17-Day Untamed New Zealand - Small Group 2026
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Highlights
- Explore Art Deco Capital Napier on walking tour & Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
- Discover Maori culture at Te Puia Rotorua
- Visit Whirinaki Forest interactive experience, Greytown Honey to meet a 5th generation beekeeper, Wairarapa Vineyard for tastings, Pavlova Queen Angie at Lake Takapo, and Highlands Motorsport Park Museum
- View Franz Josef Glacier from panoramic viewpoint
- Scenic Cruise overnight on Milford Sound, and across Lake Wakatipu on historic steamship
- Whakatane: The tour begins with Mihi Whakatau (welcome) and Karakia (prayer) to keep you safe on your journey. Pristine native rainforest trails await you! Meet Nga Rakau Rangatira - the chiefly trees of the forest, see our 1,000 year old Totara, learn about our Rakau Rongoa (Natural Medicine Plants), hear and hopefully see our native and endangered birds in their natural habitat. Hear history, and learn about our myths and legends along the way, as you walk in the shadows of giants, and tread where dinosaurs once walked. Fill your water bottles from our pure waterfalls, and enjoy a packed picnic lunch infused with traditional cuisine – “Forest to Fork”. See the tallest moss in the world, and enjoy 'Forest Bathing' - the concept of connecting with nature and enjoying the health benefits of simply just 'being' at one with the forest. There are plenty of viewing spots along the way to see the beautiful Whirinaki River, and lots of waterfalls to meet throughout the day. Local Māori Guides: Our proud and knowledgeable guides will share with you all that you want to know...and more! The tour concludes with hot Kawakawa Tea. On the coach on the way out of the forest, the Whirinaki guides will share with the group our back story to our business and the massive community and social responsibility arm we have, and how their visit is positively impacting on our community.
- Napier: The Art Deco Trust in New Zealand is a Make Travel Matter experience that celebrates the architectural and cultural heritage of Napier, a city reborn through design and resilience after the 1931 earthquake. Through guided walks and immersive storytelling, guests gain a deeper appreciation for the city’s stunning Art Deco buildings and the community’s dedication to preserving its unique character. This experience supports UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities by promoting heritage conservation, fostering local pride, and ensuring that Napier’s rich history is safeguarded for future generations. Every visit directly contributes to restoration efforts, helping maintain the city’s vibrant identity and sustainable urban development.
- Wairarapa: Visit Greytown Honey, a family business producing the very highest quality Mānuka, Wildflower, Kāmahi, Kānuka, Rewarewa, Native and Clover honey. Join Karly, a fifth-generation beekeeper who has beehives on untouched native bush sites and special farmland throughout the Wairarapa region. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER experience, partake in a processing factory tour and watch a demonstration to learn about how honey is produced from hive to jar. Take part in a honey tasting session of award-winning honey and produce your own jar of honey to take home.
- Lake Tekapo: Join your hosts, former farmers Angie and Stan Taylor, for a Pavlova afternoon tea in their home on the shores of Lake Tekapo.
- Whakatane: The tour begins with Mihi Whakatau (welcome) and Karakia (prayer) to keep you safe on your journey. Pristine native rainforest trails await you! Meet Nga Rakau Rangatira - the chiefly trees of the forest, see our 1,000 year old Totara, learn about our Rakau Rongoa (Natural Medicine Plants), hear and hopefully see our native and endangered birds in their natural habitat. Hear history, and learn about our myths and legends along the way, as you walk in the shadows of giants, and tread where dinosaurs once walked. Fill your water bottles from our pure waterfalls, and enjoy a packed picnic lunch infused with traditional cuisine – “Forest to Fork”. See the tallest moss in the world, and enjoy 'Forest Bathing' - the concept of connecting with nature and enjoying the health benefits of simply just 'being' at one with the forest. There are plenty of viewing spots along the way to see the beautiful Whirinaki River, and lots of waterfalls to meet throughout the day. Local Māori Guides: Our proud and knowledgeable guides will share with you all that you want to know...and more! The tour concludes with hot Kawakawa Tea. On the coach on the way out of the forest, the Whirinaki guides will share with the group our back story to our business and the massive community and social responsibility arm we have, and how their visit is positively impacting on our community.
- Napier: The Art Deco Trust in New Zealand is a Make Travel Matter experience that celebrates the architectural and cultural heritage of Napier, a city reborn through design and resilience after the 1931 earthquake. Through guided walks and immersive storytelling, guests gain a deeper appreciation for the city’s stunning Art Deco buildings and the community’s dedication to preserving its unique character. This experience supports UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities by promoting heritage conservation, fostering local pride, and ensuring that Napier’s rich history is safeguarded for future generations. Every visit directly contributes to restoration efforts, helping maintain the city’s vibrant identity and sustainable urban development.
- Wairarapa: Visit Greytown Honey, a family business producing the very highest quality Mānuka, Wildflower, Kāmahi, Kānuka, Rewarewa, Native and Clover honey. Join Karly, a fifth-generation beekeeper who has beehives on untouched native bush sites and special farmland throughout the Wairarapa region. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER experience, partake in a processing factory tour and watch a demonstration to learn about how honey is produced from hive to jar. Take part in a honey tasting session of award-winning honey and produce your own jar of honey to take home.
Dates & Prices
Price in USD (per person, based on double occupancy)
Itinerary
Auckland, New Zealand
Rotorua, New Zealand
Napier, New Zealand
Napier, New Zealand
Wairarapa, New Zealand
Wellington, New Zealand
Blenheim, New Zealand
Blenheim, New Zealand
Christchurch, New Zealand
Lake Ōhau, New Zealand
Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown, New Zealand
Milford Sound
Wanaka, New Zealand
Fox Glacier
Christchurch, New Zealand
Christchurch, New Zealand
Includes & Excludes
Price Includes
Additional Notes
- NEW ZEALAND: USA passport holders require a visa for New Zealand. Visa must be obtained prior to departure. We recommend applying 60 days prior to departure.
- IMPORTANT: Please see important visa details sent with your invoice.
- ARRIVAL: Arrive into Auckland International Airport (AKL). Flights to arrive by 12:00.
- DEPARTURE: Depart from Christchurch International Airport (CHC). Flights to depart anytime.
- TRANSFERS: Chargeable transfers available for guests who have booked their extra hotel nights with Trafalgar. Guests booking independent hotel nights will need to make their own transfer arrangements.
- FITNESS REQUIREMENT: Low to medium level of fitness required. This tour is not recommended for people who have difficulty walking. As well as walking, there will be considerable time standing.
- TE PUIA - TE PO EXPERIENCE: Involves walking around 1.5 kilometers / 1 mile at a slow and steady pace. The terrain is gravel paths, boardwalks and uneven natural ground in some places.
- GROUND HANDLER: This trip is operated by Ground Handler, AAT Kings.
- SMALL GROUP SERIES: This trip is featuring exclusively small-group departures, operating with a maximum of 18 guests for the entire series.
Policies
Touring: By air-conditioned / air-ventilated motor coaches. Please note that on some Regional European First Class Tours and London sightseeing, motor coaches without toilet facilities are used. In the Middle East and South America, air-conditioned / air-ventilated motor coaches (or minibuses) without toilet facilities are used. If due to circumstances beyond our control coaches are used otherwise than as advertised, a refund of $10 per person will be made.
- Over 45 days: $US200
- 45 - 22 days: 25%
- 21 - 8 days: 30%
- 7 - 1 days: 50%
- Departure day or later/no show: 100% The refund amount will be credited directly to your TakeTours wallet as credits for future use. Or the refund can also be forwarded directly to your credit card with a 6% handling fee.
Tour Prices:Are based on costs, charges, tariffs, rates, prices, taxes, levies and exchange rates as at time brochures went to print. Should these change, the price of your vacation may increase. No surcharges in respect of cost or currency fluctuations will be made once payment for the deposit of your land tour is received. This does not apply to fuel surcharges and any taxes, charges or levies imposed by any government or their agencies. In exchange for these guarantees, no refund will be made if costs are reduced. Please note that if the total tour price increases by more than 10%, passengers will have the right to cancel their tour within 7 days of notification of the surcharge without penalty.
Tour Cancellation: We reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements or circumstances beyond its control. If cancellation is made any time prior to departure* of the tour, our only liability will be to refund to the passenger the amount it has received for the tour booking.
We are not responsible for any other travel arrangement affected due to our cancellations.
Travel Insurance: We recommend that all passengers purchase comprehensive travel insurance. Certain countries have a requirement for foreign visitors to have valid medical insurance on entry. We cannot be held responsible if a passenger is denied entry for being unable to provide details to the authorities of such insurance. We do not employ staff doctors or nurses. Should you need medical attention, it will be at local facilities, at your expense. We are not responsible for any costs incurred as a result of medical services, or for the quality of medical care or medical services you receive.
Complaints procedure: Should you have a complaint in respect of your vacation, you should inform your Tour Director/Representative immediately. If the matter cannot be resolved after the Tour Director's/Representative's best endeavors to do so during the holiday.
Responsibility
1. The Operators shall be responsible to the passenger for supplying the services and accommodations described on the website, except where such services cannot be supplied or the itinerary used is changed due to delays or other causes of whatever kind or nature beyond the control of the Operators. In such circumstances, the Operators will do their best to supply comparable services, accommodations and itineraries and there shall be no refund in this connection.
2. Where the passenger occupies a motorcoach seat fitted with a safety belt, neither the Operators nor their agents or co-operating organizations or service providers concerned will be liable for any injury, illness or death or for any loss or damages or claims whatsoever arising from any accident or incident, if the safety belt is not being worn at the time of such accident or incident.
3. Transportation companies, are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on transportation or conveyances. We rely on international convention which may apply to the services provided by us, our suppliers or agents with respect to any claim of any nature brought by you against us as a result of the provision of those services. International conventions which apply may include: Warsaw Convention 1929, (as amended by Hague Protocol and Montreal Protocol) in relation to air travel, or Montreal Convention; the Berne Convention for rail travel; Athens Convention 1974 for carriage by sea; the Geneva Convention for carriage by road and the Paris Convention 1962 for Hotels. We are to be regarded as having all benefit of these conventions on limiting our liability in relation to any claim for death, injury, loss, damage and delay to passengers and luggage. Enrollment in and payment for a tour shall constitute agreement and acceptance by the passenger of the terms and conditions set forth in this brochure which cannot be varied except in writing by an officer of the Company.
4. In the case of computer or human billing error we reserve the right to re-invoice passengers with correct billing.
5. We are not responsible for omissions, printing and/or typographical errors, in brochures, on Internet sites correspondence or invoices or in any other media where such information may be presented. We reserve the right to make corrections as required. The terms and conditions listed remain in effect until replaced. These terms and conditions replace all previous versions.
- The Operators shall be responsible to the passenger for supplying the services and accommodations described on the website, except where such services cannot be supplied or the itinerary used is changed due to delays or other causes of whatever kind or nature beyond the control of the Operators. In such circumstances, the Operators will do their best to supply comparable services, accommodations and itineraries and there shall be no refund in this connection.
- Where the passenger occupies a motorcoach seat fitted with a safety belt, neither the Operators nor their agents or co-operating organizations or service providers concerned will be liable for any injury, illness or death or for any loss or damages or claims whatsoever arising from any accident or incident, if the safety belt is not being worn at the time of such accident or incident.
- Transportation companies, are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on transportation or conveyances. We rely on international convention which may apply to the services provided by us, our suppliers or agents with respect to any claim of any nature brought by you against us as a result of the provision of those services. International conventions which apply may include: Warsaw Convention 1929, (as amended by Hague Protocol and Montreal Protocol) in relation to air travel, or Montreal Convention; the Berne Convention for rail travel; Athens Convention 1974 for carriage by sea; the Geneva Convention for carriage by road and the Paris Convention 1962 for Hotels. We are to be regarded as having all benefit of these conventions on limiting our liability in relation to any claim for death, injury, loss, damage and delay to passengers and luggage. Enrollment in and payment for a tour shall constitute agreement and acceptance by the passenger of the terms and conditions set forth in this brochure which cannot be varied except in writing by an officer of the Company.
- In the case of computer or human billing error we reserve the right to re-invoice passengers with correct billing.
- We are not responsible for omissions, printing and/or typographical errors, in brochures, on Internet sites correspondence or invoices or in any other media where such information may be presented. We reserve the right to make corrections as required. The terms and conditions listed remain in effect until replaced. These terms and conditions replace all previous versions.
Q & A
Popular FAQs
Tips are customarily given to your Tour Director, Driver and Local Guides at your discretion. The recommended amounts are: Tour Directors US$4 per day, Drivers US$2.50 per day and Local Guides US$1 per day.
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