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Experience the best of New Zealand on this fantastic private guided tour. We offer the best flexible New Zealand escorted tours, with no date or itinerary restrictions.
Our New Zealand escorted tours are fully customisable. In other words, we will tailor the tour package to match your interests and schedule. We cater for groups between 1 – 40 travellers.
Read on for more details on the 14 Day Iconic New Zealand Guided Tour.
Your fantastic guided holiday begins in Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. Surrounded by rugged mountains and bordered by the turquoise waters of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is a vibrant, buzzing mountain paradise.
Explore Queenstown with your guide, with the option to visit a winery or two in the Gibbston Valley of Vines, take a stroll along the lake, or ride the Skyline Gondola to the top of the hill for panoramic views over the valley.
Stay 3 nights in Queenstown.
Explore the Lord of the Rings locations around Queenstown with your guide today on an excursion to the stunning Glenorchy region. Stop along the way for majestic views up Lake Wakatipu, and visit the stunning Paradise Valley and Dart Valley at the head of the lake. Along the way, you will get the chance to see the filming locations for Isengard, Lothlorien, and Ithilien Camp.
Stop in Glenorchy for a coffee or relaxing lunch, and soak in the incredible views of snow-capped peaks and turquoise rivers.
There are many things to do in Queenstown; visit the Kiwi Birdlife Park, the Underwater Observatory, ride the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak for panoramic views over the Wakatipu Basin, or simply enjoy a lakefront stroll or a touch of boutique shopping.
Embark on a scenic coach journey to Milford Sound, known as the “eighth wonder of the world.” As you venture deep into the heart of Fiordland National Park, you will get the chance to stop and view a number of must-see destinations along the way.
At Milford Sound, witness the grandeur of this mighty fiord up close on a 2.5-hour nature cruise. View Milford Sound’s rainforest, soaring rock walls, towering snow capped mountains, cascading waterfalls, hanging valleys and wildlife… words just don’t do it justice, you have to see it for yourself! Throughout the cruise, guides share stories of the fiord’s history and are happy to answer your questions.
Travel time Queenstown to Wanaka – 1 hour
Visit Arrowtown with your guide on your way to Wanaka, and explore the quaint historic mining settlement. If there are any Lord of the Rings fans in the group, your guide will show you the filming locations for Minas Tirith, Argonath, the Misty Mountains, and the Ford of Bruinen.
Your scenic tour will continue as you enjoy the drive over the Crown Range to Wanaka. Your guide will stop along the way for photos at fantastic viewing points.
Explore the alpine town of Wanaka in the afternoon – your guide could take you to Puzzling World or Rippon Winery, or you could simply relax on the lakefront and do a bit of boutique shopping.
Stay 1 night in Wanaka.
Travel time Wanaka to Franz Josef – 4 hours
The Haast Pass Highway is one of the most scenic alpine routes in New Zealand. Explore the pass with your guide, stopping to view cascading waterfalls, broad alpine meadows, craggy snowcapped mountains, and the turquoise depths of the Blue Pools.
Continuing along the West Coast, your guide will take you to Lake Matheson, where you can take a 20 minute walk (one-way) to the jetty, to admire the reflected views of the Southern Alps on the surface of the lake.
In the afternoon, take an unforgettable helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier, where you will land in the snow to enjoy incredible views of the majestic Southern Alps.
Stay 1 night in Franz Josef.
Travel time Franz Josef to Greymouth – 2.5 hours
Train travel time Greymouth to Christchurch – 4.5 hours
Leave the rugged West Coast behind today as you board the TranzAlpine Train for a fantastic journey through Arthurs Pass. Travel past the soaring peaks and braided rivers of the Southern Alps, through the gorges of the Waimakariri River, and past the rolling Canterbury Plains. The trip is 223.8 kilometres long and takes just 4.5 hours. There are 16 tunnels and 5 viaducts, the highest being the ‘Staircase’ standing at 73 metres. This New Zealand train journey is amongst the top rates world wide and is a must do while in New Zealand!
Your guide will meet you at the train station and bring you to your accommodation.
Stay 1 night in Christchurch.
Travel time Christchurch to Kaikoura – 2.5 hours
Discover the East Coast today on the scenic drive to Kaikoura, stopping along the way to view seals and rugged coastal panoramas.
In the afternoon, you have the option to add on a whale watching cruise or flight to view the majestic sperm whales that frequent the area.
Spend the evening in Kaikoura, a stunning coastal town with a backdrop of majestic mountains. Be sure to sample the superb local seafood at dinner!
Stay 1 night in Kaikoura.
Travel time Kaikoura to Picton – 2 hours
Begin your day with a tour through the stunning Marlborough wine region, with the option to stop at a winery or two along the way to sample the award-winning vintages.
Sailing time Picton to Wellington – 3 hours
When you reach Picton, embark on a cruise across the windswept Cook Strait to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city.
Set on the edge of a stunning harbour, surrounded by rolling hills, Wellington is a city rich in culture waiting to be explored. From shopping and picturesque walks to concerts, live theatre, exhibitions, festivals, Te Papa Tongarewa: the Museum of New Zealand, and more – Wellington has something for everyone.
Stay 2 nights in Wellington.
Become acquainted with this charming city today – you could visit the Te Papa Museum, ride the Wellington Cable Car, visit Weta Workshop, or take in the views from the top of Mt Victoria.
Travel time Wellington to Taupo – 4.5 hours
Venture into the heart of the North Island as you enjoy the drive to Taupo, a small town set beside New Zealand’s largest lake. With the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park looming in the distance, and the lake itself formed from an ancient volcanic crater, you will get a close-up look at the immense forces that shaped New Zealand. Visit Huka Falls with your guide and relax on the lakefront.
In the afternoon, sample the best of Lake Taupo on a Peek at the Lake scenic floatplane flight.
Stay 1 night in Taupo.
Travel time Taupo to Rotorua – 1 hour
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 evening, enjoy a sumptuous dinner at Rotorua’s most spectacular location – the top of the Skyline Gondola!
Stay 2 nights in Rotorua.
Stroll through Hell’s Gate Geothermal Reserve in the morning, where you will have the opportunity to experience the rich Maori culture and soak in a relaxing sulphur spa.
Visit Hamurana with your guide in the afternoon, where you will have the chance to enjoy a nature walk through a towering redwood grove and past a vivid turquoise and green stream.
You also have the option to visit the Redwoods Treewalk, which features 23 suspension bridges through 115-year-old redwood trees, or explore the Government Gardens and Museum, located on the waterfront of Lake Rotorua.
Travel time Rotorua to Waitomo Caves – 2 hours
Venture off the beaten track as your guide takes you on a scenic drive to the Waitomo Caves. The land is wilder around here, with limestone outcroppings emerging from farmland and densely forested hills rising all around, but the wildest landscape of all lies underground.
Witness the marvels of these vast caverns as you explore two fantastic caves – the Ruakuri Cave, home to a dizzying array of cave formations, and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where you will be dazzled by a galaxy of glowworms overhead.
Travel time Waitomo Caves to Hamilton – 1 hour
After your Waitomo Caves adventure, your tour will continue north to Hamilton, New Zealand’s largest inland city.
Stay 1 night in Hamilton.
Travel time Hamilton to Auckland – 1.5 hours
Your fantastic guided holiday ends in New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland. Home to one third of New Zealand’s population and bordered by two stunning harbours, Auckland is thriving, diverse city surrounded by natural wonders.
Explore Auckland with your guide in the afternoon, visiting top attractions such as the Sky Tower, Mt Eden’s volcanic crater, Waiheke Island, Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World, or Piha Beach.
In the evening, enjoy a decadent harbour dinner cruise on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour.
Stay 1 night in Auckland.
Your guide will deliver you to Auckland Airport for your departing flight.
As you plan your New Zealand tour, our team is here every step of the way. From answering questions to recommending top options based on your interests, we promise to make your tour planning process easy and stress-free.
Our New Zealand escorted tours are fully customisable based on your interests. We will work with you to ensure your holiday matches exactly what you are looking for.
For more inspiration, take a look at our 10-day guided tour or 21-day guided tour.
Contact your personal New Zealand Guided Tours specialist today...