Riviera Travel New Zealand

• Return flights & transfers
• 17nts in 3- to 4-star accommodation
• Selected meals: 17 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 1 dinner
• 20 included experiences
• Services of an expert tour manager
• Checked luggage

• Explore the Bay of Islands including a dolphin-watching cruise
• Cross the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine train
• Take a helicopter flight around the Franz Josef Glacier

Day 1: Overnight flight to Auckland
Travel to the airport for your overnight flight to Auckland

Day 2: In flight
Continue your journey to New Zealand

Day 3: Arrival in Auckland
Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to either relax after your flight or head out exploring the city.

Day 4: Bay of Islands
Head north along the Hibiscus coast today, reaching the Bay of Islands in the afternoon. On route, you’ll visit Parry Kauri Park, home to the giant kauri trees. When you arrive in Piahai, enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty House.

Day 5: Bay of Islands Cruise
In the morning, head out on a cruise of the bay, during which you may get the chance to see wild dolphins. Continue to Cape Brett and the ‘Hole in the Rock’ through which you might sail. In the afternoon, you have some free time to take part in many of the activities available in the Bay before heading back to Paihia.

Day 6: Auckland
Travel back to Auckland for a sightseeing tour. View a local volcano as you drive along the waterfront. Visit Parnell Village and the Auckland Museum, where you’ll get an introduction to the cultures of the peoples of the Pacific.

Day 7: Waitomo Caves & Rotorua
Leave Auckland and head south to the Waitomo Caves, famous for its glowworm grotto, which you can view on a silent boat ride. Continue on to Rotorua where you’ll visit Te Puia, where a local Māori guide will explain traditional arts and crafts.

In the evening, visit a recreation of a Maori forest community village where you’ll enjoy an evening of ceremonial rituals and storytelling, with a cultural performance in a Te-Aronui-a-Rua meeting house before a traditional Hangi buffet dinner.

Day 8: Middle Earth
Enjoy a guided tour of the Hobbiton movie set, exploring the ten-acre site and seeing the structures made for the film. Enjoy a complimentary drink in the Green Dragon Inn before heading back to Rotorua where the rest of the day is at leisure,

Day 9: Napier
Leaving Rotorua, journey to the picturesque lakeside town of Taupo, with a stop at Huka Falls. Continue to Napier, known for its Art Deco style buildings which you’ll discover on a walking tour with a local guide.

Day 10: Wellington
You’ll head south to Wellington for an overnight stay in New Zealand’s capital. Spend the afternoon sightseeing, passing the Parliament buildings, the Botanical Gardens and Victoria University as well as visiting Te Papa, the National Museum.

Day 11: Nelson
Today, you’ll embark on a cruise to South Island, crossing the Cook Strait via the Interislander ferry, arriving in Picton. Your journey continues to Blenheim, situated in the renowned Marlborough wine-producing region, where you’ll pause for wine tasting. End the day in Nelson.

Day 12: Abel Tasman Cruise
This morning, take a catamaran cruise along the coast of Abel Tasman National Park. During the cruise, learn about the history of the park and look out for the fur seal colony. There is an option of landing at Anchorage to take the Pit Head Loop Walk before returning to Nelson for an afternoon at leisure.

Day 13: Christchurch
Heading south through the Maruia Forest and over the Lewis Pass, you’ll reach Hanmer Springs for lunch (not included). Then, proceed to Christchurch, the “garden city,” where you can explore the Re-Start Mall, the unique ‘Cardboard Cathedral,’ and the Botanic Gardens, all part of the city’s post-earthquake rebuilding efforts.

Day 14: Tranzalpine Train & helicopter flight
Today, journey through the Southern Alps on the renowned TranzAlpine train, witnessing the transition from Canterbury Plains to stunning gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. At Arthurs Pass, switch to a coach for your trip to the West Coast, making a stop in Hokitika to explore a Greenstone workshop. Continuing south, you’ll reach Franz Josef village.

In the afternoon, get ready for a highlight of your trip! You’ll embark on an exhilarating 20-minute scenic helicopter flight over the magnificent glacial alpine terrain, witnessing the glacier’s winding journey from the mountains above and concluding with an alpine landing. Subject to weather conditions; alternative flights are in Queenstown or Mount Cook)

Day 15: Queenstown
Heading south, travel over the Haast Pass to Lake Wanaka, continuing to the resort of Queenstown. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 16: Free day in Queenstown
Nestled beneath the Remarkable Mountains, Queenstown, dubbed the ‘adventure capital of the world,’ boasts breathtaking scenery. Today, you have free time to explore and enjoy the resort’s offerings.

Day 17: Milford Sound cruise
Leaving Queenstown, follow Lake Wakatipu’s shores, pass through Te Anau, and venture into the remarkable Cleddau Valley, reaching the renowned Milford Sound, considered one of New Zealand’s most spectacular fjords.

Take a cruise around the sound, with a good chance of seeing dolphins, seals and penguins before returning to Te Anau.

Day 18: Omarama
Today, journey north and explore Arrowtown, a historic gold-mining town with a vibrant history. Then, proceed through the picturesque Kawarau Gorge, past Lake Dunstan, and across the captivating Central Otago landscape, known for its Lord of the Rings film locations. Your route takes us over the dramatic Lindis Pass, leading to the expansive Mackenzie Basin. Arrive in the small community of Ōmarama where you’ll stay overnight.

Day 19: Mount Cook
Head north alongside Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. Continue to Lake Tekapo and visit the Church of the Good Shepherd before crossing Burkes Pass and the Canterbury Plains to arrive back in Christchurch.

Day 20: Return Home
Transfer to the airport for your flight home

Day 21: Arrive home
Arrive back in the UK

An alternative version of this tour is available which includes a two-day stopover in Singapore.

Day 1: Overnight flight to Singapore
Head to the airport to take your overnight flight to Singapore

Day 2: Arrive in Singapore
On arrival, transfer to your hotel where you’ll have early check in. Then spend the rest of the day at leisure to explore or relax.

Day 3: Singapore
This morning, take a half-day city tour. Pass the colonial district to admire the views and see the Merlion fountain. Next, head to Thian Hock Keng temple, a Hokkien temple. Drive to Chinatown and then to Little India to explore. End the tour with a guided tour of the Botanical Gardens. The afternoon is at leisure before boarding your overnight flight to Auckland.

Arriving the next day, your tour will follow the itinerary above, starting on Day 4.

For more information and for departure dates of the extended tour, call 0800 707 6229 or enquire

TSS Earnslaw Cruise and BBQ lunch
Sail across Lake Whakatipu onboard the TSS Earnslaw, a coal-fired steamship. Enjoy some time to explore the ship before disembarking at Walter Peak High Country Farm where you’ll enjoy a BBQ at the Lakeside Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant.

Please contact us for more information or to add to your booking (at an extra cost). This is available only on 2026 departures.

Grand Millenium Hotel, Auckland
This hotel offers a range of amenities, including a swimming pool, sauna, lounge, bar, restaurant, fitness center, 24-hour front desk, and air conditioning. Guests can also enjoy the convenience of a lift between floors, laundry service, and a terrace. The spacious rooms come equipped with a bath and separate shower, hairdryer, minibar (with local charges), safe, iron/board, TV, air conditioning, tea/coffee-maker, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Scenic Hotel Bay of Island, Paihia
Nestled among several small low-rise buildings, the hotel provides a pool, restaurant, and bar. The 114 newly renovated rooms are equipped with showers, hairdryers, ironing facilities, minibars (with local charges), TVs, tea/coffee-makers, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Distinction Rotorua, Rotorua
The four-star Distinction Hotel in Rotorua offers a bar, three dining options, and a heated outdoor pool. The modern-style rooms are equipped with baths or showers, hairdryers, ironing facilities, TVs, mini-fridges, tea/coffee-making amenities, safes, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Scenic Hotel Te Pania, Napier
The hotel features a bar and a main restaurant. Its 109 spacious, contemporary rooms come complete with bath/shower facilities, hairdryers, ironing boards, minibars (with local charges), flat-screen TVs, tea/coffee makers, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor, Wellington
The hotel offers a ground floor café for light meals and a 17th-floor restaurant with buffet and a la carte options. Its 268 rooms include bath/shower facilities, hairdryers, ironing boards, minibars (with local charges), TVs, tea/coffee makers, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Rutherford Hotel, Nelson
The hotel offers a restaurant, evening bar, and Atom Café for tea and cake. It includes a gym, sauna, and an unheated outdoor pool from October to March. The 113 comfortable rooms have baths or showers, TVs, mini fridges, tea/coffee facilities, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a safety deposit box at reception.

Distinction Christchurch, Christchurch
The hotel provides a restaurant, bar, and 179 rooms equipped with baths or showers, hairdryers, fridges, minibars (additional charge), ironing boards, TVs, tea/coffee makers, safes, and free Wi-Fi.

Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier, Franz Josef
The four-star Scenic hotel features two restaurants, including one offering à la carte dining, along with a welcoming bar adorned with a fireplace. Its 177 comfortable rooms include showers, hairdryers, fridges, TVs, tea/coffee makers, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau
The hotel boasts a well-liked bar, two restaurants, and a fitness room among its amenities. Its 180 rooms feature bath/shower facilities, hairdryers, fridges, ironing boards, TVs, and tea/coffee makers, with air conditioning and laundry service available, all complemented by a 24-hour front desk.

Heritage Gateway Hotel, Omarama
The hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, restaurant with outdoor seating, bar, garden, and laundry service. The 98 rooms, spread across low-rise buildings, feature bath/shower facilities, hairdryers, fridges, ironing boards, TVs, tea/coffee makers, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Copthorne Hotel and Resort Lakefront, Queenstown
The hotel features a 24-hour front desk, a spacious lobby area with a popular bar, and a sixth-floor restaurant boasting scenic mountain and lake views. Its 240 rooms come with bath/shower facilities, hairdryers, minibars, ironing boards, TVs, tea/coffee makers, and views of the town, garden, or partial lake. Air conditioning and laundry service are available, and complimentary tea and coffee are provided. While Wi-Fi is free in the lobby, it is an additional charge in the rooms.

Fact File

• Currencies: New Zealand Dollar
• Languages: English, Maori
• Time zone: GMT+11
• Countries: New Zealand

*All transfer times are approximate and dependent on traffic

Exclusive prices available on request. Our Pricing Policy.