Itinerary
New Zealand Nature Tour
Wildlife, Fiordland & a Great Walk
16 days
$9,000 per person
Awe-inspiring wilderness, centuries of Māori traditions, fine wine and coastal cities – there’s no shortage of epic adventure in New Zealand.
Awe-inspiring wilderness, centuries of Māori traditions, fine wine and coastal cities – there’s no shortage of epic adventure in New Zealand.
Your adventure begins
Botanically blessed landscapes rich with Māori heritage are a playground for adventurers and gourmands
Why visit New Zealand?
Located in the South Pacific Ocean off the coast of Australia, New Zealand spans a mere 103,000 square miles (roughly the size of Colorado), yet feels like a whole world unto itself. Its largest islands, named simply North and South Island, are absolute showstoppers whether you’re looking to soak in geothermal hot springs, kayak crystal waters, or simply kick back and admire the views over a glass of wine.
If you are ready to escape city life altogether, explore the awe-inspiring Fiordland of South Island and kayak through Milford Sound, renowned for the towering Mitre Peak, plummeting waterfalls, lush forests, and unique black coral. If you prefer to keep your feet planted, overnight on one of the Great Walks of New Zealand in established campgrounds with numerous tented options. These walks range from lake and forest landscapes to mountains, open coastline, and volcanic deserts. While most are considered moderate to challenging, easier treks or day hikes are also available. Bonus: If you’re trekking the Milford Track, make your way to Sutherland Falls, ranked among the world’s highest with a total drop of 1,904 feet. Alternatively, take to the skies and admire the landscape by helicopter.
New Zealand, your way
Whatever you do, there’s no shortage of activities in New Zealand, and just when you think you have seen the most beautiful place on earth, there’s more. With so many options, we suggest focusing on either the North or South Island, or spending a full three weeks (or as much time as you can muster) exploring both.
Although the temptation is to combine a trip to New Zealand with Australia, you will find that you’ve barely scratched the surface of either country if you try to cram them into one trip. Trust us, you will be back for a second trip.
Why visit New Zealand?
Located in the South Pacific Ocean off the coast of Australia, New Zealand spans a mere 103,000 square miles (roughly the size of Colorado), yet feels like a whole world unto itself. Its largest islands, named simply North and South Island, are absolute showstoppers whether you’re looking to soak in geothermal hot springs, kayak crystal waters, or simply kick back and admire the views over a glass of wine.
If you are ready to escape city life altogether, explore the awe-inspiring Fiordland of South Island and kayak through Milford Sound, renowned for the towering Mitre Peak, plummeting waterfalls, lush forests, and unique black coral. If you prefer to keep your feet planted, overnight on one of the Great Walks of New Zealand in established campgrounds with numerous tented options. These walks range from lake and forest landscapes to mountains, open coastline, and volcanic deserts. While most are considered moderate to challenging, easier treks or day hikes are also available. Bonus: If you’re trekking the Milford Track, make your way to Sutherland Falls, ranked among the world’s highest with a total drop of 1,904 feet. Alternatively, take to the skies and admire the landscape by helicopter.
New Zealand, your way
Whatever you do, there’s no shortage of activities in New Zealand, and just when you think you have seen the most beautiful place on earth, there’s more. With so many options, we suggest focusing on either the North or South Island, or spending a full three weeks (or as much time as you can muster) exploring both.
Although the temptation is to combine a trip to New Zealand with Australia, you will find that you’ve barely scratched the surface of either country if you try to cram them into one trip. Trust us, you will be back for a second trip.
The accommodations were excellent, the activities were perfect, and we were really prepared as a result of the instructions and information provided by the team. Absolutely loved the trip. It was yet another once in a lifetime Extraordinary Journey!
Nancy Berkowitz, 2025 Traveler
Is New Zealand the right destination for you?
If you love the great outdoors, you are bound to like New Zealand. There are abundant opportunities to trek, day hike, cycle, surf, and much more. But you don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy a trip to New Zealand. Foodies and wine lovers will delight in the country’s robust culinary scene, as well as the Polynesian culture, which adds unique layers of depth and history.
When is the best time to travel to New Zealand?
Good news: New Zealand is a relatively temperate destination year-round. Winter (May through to August) is cooler and can be snowy (and sunny) in the mountains, with highs ranging from 40-60˚F. Summer (November/December through February) is busier because the weather is ideal for treks, hikes, and beaches with temperatures ranging from 70-80˚F. To minimize crowds while maximizing warmer weather, shoulder seasons are ideal with temperatures in the mid 60s.
Best
Mar
Apr
May
Sep
Oct
Nov
March - May
September - November
Good
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
January - December
Where to go in New Zealand
From world-class wine regions to dramatic fjords, New Zealand offers a luxury journey as diverse as its landscapes
Auckland
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and home to the largest Polynesian population in the world. Enclosed by hilly rainforest and dormant volcanoes on one side, and ocean harbors on the other, Auckland is known as the "City of Sails" where you can explore the marinas and beaches at leisure.
New Zealand travel FAQs
Why book with Extraordinary Journeys?
We go deep
We value depth over breadth. While we have broadened our map, our intimate expertise runs deep—from understanding each locale's hidden rhythms to cultivating relationships with exceptional guides.
We keep it honest
Seasoned travelers know that places change, authentic experiences migrate. We'll listen to your hopes and passions, but push back when we know something will better resonate with you.
We’ve got it covered
Traveling to wild places asks something of us— a quality of attention and presence. From behind-the-scenes logistics to bespoke culinary experiences, our team has thought of everything.
We know it’s personal
There will undoubtedly be extraordinary unscripted moments: hippos emerging at sunset, the impossible blue of Arctic ice. We know that meaningful memories often live in personalized details.