Explore the natural and cultural highlights of New Zealand's North and South Islands, including magnificent landscapes and geological features, meetings with the "Kiwi" people, and visits to museums and wineries.

Starting at: $7,874 * Includes airfare, taxes & all fees Make a Reservation Ask Us A Question or Call 855-330-1542
Landscape of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu Typical New Zealand landscape with sheep farm Wines of New Zealand. Credit: Chris McLennan/Tourism New Zealand The city of Auckland. Credit: Tourism New Zealand Maori artist working on traditional carving. Credit: Eric Lindberg/Tourism New Zealand Fence with traditional Maori design Traditional Maori meeting house Maori woman with traditional tattoos. Credit: James Heremaia/Tourism New Zealand Rotorua's Te Puia. Credit: Eric Lindberg/Tourism New Zealand Geothermal field with spouting geysers, Rotorua. Credit: Chris McLennan/Tourism New Zealand Geothermal area, Rotorua. Credit: Tourism New Zealand The New Zealand Kiwi Tasting cafe in Wellington. Credit: Tourism New Zealand The Rose Garden at the Botanical Gardens, Christchurch Looking out over Queenstown Credit: Chris Sisarich/Tourism New Zealand View of the dramatic Doubtful Sound View of Doubtful Sound Waterfalls in Fiordland National Park Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkables The excitement of the Shotover Jet, near Queenstown. Credit: Tourism New Zealand

Journey Through New Zealand

From Auckland to Queenstown

16 days from $7,874 | includes airfare, taxes and all fees

Explore the natural and cultural highlights of New Zealand's North and South Islands, including magnificent landscapes and geological features, meetings with the "Kiwi" people, and visits to museums and wineries.

or Call 855-330-1542

To view a section, please click on an option below.

Accommodations

* Click on hotel name to visit hotel web-site.

Grand Millennium Auckland

Auckland, New Zealand

The Grand Millennium Auckland sits in the heart of Auckland’s central business district, just a few blocks from Waitemata Harbour and a few minutes’ walk to the High Street shopping district and SkyCity casino. The bright, contemporary hotel features a soaring, light-filled lobby area, two restaurants and a bar; fitness center with indoor pool, steam room, and gym; complimentary Wi-Fi internet access; and laundry and dry cleaning services (for a fee). Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, coffee- and tea-making facilities, minibar, TV, and phone.

Number of nights: 2

Millennium Hotel

Queenstown, New Zealand

Millennium Hotel Queenstown is just minutes from Queenstown central shopping, entertainment and adventurous outdoor activities such as bungy jumping, white water rafting, and jet boating. The hotel’s 220 guest rooms and suites, gym, sauna, spa, bar, and restaurant feature contemporary city-inspired designed. Most accommodations offer scenic views of Queenstown city and mountains.

Number of nights: 2

Scenic Circle Te Pania Hotel

Napier, New Zealand

Napier hotels with Scenic Hotel Te Pania. Hawkes Bay is one of the first places in the world to see the light each day, and Scenic Hotel Te Pania in Napier enjoys a premium waterfront location on Marine Parade. The hotel's slender curved form echoes the shape of the bay, and guests enjoy sweeping views out over the water. A fresh, contemporary style hotel, Scenic Hotel Te Pania is just a short stroll from Napier's main art deco style street.

Number of nights: 1

Grand Mercure Wellington

Wellington, New Zealand

Conveniently located in New Zealand’s capital city, the Grand Mercure Wellington stands just a few blocks from the shops and restaurants of the bohemian Cuba Quarter. Hotel amenities include a restaurant with an open kitchen, bar, swimming pool, sauna, gym, laundry facilities (for a fee), weekday dry-cleaning services (for a fee), and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. Each of the 114 air-conditioned guest rooms has private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, ironing facilities, TV, phone, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and minibar.

Number of nights: 2



Rydges Latimer Square

Christchurch, New Zealand

The Rydges Latimer Christchurch sits directly adjacent to Christchurch’s central Latimer Square. Amenities of the 138-room hotel include a restaurant and bar/lounge, laundry and dry cleaning service (for a fee), fitness center, and sauna. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, in-room safe, tea- and coffee-making facilities, minibar, ironing facilities, TV, and phone.

Number of nights: 1

Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand

Situated on the edge of Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier is located just a few minutes from the glacier from which it takes its name. Hotel amenities include a restaurant, bar, self-serve laundry (for a fee), full spa with massage services (for a fee, located a two-minute walk from the hotel), hot tub, and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. Guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, tea- and coffee-making facilities, TV, and phone.

Number of nights: 2

The Millennium Hotel Queenstown

Queenstown, New Zealand

The Millennium Hotel Queenstown sits on a hill in Queenstown, just minutes away from the town’s central shopping district.  Amenities include a restaurant, bar, fitness center, sauna, spa, and WiFi internet access (for a fee).  Each of the 220 air-conditioned guest rooms has private bath with hair dryer, minibar, safe, tea- and coffee-making facilities, TV, and phone.

Number of nights: 3

Activity Level

Activity Level 3: Moderate / Active


Expectations: Most trips will feature long touring days, many full-day excursions, and a full and active itinerary with a faster pace and longer distances. Some tours may have activities with higher intensity and more active choices/options. Excursions require standing and walking for extended periods of time over more difficult terrain (cobblestones, city hills, stairs without handrails, limited or no access to elevators, muddy/slippery walking/hiking trails), and walking to city centers where coaches are prohibited. Specific itineraries may feature hiking, use of local transportation, extended overnight train travel, extensive use of Zodiac crafts or other smaller ship conveyances, or multiple internal plane rides. Some itineraries may require early morning departures and later evening returns. Travelers may be in remote and/or rugged regions, and may be touring at higher altitudes with steep ascents/descents. Leisure time may be limited (sometimes only in the later evenings). Certain tours feature more active excursions (such as moderate hiking, swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, bicycling, rafting, or kayaking), though another choice may be offered for an alternate skill level. Walking/hiking tours may feature up to six-mile walks/hikes.  

Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit, lead active lives, are comfortable participating in long days of activities, and expect some physical exertion. 

Reading List
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Highly Recommended

New Zealand Wildlife: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Animals (A Pocket Naturalist Guide)
By: James Kavanagh, Waterford Press
The unique, dinosaur-like, tuatara is one of thousands of species of animals inhabiting the diverse ecosystems found throughout New Zealand, many endemic to the islands. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and butterflies/insects and includes a map featuring prominent wildlife-viewing areas. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by visitors and residents alike. Made in the USA.
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Come On Shore and We Will Kill and Eat You All: A New Zealand Story
By: Thompson, Christina
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DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: New Zealand
By: DK Travel
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New Zealand - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
By: Ljiljana Ortolja-Baird
Culture Smart! New Zealand offers insights into a country that is reflecting on its identity, having shed its colonial past and now moving from a bicultural society (Maori and European) toward a new multiculturalism. Despite the challenges ahead, New Zealand society is resilient, underpinned by the values of anti-materialism, tolerance, patience, and commonsense, and driven by a shared passion about being a Kiwi. Not by chance was New Zealand chosen to represent Tolkien’s ancient Middle-Earth in the film trilogy The Lord of the Rings. New Zealand is remote, and even sometimes inadvertently left off world maps. This remoteness might be one of its greatest assets. It is off the beaten track, with a wilderness of World Heritage national parks to explore—embracing ice-carved fiords, lakes, valleys, and towering mountains; lush lowland forests and limestone canyons. Set against this stunning background are the New Zealanders, who, not surprisingly, are passionate about their country and the quality of life it offers. Kiwis, as they are affectionately known, are friendly, helpful, and fiercely equalitarian.  All great companions for enjoying the prowess of the All Blacks rugby team in action!
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Fairness and Freedom: A History of Two Open Societies: New Zealand and the United States
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24x36 World Wall Map by Smithsonian Journeys - Tan Oceans Special Edition (24x36 Laminated)
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Travel Insurance

For the convenience of our travelers, Travel Guard provides an on-tour Insurance Plan. On-tour emergency evacuation insurance (up to $100,000), medical expense coverage (up to $25,000), dental expense coverage (up to $500), travel medical assistance and worldwide travel assistance (U.S. Residents only). It also includes up to $25,000 medical and up to $500 dental expense coverage, and 24-hour worldwide travel and medical assistance. Please click here to view complete coverage details.

Please visit www.TravelGuard.com/SmithsonianJourneys or call Travel Guard at 1-800-208-6142 to learn about additional (optional) coverage.

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