07 Day North Island Luxury New Zealand Tours

Experience the top destinations of New Zealand’s North Island on this luxury New Zealand trip. Our luxury guided tours cater to the discerning traveller, with bespoke tours and exquisite accommodation.

Your private guide will meet you at the airport and take you on the best New Zealand escorted tour on the market, with luxury accommodation and special personalised experiences that will elevate your holiday to something truly incredible.

7 Day North Island Luxury Guided Tour Itinerary | Luxury New Zealand Trip

Day 1 Auckland

Your fantastic guided holiday begins in New Zealand’s largest city, 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 (Tāmaki Paenga Hira) and explore the modern and traditional world-class exhibitions at Auckland Art Gallery (Toi o Tāmaki).

If you would like to get straight into nature; skipper an America’s Cup yacht, experience whale watching or hike an ancient volcanic cone.

In the evening the fairy lights of Federal Street will lure you into some of the finest restaurants in Auckland or head down to The Viaduct, a food and drinks hub in central Auckland. The Viaduct area is a mecca for excellent restaurants and roof top bars with a relaxing outlook of the harbour.

Stay 1 night in Auckland.

Day 2 Footwhistle Glowworm Cave + Rotorua

Travel time Auckland to Waitomo – 3 hours

waitomo caves — Footwhistle Glowworm Cave Tour

Venture off the beaten track as your guide takes you on a scenic drive to Waitomo. 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 ancient caverns as you embark on a private guided Footwhistle Tour with Cave World, where you will be captivated by the enchanting glow of thousands of glowworms illuminating the darkness above.

Driving time Waitomo Caves to Rotorua, 2 hours

This diverse city will put on a display as you encounter dramatic geysers, bubbling mud pools, crystal-clear streams, magical forests and 18 beautiful fresh water lakes.

Rotorua sits within the Pacific Ring of Fire, so volcanic activity is part of this town’s past and present. Rotorua is a geothermal wonderland and is the tribal home of the Te Arawa people, who settled in its lakeside geothermal area more than 600 years ago.

Stay 2 nights in Rotorua

Day 3 Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa + Te Pā Tū – Evening Cultural Experience & Hangi Dinner

Step into Wai Ariki, a place where Ngāti Whakaue culture, healing traditions, and warm hospitality converge. Nestled by the captivating Lake Rotorua, its name, ‘Chiefly Waters,’ reflects the majesty it holds. Owned and curated by the local iwi, you’ll discover the Wai Whakaora, a path to restoration, and the exclusive sanctuary, Āhuru Mōwai, both deeply rooted in Māori values. Experience a world of uniqueness that transcends borders and touches hearts. Wai Ariki awaits to embrace you with its magic. Relax and enjoy an exclusive selection of enriching spa experiences that connect you to culture and wellness, blending spa experiences and mineral bathing.

This evening, immerse yourself in Māori culture with the Te Pā Tū Evening Cultural Experience & Hāngi Dinner. Enjoy traditional storytelling, song, and dance before sharing a delicious seasonal hāngi feast cooked in an earth oven. This unforgettable evening celebrates Māori heritage, connection, and hospitality in a truly authentic setting.

Day 4 Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland + Sail to the Maori Rock Carvings + Taupo

Travel time Rotorua to Taupo – 1 hour

Enjoy the scenic journey to Taupo. Along the way, stop to visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is a spectacular showcase of New Zealand’s most colourful and unique geothermal elements sculpted by thousands of years of volcanic activity. The Lady Knox Geyser Show starts at 10:15 am so make sure you are there by then! Allow at least three hours to see everything and truly savour New Zealand’s most colourful geothermal park.

Taupo is rich in natural beauty with attractions such as Huka Falls. Huka Falls is New Zealand’s most visited attraction, where more than 220,000 litres of water thunder over the cliff face every second. Keeping with the water theme, Taupo is a great lake for trout fishing and scenic boat cruises.

This afternoon, cruise to the famous Māori Rock Carvings at Mine Bay, one of the must-do experiences in the Great Lake Taupō region. Glide across the sparkling waters of Lake Taupō aboard New Zealand’s only commercial electric yacht or our all-weather catamaran, discovering the lake’s natural wonders and hidden mysteries.

Soak in the picturesque secluded bays and take in breathtaking views of the snow-capped peaks of the World Heritage Tongariro National Park. Along the way, enjoy a full commentary on the volcanic history and Māori mythology of Lake Taupō. With no engine noise and no diesel fumes, the peaceful journey makes the experience of the Māori Rock Carvings even more special.

Stay 2 nights in Taupo

Day 5 Taupo Experiences

The lakeside town of Taupo provides a base for visitors who love to fish for trout; guided fly fishing or lake fishing trips are popular options. It is also a fantastic region for year-round mountain biking. The Great Lake Trails blend single track mountain biking with ever-changing views over Lake Taupo and Tongariro National Park. You can add a guided mountain bike trip and take in the beauty of this unique landscape.

Today, select from one of the following private experiences:
Greenstone Lake Hike (5.5 Hours)
Discover a hidden lake on the slopes of Mt Pihanga, formed by a landslide over 10,000 years ago. This peaceful loop walk winds through lush native forest and is rich in birdlife, volcanic history, and Māori cultural significance—perfect for walkers and nature lovers.

Fly Fishing (4 Hours)
Taupō’s world-renowned rivers and streams offer crystal-clear waters and outstanding trout fishing just minutes from town. Ideal for beginners and experienced anglers alike, with expert guides providing instruction or access to hidden local spots.

E-Bike Tour (3.5 Hours)
Cycle scenic trails to the Aratiatia Rapids and witness the dam gates opening as calm waters transform into a powerful surge. This guided e-bike ride suits confident cyclists and features mostly Grade 2 trails with some Grade 3 sections.

Boat Charter (3 Hours)
Relax on Lake Taupō, New Zealand’s largest lake, and enjoy uninterrupted views from the water. A laid-back cruising experience and a true Taupō must-do.

Day 6 Napier

Travel time Taupo to Napier – 2 hours

Discover Napier, the Art Deco capital of New Zealand. Street after street of stunning and beautifully-restored Art Deco buildings have made Napier famous as one of the most complete collections of Art Deco buildings in the world. Napier is also set within the country’s oldest and second largest wine growing region, Hawkes Bay, with many picturesque vineyards and wineries to explore.

A trip to Cape Kidnappers (approximately 40 minutes drive from Napier) offers great photo scapes, and is home to the world’s largest Gannet colony. More than 6500 breeding pairs of the Australasian gannet (Morus serrator) call Cape Kidnappers home. If you want to get up close, 4WD safaris are available which take you overland to Cape Kidnappers and within metres of the magnificent Gannets.

Stay 2 nights in Napier

Day 7 Napier Half Day Wine Tour

A wine tour with Prinsy’s will take you on a journey through gorgeous countryside and into the most famous wine growing regions of Hawke’s Bay. You will visit four internationally recognised wineries, where you’ll take part in a series of comprehensive wine tastings, with explanations from your tour guide. Whatever your previous experience with wine, you are guaranteed to come away with a better understanding and appreciation of wine than when you started.

Explore Napier this afternoon, with the option to discover an exciting world above and below the water at the National Aquarium. Home to a diverse range of the country’s marine and wildlife – see sharks, stingrays and fish swimming over you in the 1.5 million litre oceanarium or spot the native Tuatara and Kiwi.

Day 8 Napier to Auckland + Depart Auckland

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

Plan a Luxury New Zealand Trip

Through every step of the planning and booking process, New Zealand Guided Tours is by your side. We discuss your preferences, recommend top experiences around the country, and craft an itinerary to suit. Your bespoke luxury tour package is carefully designed to exceed every expectation.

We work with every level of luxury in New Zealand. From 5-star hotels through to exclusive luxury lodges, we aim to bring you the very best of this breathtaking country. For more inspiration on higher-end luxury offerings, take a look at our New Zealand Luxury Escapes brand. Or browse our other 7-day tours here.