New Zealand has long been famed for its stunning, unspoiled landscape. Equal to the international acclaim for its beauty is that for its fine wines.
Climate, geography and human skill have combined to produce highly distinctive, premium quality and exclusive wines, which are 'the riches of a clean, green land.' International acclaim New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is rated throughout the world as the definitive benchmark style for this varietal. The growing recognition for New Zealand Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Méthode Traditionelle sparkling wines, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends is helping to further cement New Zealand's position as a producer of world class wines.
All tours are private, depart daily, and can be customized to suit individual interests and schedules. Please contact us at info@arohatours.co.nz or 0064-21-890611 for more information about our Luxury New Zealand tours.
Day 1: Auckland
You will be met on arrival at Auckland International Airport by your Aroha NZ Tours Representative, and transferred to your accommodation in our luxurious vehicle. (Early flight) Your 14-Day exclusive wine tour starts with a relaxing sightseeing tour of Auckland, a chance to explore the CBD and outer areas of the city. In the evening we travel back to the Viaduct, the vibrant center of the 2003 Americas Cup yacht race. We board a ferry, which takes us to Waiheke Island, one of the idyllic islands in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf. On Waiheke we take you to an award-winning vineyard, where you can taste NZ/Pacific cuisine and enjoy stunning 360 views of the Hauraki Gulf, followed by a leisurely return ferry trip to the mainland. We finish your day by delivering you to your accommodation, revitalized! Accommodation: Auckland City
Day 2: Auckland Wineries
For fantastic panoramaic views for miles in every direction, we stop at the summit of Mt. Eden, the highest volcano in the city. Mt. Eden exhibits the characteristic terracing of Maori 'pa' (fortified village) sites. From there we take you on a 30 min. drive west, through 'The Waitakeres' (protected native forest ranges) to the West Coast’s stunning black-sand beaches. You can walk to the edge of the cliffs, to view one of the world’s most accessible gannet colonies at the wild and romantic Muriwai Beach. Relax and watch surfers on the thundering waves below.We take you to several internationally acclaimed vineyards on Auckland’s Northwest Wine Trail. Take a personal tour to Kumeau River winery and relax for lunch at the famous hunting lodge set on the Matua Winery Estate. Accommodation: Auckland City
Day 3: Auckland-Bay of Plenty/Rotorua
Your tour arrives in the geothermal capital of Rotorua around midday. Stopping off for a visit to the world-renowned “NZ Maori Arts and Crafts” and “Geothermal” center located in what is known as 'Whakarewarewa'. Here you will see the world famous Pohuto Geyser, the largest such geyser in New Zealand. Watch a 45-minute Maori cultural performance displayed in a traditional Maori meeting house where you can enjoy the beautiful songs, music and culture of the Maori. We drive past the placid Blue and Green Lakes to a stunning outlook over Lake Tarawera, and the volcanic Mt. Tarawera. Mt. Tarawera erupted violently in 1886, killing 153 people and destroying the famed 'Pink & White Terraces'. From your accommodation we take you on a helicopter flight that takes you north to the Pacific Ocean coastline (Bay of Plenty) and the active volcano of White Island. You land at the crater’s rim and spend approximately one hour on a guided walk of this fascinating natural attraction. Experience the volcanic fury of the main crater, view sulphur deposits, and the remains of the old sulphur mine. Accommodation: Rotorua
Day 4: Rotorua-Taupo
Following on from this you take another journey through a world of unique thermal formations at Waitapu Thermal Wonderland. View the fascinating 'Champagne Pool” and experience the panorama of vividly colourful hot and cold pools, steaming fumaroles and hot boiling mud pools. We continue through the Waikato region, one of New Zealand’s greenest places, and richest agricultural regions. You will pass land with lush grass for raising cattle, thoroughbred horses and vast stands of exotic timber. Today we stay at Lake Taupo, the largest Lake in this country, on the way we stop at the Huka Falls - these spectacular falls roar through a 15-m wide chasm before plunging a further 11-m. You have the whole evening to explore the township with its many modern coffee places. Let us know if you want to go fishing and have dinner with local wine on this magnificent lake? Other wise you can relax on the beach or just stroll around the lake edges. Accommodation: Lake Taupo
Day 5: Lake Taupo-Mokai Valley
We travel around the edges of the Lake to the Volcanic Plateau and Mount Tongariro. We reach the park ranges, which include wildly differing landscape and scenery: from deserts to vast areas of tussock land, mountain beech forests and wetlands, all with a mix of native flora and fauna. You will see active volcanic craters, natural springs, and valleys filled with jagged lava flows. We travel deep into farming country to the remote Mokai Valley, where the picturesque Rangitikei River meets the rugged Ruahine Ranges. Near our accommodation we take you on a soft rafting tour through the gentle rapids and the crystal clear waters of the Rangitikei River. We pass secret waterfalls and unbelievable scenery. You will float quietly through Middle Earth and pass where scenes from the Movie were shot. You can stop here to fish, swim or have a picnic. Unwind and relax with a home cooked dinner at this magical place!
Accommodation: Taihape
Day 6: Taihape-Hawkes Bay/Napier
In the morning the host will take you on rugged 4wheel drive tour through his and the surrounding Farm-properties. After our little tour we follow a small rural road to the East Coast of the North Island. Napier today is known for the inner city’s Art Deco Architecture, which was created after a devastating earthquake in 1931. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon exploring a region that hosts some of the finest wine growing areas in the world, where no doubt you will be tempted to sample some of the world-renowned New Zealand wine brands exported from the Hawkes Bay each year. Visit Kim Crawford Winery, Craggy Range Winery and Selini Vinery. Accommodation: Hawkes Bay
Day 7: Hawkes Bay/Napier–Wellington
As you depart the Hawkes Bay your tour takes you through the Norwegian and Danish settlements of Norsewood and Dannevirke into the rural regions of the Manawatu and the wine region of Wairarapa, before approaching New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington. On the way have your lunch at one of the local wineries in the Martin borough region. Spend the afternoon strolling around the many shops and galleries the city has to offer. Visit the “Te Papa History Museum”, the largest natural history museum in the country, another suggested visit is the “Embassy Theatre” which recently hosted the world premier of the third Lord Of The Rings trilogy” The Return of the Kings”, climb aboard the famous Wellington Cable Car which takes you up the steep terraced divide to the luxuriant Botanic Gardens which allows you an overall 360 degree view of Wellington city. In the evening have a culinary experience in one of our best restaurants in the country in the inner city of Wellington.
Accommodation: City Wellington
Day 8: Wellington–Marlborough Sounds
We board a Ferry to cross the Cook Strait, encounter a glorious world as the ferry enters the Marlborough Sounds, from the Tory Channel into the Queen Charlotte Sound. You will discover a region of myriad inlets and bay’s with dramatic hills that plunge steeply into the sea. Today we experience an “Aqua Taxi”, a unique water taxi which takes us to our accommodation. From here you can walk a 4hr trek to the top of Queen Charlotte with spectacular views over the Marlborough Sound. You have entered a different world, a lot of places cannot be reached by road and their supplies are delivered by boats. For activities you have several options: Take a stroll on your own on the beautiful Waterfall Walk - takes approximately one hour to complete, just enough for a beginner. Take a trip into the past and visit the Antimony mines at the head of the inlet. Fish from the wharf or take a dinghy out into the bay for bigger fish. Accommodation: Marlborough Sounds
Day 9: Marlborough Sounds–Blenheim
Just half an hour south of Picton lies Blenheim which is today one of New Zealand’s most important wine-producing areas. Visit Cloudy Bay Winery, Stoneleight Winer, Bancrott Winery and visit the Forefathers Winery with Nick Goldschmidt. Accommodation: Brancott Winery
Day 10: Marlborough Sounds–Canterbury
Canterbury is a marriage of mountain and sea, linked by snow-fed rivers that cut braided courses across the plain. Towns, small and large are splitter in this very futile region. The plain is the largest area of flat land in New Zealand. Canterbury lamb, bred for meat and wool is regarded as the countries best. The province also encompasses New Zealand’s highest mountains. We drive you along the East Coast and through Canterbury to the historic French colonial village of Akaroa; only 90 minutes drive from Christchurch. The township is settled around a dormant crater and natural harbor. The French explorers who sailed to Akaroa in 1840 left some indelible imprints throughout township. There are numerous ways to get you up-close and personal with wildlife. You can experience the rare Hector Dolphins, fur seals and cormorant colonies and might have a chance to spot the world smallest “Blue Penguin” on a majestic harbor cruise. Visit New Zealand’s own unique Blue Pearl farm. Visit Mountford Winery and Sherwood Estate. Accommodation: Akaroa
Day 11: Canterbury–Lake Tekapo
Speckled with small agricultural outposts, the Canterbury Plains are an area of serene, rural beauty. To the east lie the coastal climes of Timaru while, to the west, Mackenzie Country accounts for a large percent of New Zealand’s sheep population. We travel deep into the heart of the Southern Alps and to the southern slopes of Mt Cook National Park. We stay overnight in the small township of Lake Tekapo. You will encounter an array of spectacular mountain ranges including Mt Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand, which peaks at some 3700 meters. Lake Tekapo shine’s all year round in a beautiful turquoise colour, and reflects the surrounding mountains. Relax at this mystical, tranquil place and take a stroll along the lake’s shores. Accommodation: Lake Tekapo
Day 12: Lake Tekapo–Queenstown
In the morning we pass “The Lord of the Rings” misty mountains plus the pelennor fields and cross one of New Zealand’s best-kept secrets, the ”Lindis Pass'. Our trip will take us through some of the most evocative hill county in New Zealand into our destination in Central Otago. We will stop at Lake Hayes and surrounding areas. After a short ride your next stop is Arrowtown, a historic colonial village that takes you back into the Gold Mining days of the Otago region, and a chance to refresh and have lunch before your next encounter, which is widely regarded as a safe spectator attraction, the famous Kawarau Gorge Bungy Jumping exhibition. Relax in the afternoon with an award wining wine and local cheese at one of the many vineyards in this region. Visit Felton Road Winery and DC Flynt MW Winery Accommodation: Queenstown area
Day 13: Queenstown–Milford Sounds
A day to experience the rugged wilderness of one of New Zealand’s most remote regions, Fiordland National Park, another of New Zealand’s “World Heritage” areas and one of the largest such parks in the world. One of the major highlights of Fiordland is the beautiful Milford Sound, where you will experience a cruise, noted as “A fiord of spectacular beauty and natural grandeur”. Milford Sound is a deep, icy blue waterway flowing to the Tasman Sea. The Milford Sound Cruise is a day of true scenic beauty. Following your day’s adventure you return back to Queenstown by flying over this spectacular scenery which will give you a very in-depth perspective of this areas beauty. Accommodation: Queenstown area
Day 14: Queenstown Departure
On you last day you will have the opportunity to explore the village area of Queenstown, where you can stroll through the wonderful selection of shops, take a walk along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and have a light lunch at one of the Lake front restaurants ,or relax before your driver picks you up from your accommodation and takes you to Queenstown International Airport for your departing flight.