20 Day NZ Ultimate Thrills
20 Day New Zealand Ultimate Thrills
The tour for the ultimate adrenaline seeker! New Zealand is world renowned for being an adventure playground and has invented some of the most unique adventure activities on the planet. We've compiled many of them in this once in a lifetime adventure. Skydiving, bungy jumping, jet boating, rafting, caving, wilderness kayaking, heli-hiking....it's all on the menu!
In between all of these adrenaline pumping activities, this tour still shows you the most breathtaking places in New Zealand at the same time, so you won't miss anything.
Are you ready?
Highlights
Auckland Bridge Climb Cathedral Cove Kayaking Coromandel Waitomo Caves tumu Tumu Toobing Rafting Rotorua Taupo Skydiving 12,000ft Tongariro Crossing Abel Tasman Great Walk 2days Franz Josef Heli Hike Queenstown Bungy Doubtful Sound Kayaking Wanaka Wildwire
Regions Visited
Itinerary Map
The tour for the ultimate adrenaline seeker! New Zealand is world renowned for being an adventure playground and has invented some of the most unique adventure activities on the planet. We've compiled many of them in this once in a lifetime adventure. Skydiving, bungy jumping, jet boating, rafting, caving, wilderness kayaking, heli-hiking....it's all on the menu!
Terms and Conditions
Prices are based on twin share occupancy in a double room, and are subject to availability. If anything comes back unavailable, we will endeavor to find you a suitable alternative.
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Day 1 : Auckland
Welcome to Auckland and New Zealand. On arrival you will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your first night’s accommodation. Or if you’ve decided to pick up your rental vehicle immediately, you pick up your vehicle at the airport and drive to your accommodation.
Your detailed tour information pack will be given to you once you arrive at your accommodation.
You’ll most likely be pretty tired from a long flight, so take the rest of the day to relax and explore the inner city. The city centre of Auckland is not too big, so you can easily walk around. Visit the Skytower to take in great views of the city, and stroll around the waterfront with its many nice bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a great meal.
Hotel : Grand Millennium Hotel Auckland
Day 2 : Auckland- Coromandel
Once you've collected your car first thing in the morning (in case you don't already have it), your adventure starts immediately with the Auckland Bridge Climb. Get over those fear of heights and enjoy unparalleled access to the Auckland Harbour Bridge. This is not just the most unique Auckland attraction - this is the only Bridge Climb in all of New Zealand.
In the afternoon your destination will be the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula with its secluded bays, white sandy beaches, and spectacular but rugged mountainous interiour. Thames is the first town you pass in the Coromandel, which is full of history from New Zealand's early gold mining and logging days. You'll climb over the Coromandel Forest Park ranges with its magnificent ferns and from a distance you can see views of the Pacific Ocean. As you approach Tairua you'll the see dramatic Pinnacles on your left.
Motel : Blue Water (Tairua)
Driving Distance : 151 Km - Driving Time : approximately 2hours
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Day 3 : Coromandel
We've organized an amazing kayaking trip to Cathedral Cove this morning, no doubt one of the best in the country. This trip will show you stretches of coast line no other travellers get to see.
After your kayaking experience , dig your own spa at the nearby Hot Water Beach. On your way to Coromandel town, your destination for the day, stop in Whitianga to enjoy some great seafood.
Between Coromandel Town and Whitianga we recommend you visit New Chums beach, which was voted one of the best 10 beaches in the world!
B & B : Jacaranda.
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Day 4 : Coromandel - Waitomo
Your drive this morning will take you along the Firth of Thames. It's a delightful drive along the waterfront and once you arrive in Thames, you've completed the Coromandel loop. You'll head south now across the lush farmlands of the Waikato region to Waitomo, where your caving adventure awaits, the epic Tumu Tumu Toobing! This ripper of a trip combines the best elements of blackwater rafting with walking, climbing, swimming and tubing through distinctive sections of the spectacular TumuTumu Cave.
Motel : Caves motor Inn, Waitomo.
Driving distance : 219 km - Driving time approximately 3 hrs 10 mins
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Day 5 : Waitomo- Rotorua
It's a fairly short drive to Rotorua today. Rotorua s also nicknamed Roto Vegas by Kiwis for the amount of attractions it has. The main attractions are Maori culture and amazing geothermal activity. The region also has many beautiful lakes to explore. World-class biking trails, excellent hiking traills, natural hot streams, luxurious spas, a whole range of adventure activities such as rafting, sledging, jetboating, zorbing, racing down a steep hill in a luge, Rotorua won't bore you.
More water action is in store for you today as you embark on a thrilling rafting trip down the Waituna River.
Motel : Heritage Tuscany Villas Rotorua.
Motel : Rotorua Arista Motel.
Driving distance : 138 km - Driving time approximately 1 hr 55min
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Day 6 : Rotorua - Taupo
The drive to Taupo from Rotorua is only about an hour, but there are many things to see en-route. Wai-O-Tapu geothermal wonderland with its colorful hot springs, boiling mud pools and barren moon landscapes will leave you in awe. This is one of the most unique places you'll ever visit.
About 2kms north of Taupo, a must see are the impressive Huka Falls. This is where the Waikato River, New Zealand's longest river, enters a shallow ravine of hard volcanic rock. The resulting sight is nothing but spectacular. More than 220,000 liters of water per second rushes by.
What we have in store for you today though is the ultimate adrenaline rush. Yes you are jumping out of a plane at 12,000 ft altitude. You will be buzzing for days after this.
Hotel : Millennium Hotel Taupo.
Motel : Bella Vista Taupo.
Driving distance : 82 km - Driving time approximately 1 hour.
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Day 7 : Taupo - National Park
Get your hiking boots ready on this early morning! You'll drive along Lake Taupo on your way to the Dual World Heritage Tongariro National Park. Often described as New Zealand's greatest day walk, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a challenging journey across a remarkable volcanic landscape. Lava flows, an active crater, steam vents, emerald-coloured lakes and magnificent views combine to make this an unforgettable walking journey.
Motel : Plateau Lodge.
Driving distance : 100 km - Driving time approximately : 1 hour 15 minutes.
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Day 8 : National Park -Wellington
Today is a rest day from all the excitement, as you make your way down to Wellington, the coolest little capital in the world. Find out yourself why Wellington was named the best liveable city in the world in 2016!
A visit to the national museum Te Papa is a must-do. A trip on the iconic cable car gives you great views across the city and bay at the top.
Stroll around in Cuba street, with its many funky bars known for their craft beers, cafes, and excellent restaurants.
Hotel : Copthorne Hotel Oriental Bay Wellington.
Motel : Wellington 10 Gilmer.
Driving Distance : 322 Km - Driving time approximately 4 hours
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Day 9 : Wellington - Picton - Nelson
Today you will say goodbye to the North Island and cruise across the Cook Strait on the Interislander ferry, with great views of the Marlborough Sounds.
Upon your arrival in the small but picturesque fishing town of Picton, you will carry on your journey to creative Nelson, the sunniest place in New Zealand.
Hotel : Trailway Hotel Nelson.
Lodge: Nelson Saxton.
Interislander Wellington - Picton : 3 h 37 min (97.6 km)
Driving distance : 134 Km - Driving time (Picton - Nelson): approximately 1 hr 50 min.
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Day 10 : Nelson - Abel Tasman National Park
A two day independent hiking trip in the coastal paradise of the Abel Tasman National Park is your next adventure. A 9am water taxi will leave from Marahau and will take you to Torrent Bay where your 2 day hike starts.
The idyllic Abel Tasman Coastal Track links a myriad of crescent-shaped coves of glittering golden sand, washed by the crystal-clear waters of Tasman Bay. Wander along beaches that constantly invite you in for a swim and hike around headlands with commanding views. Fur seals are found along the coast of the park, particularly on the headlands at Separation Point and near Tonga Island. Little blue penguins feed at sea during the day and return to the park’s islands at night. Common dolphins are often seen playing in the waves.
The first day is the longest day with approximately 6.5 hours (18km) walking from Torrent Bay to the Awaroa inlet.
Accommodation : Awaroa Lodge.
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Day 11 : Abel Tasman National Park - Hokitika
The second walking day in the Abel Tasman National Park is shorter, and takes about 2.5 hours (5.5km) from the Awaroa inlet to the beautiful golden bay of Totoranui. Once in Totoranui, a water tax will take you back to Marahau.
You'll continue your journey south through the Motueka Valley with its many fruit orchards and hops. The scenery changes dramatically driving through the Buller Gorge on the way to the West Coast. The first town you pass on the West Coast is the coal mining town of Westport, once a gold mining town. Nearby you can find the seal colony at Cape Foulwind.
A little further south lies Paparoa National Park and the famous pancake rocks, where columns of water shoot skyward from rocks that resemble giant stacks of hotcakes.
The seaside town of Hokitika will be your final desintation of today. Hokitika is a place to appreciate the fascinating history of the west coast. The Arahura River, which enters the sea just north of Hokitika, is a traditional source of pounamu (greenstone). There are a number of jewelry stores selling greenstone in town, and are well worth a look.
Motel : Bella Vista Hokitika.
Driving distance : 366km - Driving time : approximately 5 hours 10 mins
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Day 12 : Hokitika - Frans Josef
It's a short drive to Franz Josef in Westland National Park today, an area of magnificent primeval vistas – snow-capped mountains, glaciers, forests, tussock grasslands, lakes, rivers, wetlands and beaches.
And you'll have the best view of all today, from a helicopter. After a thrilling flight, high above the rugged terrain, you will land on the glacier, ready to undertake a three hour guided glacier hike. Your friendly guide will lead you through some of the most pristine and awe-inspiring glacier scenery in the world.
Hotel : Scenic Hotel Franz Josef.
Motel : Franz Josef Bella Vista.
Driving distance : 134 km - Driving time : approximately 1 hours 45 mins
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Day 13 : Franz Josef- Queenstown
Your drive today takes you through a number of national parks. The road between Frans Josef and Haast winds its way along the rugged West Coast with lush native bush and rainforest. Haast is located in the heart of Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area, with national parks to the north, south and east. You'll head inland and into the Mt Aspiring National Park with its towering mountains and glaciel fed rivers with crystal clear waters. The road then takes you along Lake Hawea before arriving into Wanaka.
In winters skiers from all over the world flock to Wanaka for its great skiing, and in summer the impressive mountains provide for a range of adventure activities. You will return here in a few days , but for now you carry on to the adventure capital of the world...Queenstown! Regardless of the season, Queenstown gets your adrenaline flowing year round, and the options are endlesss. Want to throw yourself out of a plane in amazing scenery, jump off a bridge in the birthplace of Bungy, jetboat, raft down a river, you name it...Queenstown has it all.
For us it is also the town where you need to experience Bungy jumping, as it was here that is was first invented by AJ Bungy. So get read to throw yourself of a platform of your choosing!
Hotel : Heritage Queenstown.
Motel : Bella vista Queenstown.
Driving distance : 350 km - Driving time : approximately : 4 hrs 40 mins.
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Day 14 : Queenstown
You'll be staying in Queenstown for another day today. It is the adventure capital of the world after all!
A fun wilderness experience awaits you today. Dart River Wilderness Jet
Hotel : Heritage Queenstown.
Motel : Bella vista Queenstown.
Day 15 : Queenstown -Milford Sound - Te Anau
Heading south along the shores of Lake Wakatipu you are heading for Te Anau today. This picturesque town on the shores of Lake Te Anau is your base for the Fiordland National Park wilderness. When you arrive in Te Anau, your will continue onwards to Milford Sound on one of the most spectacular drives in New Zealand. Once you arrive you will board for a cruise through the fiords. Also keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins and fur seals as you cruise along.
Milford Sound is truly breathtaking in any weather. The fiord's cliffs rise vertically from the dark waters, mountain peaks scrape the sky and waterfalls cascade downwards, some as high as 1000 metres. When it rains in Milford Sound, and it often does, those waterfalls multiply with magnificent effect. You will feel humbled by the magnitude of nature upon your return to Te Anau late in the afternoon.
Hotel : Distinction Hotel Te Anau.
Motel : Te Anau Red Tussock.
Driving distance : 173 km - Driving time : approximately 2 hours 10 mins
Driving Te Anau - Milford Sound : 118 km - Driving time : approximately 1 hour 45 mins
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Day 16 and 17 : Fiordland National Park (Doubftul Sound Kayaking)
A true wilderness adventure deep in Fiordland National Park awaits you today. You'll be kayaking for 2 days in an untouched world of spectacular mountains, lush rain forests and dramatic landscapes. Doubtful Sound is three times longer and a staggering ten times larger than Milford with equally spectacular scenery and an abundance of wildlife, flora and fauna. Doubtful Sound is dramatic and unspoilt and one thing that will strike you when you visit is its silence, broken only by birdsong or the sound of rushing waterfalls.
Your tour starts off with a cruise across Lake Manapouri by ferry and a coach across the Southern Alps, via the Wilmot Pass. As you arrive into the sound, make sure you put on plenty of insect repellent, the sandflies will be waiting for you! Once on the water though, they will not bother you. Each day involves around 5 hours of kayaking, and in the evening you'll camp out at a camp nestled in the forest up Hall Arm.
This could very well be the highlight of your journey!
Day 18 : Te Anau - Wanaka
When you get back to Te Anau you'll know you've experienced something truly special.
Your journey then takes you back to Wanaka via Queenstown, on the same road as you came.
Hotel : Edgewater Wanaka.
Motel : Wanaka Aspiring.
Driving distance : 226 km - Driving time : Approximately : 2 hrs 55 mins
Click map to enlarge
Day 19 : Wanaka - Mt. Cook
In the morning we have one more adventure planned for you, Wanaka Wildwire. Expect loads of fun, an amazing adventure and incredible scenery on this tour. You will be climbing ladder rungs that run next to a waterfall and crossing bridges over the waterfall. There are opportunities to swim in hidden pools and picnic along the way.
In the afternoon you'll then be heading to New Zealand's tallest mountain, Mt Cook. You will cross the the Lindis Pass, one of the highest roads in New Zealand. The contrast in scenery will be noticeable as you leave Otago and enter the McKenzie Country. Once you arrive at Lake Pukaki, Mt Cook dominates the landscape, and how! It will leave a memorable impression, and the drive along the lake with its green and turquoise water is nothing but spectacular. This is New Zealand driving at its best!
Motel : Mount Cook Lodge.
Activity : Mount Cook Heli Flights Aoraki / Mt. Cook Discovery.
Driving distance : 209 km - Driving time : approximately 2 hours 30 mins
Click map to enlarge
Day 20 : Mt. Cook - Christchurch
Before you head back to Christchurch and finish your tour, we recommend you do one of the hikes in the Aoraki National Park for spectacular view of Mt Cook.
On your return to Christchurch, Lake Tekapo will leave you dazzled with its remarkable turquoise coloured water against the backdrop of the Southern Alps. The picturesque Church of the Good Shepherd is a great place for great photo opportunities, but please note that photos are not allowed inside the church.
As you leave the Southern Alps you're now on your final stretch to Christchurch along the vast Canterbury plains.
Driving distance : 333 km - Driving time : approximately 4 hours 10 mins
Click map to enlarge
NZD6,292.00
Price includes
- Complimentary airport transfers
- Detailed tour pack upon arrival at first night's accommodation.
- 20 day car rental with unlimited daily kilometers
- Standard insurance with zero excess reduction option.
- 19 Nights Accommodation.
- Auckland Bridge Climb
- Waitomo Tumu Tumu Toobing
- Cathedral Cove Kayaking.
- Rafting Rotorua
- Taupo Skydiving
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing
- Interislander Ferry
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing
- Abel Tasman Great Walk
- Franz Josef Heli Hike
- Queenstown Bungy
- Doubtful Sound Kayaking
- Wildwire Wanaka
Cancellation policy
- Where the date of cancellation is a date 45 days or more before the start of the tour, the cancellation fee will be equivalent to the deposit paid
- Where the date of cancellation is a date 30 to 45 days before the start of the tour the cancellation fee shall be 25% of the contract price
- Where the date of cancellation is a date 7 to 30 days before the start of the tour the cancellation fee shall be 50% of the contract price
- Where the date of cancellation is a date 7 days or less before the start of the tour the cancellation fee shall be 100% of the contract price
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