10 Day North Island Luxury Guided Tour

Experience the top destinations of New Zealand’s North Island on this luxury guided tour. Indulge in comfort, style, and exclusive sightseeing with luxury travel to New Zealand.

Your private guide will meet you at the airport and take you on one of the best New Zealand escorted tours on the market, with luxury accommodation and special personalised experiences that will elevate your holiday experience to something truly incredible. We specialise in all types of luxury travel to New Zealand, from affordable luxury to high-end private tours.

10 Day North Island Luxury Guided Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Auckland

Auckland is a multi-cultural urban oasis of food, music, arts and culture. World-class shopping and phenomenal dining is never too far from harbours, islands, native bush and black-sand beaches.

Explore Auckland with your guide. You might like to experience some of the arts and culture Auckland has to offer. Learn about the Māori history and traditions at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Explore the modern and traditional world-class exhibitions at Auckland Art Gallery.

If you would like to get straight into nature skipper an America’s Cup yacht or experience whale watching.

Option to visit top attractions such as the Sky Tower and Mt Eden’s volcanic crater.

In the evening the fairy lights of Federal Street will lure you into some of the finest restaurants in Auckland.

Stay 1 night in Auckland.

Day 2 Bay of Islands

Travel time Auckland to Bay of Islands – 4 hours 

Discover the stunning northern reaches of New Zealand today with your guide. The Bay of Islands is a subtropical micro-region made up of 144 islands known for its stunning beauty & history.

New Zealand’s newest Marine mammal sanctuary Te Pēwhairangi (Bay of Islands) boasts an abundance of marine life, which includes whales, dolphins, penguins, fur seals and a large variety of sea birds. For those that love nature, beaches and water activities, it’s paradise.

The bustling seaside town of Paihia has an extensive choice of activities, accommodation and delicious dining options. Paihia is the perfect base for discovering the coves and beaches of the Bay of Islands.

Stay 3 nights in Paihia.

Day 3 Bay of Islands + Cape Reinga

Visit the top of Aotearoa (New Zealand) and venture to Cape Reinga. This full day trip takes you to one of the most northern points of New Zealand where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean collide.

On the way to Cape Reinga you could visit Gumdiggers park where ancient Kauri forest was buried thousands of years ago.

You could visit the world famous Mangonui Fish Shop for lunch and grab the freshest fish and chips as the sea washes gently beneath your feet.

If time permits visit Waipoua Forest. Waipoua is an ancient green world of towering trees and rare birds. This forest is the home of Tāne Mahuta, the country’s largest kauri tree, which is approximately 2,000 years old.

Day 4 Bay of Islands + Discover the Bay Cruise

Board the premium cruise ‘Discover the Bay’ and see for yourself the best of what the Bay of Islands has to offer. Journey to the Hole in the Rock and if weather permits, sail through it. See marine wildlife including Dolphins and stop off at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island to have a swim, go for a walk and relax.

In the afternoon, relax on one of the many warm, secluded beaches and explore the area.

You have the opportunity to experience Maori culture by visiting Waitangi’s treaty house, gardens and national marae (meeting house). The Waitangi Treaty Grounds is where the signing of New Zealand’s founding document Te Tiriti o Waitangi took place on February 6th 1840. The Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi and Te Rau Aroha Museum are located on the grounds along with the Treaty House and Te Whare Rūnanga (the House of Assembly), making this a fascinating place to explore.

Day 5 Waiheke Island

Travel time Bay of Islands to Waiheke Island – 5 hours 

Tour to Waiheke Island, where you’ll find beautiful galleries and craft boutiques in this homeland of artists. There are plenty of places to enjoy a good coffee or taste New Zealand’s fresh Pacific Rim cuisine. The island also boasts more than a dozen high-quality vineyards, many with relaxed restaurants onsite. Enjoy local wine while looking out over vine-covered valleys to the blue sea beyond.

The white sandy beaches at Oneroa, Palm Beach and Onetangi slope gently down into the Hauraki Gulf and are perfect for swimming, kayaking, or having a picnic. You may also like to explore the island’s trails.

Stay 1 night on Waiheke Island.

Day 6 Rotorua + Private Māori Culture Experience + Premium Gondola Dinner

Travel time Auckland to Rotorua – 3.5 hours 

Enjoy the scenic drive through rolling farmland to Rotorua, the geothermal capital of New Zealand. Tour the exciting geothermal attractions with your guide, visiting sulphur springs, mud pools, geysers, and sinter terraces.

In the afternoon experience a private Māori Culture experience. Explore the untouched, sacred land of the Ngāti Pikiao tribe, in this intimate, exclusive and private three-hour 4WD experience. Guided by a local and highly knowledgeable Māori guide, you’ll explore their stunning marae, landscapes and amazing views that look over Rotorua’s lake district. En route, you’ll learn the myths and legends of the people, the rich history and their fascinating ways of life.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at Rotorua’s most spectacular location – Skyline Restaurant. Sit back and relax as the views from the gondola unfold on your journey to the Skyline complex. The Skyline Restaurant will then serve you a mouthwatering taste of New Zealand cuisine.

Stay 2 nights in Rotorua.

Day 7 Rotorua Geothermal Reserve Tour & Spa + Māori Culture Evening Experience & Māori Hāngi Dinner

Stroll through Hell’s Gate Geothermal Reserve in the morning, where you will have the opportunity to experience the rich Māori culture and soak in a relaxing sulphur spa.

In the evening, experience a unique insight into Māori culture. Be enthralled by Māori cultural performances. Taste an exquisite Māori feast prepared in the traditional Hangi style. You will be treated to New Zealand mussels, traditional rewana bread and dips, meats, chicken, lamb, vegetables and salads. Try a local drink made from kawakawa extract and manuka honey plus make sure you leave room for dessert.  After dinner you will be invited to board the motorised waka for a journey to Te Puia’s geothermal valley. You’ll disembark right in front of the Pohutu Geyser, illuminated in its full glory beneath a starry sky. Marvel at the sight of this glorious natural wonder, while your tour guide entertains you with traditional Māori

Day 8 Taupō + Huka Falls Jet

Travel time Rotorua to Taupō – 1 hour 

Taupō is rich in natural beauty with attractions such as the Huka Falls.

Included is the Hukafalls Jet, the only jet boat company permitted to take you to the base of the mighty Huka Falls. This half hour of thrills, fun and excitement takes you 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 in one of our state of the art jet boats at an incredible 80km an hour! Along the way their trademark 360 degree spins will leave you with a beaming smile and a heart pumping with adrenaline – and that’s even before reaching the spectacular Huka Falls! From your unique vantage point on the jet boat you will have the best water level view of Huka Falls.

Explore Taupō in the afternoon with your guide. The forests surrounding the lake offer hiking and mountain biking to suit all levels of experience. Pedal along the forested shores of Lake Taupō and admire the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park on the Great Lake Trail.

Stay 2 nights in Taupō.

Day 9 Taupo + Orakei Korako Scenic Flight

In the morning enjoy your Orakei Korako Scenic Flight. Taking off from the waters of Taupō Bay the scenic flight turns over the boat harbour tracking north past the steaming “Craters of the Moon” to the Hidden Valley of “Orakei Korako”. Landing on the Waikato River to tie along side a floating jetty where you disembark for a journey into the hidden valley of Orakei Korako which takes about 1-1 ½ hours. The return flight passes over the massive Huka Falls and over Taupō’s town before landing along the lakefront.

Explore Taupō and the nearby Tongariro National Park if you wish in the afternoon. Home to three towering volcanoes – Ruapehu, the largest mountain in the North Island; Ngauruhoe, the youngest volcano; and Tongariro, whose landscape has developed over the last 300,000 years. If you wish to enjoy a few short or long hikes in the national park, Whakapapa Village has a number of trailheads leading to waterfalls and viewpoints, or else you could hike the first section of the famous Tongariro Crossing beginning from the Mangatepopo Car Park.

There is also fantastic golf opportunities at two of New Zealand’s premier courses; Wairakei Golf Club and Kinloch Golf Club.

Day 10 Waitomo Glowworm Caves + Auckland

Travel time Taupo to Waitomo Caves – 2 hours

World-renowned and a magnet for both local and overseas visitors, the Waitomo Glowworm Caves occupy a high placing in the New Zealand vacation wish-list. The glowworm, Arachnocampa luminosa, is unique to New Zealand. T​housands of these tiny creatures radiate their unmistakable luminescent light as the expert guides provide informative commentary on the Caves’ historical and geological significance.

Enjoy the world famous boat ride under thousands of magical glowworms.

Travel time Waitomo Caves to Auckland – 2 hours

As your tour draws to a close, return to Auckland and spend your final afternoon touring around with your guide, or celebrating the end of a fantastic tour with a harbour dinner cruise.

Stay 1 night in Auckland.

Day 11 Depart Auckland

Travel time Hamilton to Auckland – 2 hours

Your guide will deliver you to Auckland Airport for your departing flight.

Planning Luxury Travel to New Zealand

Each luxury tour we book is bespoke and carefully crafted. We work with each client to determine what experiences and level of indulgence they are hoping for.

Luxury travel to New Zealand is a rewarding experience, and we pledge to provide an unforgettable tour. From exquisite luxury lodges to premium helicopter tours, New Zealand leads the world in luxury travel. For more inspiration, view our New Zealand Luxury Escapes brand.

We also offer a 10 Day South Island Luxury Guided Tour and a 10 Day New Zealand Luxury Guided Tour.