Icons of New Zealand

A 13-Day Private Tour of Must-See Destinations

Explore New Zealand’s most iconic locations on this expertly guided 13-day journey. From geothermal wonders and glowworm caves to alpine peaks and scenic fjords, this tour captures the country’s must-see highlights in comfort and style.

North and South Island (Reversible)

Queenstown

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Milford Sound

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Mt Cook

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Christchurch

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Rotorua

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Auckland

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Queenstown 〰️ Milford Sound 〰️ Mt Cook 〰️ Christchurch 〰️ Rotorua 〰️ Auckland 〰️

Icons of New Zealand 13 Days

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Milford Sound Cruise - Stargazing - Tranzalpine Train - Māori Culture Glowworms - Waiheke Island - Hobbiton

Travel Style:

Private driver I Self-drive

Accommodation Style:

Motel I Hotel I Boutique Lodges

What’s the best way to see New Zealand’s most iconic highlights in one well-paced trip?

Combining New Zealand’s most iconic destinations and experiences, our 13-Day Icons of New Zealand Private Tour is a wonderful way to experience the country’s highlights without feeling rushed.

Travel through the dramatic peaks of the Southern Alps, connect with Māori culture, encounter unique native wildlife, and step into the world of The Lord of the Rings. Whether you choose to take the leap with a bungy jump or simply enjoy watching the action, the journey is designed around your interests and comfort level.

This thoughtfully crafted itinerary blends famous must-see locations with quieter, local moments, giving you a deeper feel for what makes New Zealand so special. It’s the kind of journey that shows exactly why Aotearoa features so highly on travellers’ bucket lists, relaxed, personalised, and full of unforgettable experiences.

ITINERARY

  • Included Activity: Airport Transfer

    Explore: Queenstown

    Celebrated as New Zealand's adventure capital, Queenstown offers far more than a fast-paced action-packed holiday. Settled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath a soaring panorama of the Remarkables Mountain Range, this alpine town is surrounded by a plethora of historic, gastronomic, and scenic wonders.

    Included Activity: TSS Earnslaw cruise to Walter Peak including gourmet BBQ dinner and a farm tour

    Take in the stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and its surroundings as you cruise across the lake to the historic Walter Peak high country farm aboard the TSS Earnslaw Steamship. After dinner, watch the farm dogs in action with a sheep-herding demonstration and say hello to the other farm animals.

  • Included Activity: Everything Queenstown Private Tour

    Taking in the best bits of the region: historic Arrowtown and arround. Join a friendly guide on this relaxed private tour, for local highlights, tasting world famous Manuka Honey, amusing stories about gold history, and Lord of the Rings filming locations.

    Suggested Iconic Activities

    Bungy Jump

    If you’ve ever wanted to discover what you’re truly made of, we’ve got plenty of ways for you to find out. Strap up at the World Home of Bungy, the Kawarau Bungy Centre, freestyle it up at the Ledge, or stare fear in the face, out at the Nevis Playground. (Just a option, you can just watch if you prefer)

    Shotover Canyon River Jet Boat Adventure

    Riding the iconic ‘Big Red’ Jet Boat through the narrow Shotover Canyon is an exhilarating experience not to be missed. Your skilled jet boat driver pushes the boat to 85 kph, skimming across shallow water and past towering canyon walls.

  • Included Activity: Milford Sound Private Tour & Milford Sound Cruise

    This full-day experience journeys to Milford Sound via road with photo stops in the Fiordland National Park. Next, take a Milford Sound cruise famous for its wildlife and epic waterfalls. The experience ends with a return road tour to Queenstown or the option to fly back. Being New Zealand’s most visited scenic location Milford Sound really does live up to its iconic reputation.

  • Included Activity: Private One Way Tour to Mt Cook.

    Farewelling Queenstown we travel into the stone fruit region of Cromwell and stop a photo stop at the famous Linda Pass. Next we drive through the endless plains of the Mackenzie district finishing with a iconic photo stop over Lake Pukaki. From there finishing your tour at your accommodation in Aoraki/Mt Cook

    Suggested Iconic Activity

    Big Sky Stargazing

    Take a mesmerizing journey through the cosmos as you explore the wonders of New Zealand's night sky; home to planets, stars and a whole other world we only dream about. Our resident astronomy guides will take you on a 90-minute tour of the night sky through high powered telescopes along with discussing incredible features visible to the naked eye.

  • Included Activity: Private Tour to Christchurch

    n the afternoon you'll drive through the heart of the South Island, you'll come to the picturesque lakeside town of Tekapo for a photo stop of the iconic Church of the Good Shepard. Travel the vast Canterbury Plains onto the garden city of Christchurch.

    Suggested Iconic Activity

    Hooker Vally Walk

    This 10km (6.2mile ) hike is not steep and has a well-cared for track as it’s the most popular walk in Mt Cook or maybe even New Zealand so you will never be own your own. The track leads up the Hooker Valley and along the Hooker River, ending at the glacier lake, where there are amazing views of Aoraki/Mount Cook on a clear day. Along the way you will cross three swingbridges and encounter picturesque icebergs, glaciers and majestic mountains that will have you reaching for your camera at every turn

  • Included Activity: Private Tour to Christchuch.

    Explore: Christchurch

    New Zealand's garden city is steadily being transformed into a vibrant urban destination. Encompassing a large green belt, it's known for its wide tree-lined avenues and lush gardens. Christchurch is also known for many great restaurants, with the local delicacy being fresh-caught crayfish.

    Suggested Iconic Activity

    International Antarctic Centre Penguin Rescue

    Ever wondered what it takes to keep our colony of rescued penguins healthy and happy? Our exclusive backstage experience offers an insider’s glimpse into the dedicated work that goes into running a rescue centre for the world’s smallest penguin species; the Kororā, Little Blue Penguin.

  • Included Activity: The TranzAlpine Scenic Train - Return transfer to train station

    Considered one of the world's great train journeys, the TranzAlpine Scenic Train takes you from Greymouth to Christchurch. You'll travel across the South Island from the west to the east coast through Arthur's Pass National Park. From the comfort of your carriage see lush beech forest, deep river valleys, and the spectacular peaks of the Southern Alps. Descend to the windswept Canterbury Plains before arriving in the city of Christchurch.

    Suggestion option if you don't want the train ride.: Whale Watching

    Kaikōura is one of the few places in the world where Giant Sperm Whales can be seen year-round and close to shore. They congregate here because the 2km deep Kaikōura Canyon runs right up against the coast creating a rare system of sea currents that sustain an incredibly rich marine food chain.

  • Included Activity: Airport transfers in Christchurch and Rotorua.

    Cost of domestic flight not included unless requested.

    Explore: Rotorua

    Peppered with natural hot springs, boiling mud pools, and steaming geysers, Rotorua sits within one of the world’s most active volcanic regions. Geothermal landmarks aside, this city of sulphur has a rich indigenous history. Home to several prominent Māori tribes, a visit to one of the Māori Villages should be high on your agenda.

    Included Activity: Culture and Food: Te Pā Tū Cultural Tour and Hangi Dinner

    Journey back in time to a Pre-European lifestyle experience of customs and traditions. Enjoy the night's festivities with the people of Tamaki Maori Village as you are treated to a banquet of succulent foods cooked the traditional Māori way. Discover the Māori village as it comes alive to the sound and activities of tribal songs, dances, myths, and legends and browse throughout the largest after-hours tribal marketplace in Rotorua. Includes a hangi buffet feast that has cooked slowly underground.


  • Included Activity: Private Day tour around Rotorua

    Suggested Activities

    Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Grounds

    Wai-O-Tapu has pools of vibrantly coloured water caused by the natural minerals, an impressive geyser that plays daily. Some of the highlights include craters formed by acidic steam, the Devils Bath with its vibrant green yellow colour, Lady Knox Geyser that’s goes off everyday at 10.15am, and the Champagne pool which bubbles like Champagne.

    Agrodome and National Kiwi Hatchery

    The National Kiwi Hatchery is the national leader in kiwi husbandry, egg incubation systems, hatching techniques and kiwi chick rearing. When you join one of our experiences, you'll get to see kiwi eggs being incubated, the hatching process and newly hatched kiwi chicks.

    HELL’S GATE Mud Bath and Spa.

    Hell’s Gate mud spa is a historic New Zealand experience. The healing properties of the geothermal mud and sulphur mineral water have been used by local Māori for over 800 years. Open and clean your skin by lathering it in our unique mud, before exfoliating and cleansing with a soak in the sulphur spa. Your body and soul will feel revitalised after this soothing experience.

  • Included Activity: Private Tour to Auckland with stops at Hobbiton and Waitomo

    Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

    In the heart of New Zealand, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire with a guided tour of Hobbiton, as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. Here you can visit such iconic Hobbit locations as Hobbit Holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Mill, and the Party Tree, with a guide sharing behind-the-scenes tales and insight into the making of the films.

    Waitomo Glowworm Caves

    Waitomo Glowworm Caves, take a 45-minute guided tour through impressive underground caverns and learn how stalactites, stalagmites and other limestone structures were formed over millions of years. Your tour includes a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto - glide silently along an underground river as you gaze at the twinkling glowworms overhead. After visiting Waitomo and Hobbiton, continue to Auckland,

  • Explore: Auckland

    New Zealand's self-proclaimed "City of Sails" is the country's largest metro area. Resting between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, this urban paradise has something for everyone. Surrounded by native bush, rainforests, and an abundance of beaches, Auckland is a playground for both the city savvy and those with an eye for adventure. Central museums and galleries can be explored on foot.

    Suggested Iconic Activity

    All Blacks Experience

    In learning more about the Haka and the New Zealand national teams, this interactive experience entertains and informs. Hear interesting stories about the team and famous players, see All Blacks memorabilia, and even watch a powerful haka. Ideal for adults and kids alike

  • Included Activities: Fullers Ferry - The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour

    Known as ‘New Zealand’s Island of Wine’, Waiheke has become home to a dedicated group of award-winning wine producers. With a unique micro-climate and the winemakers’ philosophy of 'small is beautiful', Waiheke has produced some of New Zealand’s most prestigious wines.

    On this tour, you will visit three of Waiheke’s top vineyards and sample a range of their wines. Along the way, enjoy a commentated scenic drive, learning about the island’s history, geography, people, and culture from your knowledgeable local guide.

  • Included Activity - Private Airport Transfer

    It’s time to transfer to Auckland International Airport for the end of your tour.

FAQs About this Tour

  • This tour is completely flexible. While we have a well-planned itinerary as a starting point, everything can be tailored to suit your interests, pace, and preferences. Whether you’d like to spend more time at certain stops, add an experience, or adjust the day to better suit your travel style, we’re happy to customise it so the tour feels just right for you.

  • The 13-Day Icons of New Zealand Private Tour operates year-round, and each season offers a slightly different way to experience New Zealand. Spring and summer bring longer days and vibrant landscapes, autumn is a favourite for its settled weather and golden colours, and winter adds a special touch with snow-capped mountains and quieter travel periods in some regions.

    Because this is a private, fully customisable tour, we’ll also tailor the itinerary to suit the time of year you’re travelling. That might mean adjusting activities, pacing, or accommodation to ensure you get the best possible experience, whatever the season.

  • Accommodation on the 13-Day Icons of New Zealand Private Tour is flexible and tailored to suit your preferences. As a guide, the tour is typically based on high-quality boutique hotels and premium lodges, chosen for their comfort, location, and character.

    That said, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. If you’re looking for luxury lodges, comfortable 4–5 star hotels, or a mix of styles along the way, we’ll adjust the accommodation to suit your tastes, budget, and travel style. Because this is a private tour, we can also suggest unique stays that add something special to the journey.

    We’ll discuss accommodation options with you during the planning process and confirm everything before booking, so you know exactly what to expect and feel comfortable every step of the way.

  • Because the 13-Day Icons of New Zealand Private Tour is fully private and customised, the cost can vary depending on a few key factors — including travel dates, accommodation style, number of travellers, and any special experiences you’d like to include.

    As a general guide, most guests can expect pricing to start from around NZD $15,000 per person, based on two people travelling and staying in quality 4 star accommodation. Luxury lodges, upgraded experiences, or additional inclusions will naturally increase the overall cost.

    Once we understand your travel preferences and wish list, we’ll put together a clear, personalised quote with no hidden surprises. Our goal is to design a trip that offers excellent value, feels well-paced and thoughtful, and delivers a genuinely memorable New Zealand experience.

  • Booking the 13-Day Icons of New Zealand Private Tour is simple and personalised. Just get in touch with us via our enquiry form or by email, and we’ll start with a relaxed conversation about your travel dates, interests, and how you’d like the tour to look.

    From there, we’ll tailor the itinerary to suit you, confirm accommodation and inclusions, and provide a clear quote. Once you’re happy, we’ll secure the tour with a 20% deposit, along with payment for any internal flights we arrange. The remaining balance is due 70 days prior to travel.

    Because this is a private, custom tour, we recommend getting in touch early, especially if you’re travelling in peak season, so we can lock in the best accommodation and experiences for you.

Enquire about this Tour

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