A NEW ZEALAND FANTASY
EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF NEW ZEALAND’S NORTH & SOUTH ISLANDS
Trip Style: Explore
PRISTINE LANDSCAPES, WILDLIFE & MĀORI CULTURE
-
STARTING AT $7495 per person
Fully guided 10-day New Zealand group trip
4-12 people
-
STARTING AT $6495 per person
Fully planned & booked 10-day self-guided New Zealand itinerary
Self-drive with car rental included
Minimum of 2 people
Trip highlights
Māori culture & traditions including a community meal and haka performance
Ethical wildlife encounters to see dolphins, whales, penguins, fur seals, and albatross with conservation-minded local partners
Diverse landscapes from geothermal Rotorua and the Coromandel coastline to the Southern Alps and glacier-carved Fiordland
Conservation in action learning how New Zealand communities are protecting marine life, native species, and fragile ecosystems
Boutique stays & local flavors to experience New Zealand through local food and small businesses
New Zealand is wild, welcoming, and wonderfully diverse, and this journey gives you the chance to experience all three. From Māori traditions to marine wildlife to geothermal landscapes this 10-day journey brings together the best of the North and South Islands. Rather than simply checking off a list of sights, you'll have time to experience the landscapes through wildlife encounters, optional hikes, stargazing, and time outdoors. You'll move from geothermal Rotorua and the beaches of the Coromandel to the marine-rich waters of the Akaroa Peninsula, gaze at the stars over Lake Tekapo, and journey into the glacier-carved landscapes of Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound.
And New Zealand is so much more than its landscapes; it’s also about the people who have shaped the land. During your visit on the North Island, you’ll share a community meal and haka performance at a traditional Māori village. On the South Island, you'll have opportunities to see dolphins, whales, blue penguins, fur seals, and albatross alongside the people whose lives and careers are dedicated to protecting New Zealand's remarkable natural environment.
Book our 10-day New Zealand group trip or select Custom Dates for 2+ year-round and tailor the experience to your interests, pace, and travel style. Starting at $6495 per person. See all inclusions, itinerary details, and complete pricing in the drop-downs below.
why this trip?
New Zealand, thoughtfully curated
New Zealand is one of those destinations where the scenery can almost feel unreal - but there's much more to the country than spectacular views. This journey is designed to give you a thoughtful cross-section of both islands, combining iconic landscapes with opportunities to understand the culture, conservation efforts, and communities behind them.
Beyond the scenery is New Zealand’s rich cultural landscape and how deeply Māori culture and values are woven into the country's identity. A visit to a traditional Māori community gives you the opportunity to experience that culture through food, storytelling, music, and the powerful tradition of the haka, not simply as a performance for tourists, but as part of a broader understanding of Māori heritage.
New Zealand also offers some truly remarkable wildlife encounters, but we believe how you encounter wildlife matters. From dolphin and whale safaris to opportunities to see blue penguins, fur seals, and albatross, the itinerary prioritizes responsible experiences with local operators who understand and respect the environments they work in. You'll also meet people working to protect New Zealand's natural resources, from marine conservationists to communities finding more sustainable ways to interact with the land and sea.
Make the journey your own. If you can’t join our group departure you can also book a custom journey for 2+. Interested in adding kayaking or another wildlife experience? Prefer a slower pace with extra nights in a favorite location? We can tailor the itinerary around your interests, travel style, and the season you're visiting.
Travel with purpose Every Traverse Journeys departure includes a contribution to a carefully selected Community Partner, supporting organizations creating meaningful impact in the destinations we visit. In New Zealand, your trip supports Project Jonah, whose network of volunteers helps rescue stranded and injured marine mammals while also working to educate the public and advocate for stronger protections for these animals.
testimonials
Trip Inclusions
-
9 nights’ local 3-star accommodations
-
GROUP TRIP
Transfer from Auckland airport and drop off to Queenstown airport
Private ground transit between each destination
Domestic flight from Rotorua to Christchurch
Scenic drives with photo stops
SELF-DRIVE
Car rental, automatic Toyota Rav 4 or similar
Car rental insurance
Domestic flight from Rotorua to Christchurch
-
AWADS Whale & Dolphin Safari tour
Visit Cathedral Cove & Hot Water Beach
Māori village visit & experience
Māori Haka performance
Traditional Hangi dinner with Māori kai (food)
Pohatu Marine Reserve visit to see blue penguins & learn about local conservation
Lake Tekapo and Wanaka town visit
Optional Hooker Valley hike
Guided sheep farm tour
Milford Sound Nature Cruise and full day tour
-
GROUP TRIP: Daily breakfast + 3 dinners + 1 lunch
SELF GUIDED: 7 breakfasts + 1 dinner + 1 lunch
-
Visit with our Community Partner Project Jonah + donation to their organization
Dedicated local guide throughout your trip (group trip)
Traverse representative assisting you from booking to departure
Complete self-drive instructions, directions and tips (self-drive)
-
Extra nights before/after your trip
Day 4:
Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park entry
Polynesian Spa
Redwoods Treewalk
Wai Ariki Restorative Journey
Mountain Jade Workshop
Canopy Zipline Tour
Day 5:
Akaroa Swimming with Dolphins
Day 6:
Summit Star Gazing Experience
Tekapo Soak in the Stars (Hot Pools & Stargazing)
-
International airfare
Additional meals, excursions and activities not listed
Fuel costs (for self-drive)
Alcohol, unless specified
Required travel insurance
-
You'll be paired with a roommate of your same gender unless you request your own room. Odd numbers/solo bookings without a roommate pairing will require a single supplement.
STARTING at $7495 per person - double occupancy
+$1995 'My own room' option
-
Minimum 2 people to book the self-drive option.
STARTING at $6495 per person - double occupancy
+$1995 'My own room' option (If you’d like your own room or for odd numbers, 3, 5, etc.). We can also arrange suites for 3 at some hotels.
Holiday Surcharge: If your dates fall +/- 5 days around US Thanksgiving, December 25th, or January 1st there will be a holiday surcharge of $500 per person.
-
Extra nights before/after your trip, pricing on request
Day 4: All can be added on site, pricing provided by your guide
Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park entry
Polynesian Spa
Redwoods Treewalk
Wai Ariki Restorative Journey
Mountain Jade Workshop
Canopy Zipline Tour
Day 5: Must be booked in advance
Akaroa Swimming with Dolphins - $175 per person
Day 6: Must be booked in advance, timing allows for one
Summit Star Gazing Experience - $175 per person
Tekapo Soak in the Stars (Hot Pools & Stargazing) - $155 per person
Faqs
-
Since New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, that means that the seasons are opposite as those of us up in the North. So winter (December-February) is a quite popular season to visit New Zealand, as it’s their summer. We love traveling on shoulder seasons for fewer crowds and lower prices. September to November (spring in New Zealand) and March-May (fall in New Zealand) are great months to travel to New Zealand.
-
Absolutely! We love solo travelers and it’s a great way to meet like-minded people!
-
Yes, absolutely! New Zealand is quite easy to accommodate dietary restrictions. You can let us know your needs in advance and we will make sure you’re taken care of.
Terms & Conditions
Please refer to your Registration Packet for complete Terms & Conditions, which can also be obtained by submitting a request to hello@traversejourneys.com
Deposit
A $500 deposit per person per trip is required for each traveler to secure the booking. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable unless otherwise indicated on booking with the exception of our 24-hour No Regrets policy. A booking is not final until you receive a final confirmation from us.
24-hour No Regrets Policy: If, within 24 hours of submitting your deposit, you decide to cancel your booking you may request a refund, which will be granted less transaction fees.
Payment
Payments can be made either by 1) Normal Payment terms of 50% due 30 days after booking and 50% due 90 days prior to departure or 2) Monthly terms of equal installments with a $10 per month fee. Payments options include ACH, wire, credit card or Zelle. Payee is responsible for all transaction or processing fees. Late payments are given a two-week grace period; after that a $10 per month late payment fee will be charged.
Cancellations Policy
Group Trips & Retreats: Cancellations, less the trip deposit, are refundable up to 120 days prior to the trip start date.
Custom and Self-Guided: All payments non-refundable. Requests for transfers may be considered in extenuating circumstances and may incur a change fee.
To cancel a booking, Traveler must submit a request to us in writing by email to hello@traversejourneys.com
Flexible Booking Policy Specific to COVID-19
In the wake of COVID-19, Traverse has implemented a flexible booking policy that allows for deposits and payments to be transferrable to the greatest extent possible to new trip dates should a recurrence of COVID-19 render travel impossible due to border closures and related travel restrictions.
Travel Insurance
The trip price does not include travel insurance. Trip protection-style travel insurance that includes travel medical coverage is required for all trips with Traverse. The coverage must have a minimum $150,000 of medical coverage and include injury, medical, evacuation, and repatriation. See more info at https://traversejourneys.com/insurance
Documents, Personal Identification, Vaccinations
Traveler assumes complete and full responsibility for all required travel documents including passport, visas, entry or exit fees, and vaccinations. Traveler is also solely responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from incomplete or defective documentation. Traverse does not cover the cost or assist in obtaining any of the above, and reserves the right to collect information on all.
