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The Ultimate "Outside the Square" New Zealand Adventure
New Zealand, or Aotearoa – "the land of the long white cloud" (or Middle-earth for you "Lord of the Rings" fans) – is truly an adventurer's dream. With its snow-capped mountains, golden sand beaches, majestic fiords, and incredible food and wine, few places on Earth pack as much punch per square kilometer. This isn't your average tour. Forget the crowds and generic stops! Our OTS adventure will show you the very best of New Zealand in comfort and with a touch of style, with your dedicated OTS guide and driver in a comfortable minivan. This means we can stop whenever we want, enjoy impromptu picnics on the beach, discover delightful local cafés, visit hidden waterfalls, pop into a boutique winery, and search out interesting restaurants and coffee shops – generally avoiding the coach tour masses altogether. This trip is designed for those who love getting outdoors and truly immersing themselves. A modest level of fitness, allowing you to comfortably walk a formed path for 1-2 hours at a time, will ensure you get the full experience, but there are always shorter options available too. Please note: Daily itineraries may be adjusted based on weather to ensure the best possible experience. Your Aotearoa Journey: A Glimpse of Our Adventure Auckland – City of Sails & Rugged Coasts Day 1: Arrival in Auckland (3 nights) Welcome to the "City of Sails"! Arrive anytime today and meet us at our arrival hotel. Most international flights land early, so you'll have a chance to drop your bags at reception and take a refreshing walk. After checking in and freshening up, if you're up for it, join us for an afternoon city walk of Auckland. Jet lag usually means an early restful night to recover. (B) Day 2: Exploring Auckland's Volcanic Vista Today is dedicated to exploring Auckland's highlights and its various volcanic hills, which offer spectacular viewpoints of the dramatic landscape. This evening, we'll all gather for our Welcome Meal, a perfect opportunity to get to know your fellow adventurers over delicious local cuisine. (B, D) Day 3: Wild West Coast & Black Sand Beaches After breakfast, we'll head off to discover Auckland's rugged west coast, famous for its dramatic volcanic black sand beaches. It's a truly stunning day out! The evening is yours to freely explore Auckland's renowned restaurant scene. (B) North Island's Geothermal Wonders & Middle-earth Day 4: Auckland to Taupo (1 night) Today, we head south through New Zealand's rich farmlands. There's an optional visit to Hobbiton for a 2-hour tour – an experience that charms even non-Lord of the Rings fans Afterwards, we continue to Taupo, home to the amazing, powerful Huka Falls. (B) Geothermal Marvels & Māori Culture Day 5: Rotorua (1 night) We'll have an early start as we head into nature's geothermal wonderland at the spectacular and colorful Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. We'll also enjoy a traditional lunch in a Māori village, immersing ourselves in the local culture. In the evening, there's the option to visit the famous Polynesian Spa and soak your bones in its soothing thermal waters. (B.L) South Island Arrival & West Coast Glaciers Day Day 6: Christchurch – (1 night) After breakfast, we head directly to the airport to catch our flight to Christchurch, marking the exciting beginning of our South Island adventure! We'll arrive with time to explore the beautiful botanical gardens and enjoy a walk along the Avon River in this resilient "Garden City," still rebuilding after its devastating earthquakes. (B) Southern Alps Crossing & Wilderness Coast Day 7: Hokitika (1 night) Today, we hit the road and drive over the spectacular Southern Alps via Arthur's Pass. For train enthusiasts, there's an optional opportunity to catch the iconic Transalpine train for this section – one of the world's great train journeys! You'll meet our comfortable minivan and your luggage at the other end. Whether by train or minivan, the trip through this scenery is simply spectacular. (B) Day 8: Franz Josef Glaciers & Hot Pools (1 night) Leaving Greymouth, the scenery continues to be breathtaking as we drive down the dramatic West Coast to the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers region. We'll aim to arrive around lunchtime, allowing for an afternoon walk to the base of the Glacier before returning to Franz Josef village for a well-deserved soak in the natural hot pools. (B) Majestic Fiordland & Adventure Capital Day 9: Wanaka (1 night) After breakfast, we continue our journey south, crossing the Southern Alps at the stunning Haast Pass, stopping for countless photo opportunities. We'll then wind our way down to picturesque Lake Wanaka, where we'll pause for an free time afternoon in this lovely town and setting. (B) Queenstown & Fiordland's Wonders Day 10-11: Te Anau (2 nights) Te Anau is our base for exploring the magnificent Milford sound national park with a cruise on the sound being an absolute highlight. Weather permitting, we'll also enjoy some spectacular short walks in the alpine region. (B) Day 12-13: Queenstown (2 nights) Often called the "adventure capital of the world," Queenstown is set amidst truly spectacular scenery. We'll have ample time to enjoy its great bars and restaurants, and explore the majestic views everywhere. (B, D) Day 14: Farewell Aotearoa Queenstown airport is just a short taxi ride away. You can depart anytime today for your onwards journey, or – as many do – extend your stay to enjoy a few extra days in one of the most spectacular places on Earth. (B) Our Unique OTS Accommodation & Dining Experience On this trip, our accommodation will be an eclectic mixture of charming lodges, cozy B&Bs, welcoming guesthouses, and comfortable hotels, all with en-suite facilities. As always on my trips, we will seek out character-filled, value-for-money places over "generic hotels." Think 3-4 star with that special "X factor" and a central location, giving you a true taste of Kiwi hospitality. Some places will include breakfast, and in some, we'll embrace the local "Kiwi style" of local cafés or self-catering (provisions provided by OTS), allowing for greater flexibility and immersion. One of the great advantages of a small, private trip like this is the freedom it affords. Because of our small size, we get to eat in cafés and restaurants where the locals eat, rather than being confined to buffets at chain hotels. We can find little, private lodges with real character, and we get to stop whenever we want – whether it's for a scenic photo, a local market, or just to stretch our legs – completely avoiding the shopping stops coach tours are forced to make. We can also make changes when the weather requires it, or when I get to know your interests and discover something truly special I'd love to show you. It will be like a private tour, but without the hefty price tag. Packing Essentials for Your Adventure For this trip, you'll definitely need:
Gay life Outside of Auckland and Christchurch there is limited commercial gay life, but this is a very accepting country Gay marriage is legal, and if course Grindr works everywhere, but we have a full on trip, and you will probably choose an early night. 
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New Zealand a 14 day adventure.
Arrive Auckland (AKL) and depart Queenstown (ZQN). A 14 day adventure highlighting the best of both the North and the South Islands of this wonderful country. Dates for this trip are still being finalized and will be March/April NZ autumn colors 2028. Min 8 Max 12. Highlights inc:-
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Not Include
Cost estimate for 2028. Twin share USD $5995 Single room USD $900 To make it easier to secure a spot the deposit can be paid in 2 parts. How this will work
The green "Book Now" button will appear above when live bookings and deposits open for this trip.
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