Luxury Family Tour of New Zealand

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

On this luxury family tour of New Zealand, stay at award-winning luxury lodges in the top destinations on the North and South islands, tour the distinctive highlights of each region with your own expert private guides, and experience the best of the country's spectacular landscapes and incredible food and wine. Additional activities can be customized to suit family members of all ages.

Begin on the North Island in Auckland, a cosmopolitan city built on volcanic hills overlooking scenic Waitemata Harbour. Stay at the city's best luxury hotel, which is on the waterfront and within walking distance of interesting neighborhoods and top restaurants. Also enjoy a ferry excursion to nearby Waiheke Island, including time for lunch in this favorite scenic destination.

Next, you will be transferred through the bucolic countryside to Taupo. En route, enjoy a private tour of Hobbiton, an evocative rural location and film set used in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies, or visit the fascinating Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Continue to Huka Lodge, an acclaimed luxury lodge in a park-like setting along the Waikato River. One day, enjoy a private cruise on beautiful Lake Taupo while taking in views of the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park and fishing for the lake's abundant trout. Another day, enjoy an excursion to Rotorua to experience a New Zealand sheep show at the Agrodome, learn about Maori culture and the active geothermal landscape of the region at the Rotorua Museum, and see steam vents, colorful hot pools and mineral-encrusted terraces at the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Also enjoy time at leisure to relax at your lodge or walk along the river to Huka Falls. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities in the region, such as kayaking, whitewater rafting, fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking in Tongariro National Park and 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 Rosewood Cape Kidnappers, an exclusive lodge on a vast ranch atop cliffs high above the sea. Enjoy private touring of the cultural, scenic and culinary highlights of the region. Learn about Maori culture during a visit to a marae (Maori village), and tour Napier, a charming seaside town filled with Art Deco architecture. One day, visit a kiwi habitat in search of New Zealand's famous flightless birds, and also take a tour of the Cape Kidnappers sheep and cattle ranch. Artisans of Leisure can also incorporate biking through the rural landscapes, if desired.

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. Stay at a luxury lodge with outstanding views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains. 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. 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, hiking in the backcountry, visiting a sheep station and fly fishing on local streams.

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

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Auckland Private arrival transfer to hotel for 1 night. Afternoon excursion to Waiheke Island Day 2 Auckland – Taupo Private tour of The Lord of the Rings film locations or Waitomo Glowworm Caves en route to luxury lodge for 3 nights Day 3 Taupo Half-day private cruise on Lake Taupo with fishing Day 4 Taupo & Rotorua Full-day private tour of Rotorua and geothermal highlights, including Agrodome sheep show and hangi lunch Day 5 Taupo – Hawke's Bay Private transfer to luxury lodge for 3 nights with touring of Napier en route Day 6 Hawke's Bay Full-day private cultural tour of region Day 7 Hawke's Bay Kiwi experience and ranch tour Day 8 Hawke's Bay – Queenstown Private transfer to airport. Flight to Queenstown. Private transfer to luxury lodge for 3 nights with touring of Queenstown and Arrowtown en route Day 9 Queenstown & Milford Sound Private helicopter excursion to Milford Sound including glacier landing Day 10 Queenstown Morning jet boat safari on the Dart River Day 11 Depart Queenstown Private transfer to airport

Hotels

Auckland: Park Hyatt Auckland or Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour Taupo: Huka Lodge Hawke's Bay: Rosewood Cape Kidnappers Queenstown: Blanket Bay or Rosewood Matakauri

Cost

Upon request