New Zealand Tour for Seniors - 23 Days
We designed this New Zealand Tour for Seniors for a lovely retired couple in their 70’s from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, who needed a New Zealand Travel Agentto help customize them a Seniors Travel Package.
The couple were open to a fully escorted coach tour but preferred more freedom to have their travel adventure handcrafted for them instead of being part of a seniors travel group tour.
We created this bespoke itinerary around travel for seniors and their wants and needs, considering that after much discussion, they wanted a combination of self-drive but not being on the road every day and still joining other small group tours for a day trip as needed.
Our New Zealand Specialists curated this itinerary by asking many questions about their fitness levels, interests, and even if they were early risers of night owls to make sure their start to the day was made easy.
This example self-drive tour encompasses both the North and South Island of New Zealand. Some of the many highlights included are a Maori Hangi Dinner, a wonderful New Zealand Farmstay with a local family, and a majestic overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound.
While this tour package was created for Seniors, this itinerary can be tweaked and tailor-made for anyone.
We are not only a Seniors Travel Agency; we are South Pacific Travel Specialists for everyone, whether on your honeymoon, an anniversary, a family vacation, single or solo traveler, or crossing one off the bucket list.
That is the beauty of having a bespoke itinerary designed and not a cookie-cutter pre-packaged itinerary! It is all designed just for you!
If you are interested in a fully guided group tour or joining a bus tour, we can certainly assist you with these – we have many we can offer around your wants, needs, time restrictions, and budget.
Our clientele is located all across The USA and Canada!
Prices are not listed on this itinerary as our New Zealand Travel Agents customize for each client’s wants and needs.
Contact your New Zealand Travel Agents for more information.
Tour Highlights
Day 1- Departure Day from Canada or the USA
Depart your home city in Canada or the USA to either Vancouver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Houston Texas to connect to your onward flight to Auckland, New Zealand.
Day 2 - Travel Day
Travel Day due to time zones.
Day 3 - Arrive Auckland New Zealand
After clearing customs and immigration formalities, you will be met by a driver who will be holding a sign with your name at the arrivals hall and will transfer you to your accommodation.
Welcome to New Zealand! Your New Zealand Travel Agent specialist will be giving you a welcome call shortly.
Day 4 - Auckland
Please be ready & waiting in the hotel lobby where you will meet your driver for your half-day small group Auckland highlights tour.
Your half-day Auckland Highlights tour includes many of the “must-do” experiences while visiting the city. Discover the sparkling Waitemata Harbour and see why Auckland is dubbed the “City of Sails”. Learn about the fascinating history as you explore historical sites, seaside villages, and the crater of an ancient volcano.
This evening tie up at a sheltered anchorage within the largest yacht marina in the southern hemisphere where you will be invited to your table below decks and served dinner.
Day 5 - Auckland to Waitako
Today please make your way to the Rental Car office as your car has been reserved for you until drop off at Rotorua Airport.
Please commence your drive to your farm stay property where you will enjoy an evening with a local family.
Day 6 - Waitako to Rotorua
Today make your way to Rotorua, a journey of approximately 2 hours (133 km / 83 Miles).
Day 7 - Rotorua
Your Rotorua Diamond Pass (self-drive) includes entry to five attractions in Rotorua – Te Puia, Skyline Skyrides, Agrodome, Polynesian Spa, and choice of entry to Paradise Valley Springs or Rainbow Springs. It is easy to visit all attractions in one day, although this can be extended over more than one day if a more leisurely time is desired.
This evening you will be collected from your hotel. Your tour to Tamaki Maori Village takes you on a cultural journey to the marae (Maori village), the life force of New Zealand’s indigenous people. Imagination takes over as your guide instructs you on the protocol for visiting the marae. A chief is selected, a song is learned and the eerie cry of the welcome is heard before you enter the world of the proud warriors of the ancient Maori.
Please contact the airline today and re-confirm your flight for tomorrow to Blenheim. If there have been any schedule changes then please contact your New Zealand Travel Agent Expert for assistance.
Day 8 - Rotorua to Blenheim
This morning, make your way to the Rotorua Airport, return your Rental Car, and check in for your flight to Blenheim.
Upon arrival make your way to the Rental Car desk located inside the airport terminal. A car has been reserved for you until drop off at Dunedin Airport.
Day 9 - Blenheim
Enjoy the Icons of Marlborough in one day with a tour through the famous Marlborough wine region & Marlborough Sounds. Your guide will show you through the Marlborough Wine Region stopping to enjoy two winery visits. Then depart the wine region through to the small seaport town of Havelock. Here you will enjoy lunch right on the waterfront (this is at your own expense). After lunch, you will depart Havelock on the Marlborough Travel launch for the Greenshell Mussel Cruise through the Marlborough Sounds. Visit a Greeenshell Mussel Farm and learn why this delicacy grows so well in the Marlborough Sounds. Taste a local favorite – freshly steamed mussels matched perfectly to a complimentary glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
Day 10 - Blenheim to Kaikoura
Today make your way to Kaikoura, a journey of approximately one hour & forty-five minutes (129 km / 81 miles).
Day 11 - Kaikoura
This morning join your dolphin tour in Kaikoura New Zealand. It is a truly unique experience! The tours have two options, watching (viewing) or swimming, both these options occur on the same boats. The dusky dolphins inhabit the coastal waters off Kaikoura all year round, making Kaikoura a unique place in the world where wild dolphins can be encountered every day, weather permitting.
Day 12 - Kaikoura to Arthurs Pass
Today make your way to Arthurs Pass, a journey of approximately four hours (305 km / 190 miles).
Overnight in Arthurs Pass to break your journey.
Day 13 - Arthurs Pass to Franz Josef
Today make your way to Franz Josef, a journey of approximately three hours & ten minutes (234 km / 146 miles).
Depending on your arrival time you may wish to book a Heli-hike or tour of Franz Josef for the afternoon or the next morning!
Overnight in Franz Josef.
Day 14 - Franz Josef to Queenstown
Today make your way to Queenstown, a journey of approximately five hours (354 km / 220 miles).
Check-in to your hotel or apartment in Queenstown.
Day 15 - Queenstown
This morning check-in for your Walter Peak Farm & BBQ Lunch Excursion.
Enjoy a free afternoon in Queenstown.
Day 16 - Queenstown
Today choose from several touring options.
1/ A tour of the lord of the rings film and The Hobbit locations (no sets are left) via Horseback or 4WD!
2/ A Tour of the many wineries in the area.
3/ A Round of Golf at one of the many world-renowned Golf courses in New Zealand.
4/ A Jet Boat Ride
5/ A Day Hike
6/ Go Crazy and Bungee jump or swing off a Canyon.
We could go on and on with options but we will discuss them with you!
Day 17 - Queenstown to Te Anau
Today, make your way to Te Anau, a journey of approximately two and a half hours (172 km / 107 miles).
Day 18 - Te Anau to Doubtful Sound
This morning, you will be collected from your accommodation for your overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound.
Day 19 - Doubtful Sound to Te Anau
After enjoying a hearty breakfast the next morning there will be more time to explore before returning to Deep Cove. Return to Te Anau by coach and you will be dropped back to your accommodation.
Tonight, make you way to the Visitor Centre to check-in for your Glowworm tour.
Day 20 - Te Anau to Dunedin
Today make your way to Dunedin, a journey of approximately four hours (291 km / 181 miles).
Day 21 - Dunedin
Your Wildlife tour today features a boat cruise aboard the ‘Monarch’, and the royal Albatross nesting area tour.
Day 22 - Otago
Day at your leisure.
Please contact your airline and re-confirm your flight back to Canada or the USA tomorrow. If any changes then please contact your New Zealand Travel Agent specialist so we may assist you.
Day 23 - Dunedin to Auckland to Canada/USA
This morning, make your way to the Dunedin Airport, return your Rental Car, and check-in for your flight to Auckland and then on-wards to Canada or the USA.
If you have an onward flight connection when arriving in Canada or the USA… i.e Calgary, New York, Chicago, Miami, Boston, Winnipeg then please make sure you ask the airline to check your bags right through. Upon arrival in Canada or the USA, you need to clear immigration and customs and then put your checked luggage back onto the transfer belt or trolley before finding your next flight.
We hope you have enjoyed your customized vacation to New Zealand designed especially for you by your New Zealand Travel Agent.
** Note our couple needed to return to Canada straight after their Seniors Self Drive Tour but The Cook Islands are a great stopover option in combination with New Zealand if you have the time! You will not regret this beautiful location and some extra downtime!