for spectacular landscapes surrounded by luxuriant rainforests.

Arrive at the Best Rated Tree Walk In The South Island. An exhilarating treetop adventure among temperate rainforest giants. Experience life with the birds, high in the ancient Rimu and Kamahi tree canopy. Easy access for all to enjoy along with a steel platform 20 metres high and over 450 metres long.

Enjoy a leisurely 45 minute to one hour stroll through the beautiful West Coast rainforest treetops.

After which, check into your accommodation at Te Waonui Forest Retreat Hotel.

Accommodation: 5* Te Waonui Forest Retreat Hotel

Day 8: Wanaka

Depart the Glacier Region this morning and travel down to the Award-winning Mou Waho Island Lake Cruise and Island Nature Walk, which is a “Must Do” for Nature lovers, Botanists to Birdwatchers and Photographers alike.

Cruise across Lake Wanaka to the remote and magical Mou Waho Island nature reserve, a predator-free home to the rare flightless Buff Weka (extinct on the mainland since 1920). Your guide will take you on a guided bush walk to reveal the ‘island’s secret’ a lake on top of the island! Enjoy ‘high tea’ overlooking both of these lakes - where we are often joined by the Buff Weka.

Plant a native tree as part of your eco-experience - a unique opportunity to give back to this special island and New Zealand’s environment.

Accommodation: 5* Edgewater Hotel- Lake Wanaka, New Zealand

Day 9: Queenstown – Te Anau

This morning after breakfast, we leave Wanaka via the rugged and rocky Kawarau Gorge. This is one of the scenic corridors leading to Queenstown, nestled on the shore of Lake Wakatipu.

We arrive in Queenstown, nestled among glacier rounded hills and dramatic rugged mountain peaks, is one of New Zealand's major resort centres and we make a quick stop in Queenstown for lunch.

After which, we continue the journey to the southern arm of Lake Wakatipu and onward to Lake Te Anau. Lake Te Anau, the largest of the South Island lakes, covers 344 sq. km. It has four arms reaching to the west, separated by forested mountain ranges. Te Anau is also the natural gateway to Fiordland Park, and is the base for trips to Manapouri, the Eglington and Hollyford Valley.

Thereafter, we check into our accommodation, Fiordland Lodge located in one of the world's most beautiful areas. It is an area where snow-capped mountains, rivers of ice, deep lakes, unbroken forests and tussock grasslands produce a landscape of exceptional beauty.

Fiordland Lodge is a member of Luxury Lodges of New Zealand, a select group of most exclusive luxury lodges in New Zealand – fulfilling the promise of our outstanding landscape.

In the late afternoon, we will cruise across beautiful Lake Te Anau on board the luxury catamaran Luminosa to Cavern House on the western shores. The crew will share stories about the natural history and early pioneers to the region.

Upon arrival join your nature guide for the Te Anau Glowworm Caves experience both above and below ground. Highlights include the spectacular Tunnel Burn Stream that flows through the caves system. Deep underground, you are transferred into small boats to drift silently along the river below a magical display of the New Zealand glow-worm. Above ground, your guide will explain in detail aspects of the cave and its various inhabitants in the well-appointed visitor and interpretation centre. After which, you will return by catamaran to Te Anau and make your way back to your hotel.

Accommodation: 5* Fiordland Lodge Te Anau

Day 10: Milford Sound - Queenstown

This morning, you will depart Te Anau and enjoy scenic stops to Milford Sound, including Mirror Lakes and the Eglinton Valley. Upon arrival at Milford Sound, enjoy a Milford Sound Nature Cruise.

Enjoy the constantly evolving landscapes from windswept alpine plains and turquoise lakes to vast mountain peaks and lovely lakeside towns. Skip the crowds and never miss a photo opportunity with the flexibility to stop, step out of the car and breathe in the crisp mountain air. Along the way, look out for the crystal-clear Lake Te Anau, wildflower-filled plains of the Eglinton Valley, picturesque Lake Marian and Mirror Lakes, the engineering feat that is the 1270m long Homer Tunnel and thundering waterfalls at Chasm Creek.

To ensure the most authentic experience, we travel with one of the best small boat operators in Milford Sound. This guarantees an uncrowded, comfortable cruise that enables you to get closer to nature’s wonders.

After the cruise, board your private transfer and drive to Queenstown.

Check into your accommodation and rest for the night.

Accommodation: 5* The Rees Hotel and Luxury Apartments

Day 11: Queenstown

This morning after breakfast, go on a 'Funyak Safari', a unique adventure. This adventure that exhilarating wilderness jet boating with ‘Funyak’ inflatable canoes as a fun way to intimately explore magnificent ‘World Heritage’ wilderness within Mt Aspiring National Park. Professional guides will take you on an inspiring adventure through dramatic landscapes to discover the natural and cultural diversity of this unique and special area.

The next part of your adventure begins as you paddle and drift your own ‘Funyak’ on a fun downstream journey, with your specialist guide pointing out sights and sharing stories of this awe-inspiring area as you explore the shimmering channels of the Dart River as well as hidden side streams, rock pools and dramatic chasms.

Stop along the way and enjoy a delicious buffet lunch amidst wilderness surrounds before continuing in your ‘Funyak’ downstream to ‘Paradise’. From here travel via back-country routes through spectacular locations and scenery that have formed the epic backdrop for many international movies, including ‘The Lord of the Rings’.

Accommodation: 5* The Rees Hotel and Luxury Apartments

Day 12: Mt Cook

This morning, we depart Queenstown and travel through the rugged and beautiful landscape of the Central Otago Region.

You will drop by Twizel, situated in the Mackenzie Basin and the closest town to Mt Cook and the Tasman Glacier. Twizel’s fly fishing rivers and canals, including the Ahuriri and Tekapo Rivers, are brimming with world record rainbow trout, brown trout and salmon. The Mackenzie Basin is named after the legendary Scottish shepherd turned sheep rustler James Mackenzie.

Make a stop and visit a Salmon Farm and taste some Salmon. The Chinook (or King) salmon are grown in the glacial waters of the Mackenzie Country hydro canals. The constant flow of pristine water makes our salmon firm in flesh, and mild on the palate.

After this, drive to Mt Cook. Mount Cook National Park or as known in Maori "Aorangi", the cloud piercer, loams in the foreground.

Mount Cook Village is located at the base of New Zealand's highest mountain of an impressive 3754m. Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park was awarded 'World Heritage' status in recognition of its qualities and rare beauty. The Park covers an area of nearly 7,000 hectares of majestic alpine scenery with more than one third being in permanent snow and glacial ice. The park contains 22 of the 27 peaks over 10,000 feet (3,000 metres) in New Zealand.

Then, check into your hotel for the night.

Accommodation: 4* Hermitage Hotel

Day 13: Mt Cook

This morning, embark on a Glacier Boat Trip. You will be picked up at your hotel.

Then, explore New Zealand's largest glacier by boat. Listen to the huge ice-face melting before your eyes in this peaceful glacial lake nestled in the Southern Alps. Discover the magnificent ice formations, which have calved into the murky waters of Lake Tasman, and if you dare, stop to touch and taste this 500-year-old ice.

Experience the excitement of walking on the iceberg and being shocked back to reality as rockfall crashes down from the ice-face above and take a 25-minute Alpine walk to the lake.

After the tour, take a short coach transfer to return to the Hermitage Hotel.

After lunch, go for a Hooker Valley Half-Day Nature Walk. Your knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides will tell you all about the unique flora and fauna of the region and local history as you trek through this amazing landscape whilst providing breath-taking views of some of New Zealand's highest and most enthralling peaks.

This guided half-day nature tour is a stunning 4.5km return trek along the well-maintained track. The journey takes in the poignant Alpine Memorial and passes over the turbulent Hooker River by swing bridge to unsurpassed vistas of Aoraki Mount Cook's south face and the surrounding glaciers.

Return back to your accommodation for the night.

Accommodation: 4* Hermitage Hotel

Day 14: Tekapo

Today, we head for Tekapo and arrive at Tekapo Springs, one of New Zealand’s leading tourism attractions, providing the perfect mix of relaxation and recreation in Lake Tekapo.

Enjoy a unique Tekapo Springs with stargazing experience. Take the opportunity to relax by floating in the pool with the assistance of a buoyancy pillow as you look straight up the incredible night sky. Picturesque by day and dazzling by night, Lake Tekapo part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, making it the perfect spot for stargazing.

Accommodation: 4* Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo

Day 15: Christchurch

Today, head to Christchurch and enjoy your day at leisure.

The adventurous spirit of Christchurch's early English settlers has helped shape the personality and character of the city and province of Canterbury. Elegant Victorian buildings stand shoulder to shoulder with European style cafes, bistros and bars; an architectural marvel of the Victorian time. Enjoy a walk through Hagley Park and the Botanical Gardens or maybe visit the Art Gallery.

Accommodation: 5* The George Hotel Christchurch

Day 16: Christchurch – Singapore

This morning, enjoy a visit to Penguin Encounter and indulge in an exclusive champagne breakfast. Saveur the memorable moment and be captivated as you enjoy breakfast and entertained by the little blue penguins swimming in the massive aquarium.

For the perfect start to the day it’s hard to beat our breakfast with the penguins' tour. Here the early bird will catch breakfast, learn about Antarctica and get to enjoy all the other exciting experiences here at the centre.

Breakfast commences at 7.30 am next to the Penguin Encounter and includes an informative talk on Little Blue penguins and Antarctica. After a hearty meal you’ll have all the energy you need to tour the rest of the centre.

Note: There is a minimum number of 20 guests and a maximum of 40 for this special breakfast event. If time permits, you can do some shopping before you transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Please note: This itinerary is designed to give you an idea of what to expect on the tour but is not set in stone. What we actually do on a given day is flexible and can be tailored based on the interests of the group.

This itinerary and its package inclusions might be changed later in time, subject to availability.

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