The terms and conditions and Cancellation Policy for this New Zealand program are different from those of our standard programs. Please review these sections carefully to ensure you fully understand the specific requirements and rules that apply to this trip. Want the full experience Down Under? Consider our 29-day program that combines Australia and New Zealand.
If you're looking for a warm winter travel destination, why not escape the winter blues and discover the wonder of New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere? Gain insight into the Maori way of life through a visit to a traditional village, and then discover the adventure capital of Queenstown. With our carefully planned 15-day itinerary, you will be able to take in the must-see attractions of both the North and South Islands, making the most of your time in this extraordinary destination. Experience the best of New Zealand with us, all while earning professional development credit with other educators.
This program has different terms and conditions than other GEEO programs. Please see the Details section for more information.
Arrive in Auckland at any time. Due to the potential for flight delays or cancellations, we recommend that you plan to arrive in New Zealand at least a day in advance. This will also give you time to adjust to the time difference and overcome any jet lag. We can book extra hotel nights for you in Auckland before the trip. Hotel Check-in and Welcome Meeting Please note that check-in at the hotel is usually around 2:00-3:00 p.m. There are no planned activities until an intro meeting around 6:00 or 7:00 p.m., usually in the hotel lobby. Check for a sign or ask at the reception desk about the exact time and location of the group meeting. Please make every effort to arrive in time for this meeting. If you are delayed and will arrive late, please inform us. Your tour leader will then leave you a message at the front desk informing you of where and when to meet up tomorrow. After the meeting, you might choose to get dinner at a nearby restaurant with your traveling companions and your tour leader to further get to know one another. Joining Instructions When you arrive at the airport, you can either take a taxi or use public transportation to reach the Auckland city center: By Taxi - $70-80 USD, approximately 30 minutes. By Shuttle Bus - $33 for 1 person, $8 per additional. The “Super Shuttle” is a 24-hour service that takes approximately 1 hour. The shuttle waits outside of the terminal and provides door-to-door service. By SkyDrive - $18 NZD (~$12 USD) per person. Leaves from outside the airport terminal every 10-15 minutes and takes approximately 1 hour and ends at Sky Tower, which is approximately 20 minutes from the hotel on foot. If you have much luggage, you may need to take a taxi from Sky Tower to the hotel – the Super Shuttle may be a better option. Accommodation: Nesuto Stadium Hotel & Apartments (or similar) * For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Drive to the lakeside town of Rotorua, situated over an active geothermal zone and known for its volcanic features and rich Maori heritage. Stop en route at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where you enjoy a peaceful boat ride through 30-million-year-old caverns covered with magical glowworms that are unique to New Zealand. Hundreds of thousands of these tiny creatures radiate luminescent light in underground caves carved by rivers and time. Approximate travel time: 7-8 hrs by private vehicle Accommodation: Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar)
Rotorua sits over an active volcano and is home to a number of amazing geothermal parks with bubbling mud pits and multi-colored pools. Opt to visit one of the sites, like Hell's Gate, or go whitewater rafting nearby. Visit the Mitai Maori Village and learn the story of Tamatekapua's migration to Aotearoa via the Te Arawa canoe and the Māori/Pasifika connection told in dance form. Enjoy a delicious Hangi meal, similar to a Hawaiian lūʻau, with dishes such as chicken, sweet potato (kumara), and lamb steamed over heated rocks. Accommodation: Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Pack a book and download your favorite podcasts in preparation for a long travel day on the North Island to the capital, Wellington. Approximate travel time: 7-8 hrs by private vehicle Accommodation: Naumi Studio Hotel Wellington (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast
Take a brief orientation walk in Wellington with your tour leader. After the orientation walk, enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to take the cable car up to the botanical gardens or visit the Te Papa Museum, home to historical Maori artifacts and modern exhibits. Find the stairwell just outside the entrance and descend into the foundations of the building to see how the museum is constructed on shock absorbers to withstand New Zealand’s many earthquakes. If you opt for a guided tour of the Weta Workshop, you will get a unique behind-the-scenes look at how the workshop helps design some of the world’s biggest films. Get up close and personal with props from The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia. Accommodation: Naumi Studio Hotel Wellington (or similar)
Fly from Wellington to Christchurch on the South Island, then travel by bus to Kaikoura, known for its diverse marine life. Approximate travel time: 1 hr by plane, 3 hrs by private vehicle Accommodation: The White Morph (or similar) Meals included: Dinner
During a free morning in Kaikoura, opt to follow in the path of Paikea, the Maori "whale rider," and head out to the open seas in search of Giant Sperm Whales as they spray and dive their way through the waters off Kaikora. Or search for wild dusky dolphins; depending on conditions, most groups have 20-40 minutes of swim time with the dolphins. Next, travel to Hanmer Springs, stopping en route for a wine tasting at a local winery. Upon arrival in Hanmer Springs, opt to take a soak in the hot springs. Approximate travel time: 3 hrs by private vehicle Accommodation: Drifters Inn Hanmer Springs (or similar)
Stretch out and enjoy the stunning scenery while traveling across the Southern Alps from Hanmer Springs to Franz Josef. The Southern Alps mountain range extends along much of the length of New Zealand's South Island. Franz Josef is in the rugged and remote West Coast, where you will stay in the rainforest near the world's fastest-moving glacier. The Māori refer to the area as Waiau. Approximate travel time: 8 hrs by private vehicle (including stops) Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast
There are plenty of optional activities in the area to suit just about any budget and preference. Feel free to relax, or try optional activities like heli hiking, glacier valley walking, quad biking, lake kayaking, or a hot pool visit. Your tour leader has more ideas if you need them. Just ask! During a helicopter hike, you can take a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter ride high up on Franz Josef Glacier, and then hop out and trek on the white and blue ice. Or you can take a guided interpretive walk that follows ancient glacial pathways carved into the landscape by ice and water along the Franz Josef glacier's retreat. If you'd rather ride than walk or fly, a two-seater ATV quad bike is a great way to explore rainforests, riverbeds, grasslands, sand, and mud. You can also explore the stunning Lake Mapourika by kayak; the lake was created as the Franz Josef glacier retreated 14,000 years ago. Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast
Continue to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. With beautiful scenery and tons of activities, there's something for everyone. Enjoy the great nightlife. Approximate travel time: 8-9 hrs by private vehicle Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Queenstown (or similar)
During you free time in Queenstown, opt to go bungee jumping ("bungy" in New Zealand, its birthplace), jet boating (also born here!), skydiving, paragliding, hiking, or mountain biking. Or take it a little slower and travel by gondola to the top of a local peak. Opt to pre-book a Queenstown jet boating activity along the Shotover River ahead of time. Imagine a fast-paced whitewater ride with sharp turns and spins expertly navigated by a trained driver. Just email travel@geeo.org after booking to sign up. If you prefer a slower pace, discover the breathtaking Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw, a traditional steamship that was first launched in 1912. This 90-minute cruise highlights the stunning alpine scenery that surrounds Queenstown and lets you check out the views while relaxing on deck. Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Queenstown (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast
Cruise through the stunning Doubtful Sound, one of the most untouched, remote places in the world. The only way to get here is by boat across Lake Manapouri, then bus across Wilmont Pass to Doubtful Sound. Marvel at the steep cliff walls and cascading waterfalls, and keep an eye out for area wildlife: dolphins, penguins, seals, and a variety of birds. This isolated part of New Zealand is truly a special place! Take in the waterfalls and wildlife, then return to Queenstown for the night. Approximate travel time: 6 hrs (Queenstown - Doubtful Sound round-trip) by private vehicle Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Queenstown (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
Head through the center of the South Island New Zealand's highest peak, Mt. Cook. Learn more about mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary at the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park visitor centre. Aoraki/Mount Cook is both a village, a national park, and the name of New Zealand's highest mountain. Located in central South Island, the park includes a mix of rocks and glaciers, as well as alpine plants including the world's largest buttercup, the Mount Cook lily. There are several short hikes that offer spectacular views. Approximate travel time: 5 hrs by private vehicle Accommodation: Godley Hotel (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast
Travel to the Garden City of Christchurch, a little piece of England in New Zealand, still recovering from a devastating earthquake. Once in Christchurch, take a brief orientation walk with your tour leader, and enjoy free time with your travel companions on your last night in New Zealand. Approximate travel time: 3 hrs by private vehicle Accommodation: Bealey Quarter (or similar)
There are no planned activities today, so you may depart Christchurch at any time. The nearest airport is Christchurch Airport (CHC). If you wish to extend your stay in Christchurch, consider booking post-tour accommodation with us. Please note that check-out time from the hotel is usually mid-morning, but luggage storage services are available at the reception desk. Want more adventure? Book two or more GEEO programs in the same school year and receive a discount! GEEO will give you 10% off of the lesser value program(s) (up to 3 programs per year). If you would like to extend your time abroad but don't see another GEEO program that interests you, let us know. We can work with you to find a trip from our tour operator’s much larger catalog. Their tours are open to the general public and not designed specifically for educators, but we can still offer you and your travel companions a discounted educator price on any additional tours that you book. Meals included: Breakfast
Please read this article on GEEO’s blog for our staff’s suggestions on the best gear to pack for your upcoming travels. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them up and down stairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels. As a rule, we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags, which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 22-30 lb. Most travelers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size. No XXL bags please! A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person plus a daypack per person.