Real New Zealand | End Queenstown
Real New Zealand | End Queenstown
$3595
Real New Zealand | End Queenstown
15 Days Starting in Auckland and ending in Queenstown (Nz)
Visiting: Auckland, Rotorua, Taupō, Blue Duck Station, Wellington, Marlborough Sounds, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Wanaka, Lake Manapōuri, Doubtful Sound, Queenstown
Tour Overview
Show-stopping scenery. Timeless tradition. Awesome adventure. Time to discover New Zealand like never before. In 15 incredible days, you’ll go from traditional Maori towns to the incredible Lake Manapouri and beyond. With the dreamy landscapes off Blue Duck Station, bridge-jumping in Queenstown, funky eats at Christchurch and witnessing the Haka IRL, this is as real as it gets.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Auckland To Rotorua
Location: Auckland, Rotorua
Accommodation: Marae Special Stay
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Are you ready for an authentic adventure-packed ride through New Zealand? We begin our journey in Auckland, its largest city. It’s time to say hello to your brand new crew before we make our way to our first destination.
See that cloud of steam bubbling from the ground? That’s how you know you’re in the natural wonderland of Rotorua! You’ll drop your bags off at our lakeside Marae Special Stay before we join a traditional Māori welcome ceremony (paired with a delicious meal, of course) - an experience you can only do on a Contiki! Today’s all about all things Māori. We’ll take an introductory tour of the quaint Ohinemutu Village. And you’ll also learn Tikanga and Kawa - Māori customs and protocols. Afterwards, you’ve got some free time to explore this sea-side beauty before we stroll around town for some dinner.
But there’s more to come. After dinner, you’ll join our Māori teachers to learn their traditional healing and spiritual practices too. Best first day ever? We think so!
Day 2: Rotorua
Location: Rotorua
Accommodation: Marae Special Stay
Meals Included: Breakfast
Morning, travelers! Fresh air, serene views and a hearty breakfast awaits. You’ve got an entire day to spend exploring this charming landscape. And it's gonna be special. Because today, you'll learn traditional Māori performing arts, including the superbly epic Haka (specially composed for Contiki!). Afterwards, we'll help our hosts prepare for the steam Hangi (dinner), and end the night with a stunning cultural performance. Oh, what a day it’s been! And to think that the adventure has just begun…
Day 3: Rotorua To Blue Duck Station Via Taupo
Location: Rotorua, Taupō, Blue Duck Station
Accommodation: Blue Duck Station Special Stay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
It’s time for some more exploration. Fill up on some breakfast before we witness the traditional farewell ceremony hosted by our Māori friends. Say cheese! You’ll take a souvenir group photo too. We’re in the Kiwi land, so you know we’re making a stop at the National Kiwi Hatchery - where you’ll learn all about Kiwi conservation and get some cuteness overload from the baby chicks!
Hungry? You’re free to grab some lunch at a scenic spot in this beautiful town. And then it’s back on the coach to our next destination.
Welcome to this wonderful wilderness (right in the middle of a dense forest). We’ll check into our riverside Special Stay, and then take a tour of it too! And when you’re back, you’ll find a delicious dinner waiting for you. What better way to end the night than by gazing into the galaxy, surrounded by nature. Ah…this is what life’s about.
Day 4: Blue Duck Station
Location: Blue Duck Station
Accommodation: Blue Duck Station Special Stay
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a cozy night’s sleep in the kiwi woods, let’s hope you’re ready for some exploration. First, we’ll grab some breakfast. You can choose to spend today horse trekking into the dreamy landscapes, or even taking a bush safari. Feeling like you wanna get off the road? Hop onto a Jet Boat for a journey towards the Bridge to Nowhere. And like you guessed - how you choose to end the night is up to you too! Join a chef’s table dinner experience, or maybe cook up fresh BBQ in nature. Either way, you’re in for some woody goodness and adventure.
Day 5: Blue Duck Station To Wellington
Location: Blue Duck Station, Wellington
Accommodation: Abel Tasman Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s time to say goodbye to the forest (just for a while). Because after breakfast, we’re heading to our first city spot!Welcome to Wellington! We’ll check into our hotel and hop straight onto our coach for a guided city tour. Put on your history hats, because you’ll also visit the Te Papa National Museum to learn all about New Zealand’s culture (and also see the colossal squid!). Afterwards, you can join a walkabout dinner as we tour the city’s streets. And spend the night away, chilling with your crew.
Day 6: Wellington To Marlborough Sounds
Location: Wellington, Marlborough Sounds
Accommodation: A conveniently located hotel
Pull yourself outta that cozy cozy bed. It’s time to journey from the North to South - on a ferry!
Welcome to the stunning South Island. You’ve got some free time to grab a delicious lunch in Picton (possibly, at a breezy sea-side venue). You can spend today however you please, but who wouldn’t love a tour of the finest wineries in Marlborough? Later, we’ll do a walkabout dinner and spend the night at a local pub - just you and your newly made buddies. It’s gonna be a good night.
Day 7: Marlborough Sounds
Location: Marlborough Sounds
Accommodation: A conveniently located hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
You wish you could wake up here everyday, don’t you? Same. Maybe a free day might compensate? Looking for things to do? How about cruising through the deep blue sea? Or hiking the lush green landscape (with a picnic lunch too!). And we’ll end the day just like we did last night. A walkabout dinner and some good ol’ tunes. Sweet as.
Day 8: Marlborough Sounds To Christchurch Via Kaikoura
Location: Marlborough Sounds, Kaikoura, Christchurch
Accommodation: The Breakfree on Cashel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rise and shine! After breakfast, we’re jumping straight into our coach for a journey further down south.
It’s time to soothe those hunger pangs with a good meal. And guess what? Your eyes are getting a feast too. Grab some lunch from one of the many beautiful restaurants here - with the backdrop of the sea and stunning mountains.
Eclectic street art. Funky but fantastic eats. Serene river views. Christchurch has a lot to offer - and your Trip Manager will take you on a guided tour to show it all off. Finally, we’ll end the night with another walkabout dinner.
Day 9: Christchurch To Wanaka
Location: Christchurch, Wanaka
Accommodation: The Brownston Hostel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Shake a leg, travelers! After breakfast, we'll make our way to visit another jaw-dropping spot.
What. A. Beauty. Get ready to witness some of the best views of your lifetime. We’ll check into our hostel before taking on the tranquil trails of this town and grab some dinner on the way. You’ve got the entire night in this gorgeous place to spend however you like. Lucky you.
Day 10: Wanaka
Location: Wanaka
Accommodation: The Brownston Hostel (or similar)
It’s adventure time! Today is yours to spend, just the way you like. Grab some breakfast at one of the many local cafes here. Rock climbing, kayaking, skydiving - there’s so much for us adrenaline junkies here. Or you could even choose to ride a water taxi for a tour of Mou Wahi Island. In the evening, take a stroll through the town and grab some dinner before you sink down into your comfy bed. What a long but fulfilling day it has been!
Day 11: Wanaka To Doubtful Sound Via Lake Manapouri
Location: Wanaka, Lake Manapōuri, Doubtful Sound
Accommodation: Overnight Cruise
Meals Included: Dinner
It’s time to say goodbye to Wanaka today. But there’s no need to shed tears just yet. Because after breakfast, we’re driving to another stunning lake.
Got your camera ready? We’re hopping on a cruise to check out the impressive landscape around Lake Manapouri. But that’s not all. We’ll also drive through the incredibly lush rainforests at Wilmot Pass. Now, this? This is natural beauty at its peak. In the evening, we’ll board an overnight vessel and head to one of New Zealand’s most popular spots.
Welcome onboard. You'll be spending tonight on a luxurious boat (with chefs on board!) So, hop on. Enjoy some afternoon tea and get ready for some more adventure! You’ll kayak through the serene waters and even plunge into the icy Fiord. And after all that adventure chasing, we’ll be back on board to feast on a chef-made dinner with local produce. And then, it’s just games, music, cruising and good times with your new mates. Fabulous.
Day 12: Doubtful Sound To Queenstown Via Lake Manapouri
Location: Doubtful Sound, Lake Manapōuri, Queenstown
Accommodation: Nomads Hostel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Another day to spend exploring the Fiordland? Wow. Today, we’ll tour Doubtful Sound with a nature expert to tell us everything about this extraordinary landscape. And then, you’ll hop on a coach and get another look at Wilmot Pass.
It’s time to set sail on Lake Manapouri again, and make our journey towards the final destination of this trip.
Bet you’re hungry after all that lake exploration. Don’t worry, dinner is on us today! Make sure to get some rest tonight for the adventure that awaits us tomorrow.
Day 13: Queenstown
Location: Queenstown
Accommodation: Nomads Hostel (or similar)
Wake up like a royal in Queenstown, and start your day with a wholesome breakfast. Free time to explore is all you’ve got today - and oh gosh, there’s no end to what you can do here. Bungy jumping, canyon swings, climbing waterfalls, vineyard tours, zip lining, skydiving - we bet you’ll wanna do it all! Afterwards, you can grab some dinner with your crew before resting your travel-tired limbs for round two of the adventure tomorrow.Please Note: The Free Time Add Ons which take place on Day 13 & Day 14 can be booked for either day.
Day 14: Queenstown
Location: Queenstown
Accommodation: Nomads Hostel (or similar)
You already know what we’re doing today - ticking off your bucket list! You’re free to spend the day getting some breakfast and continuing your adventure. Today, you can even choose to go on the Earnslaw Cruise to catch stunning views of Walter Peak, join a reforestation project and even get a locally-made dinner! It’s the last full day of the trip, so don’t forget to live it up.
Day 15: Queenstown To Christchurch
Location: Queenstown, Christchurch
After 15 days filled with adventure, culture, cities and sticks (and getting to know what New Zealand is really ‘bout) - it’s time to say goodbye. What a ride it has been! If you've chosen to get a transfer to Christchurch, hop on!
And the journey has finally come to an end. Don’t forget to exchange contacts with your crew. Because after a magical journey like this one, we bet you’ll want to do it all over again.
Check out our Q&As
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How long has the tour company been trading?
In 1961, a guy called John Anderson founded Contiki in New Zealand. Whilst later bought by The Travel Corporation, the tour company had already been using the name ‘Contiki’ since its inception.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Contiki trips are designed & operated exclusively for those aged 18-35 years. Your travelling companions will be like-minded adventurers within that age range. The age range is adhered to strictly.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® is our commitment to protect people, wildlife and the incredible planet we all share. Powered by The TreadRight Foundation, a non-profit organisation and Contiki’s guiding hand when it comes to making travel matter.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
All documentation will be sent via email around 21 days prior to your trip departure. You can also access information on your trip by signing up to My Contiki via the top right icon of the homepage.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Contiki allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform contiki, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Contiki requires a minimum deposit of 200 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of contiki charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 25% of booking price.
At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions