Adventure trip New Zealand: Auckland, Rotorua & Milford Sound

After breakfast, you will get to know the highlights of Auckland, the "City of Sails," on a city tour. Then we leave Auckland towards the Coromandel Peninsula. We cross the peninsula, which is characterized by bizarre volcanic formations and a typical New Zealand forest full of tree ferns and tea trees. We visit rare Kauri trees, which can be up to 2000 years old, New Zealand's representatives of the Araucariaceae family. In Mercury Bay, we explore the jewels of New Zealand's beaches and hike to popular visitor destinations. On the hike to Cathedral Cove from Hahei, long white sandy beaches invite you to swim in the South Pacific. If you wish, you can dig a pool in the sand at Hot Water Beach during low tide and warm yourself in the underground hot springs. In the cozy seaside resort of Tairua, we can truly relax and get to know each other in a friendly atmosphere over a shared dinner in the evening. Distance: approx. 200km Travel time: approx. 3.5h Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

You can experience White Island today in various ways: either a comfortable photogenic panoramic flight directly over the crater or up close by boat and a guided geological hiking tour (both optional). We will spend the afternoon and evening in a small group with a local Maori family. For an authentic dinner, we will help build our own earth oven under expert guidance, in which we will later cook our dinner. While we wait for our "Hangi," the traditionally prepared meal, we will learn a lot about the music, art, culture, and history of the Maori during a guided hike. After a communal dinner, we will leave our hosts no longer as strangers but as friends. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After a jet boat ride to the remote "Bridge to Nowhere," we take a guided hike to relics from ancient times. Afterwards, the jet boat takes us back to civilization. The journey continues along the historically significant Whanganui River, on beautiful and little-traveled "backcountry" roads. The strong Māori influence is clearly visible and felt in this hinterland. After countless curves, we reach the city of Whanganui with its stylish "Art Deco" buildings. Along the Kapiti Coast, we arrive in Wellington in the evening. Distance: approx. 310km Travel time: approx. 4.5h Meals: Breakfast

Early in the morning, we board the Interislander ferry heading towards "Marlborough Sounds" through deeply cut sea channels, a labyrinth of "drowned" river valleys. The area is considered a botanical transition zone between the North and South Islands. We change our mode of transport for the next two days to undertake a nature excursion in remote areas. With a sailing ship and captain, we navigate the Marlborough Sounds, one of the most beautiful sailing areas in New Zealand. Here, in addition to seagulls, we are often followed by cape petrels and dark brown Hall's petrels. Dwarf penguins, dolphins, and New Zealand sea lions are also often found here. After an eventful day, we reach our remote lodge and enjoy an exclusive dinner in a cozy atmosphere. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

We follow the promising Queen Charlotte Drive along the Marlborough Sounds over Nelson to the Abel Tasman National Park with its golden beaches. By boat, we pass numerous bays and coastal forests and then disembark to take a short hike through the national park. This is one of the most popular parks in the country. The boat picks us up again after a swimming stop. New Zealand fur seals can often be observed here. Those who do not wish to hike depending on their daily condition can relax on the beach during that time or take another boat excursion option (upon request). Distance: approx. 175km Travel time: approx. 3h Meals: Breakfast

In the morning we visit the famous "Pancake Rocks," limestone formations whose softer intermediate layers are constantly being washed away by the roaring Tasman Sea, causing the rock formations to appear as stacked layers. After a stop in the jade city of Hokitika, we continue along the west coast. “... a large, highly raised landmass ...” wrote the Dutchman Abel Tasman in his ship's log when he sighted New Zealand as the first European in December 1642. His comment undoubtedly referred to the distinctive, elongated mountain range of the Southern Alps. South of Hokitika, their peaks rise abruptly to a height of 3500 meters. In Franz Josef Town, we are within reach of the glaciers of the Southern Alps. We take a short excursion in the glacier region (weather permitting). The approximately eleven-kilometer-long Fox Glacier pushes down to an altitude of 300 meters above sea level. Distance: approx. 280km Travel time: approx. 3.5h Meals: Breakfast

We spend today in Queenstown, the "St. Moritz of the South Seas," as this popular holiday destination is often called. The day is free for you to enjoy at your leisure. You have the difficult choice of trying one of the countless options available. Maybe you would like to take a ride on the old steamship “TSS Earnslaw” on Lake Wakatipu, or you can take a cable car and enjoy the magnificent view of the town and the lake. You can also join a tour tracing the filming locations of “The Lord of the Rings,” go horseback riding, hiking, or take a rafting tour (all activities optional). Your tour guide is available to assist you. Meals: Breakfast

Today, another highlight is on the agenda! On the possibly most beautiful mountain road in New Zealand to Milford, you pass the Mirror Lakes and the gloomy Homer Tunnel, and during a stop, you may even encounter Kea parrots. Around noon, you then reach the landmark of New Zealand and the most beautiful end of the world, Milford Sound. The fjord was formed by the 1200-meter deep incision of a glacier, which, after melting, left behind a massive furrow that was then filled by the sea. A lush vegetation is outlined in front of the reflective fjord, and in the background, a colossal mountain ("Mitre Peak," the "Bishop's Hat") rises 1700 meters from the sea. On a boat trip past huge, foaming waterfalls, one might encounter seals, penguins, and dolphins with a bit of luck. We stay overnight again in Te Anau by the lake, surrounded by mountains and rainforest. Distance: approx. 236km Duration: approx. 4.5h Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

According to the weather conditions, we will undertake a light hike in the impressive mountain world. We will again have the opportunity to admire the grandiose glacier world of Mount Cook at the Pukaki and Tekapo lakes. Next, we will drive into the Canterbury Plains and leave behind the three-thousanders of the Southern Alps. Here, we will once again experience a spectacular change in vegetation. The plain is one of New Zealand's most fertile farming areas. In the early evening, we will visit a stylish farm, where we will gain insight into the lives and work of the New Zealand rural population on a farm tour. We will stay in different rural guesthouses with warm hosts. The day will end here in a cozy manner with a delicious dinner. Distance: approx. 150km Travel time: approx. 2.5h Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Our path leads us to Christchurch over the mountains of the crater rim of the peninsula. We take a short city tour through the 'Garden City' of New Zealand, as Christchurch is also fondly called. You can take a ride on the historic tram (optional), visit the newly constructed cathedral, the "Re:Start" shopping street, the Arts and Crafts Centre (partially closed), and the museum next to the award-winning Botanical Garden. Or you can independently explore this re-emerging city in constant change on a stroll. Today is the last evening of your journey and we invite you to a dinner where you can reflect on the exciting past weeks with your fellow travelers. Distance: approximately 100km Travel time: approximately 4h Meals: Breakfast, Dinner