11 Day Horizons to Peaks ‘Premium’ Tour 

Upon arrival you will be picked up for your private transfer from Auckland International Airport to your accommodation with time to get a feel for Auckland.

AUCKLAND / TĀMAKI MAKAURAU – an exciting, sporting and cultural city, sprawled on a narrow isthmus, between two harbours. The Waitemata and Manukau Harbours, are a main feature of the city, along with numerous volcanic cones such as Mount Eden and Rangitoto Island. The city’s many beaches, marinas and parks, make it ideal for outdoor pursuits such as yachting, rugby, cricket or a day at the beach. The Auckland metropolitan area is New Zealand’s biggest city, and the population mix of European, Maori, and Pacific Islander, make Auckland the largest Polynesian city in the World.

One of the best ways to get to know Auckland without having to drive in the traffic yourself is on a TIME Unlimited Tours Private Auckland Luxury Full Day Tour and this morning you are booked on. This premium private tour is tailored to your interests, offering a full-day experience of Auckland’s best. The journey includes visits to the city’s highlights, such as its volcanic cones and historical sites, and a trip to the magnificent west coast. You’ll travel in a luxury vehicle with a knowledgeable guide who can provide insights into both the urban and natural landscapes of the region.

This morning you will pick up your Intermediate SUV rental car  and your journey begins by heading south from Auckland, traveling through the lush, green hills of the Waikato region. You’ll pass plenty of farms, it’s the heart of dairy country!

On the way you’ll visit the spellbinding Waitomo Glowworm Caves and join the Ruakuri Caves Tour. You can journey deep underground with New Zealand’s longest guided walking cave tour. The adventure begins as you descend through a spectacular spiral entrance, leading you into a breathtaking subterranean landscape. Here, you’ll walk amongst softly folding shawl-like limestone formations and crystal tapestries. Your guide will bring the cave’s history and Māori legends to life as you get up close to sparkling glowworms. The tour is also unique because photography is permitted, so you can capture the stunning beauty of this special place.

As you get closer to Rotorua, you’ll start to notice the unique, sulphur-rich air. It’s the city’s signature scent and a sign that you’ve arrived in a place full of bubbling mud pools and incredible Māori culture.

ROTORUA – located on a volcanic plateau, and formerly a spa town, Rotorua is most famous for its geothermal activity. Rotorua is the main place in New Zealand where aspects of Māori traditions can be seen, from wood carvings, and meeting houses, to a Hangi Dinner and Māori dances. Native and introduced tree species abound locally and combined with several picturesque lakes, Rotorua is a fascinating mix of culture and nature.

We have chosen three fantastic optional tours for you to choose from today. If one of these doesn’t suit then your consultant can suggest many more including ones on the more adventurous side however we have booked the Te Pa Tu, Evening Experience for tonight as we think this is a must do.

This is an unforgettable evening that celebrates Māori culture and tradition. You’ll be welcomed with a traditional pōwhiri (welcome), and your guide will lead you on a journey through a reconstructed village. The experience includes stories, songs, and demonstrations of Māori life, followed by a powerful cultural performance and a delicious five-course feast. It is an intimate and engaging way to learn about the Māori world.

Leave Rotorua and travel south through Taupō and the central plateau. The route crosses the Desert Road, providing spectacular views of Mount Ruapehu. Continue through the Manawatū region and along the Kāpiti Coast. Your journey concludes as you arrive in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital on a stunning natural harbour.

WELLINGTON/TE WHANGANUI-A-TARA – the Capital city of New Zealand since 1865, is situated around Wellington harbour, its houses clinging precipitously to the steep hillsides. Wellington is renowned for its wind which is channelled through the Cook Strait and causes the wind to blow most days. A clever blend of buildings, old and new, beautiful vistas of the city and harbour, and a cosmopolitan mix of culture and arts give Wellington its heart, and vibrant atmosphere.

We have chosen a couple of fantastic optional tours for you to choose from today whether your a foodie or a Frodo-ie. If one of these doesn’t suit then your consultant can suggest many more.

This journey starts with taking yourselves and your car on a scenic ferry ride across the Cook Strait from Wellington to Picton. You’ll be treated to incredible views of the Marlborough Sounds before arriving in Picton, a beautiful harbour town that serves as a gateway to the South Island.

Interislander Ferry, Wellington to Picton. This is a spectacular journey, often described as one of the most scenic ferry crossings in the world. As you depart Wellington’s harbor, you’ll enter the Cook Strait, where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. The highlight of the trip is the cruise through the tranquil Marlborough Sounds, with its secluded bays, lush forests, and rugged coastline. The “Plus” experience elevates your trip with access to the exclusive, child-free Premium Lounge. Here, you’ll find comfortable seating, complimentary food and a selection of premium New Zealand wines and craft beers, ensuring a peaceful and luxurious passage with some of the best views on the ship.

BLENHEIM/WAIHARAKEKE – the “Sunshine Capital” of New Zealand is situated on the Wairau Plain near the top of the South Island. Blenheim’s combination of high sunshine hours, a long ripening period, and free-draining river flats have put the district’s vineyards at the forefront of the International Wine Industry. The second Saturday of February is Blenheim’s Wine and Food Festival which draws many to celebrate food, music and dance.

Prepare for a fantastic and scenic journey that hugs the coastline for much of the way. You’ll leave the Marlborough vineyards behind and travel south with the dramatic Kaikōura Ranges on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. Keep an eye out for seals, as they often hang out on the rocks right next to the road!

Today you are joining Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura on their fantastic Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura – Swim Tour The dusky dolphins inhabit the coastal waters off Kaikoura all year round, making Kaikoura a unique place in the world where, weather permitting, wild dolphins can typically be encountered every day. It is something incredibly special that these wild animals choose to stop and engage one on one with swimmers in the water. Dusky dolphins are probably the most interactive dolphin species and snorkeling with the pod will leave you with lasting magical memories.

KAIKOURA/TE TAUMANU O TE WAKA A MAUI – means “to eat crayfish”, from the Maori words “Kai” meaning food, and Koura meaning crayfish. You can savour crayfish here in Kaikoura, view whales and dolphins at play, or visit local galleries and craft shops, or take a walk along the Peninsula Walkway. If you travel out onto the Kaikoura Peninsula and look back towards the mountains, an amazing tableau will appear before you. The seaward Kaikoura Range appears to rise from the sea, with the snow-capped Southern Alps as a backdrop.

This trip takes you away from the coast and into the beautiful North Canterbury countryside. You’ll pass through farmland and over a few small mountain ranges before arriving in the charming alpine resort of Hanmer Springs. It’s a great trip to combine a wildlife experience with some well-deserved relaxation in the hot pools at the end of a spectacular day.

HANMER SPRINGS/TE WHAKATAKANGA O TE NGARAHU O TE AHI A TAMATEA – is a small town in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located inland, 65 kilometres southwest from Kaikoura, on a minor road 10 kilometres north of State Highway 7, the northern route between Christchurch and the West Coast via Lewis Pass. The town is built around a popular hot springs which was discovered in the late 19th century. The hot springs; Hanmer Springs Thermal Springs were produced as a result of the fractured rock bed along the Hanmer fault. The town has a scenic airline to show off its alpine surroundings, as well as a variety of adventure activities such as bungy jumping, mountain biking and bush walks.

This is a very pleasant and easy journey. You’ll leave the alpine resort of Hanmer Springs and travel through the peaceful rural landscape of North Canterbury. As you get closer to Christchurch, you can see the city and its surrounding plains spread out before you. Once you have settled into your hotel choose from one of our optional tours or venture out into the city and feel the energy of the rebuilt city.

CHRISTCHURCH/OTAUTAHI – Located on a level plain, Christchurch is defined by its historic past and vibrant future. The willow and oak-lined River Avon meanders through its heart, where you can enjoy a punt ride or explore the sprawling Botanic Gardens. Much of the city’s unique charm comes from its blend of old and new; elegant stone buildings sit alongside striking contemporary architecture. Following a series of earthquakes, the city has been thoughtfully and creatively rebuilt, resulting in innovative new spaces like the Transitional Cathedral and Margaret Mahy Playground. This spirit of renewal makes Christchurch an exciting hub for arts, culture, and dining, while its proximity to both the stunning Canterbury Plains and the volcanic Port Hills offers easy access to outdoor adventures.

Today you’ll return your rental car today and leave New Zealand ready to share your extraordinary memories and plan your next trip down to see us.