Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Auckland & first relaxation
Morning Arrival in Auckland
Land at Auckland International Airport. Private car transfer to your luxury hotel in the Viaduct Harbour district. New Zealand's legendarily pure air is your first wellness treatment. New Zealand has some of the purest air in the world thanks to its geographic isolation.
Afternoon Thermal spa at Waiwera Hot Pools
Head to Waiwera (40 min north of Auckland) for your first thermal immersion. These natural hot springs, known to Māori for centuries as 'Te Rata' (the healer), were used for their curative properties. Pools at different temperatures facing the ocean. A first geothermal treatment to offset the long journey.
Evening Gourmet dinner at Pasture
First exceptional dinner at Pasture, one of New Zealand's finest restaurants. 'Fire-to-fork' cuisine: every dish is cooked over pōhutukawa wood fire. 10-course tasting menu showcasing New Zealand terroir: Hauraki Gulf seafood, highland lamb, fermented seasonal vegetables. A sensory experience that sets the tone for the trip.
Day 2 Coromandel — native forest & ocean hot spring
Morning Drive to the Coromandel Peninsula
Scenic drive to the Coromandel Peninsula (2h30). Landscapes change dramatically: tree fern forests, green hills and turquoise coves. Stop at Cathedral Cove, a natural limestone cathedral sculpted by the ocean. The light filtering through the arch is an almost sacred spectacle. Descent via a 45-minute forest trail.
Afternoon Hot Water Beach — dig your own spa
A unique experience in the world: at Hot Water Beach, geothermal water at 64°C springs beneath the sand at low tide. Dig your own pool with a spade, mix underground hot water with cold ocean water, and create your private beach spa. The sensation of heat rising from the sand while waves lap at your feet is surreal.
Evening Luxury lodge in Coromandel
Settle into a luxury lodge nestled in the native forest. Coromandel is home to some of New Zealand's most exclusive accommodations, integrated into nature. Dinner on the terrace facing the canopy: fresh peninsula seafood, Marlborough sauvignon blanc. The song of tūī (native birds) accompanies your meal as night falls on the pōhutukawa forest.
Day 3 Rotorua — geothermal heart of New Zealand
Morning Drive to Rotorua & Wai-O-Tapu
Drive to Rotorua (2h30). First stop at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, New Zealand's most colorful geothermal site. The Champagne Pool, a 65-meter diameter basin at 74°C, displays orange, green and turquoise colors from minerals. The Devil's Bath is an unreal chartreuse green. You walk on living earth, where sulfur and steam remind you of the primordial forces at work beneath your feet.
Afternoon Polynesian Spa — luxury lakeside baths
The Polynesian Spa in Rotorua is ranked among the world's top 10 geothermal spas. Choose the Deluxe Lake Spa Pools: private pools fed with acidic thermal water (good for skin) and alkaline water (good for joints), overlooking Lake Rotorua. The water naturally contains silicates and sodium bicarbonate with anti-inflammatory properties recognized by Māori for centuries.
Evening Traditional Māori Hāngī & cultural performance
Immersive evening in Māori culture at Te Puia or Tamaki Māori Village. The hāngī is a feast cooked in an underground oven heated by volcanic stones — ancestral geothermal cooking. The meal is preceded by a pōwhiri (welcoming ceremony), songs, the powerful haka and poi dances. A moment of connection with the indigenous culture and its deep spiritual relationship to the land and geothermal forces.
Day 4 Rotorua — redwood forest & mud healing
Morning Treewalk in the Redwood Forest
Morning walk atop the canopy on the Redwoods Treewalk. 28 suspension bridges connect 27 platforms between century-old sequoias, 12 meters above the ground. Morning light filtered through giant ferns and mist creates a fairy-tale atmosphere. The forest silence is only broken by native birdsong. A walking meditation.
Afternoon Hell's Gate — geothermal mud baths
Hell's Gate (Tikitere) is Rotorua's most active geothermal site and the only one offering traditional Māori mud baths. Immerse yourself in warm volcanic mud rich in sulfur and minerals — an ancestral treatment used by Māori warriors to heal their wounds. After the scrub, plunge into a hot sulfur pool. Skin is purified, muscles relaxed, mind calmed.
Evening Mirimiri massage & lodge dinner
Mirimiri treatment, the traditional Māori therapeutic massage. Unlike Western massage, Mirimiri works on wairua (spirit), hinengaro (mind) and tinana (body) simultaneously. Flowing movements, deep pressure and sometimes karakia (prayers) accompany the treatment. Then dinner at your lodge overlooking Rotorua's night geysers illuminating the sky with steam.
Day 5 Lake Tarawera & boat-access hot springs
Morning Private cruise on Lake Tarawera
Private cruise on Lake Tarawera, one of New Zealand's most beautiful lakes. Dominated by Mount Tarawera (active volcano), the lake is a deep blue surrounded by pristine native forest. The silence on the water is absolute. Your captain tells the story of the 1886 eruption that buried the Pink and White Terraces, once considered the eighth wonder of the world.
Afternoon Lake Tarawera Hot Water Beach
Disembark at Lake Tarawera's Hot Water Beach, accessible only by boat. Here, geothermal hot water springs directly into the lake. Dig into the black volcanic sand and create your private pool between underground hot water and the lake's cool water. No crowds, no noise — just you facing Tarawera volcano. The most exclusive thermal experience of the entire trip.
Evening Lakeside dinner & stargazing
Return to Rotorua for a refined dinner at the Landing Café, overlooking Lake Tarawera. Wild lake trout, New Zealand venison, seasonal pavlova. After dinner, New Zealand's sky offers some of the world's best stargazing thanks to low light pollution. The Milky Way is visible to the naked eye — a spectacle that puts our place in the universe into perspective.
Day 6 Hobbiton & Matamata hot springs
Morning Hobbiton Movie Set visit
Excursion to Hobbiton village (45 min from Rotorua), the iconic set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. The 44 hobbit holes nestled in the green hills have remained intact since filming. The Shire's serenity is real — it's a place where time seems suspended. End with a beer at the Green Dragon Inn, the village tavern faithfully reconstructed.
Afternoon Opal Hot Springs — secret hot springs
On the way back, stop at Opal Hot Springs near Matamata. These local hot springs, frequented mainly by locals, offer open-air pools surrounded by greenery. Much less known than Rotorua's spas, it's an authentic and quiet spot. The natural hot water (38-41°C) is perfect for unwinding after the Hobbiton walk.
Evening Domestic flight to Queenstown
Return to Rotorua then domestic flight to Queenstown (1h30), the adventure capital of the South Island. Flying over the Southern Alps offers spectacular views of snow-capped peaks and glacial lakes. Arrive in Queenstown at sunset, with Lake Wakatipu shimmering between mountains. Settle into your luxury hotel overlooking the lake.
Day 7 Queenstown — Onsen & glacial lake
Morning Onsen Hot Pools — Japanese baths facing the mountains
Queenstown's Onsen Hot Pools are among the world's most spectacular wellness experiences. Private Japanese cedar pools perched above Shotover Canyon, facing the snow-capped Remarkables mountains. Water heated to 38-40°C. In the morning, mist rises from the canyon and mountains reflect in the still water. A moment of absolute contemplation between luxury and nature.
Afternoon Lake Wakatipu cruise & Walter Peak Farm
Cruise aboard the TSS Earnslaw, a century-old steamship (1912) navigating Lake Wakatipu. The turquoise waters surrounded by mountains create hypnotic reflections. Disembark at Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet afternoon tea served in a timeless garden facing the mountains. Sheep shearing demonstration and walk among the farm animals. The pace naturally slows.
Evening Gourmet dinner at Botswana Butchery
Dinner at Botswana Butchery, Queenstown's gastronomic institution. Set in a historic building facing the lake, the restaurant combines refined colonial décor with premium New Zealand cuisine: Otago venison fillet, Akaroa salmon, Canterbury lamb. The Central Otago wine list (world-renowned pinot noir) is exceptional. Stunning views of the lake and the Remarkables lit by twilight.
Day 8 Milford Sound — majestic fjord
Morning Scenic flight to Milford Sound
Scenic flight in a small plane from Queenstown to Milford Sound (35 min instead of a 4h drive). Fly over snow-capped mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and beech forests. The approach to the fjord is breathtaking: Mitre Peak (1,692 m) emerges from the green waters like a sentinel. Rudyard Kipling called Milford Sound the 'eighth wonder of the world'.
Afternoon Milford Sound fjord cruise
2-hour cruise through the fjord. Dizzying rock walls covered in forest, permanent waterfalls (Stirling Falls, 155 m), seals lounging on rocks, dolphins playing in the boat's wake. The fjord's silence, punctuated by the sound of water, is deeply meditative. The captain brings the boat under the waterfalls — the icy mist on your face is an unforgettable natural freshness treatment.
Evening Return to Queenstown & hotel spa
Return flight to Queenstown in late afternoon. After this immersive day in the fjord, spa session at your hotel. Steam room, sauna, hot tub facing Lake Wakatipu. Light dinner at the hotel restaurant — soups, salads and fresh fish. The body unwinds after this day of natural thrills.
Day 9 Glenorchy — Paradise valley & alpine yoga
Morning Drive to Glenorchy & Paradise valley
One of New Zealand's most beautiful drives (45 min) follows Lake Wakatipu toward Glenorchy. Then continue to Paradise valley — and the name is deserved. Surreally green meadows, crystal-clear rivers, snow-capped mountains. This location served as the set for Isengard and Lothlórien in The Lord of the Rings. Meditative walk along the Dart River, the water so clear you can see every pebble on the bottom.
Afternoon Alpine yoga in Glenorchy
Private outdoor yoga session with views of the mountains and Lake Wakatipu. Several Glenorchy and Queenstown instructors offer personalized sessions in spectacular natural settings. Yoga facing the Southern Alps, with pure mountain air and river sounds as background, is a transcendent experience. Body and mind synchronize with the landscape's grandeur.
Evening Dinner at Camp Glenorchy
Dinner at Camp Glenorchy, an award-winning eco-lodge and New Zealand's first 'net-zero energy' building. Locavore cuisine showcasing Otago products: high country lamb, garden vegetables, Manuka honey. The setting is minimalist and warm. After dinner, step outside to stargaze: Glenorchy is one of New Zealand's best spots for seeing stars and aurora australis (autumn/winter).
Day 10 Wanaka — mirror lake & alpine lavender
Morning Drive to Wanaka & Crown Range
Spectacular drive via Crown Range Road (1h), New Zealand's highest sealed road. The summit views are vertiginous: deep valleys, endless mountains, vast sky. Descend to Wanaka, a calmer, more authentic town than Queenstown. First stop at the 'Wanaka Tree', NZ's most photographed tree, standing alone in the middle of the lake — an image of resilience and serenity.
Afternoon Wanaka Lavender Farm & tasting
Visit Wanaka Lavender Farm, nestled facing the mountains. Walk between rows of lavender (blooming December to February) and enjoy natural aromatherapy. Taste lavender products: ice cream, honey, lemonade. Lavender is recognized for its calming, anti-stress properties. Optional workshop to make lavender sachets to take home.
Evening Sunset at Roy's Peak lookout
Short walk to Roy's Peak track first viewpoint (30-45 min, no need to summit). The view over Lake Wanaka, Mou Waho islands and surrounding mountains at sunset is one of New Zealand's most iconic. Colors shift from gold to pink to violet. Then dinner at Kika, Wanaka's Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, for healthy and flavorful cuisine.
Day 11 Helicopter & mountain hot springs
Morning Helicopter flight & glacier landing
Ultimate luxury experience: helicopter flight from Wanaka with glacier landing in the Southern Alps. Fly over the snow-capped peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park (UNESCO). Landing on immaculate snow, in absolute silence at 2,500 m altitude, is a moment of pure connection with nature. The pilot leaves you 20 minutes alone on the glacier — an unforgettable high-altitude meditation.
Afternoon Drive to Tekapo & turquoise lake
Drive to Lake Tekapo (2h30), one of the world's most photogenic lakes. Its milky turquoise color comes from 'rock flour' — suspended glacial sediments. The iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, a small stone church facing the lake and mountains, is a place of universal reflection. Sit on a bench facing the lake and let the beauty work its magic.
Evening Tekapo Springs & stargazing
Hot bath at Tekapo Springs facing the lake, then astronomical observation at Mount John Observatory. The Mackenzie District is an 'International Dark Sky Reserve' — one of the world's least light-polluted areas. The Milky Way is so sharp it casts shadows. An astronomer guides your telescope observation. The vastness of the cosmos, seen from hot springs, is the pinnacle of existential wellness.
Day 12 Kaikōura — whales & marine wellness
Morning Drive to Kaikōura & whale watching
Drive to Kaikōura (3h30), a coastal village backed by the Seaward Kaikōura mountains. Boat excursion to observe resident sperm whales. Kaikōura is one of the few places in the world where these giants are present year-round thanks to the deep underwater canyon. Seeing a 15-meter sperm whale surface, blow, then dive showing its tail is a deeply moving moment of connection with the living world.
Afternoon Crayfish lunch & coastal walk
Kaikōura means 'crayfish meal' in Māori. Ultra-fresh crayfish (New Zealand lobster) lunch at one of the coastal restaurants — this is the village's absolute specialty. Then walk the Peninsula Walkway (3 km), a coastal trail facing the ocean. Fur seal colonies, royal albatross soaring above waves, and snowy mountains as backdrop. The sea, pure air and wide blue are a treatment in themselves.
Evening Hapuku Lodge & canopy spa
Settle into Hapuku Lodge, one of NZ's most exclusive accommodations. The treehouses are perched in the mānuka canopy, with views over the ocean and Kaikōura mountains. Private spa in your treehouse: outdoor hot tub among the treetops. Dinner at the lodge restaurant — ocean-to-plate menu and produce from their organic garden. Kaikōura's ecosystem, between mountains and ocean, envelops you.
Day 13 Hanmer Springs — alpine thermalism
Morning Drive to Hanmer Springs
Drive to Hanmer Springs (2h30 from Kaikōura), a thermal village nestled in the mountains. The route crosses the Canterbury hills, with vineyard and farmland landscapes. Arrive in Hanmer Springs, an alpine village with a calm, regenerating atmosphere. The mountain air is fresh and invigorating. Settle into your luxury lodge with mountain views.
Afternoon Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & spa
Hanmer Springs thermal complex is New Zealand's most comprehensive. Over 20 pools at different temperatures (33-42°C) surrounded by pine forest and snowy mountains. Choose the Spa & Wellness Centre: luxury treatments, hot stone massage, thermal mud wrap, private sulfur bath. The water is naturally rich in boron, sulfur and silica — it relieves muscle pain and purifies the skin.
Evening Forest walk & gourmet dinner
Digestive walk in Hanmer forest. Trails wind through Douglas fir and sequoia forest, with the Waiau River as background sound. Mountain air fragrant with pine resin is natural aromatherapy. Dinner at No.31, Hanmer Springs' best restaurant — modern New Zealand cuisine with Canterbury products: salmon, lamb, artisan cheeses.
Day 14 Christchurch & serene departure
Morning Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Drive to Christchurch (1h30). Last morning in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, 21 hectares of themed gardens along the Avon River. Rose garden, medicinal herb garden, tropical greenhouses. Stroll along the river lined with weeping willows. The city, rebuilt after the 2011 earthquake, is a symbol of resilience — just like you after these two weeks of rejuvenation.
Afternoon Last lunch & wellness shopping
Lunch at Riverside Market, Christchurch's gourmet market on the Avon. World cuisine, local products, relaxed atmosphere. Then wellness souvenir shopping: Manuka oil, lanolin cream (sheep wool), UMF Manuka honey, thermal soaps, Wanaka lavender essential oils. Take a piece of New Zealand's purity home with you.
Evening Transfer to airport & departure
Private car transfer to Christchurch International Airport (15 min from city center). You leave transformed by two weeks of deep connection with New Zealand's nature. From Rotorua's geothermal springs to Milford Sound's fjords, Kaikōura's treehouses to Wanaka's glaciers, every day has been a treatment. New Zealand has given you what Aotearoa means: the land of the long white cloud — and infinite serenity.