Adventure Tour of New Zealand

(9 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Rotorua, Hawke's Bay, Queenstown & Milford Sound

This ultimate adventure tour of New Zealand includes private touring, exclusive luxury lodges, incredible food and wine, Maori culture, scenic landscapes, and soft-adventure activities such as white-water rafting, biking, hiking, jet boat rides and helicopter excursions.

Begin on the North Island in Rotorua and Treetops Lodge, a luxury lodge on a secluded hilltop surrounded by native bush. One day, take a four-wheel drive tour of the lodge's sprawling estate, which has abundant animals, native forest and waterfalls. Another day, go mountain biking in the Whakarewarewa Forest, a stand of majestic redwood trees; take an exhilarating white-water rafting excursion on the Kaituna River through rapids and over waterfalls; and kayak across Lake Rotoiti to natural hot spring pools for a relaxing end to the day. Also, enjoy an unforgettable private tour through spectacular native forest via zip lines, swing bridges and trails. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities in the region, such as seeing steam vents and colorful hot pools at the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, fly fishing on local streams, hiking in Tongariro National Park or an exclusive helicopter excursion to the top of a volcano.

Continue to Hawke's Bay, a beautiful region of vineyards, orchards, rolling hills and golden beaches. Stay at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, an exclusive lodge on a vast ranch atop cliffs high above the sea. Enjoy a private biking tour through local vineyards, stopping to sample wine at top Hawke's Bay wineries. Also visit Napier, a charming seaside town filled with Art Deco architecture. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities such as learning about Maori culture during a visit to a marae (Maori village), playing golf, visiting a colony of gannet seabirds, a tour of the Cape Kidnappers sheep and cattle ranch, fly fishing on local streams and visiting a kiwi habitat in search of New Zealand's famous flightless birds.

Next, fly to the South Island and Queenstown, a lakeside resort town that's the gateway to some of the most exciting and dramatic attractions in New Zealand. Enjoy private touring of the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown, as well as the region's highly regarded wine country. Take in panoramas of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range en route to Blanket Bay, a legendary luxury lodge with outstanding views of the lake and the majestic Southern Alps. One day, take a spectacular private helicopter flight over the Alps to Milford Sound, one of New Zealand's most iconic sights, and land on a glacier high in the mountains. Also enjoy an afternoon of hiking with your private guide among the hills and rivers around Queenstown. Another day, take a thrilling Dart River jet boat safari into the magnificent landscapes of Mount Aspiring National Park. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities in the region such as horseback riding, bungy (bungee) jumping, visiting filming locations used in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies, visiting a sheep station and fly fishing on local streams.

This tour can easily be customized with additional days, activities or destinations.