Tailor made tour of New Zealand
Description of Tailor made tour of New Zealand
This self-drive tailor made tour of New Zealand takes you from the North Island to the South Island, taking in all the country’s best-known highlights as well as little-visited, out of the way sights. Over 27 days you’ll get to know the ‘real’ New Zealand with the help of local guides and small, authentic hotels and lodges.
Your North Island highlights will include swimming with dolphins at the Bay of Islands, staying on a farm in Waikato, wine tasting in the winelands of Hawkes Bay and watching Maori craftsmen at Te Puia.
South Island brings more natural and cultural highlights, among which are walking part of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, whizzing past stunning scenery on the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth, and planting a tree at a reforestation project at Wanaka’s Mou Waho Island.
Map
Price information
Departure information
Travel guides
Responsible Travel
Planet
This tailor-made holiday encompasses four of New Zealand’s National Parks: Tongariro, Abel Tasman, Mount Aspiring and Fiordland for which we pay an annual licence fee and have official accreditation to operate on Department of Conservation land.We make every effort to lower our carbon emissions and include some travel on public transport to support this. On this trip we include a journey on the TranzAlpine express train across the Southern Alps.
A guided tour to Mao Wahu Island with Eco Adventures Wanaka allows travellers to plant a tree as part of their eco experience – a unique opportunity to giveback to the Island and to the environment.
A cruise out on Milford Sound offers an opportunity for local guides to share their knowledge about the importance of protecting the environment, and there's an opportunity to explore the Sound by Kayak – better for the environment and your waistline!
For every booking taken we make a donation on our travellers behalf to New Zealand’s unique Trees for Travellers Project. The project is based in Kaikoura , and is re-foresting a local reserve with native trees.
People
All of our itineraries, whether tailor made or our Small Group Journeys, are strongly focused on ensuring support for local communities and educating our travellers on the importance of responsible travel.Accommodation on this self drive holiday is in smaller bed & breakfastsapartments and independent hotels. The itinerary includes a guided wine tour in Hawkes Bay, and a guided walking tour of Napier to discover more about it’s Art Deco past.
Our itineraries have a strong focus on the history and customs of the Maori, as we recognise and appreciate the cultural significance of the Maori people in New Zealand. This itinerary includes a tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and a trip to Te Puia in Rotorua to see Maori craftsmen demonstrating weaving, carving and other traditional skills in the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute there.
Through our New Zealand partner operator, we are a Qualmark accredited business and a member of the Tourism Industry Association of New Zealand. This means we have been independently reviewed and deemed to operate in an ethical and environmentally sustainable way.
Popular similar holidays
New Zealand self drive holidays
From £8350 18 days including UK flights
Spectacular scenery and dynamic culture
New Zealand classic self drive tour
From £4054 21 days excluding flights
Explore the North and South Islands on an 21 day tour
Queen Charlotte Track walking holiday
From AU $2555 - AU $3855 6 days excluding flights
Self guided walking through Queen Charlotte Sound
