The best of New Zealand

For those who only settle for the very best, this tour of New Zealand is for you. From the moment you arrive, you'll be pampered with a personalized welcome and escort on the plane and set the tone further with exclusive excursions and stays in private villas and small-scale luxury hotels.

This tour combines iconic landscapes with exceptional luxury. You'll fly over Cape Reinga, dine overlooking glaciers and enjoy a private cruise along deserted beaches. You'll meet the Māori on their Marae, sail through spectacular Milford Sound and discover the secrets of the Southern Alps by helicopter.

Day 1: Arrival flight

Upon arrival at Auckland airport, a representative will be waiting for you at the air bridge of the plane. He or she will assist you with all formalities and escort you to the departure gate where you will take a domestic flight to Kerikeri. After a long journey, you will fully unwind in your private villa with stunning views of the Bay of Islands.

Day 2: Bay of Islands

Today you will go on a day trip by sailboat. You will sail to a picturesque island where you can swim, snorkel, kayak, paddle board, hike and spot dolphins.

Day 3: Day trip to Cape Reinga

You will depart from Kerikeri airport on a modern plane where you will have your own window seat. Along the way, the pilot will tell you about the history and sights. After landing near the Cape, the guide will take you by car for a tour that includes the Cape Reinga lighthouse where you will see two oceans meet and the Te Paki Sand Dunes where you can sandboard. On the return flight you will fly along the spectacular and pristine east coast.

Day 4: Bay of Islands with private guide

Delve into New Zealand's fascinating history on a captivating half-day private tour. Begin your adventure in charming Kerikeri, home to the country's oldest buildings. Here you will step back in time and discover how missionaries, under the protection of a powerful Maori chief, shaped this special place. Next, travel to Waitangi, one of New Zealand's most important historical sites.

Day 5: Rotorua

You take a transfer to the airport and domestic flight from Kerikeri to Rotorua. Here you pick up your rental car and continue to your hotel in Rotorua. You will enjoy delicious gourmet meals with local products and you can participate in various activities such as water sports, tennis, fitness, fly fishing from the private beach and boating.

Day 6: Meet the Maori

Your guide will take you to Lake Rotoiti today, where you will have a unique Maori cultural experience. You will be traditionally welcomed to the Marae, the spiritual heart of the local community, and recorded as "Tangata Whenua," person of the land. At the Ancestral House, you will learn more about the tribe's rich history and help prepare a traditional hangi meal, prepared in an underground oven.

Day 7: Mount Tarawera

Today you will experience a spectacular helicopter tour over volcanoes, the vibrant Waimangu and Wai-O-Tapu geothermal reserves, crater lakes and waterfalls. You will discover Mount Tarawera from the air as well as on foot, ending in the hidden valley of Orakei Korako to explore geysers and hot springs.

Day 8: Rotorua to Nelson

Today you fly from the North Island to the South Island. You spend the night at a five-star hotel in Nelson, surrounded by three national parks.

Day 9: Private charter cruise

Today is all about relaxation. You spend the day on a private cruise where everything is provided such as towels, sunscreen, lunch, snacks, drinks, snorkeling gallery and kayaks.

Day 10: Golden Bay

Today enjoy a panoramic flight over Kahurangi National Park, Lake Otuhie, and the rugged west coast with highlights such as Wharariki Beach, Farewell Spit and the Abel Tasman National Park coastline. You'll visit Te Waikoropupu Springs, the clearest water in the world, and explore the village of Takaka with its unique hippie look. Discover the golden sands of Tata Beach and the extraordinary limestone formations and tropical flora of Grove Reserve.

Day 11: Kaikoura

You start with an approximately four-hour drive from Kaiteriteri to Kaikoura. You arrive at your next accommodation, a contemporary rural lodge in a unique location at the foot of the Kaikoura Seaward Mountain Range. From here you'll have stunning views of these dramatic mountains and the coastline.

Day 12: Kaikoura whale watching excursion

Today you have a 95% chance of seeing whales on your excursion. The Kaikoura coast lends itself enormously to seeing a variety of animals, nowhere in the world do they come so close to the shore. Think giant sperm whales, humpback whales, orcas, killer whales, dark-striped dolphins, fur seals and albatrosses.

Day 13: Christchurch

You drive about 2h30 further to Christchurch. Here you will stay in the heart of Christchurch in a small and luxurious hotel where you will be at your beck and call. You will explore on your own in the second largest city in New Zealand, Christchurch.

Day 14: Day trip to Akaroa

On a nature cruise, you'll meet killer dolphins, little blue penguins, fur seals and a variety of birds. Then get lost in the cozy streets of Akaroa.

Day 15: Twizel

You continue today to Twinzel where you check into your hotel. Here you wake up to breathtaking views, can see storms over the Southern Alps from your room, watch the beautiful sunset with a delicious glass of wine and unwind with a massage after a day of biking or hiking in the area. At night, watch the stars from your private bath under the clear starry sky.

Day 16: Mount Cook

Today you'll take a panoramic tour by helicopter or ski plane over the Southern Alps. Highlights include crossing the Southern Alps to the West Coast, views of the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, and a flight along the Tasman Glacier with breathtaking views of the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, the Grand Plateau and the Hochstetter Icefall.

Day 17: Queenstown

Your next stop on this tour is Queenstown. You will stay in a villa that completely blends into the beautiful natural surroundings. The large windows offer incredible views of Lake Wakati and the mountain peaks.

Day 18: Milford Sound cruise

Today your guide picks you up and takes you to Milford Sound, the most spectacular of New Zealand's thirteen fjords. Think majestic peaks towering hundreds of feet above and below sea level, waterfalls and pristine rainforest. Besides the breathtaking scenery, there is also an abundance of wildlife such as seals, dolphins and penguins. At noon during the cruise, you will enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by the chef on board.

Day 19: Mount Aspiring National Park

The day begins with a scenic drive to Glenorchy, followed by a spectacular helicopter flight over Lake Whakatipu and the Dart Valley. You'll hike through Mount Aspiring National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with birdsong in the background. Then you'll cruise the Dart River on a private jet boat and learn about its rich history, the Greenstone Trail and Māori legends. After a delicious lunch in Glenorchy, end the day with a short hike at Bob's Cove along the shores of Lake Whakatipu.

Day 20: Gourmet wine tour Queenstown

Today you'll take a luxury vehicle tour of three wine regions: Gibbston, Bannockburn and Cromwell. You'll take a guided tour of the Gibbston Valley wine cave, visit historic Arrowtown and, weather permitting, stroll through Old Cromwell Town. Your lunch, prepared in a wine barrel, is paired with matching wines. During the tour, you'll learn about the sights, wine and history of the region. The finale is a cheese tasting with wine.