In the following itinerary, you will find the days numbered as they are in the Djoser, Netherlands program, departing from Amsterdam. This will insure that you are on the “same page” as your fellow travelers when determining your daily schedule. Including travel days to and from the United States the trip is 25 days.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE ITINERARY FOR THIS TRIP IS REVERSED FOR SPECIFIED DATES. THE LAND PROGRAM BEGINS IN AUCKLAND AND ENDS IN CAIRNS. ON THE REVERSE ITINERARY, THE LAND PROGRAM BEGINS IN CAIRNS AND ENDS IN AUCKLAND. YOU CAN PRINT OUT A REVERSE ITINERARY ON THE AUSTRALIA PRICE/DATE WEB PAGE FROM THE THE DATES IN THE DROPDOWN BOX.
During the tours, there are a wide variety of potential excursions. Our literature offers a condensed impression of what you can see and do on a Djoser tour through New Zealand. The Djoser formula guarantees plenty of freedom on the tour. We do not have a planned moment-to-moment itinerary. Instead, the tour leader will offer you choices. On most days the tour leader will suggest one or more activities, but you never have to feel obliged to participate. Optional activities are always planned with the group. This gives you plenty of room for your personal explorations and unexpected events such as a spontaneous picnic, a walk or visit to a small village. Please keep in mind that due to unforeseen circumstances, the program might have to be altered and some activities cannot take place.
Auckland
Day -1 Depart Dutch Travelers
Day 1 Depart US Travelers – in transit
Day 2 Arrival Auckland
Day 3 Auckland
On the way over, there is a layover of almost one full day in Singapore. Since a visa is not required, a visit to Singapore is very interesting. You can book a city tour from the airport. You can also take advantage of the hotel room reserved near the airport to catch up on you sleep. Auckland is the first destination in New Zealand. It is the largest Polynesian city in the world with one million inhabitants. However, because of its sprawling layout, it does not have the feeling of a large city. You will experience some jet lag in the first few days; it is recommended to immediately pick up the rhythm of the day. Our hotel is located in the center of Auckland, also known as the “city of sails”: the city is located on two bays, where there are always many sailboats docked. Auckland has many interesting museums, vantage points and a beautiful aquarium. It is also worthwhile to rent a bike and to bike to one of the beaches that are located a short distance from the city. The city has an abundance of restaurants and cafes, which are pleasant retreats where you can jump into the relaxed lifestyle of the Kiwis.
Bay of Islands
Day 4 Depart Auckland to Bay of Islands
Day 5 Bay of Islands
Day 6 From Bay of Islands to Rotorua
From Auckland, we drive to the north to the Bay of Islands. On the way, we come across a few beautiful forests where you can admire the enormous Kauri trees. In addition, you become acquainted with the glowing landscape of the sparsely populated north, an agricultural region. The Bay of Islands is a subtropical bay consisting of over 150 small islands with beautiful beaches. The first Europeans landed in this area. It has a bit of an infamous history that is described in detail in the fun, small museum of Russell. Russell, located on the other side of the bay is a very quiet place. However, in the past, the sailors who visited here referred to as the “hell hole of the Pacific". We spend the night in Paihia, a small town with a beautiful view of the bay. A short walking distance from our hotel, you find the Treaty House in Waitangi where on February 6th, 1840 the treaty was signed between the Maoris and the British. This is viewed as the founding document of the present state, New Zealand. Here you can also view the magnificent Maori war canoe that could transport an amazing 150 warriors. The “marae” located nearby, a meetinghouse of the Maoris, is known for its beautiful woodcarvings. It is also worthwhile to make a boat trip in the bay where it is likely that the dolphins will swim along with you. The next day we drive with some stops along the way from the Bay of Islands to Rotorua.
Rotorua
Day 7 Rotorua
Day 8 Rotorua – Tongariro National Park
Rotorua is located in one of the largest thermal areas in New Zealand. When the wind blows from a certain direction, a sulfur smell lingers in the air. Near our hotel, you find the Whakarewarewa Park, with its pools full of bubbling hot mud and many active geysers. In addition, this park also has an interesting Maori cultural center, where young Maoris are being taught about their culture. It is very relaxing in the natural warm water of the Polynesian pools. In and around the lake near Rotorua several optional activities are possible, such as rafting, fishing, or a helicopter flight to the top of the crater. Of course, you can also take beautiful walks here. We continue our drive to the “marae”, a meeting center for the Maoris built on sacred grounds. Here the possibility exists to visit a marae and to attend music and dance show. You can also join a traditional “hangi” meal.
On the way to Taupo, we first make a stop in the colorful Wai-o-tapu thermal park. Also this park offers several volcanic displays such as the colorful champagne pool and the coal-black “ink pot of the devil”. After a short ride, we look at the spectacular Huka waterfalls and settle down near Taupo. This quiet town is located on one of the largest interior lakes of New Zealand, and was created around the beginning of our calendar because of gigantic volcanic eruption. It is one of the best places in the world to fish for trout. The lake, with the volcanic peaks of the Tongariro National Park in the background, is ideal for several different boat trips. We continue our trip along the lake in the direction of Tongariro National Park, where we spend the night on the border of the park.
Day 9 Tongariro National Park - Napier
Day 10 Napier
Tongariro, the oldest national park in New Zealand, has several enormous volcanoes that are still active. The most recent eruption occurred in 1995. In the event weather conditions allow it, you can go for a walk or a trek in the park and seasoned hikers can walk to the top of one of three volcanoes, under supervision. The surroundings offer something for every walking enthusiast, a one-hour walk, or a spectacular 8-hour walk (the Tongariro Crossing).
After the hikes we drive through a forest ridge area to Napier. This is probably the most beautiful city of the trip and is known as the “art deco capital of the world”. In 1931 a massive earthquake that leveled all the buildings in the center of town hit the city. It was decided to rebuild the entire center of the city in art deco style, which gives the city a Mediterranean atmosphere. Hawke’s Bay is known for its pleasant climate. There are art deco excursions that you can take in the city. There is also an interesting museum that offers a fun slide presentation about the history of the area. Our hotel is located on the boulevard, the Marine Parade, a stone’s throw from the remarkably clean pebble beach and offers a view of the Pacific Ocean. After the earthquake, vineyards were established on the fertile land. In the summer, the winemakers organize lunches and serve their homemade wines. Also, a magnificent trip to a penguin colony is a possibility.
Wellington
Day 11 from Napier to Wellington
Day 12 Wellington – ferry – Nelson
We continue our trip from Napier to Wellington on the most southern point of the north island. The capital of New Zealand is situated between several hills. On one of the hills, you have a beautiful view and on a good day, you can see the South Island. The easily maneuverable center of this modern university city offers some attractions, also when the wind is blowing hard in “windy Wellington”, such as interesting museums, the parliament, and the cozy entertainment center with clubs and cafes. You can take a cable car to visit the botanical gardens, offering a beautiful view of the city and its surroundings. Wellington offers a large selection of international restaurants, from Japanese to Mexican, Italian to Thai. In Wellington, we take the ferry to South Island, which takes about three hours. After one and one half hour on the ferry, you will see the freakish coast of Marlborough Sound. As we go in the direction of Picton, you will get an idea of how beautiful this national park is. Along the rugged coast, it takes us a couple of hours to drive to the quiet and small city, Nelson. Nelson enjoys the most pleasant climate of New Zealand, or this is what the inhabitants claim.
Nelson, Greymouth
Day 13 Abel Tasman National Park
Day 14 Nelson – Greymouth
From Nelson, the nearby Abel Tasman National Park is definitely worth a visit. In this park with countless small little bays and a forest with a remarkable flora, for New Zealand, you can take several great walks along pristine, golden sand beaches. For water enthusiasts, there is the possibility to canoe along these beautifully clean bays. At night, you can enjoy the atmospheric restaurants and cafes that abound in Nelson and the carefree life of the South Island. From Nelson we continue our route southwards along the west coast to Greymouth. We drive through the beauty of the southern Alps, the high mountain range of the South Island. The unspoiled nature and often-magnificent skies invite many photo stops on this day. On the way, we make a stop at the seal colony of Cape Foulwind. On this route, we encounter several old, mostly abandoned gold-mining towns. In a large area on the west coast, and abundance of gold was found at the end of the 19th century. A little north of Greymouth you will find the little town Punakaiki, famous for its tropical vegetation and the so-called “pancake rocks”, flattened rocks that because of the rough, high waves spray a thin mist of water high in the air. Greymouth is a quiet little city of miners, fisherman, and beer brewers. It breathes an atmosphere that has remained unchanged for the last hundred years. The British queen is without a doubt the most famous guest of the hotel where we stay.
Fox Glacier
Day 15 From Greymouth to Fox Glacier
Day 16 From Fox Glacier to Queenstown
Winding roads along high mountaintops and clear lakes bring us to Fox Glacier, a small village on the foot of the glacier, of the same name. We first make a stop at the Franz Jozef Glacier and continue the drive for another twelve miles to the Fox Glacier, which ends in the subtropical rain forest. It is a fascinating view how this gigantic clump of ice can exist in the same space as the dense forest. We can go for a walk with special walking shoes enforced with steel cleats over the constantly shifting glacier where an experienced guide shows the way and gives us explanations. You can also go on a helicopter flight where you will be dropped on the glacier. You continue on a search for natural tunnels and crevices in the ice. If you would rather take it easy, it is also possible to go for a walk through the Minehaha Forest located about five minutes outside the village. Along miles-long rain forests and rapidly moving rivers, large glacier lakes, and snow-capped mountaintops, we continue our drive to Queenstown. After a stop in the sweet-looking Wanaka, near the lake of the same name, we make a stop right before the city at the most famous bridge of New Zealand; here the first bungee jump in the world occurred when someone leapt from the 120-foot tall bridge tethered to an elastic cord.
Queenstown, Te Anau
Day 17 Queenstown
Day 18 Queenstown – Te Anau
Day 19 Te Anau
Queenstown is the city for outdoor sports activities, because in addition to bungee jumping, the possibilities are numerous: boat trips, skiing, rafting, a horse trek, walking, golfing, parasailing, or a trip in the spectacular “shot-over” jet, a speedboat over the vast Shotover River. In addition, Queenstown has many restaurants and an energetic nightlife. After a day in Queenstown we continue our trip to Te Anau, located on the border of the largest national park in New Zealand; Fiord land. On this day you may take an excursion to Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound. Both are breathtaking fiord areas with a unique flora, especially because it is one of the wettest places in the world. The road leading into Milford is famous. Doubtful is known for its power station and for its peace and quiet. Penguins, seals and dolphins occupy Fiordland National Park and often, joyfully swim alongside the boat. Don’t let a temporary rain burst keep you away from spending a day here. For walking enthusiasts, there are possibilities from Te Anau to go on unique day trips from this impressive area.
Christchurch
Day 20 from Te Anau to Christchurch
Day 21 Christchurch
Day 22 Christchurch - Auckland, Depart Auckland – Arrival USA
After the overwhelming nature of Fiordland, we drive via the Lindis Pass, hopefully with a view over Mt. Cook (the highest peak of the country) and along the magnificent Lake Tekapo in the direction of Christchurch, “the city of the gardens on the east coast”. Christchurch is a British influenced city with a gothic cathedral at the central orientation point. The square around the cathedral is, on sunny days, is the gathering place for street artists, of which “The Wizard” is the most known, a famous philosopher dressed in a wizard’s outfit. You feel as if you are in Cambridge when you see a little boat sail down the Avon. The old university buildings across from the botanical gardens, designed with English precision, are now in use as a cultural center where you have the possibility to shop for your last souvenirs. From Christchurch, you can go on a day trip to Kaikoura. In this small, serene fishing town, weather allowing, you can go on an ocean voyage to go whale watching. From Christchurch, we fly via Auckland back to the United States.
