Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Discover New Zealand’s natural beauty and cultural heritage on this immersive educational tour. Travel from Auckland to Rotorua to experience Māori traditions, visit a kiwi hatchery, and explore geothermal landscapes. Continue through Kaingaroa Forest to Wellington and Te Papa Museum, then on to Christchurch for a penguin encounter and whale watching in Kaikoura. Finish with the TranzAlpine rail journey through the Southern Alps and a speedboat ride on the Waimakariri River.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to New Zealand (Auckland)
Day 2
Lose a day as you cross the International Date Line
Day 3
Arrive in Auckland
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Travel to Rotorua
Before you see Rotorua, you may smell it first: sulfur. It’s a fitting introduction to a city shaped by geothermal forces. Rotorua offers a striking look at volcanic activity, with steam rising across the city from several thermal areas. One of its geysers erupts multiple times each day, sending water high into the air.
Day 4
Agrodome visit
Enjoy a fun, educational experience set on scenic farmland, where students learn about New Zealand’s sheep breeds through a lively, world-famous show, followed by time in the Farmyard Nursery.
Whakarewarewa Valley geothermal guided visit
Explore Rotorua’s geothermal and cultural landscapes on a guided visit through Whakarewarewa Valley. See bubbling mud pools and steaming vents, visit a thermal reserve, and learn how Māori communities live alongside this environment. Observe kiwi in a nocturnal habitat and see traditional carving and weaving at the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute.
Mt. Ngongotaha skyline gondola ride
Ride the Skyline Gondola up Mt. Ngongotaha for views over Rotorua, its lake, and the surrounding volcanic landscape. From above, see the city, geothermal valleys, and distant peaks, gaining a clear perspective on how the region’s natural features connect.
Māori hāngī feast
Experience Māori culture through a traditional hāngī feast, where food is cooked using natural geothermal steam. Vegetables and meats are wrapped in leaves and slow-cooked underground, offering insight into an age-old, community-centreed cooking tradition.
Day 5
Kaingaroa Forest visit
Visit the largest forest on New Zealand’s North Island. Kaingaroa Forest is privately owned and one of the world’s oldest softwood plantation forests, offering insight into modern forestry practices.
Travel to Wellington
Day 6
Wellington Tour Director-led sightseeing
Explore Wellington on Tour Director–led sightseeing that highlights the capital’s history, geography, and culture. Ride the iconic Wellington Cable Car to panoramic views, stop at the Mount Victoria Lookout for sweeping vistas over the harbor, and visit the Wellington Botanic Garden to explore native plants and landscaped gardens in the heart of the city.
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa guided visit
Explore New Zealand’s national museum through innovative, interactive exhibits that highlight the country’s natural environment, Māori culture, art, and history. Opened in 1998, the museum follows a bicultural philosophy that emphasizes living stories behind its collections and the preservation of cultural heritage. The name Te Papa Tongarewa means “container of treasures,” reflecting its role in safeguarding New Zealand’s identity.
Day 7
Fly to Christchurch
International Antarctic Centre Visit and Penguin Encounter
Explore Antarctica’s extreme environment through immersive, hands-on experiences, including a simulated Antarctic storm and a ride in a Hägglund vehicle. The Penguin Encounter offers a close look at rescued Little Blue Penguins, with insight into their behavior, rehabilitation, and care.
Hägglunds field trip
Experience the thrill of navigating Antarctica's icy terrain aboard the Hägglunds, an all-terrain amphibious vehicle. This adventure offers a taste of the challenges faced by scientists, with expert drivers ensuring a safe yet exhilarating journey over hills, crevasses, and through water.
Day 8
Kaikoura excursion
Set out on a whale-watching cruise in Kaikōura to observe marine life in its natural environment. The region is known for year-round sightings of giant sperm whales, along with dolphins, seals, and seabirds. Expert guides share insight into Kaikōura’s unique underwater ecosystem. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.
Day 9
Travel to the Southern Alps via TranzAlpine Rail
Arthur's Pass National Park visit
Located in the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, Arthur’s Pass National Park is known for its dramatic mountain scenery, alpine flora, and native wildlife. Established in 1929, it was the South Island’s first national park and showcases the region’s rugged natural landscape.
Waimakariri River speedboat ride
Day 10
Return home
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
With TourFlex, available for tours departing October 2027 or later, you get the flexibility to shape an itinerary that's as unique as your group. Dial your trip up or down for more choice, more control, and more unforgettable hands-on moments, all while getting the right experience at the right value. Available options vary by program and destination.
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theatre tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Daily meals, with options varying by program (ask your Program Consultant for details)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers (excluding full-day bus drivers and Tour Director)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Scenes from New Zealand
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
Through the WorldStrides Canada Financial Assistance Program (FAP), we provide travel grants to elementary and secondary school facing financial hardship. These grants, which can be up to $250 for coach tours and up to $1,000 for flight tours, are designed to make our programs more accessible to students from all backgrounds. Interested families are encouraged to speak with their school to learn more about our confidential application process.
Payment Plans
Monthly Automated Plan
Enroll with a deposit of $99 plus the cost of your travel protection plan (if included). We’ll automatically debit the rest of your tour fee from your chequing account in equal monthly payments, with the final payment due 35 days before you travel.
Please note: If two consecutive payments are declined, your account will be moved to the 4-Step Manual Plan.
4-Step Manual Plan
Manage your payments manually with a $249 initial payment plus your travel protection plan costs (if included). You’ll then make three more payments at key milestones as your departure date approaches. The final balance is due 65 days before your trip.
Please note: Payments on this plan are not automatically deducted and must be made manually.
Fundraising Tools
We are committed to helping you make your educational travel dreams a reality. We offer a comprehensive Fundraising Guide packed with creative ideas, tips, and resources to help you and your students reach your fundraising goals. From setting a timeline to brainstorming innovative campaigns, our guide provides a structured approach to make fundraising a fun and engaging experience for everyone involved.
