07 Apr 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£9,139pp
Flights from UK airports
Escorted tour
New Zealand: Land of the Long White Cloud with Flights – 21 Days
Both islands of New Zealand with flights, a glacier helicopter flight, the TranzAlpine and three cruises.
21 days
From £8,529 incl. flights
Tour overview
This 21-day escorted tour makes a comprehensive journey through both of New Zealand's islands, from the subtropical Bay of Islands in the north to the fjords and glaciers of the south, with return flights from the UK included. A tour director travels with you throughout, with hotel porterage included. You stay seventeen nights in three- and four-star hotels with breakfast, and three nights are spent in flight. Many highlights are included, from a hāngī dinner and Māori performance in Rotorua to cruises in the Bay of Islands, Abel Tasman and Milford Sound and a scenic helicopter flight over the Franz Josef Glacier.
After arriving in Auckland, you head north past giant kauri trees to Paihia in the Bay of Islands, where you visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, birthplace of modern New Zealand, and cruise among the islands to the Hole in the Rock at Cape Brett, perhaps with dolphins alongside. Back in Auckland, a city tour and a visit to the Auckland Museum introduce the cultures of the Pacific. You then take a boat through the glow-worm grotto at Waitomo, and in Rotorua visit Te Puia to see the Pōhutu geyser, followed by a hāngī feast and a powerful cultural performance. A guided visit to the Hobbiton movie set completes your time in the North Island's heartland.
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Passing Huka Falls and Lake Taupō, you walk among the Art Deco buildings of Napier, then tour Wellington and Te Papa. The Interislander ferry crosses the Cook Strait through the Marlborough Sounds, with a wine tasting in Marlborough on the way to Nelson, where a catamaran cruise follows the golden beaches of Abel Tasman National Park past fur seals and Split Apple Rock.
From Christchurch the TranzAlpine train crosses the Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass, and after a visit to a greenstone workshop in Hokitika, a helicopter flight with an alpine landing reveals the Franz Josef Glacier. Over the Haast Pass you reach Queenstown for two nights, then cruise Milford Sound beneath Mitre Peak, visit gold-rush Arrowtown and see Mount Cook from the shores of Lake Pukaki before returning to Christchurch for your flight home.
The physical rating is low. This tour suits travellers who want to see the very best of New Zealand in comfort, with every highlight included.
Trip highlights
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A Bay of Islands cruise (Day 5)
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Te Puia, a hāngī and a Māori performance (Day 7)
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The Hobbiton movie set (Day 8)
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An Abel Tasman catamaran cruise (Day 12)
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The TranzAlpine and a glacier helicopter flight (Day 14)
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A Milford Sound cruise (Day 17)
Your route
25 stops from Auckland to Christchurch
- Auckland Days 1–3
- Paihia Days 4–5
- Cape Brett Day 5
- Auckland Day 6
- Waitomo Caves Day 7
- Rotorua Days 7–8
- Hobbiton Movie Set Day 8
- Huka Falls Day 9
- Napier Day 9
- Wellington Day 10
- Picton Day 11
- Nelson Days 11–12
- Abel Tasman National Park Day 12
- Hanmer Springs Day 13
- Christchurch Day 13
- Arthur's Pass Day 14
- Franz Josef Day 14
- Lake Wanaka Day 15
- Queenstown Days 15–16
- Milford Sound Day 17
- Te Anau Day 17
- Arrowtown Day 18
- Ōmarama Day 18
- Aoraki / Mount Cook Day 19
- Christchurch Days 19–20
Why choose this tour
Both islands in three weeks, with flights included. Three cruises, a helicopter flight and Hobbiton included.
Best suited to
- First-time visitors to New Zealand
- Travellers who value comfort
- Nature and scenery lovers
- Couples and solo travellers
Day-by-day itinerary
21 days from United Kingdom to United Kingdom
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Day 1 · United Kingdom Fly to New Zealand
Depart for Auckland.
- Hotel
- Overnight flight
-
Day 2 · In flight In flight
Cross the date line.
- Hotel
- Overnight flight
-
Day 3 · Auckland Auckland
Arrive in the City of Sails.
- Hotel
- Grand Millennium
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 4 · Parry Kauri Park, Waitangi Bay of Islands
Kauri trees and the Treaty Grounds.
- Hotel
- Scenic Hotel Paihia
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 5 · Cape Brett, Hole in the Rock Bay of Islands
A cruise among the islands.
- Hotel
- Scenic Hotel Paihia
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 6 · Auckland Museum Auckland
A city tour.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 7 · Waitomo Caves, Te Puia Rotorua
Glow-worms, geysers and a hāngī.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 8 · Hobbiton Hobbiton
The Shire.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 9 · Huka Falls, Napier Napier
An Art Deco walk.
- Hotel
- Scenic Hotel Te Pania
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 10 · Te Papa Wellington
The capital.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 11 · Marlborough Sounds, Blenheim, Nelson Nelson
Ferry, wine and sunshine.
- Hotel
- Rutherford Hotel Nelson
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 12 · Abel Tasman National Park Abel Tasman
A catamaran cruise.
- Hotel
- Rutherford Hotel Nelson
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 13 · Lewis Pass, Hanmer Springs, Christchurch Christchurch
Over the Lewis Pass.
- Hotel
- Distinction Christchurch Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 14 · TranzAlpine, Hokitika, Franz Josef Glacier Franz Josef
A train and a glacier flight.
- Hotel
- Scenic Hotel Franz Josef
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 15 · Haast Pass, Lake Wanaka, Queenstown Queenstown
Through the World Heritage wilderness.
- Hotel
- Copthorne Lakefront Resort
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 16 · Queenstown Queenstown
A free day.
- Hotel
- Copthorne Lakefront Resort
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 17 · Milford Sound, Te Anau Milford Sound
A fjord cruise.
- Hotel
- Distinction Luxmore
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 18 · Arrowtown, Lindis Pass Omarama
A gold-rush town.
- Hotel
- Heritage Gateway Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 19 · Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo Christchurch
Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo.
- Hotel
- Distinction Christchurch Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 20 · Christchurch Fly home
Begin the journey home.
- Hotel
- Overnight flight
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 21 · United Kingdom Arrive home
Arrive back in the UK.
Where you stay
- Auckland (1 night) Grand Millennium
- Bay of Islands (2 nights) Scenic Hotel Paihia
- Auckland (1 night) Hotel
- Rotorua (2 nights) Hotel
- Napier (1 night) Scenic Hotel Te Pania
- Wellington (1 night) Hotel
- Nelson (2 nights) Rutherford Hotel Nelson
- Christchurch (1 night) Distinction Christchurch Hotel
- Franz Josef (1 night) Scenic Hotel Franz Josef
- Queenstown (2 nights) Copthorne Lakefront Resort
- Te Anau (1 night) Distinction Luxmore
- Omarama (1 night) Heritage Gateway Hotel
- Christchurch (1 night) Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Return flights from the UK
- Accommodation 17 nights in 3- and 4-star hotels
- Meals 18 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner
- Interislander ferry and the TranzAlpine train
- Bay of Islands, Abel Tasman and Milford Sound cruises
- Franz Josef helicopter flight with an alpine landing
- Waitangi, Waitomo, Te Puia and Hobbiton
- Tour director throughout and hotel porterage
Not included
- Single room supplement
- Meals not included 15 lunches and 16 dinners
- Optional excursions
- Travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want an active holiday
- You want a small group
- You want most meals included
- You want to stay longer in each place
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 3–20 · Lunch: Days 12 and 17 · Dinner: Day 7
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for New Zealand
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £8,529 per person, including flights. 5 upcoming departures.
Flights from UK airports.
13 Oct 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£9,149pp
Flights from UK airports
10 Jan 2028
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£9,139pp
Flights from UK airports
21 Feb 2028
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£9,209pp
Flights from UK airports
27 Sep 2028
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£8,529pp
Flights from UK airports
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Are flights included?
Yes, return flights from the UK are included.
Is the helicopter flight guaranteed?
It depends on the weather, with backup slots in Queenstown or Mount Cook and a refund if none can operate.
Is there a single supplement?
Yes, the base price is for twin share. Single rooms are available for a supplement.
Do I need a visa?
UK visitors need an NZeTA to visit New Zealand. Check the latest advice before travel.
Is Hobbiton included?
Yes, a guided visit to the movie set with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
Who leads the tour?
A tour director travels with you throughout.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary