Small group journey · 01
Living Earth.
Nature in motion.
Space to feel it.
A land still becoming
See the land. Feel it living.
Tour language: Russian. Join a scheduled small-group departure with a Russian-speaking guide. English-language arrangements are available on request. See the day-by-day programme for independent time and excursions operated by local providers.
New Zealand is never entirely still. Geothermal valleys steam in the morning air, glaciers reshape mountain ranges and clear lakes hold the changing sky.
Living Earth brings these landscapes together in a journey that leaves room to pause. From glowworm caves and bubbling mud pools to quiet fiords and former gold rush towns, every day reveals another expression of the country’s restless natural character.
Why this journey
What stays
with you.
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01
Nature feels close
The landscapes are not simply scenery, they shape the atmosphere and story of each day.
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02
The rhythm stays gentle
Rich days are balanced with quiet stops, short walks and time to take everything in.
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03
Travel beyond the peak season
Shoulder season travel brings softer light, fewer visitors and more space around you.
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04
Different worlds, one journey
Caves, geothermal country, rainforest, alpine lakes and fiords unfold without feeling rushed.
The route
From the geothermal heart to the alpine south.
The journey begins in Auckland, where we set out to discover a land still being shaped by nature. Underground rivers and rising steam give way to ancient rainforests, glacial valleys and the quiet waters of Doubtful Sound.
There is time to feel the stillness, watch the light shift across the mountains and take it all in. We continue beneath the peaks of Aoraki / Mount Cook before crossing the open plains to Christchurch.
Explore the itineraryThe journey unfolds
Your journey, day by day.
Open a day to explore the details.
Day 01AucklandArrive, settle in and take a breath.
An airport transfer brings you to your hotel. Today is independent, without a guide: rest after the flight or explore the waterfront at your own pace. The guided journey begins tomorrow.
Overnight: Auckland
Day 02Auckland → Hobbiton → RotoruaVolcanic views and a little world among the hills.
Begin with Auckland’s waterfront, harbour bridge and Devonport, where an extinct volcanic summit opens up views of the city. Through Waikato’s green countryside, we reach Hobbiton’s gardens and round doors before continuing to Rotorua.
Overnight: Rotorua
Day 03RotoruaClear springs, Māori stories and a living earth.
Quiet springs offer a gentle start before a Māori village visit and traditional cultural performance. In a geothermal valley, steaming water and vivid mineral colours reveal the island’s restless nature. Return to Rotorua with some free time.
Overnight: Rotorua
Day 04Rotorua → Waitomo → Auckland → ChristchurchA glowworm-lit river, then a new island.
The road leads to Waitomo’s limestone caves and a boat journey beneath glowworms. Afterwards, we travel to Auckland Airport for the flight to Christchurch. The domestic airfare is additional to the tour price.
Overnight: Christchurch
Day 05Christchurch → GreymouthAcross the Alps to the wild Tasman coast.
Walk among Castle Hill’s limestone formations before crossing Arthur’s Pass with its mountain rivers and waterfalls. On the West Coast Punakaiki’s layered rocks and ocean spray offer a striking change of scene before our night in Greymouth.
Overnight: Greymouth
Day 06Greymouth → HaastGreenstone, rainforest and glacier country.
In Hokitika a pounamu workshop reveals the craft of New Zealand jade carving. Further south we walk towards a viewpoint in the Franz Josef Glacier area. Rainforest, rivers and the wild coastline accompany us to Haast.
Overnight: Haast
Day 07HaastA whole day to listen to the quieter coast.
Spend the day exploring Haast’s forest trails, broad beaches and river mouths. Stories of the region’s early settlers sit alongside time simply to notice the birds, water and sea air. We return to Haast for another night.
Overnight: Haast
Day 08Haast → QueenstownOver the pass, into the light of the lakes.
Waterfalls and the Blue Pools mark the journey through Haast Pass. Lakes Hāwea and Wānaka bring open views and time by the waterfront. We pause at historic Cardrona before the mountain road descends towards Queenstown.
Overnight: Queenstown
Day 09Queenstown → Doubtful Sound → QueenstownAcross the water, into the stillness of a fiord.
This included excursion runs without your tour guide. Travel to Manapouri, cross the lake and continue over Wilmot Pass to Doubtful Sound. A cruise reveals steep cliffs, waterfalls and forest at the water’s edge before returning to Queenstown.
Overnight: Queenstown
Day 10QueenstownA day to make the journey your own.
Enjoy Queenstown at your own pace, with partial guide accompaniment today. Optional, extra-cost choices include the kiwi park, jetboating, a steamship and farm visit or a half-day outing to Glenorchy and Paradise with an English-speaking guide.
Overnight: Queenstown
Day 11Queenstown → TwizelGold rush streets, local wine and an open horizon.
Arrowtown offers a glimpse of gold rush history before a wine tasting in Central Otago. Beyond Lindis Pass, the country opens into the wide Mackenzie Basin. We settle in Twizel, ready for tomorrow’s mountain day.
Overnight: Twizel
Day 12Twizel → Aoraki / Mount Cook → TwizelMountain air by day, stars if the sky is clear.
Follow Lake Pukaki into Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park for walks and views of alpine valleys, glaciers and peaks. Return to Twizel in the evening. Clear skies offer the chance to enjoy the stars of the Aoraki-Mackenzie dark sky region.
Overnight: Twizel
Day 13Twizel → ChristchurchA turquoise lake and a gentle farewell in the gardens.
Pause at Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd before crossing the Canterbury Plains. Christchurch’s Botanic Gardens offer a peaceful final stop beside the Avon River. Our journey ends in Christchurch.
Tour ends in Christchurch.
What comes with your journey
From accommodation and transport to cultural visits, nature walks and a fiord cruise – these are some of the highlights included in your tour. This is an overview rather than an exhaustive list, we’ll send all the details with the full programme.
- Places to stay
- 12 nights in 3-4★ hotels and motels
- Accommodation arrangements and bookings
- Travel between places
- Minibus travel, fuel, parking and road costs
- Auckland arrival and Christchurch departure airport transfers
- Guiding & organisation
- Guide and driver throughout the route except days 1 and 9, partial guiding on day 10
- Required route fees and DOC permits
- Tour organisation and GST
- Nature & memorable experiences
- Doubtful Sound cruise and Waitomo glowworm caves
- Rotorua’s geothermal valley and a full day exploring Haast
- Walks and stops at lakes, waterfalls, glaciers and mountain viewpoints
- Stargazing in the Aoraki-Mackenzie region when skies are clear
- Stories & culture
- Hobbiton and Devonport
- Māori village and traditional cultural performance
- Arrowtown, historic Cardrona and Christchurch’s Botanic Gardens
- Local tastes & craftsmanship
- Central Otago wine tasting
- A visit to a pounamu workshop in Hokitika
Separate from the tour price
International flights and the Auckland–Christchurch domestic flight, travel insurance, meals (including breakfasts), personal expenses and optional extra excursions. A supplement applies for single-room accommodation.
Physical activity & fitnessEasy · Average fitness
Suitable for average fitness, with an enjoyment of walking. Dedicated days in Haast and the Mount Cook region allow more time on nature trails, alongside scenic drives, cultural visits and a fiord cruise. Ask us about walking times and trail conditions so we can help you decide whether the journey suits you.
Along the way
A journey in three moments.
From the road
“When we went down into the cave and got into the boat, it was completely dark, with only the glowworms twinkling overhead. I just tried to remember that incredible feeling.”
Could this be your journey?
Ask us for the full itinerary, availability and everything you need to decide.