12 DAYS INDULGENCE IN LUXURY LODGES OF NEW ZEALAND

Arriving into Auckland, we drive 270km/3.5h to your hotel in Lake Taupo or Rotorua area to rest.

Head to Mamata for your 1.5-hour Hobbiton Movie Set Tour (shared) to experience the real Middle Earth on the 1,250-acre sheep farm with picturesque view across Kaimai Ranges. Visit Green Dragon Inn, Party Tree, Bag End where Frodo and Bilbo’s adventures began and get lost among the hobbit holes. This afternoon, enjoy guided underground boat ride at Waitomo Glow Worm Caves (shared).

Marvel at New Zealand’s largest boiling mud pool and colourful hot springs at Wai-O-Tapu and Lady Knox geyser eruption (10.15am) before heading to Living Māori Village of Whakarewarewa (shared) to experience Māori culture and observe geothermal wonders such as Pōhutu Geyser, bubbling mud pools and steaming mineral pools. Feast on traditional Maori hangi lunch comprising of meet, potatoes, vegetables and bread stuffing prepared using geothermal cooking methods, with hot spring-cooked corn and dessert on the side. Coffee, tea and water is complimentary.

Transfer 150-219km/2-2.5h to Napier. Relive the glamour of the jazz era on a Vintage Car tour of Napier’s Heritage & Art Deco Highlights (75m), completely rebuilt after a devastating earthquake. Thereafter, we transfer to your accommodation at Hawke’s Bay.

Enjoy guided off-road buggy farm tour in a 6-seater (1.5h, shared) at a family-owned sheep and cattle farm, followed by afternoon tea on top of the farm with 360° views of Hawke’s Bay and Kaweka Mountain Ranges. This afternoon, enjoy Te Mata Peak tour on a custom-built 5700cc 4-passenger trike (2.5h, shared). Cruise along the coast, swing inland to the beautiful Tuki Tuki Valley and climb 400m to the top with 360° views of Hawke’s Bay which extends as far as the Ruapehu Volcano on a clear day!

Hawke’s Bay is New Zealand’s 2nd largest wine region. Take a 4-hour private wine tour to 3-4 local wineries to taste some of the regions’ finest wine, including the famed Chardonnay.

Meet up with your driver for your transfers to Napier Airport for your flight to Queenstown. 

Fly Napier/Wellington N8885 1000/1100
Wellington /Queenstown NZ605 1220/1345 (1h 50m) 

Transit for your scheduled helicopter ride (shared) to Minaret Station Alpine Lodge. (Note: Due to weight restrictions, guests are allowed 1 suitcase weighing no more than 23kg/person, plus 1 small bag).

Minaret Station is located at Lake Wanaka, surrounded by the Southern Alps with picturesque glacial valley and untouched landscapes.

Explore remote Fiordland by helicopter with gourmet BBQ picnic lunch. Get up close to majestic fjords, waterfalls, ancient blue ice glacier, isolated mountain lakes and observe unique wildlife otherwise inaccessible.

After your scheduled morning helicopter ride (shared) to Queenstown, we transfer to your hotel to rest. 

Start with private flight to the rugged West coast for wood-fed hot tub, kayaking or crawfishing with a specialist guide. Fly over Milford Sound with landing at Lake Erskine and Lake Wakatipu, followed by a private yacht cruise to Queenstown (2h) while feasting on fresh crawfish. Enjoy thrilling ‘Catch the Canyons’ Shotover Jet boat ride (shared) as your driver whips past rocky outcrops! End with Skyline Gondola ride to Bob’s Peak with panoramic Queenstown views. You can also take the driving seat with gravity-fuelled luge cart (suitable for all ages and abilities) across 800m of banked corners, tunnels and dippers.

Free day at leisure to partake in adventurous bungy jumping at Kawarau Gorge, ski diving, skiing or jet boating.

Meet up with your driver for your transfers back to Queenstown airport.