At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.
New Zealand is a diverse multicultural country with a melting pot of cultures. With a blend of Maori, Asian, Pacific and European cultures, New Zealand has a rich and unique national identity. Over four weeks, you will have the opportunity to go on a cultural journey through this fascinating country. And learn more about the dynamic Maori culture from local guides.
Quick facts about this sample itinerary
- This itinerary will be customised to suit your individual wishes
- Best travel time is between October - November and March - April
- Relaxed travel pace with 3-4 nights at each location
- The average distance between each accommodation is 3 hours
- Stay with locals at 9 locations, away from the crowds
- Choose from a diverse mix of activities with locals
- Collect rental car in Wellington and return in Auckland
Below, you can discover our suggested locations. Feel free to adjust your comfort level, add activity packages along the route, and indicate whether you would like us to arrange your flights. The price indication is based on travel in high season, so shoulder season travel will often give you a price advantage.
Route and Impressions
![new-zealand](/img/maps/map-new-zealand-fc.png)
![Savour Wellington city's assortment of culinary delights](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/5466_Zest_Food_Tours_1587533043_MW_platter_Byrne_CR_ZEST.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=25a30e8fc5ce26f1febeee345bec1b86 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/5466_Zest_Food_Tours_1587533043_MW_platter_Byrne_CR_ZEST.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=5b49b512d4196029a91f52023dc4e0b4 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/5466_Zest_Food_Tours_1587533043_MW_platter_Byrne_CR_ZEST.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=2829460728ee623e291b7b5ebdc27c2f 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/5466_Zest_Food_Tours_1587533043_MW_platter_Byrne_CR_ZEST.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=fe0b10c935bdfbdd66246c955da63a21 400w)
![Visit the impressive gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/detailed-discoverpage/nz-cape-kidnappers-hawkes-bay-discoverpage-detailed-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=500d583ee971f003dca26b2b391f932c 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/detailed-discoverpage/nz-cape-kidnappers-hawkes-bay-discoverpage-detailed-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=55ce8e4ac9b3cf19c3925b729efd443a 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/detailed-discoverpage/nz-cape-kidnappers-hawkes-bay-discoverpage-detailed-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=257db55f59c491c58f1c8ec04173baa9 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/detailed-discoverpage/nz-cape-kidnappers-hawkes-bay-discoverpage-detailed-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=b167fbdbe5f3b68a4e68a33e1bf3c67b 400w)
![Get a bird's eye view of Taupo in a float plane](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/Taupo-float-plane-farms.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=dfe5eaec9985005552f088ce1730ed24 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/Taupo-float-plane-farms.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=9532b9a91bbe76b3c5d50117f3129cf9 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/Taupo-float-plane-farms.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=6e3bf8729862e12859a98661b1f63ef5 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/Taupo-float-plane-farms.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=16e3977e732b75cae2474866edb86c4c 400w)
![Visit geothermal wonders with a local guide](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-north-rotorua-geysir-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=f3770af42b7c8adc905be322c2396878 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-north-rotorua-geysir-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=048b8d159dab334e7823b62356bfd8d3 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-north-rotorua-geysir-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=892395b93eee518798aa390f8f76b3ed 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-north-rotorua-geysir-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=99dfa345a356944f419383b1dc7e3fa3 400w)
![Swim with majestic dolphins](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/3985_Dolphin_Seafaris1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=ac3babd05e3182ab6673bca326862ce9 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/3985_Dolphin_Seafaris1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=a9da80b15067d7ec42a7a0943d6a6bc3 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/3985_Dolphin_Seafaris1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=9e57fd79ff015f3b80231595d1e43163 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/3985_Dolphin_Seafaris1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=4936a2f1a391913204326aa4a461d02f 400w)
![Be sure to pack your beach wear, flip flops and sunscreen](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/waihibeachlodgemayor-frm-orokawa-bj.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=2268239472f2d7aa41a0a07c64284518 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/waihibeachlodgemayor-frm-orokawa-bj.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=b7b6d34193643eed01bd107e5891692b 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/waihibeachlodgemayor-frm-orokawa-bj.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=9d3304cb1afbd5798a9853eeef439c86 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/waihibeachlodgemayor-frm-orokawa-bj.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=61a95d9885a1ea19efcd555f0f240014 400w)
![Dig your own natural bath on Hot Water Beach](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/22-Hot-Water-Beach-Coromandel-Graeme-Murray-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=7a2e97d8372f3c97aa69123d01e5e574 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/22-Hot-Water-Beach-Coromandel-Graeme-Murray-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=2843dc0d4bbdaef963bd3039e1eaafdc 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/22-Hot-Water-Beach-Coromandel-Graeme-Murray-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=459e1c8edb332a76d8461486b6a78d10 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/22-Hot-Water-Beach-Coromandel-Graeme-Murray-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=3f0346a84a72f575155613efcc75e0a7 400w)
![Discover a variety of walking tracks in the Mahurangi Regional Park](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-north-auckland-beach-884-itinerary.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=0ffed63b5d684003f9c60a5d6f37fc91 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-north-auckland-beach-884-itinerary.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=e431bb7f18c9f60d2404bcba98936b36 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-north-auckland-beach-884-itinerary.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=443c7b2579450d97651a45c97dd9c8af 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-north-auckland-beach-884-itinerary.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=d4f3ab6412ef3fa5a453e79694158517 400w)
![Experience the magic of the Bay of Islands](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-hone-bay-of-islands-boats-water-discoverpage-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=5907b7fe8a03af93fde919ccb1280396 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-hone-bay-of-islands-boats-water-discoverpage-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=29115d02ec97416af06ec04e82d36bda 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-hone-bay-of-islands-boats-water-discoverpage-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=f8253bbc2cfdced02e25fe76ea238748 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-hone-bay-of-islands-boats-water-discoverpage-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=096ce89278e1a6f060e754d4708791bd 400w)
£6,500 Per person
- 28 nights staying at comfortable small-scale accommodations
- Relaxed travel pace with 3-4 nights at each location
- Stay at 9 different locations
- Types of accommodations include bed & breakfast, cottages, villas and lodges
- Most breakfasts and several dinners
- Your holiday is CO2 compensated
- Maori carving cruise
- Insured medium SUV
- Premium economy return flights
- Choose from a diverse mix of activities in nature with locals
- We can alter this itinerary to suit your needs and interests
More sample itineraries
Ready for the holiday of a lifetime?
Discover a world beyond ordinary
At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.
Contact us
Questions? Speak to one of our specialists by phone Mon - Sat 0900 until 2100. You can discuss your travel plans in detail where and when it suits you, also in the evenings and on weekends on a no obligation basis.