Arrive Auckland. Accommodations at The Grand by Sky City**

Relax and Refresh after your long-haul flight. Check in time is 3:00 pm. If you arrive early, the hotel will store your luggage. Visit the city until check in.

Included: Accommodations in Auckland, airport transfer.
Excluded: Gratuities.
**Or similar

3 hour Auckland City Guided Tour (9:00 am)

Travel along Queen Street in the heart of the central business district. Travel over the iconic Auckland Harbor Bridge, connecting Auckland City with the North Shore suburbs.

See the picturesque suburb of Ponsonby. Stroll along Narrow Neck Beach in historic Devonport. Enjoy panoramic views of Auckland from the summit of Mount Victoria. Mount Victoria is Devonport’s very own dormant volcano. Takarunga / Mount Victoria is the highest volcano on Auckland’s North Shore, rising to 87 m. Takarunga means ‘The hill that stands above’ and its lava flows now line much of Devonport’s waterfront.

Visit Auckland Fish Market and the new Wynyard Quarter. Then, travel back over the Harbor Bridge to view Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere. Westhaven Marina in Auckland, New Zealand, is the largest yacht marina in the Southern Hemisphere. The marina has nearly two thousand berths and swing moorings and tends to be continually booked. Auckland, known as ‘City of Sails’, is generally known for its maritime passions.

Return to hotel. Free time to visit Auckland on your own.

Welcome to Auckland Harbor Sailboat Dinner Cruise 
At 6:00 pm, your dinner cruise begins at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbor, where an expert captain welcomes you aboard the 50-foot (15-meter) sailing yacht. After a safety briefing, set sail across the waters of Waitemata Harbor, gliding past waterfront highlights including Auckland Harbor Bridge, the Ferry Building, and the iconic Sky Tower—New Zealand’s tallest building. Your captain points out the sights that you pass, such as the volcanic cone of Mt. Eden, which hovers on the outskirts of the city. Hear live commentary about the national pastime of sailing, including the hosting of the America’s Cup.

If you’d like, you can assist the crew to hoist the sails or try your hand at steering the boat. Or simply enjoy the breeze and relax with a drink, purchased from the sailboat’s bar. When your boat sets anchor in Westhaven Marina, take a seat in the dining room for a 3-course dinner served below deck. Afterward, savor the city views as Auckland illuminates in the evening light of dusk. (2.5 hrs)

Included: Breakfast, city tour, dinner cruise.
Excluded: Gratuities, drinks at sailboat bar.

Waiheke Island offers a delightful experience for wine enthusiasts, combining scenic beauty with award-winning wines and gourmet cuisine. Here’s what you can expect on this tour:
**Cellar Door Visits: You’ll embark on a journey to three different cellar doors, where you’ll have the opportunity to sample some of the finest wines produced on Waiheke Island. As you indulge in these tastings, knowledgeable guides will enlighten you about the unique conditions of the island that contribute to the exceptional quality of its wines. You’ll also gain insight into the challenges faced by winemakers in this region.

**Gourmet Lunch: Following your wine tastings, you’ll head to an award-winning restaurant situated on the picturesque white-sand beach of Onetangi. Here, you’ll be treated to a sumptuous gourmet lunch paired with a glass of wine, perfectly complementing your meal. The restaurant boasts incredible views of the beach, providing a serene backdrop as you dine. After lunch, you’ll have the option to stroll down to the ocean and enjoy the sandy shores.

**Onetangi Valley: After relishing your meal, the journey continues to Onetangi Valley, where you’ll stop once again to indulge in more wine tastings. This valley is renowned for producing exceptional wines, and you’ll have the opportunity to savor their flavors while soaking in the tranquil surroundings.

Throughout the tour, you’ll not only savor exquisite wines and cuisine but also gain insights into Waiheke Island’s rich culture and heritage. With its stunning vistas, delectable offerings, and informative guides, this tour promises to be a memorable exploration of one of New Zealand’s premier wine regions.

Included: Island/Wine Tour with lunch. Ferry ticket
Excluded: Gratuities.

Auckland to Rotorua via Hobbiton Movie Set (7:00 am)

Travel south from Auckland over the Bombay Hills to the rich farmland of the Waikato region. Your magical journey through Middle earth to the Hobbiton movie set from “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” films.

Your guide will give you commentary on the way down with insights about the areas you are traveling through and insights to the backgrounds to the movies.

On arrival at Shire’s Rest, you embark on your Hobbiton movie set tour. This location is the largest “green set” in the world and the only part of the set remaining in New Zealand. You see 44 hobbit homes, the Mill and double arch bridge and the party tree. At this stunning location you can take a photo at the gate to Bilbo’s house, “Bag End,” looking out over the whole set to the hills in the distance.

The tour ends with a visit to the Green Dragon Inn where you can enjoy a complimentary ale, cider, or ginger beer.

At the end of your Hobbiton movie set tour you will travel on to Rotorua, arriving at approximately 1:15pm. Accommodations at The Jet Park Hotel**.
Take the rest of the afternoon to relax and refresh or visit Rotorua.

At 6:00 pm we head to the Mitai Māori Village Cultural Experience
You’re transferred from your accommodation in Rotorua after a personalized meet-and-greet and photo op with a Māori maiden dressed in traditional attire. Then learn some basic guidelines for entering the Mitai Māori Village, considered a sacred cultural and spiritual space to the Maori people.

In this bush setting of New Zealand’s North Island, discover the history of the area once thriving with indigenous villages. You’ll observe Māori warriors paddling a waka, or canoe, down the Wai-o-whiro stream, and visit the Fairy Spring for a look at freshwater eels, trout, and glowworms.

The evening’s cultural entertainment includes a performance of games, songs, and dances including the haka, or war dance. Learn about Māori customs, including the art of ta moko (tattoo), woodcarving, and medicinal uses of native plants. Savor a selection of succulent dishes during a traditional hangi feast, with foods cooked underground in an earthen oven.

Your dinner includes New Zealand meats and poultry along with vegetables and fresh salads. Top off your meal with buffet-style desserts. Drinks are available for purchase from the full bar. Afterward, you’re dropped off at your hotel. (3 hrs.)

Included: Breakfast (if there’s time), coach to Rotorua, Hobbiton tour, Māori Village Cultural Experience including dinner. Accommodations in Rotorua.
Excluded: Gratuities, bar drinks.
**Or similar

Sleep in and at 1:15 be ready to revitalize in thermal pools.

Rotorua is located in the Rotorua caldera, a volcanic crater 16 kilometers in diameter. With such an overwhelming amount of geological activity on offer, the Thermal Path tour aims to guide you through some of the ‘off the beaten track’ mud pools and thermal areas such as: Rainbow Mountain, Waiotapu mud pool, Kerosene creek and Waikite valley thermal pools.

Dip your toes or fully immerse yourself in our favorite thermal springs, free from crowds and entrance fees. Take in the volcanic landscape at your leisure and learn some of the history of New Zealand’s greatest hot spot.

What to bring: Good footwear, towel, swimwear, water, dress according to seasonal weather. Return approx. 5:00 pm.

Included: Breakfast, Thermal Path tour.
Excluded: Gratuities.

Kaituna White-Water Rafting Adventure (12:30 pm)

Set off for a wild ride on the Kaituna River. Hop into your transport vehicle to the picturesque rafting base in the Kahikitea Forest, where river guides provide a full safety briefing. Once you’ve slipped into special clothing (wetsuit) to keep you warm, grab your paddle, helmet, and life vest for the exciting journey ahead on the white water.

You’ll paddle over more than a dozen rapids, including the impressive Tutea Falls, a cascade that boasts a 22-foot drop with adrenaline overload. Pass through a steep canyon lined by subtropical native forest while you learn to navigate the thrilling white water.

When you’re safely back on shore, you’re delivered back to the base where you can ‘chill out’ for a bit and view souvenir photos snapped by a professional photographer (available to purchase). Change into dry clothes and relax while transferred back to your hotel. (3.5 hrs. includes approx. 2 hrs. rafting).

After your adrenaline packed rafting trip, at 3:30pm be ready for another adrenaline rush adventure.

Superman dive into a giant inflatable ball and roll down Mt Ngongotaha with ZORB, where the fun will have you laughing uncontrollably.

Discover FOUR different ball rolling tracks – the world’s longest zig-zag Sidewinder Track, the smooth ‘n’ fast double Straight Track, MEGA Track – the longest, fastest and steepest track in all the land, and the Pipeline Track – which starts out with a wiggle, a weave, and then takes you whizzing through an arboreal tunnel! Think of it like a giant water slide, 40 litres of water (warm in winter, cool in summer) with no tumbling involved, just full on belly laughs from top to bottom.

To this day, Rotorua is the ONLY location in New Zealand where you can experience this amazingly fun and bizarre bucket list activity.

Included: Breakfast, rafting, Zorb, bus.
Excluded: Gratuities.

Sleep in and then take a Rotorua Duck Boat Guided City and Lakes Tour (11:00 am)

This sightseeing adventure takes you aboard a World War II amphibious vehicle — able to travel on land and water. Start with a city tour past Government Gardens, the Blue Baths and more before splashing down into Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) and Lake Okareka. Have fun along the way with a provided duck caller and listen to live commentary about Rotorua’s history and local landmarks. (approx. 1.5 hrs.)

At 3:30 pm, spend a magical evening kayaking on Lake Rotoiti, where you visit glow worm caves and have plenty of time to soak in natural hot springs before a barbecue picnic dinner. Paddle with an expert guide into lakeside caves only accessed by boat to see glowworms and crayfish, then revel in the sunset reflected on the tranquil waters. Instruction and equipment provided.

Included: Breakfast, Duck boat tour, kayak tour and BBQ dinner.
Excluded: Gratuities.

Fly to Wellington. Accommodations at James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor**

. Grab some lunch and be ready to venture to the Seal Coast at 1:30 pm.

We embark on our journey at Otari-Wilton’s Bush, a 100-hectare forest and NZ’s sole botanical garden dedicated to native plants. Designated a 6-star Garden of International Significance by the NZ Gardens Trust, it showcases New Zealand’s landscape for early settlers. Walking across the skybridge, enjoy views of the canopy as your guide describes the unique flora and fauna, including once-endangered birds like Tui and Kaka.

Heading to the south coast via Terawhiti Station, one of New Zealand’s oldest and largest, we’ll see sheep, cows, and goats. At the top, enjoy views of the Cook Strait and the South Island. Here lies the Capital Kiwi project, reintroducing wild Kiwi after a century. Following the ridgeline road, created for Project West Wind, we explore a wind farm powering the Wellington region.

Descending towards the coast, we spot the Karori rock lighthouse, known for its lean. At Tongue Point, observe a colony of native Fur Seals from a safe distance. Learn about their conservation and enjoy refreshments as you watch ferries cross between New Zealand’s islands.

Included: Breakfast, flight, accommodations in Wellington, Seal Coast tour.
Excluded: Gratuities, excess baggage fees.
**Or similar

Lord of Rings Half Day Tour (10:30 am)

We make our way up to the Mount Victoria Lookout to see spectacular views of Wellington’s city by driving up Courtenay Place, past the Embassy Picture Theatre which held two world premieres: The LOTR instalment; The Return of the King (2003), and the first Hobbit movie; An Unexpected Journey (2012).

Then it is off to Hobbiton Woods where the filming of this epic trilogy began. Home of the Shortcut to Mushrooms scene; Sam & Frodo’s Second Breakfast; the location where the Hobbits hid from the Black Rider (“Get off the Road!”); the Race to the Buckleberry Ferry scene; and King Théoden’s Dunharrow Encampment.

Now we are off to the Wētā Workshop in Miramar. From The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to Avatar and District 9, at the Wētā Cave, learn about props, costumes and creatures created for your favorite films. Interact with cool stuff from our creative departments and catch an artist at work.

Discover the filmmaking technique of miniature effects and learn how they are built for hit TV and film productions. Wander through monumental miniatures from Thunderbirds Are Go and see how we fit an entire island, cityscape, and mansion under one roof.

Explore the Wētā Cave retail store: A cavern of creativity in its own right! Be greeted by giant trolls on arrival, explore our mini museum. See and have photos with Gollum, Lurtz the Uruk-hai, Bilbo’s three Trolls. The tour concludes with a drive around the bays where you will enjoy the delights of a “Rivendell Ripple.” (approx. 3-4 hours)

Enjoy the rest of the day to visit Wellington or just relax and refresh. ibis Wellington is centrally located close to TSB Arena, Sky Stadium, Beehive Parliament buildings, Te Papa Museum, and the Waterfront.

While exploring New Zealand’s capital, take a stroll downtown to the iconic Cuba Street, shop at David Jones and Old Bank Arcade, or ride the Wellington Cable Car to see the sights. Enjoy what this wonderful city has to offer with everything just footsteps away.

Farewell Dinner.

Included: Breakfast, LOTR tour, Wētā Workshop tour, dinner.
Excluded: Souvenir photos, gratuities.

Check out of hotel and fly back to Auckland. Catch your flight home from Auckland or continue the journey on your own.

Included: Breakfast, airport transfer, flight to Auckland.
Not Included: Gratuities, excess baggage fees.