Active Trekking Tour of New Zealand: North & South Islands - 19 Days

Day 2: Bream Head Coastal Walks (Day 2)

Wake up at the lodge at a secluded location on a manuka-covered hillside, with extensive rural and sea views. Help yourself to breakfast, then prepare a picnic lunch for your second day on the trails. Today, you can choose from two options: either the Coastal Walk or Bream Head Walk. The first one is gentle, while the second is quite challenging! The Coastal Walk takes you from the lodge, across farmland, a recreation reserve, and dunes to a long, sandy, and isolated Pacific Ocean beach where you can relax and swim before being picked up.

If you opt for the Bream Head Walk, expect a 4.6-mile (7.5 km) track that follows an ancient Māori trail from Ocean Beach to Urquhart Bay through the best remaining example of coastal rainforest in the North Island. You'll need a good fitness level to complete this 5-6 hour trip, and expect to be tramping. Sturdy boots and walking poles are recommended. After, return to the lodge for dinner.

Day 3: Bream Head Coastal Walks (Day 3)

Start today at the Settlers Monument at the top of the hill between Taurikura and McLeod Bay. After admiring the spectacular view across the region, follow the signs to the Mount Manaia track. This walk will take just over two hours, and a moderate fitness level is required for this 2-mile (3.5 km) return walk. The Mount Manaia track is well formed and marked, but take care as the natural rock lookouts have no safety barriers.

After today's hike, you can return to the lodge or relax at the beach. The sheltered harbor beaches at Bream Head are perfect for swimming, while the white sand beaches on the ocean side are a surfer's dream. Just be back in time for a seasonal dinner at the lodge!

Day 4: Drive to Auckland, Wilderness Experience, Dinner Cruise

Rise early to make the return three-hour drive back to Auckland—it's time to explore the big city! Before diving into the concrete jungle, shoot through Auckland to the Arataki Visitor Centre, perched high in the Waitakere Ranges. This fringe of hills separates Auckland from the surf beaches of the west coast. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic sea views from the deck, and learn about local history while admiring the magnificent traditional Māori carvings with a local guide. They'll drive you west to feel the power of the rugged coast as you stand on soft, black-sand beaches.

Your eco-tour continues with an easy rainforest walk. Listen to the native birdsong as you walk among New Zealand's famous kauri trees and giant ferns. After, return to the city, drop your bags, and refresh ahead of tonight's memorable dining experience on the water. You'll sail on Auckland's Waitematā Harbour and watch the city twinkle after the sun dips below the horizon. Enjoy drinks and canapés as you set off toward Westhaven Marina, followed by the main course. Finish the evening with a tasty dessert as you sail back to Viaduct Harbour.

Day 6: Drive to Rotorua, Te Pa Tu Maori Feast & Performance

After breakfast, jump behind the wheel and cruise an hour south from Tauranga to Rotorua, New Zealand's famous geothermal city. This area is one of the world's most active volcanic regions, and you'll find bubbling mud pools, steaming geysers, and hot springs. Brace yourself—it's going to smell like sulfur! You'll explore those tomorrow, so today you can lace up your hiking boots for a small trek through the Redwood Forest or tackle the half-day Mount Haszard Hiking Trail, beginning at Inferno Crater and moving high above the Waimangu Volcanic Valley floor. 

Day 7: Geysers, Lakes & Maori Heritage Tour, Hell's Gate Experience

Start your day exploring Rotorua's famous geysers, bubbling mud holes, steaming vents, and sulfurous pools. Learn how volcanic activity below the ground creates a spectacular show above the surface. Rotorua's lakes and rivers are also popular for trout fishing, so grab a pole and see if you get a bite. The area is also known for its Māori culture. Your guide can recommend opportunities to learn more about the food, music, dance, and traditions important to the Indigenous people who call Rotorua home.

Day 8: Drive to Tongariro National Park, Free Time

This morning, you'll make the two-hour drive from Rotorua to Tongariro National Park, a stunning landscape with active and extinct volcanoes and a diverse range of ecosystems. New Zealand's first national park was created after the three sleeping volcanic peaks were gifted by Te Heuheu Tukino IV, paramount chief of the Tuwharetoa people, to the people of New Zealand in 1887. The rest of today is yours to explore the area and its many hikes.

You'll complete a huge full-day hike tomorrow, so you can try one of many shorter hikes today. The Taranaki Falls Hiking Trail carves a two-hour loop to Taranaki Falls with excellent mountain views and varied scenery. The Wha Kapapanui Walk also takes two hours to complete, following a forest path along the Whakapapanui River. For something more challenging, the Tama Lakes takes 5-6 hours to complete, so leave Rotorua early if this is on your list. 

Day 9: Full-Day Guided Ruapehu Crater Lake Hike

Day 11: Fly to Queenstown, TSS Earnslaw Farm Tour & Dinner

Bid farewell to Wellington and catch a connecting flight to Queenstown. New Zealand's adventure capital is set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in the Southern Alps. This ruggedly beautiful region offers hair-raising thrills, beautiful vineyards, and historic gold-mining towns. On arrival, take a transfer to your accommodation and settle in. The best way to appreciate the Queenstown area's majesty is to ride the Skyline Gondola over 1,400 feet (450 m) to Bob's Peak. At the top, enjoy views out to Coronet Peak and the Remarkables.

This evening, you'll cruise across the breathtakingly beautiful Lake Wakatipu. The historic TSS Earnslaw steamship will take you to the lakeside gardens of Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet dinner. Soak up the scenery at the lakeside homestead and watch chefs prepare succulent meats cooked on the outdoor rotisserie and a selection of delicious vegetables and salads. Enjoy desserts, including New Zealand cheese, and an entertaining farm demonstration before the return cruise, where you can enjoy a singalong from the ship's pianist.

Day 12: Drive to Te Anau, Kepler Track (Day 1): Te Anau to Luxmore Hut

This morning, you'll catch an early two-hour bus from Queenstown to Te Anau, the gateway to the Fiordland National Park. Te Anau is located next to a lake of the same name, which reaches depths of 1,368 feet (417 m). This is the starting point for the Milford and Kepler Tracks, and today, you'll tackle the latter, known as a dramatic, challenging, and diverse 37-mile (60 km) trail. Once in town catch a second bus to the trailhead and follow the lakeshore through the mountain and red beech. After passing a grove of ferns, you'll reach Dock Bay.

From there, cross the Coal Creek bridge and follow the lakeshore to Brod Bay, where you can stop for a swim. The track then climbs for two hours before reaching an ideal lunch stop. After another hour's climb, take in the views of Te Anau Basin and the Takitimu Mountains. The Luxmore Hut is about a 45-minute walk from here, and orange-topped snow poles mark this part of the track. Today's walk is 9.8 miles (15.8 km).

Day 13: Kepler Track (Day 2): Luxmore Hut to Iris Burn Hut

Wake up at Luxmore Hut and get ready to climb gradually to a ridge just below the summit of Mount Luxmore (at 4,830 feet or 1,472 m). Take a 10-minute detour to reach the summit of Mount Luxmore and enjoy brilliant views over the Fiordland National Park landscape. The track descends to a shelter near the Forest Burn Saddle.

For the next two hours, you'll follow a ridge system to the Hanging Valley Shelter, then continue toward the Iris Burn and descend into the Hanging Valley. The track descends through the forest and provides a view of a large natural landslide. Your stop for the evening is the Iris Burn Hut, at 1,630 feet (497 m), where you can relax. Today's hike is 9 miles (14.6km) but if you still have the energy for an evening stroll, go for a 20-minute walk to the Iris Burn Waterfall.

Day 14: Kepler Track (Day 3): Iris Burn Hut to Rainbow Reach

Today, you'll have to rise early to conquer the track in time for the afternoon bus. You'll make a steady path through various terrains including a beech forest and a gorge. Keep following the track for over two hours until it reaches Rocky Point, an ideal lunch stop.

It's time to give your legs a break and make a day trip to the awe-inspiring Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, with towering granite peaks, tumbling waterfalls, pristine blue waters, and incredible wildlife. Milford Sound / Piopiotahi is the most popular fjord in Fiordland National Park and the only one accessible by road. Board your Nature Cruise on the fjord and get ready to see it from a local's perspective.

Look for dramatic waterfalls cascading down sheer cliffs, mountains jutting out the sea, fur seals, and dolphins as you cruise around the fjord. After lunch, you'll visit the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory. The observatory offers a journey through the natural history, geology, and conservation efforts of this unique marine reserve. Walk into a spacious viewing chamber and enjoy uninterrupted 360-degree views of the undersea world, including rare black coral and colorful sea creatures. Board a vessel for the return cruise to Milford Wharf.

Day 17: Full-Day Mountain Bike Adventure at Cardrona Mountain Resort

Wake up ready to hit the summer slopes—today you'll visit Cardrona Mountain Resort, a popular ski destination that flips into a top mountain biking hub in the warmer months. You'll enjoy the pure thrill of downhill mountain biking at this spot. Set within the heart of the Southern Alps, the location of the Cardrona Bike Park will take your breath away. Here you'll find a variety of lift-accessed downhill mountain bike trails for all levels of rider to enjoy, and some of the longest vertical descents in the country.

Two lifts—McDougall's Chondola and Whitestar Express—take you to the top of New Zealand's highest bike park. You'll have access to more than 15 miles (25 km) of beginner, intermediate, and advanced MTB trails. Spend your day exploring the landscape and carving the routes with steep downhills and relaxed flowing trails.  

Day 18: Lake Wānaka Cruise & Walk, Drive to Queenstown, Onsen Evening Session

Lake Wānaka has five islands, including the must-see Mou Waho Island Nature Reserve. This morning, you'll take a 35-minute boat ride to the scientific reserve, home to native New Zealand wildlife. The island's most famous feature is the Arethusa Pool. Climb to the top of Tyrwhitt Peak to see the best views. From up here you'll also enjoy panoramic views of Lake Wānaka and the surrounding glacial mountains and valleys. Take a break for tea or coffee before heading back down the track to rejoin the cruise to the mainland.

Day 19: Depart Queenstown