Land of the Long White Cloud
Journey to New Zealand
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9 Days and 8 nights
Journey to New Zealand
December
2nd to 11th Dec 2026
December 2nd to 11 December 2026
Tour Price:
$4889.00
9 Days and 8 nights
Join us on a thrilling adventure into the Heart of Nature. New Zealand is gorgeous natural settings, picturesque fiords, wild rivers that flow through rain forests to the sea, pristine lakes and pastoral forests that hug volcanic slopes and snowcapped peaks that pierce the sky, be ready a life changing journey
Day 1: Travel to Queenstown December 2nd arrive
Arrive in Queenstown after crossing the International
Date line. Upon arrival, we will be transferred to our beautiful lake front hotel. . Queenstown, is the Southern Hemisphere’s premier four-season lake and alpine resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains and nestled on the shores of a crystal clear Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown’s stunning scenery is a once in a lifetime experience.
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Queenstown
Day 2 – Guided walk and cruise on Lake Wakatipu and dinner at Walter’s Peak Homestead Restaurant
8:00 am: Breakfast 9:00 am:
Botanical Gardens, along Timber Trail, to Jubilee Park.
Then, we embark on a cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard the iconic steamship TSS Earnslaw, one of the best ways to experience Queenstown’s renowned scenic beauty.
We will dine at Walter Peak’s Homestead Restaurant, nestled in a beautifully restored colonial homestead surrounded by sweeping, elegant grounds, the perfect setting for an unforgettable dinner.
Breakfast and dinner
Day 3 – December 4th A free day in Queenstown
8:00 am: Breakfast
9:00 am:
OPTION 1:
Gibbston Valley Winery
Arrive at Gibbston Valley winery. This is a very special winery where the snow adds a new flavour to the grapes grown here. Unique to Gibbston Valley Winery is New Zealand’s largest and most innovative wine cave. The cave’s constant humidity and temperature provides a perfect haven for the maturation of award winning wines. You will be taken on a guided tour of the vineyard and cave. Then you will be able to sample some of the wines and cheeses from the cheese factory. Gibbston Valley is known around the world for their award-winning Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. Enjoy an afternoon tea in the vineyard gardens or in the Gibbston Valley Winery Restaurant.
OPTION 2:
Shotover Jet “Catch the Canyons” Jetboat Ride
New Zealand has many Jet boat rides but the Shotover Jet is the original, the best and is even covered by act of Parliament to ensure they are the only jet boats on the canyon section of the river. This is a great Thrill ride, not to be missed. It looks scary but it is just pure FUN. Do it!
Arrive at the Shotover River where you will be provided with a plastic raincoat and life jacket before boarding your, “Big Red” Shotover Jet boat. Catch the Canyons on your 30-minute exhilarating ride completing 360-degree spins and reaching top speeds as you wind through the rock openings ahead. Catch the Canyons; it’s a great experience. This is the original Jet boat ride in New Zealand and is a continuing
Tourism Award Winner Please note: Wear a hat, gloves and scarf against the wind chill that arises when you speed… Its exhilarating and adrenalin pumping action for all ages… Yes all ages…
OPTION 3:
Skyline Gondola
Situated an easy five-minute walk from central Queenstown, the Gondola carries visitors high above Queenstown to the Skyline complex. The best views in the region are found here, spread out in a spectacular panorama with breathtaking views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables mountain range and across Lake Wakatipu to Cecil and Walter Peak. Treat yourself to a delicious range of high-quality dishes and beverages at our Stratosfare Restaurant and Bar, all served alongside the sensational views of Queenstown and the surrounding mountains.
Day 4 December 5th Queenstown / Milford Sound (OVER NIGHT)
8:00 am: Breakfast
9:00 am: Depart for Milford Sound
We will have the morning to pack and get ready for our overnight cruise on Milford Sound
What to bring: Non-slip shoes/ boots, waterproof jacket, warm sweater/fleece jacket, change of clothes, sunscreen/sunglasses, insect repellent, swimwear (optional), camera, cash for bar and snacks. Bring an overnight bag only for the cruise and we will store your large bag in the bus while on the overnight cruise.
The Road to Milford:
1:00 pm: It is difficult to describe in words the grandeur and beauty of today.
This enchanting land of mountains, forest, fiords, and lakes is often referred to as the best in the world. As it was in the beginning… quiet, serene, haunting and mysterious. We are going to visit an uninhabited world heritage site. Our days journey will pass an avenue of cloud-capped disappearing mountains, through glass still lakes that reflect the mountains in the distance, a chance to drink pure mountain water from a stream, and travers mountain passes which leads to Milford Sound
The Chasm
We will stop at the Chasm and take a 15-minute walk to observe Natures art Sculptor at work. Running river water pouring over sand stone creates these Chasms. As the water flows rocks get caught in eddies and naturally sculpt cascading chasm and waterfalls. The walk will be through a New Zealand rainforest filled with ferns and wild life in all of their beauty. Next stop will be our overnight cruise on the Milford Sound.
Milford Sound Cruise on MV Mariner
4:00 pm: Board your Milford Sound Cruiser.
4:30 pm: The Wonder, will be your home for the next 18 hours in the middle of a World Heritage Site, the Milford Sound. Mitre Peak, standing majestic at a vertical one mile high is the first natural wonder we will see. We will venture past various coves in search of wildlife such as dolphins, seals, penguins and whales. Keep in mind, this is spring in the Southern Hemisphere and baby wild life is abundant. As we make our way out to the Tasman Sea, keep an eye out for the Sterling and Bowen waterfalls. When full, these cascading ½ mile waterfalls are magnificent.
Today will demonstrate the importance of man and the environment working together, in order to preserve what can never be replaced. We will make our way back to a protected cove and anchor for the evening.
7:00 pm: Dinner will be served in the saloon and after that games are put out, and you will have a fun night together
Accommodation: MV Milford Mariner:
Day 5 – December 6th
Milford Sound/Te Anu
7:00 am: A fine day is something we may wish for, but seeing there are 32 sunny days per year that might not happen. Fortunately, a wet cloudy morning makes the sound come alive and the waterfalls abundant. We will have time to watch morning wildlife flourish as the ship cruses to special coves with active sea life.
7:30 am: American Breakfast
9:00 am: We will work our way back through
the sound and view the active waterfalls.
10:00 am: Arrive at the Milford Harbour, reboard the coach and zigzag our way back up the Cleddau Valley and back through the Homer tunnel and continue back to Te Anu
1:00 pm: Arrive Te Anu
The picturesque township of Te Anau is the main visitor base for the glacier-carved wilderness that is Fiordland National Park. We will have the remainder of the day to explore Te Anu on our own and rest up from our overnight on Milford Sound .
Day 6- December 7th
Te anau and the Glow worm caves
8:00 am: Breakfast
9:00 am: We will take an afternoon tour and experience a mysterious underground world of rushing water before drifting in silent darkness beneath the luminous shimmer of hundreds of glowworms. Your trip to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves begins with a cruise to the western shores of Lake Te Anau on one of our purpose-built scenic cruise vessels.
At the entry to the caves at Cavern House, view the informative displays and learn about this geological wonder before you join your guide underground. On the tour of the caves, our friendly guides will point out the highlights and share their knowledge of the caves and its history.
This underground world is astonishingly beautiful. By geological standards the caves are very young (12,000 years) and are still being carved out by the force of the river that flows through them. The result is a twisting network of limestone passages filled with sculpted rock, whirlpools and a roaring underground waterfall.
Deep inside the caves, beyond the roar of the water, you will be taken by small boat into a silent hidden grotto inhabited by thousands of glowworms, unique to New Zealand. In the subterranean darkness, they produce a glittering display that is nothing short of extraordinary.
Enjoy an evening free in Te Anau with dinner on your own
Accommodation: Kingsgate Hotel, Te Anau
Day 7 December 8th
Auckland
9:00am: Breakfast
10:00 am: Today, we will fly to Auckland. After traveling from Te Anu to Queenstown airport we will be flying over some very rugged Mountains and high country with views of the Southern Alps, the Mountain Peaks of Mt. Cook and Mt. Tasman, New Zealand’s highest Mountains.
“The City of Sails”, located on the North Island. Auckland is a blend of the harbor, surrounding islands, Polynesian Culture and a cosmopolitan city. After transfer to our hotel we will have the afternoon and evening to explore the city.
Accommodations: Mercure Hotel
Tikapa Moana Whales, Dolphins and Islands
Cruise : (Approximately 6.5 hours)
8:00 am – Breakfast
9:00 am- Depart for Cruise
Discover Tikaapa Moana the Hauraki Fulf as we cruise the myriad of islands, spot wildlife and learn about the cultural footprint of Ramaki Makaurau. Stop at Waiheke Island take the opportunity to stretch your legs and swim in a sheltered bay and discover wine or wildlife at Tamaki Makaurau. Learn about the history and conservation efforts at the volcanic peaks, many islands and extended coastline of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Hear fascinating stories on the origins and histories of land, sea and Ngai Tak Ki Tamaki, original inhabitants of the Tamaki Makaurau. Café on board providing light snacks (available for purchase) as well as on board resources to increase your knowledge of local wildlife. Dedicated time for marine mammal searching
3:30 pm: Enjoy the walk back to your hotel.
Dinner on our own in Auckland
Accommodations: Mercure Hotel
Day 9 –December 10th
Free day Optional Tour to Hobbiton or Explore Auckland on you own
8:00 am – Breakfast
10:00 am – Depart for Hobbiton or Waiheke Island
Hobbiton:
For your own Middle-earth adventure, daily tours are available to visit the original Hobbiton Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy and The Hobbit films. Your guided tour starts with a drive through our picturesque 1,250 acre sheep farm with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges.
Take a look at Bag End, where Frodo and Bilbo’s adventures began. Get lost among the hobbit holes and visit the Green Dragon Inn, the mill and the Party Tree. Listen to spell-binding tales of how Hobbiton came to be.
This tour will be a full day tour.
Option 2
2:30 pm: Board your coach and travel to your ship at the Quay Street Pride of Auckland Jetty.
Pride of Auckland Sailing Experience and Coffee Cruise:
Arrive at the Quay Street Pride of Auckland jetty. Here you will board one of your four cruising yachts in the Pride of Auckland fleet. Enjoy an exhilarating harbor sail. This will be a wonderful experience regardless of weather conditions as you sail on the harbor that hosted the 1999 and 2003 Americas Cup Challenge. These keel yachts are specially built for group sailing experiences. All safety equipment is in place, and wet weather gear will help to keep you if need be. Take some time to inspect the Maritime Museum either before or after as time permits.
3:00 pm: Board your yacht for an instant sail. Try your hand at sailing the yacht or sit back and enjoy. You will see Viaduct Basin and the Super Yachts and cruisers, multi-millions of dollars worth of gleaming watercraft is often moored here. Get some sea air in your lungs and enjoy this experience.
Option 3
Waihike Island: Optional Tour
Take a day ferry from Auckland Harbor to Waihike Island. Once on the Island there is a bus that takes you to various small towns, wineries and beaches. Tim, from Spirit Tours, recommends making your way to Onetangi Bay and having some fish and chips or a bucket of greenlip mussles and a glass of famous NZ white wine.
Recommended resturants in Onetangi Bay:
http://charliefarleys.co.nz
http://www.boathousewaiheke.co.nz
We will have our farewell dinner this evening in Auckland.
Pricing
December 2nd to 11 December 2026 $4889.00
INCLUDED IN YOUR TOUR COST: $4889
The events, locations, and pricing in this proposal are subject to change until tour deposit is paid and services are booked and confirmed. It is essential that some key attractions and flights are booked at the earliest possible moment.
• All sightseeing and transfers (on designated tour dates)
• Explore Islands of Auckland
• Visit the Glow Worm caves
• Cruise on Lake Wakatipu
• 9 nights accommodation and meals as per itinerary
• Flights from South Island to Auckland
• Visit Glenorchy beautiful town on South Island
• Visit Te Anu lake on the beautiful South Island
• Overnight cruise on Milford Mariner at Milford Sound.
• 4 Dinners, 1 Lunch and Daily Breakfast.
• Guide leadership by Jim Cramre
NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR TOUR COST:
• Personal items (passport, excess baggage, phone calls, laundry, tips, etc.).
• Travel Insurance. CSA is our affiliated travel insurance company. We HIGHLY recommend that all tour members purchase travel insurance.
Spirit Tours Producer code: 82979568
www.csatravelpro.com
• Airfare to Queenstown New Zealand
• Items marked as OPTION, Optional, Own Cost, Own Expense, etc
