Essential New Zealand
A wonderful introduction to New Zealand, this 15-day luxury trip takes in both New Zealand’s North and South Islands, passing through epic landscapes, friendly cities, combed vineyards and endless coastline.
Trip highlights
- Explore the astounding geothermal landscapes of Rotorua and Taupo
- Discover Auckland's rich mix of culture, cuisine, music and art
- Spot whales from the air and dolphins from a boat in Kaikoura
- Go wine tasting in the pastoral Hawke’s Bay area
- Take a helicopter flight over to White Island
- Take a relaxing ride to the summit of Bob's Peak for the best views of Queenstown
Bespoke trips with Jacada
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Days 1-3
Welcome to Auckland
New Zealand’s largest cosmopolitan centre is a lively mix of culture, cuisine, music and art with ample green spaces and easily accessible beaches, perfect for a vibrant city vacation. It is the modern melting pot of the Pacific with influences from Asia, the Pacific islands and Europe along with traditional Maori culture. A fresh and vibrant city, Auckland boasts some of the best restaurants in the country, and the harbour, which underwent a revamp before hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2011, is now a wonderful place to soak up the buzz of this exciting city.
Where you could stay
Make it mine
Volcanic highlights
Coastal adventure
Glow worms
Auckland volcanoes adventure
Auckland is built on a fertile volcanic isthmus nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea with two main natural harbours, the Waitemata and Manukau. This tour covers the highlights of Auckland based on a number of iconic volcanic cones of historical significance and provides an opportunity to learn about how they shaped the history of the city.
Auckland's West Coast
Auckland’s windswept west coast black sand beaches are a magnet for surfers, photographers and nature lovers. Visit Muriwai Beach to see the impressive clifftop gannet colonies (from August to March), or nearby Te Henga (Bethells Beach) to stroll the sand and explore the enormous sand dunes at Lake Wainamu.
Waitomo caves
Enjoy a scenic drive from Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo for very special glow worm experience. The drive passes through a region riddled with limestone caves formed over 30 million years ago. Your tour will take you to two spectacular caves, one filled with twinkling glow worms and the other with stalactites and stalagmites.
Days 3-5
Explore Rotorua
Steaming mud pools, erupting geysers and Maori traditions all make Rotorua and Taupo a special area to visit and one that is distinctively unique to the rest of New Zealand. Explore geothermal parks before heading into nearby native forests for hiking or mountain biking the numerous world-class trails. Lake Taupo is actually a volcano crater, the lake’s deep blue waters draw visitors with its idyllic swimming holes, reputable fishing and adventure sports.
Where you could stay
Make it mine
View from the top
Village visit
Mount Tarawera and Orakei Korako flight
Experience an exhilarating helicopter flight over some of New Zealand’s most dramatic and beautiful landscapes. Take in two thrilling landings at Mount Tarawera and Orakei Korako. Enjoy spectacular aerial views of stunning crater lakes, the renowned Tarawera Falls and the vibrant Waimangu and Wai-O-Tapu geothermal reserves. You’ll descend to follow the Waikato River before flying to the hidden valley of Orakei Korako.
Ohinemutu Village
Experience the lifestyle within Ohinemutu Village, see how locals have adapted to this geothermal area and learn about the early developments of Maori settlement and tourism in Rotorua. You will view the ancestral meeting house and learn why it remains a significant gathering place to the Te Arawa people, before continuing on to St. Faith’s Anglican Church, a beautifully carved and adorned church.
Days 5-7
Unwind in Hawke's Bay
The North Island’s wine country is one of New Zealand’s warmest, driest regions with golden colours stretching across arid plains. The scene here is made up of vineyards and orchards laden with fruit, fertile farmlands that sweep to the perfect waves on the coast and laidback seaside settlements.
Where you could stay
Food and wine tour
Become absorbed into the vibrant world of Hawke’s Bay wine. You’ll have the chance to meet the people passionate about crafting world-class wine, visit some of the best wineries, and taste their award-winning labels. Rich soils and warm growing conditions attract innovative food producers and you’ll get to sample a myriad of delicious products.
Days 7-9
Sunny Nelson
New Zealand’s sunniest region has a diverse geography ripe for exploring from golden sand beaches to dense forests, the clearest fresh water lake in the world and secluded, enticing rivers. At the heart of it all is a creative, easy-going city deemed one of New Zealand’s most liveable. The region’s biggest attraction is the Abel Tasman National Park, the country’s smallest national park that frequents the front pages of tourist brochures with its dream-like golden sand beaches, emerald green waters and friendly fur seal population.
Where you could stay
Abel Tasman day trip
Get a taste of all the Abel Tasman has to offer from the comfort of an Abel Tasman Charters’ boat. You can just stay on board and relax or take one of the kayaks for a paddle. Go for a swim, snorkel over the marine reserve or be dropped off for a bush walk. Enjoy a delicious lunch and then do it all again. During the day you’ll pass Split Apple Rock, Kaiteriteri, Marahau, round golden sandy bays, Adele and Fishermans Islands, and cruise on to Tonga Island seal colony. The cruise itinerary is flexible, and your skipper will ensure you are able to learn about the national park – if there is something to see on your day trip, like dolphins riding the bow wave or New Zealand fur seals fishing, then it can happen.
Days 9-11
Wildlife in Kaikoura
Kaikoura, a quaint village between the snowcapped Kaikoura Range and Pacific Ocean, is a haven for wildlife fanatics and adventure sports enthusiasts alike. For the former, the region has been dubbed the ‘maritime Serengeti’, the sea here one of the best places in New Zealand to go whale and dolphin watching. For the active, there are wonderful hiking and mountain biking trails along the coast, fine surfing, sea kayaking and more.
Where you could stay
Make it mine
Whale watching
Seal swim
Dusky dolphins
Whale watching from above
Whale watching by from the air offers a unique perspective and the opportunity to view whales and dolphins in their natural environment, experiencing the true magnitude of some of the world’s largest animals, and offering a fabulous view for photographers. This scenic flight lasts for around 30 minutes.
Seals swimming discovery
You’ll be provided with warm, buoyant wet suits and snorkeling equipment before taking a short bus and boat trip. One to two experienced guides, equipped with large float boards will then accompany each group in the water. Due to the seals natural curiosity swimmers can reasonably expect to get up close to the creatures.
Dolphin cruise adventure
Enjoy a private cruise to spot the dusky dolphins inhabit the coastal waters off Kaikoura all year round. They are renowned for their acrobatic leaps and interactive behaviour.
Days 11-12
Overnight in Christchurch
Enjoy an evening at leisure in Christchurch, once known as the most English city of New Zealand with its manicured gardens, quaint trams, stately houses and a vast central park. Since the earthquakes on 2010 and 2011, the city has reemerged as a cultural and creative hub with some wonderful restaurants, boutiques and friendly locals.
Where you could stay
Days 12-15
Cosmopolitan Queenstown
From the towering alpine ranges that envelop Queenstown, to its laidback lakeside sister Wanaka and the incredible Milford Sound, this is easily one of the most spectacular regions of the country. Seek out one of the endless thrills on offer here from skiing, white water rafting, canyon swinging, jet boating, mountain biking and bungy jumping, or slow down to the cosmopolitan pace of life in Queenstown and cool Wanaka and you’ll discover its flourishing arts scene, excellent vineyards, fine dining and quiet lakeside shores where you can take in the incredible scenery.
Where you could stay
Make it mine
Up high
Air and water
Queenstown for you
Skyline Queenstown Gondola ride
Enjoy a relaxing ride to the summit of Bob’s Peak for the best views of Queenstown and the surrounding ranges.
Milford Sound by boat and helicopter
Explore Milford Sound’s stunning fjord from both the air and the water. Enjoy an exhilarating helicopter flight past spectacular rivers, valleys and mountains with blue-green ice falls, then cruise past sheer cliffs and waterfalls – keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, seals and penguins.
A Queenstown discovery
See the best that Queenstown has to offer with your private guide. The day can be tailored to your interests and can include a look around colonial Arrowtown, visiting some local wineries, bike riding, hiking, photography and many other scenic highlights.
Katie was awesome to work with and she designed a wonderful trip for our group of 6 to the North Island of New Zealand. Her knowledge of New Zealand helped our group tour the entire North Island. From Auckland to the Bay of Islands, Lake Taupo, to Hawkes Bay we stayed in wonderful lodges. Katie also planned the right amount…
Why book with Jacada
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive Impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.
