Fiji & New Zealand North Island

Upon arrival at the airport, our representatives will meet you to transfer you to your resort, where you will stay for seven nights.

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Resort Fiji Denarau Island (Standard Garden View King room)

Experience the highlights of Fiji on a Nadi tour. Visit the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere, explore the vibrant Namaka Market, discover the historical Vesisei Village, and stroll through the picturesque Garden of the Sleeping Giant. Admire the ornate carvings and colorful festivals at Nadi Temple before exploring the bustling market and tasting local food. Marvel at Fiji's extensive collection of vibrant orchids at the Garden of the Sleeping Giant and learn about Fiji's history at Vesisei Village. Enjoy a 360-degree bird's-eye view of the East's mountain ranges from the Vuda Lookout and taste tropical fruits from the citrus farm.

 Meals: Breakfast

 Accommodation: Radisson Blu Resort Fiji Denarau Island (Standard Garden View King room)

TIVUA ISLAND DAY CRUISE

Experience an unforgettable day in paradise with a variety of activities for everyone. Set sail for picturesque Tivua Island aboard the magnificent tall ships Ra Marama & Spirit of the Pacific or the luxurious sailing catamaran Fiji One. Tivua is a tiny jewel in the Mamanuca island group, surrounded by white sand beaches and coral gardens. Snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and glass-bottom boat tours are just a few available water-based activities. You can also participate in a traditional Kava ceremony, learn how to husk and weave coconut fibers, and participate in a medicine nature walk. Enjoy a BBQ lunch with beer, wine, and soft drinks.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Resort Fiji Denarau Island (Standard Garden View King room)

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Auckland, New Zealand. Arrive in Auckland, and meet our local representative at the airport for your private transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the 'City of Sails' as Auckland is known.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Grand Millennium Auckland (Superior room)

In the morning, join a small group Auckland City tour. Our small group tour is a journey of discovery designed to explore the history and sights and see how Aucklanders live and play. Travel up Queens Street, Auckland's prime shopping mile, through the inner-city park known as the Domain. Continue through the picturesque suburb of Ponsonby with its historic buildings before heading over the Harbor Bridge to Auckland's North Shore. Stroll on one of the beautiful white sand beaches where there is time for a coffee before continuing up to the summit of Mt Victoria with its stunning panoramic views of Auckland City and historic Devonport. You then travel back over the Harbor Bridge to view Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere. The afternoon is at your leisure.

 Meals: Breakfast

 Accommodation: Grand Millennium Auckland (Superior room)

After breakfast, pick up your rental car from a nearby station. Drive heading south on State Highway 1. You pass through the South Auckland suburbs of Papatoetoe and Manukau before ascending the famous Bombay Hills, separating greater Auckland from the mighty Waikato region. Descending Bombay Hills, turn off onto State Highway 2. You enter the green rolling hills of rural Waikato, New Zealand's most significant dairy-producing area and named after New Zealand's longest river, the Waikato. Turn off State Highway 1 and turn east onto State Highway 27 towards Matamata and Rotorua. Just outside the small town of Matamata lies the Hobbiton Movie Set. Welcome to Middle Earth! Located on an active 1250-acre sheep farm, this is where Sir Peter Jackson has found the perfect location for JRR Tolkien's phantasy world of 'Middle Earth.' Here you join a small 90-minute guided tour that starts with a drive through the picturesque farm with spectacular views across the towering Kaimai Ranges. Take a look at Bag End, where Frodo's and Bilbo's adventures began, and visit the 44 permanently constructed Hobbit Holes before visiting The Green Dragon Inn, the mill, and the Party Tree.

Continue your drive to Rotorua, a region rich with geothermal activity releasing hydrogen sulfide, giving the area its distinctive smell. Depending on the weather, you may likely smell Rotorua before you arrive. In the afternoon, visit Rainbow Springs Nature Park Rotorua, set amongst flourishing native forests and natural springs and is home to the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa, the world's most successful kiwi hatchery. We combine the guided park tour with a 'behind-the-scenes tour of the hatchery to see natural kiwi conservation in action. This tour leads to the hatchery and nursery where young chicks are hatched and raised, over 2000 chicks to date, before being released back into the wild.

In the evening, experience a traditional Maori evening at Mitai Village for an introduction to Maori culture and food. Mitai Village is nestled in a natural bush setting just outside of Rotorua. You witness the arrival of the 'waka,' the ancient warrior canoe on the Wai-O-Whiro stream, and your guide explains all the secrets to cooking a traditional 'hangi' and the traditions of ta moko,' Maori tattoo art. A cultural performance displaying weaponry and combat, coupled with the beauty of the poi dance, will finish with the highlight – the spine-tingling 'haka.' A traditional hangi dinner rounds off an unforgettable evening with the Mitai family.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Millennium Rotorua (Superior room)

After breakfast, head South towards Taupo on State Highway 5, adequately named the "Thermal Explorer" highway. Pause at any geothermal wonders along the way, such as Wai-O-Tapu, Waimangu Valley, or Craters of the Moon near Taupo. We have included a self-guided walk and cruise at Waimangu Volcanic Valley, the world's youngest geothermal system. This eco-experience is set in pristine New Zealand bush and encompasses beautiful Lake Rotomahana. See up close fascinating geothermal features such as steaming volcanic crater lakes, unique ecology, and rare botany. Take a leisurely boat cruise on Lake Rotomahana, the newest of New Zealand's extensive, naturally formed lakes. The result of the 1886 Mt. Tarawera eruption exploded the lake 20 times its former size. The lake has a geothermal system with unusual thermal activity that can only be seen from the boat. Today Lake Rotomahana is an unspoiled, natural wilderness area protected from development. Reaching Taupo, you will enjoy splendid views of Lake Taupo, the largest freshwater lake in the Southern Hemisphere. Weather permitting, Mount Ruapehu, Mount Tongariro, and Mount Ngaurohoe can be seen in the distance.

In the late afternoon, experience a Lake Taupo sunset cruise where you enjoy a picturesque view of the town by water. Relax with a drink from the bar and listen to some Kiwi classical music before arriving at the carvings to witness a fantastic view as the Maori Rock Carvings are lit up by floodlights. This large, comfortable, covered catamaran is an excellent cruise for all weather.

Meals: Breakfast 

Accommodation: Millennium Rotorua (Superior room)

After an early breakfast, drive through one of New Zealand's greenest places and richest agricultural regions. Pass land with lush grass for raising cattle, thoroughbred horses, and vast stands of exotic timber. This part of New Zealand's North Island is only sparsely populated. This 2 hours' drive is one of the most beautiful and remote in this part of the country. Join a small group, guided tour through the famous glowworm caves in Waitomo. Waitomo in Te Reo Maori means 'where the water disappears into a hole in the ground.' Several different caves are open to the public, each with distinctive features. The Waitomo Glowworm Cave is the best known and though technically not 'worms,' but a species of fungus gnat endemic to New Zealand. They are luminescent both during the larval stage and imago. Your local guide explains the history of these sacred grounds and the 'glowworms' biology. It will lead you onto a spectacular boat ride through the majestic 'Cathedral' with millions of luminescent larvae, a truly magical experience.

After your tour, drive back to Auckland Airport for your onward flight or to Auckland downtown for an extension.

Meals: Breakfast