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 A Luxury Small-Group Journey Across the North & South Islands. Wonders of New Zealand is a journey through a land of extraordinary contrasts — where snow-capped peaks rise above shimmering lakes, ancient forests meet cascading waterfalls, and rolling vineyards stretch toward the sea. Traveling across both the North and South Islands, you’ll experience the diversity of New Zealand’s landscapes, cultures, flavors, and stories in a way that feels immersive, unhurried, and deeply authentic.
Drift through glowworm-lit caves in Waitomo. Wander the whimsical green hills of Hobbiton. Soothe body and spirit in Rotorua’s natural thermal waters and share in an evening of Maori storytelling and cultural connection.
Stand beneath the towering presence of Aoraki / Mount Cook, taste world-class wines among the golden hills of Central Otago, and fly into the heart of the breathtaking Milford Sound — a moment of pure awe.
Thoughtfully curated, beautifully paced, and shared among a small group of gay travelers, this journey is designed to inspire wonder, build connection, and leave you changed in ways that linger long after your return.
Day 1 - Tuesday, October 19, 2027
Welcome to Auckland — New Zealand’s “City of Sails,” where sparkling harbors meet a skyline shaped by ancient volcanic peaks. Settle into the Sofitel Viaduct Harbour, perfectly positioned along the waterfront with easy access to cafés, galleries, and marina boardwalks. This afternoon, you might enjoy a gentle walk along the harbor or simply relax and soak in the coastal atmosphere.
Hotel: Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour Hotel , Auckland
Day 2 - Wednesday, October 20, 2027
Take a scenic ferry across the harbor to Waiheke, an island of vineyards, coastal forests, and a relaxed artistic spirit. Here, hillside wineries overlook sparkling bays, and olive groves roll toward the sea. Visit boutique estates and enjoy a leisurely vineyard lunch with sweeping ocean views. Return to Auckland in the afternoon.
Hotel: Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour Hotel, Auckland
Day 3 - Thursday, October 21, 2027
Travel south to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where a silent underground river drifts beneath thousands of tiny, glimmering lights — like floating constellations. Continue into the rolling green hills of Matamata to visit Hobbiton, the beloved film set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Wander past round-door hobbit holes, fragrant gardens, and the charming mill and stone bridge. Enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn before continuing to Rotorua to settle into your boutique hotel.
Hotel: Treetops Lodge & Estate, Rotorua
Day 4 - Friday, October 22, 2027
Begin your day with a restorative thermal spa experience, where mineral-rich waters rise naturally from the earth — a reminder of the volcanic forces that shaped this land. Then explore one of Rotorua’s remarkable geothermal valleys, where steaming vents, bubbling pools, and technicolor terraces create a landscape unlike anywhere else in the world. In the late afternoon, you’ll be welcomed into a Maori cultural gathering place for an evening of storytelling, song, and seasonal cuisine. Shared with warmth, humor, and generosity, this experience offers a deeper connection to the spirit of the land and the people who have called it home for centuries.
Hotel: Treetops Lodge & Estate, Rotorua
Day 5 - Saturday, October 23, 2027
Fly south to Christchurch, a city known for its elegant English gardens and creative spirit of renewal. Reimagined after the 2011 earthquakes, Christchurch blends restored heritage architecture with bold modern design, vibrant street art, and peaceful riverside green spaces. Enjoy a guided walk through the Botanic Gardens and along the Avon River, where charming footbridges arch over tree-lined paths. Evening at leisure to dine, stroll, or unwind.
Hotel: Montreal Hotel, Christchurch
Day 6 - Sunday, October 24, 2027
Journey inland past rolling farmland and golden tussock plains to the luminous turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, framed by the graceful stone chapel of the Good Shepherd. Continue into Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, where snowcapped peaks rise sharply above vast glacier valleys and alpine air feels crisp and pure. Check in at The Hermitage, surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery and endless sky.
This region offers some of the clearest night skies in the world — weather permitting, enjoy spectacular stargazing.
Accommodation: The Hermitage Mount Cook Hotel, Mount Cook
Day 7 - Monday, October 25, 2027
This morning, experience the glacier-carved Tasman Valley — with the option of a gentle lake boat excursion among floating icebergs at the base of the Southern Alps. Then, continue south through sweeping high-country landscapes, where wide-open plains give way to mountain passes and deep glacial lakes.
Arrive in Queenstown — a vibrant alpine town surrounded by peaks and set along the shimmering shores of Lake Wakatipu. Settle into your lakeside retreat and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Hotel: The Rees Hotel, Queenstown
Day 8 - Tuesday, October 26, 2027
Spend the morning as you choose — lakeside strolls, spa time, or gentle exploration. Later, travel into the golden hills of Central Otago for wine tasting and a relaxed vineyard lunch. Return to Queenstown in the late afternoon — a perfect time for a lakeside walk, a glass of Central Otago pinot noir, or a relaxed evening in town.
Hotel: The Rees Hotel, Queenstown
Day 9 - Wednesday, October 27, 2027
This morning, take to the skies on our chartered flight for one of the most unforgettable experiences in New Zealand. From your window, watch as the landscape changes from alpine lakes and braided rivers to towering granite peaks rising straight from the sea. Snow-dusted summits, deep glacial valleys, and cascading waterfalls unfold beneath you — a perspective few travelers ever witness.
Cruise Milford Sound’s mirror-like waters beneath towering cliffs and mist-laced waterfalls before returning by air to Queenstown — the landscape now not just seen, but felt.
Hotel: The Rees Hotel, Queenstown
Day 10 - Thursday, October 28, 2027
Today is yours to enjoy Queenstown in your own way. Ride the Skyline gondola for panoramic alpine views, browse boutiques and galleries, relax lakeside, or simply take in the beauty of the surrounding peaks. For those seeking adventure, optional activities such as jetboating, gentle hiking, or spa experiences can be arranged. This evening, we gather for a celebratory farewell dinner — a time to share stories, clink glasses, and savor the journey we have experienced together.
Hotel: The Rees Hotel, Queenstown
Day 11 - Friday, October 29, 2027
Transfer to Queenstown Airport for your flight to Auckland and onward journeys home.
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• Explore both the North and South Islands in one seamless itinerary
• Enjoy a day on Waiheke Island with a vineyard lunch and coastal views
• Drift beneath glowworm constellations in the Waitomo Caves
• Wander the iconic Hobbiton film set among rolling emerald hills
• Experience Rotorua’s geothermal landscapes and Maori cultural traditions
• Stay in boutique luxury hotels and an alpine lodge at Aoraki / Mount Cook
• Witness the turquoise beauty of Lake Tekapo and the Southern Alps
• Optional glacier lake experience in the Tasman Valley
• Taste world-renowned Pinot Noir in Central Otago wine country
• Fly to Milford Sound, cruise the fjord, and fly back — the most spectacular way to experience Fiordland
• Travel with a small, welcoming group of gay guests and expert hosts
• Signature Moment: Flying into Milford Sound and cruising beneath towering cliffs and waterfalls — a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with pure awe.
• 10 nights luxury accommodation
• Daily breakfasts
• 5 lunches and 4 dinners, including welcome and farewell dinners
• All sightseeing and cultural activities listed
• Waiheke Island winery visits and lunch
• Waitomo Glowworm Cave experience
• Hobbiton Movie Set tour with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn
• Maori cultural evening experience
• Scenic drive through Lake Tekapo and Aoraki / Mount Cook
• Fly–Cruise–Fly Milford Sound experience
• Private transportation and professional driver-guides
• Entrance fees and national park permits
• Gay group tour escorts throughout
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure days
• International & Domestic airfares
• Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
• Travel insurance (required)
• Personal expenses, spa treatments, and laundry
• Meals not listed as included
• Prepaid gratuities of $350
• Visa Fees
Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour Hotel, Auckland
Located at the Viaduct Basin Entertainment Area, surrounded by restaurants and bars, this hotel boasts beautiful views of Viaduct Harbour Basin. Here guests can have lively culinary experiences served at the La Maree Restaurant or relax with a coffee at the French Press Café.
All luxuriously appointed bedrooms and suites have private balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows and over-sized bathrooms with separate rain showers and deep soaking bathtubs.
Sofitel Spa experts will pamper you from head-to-toe, paying attention to your body’s signs and adjusting treatments accordingly. Rejuvenating… Relaxing… Purifying…
Set along the marina in Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour, the Sofitel blends contemporary elegance with calm waterside ambiance. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame sailboats gliding through the harbor, while soft design tones and polished finishes create a sense of refined ease. Just steps from coastal walkways, dining, and galleries, it makes for a stylish and serene arrival in New Zealand.
Treetops Lodge & Estate, Rotorua
Situated in the heart of an eco and wilderness park, Treetops Lodge & Estate offers luxurious suites and villas with views of the forest and lakes. The Treetops Spa combines modern products and techniques with indigenous and therapeutic Maori treatments.
Guests can enjoy the outdoor mineral hot tubs which are surrounded by New Zealand ferns and are open 24/7. Treetops offers Signature Experiences including a 4WD 'Estate to Plate' Safari and Wilf Food and Wellness Trails, plus evening walks to Glow Worm Cave. Activities include hiking, horse riding, archery, clay shooting and cycling. Guests also have exclusive access to a private helicopter for visits to Rotorua's geothermal attractions and lakes.
Nestled in 2,500 acres of 800-year-old native tall tree forest, this award-winning luxury lodge is a uniquely New Zealand experience. A wilderness sanctuary of breath-taking terrain, offering the ultimate in world-class accommodation and adventure. All Lodge room and Villa rates include daily pre-dinner drinks, canapes, four-course dinner and a full breakfast. Treetops Lodge’s restaurant serves authentic New Zealand wines and gourmet food prepared with local game and produce.
Montreal Hotel, Christchurch
Hotel Montreal in Christchurch offers a 5-star experience with a restaurant, bar, and free WiFi. Guests enjoy comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, air-conditioning, and modern amenities. Hotel restaurant serves brunch, lunch, and dinner with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options. Additional facilities include an outdoor fireplace, outdoor seating area, and room service.
Located 10 km from Christchurch International Airport, the hotel is near attractions such as Canterbury Museum (8-minute walk) and Christchurch Art Gallery (500 metres). An ice-skating rink is also nearby. Highly rated for its attentive staff, comfortable rooms, and convenient location, Hotel Montreal ensures a memorable stay.
The Hermitage Mount Cook Hotel, Mount Cook
Set in Mount Cook National Park, The Hermitage Hotel features a range of rooms and suites all offering majestic mountain views, and most with views of Mount Cook. Guests can enjoy a range of onsite dining and bars, and free WiFi is offered in the Snowline Lounge and Sir Edmund Hillary Cafe.
All rooms feature an ensuite bathroom including a shower, free toiletries and hairdryer. Some rooms offer a bath tub. Also included in each room is a satellite flat-screen TV, refrigerator and tea and coffee making facilities. In-room WiFi is available for an additional charge.
The Snowline Lounge looks out over the spectacular Mount Cook, and is ideal for a cocktail by the log fire. For a quick snack the Sir Edmund Hillary Cafe & Bar offers a range of on-the-go or eat in treats. Reservations are recommended for The Alpine Restaurant, which is open daily serving buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Panorama Room is the hotel's signature à la carte restaurant, with a focus on local ingredients. Reservations are essential for dining at The Panorama Room.
The Rees Hotel, Queenstown
The Rees Hotel & Apartments offers lakefront accommodation with private balconies and spectacular views. It features free WiFi and a free shuttle to the centre of Queenstown.
The stylish rooms and apartments at The Rees are equipped with LCD TVs. Some feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.
Enjoy wines from New Zealand and around the world at Bordeau Wine Lounge. True South Dining offers the finest local and international cuisine with selections from the hotel's privately owned cellars.
Guests can enjoy a range of in-room massages services, including invigorating body and facial treatments. Guests can hire mountain bikes to enjoy the scenic beauty of Queenstown. The town centre is a 10-minute drive from The Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments.
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