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16 Day New Zealand Gateway Escorted Tour.

New Zealand Gateway

An immersive experience from Auckland to Christchurch covering the most iconic sites of stunning New Zealand

New Zealand Gateway

£3499 per person
16 Days 15 Nights
16+ Age
Adventure & Discovery
Family Holidays
LGBT
Private Escorted Tour

With its compact geography, New Zealand lends itself perfectly to a two or three week touring holiday, and there’s no better way to take the stress out of travelling than by booking an Escorted Tour with one of our experienced travel designers at Travelisto. From the culture and history of Maori people in the North Island to the stunning mountains and fiords of the South Island, there is an experience to suit all ages and interests. Travelling with new friends from around the world, your expert Tour Director will guide you to all of the iconic sights and bring the history and culture of the destination to life, all free from the stress and hassle of driving yourself. We have selected our touring partners with great care, ensuring that you will enjoy the best holiday experience possible.

New Zealand’s North and South Islands are places of natural beauty with much to explore. Combine nature with culture in Rotorua, known for its steaming geysers and rich Maori heritage, where you will feel immersed with a traditional feast and performance. See the dramatic cliffs and spectacular waterfalls of Milford Sound from a cruise and compare it to the serenity of an overnight stay on the banks of Lake Tekapo in Mackenzie Country. Then, journey into Mt Cook National Park to see Aoraki (Mt Cook), Australasia’s tallest peak.

3 Reviews
  • Departure/Return Location
    Auckland / Christchurch
  • Included
    Accommodation
    Guide
    Meals
    Transport
  • Not Included
    Flights
    Insurance
    Internal Flights

From our gallery

Discover the natural wonder of the Waitomo Caves; immerse yourself in Maori culture and warm hospitality in Rotorua, and experience spiritual serenity on the banks of Lake Tekapo

16 Day New Zealand Gateway Escorted Tour.
16 Day New Zealand Gateway Escorted Tour.
16 Day New Zealand Gateway Escorted Tour.

Tour Plan

1
Day 1: Arrive Auckland
On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure in beautiful Auckland.
Rydges Auckland
2
Day 2: Auckland - Bay of Islands
Travel north to the Bay of Islands, the birthplace of modern day New Zealand. Enjoy a special Welcome Dinner this evening with your Tour Director and fellow travellers.
Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge Paihia (2 nights)
3
Day 3: Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is home to 144 islands — a playground for lovers of anything aquatic. Enjoy a full day at leisure; perhaps relax on the beach, or explore the wilderness areas on one of the many walking tracks.
4
Day 4: Bay of Islands - Auckland
Explore New Zealand’s finest national maritime park on a dolphin-watching cruise to Cape Brett and sail through the Hole in the Rock. In the afternoon, return to Auckland and relax before dinner.
Rydges Auckland
5
Day 5: Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua
Leaving Auckland, travel to the famous Waitomo Caves to experience a guided tour of the underground limestone caverns, lit by thousands of tiny glow worms. In the afternoon, arrive in geo-thermal Rotorua to visit Te Puia, New Zealand’s premier cultural centre which houses the Maori Arts & Crafts Institute. Tour Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley and witness the spectacular erupting geysers and bubbling mud pools before enjoying a Maori Hangi feast with traditional music and dance.
Sudima Rotorua (2 nights)
6
Day 6: Rotorua
In the morning, enjoy breakfast before visiting one of the region’s most famous attractions, the Agrodome, where a sheep-shearing demonstrations and dog trials will entertain you. Additional optional sightseeing options include a thrilling helicopter flight over White Island, New Zealand’s most active cone volcano (own expense). Note: Country homestay option is available tonight, ask for details.
7
Day 7: Rotorua - Taupo - Wellington
Depart Rotorua and travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Lake Taupo and thundering Huka Falls. Continue on to Tongariro National Park to Wellington. Enjoy an evening at leisure in New Zealand’s cafe capital.
Travelodge Wellington
8
Day 8: Wellington - Picton - Blenheim
After a city sights tour this morning, before cruising across the Cook Strait through the breathtaking Marlborough and Queen Charlotte sounds to Picton and on to Blenheim.
Quality Hotel Marlborough, Blenheim
9
Day 9: Blenheim - Kaikoura - Christchurch
This morning, head to Kaikoura where you will take an whale watching cruise (weather permitting). Then continue your journey down the coast to Christchurch where you’ll enjoy dinner upon arrival.
Quality Elms Hotel, Christchurch
10
Day 10: Christchurch - Fox Glacier
Sit back and enjoy the vistas as you travel through the Southern Alps to Westland Tai Poutini National Park. You may also choose to upgrade your journey to the scenic TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass. Overnight in Glacier Country.
Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier
11
Day 11: Fox Glacier - Queenstown
Journey through spectacular Haast Pass which borders lakes Wanaka and Hawea before arriving into the alpine adventure capital of Queenstown. Renowned for its world-class food scene and nightlife, you may like to indulge in a meal at one of the many restaurants in the town centre during your evening at leisure.
Copthorne Hotel And Apartments Queenstown Lakeview (2 nights)
12
Day 12: Queenstown
With an entire day to spend as you please, you have the freedom to relax or select from a large range of exciting optional experiences. Perhaps cruise Lake Wakatipu on the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station, or take a scenic gondola ride to the summit of Bob’s Peak for panoramic views of Queenstown and the surrounding mountains (all experiences at own expense). A tour to some of the award-winning gourmet wineries in Central Otago region is also highly recommended for those looking to indulge their palate.
13
Day 13: Queenstown - Milford Sound - Te Anau
Enter Fiordland National Park along the Milford Road before joining a cruise on the iconic Milford Sound with magnificent views of the cascading waterfalls, rainforest and surrounding mountains. Afterwards, continue on to your hotel in Te Anau to enjoy dinner.
Kingsgate Hotel Te Anau
14
Day 14: Te Anau - Dunedin
Travel through rolling countryside to Dunedin to visit Larnach Castle, where a guided tour will uncover the historical scandal and tragedy of New Zealand’s only castle. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure before dinner this evening.
Scenic Hotel Dunedin City
15
Day 15: Dunedin - Mt Cook - Lake Tekapo
Visit the intriguing Moeraki Boulders en route to Mt Cook National Park for inspiring views of Aoraki (Mt Cook), New Zealand’s tallest peak. Later, at your hotel on the shores of Lake Tekapo, enjoy a memorable Farewell Dinner with your new friends.
Peppers Bluewater Resort
16
Day 16: Lake Tekapo - Christchurch
Stop off at the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd before travelling on to Christchurch where your tour ends on arrival.

Tour Location

New Zealand

Visit New Zealand and you’ll be rewarded with living landscapes like nowhere else on Earth. Experiencing nature at its most raw and varied, you’ll understand why the locals call it ‘God’s Own Country’. Consistently in the making, its geology being some of the most recently formed on Earth, this exceptional wonderland also boasts a rich cultural diversity. Its charming towns and vibrant cities offer unique Kiwi hospitality which nicely wraps the unforgettable gift that is New Zealand.
No matter when or where you travel around New Zealand you’ll always be rewarded with an amazing experience every day of your journey. Although summer months are without doubt an excellent time to visit, spring and autumn are also highly recommended as temperatures are pleasant and great value abounds. Spring or ‘waterfall season’ is when New Zealand bursts into new life with colourful blooms and baby wildlife, and Autumn offers long sunny days under a canopy of golden leaves.

Tour Review Scores And Score Breakdown

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10.0

Superb

Overall 0

Meals 0

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Comments

  • Geoff & Debbie
    08-Mar-2020

    The trip you organised for us was fantastic – we just loved every minute touring New Zealand. All the arrangements you made together with the other recommendations in our planned itinerary worked perfectly for us. We used the app every day and tried to follow the driving directions but we kept making little detours and found lots of other interesting places en route, too many to mention! A 14-day adventure and we have barely scratched the surface of such a beautiful country. Hopefully, we’ll be back to pick up where we’ve left off but meantime, thank you. Geoff & Deborah

    Overall Meals Accommodation Transport Destination Value for Money
  • The Hawkins
    22-Mar-2020

    Our New Zealand adventure was outstanding. From the time we landed in New Zealand until we stepped back through the aircraft door to depart your great country our trip was picture perfect. We could not be more pleased with our accommodations and the excellent itinerary you arranged. The charms of New Zealand obviously played a big part in ensuring our enjoyment. However, the professionalism exhibited by your firm was outstanding and beyond our expectation. We really appreciate your willingness to help plan and execute our vacation was greatly appreciated. We have already recommended you and Travelisto to many of our friends and acquaintances. I am sure that once this virus issue has passed many of them will be in contact with you to schedule their personalized adventure. Thanks again Laura, You’re the Best “Mate”! John & Cindy H.

    Overall Meals Accommodation Transport Destination Value for Money
  • Carl Burleigh
    30-Apr-2020

    Let me start by saying I was very hesitant using a service where I could not be face to face with the individual assisting me with my travel arrangements. Travelisto was outstanding!! My Travel Designer was informative, attentive and really listened to what I wanted. I appreciated all his feedback and the accommodations were spectacular. I have never had so many people comment on my social media posts wanting to know where I was staying.I can honestly say, that going forward, I will not travel again without Travelisto’s expert help.

    Overall Meals Accommodation Transport Destination Value for Money

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