All tours are private, depart daily, and can be customized to suit individual interests and schedules. Please contact us at info@arohatours.co.nz or 0064-21-890611 for more information about our luxury New Zealand tours. Our Vehicles   Travel Guide Profiles

Day 1: Christchurch airport arrival-Kaikoura (Whale-watch cruise) driving distance 2h
Before midday we reach the small seaside town of Kaikoura which is nestled on a rugged peninsula on the East Coast and is backed by the breathtaking Seaward Kaikoura Ranges. A spectacular marine playground exists off the coast of Kaikoura; - living in this environment is the mighty Sperm Whale. Join a whale watching cruise at the beautiful coastline of the South Island or decide on swim with the dolphins. (Both excursions are subject to weather and lighting conditions). Fur seals, once almost hunted to extinction are now plentiful here, resting on warm rocks after a nights fishing. Walk among these creatures at this unique beach and watch our native Seabirds (Albatross and shags), also enjoying the rich sea harvest. Accommodation: Kaikoura

Day 2: Kaikoura - Marlborough - Able Tasman Park (Wineries) driving distance 4h
Leaving the dramatic Pacific Coastline you travel along the East Coast of New Zealand. We pass over the arid. Rolling foothills of South Marlborough, we drop down to New Zealand’s pre-eminent grape-growing area. We enter the sun-drenched wine region, New Zealand’s pre-eminent grape-growing area. Blenheim at the entrance of the Marlborough Sounds is the main town in the region of New Zealand. Its lovely sunny climate makes this area an ideal wine growing region. For lunch we visit one of the romantic wineries and get a chance to taste world renowned wine. From here we travel to the city of Nelson, known for its vibrant arts and handcrafts scene. Nelson is known for is irresistible blend of lifestyle and stunning landscape at the top northwest corner of the South Island. 300 Artisans are based in the Nelson area, so it is no wonder that the “One Ring” was created by one of the local jewellers in City Centre. In Richmond you find the Harrington Brewers that brew a special beer for Hobbiton. Apples, cherries and classic wine varietal grapes are well suited to the mild climate around the Nelson areas. We take you to the entrance of the Able Tasman Park. Accommodation: Abel Tasman Coast

Day 3: Abel Tasman National Park (Scenic flight, Water Taxi and hike in Able Tasman Park)
Experience the Abel Tasman National Park from both the air and the water. The flight departs from the Motueka airfield taking in the coastline of the Abel Tasman National Park before landing at Awaroa. If you choose you can extend the flight out over Golden Bay and Farewell Spit. Discuss this with Abel Tasman Air prior to departure.(extra charges) Awaroa beach is your pick up point for your boat journey south along the stunning coastline, or if you like you can take the 1 hour walk from Awaroa to Tonga Beach, and meet the boat there. The boats depart at a number of times during the day. Timing for the boat transfer is arranged on the day so you can spend some hours relaxing on the beach, or catch the next available boat. A short bus trip from Marahau or Kaiteriteri Beach gets you back to your vehicle at the Motueka Airfield. Accommodation: Abel Tasman Coast

Day 4: Nelson - West Coast (Pancake Rocks) driving distance 4h
Depart Nelson for the start of your 'Wilderness Tour'. Your tour takes you deep into the heartland of the south. Your first encounter will be through the Buller Gorge for a short stop over at the Buller D.O.C Centre. We take a spectacular drive through the Buller Gorge to Westport before continuing on to the jewel of the west coast. Your day has an interesting flavour of mountains, and native flora and fauna, as you travel through the rugged terrain that divides the east from the west. From Westport your journey winds its way through the western slopes of the West Coast which displays a series magnificent mountain ranges, and native New Zealand vegetation. We stop and stay at Punakaki the jewel of the West Coast, Punakaiki is world renown for its pancake rock formation and blowholes. Walk along some of the stunning and remote beach treks, though a dense rainforest with Nikau Palms and large ferns.  Accommodation: West Coast

Day 5: West Coast - Glacier- Lake Moeraki (Heli Hike) driving distance 4h
We follow the windy road along one of the most stunning coast lines in the country. Pass the township of Greymouth and Hokitika, know both for gold and coal mining in New Zealand. Your guide will take you on a walk/trek that will take you to the bottom of one of the two Glaziers (Fox or Franz Josef Glaciers). Both Glaciers are located 25 km from each other and are unique in the world as they seem to nearly reach the ocean. Here we have organised a Heli-hike half day trip onto Fox Glacier. The area is known for its alpine peaks, snow field, forests, lakes and rivers. Late afternoon we take you to one of only two Wilderness Lodges in New Zealand. The lodge is located on the banks of Moeraki River just two kilometres from the Able Tasman see. Here you have access to pristine area and some 1000 year old native trees. Here you anticipate in a native rainforest and bird discovery walks, or canoeing on the lake and take a glow-worm/night sky walk. Accommodation: West Coast

Day 6: West Coast – Lake Wanaka  (Waterfalls, The Neck) driving distance 4h
An interesting day of scenic opportunities experiencing the untamed beauty of the native New Zealand flora and fauna, with plenty of photo opportunities along the way. This day gives you the opportunity see large crystal clear streams and waterfalls and it also takes you through the South Westland region to one of our World Heritage Parks Mt Aspiring National Park this area is a vast, glacial sculpted wilderness. As you exit Mt Aspiring National Park you will travel through what is known as “The Neck” a formation of land that separates two of our great South Island lakes Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka. Wanaka is a new and modern Alpine resort and mostly visited by us New Zealanders.  Accommodation: Wanaka

Day 7: Wanaka – (Half day hike to Rob Roy Glacier) driving distance 2h return
As braided river valleys, native beach forests and lush alpine meadows give way to the dramatic glaciated Southern Alps, the pure beauty of the scenery pushes daily pressures a million miles away. Part of Te Wahipounamu - Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area, Mt Aspiring National Park is an area of unrivalled natural beauty and host to hundreds of hiking tracks, rock climbing routes and trout fishing rivers, all within easy reach of Lake Wanaka, New Zealand. At its heart is Mt Aspiring, the park’s highest mountain at 3,027m and known to early Maori as ‘Tititea’ or ‘glistening peak’. Since the age of mountaineering began in New Zealand it’s been a draw card for climbers the world over. Today you hike to the majestic Rob Roy Glacier and picnic by a cascading waterfall with native alpine parrots for company, while listening to the cracks of the hanging glacier high overhead. The track is an ideal entry point to Mt Aspiring National Park - an area of spectacular alpine scenery, snowfields, glaciers, sheer rock cliffs and waterfalls. A one hour drive from Wanaka brings you to the Raspberry Creek car-park. After a 15 minute valley walk you cross the West Matukituki River into beech forest as the track climbs through a small gorge along the Rob Roy Stream, then into alpine vegetation at the head of the valley, with good views of the Rob Roy Glacier. Accommodation: Wanaka

Day 8: Wanaka - Fiordland National Park (Overnight cruise at Doubtful Sounds) driving distance 3h
In the morning we take you passed the Queenstown basin to Lake Manapouri to join an overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound which is located in a World Heritage Area. It is an overwhelming place! You can feel the power of nature here - the remoteness, the wildness and the peace.  Known for its wilderness and wild life, Doubtful Sound is the second largest of the 14 fiords in Fiordland National Park and it is three times longer and 10 times larger than Milford Sound. Following a short cruise across beautiful Lake Manapouri and a coach trip over Wilmot Pass, you will board the Fiordland Navigator at Deep Cove, Doubtful Sound. There is plenty of time on your overnight cruise to enjoy the stunning views and to discover the hidden arms of Doubtful Sound.  Fur seals and bottlenose dolphins are often seen and at times, rare penguins can be observed.  There is also time for you to kayak around the shoreline or go exploring in the tender craft with our nature guide. As the shadows lengthen we’ll drop anchor at a favourite mooring for the night.  After the days activities, enjoy a delicious evening buffet meal in the spacious dining saloon. Accommodation: Doubtful Sounds

Day 9: Fiordland National Park - Dunedin (Albatross colony, Penguins tour) driving distance 4,5h
Dunedin is the smallest of the 4 major New Zealand cities and displays a wealth of pioneering history within the city. We take you from Te Anau through our leading fruit growing areas to the Otago Coast and the town of Dunedin. The splendour of many of its public buildings reflects Dunedin's economic and cultural pre-eminence in Victorian New Zealand. Today, Dunedin has a rightly deserved reputation as one of the best preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere . From here, views out to sea and back towards the city emphasise the singular beauty of Dunedin and its jewel-like harbour. Drive further to the tip of the Otago Peninsula is Taiaroa Heads, about forty minutes from the city centre. The magnificent Royal Albatross, a huge sea bird of mythology, soars above the rugged cliffs. Take a guided tour of the only mainland nesting colony of the Royal Albatross in the world. For dusk we have organized a tour to watch the yellow-eye and blue penguin colonies close by. Accommodation: Dunedin

Day 10:  Dunedin-Lake Tekapo (Moeraki Boulders, Mt Cook area) driving distance 4h
We stop over at the fascinating Moeraki Boulders. The Moeraki Boulders are huge spherical stones that are scattered over the sandy beaches, but they are not like ordinary round boulders that have been shaped by rivers and pounding seas. From there we take you further to the white sandstone town of Oamaru. The main Town of North Otago is a pretty town and the best-preserved collection of historic and commercial buildings in New Zealand.  We travel into deep into the heart of the Southern Alps and to the southern slopes of Mt Cook National Park. The region is renowned for its incredibly clear starry nights, brilliant sunny days, and remarkable turquoise blue lakes, valleys of emerald green and snow-capped mountains. Shaped by the giant forces of nature, massive glaciers have scoured the land leaving a trail of lakes and rivers across the landscape. Today you will see awesome mountain ranges - the snow capped Southern Alps stretching across the western horizon. Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain at 3,754 metres above sea level, towers over the expansive countryside.  Accommodation: Twizel 

Day 11: Lake Tekapo-Arthur Pass (High Country wilderness lodge) driving distance 4h
Our trip will take us through some of the most evocative hill county in New Zealand. Speckled with small agricultural outposts, the Canterbury Plains are an area of serene, rural beauty. To the east lie the coastal climes of Timaru while, to the west, Mackenzie Country accounts for a large percent of New Zealand’s sheep population. We drive you through Canterbury and through the scenic untouched areas and through the Arthurs Pass. From your car you’ll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Today you will discover wild nature in a spectacular mountain setting and experience life on a 2,400 hectare nature reserve and high country merino sheep station. Walk from your room into a natural paradise of beech forest, tussock clearings, moss-lined streams and lakes. A naturalist guides will help you learn about high country life and explore nature in this special place the first Maori visitors called "Te Ko Awa a Aniwaniwa - Valley of the Mother of the Rainbows."  Accommodation: Arthur Pass, Wilderness Lodge

Day 12: Arthur Pass - Christchurch airport departure) driving distance 1,5h
The driver will take you to your departing/connecting flight at the airport!  

Prices:
We are specialized in custom made tours for the desiring traveller. Each tour package will be tailored to your specific needs. Individual choices of accommodation style and the amount of activities you anticipate in will reflect on the general overall cost of the tour. Please make an enquiry.

Accommodation:
We use quality accommodations which are handpicked and have great hosts and are located in beautiful locations. All rooms are modern with private on suites or bathrooms! If you decide on 5 Star travel that we will offer you the best boutique lodging that New Zealand has to offer.

Dining:
We have decided not to include lunches and most dinners in the package (Exceptions’: Wilderness and Farm-stays and superior Lodges are inclusive private dinners), as we believe that each individual has different needs and tastes and that New Zealand had great restaurants in each area, that are within reach. It also allows you to choose places to your own budget. Your guide will advise you in each area about your best options. Special dietary needs can be catered for.

Activities:
We pride ourselves on a wide range of activities in your tour package. We chosen those that we feel will enhance your New Zealand experiences. You can participate in as many or as few as you like. If you are unable to participate in any activity or there are weather restrictions, alternatives will be provided where possible. Please check our activity list on 'Links' site

Transport:
All our vehicles are comfortable, luxury sedans (max 4 people) or luxury vans (max 8 people).

Support:
You will receive detailed pre-trip information. Including passport and visa requirements, packing tips and general travel information for New Zealand!
We have professional office staff to help you plan every aspect of your trip inside of New Zealand.