Sophia’s Travel Presents New Zealand

New Zealand Luxury Travel

South Island the star of this trip, with just enough North Island to give you Maori culture, geothermal New Zealand, and one legendary lodge.

Days 1–2 — Auckland

2 nights

• Private arrival and VIP airport transfer
• Accommodations at sophisticated boutique hotel
• Private harbor sailing at sunset
• Excellent dinner emphasizing New Zealand seafood and wines

DAYS 3–5 — ROTORUA + HUKA LODGE

Maori culture + geothermal landscape + legendary New Zealand hospitality

Fly Auckland → Rotorua.

2 nights Rotorua / 2–3 nights Huka Lodge depending on pace

The experience – Private Maori cultural immersion

We will arrange a private Māori guide/elder to introduce you to:

• Māori history and worldview
• geothermal landscape
• traditional relationship with the land
• local stories and genealogy
• private cultural performance or storytelling

Then perhaps a private helicopter flight over Mount Tarawera if conditions permit.

And then:

Huka Lodge 2 nights

It has just undergone a major redesign and reopened in 2025, while retaining its historic character. It’s on the Waikato River with only 20 lodge suites plus two private residences.

Activities:

Private fly-fishing / scenic flight / Huka Falls + Taupō

Leisurely dinner at the lodge with wine pairing.

Huka includes breakfast, pre-dinner drinks/canapés and dinner with matched premium wines, which makes it particularly easy for a short stay.

DAYS 5–7 — MARLBOROUGH

Wine, food, nature – the Marlborough Sounds

Fly Taupō → Christchurch → Blenheim.

Slow the trip down…

Stay intimate around Marlborough Sounds rather than in a conventional hotel.

Private wine day with a serious wine person rather than a bus tour:

• small producers
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Pinot Noir
• méthode traditionnelle
• excellent lunch at a winery

Then a private boat into the Sounds.

Possibly kayaking, walking or simply anchoring somewhere beautiful for lunch.

DAYS 7–11 — QUEENSTOWN + GLENORCHY

Fly Blenheim → Queenstown.

Stay: Rosewood Matakauri, 4 nights

Matakauri sits on Lake Wakatipu only about seven minutes from Queenstown, with just 11 designer suites and dramatic lake/mountain views.

Day 1

Recover from flying. Beautiful lunch. Spa. Sunset drinks.

Day 2

Private 4WD into Glenorchy

Slow down, enjoy mountain scenery, short walks, picnic/lunch, photography.

Day 3 — BIG WOW

Private helicopter flight into the Southern Alps

Land somewhere remote.

Champagne/coffee picnic.

Walk on a glacier or alpine valley depending on conditions.

Return to Queenstown.

This is the sort of experience that makes a first New Zealand trip memorable!

Day 4

Queenstown food/wine day:

• Central Otago Pinot Noir
• private cellar visits
• long lunch
• perhaps dinner at one of Queenstown’s serious restaurants

DAYS 11–13 — FIORDLAND

Private transfer toward Te Anau.

Milford Sound by private helicopter OR private charter

Stay near Te Anau or at a very special Fiordland property, and arrange private scenic flight and private boat on Milford Sound

This is one place where weather flexibility matters enormously.

DAYS 13–15 — WANAKA / SOUTHERN ALPS

Go to Wānaka.

Stay at The Lindis

• spectacular landscape
• fewer tourists
• horseback riding / hiking
• private scenic flights
• exceptional lodge atmosphere
• time to simply do nothing

DAYS 15–16 — QUEENSTOWN

Return to Queenstown, final night.

Nice hotel, excellent dinner, sleep, then fly home.

Optional.

If time permits, add NORTHLAND — KAURI CLIFFS

Two or three nights at Kauri Cliffs gives you a completely different New Zealand: dramatic Pacific coastline, Māori history, Northland while staying in the beautiful lodge.