17-Day Untamed New Zealand - Small Group 2026

Tour Code 883-21069 Language English
From
US$9971
¥67297
€8635
C$13974
Rs.948681

Highlights

See New Zealand unfold from north to south on this 17-day tour from Auckland to Christchurch. With a Small Group of no more than 24 travellers, accompanied by a Travel Director and Driver, you’ll discover Māori culture in Rotorua, discover Napier’s striking Art Deco heritage and taste your way through boutique wine country in Wairarapa. Meet locals who bring each place to life, from a fifth-generation beekeeper to the Pavlova Queen of Lake Tekapo. You’ll cruise through majestic Milford Sound overnight, explore aviation history in Blenheim and travel through landscapes that feel almost unreal. This is New Zealand at its most varied, most beautiful and most unforgettable.
  • 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)

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Itinerary

Includes & Excludes

Price Includes

  • 6 Dinner (D)
  • 16 Breakfast (B)
  • 2 Lunch (L)
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • Porterage where hotels provide this service
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Must-see sightseeing
  • All land transport shown. All transfers shown
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Optional Experiences and free time
  • This trip is operated by our Australia and New Zealand Specialists at AAT Kings.

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.

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From
US$9971
¥67297
€8635
C$13974
Rs.948681
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