Trekking Tour of New Zealand

DAY 1 : ARRIVAL IN AUCKLAND

Welcome to New Zealand! Arrival in Auckland and transfer to your hotel in the city centre.

Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand, situated between two large bays with long-extinct craters of volcanoes, and is also the crossroads of many cultures. Not forgetting of course its All Back and America’s Cup! Also known as the “City of Sails”, you can’t miss the hundreds of sailing boats gliding in the wind in the magnificent Bay of Auckland!

Tonight, enjoy a dinner at the top of the Sky Tower with beautiful scenery of the city at 220 meters above sea level.

DAY 2 : AUCKLAND - ROTORUA

Pick up your car in the city center of Auckland and spend the morning to discover Auckland and its beautiful bay.

Visit to Mount Eden which offers a panoramic view of the city of Auckland.

Departure for Rotorua. A magical and unique place, it is also the center of geothermal energy and Māorie culture.
The moment you enter Rotorua, you know you are in a different place. Immediately you will feel the unmistakable smell of sulphur in the air. You will see clouds of steam magically appear around the city, giving you that strange feeling of being in “another world”.

DAY 3 : ROTORUA

Departure for Waimangu Volcanic Valley: an exceptional natural site that will immerse you in the geothermal activity of Rotorua. The discovery of the site starts with a walk through the world’s youngest ecosystem, you will discover native plants, incredible animal life, and geothermal activity. Arrival at Lake Rotomahana where you will embark on a boat cruise, a pleasant way to relax.

Continue with an excursion to Mount Tarawera, famous for the eruption of June 10, 1886 which created the world’s youngest geothermal valley – Waimangu. 360° panoramic view of the crater, accompanied by the history and legends of this impressive natural site.

Tonight, you will witness an authentic Maori cultural experience: Hangi dinner at Te Puia dinner. Enjoy a delicious Māori dinner prepared in the traditional Hangi style. After dinner you will be invited to board the motorized waka (people mover) for a journey through the Valley under the lights. Let yourself be enchanted by the Māori cultural shows, with traditional storytelling and entertainment.

DAY 4 : TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK

Visit of Wai-O-Tapu, located about 30 minutes south of Rotorua. You can explore the hot tubs, geysers, and natural beauty of this geothermal park.

Drive to Tongariro National Park through pine forests and past Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake.
This is the first national park created in New Zealand. It includes the Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro volcanoes and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The park has many sacred places for Māoris. Several peaks are designated as tapu, extremely sacred places for Māoris.

In the afternoon, enjoy one of the short walks from the hotel to discover the local flora and fauna.

DAY 5 : TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK

Day for the Tongariro alpine crossing hike.

The excursion can be guided or free. In any case, you must take a shuttle transfer which can be booked directly from the reception of your hotel.

Some advice if you want to go alone for this 20 km excursion (allow 6-8 hours of walking):

• Good walking shoes and a good level of sportsmanship are required. It is essential to know your physical level;
• Do not forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, rain jacket, warm jacket and windproof jacket;
• Provide enough food and water for a whole day;
• Notify someone and inform them of your hiking intentions.

DAY 6 : WELLINGTON

This morning you will take the road to the capital of New Zealand: Wellington.

The capital of New Zealand since 1865, Wellington is also the geographical center of the country. Although it is the capital of the country, Wellington remains a small city full of color and charm.

Chance to visit the free museum Te Papa: national museum and a great art gallery of New Zealand. Te Papa means “the place of the treasures of this land”. It contains an important collection of Māori art.

Climb to the top of Mount Victoria to admire the view of the city. Many themed walks are possible in the city of Wellington.

DAY 7 : KAITERITERI

This morning, departure by ferry to the South Island (3 hours crossing). During the crossing you can discover the Marlborough Sounds dotted with small islands, bays, and forests.

You will arrive in the picturesque town of Picton and continue on to Nelson.

Nelson is considered the sunniest town in New Zealand. It is also famous for its handicrafts (galleries and glassworks, painting, jewellery, weaving…), its vineyards, the beauty of its nature, and its national parks.

Continuatue to Kaiteriteri.

DAY 8 : ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK

Day to discover Abel Tasman National Park, its magnificent landscapes, its fauna and flora. Departure by boat, an “Open Day” pass is included, this will allow you to enjoy a round-trip cruise in the park to reach the excursion site of your choice.
The park offers a large number of activities: numerous possibilities for day trips along the marked trails, kayaking or simply relaxing on the white sandy beaches.

The Abel Tasman National Park will leave you speechless with its breathtaking scenery. Renowned for its golden beaches, translucent waters, and granite cliffs sculpted by erosion, the park will delight lovers of hiking along the coast, which offers absolutely magnificent landscapes.
Return at the end of the afternoon.

DAY 9 : GREYMOUTH

Road to Punakaiki and its National Park Paparoa, through a small road that runs along beautiful hills and valleys.
Founded in 1987, the park is home to an area of famous limestone karst, the Pancake Rocks, and several caves that attract tourists eager to caving. Most of the area is covered by forests and varied vegetation. A short walk along a marked path to discover them.

Continue on the road to Greymouth.

DAY 10 : FRANZ JOSEF

Road to the glaciers via Hokitika, capital of jade stone, or pounamu in māori.

Arrival at Franz Josef glacier in the afternoon and walk to the glacier (about 200 meters from the base of the glacier).
Together with Argentina, New Zealand is one of the few countries where you can see glaciers descending to such a low altitude (250 meters), and so close to the ocean, unusual in this universe of forests, rocks, and water.

You can choose to see these fantastic landscapes from above in a panoramic flight with a snow landing.

DAY 11 : WANAKA

Departure to Wanaka via Fox Glacier and Matheson Lake, nicknamed Mirror Lake.
Arrival in Wanaka and its magnificent lake located 300 meters above sea level.
Located on the southern tip of the lake of the same name, Wanaka is one of the most popular tourist resorts in the country.

DAY 12 : WANAKA

Day at leisure for one or more excursions in the area.

For hiking enthusiasts we recommend Roys Peak Track (caution, difficult walk): this 16 km walk (about 6-7 hours) is open in summer from mid-November. On arrival at the top, the view is breathtaking. Don’t forget to leave with enough food and water for the day (there is also a chance to join a tour with a local guide).

DAY 13 : QUEENSTOWN

Passing through the Central Otago Region known for its Pinot Noir, get to Queenstown and discover this fashionable mountain resort on foot. Called the “adventure capital of the world”, Queenstown is nestled between Lake Wakatipu and the majestic mountains.

DAY 14 : QUEENSTOWN

Day at leisure to discover Queenstown and its region.
Famous for its extreme sports like parachuting, bungee jumping and jet boating, you can also enjoy its local food and wine.

DAY 15 : TE ANAU

Departure for the fjord region through the town of Te Anau and its lake of the same name.
Upon arrival in Milford, departure for a 1h45 cruise in the heart of the fjord. Discovery of the majestic Mitre Peak.
Return to Te Anau at the end of the day. Along the way, panoramic stops to discover the different corners of Fiordland National Park.

DAY 16 : MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK

Road to Mount Cook, this region is home to some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. It also has some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the country.

Mount Cook or Aoraki is the highest point in New Zealand. It is part of the Southern Alps and is located 3754 meters above the Tasman Glacier in the Tasman National Park.

DAY 17 : MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK

Day at leisure dedicated to excursions in the park.

Our suggestions for the day’s excursions include: Hooker Valley Track, Kea Point Track, Glencoe Walk.

From your hotel, don’t miss the Planetarium and an evening of stargazing to discover the skies of the Aoraki Mt Cook area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We also recommend a dinner at the renowned Panorama Room Restaurant. Here the chefs use local produce to introduce you to the flavours of the region.

DAY 18 : CHRISTCHURCH

Drive to Christchurch via Route 72, discover the peaks of the Southern Alps, and admire the many merino farms in the pastures. Route 72 from Lake Tekapo to Christchurch is one of the most beautiful and scenic roads in New Zealand.

OPTION: discover the spectacular Banks Peninsula (take 2 hours and an additional 135 km round trip): an ancient eroded volcano in New Zealand that forms a protruding peninsula in the South Pacific Ocean. Located in the centre of the island, the Banks Peninsula was formed by the successive eruptions of two volcanoes: Lyttelton and Akaroa. This several hundred years old formation has left some small jewels (winding rocks and cliffs, steep valleys), visible from Summit Road. The coast is very beautiful, dotted with beautiful villages sometimes perched high up, also crossed by various paths.

DAY 19 : END OF ITINERARY

Spend the morning visiting the city. The central city is full of cutting-edge architecture, alongside some of New Zealand’s oldest buildings. The Avon River runs through the city, bringing a natural landscape into the urban environment. Expect street art and innovative projects, a vibrant hospitality scene, and established green spaces.

Drop off your rental car at Christchurch Airport before your return flight.

End of our services, see you soon!