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Grand Traverse (from Auckland) - 16 Days

16 days
From Auckland to Queenstown
4.5
27 traveler reviews
Grand Traverse (from Auckland) - 16 Days - Flying Kiwi
From
US $2,667
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Price based on per person in Shared Camping for departure 16 January 2025

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Plan your adventure:
Fully Guided
An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Guided in English
Group Size 1 - 26
Age range 18 to 65
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Highlights

  • Dig your own hot pool on a stunning beach
  • Camp out by beaches and by lakes
  • Visit UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Cycle sections of the NZL cycle trail

Itinerary

Expand All
  1. Introduction
  1. Day 1 AUCKLAND TO HOT WATER BEACH
  2. Day 2 HOT WATER BEACH
  3. Day 3 HOT WATER BEACH TO ROTORUA
  4. Day 4 ROTORUA
  5. Day 5 ROTORUA TO NATIONAL PARK
  6. Day 6 NATIONAL PARK TO FOXTON (TONGARIRO CROSSING DAY)
  7. Day 7 FOXTON TO PICTON VIA WELLINGTON
  8. Day 8 PICTON - KAIKOURA
  9. Day 9 KAIKOURA TO LAKE TEKAPO VIA CHRISTCHURCH
  10. Day 10 LAKE TEKAPO
  11. Day 11 LAKE TEKAPO TO OAMARU VIA AORAKI/MT COOK
  12. Day 12 OAMARU TO TE ANAU
  13. Day 13 FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK
  14. Day 14 TE ANAU TO QUEENSTOWN
  15. Day 15 QUEENSTOWN
  16. Day 16 DEPART QUEENSTOWN
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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Customer Photos

Operated by

Flying Kiwi

Number of tours

6

Age Range

10 to 70 years old

Response time

within 2 days

Response rate

100%

Since 1988 Flying Kiwi has been recognised as New Zealand's leading adventure tour company. These unique tours focus on getting further off the beaten track - mixing stunning, remote locations with New Zealand's must see highlights. Every trip is carefully structured to provide a range of...

Read more

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Customer Reviews

  • Overall Rating
    Excellent
    4.5
  • Itinerary
    Excellent
    4.7
  • Guide
    Excellent
    4.9
  • Transport
    Excellent
    4.6
  • Accommodation
    Excellent
    4.1
  • Food
    Excellent
    4.3
  • 4.5
  • Most Recent
  • Most Popular
  • Highest First
  • Lowest First
  • Grand Traverse (from Auckland) - 16 Days reviewer 1
    · December 15th, 2024
    I'm usually travel alone. This is not my type of traveling but because of Flying Kiwi, this trip turned out amazing.
    Grand Traverse (from Auckland) - 16 Days customer review photo 1
    Trip date: November 2024
  • SB
    · February 12th, 2023
    The description at https://www.tourradar.com/t/2397 has many errors. For starters, the pickup is not at the Grand Millennium Hotel. No visit to Hobbiton. Many things were closed because of the weather (understandable) but quite a few were because a business had folded (not at all understandable as the tour company should have contacted all the businesses before the tour started). We all get that this was the first tour after Covid and that there are labor shortages in NZ, but the company was woefully unprepared. The guide and driver were great and did their best to make up for all the cancelations.
    Show more
    Flying Kiwi commented on this review
    Hi Steve, Thank you for your comment, we are very sorry that there were errors on the listed itinerary and have spoken with our Operations and Marketing teams to ensure that all information is correct and up to date for future travellers. We do hope... Show more
    Trip date: January 2023
  • Grand Traverse (from Auckland) - 16 Days reviewer 3
    · February 9th, 2023
    The guides did their best, but the organisation by the office was poor. Many people had asked beforehand about pre-booking activities, but were told this could be done during the tour. However, many activities were fully booked or didn't even exist any more! This tour was not what one would expect based on customer ratings from before (4,8/5), but we figured out this was due to changes of the ownership. The places we got to see and experience were great though and camping was nice. The bus air con was effective but the audio system poor so it was difficult to understand what the guide said being a non-native speaker. Also loud music was played during the bus rides which we didn't like. As a whole the trip was definitely worth it, just don't get your expectations too high. Also the office needs to improve a lot, if they
    Show more
    Trip date: January 2023
  • NA
    · March 20th, 2020
    New Zealand is beautiful and energizing and the people we met were just great on the tour. There were many highlights to applaud but I want to point out that some of the accomodations, even with upgrades, were below my expectations. More than one were unclean, no hot showers and I received bed bugs bites on one occasion. (several people reported bites that night) You should scratch that funky farm house off your housing list! I think the cooked meals together were very good and Janelle went beyond many times to take care of people. I think Sam could of used some more help with a third person for bag transfer, driving, etc., ALOT for 2 of your staff to contend with . I think the excursions were really expensive and some should of been included. With upgrades in accomodations and extra excursion costs, this was no bargain tour. Blessings to all in your company for doing your best and stay safe out there in this beautiful world . Back to USA via 5 airports and feel pretty good. Nancy Adrian
    Show more
    Flying Kiwi commented on this review
    Thank you for your review Nancy. The farm stay is a highlight for many as they love it's rustic and remote charm. Sam and Janelle indeed do a wonderful job as do all of the team. We do include many things on our trips but items just as skydiving etc... Show more
    Trip date: March 2020
  • AM
    · February 29th, 2020
    Excellent. I am very happy about every aspect of this trip. The only suggestion for change is about the long hours and lack of days off for the bus driver and our guide. This is a hard work and many hours involved. 51 days of driving without day off may be dangerous and it is not fair to the customers and to the driver. Even though they were working hard they provided an excellent service and care. I am very thankful and satisfied with their work.
    Show more
    Flying Kiwi commented on this review
    Hi Aleksandra, thank you for your review it's great to hear you enjoyed your trip. Drivers and guides at times choose to work additional days during the busy season but don't worry we always ensure their work hours fall within the legal logbook... Show more
    Trip date: February 2020
  • SK
    · February 24th, 2020
    The Flying Kiwi tour of New Zealand was an excellent vacation. The trip covered so much of the country in a small amount of time. Each day we were in a different location, and we had the opportunity to sign up for multiple activities. The pace of this trip was very fast, but was exactly what I expected. I especially enjoyed meeting other travelers from all over the world. We got along like one big happy family, and our Flying Kiwi tour leaders made the trip an awesome experience.
    Show more
    Flying Kiwi commented on this review
    Thanks for the review and welcome to the Flying Kiwi family :)
    Trip date: February 2020
  • TV
    · February 10th, 2020
    Overall, the trip was an awesome experience. The leaders Sam and Janelle worked so hard each day to make the trip run smoothly and to solve any passenger concerns quickly. As mentioned on other feedback forms, I really appreciated the daily hiking opportunities, felt like having bikes on the bus was a little bit of hassle (when maybe the whole group could just rent bikes a couple of times during the trip) and that the trip could have included more cultural activities like visits to a farm to learn about sheep and cattle ranching, dairy, cheese, produce, wine, cooking. It wasn't clear to me on booking that passengers would be coming and going from the group but that makes it easier for people to customize trip length. Food was good, maybe a little more variety on the provided breakfasts and lunches would have been well received. Sleeping pads were comfortable and the tents were durable and easy to put up. Bus was clean and comfortable and driving very safe. Booking process went well.
    Show more
    Flying Kiwi commented on this review
    Great and thanks for the 5-star review, Theresa. We really appreciate your feedback and will make sure to pass that all back to our ops team as part of our constant improvement. :)
    Trip date: January 2020
  • VH
    · January 24th, 2020
    I had an awesome time and have seen many awesome things during the trip.
    Flying Kiwi commented on this review
    Fantastic! Thank you Viktoria, great to hear you enjoyed your trip.
    Trip date: January 2020
  • M
    · December 13th, 2019
    Highly recommend, delicious self made food, excellent Guide /driver Very good hire equipment specially (bikes and tents) I liked all those remote campsites which you never find alone. Thanks
    Flying Kiwi commented on this review
    Fantastic, thanks Markus that's great to hear. Cheers, Brenda
    Trip date: September 2019
  • TN
    · December 9th, 2019
    Better than expected: - Flying Kiwi team is great which is led by Bobbi John who has a vast of knowledges of all visited places, history of NZ,, sports, activities. He’s funny, caring & passionate with his team. - Our tourists team has a great dynamic, everyone is taking care of each other like a big happy family even we had some obstacles on the way due to weather & transportation. All stepped up to help Flying Kiwi team which made great memories! - Highly recommend it!
    Show more
    Flying Kiwi commented on this review
    Great to hear you enjoyed your trip = we will pass your comments on to the team :)
    Trip date: November 2019

Dates & Availability

16 days
Grand Traverse (from Auckland) - 16 Days
From Auckland to Queenstown

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    Thursday
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    Friday
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    Filling Fast
    Multiple Room Types
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    Only Pay $140 Deposit
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    Thursday
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    Friday
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What our customers ask about this tour

    The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
    • Is the tour suitable for children?

      Children are welcome on our tours, but please ensure they are comfortable with the camping aspects and activities planned.

    • What clothing is appropriate for a March tour?

      For a March tour, pack light layers including a waterproof coat, as weather can be variable.

    • When will bookings open for tours in the upcoming year?

      Bookings for tours in the upcoming year typically open around the end of February; please check our website for the most current information.

    • Where does the tour start, and where can we meet?

      The tour starts outside the Attic Backpackers in Auckland, and we recommend you stay there prior to start for convenience.

    • What is the process for booking extra nights before or after the tour?

      You can book additional nights in accommodations like the Nomads Queenstown; reservations can be made through our booking platform.

    • Can I arrange flights into Auckland and out of Queensland for the tour? What about the luggage?

      You can arrange flights as specified; however, ensure your luggage handling requirements are managed as per airline policies.

    • What kind of accommodations are available in Queenstown?

      In Queenstown, we offer options such as private rooms and hostelling accommodations.

    • How do I book activities such as biking or kayaking during the tour?

      Activities like biking and kayaking can be arranged during your tour; please specify your interests early to facilitate bookings.

    • What happens if there is a discrepancy with the monthly withdrawal amounts from my bank account?

      If there is a discrepancy in payments, please verify with our finance department to correct any errors.

    • Does travel insurance cover all expenses if I am unable to attend due to sudden illness?

      Travel insurance typically covers most unforeseen illness costs, but verify the terms specific to your policy.

    Can’t find the answer to your question?
    Reach out to the experts at Flying Kiwi with your enquiry, they usually respond within 2 days.

    Good to Know

    Tour ID: 2397

    • Currency
      $
      New Zealand Dollar
      New Zealand
    • Plugs & Adapters

      As a traveler from USA, Canada, England, South Africa you will need an adaptor for type I.

      Type I
      New Zealand
    • Visa
      • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
      • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
    • Payment information
      • For any tour departing before January 28th, 2025 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after January 28th, 2025, a minimum payment of $140 is required to confirm your booking with Flying Kiwi. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 36 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
      • Some departure dates and prices may vary and Flying Kiwi will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
      • The following cards are accepted for "Flying Kiwi" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
    • Cancellation Policy
    • Accessibility
      Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.

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