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
Kiwi Hatchery guided 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.
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.
Rotorua Tour Director-led sightseeing
Discover Rotorua with Tour Director–led sightseeing focused on Māori culture and geothermal science. Explore the living village and thermal landscape of Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, then visit Te Puia to see boiling mud pools, hot springs, and the powerful Pōhutu Geyser. Learn traditional carving and weaving at the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute before ending the day with scenic views from the Skyline Gondola on Mount Ngongotahā.
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-centered 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
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theater 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
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
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
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.