Board your private yacht charter from Russell Wharf and set sail through the turquoise waters of the Bay of Islands. With over 150 islands scattered across this subtropical marine playground, your 6-hour sailing experience offers the perfect balance of relaxation and activity. Enjoy a gourmet onboard menu as you cruise past secluded coves and keep an eye out for local marine life such as dolphins and penguins. Anchor in a sheltered bay to enjoy time at leisure—swim, snorkel, paddleboard, fish, or simply unwind on the beach. Your experienced crew will provide insight into the natural and cultural history of this remarkable region as you sail back to shore.

Spend a day at leisure while staying at Eagles Nest. This luxury retreat offers a wide range of experiences to enjoy in the privacy of your villa or in the surrounding natural beauty. Start your morning with a private yoga or guided meditation session, either in-villa or at a nearby beach. In-villa spa treatments and personal training sessions can also be arranged.

Four of the five villas feature private heated lap pools, and all offer a jacuzzi for relaxation. Complimentary mountain bikes are available to explore the grounds or venture into nearby Russell, just a short walk away. From Russell Wharf, guests can join local charter boats for fishing or island excursions, or take to the skies on a helicopter flight over Cape Reinga, 90 Mile Beach, or Waipoua Forest, departing directly from the property.

This morning, your driver will collect you from Eagles Nest for your transfer to Kerikeri Airport. From Kerikeri, take a domestic flight to Rotorua (via Auckland). Upon arrival at Rotorua Airport, meet your private driver for the approximately one-hour transfer to your accommodation in Taupō.

Located in the central North Island, Taupō is a scenic lakeside town known for its outdoor activities and natural beauty. Lake Taupō, New Zealand’s largest lake, was formed by a massive volcanic eruption nearly 2,000 years ago. Today, its clear waters are ideal for trout fishing, boating, and swimming. The surrounding region is fed by over 40 rivers and streams, and the town serves as a popular base for nature-based experiences and adventure activities.

Today you’ll embark on a full-day guided hike across the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of New Zealand’s most iconic one-day walks. Located within Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site recognized for both its natural beauty and cultural significance, this 12 mile route traverses dramatic volcanic terrain.

Hike past active craters, ancient lava flows, volcanic steam vents, and technicolored emerald lakes, all with views of Mount Tongariro and the towering Mount Ngauruhoe in the backdrop. The hike takes approximately seven hours on the trail, with an additional two to three hours for return travel from Taupō. Though challenging, the trail rewards hikers with some of the most spectacular volcanic scenery in the southern hemisphere. It demands good physical fitness, surefootedness, and a sense of adventure!

Enjoy a full day at leisure to make the most of your time at Huka Lodge. Stroll through the manicured gardens, or enjoy a game of croquet or pétanque in one of the lodge’s secluded garden areas. Guests can unwind with a facial or massage in the comfort of their suite, or head to the yoga lawn for a class.

For more active pursuits, take a dip in the pool, play a round of tennis, or explore the grounds by mountain bike. Optional experiences include a private cultural tour with a descendant of the local Ngāti Tūwharetoa tribe, a jet boat ride or bungy jump for thrill-seekers, or a round of golf at Wairakei or Kinloch. Anglers may wish to spend time on Lake Taupō or nearby rivers, which offer world-class trout fishing.

This morning you’ll depart Huka Lodge for your private transfer to Rotorua Airport, a drive of approximately one hour. From there, fly south to Christchurch. Upon arrival, meet your driver for a private transfer to Otahuna Lodge, located about 30 minutes outside the city.

Later this afternoon, enjoy a hands-on cooking lesson with Otahuna’s Executive Chef, Jimmy McIntyre. Begin with a visit to the estate’s working gardens to gather seasonal ingredients, then step into the kitchen for a one-hour class covering menu planning, culinary techniques, and the philosophies behind the lodge’s acclaimed cuisine. Finish by tasting the results of your own efforts before dinner.

Spend the day enjoying the grounds and experiences of Otahuna Lodge, where history, gardens, and hospitality come together in one of New Zealand’s finest retreats. Begin with a hands-on cooking class in the lodge’s kitchen, learning techniques and menu planning before sampling your creations. Later, take a guided garden tour through century-old grounds: wander camellia beds, woodland trails, and lakeside paths alive with native birdlife.

The afternoon offers plenty of ways to relax or explore: cycle along quiet country roads on a hybrid bike, indulge in a massage at the Woodland Massage Studio, or enjoy a friendly game of croquet, pétanque, or kubb on the games lawn. Cool off in the swimming pool, and as evening falls, soak in the outdoor jacuzzi under a star-filled southern sky.

Depart Otahuna Lodge today for a scenic drive to The Lindis, located in the remote Ahuriri Valley. Your private driver-guide will take you on a 4.5 to 5 hour journey across the Canterbury Plains and into the heart of the South Island’s high country.

Travel across the Rakaia River via New Zealand’s longest bridge, and continue through farmland and rural towns. Ascend through rolling sheep country to Lake Tekapo, where the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd sits on the lake’s edge. The road continues past the glacial waters of Lake Pukaki and the township of Twizel before reaching Omarama. From here, descend into the dramatic Ahuriri Valley via a well-formed gravel road to reach The Lindis, a luxury retreat set amid one of New Zealand’s most striking alpine landscapes.

Spend the day enjoying the tranquility and activities offered at The Lindis Lodge, located on the remote and scenic Ben Avon Station. Relax in the beautifully designed shared spaces, including the bar, lounges, games room, and billiards room.

For those eager to explore, e-bikes are available for rides through the Ahuriri Valley. Optional activities include fly fishing with a private guide on the Ahuriri River, 4WD excursions with light hikes, or horseback riding across high-country farmland. In the evening, take advantage of the valley’s minimal light pollution for exceptional stargazing right from the property.

Depart The Lindis this morning for a scenic 2.5-hour drive south to Queenstown. Travel through the Lindis Pass, an alpine corridor flanked by sweeping tussock-covered hills, before continuing past Lake Dunstan and the historic center of Cromwell. Along the way, pass through the Gibbston Valley wine region and the famous Kawarau Bridge.

Arrive in Queenstown, a world-renowned alpine resort town located on Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the Remarkables mountain range. The town and its bustling lakefront offers a varied mix of excellent restaurants, bars, boutique shops, sidewalk cafes, lovely gardens and shady parks, and lakeside walking trails. Its striking landscape, shaped by glacial activity, is steeped in both natural beauty and Māori legend.

This morning, depart your accommodation and transfer to Queenstown Airport for a scenic flight to Milford Sound. Soar over alpine peaks, ancient rainforest, and deep glacial valleys before landing at Milford Airport.

From here, you’ll board a premium vessel for a 2-hour cruise through the fiord. Enjoy Champagne and canapés as you glide past dramatic waterfalls, sheer cliffs, and iconic landmarks such as Mitre Peak and Pembroke Glacier. Keep an eye out for local wildlife including seals, dolphins, and, depending on the season, penguins.

Return to Queenstown by air, taking in one final aerial perspective of this spectacular region.

Begin the day with a scenic drive along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to the picturesque settlement of Glenorchy. From here, take to the skies on a private helicopter flight over the Dart and Rees Valleys, landing deep in the remote Earnslaw Burn.

Enjoy a guided hike through native bush to a dramatic hanging glacier and towering waterfalls. Continue by helicopter to the Dart River, where your private jet boat awaits for an exhilarating journey through the glacier-fed braided river system. Surrounded by alpine peaks and ancient forest, your guide will share stories of the region’s natural history and Māori legends.

Return to Glenorchy for a relaxed lunch at Miss Woolly’s before heading back to Queenstown by road.

Say goodbye to New Zealand and head to the airport to catch your departing flight.