SELECT TOUR

Pukeko Tour

9 Days

Quality dorms

Max 24 travellers

North Island highlights, no rush, no rough nights. Glowworm caves in Waitomo, Rotorua’s geothermal magic, a hāngī feast at Lake Aniwhenua, off-grid eco-living at Blue Duck Station, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and a finish in Wellington’s coffee-and-craft-beer capital. 9 days. One island. Plenty of WOW.

Travellers' Choice Award 2026

From $3,116

From $346 PER DAY

Limited spots! Secure yours with a $200 deposit

One of our most loved tours, according to you!

REVIEWS

TOUR SNAPSHOT

Start in Auckland (City of Sails) and head south through Waitomo’s glittering glowworm caves to Rotorua, the North Island’s geothermal hotspot - think hot springs, Māori culture and the steamy Te Rata Bay Hot Water Beach. Roll deeper into Aotearoa with a tribal welcome and traditional hāngī feast at lakeside Kohutapu Lodge, then go off-grid at Blue Duck Station for a 4WD eco-safari and waterfall hikes. Tackle the iconic Tongariro Alpine Crossing’s volcanic wonderland before landing in Wellington for coffee, craft beer and capital city culture.

North Island
Expert local guide
10+ activities and experiences
Quality 3-4 star hotels
8 breakfasts + 2 dinners + 1 lunch
Private Stray coach


BUCKET-LIST HIGHLIGHTS

 Waitomo  Glowworm Caves

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Glide past thousands of glowworms or abseil through limestone caves

Rotorua  Hot Springs & Culture

Rotorua Hot Springs & Culture

Geothermal magic, lakeside hot water beach, Tarawera Trail

 Lake Aniwhenua  Hāngī & Māori Culture

Lake Aniwhenua Hāngī & Māori Culture

Tribal welcome, traditional games and smoky feast

Blue Duck Station 4WD Eco Safari

Blue Duck Station 4WD Eco Safari

Off-grid high-country station with rare blue ducks

Tongariro  Alpine Crossing

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

NZ’s #1 day hike, volcanic peaks and turquoise lakes

Wellington  Coffee & Craft Beer

Wellington Coffee & Craft Beer

Mt Victoria views and capital city culture

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Meals

A mix of cooked and continental breakfasts plus select dinners.

Private Coach Transport

Kick back, soak up the scenery and let someone else do the driving. Your private, air-conditioned Stray coach handles the rest.

Stray Expert Guide

Local knowledge, great banter and insider tips you won’t find on Google. Your guide knows every back road and hidden gem in this country.

Small Group

Max 24 travellers per coach. Most Select Tour adventurers are aged between 20-50, but there’s no upper limit - it’s all about attitude, not age!

Accommodation

8 nights’ accommodation in comfy, fully air-conditioned 3-4 star hotels for most nights, with high country farm or scenic lodges at our unique destinations (Lake Aniwhenua and Blue Duck Station).

Pukeko Tour Map

Pukeko Tour
Get 20% off all New Zealand tours*

For departures before 30 Sept 2026.

$3,895

NZD

$3,116 NZD

Per person

$346 NZD

Per person/per day

SELECT DEPARTURE DATE

Guaranteed departures available

SELECT ROOM TYPE

Twin or double? Choose at checkout.

Just you. No sharing.

PAYMENT OPTIONS

$200 deposit, balance before departure

Pukeko Tour Map

Pukeko Tour

Full Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival Day Auckland | New Zealand

Kia Ora (hello) and welcome to your New Zealand adventure. Your tour begins in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), the largest city in New Zealand and home to over 2 million people and around 50 volcanoes.

You can arrive at any time today and we encourage you to explore the city. Walk down to the viaduct for a spot of lunch, wander over to Britomart for a coffee or head to Commercial Bay if you’d like to do some shopping. You can check into your hotel from 3pm, and this evening you’ll meet your group and Stray guide at reception at 6pm for a welcome dinner (own cost) to get to know your new travel mates.

  • Rest:Oaks Auckland Hotel

  • Eat:Local eateries

  • Optional:Lunch at the viaduct, coffee in Britomart, shopping at Commercial Bay

Get 20% off all New Zealand tours*

For departures before 30 Sept 2026.

$3,895

NZD

$3,116 NZD

Per person

$346 NZD

Per person/per day

SELECT DEPARTURE DATE

Guaranteed departures available

SELECT ROOM TYPE

Twin or double? Choose at checkout.

Just you. No sharing.

PAYMENT OPTIONS

$200 deposit, balance before departure

ADVENTURES WORTH SHARING

To hike or not to hike on a glacier?...

mitevisualsMarch 7, 2026

To hike or not to hike on a glacier?...

mitevisualsMarch 7, 2026

To hike or not to hike on a glacier?...

mitevisualsMarch 7, 2026

To hike or not to hike on a glacier?...

mitevisualsMarch 7, 2026

To hike or not to hike on a glacier?...

mitevisualsMarch 7, 2026

To hike or not to hike on a glacier?...

mitevisualsMarch 7, 2026

To hike or not to hike on a glacier?...

mitevisualsMarch 7, 2026

To hike or not to hike on a glacier?...

mitevisualsMarch 7, 2026

To hike or not to hike on a glacier?...

mitevisualsMarch 7, 2026

To hike or not to hike on a glacier?...

mitevisualsMarch 7, 2026

Select Tours are designed for ’creatures of comfort,’ featuring 3-4 star twin/double ensuite hotel rooms for most nights. Adventure Tours are more backpacker-style, with accommodation mostly in quality hostels (often in dorm rooms) to keep costs low and maximise the social atmosphere

On average, we spend 3-5 hours on the move, with frequent epic ’leg-stretcher’ stops at hidden waterfalls, local cafes, and scenic lookouts to break up the drive. At Stray, we prioritise the journey, not just the destination, and the bus trip gives you the perfect amount of time to relax and just enjoy the view.


The ’shoulder seasons’ of autumn (March-May) and spring (Sept-Nov) are great times to travel through New Zealand as the sun is less intense than in the summer, there are lower prices, and fewer crowds at iconic spots like Milford Sound.

Most of our international visitors need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before arriving. But don’t stress - you can apply easily via the official app or website.


A lot of your meals and activities are already included in your tour! We generally advise to budget for $20 for breakfasts, $30 for lunches and $40 for dinners. Of course, it depends what your preferences are and how much you like to eat out or cook for yourself. 2 weeks before your tour begins, you will receive access to our app and in there you’ll be able to book any optional activities.

HOW GOOD!

TOUR REVIEWS

Don't take our word for it - hear it straight from the road

Two friends on a chairlift in New Zealand
Ruru Tour, NZ

I couldn't have wished for better

I had an incredible experience during my 19-day tour through New Zealand. In such a short amount of time, I was able to see so many amazing and different places - it was exactly what I wanted from this trip.

Johann U

Go to trip
Two friends on a chairlift in New Zealand
Ruru Tour, NZ

I couldn't have wished for better

I had an incredible experience during my 19-day tour through New Zealand. In such a short amount of time, I was able to see so many amazing and different places - it was exactly what I wanted from this trip.

Johann U

Go to trip
Two friends on a chairlift in New Zealand
Ruru Tour, NZ

I couldn't have wished for better

I had an incredible experience during my 19-day tour through New Zealand. In such a short amount of time, I was able to see so many amazing and different places - it was exactly what I wanted from this trip.

Johann U

Go to trip
Two friends on a chairlift in New Zealand
Ruru Tour, NZ

I couldn't have wished for better

I had an incredible experience during my 19-day tour through New Zealand. In such a short amount of time, I was able to see so many amazing and different places - it was exactly what I wanted from this trip.

Johann U

Go to trip
Two friends on a chairlift in New Zealand
Ruru Tour, NZ

I couldn't have wished for better

I had an incredible experience during my 19-day tour through New Zealand. In such a short amount of time, I was able to see so many amazing and different places - it was exactly what I wanted from this trip.

Johann U

Go to trip
Two friends on a chairlift in New Zealand
Ruru Tour, NZ

I couldn't have wished for better

I had an incredible experience during my 19-day tour through New Zealand. In such a short amount of time, I was able to see so many amazing and different places - it was exactly what I wanted from this trip.

Johann U

Go to trip
Two friends on a chairlift in New Zealand
Ruru Tour, NZ

I couldn't have wished for better

I had an incredible experience during my 19-day tour through New Zealand. In such a short amount of time, I was able to see so many amazing and different places - it was exactly what I wanted from this trip.

Johann U

Go to trip

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