Active Luxury New Zealand Private Tour

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Why You Should Go

With New Zealand being such an elongated island, we feel a trip including visits to the North and South Islands are an ideal way to make the most of your time and experience as much as there is to offer in this extraordinary country! Begin your trip on the North Island in Aukland, Rotorua, and Wellington – offering volcanic activity, beaches, and national parks. North Island is home to roughly 77% of New Zealand’s population, so you’ll find lots to do and see! We particularly love the Solitaire Lodge in Rotorua, offering guests a tranquil experience (known for its hot springs!) with the convenience of a cosmopolitan area just a short distance away. Eventually, make your way to South Island for a visit to Queenstown. South Island is known for its less touristy beaches, fjords, dense rainforests, and mountain ranges. We consider it to be a more “rugged” version of the country, containing impressive adventure and nature activities (and in our personal opinion, the most delicious food due to its high focus on agriculture!).

Best Travel Time: Fall Winter

*All of our comprehensive private tour itineraries are inclusive of all luxury accommodations, private guide/driver throughout, daily meals as specified, INTERNAL flights/rail /private transfers as needed, & all taxes/service fees.

Sample Itinerary

14 Days

Each private luxury tour is custom to the wishes of each client. This itinerary is a sample. Partnering with our long-established relationship with United Airlines, our global “Air Lady,” Marta, may provide competitive Polaris/Business Class international airfare, along with mileage points conversion.

Day 1

Fly to Auckland
Our global “Air Lady,” Marta, may assist with your international airfare, as well as with mileage points conversion.

Day 2

Arrive Auckland
Upon arrival in Auckland, you will be privately transferred to the Park Hyatt Auckland Hotel.

Meals: —
Accommodations: Park Hyatt Auckland

Day 3

Waiheke Island Excursion
We feel a visit to Waiheke Island is not to be missed during time in Auckland. Easily accessible from the Park Hyatt’s location, you’ll take a ferry to the island where a private gourmet food and wine tour is the focus(!). The island has beautiful rolling vineyards producing luxurious wines, which you will be able to taste with a paired lunch. We also recommend a stop at an award winning olive-oil mill where some local and fresh favorites can be enjoyed!

Following the vineyard experience, ride a zipline high above the island and take in the views of the vibrant vineyards and the surrounding sea. Continue on to Fort Stony Batter, a WWII Coastal Defense Fortress recently opened to the public. On this private tour, you will be guided through the fort’s top-secret underground passages!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Park Hyatt Auckland

Day 4

Transfer Auckland to Rotorua inc. a stop at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves en route
Enjoy a private transfer to Rotorua including a visit to Waitomo Glowworm Caves! This stunning network of limestone caves located beneath the rolling hills of Waitomo is completely unique to New Zealand. As you explore the caves, glowworms above shine like stars! This can either be explored on a three-hour rafting excursion through the underground river, or walking through the caves and native rainforest.

From here, transfer to your hotel in the outskirts of Rotorua.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Solitaire Lodge

Day 5

Private Tour of Rotorua inc. Floatplane Flight over Mount Tarawera
Start your day with a private thermal springs excursion at Lake Tarawera. The natural hot springs rise gently from the lakebed of Tarawera – truly serene.

After a refreshing soak and breakfast, depart the lodge via helicopter for an aerial tour of Mount Tarawera, the site of New Zealand’s largest volcano eruption in history. Fly over the beautiful Tarawera Falls and take in the stunning scenery of the Waimangu and Wai-O-Tapu geothermal reserves.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Solitaire Lodge

Day 6

Tarawera Falls Hike & Rotorua Exploration Private Tour
Begin today with a short speedboat transfer to the trout laden Tarawera outlet stream, the starting point for a half-day scenic hike to Tarawera Falls. This stream is the outlet for several lakes and eventually heads underground to emerge later as a spectacular 200-foot-high waterfall. You may also bathe in river swimming holes along the trail.

After a picnic lunch at the waterfall, embark on an afternoon exploration of Rotorua, a city famous for its rich Maori culture and natural volcanic wonders. Of special note are its iconic geothermal pools. On the way back to Solitaire Lodge, enjoy an cultural experience stopping at the Maori cultural center and performance including the Haka where you’ll be treated to this culture’s manaakitanga (hospitality).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Solitaire Lodge

Day 7

Fly Rotorua to Wellington
Today, transfer to Rotorua airport and fly to Wellington. Upon arrival, transfer to Wharekauhau Lodge and Country Estate.

This is a 1.5-2-hour drive to the hotel; however, option for a 10-minute helicopter ride is available!

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Wharekauhau Lodge and Country Estate

Day 8

Wharekauhau Estate Farm Experience
Today, explore the on site farm at Wharekauhau Lodge and Country Estate, which is a 3,000 acre working sheep station. The three-hour experience showcases New Zealand’s legendary farming heritage, including sheep shearing demonstrations and sheepdogs in action.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Wharekauhau Lodge and Country Estate

Day 9

Full-Day Cape Palliser Private Tour
Starting from your hotel, travel in 4×4 vehicles along a scenic road to Cape Palliser, New Zealand’s southernmost point. Driving along the southern coastline, you will pass the Hutt Valley, the Rimutaka Ranges, the Wairarapa coast, and Lake Onoke. Upon arrival at Cape Palliser, highlights include climbing 252 steps to the Palliser lighthouse for panoramic South Island views, along with viewing the North Island’s largest colony of Brown fur seals relaxing along the coast.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Wharekauhau Lodge and Country Estate

Day 10

Fly Wellington to Queenstown
Transfer to Wellington airport and fly to Queenstown. Upon arrival, transfer to Eichardt’s Private Hotel or Roki Collection Queenstown.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Eichardt’s Private Hotel or Roki Collection Queenstown

Day 11

Milford Sound Helicopter & Cruise Excursion
Today is a true highlight (!) featuring a four-hour Milford Sound experience. Your excursion begins with a 40-minute scenic helicopter flight over the Southern Alps, offering picturesque aerial views of New Zealand’s dramatic landscapes before landing in Milford Sound.

Upon arrival, embark on a two-hour Mitre Peak Cruise that travels the full length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea. Aboard a luxury vessel, enjoy an immersive nature, viewing waterfalls, rainforests, and wildlife.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Eichardt’s Private Hotel or Roki Collection Queenstown

Day 12

Shotover River Jetboat & Bungee Bridge
Begin the day with a scenic drive on the 13.6-mile Skippers Road, an original gold rush route dating back to 1862 and known as one of the most thrilling roads in the world! Carved into the steep walls of Skippers Canyon, the road offers views of rugged mountain landscapes and the winding Shotover River below. The canyon drops vertically to the Shotover River, where you’ll embark on a jetboat ride through narrow canyon walls and shallow channels.

Your day concludes with a visit to Kawarau Bridge, considered the most famous bungee leap in the world.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Eichardt’s Private Hotel or Roki Collection Queenstown

Day 13

Full-Day Hiking or Vineyards Excursion
Today’s experience is customizable to match your interests and travel style. Today we recommend a full-day scenic hiking excursion, or you may choose to explore the nearby wine region for historic old vines and cave tastings. Famous wines in this region include Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and dry Chardonnay.

For those who enjoy the outdoors, we recommend a full-day scenic hiking excursion through some of the region’s most picturesque landscapes featuring dramatic mountain vistas and pristine lakes.

Alternatively, you may prefer to spend the day exploring the renowned Central Otago wine region, celebrated as the world’s southernmost commercial wine-producing area. The region is particularly famous for its award-winning Pinot Noir, as well as exceptional Pinot Gris, Riesling, and dry Chardonnay.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Eichardt’s Private Hotel or Roki Collection Queenstown

One of our favorite hikes around Lake Wakatipu in Glenorchy, just outside of Queenstown

Day 14

Fly Queenstown/Home

Optional Extension: 5-Day Milford Track

The Milford Track hiking option is an ideal pristine complement to our luxury New Zealand private tour. The medium level difficulty 33 mi trail (for ages 11 and above) starts at the head of Lake Te Anau (near Queenstown) and ends at otherworldly Milford Sound, traversing lush, green rainforests, wetlands and a striking alpine pass.

This is a 5-day hike with private rooms at lodges along the trail. For a daily overview, please see our New Zealand Private Tour & Milford Track itinerary.

Hotels

The sophisticated Park Hyatt in Auckland is quickly becoming one of the top hotel options in the city. We particularly love this property’s location on the water’s edge and giving guests stunning views over the Wynyard Quarter’s Lighter Basin and out to the Waitematā Harbour.With 195 guest rooms, it is a little on the larger spectrum but do not fret. The hotel is focused on providing high-touch service and a personal experience to all that stay here. The rooms are decorated in a classic style, with the idea of Maori wharenui (meeting house) in mind, while representing the indigenous culture in decor. The goal is to make guests feel like they are staying in a welcoming home versus a traditional hotel. The benefit of this hotel and its size are the facilities available such as four in-house restaurants serving fresh local ingredients ranging from three-course meals to afternoon tea, a day spa, an infinity pool, and a full fitness center.

Park Hyatt Auckland

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From a spectacular and secluded lakeside location, the solitaire lodge was one of New Zealand’s first luxury accommodation properties that provides breathtaking views over Lake Tarawera with a lush natural bush and volcanic landscape backdrop. Although it is itself secluded, it is conveniently only 20-minutes from Rotorua’s downtown. With only 9 rooms(!), it is truly an intimate experience for guests to relax, unwind, and enjoy this tranquil location. Activities include horseback riding, spa treatment services inc. thermal springs, walking trails, water sports, and a professional fishing guide on hand for fun fishing experiences! The cuisine at the lodge is a true highlight serving fresh local foods such as local seafood and pickings from the kitchen’s own garden.

Solitaire Lodge

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This is a spectacular 3,000 acre working sheep station/country estate that is a big favorite of clients seeking a private idyllic setting with many optional activities. The accommodations and dining here are world-class and certainly beyond 5-star luxury. The 16 white stucco cottages feature local native materials including wool, hemp curtains and various pebble mosaics. The spa is a big plus, in addition to a 65 ft. indoor pool, a tennis court and fitness gym. Of special note is the property’s gin-cured salmon, prepared with “Lighthouse gin” using water drawn from a nearby spring; Bev, Zen and I surely rate as among the most delicious salmon we have had anywhere! Activities include horse trekking overlooking Palliser Bay, fishing, archery, picturesque hiking and mountain biking, even clay target-shooting! The pasturelands here climb through lake-dotted forests into the adjacent mountains, and can only be described as amazingly emerald green. The idyllic setting seems to evoke the pastoral cultural of New Zealand’s past(!).

Wharekauhau Lodge and Country Estate

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This is our favorite 5-star luxury property in the resort town of Queenstown. Eichardt’s Private Hotel is a small boutique property overlooking a public beach within easy walking distance of many diverse restaurants, perfect for any foodie in search of new, interesting bites! This hotel includes seven suites, each fitted with a cozy fireplace and lavish baths with heated floors. Relax in the lounge surrounded by art and antiques and enjoy your meals at the intimate bar. The high-touch, personal service of the Eichardt staff members will be much appreciated at your stay beside Lake Wakatipu! Note: laundry and dry-cleaning services available.

Eichardt’s Private Hotel

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Opened in September 2025, this is among Queenstown’s newest 5-star luxury properties! ROKI Collection Queenstown is situated on the lakefront just a few minutes away from downtown, with uninterrupted views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables. The boutique hotel has 15 suites, each with a fireplace, deep soaking tub, and panoramic mountain or lake views. Luxury amenities include ROKI Pure Wellness Sanctuary with thermal zone, indoor pool, Jacuzzi, and private treatment rooms, a Rolls-Royce Cullinan chaperone service for local transfers during the day and evening, and two principal restaurants: “Essence” (fine-dining) and “The Terrace” (seafood/lake view), plus The Library Bar for cocktails and wine.

Roki Collection Queenstown

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Positioned on the edge of Lake Wakatipu (10-minutes from downtown Queenstown), we love this picturesque property that offers stunning views of the Cecil and Walter mountain peaks. The nine-acre Relais & Chateau property has rolling green hills, a tranquil running stream, native plants, and a surrounding pine forest. Each of the twelve luxurious suites have private terraces that overlook the Queenstown lakeside and mountain views, a fireplace, sitting area, and a bathroom that overlooks the lake and mountains. The intimate spa has a full treatment menu as well as an infinity pool and full fitness center.

Matakauri Lodge

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Request Custom Itinerary

Thank you for your interest in Kipling & Clark. We look forward to serving you!

Please note we specialize in global private luxury travel, including private guides and drivers throughout, high-quality accommodations, inclusive of safari lodges and ryokans, in-country rail/air, and all taxes/service fees.

Dependent on destination and seasonality, our comprehensive private tour costs are upward of USD 4K-6K per couple per day.

(312) 351-3121

rlynch@kiplingandclark.com