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New Zealand by Sea Ocean Cruise Multi-Adventure Tour

New Zealand by Sea Ocean Cruise Multi-Adventure Tour

Walk/Hike

Bike

Kayak

North & South Islands-Milford Sound to Auckland

From $8,499 - $9,099 pp dbl. occ. | 10 days / 9 nights

(+$1,300 to $3,700 for sgl. occ.)

Discover an island paradise in the South Pacific. A pristine ocean perfect for a swim, its inlets perfect for kayaking. But it's mountainous too. Experience the dramatic cliffs of Milford Sound, then cruise past penguins in breathtaking fjords. The journey continues in sensational wine country, tasting Hawke's Bay's full-bodied cabernet along the way. Paradise awaits. Come sail away to New Zealand.

Highlights

Stroll with your expert Backroads Trip Leaders amid pristine landscapes—we share our favorite hikes outside the cruise's reach
Pedal Backroads custom titanium bikes along the vineyard-clad routes of Hawke's Bay, tasting outstanding North Island wines
Cruise through dramatic Milford Sound beneath soaring cliffs adorned by waterfalls and blanketed in lush foliage
Journey aboard a luxurious superyacht, discovering the South Island's scenic inlets where dolphins and penguins play

New Zealand

Start Dunedin / End Auckland
Some departures Start Auckland / End Dunedin
Please speak with your Trip Consultant before booking flights

Itinerary

Day 1 Hike on the Otago Peninsula, where sheer bluffs plummet to the sea at Lovers Leap | Meet the locals: yellow-eyed penguins, fur seals and sea lions | Splendid Dunedin, the main city in the Otago region, delights with Scottish charm and architecture.

Days 2-3 Cruise along the Dusky Sound, one of the most stunning fjords on the coastline | Follow in the footsteps of Captain Cook's famous 1773 voyage | Sail through the extraordinary Milford Sound beneath towering cliffs laced with waterfalls and covered with dense foliage | Native birdlife abounds amid beech forests, scrubland and alpine tarns.

Days 4-5 Kick back on the ship's sundeck for a relaxing day at sea | Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins as you sail along the western coast | Hike on Queen Charlotte Track, a favorite trail for locals and visitors alike | Cruise on Mistletoe Bay's aqua waters | Journey from New Zealand's South to North Island.

Days 6-7 New Zealand's fascinating history is on display at Te Papa Museum | Soak up stunning scenery during a walk on the Otari-Wilton's Bush track | Enjoy the vibrant pulse of the New Zealand capital | Pedal through Hawke's Bay, a wine region known for its luscious cabernet | Follow the Tukituki River to Havelock North, a thriving arts community.

Days 8-10 Cruise to volcanic White Island and marvel at its steaming fumaroles | Kayak the tranquil waters of McLaren Lake and its wild fern canyons | Bid farewell to the ship in picturesque Auckland, set among volcanic mountains, islands and harbors dotted with sailboats.

Next: Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.

If you must cancel your reservation, your cancellation fee will be determined according to the policy outlined below. Exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather, terrorism, civil unrest or personal emergencies. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. Private room or tent, bike rental and internal air charges are considered part of the total trip cost and are subject to cancellation fees. Percentage charges are calculated on total trip cost.

Cancellation Fees (Per Person)
Days Prior to Trip Start	Scheduled Trips	Private Trips	Custom Trips
126+ days	$200**	$600	30%
95-125	$200**	30%	50%
61-95 days	30%	50%	75%
31-60 days	60%	75%	100%
0-30 days	100%	100%	100%

** Rather than paying the cancellation fees, you may choose to keep your trip deposit ($600) in a holding account to use on a future Backroads trip with no expiration date.

Bike Cancellation Policies: If you are renting a Specialized Roubaix, Ruby, eBike or Co-Motion Tandem, a full cancellation fee will apply in the event you cancel your trip reservation inside 30 days.

Transfers: You may transfer from one trip to another up to 95 days before trip departure without penalty—except Private or Custom Trips.

Release of Liability: Guests are required to provide a signed Release of Liability, Assumption of All Risks, and Arbitration Agreement and a completed Personal Information forms prior to trip departure; you will receive these materials shortly after reserving your trip. You may also complete your forms online. We are unable to allow guests to participate in any aspect of a Backroads trip without a signed release form.

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

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C Classic Dates

Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. Call or email us to reserve your date.

Call for Private Trip Pricing.

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

Don't see your ideal travel date? Make a Date

2+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 2 or more guests
8+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 8 or more guests
16+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 16 or more guests
Reserved

C Couples, Friends & Solos Tours

2021 January

8+ 1/12–1/21

8+ 1/30–2/8

2021 December

8+ 12/26–1/4

View Scheduled Dates

Tell us what your dream trip would be and we'll make it happen! Whether you're looking for a honeymoon trip for 2, a 30-person family reunion or a 100-person corporate trip, we can do it all. A dedicated Custom Trip Consultant will work closely with you to bring your dreams to reality. Call us at 800-462-2848 to speak with your Custom Trip Consultant or click on the button below.

REQUEST YOUR CUSTOM TRIP NOW

Previous: Overview

Dates

2021
Jan
Dec

View Scheduled Dates
Go Private
Go Custom

Prices

From $8,499 - $9,099 pp dbl. occ.
10 days / 9 nights

(+$1,300 to $3,700 for sgl. occ.)

Reviews

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Premiere Ship

Ponant Ship

Le Lapérouse (9 nights)

See Lodging Details

Activity Level

This trip is rated Levels 1-2

See Daily Route Options

What's Included

Services and equipment are included.

See how we include more

Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in New Zealand

Find out What sets us apart

More On This Trip

Watch videos

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip

Reviews by Power Reviews ®

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Next: Lodging

Premiere Ship

Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the View Scheduled Dates or Private Dates tabs.

Ponant Ship

Le Lapérouse (9 nights)

With just 92 staterooms, Ponant's Le Lapérouse has the intimacy and sophistication of a private yacht, including comfortable open-air lounge areas with panoramic views and elegantly designed staterooms. (pool, spa)View the deck plans. See Dates & Prices for specific ship, stateroom category availability and embarkation/disembarkation details.

Previous: Reviews

Next: Activity Level

This Trip Is Rated Levels 1-2

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Daily Route Options (drag to see full )

Day	Activity	EASYGOING				ACTIVE				AVID
Daily Route Options
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 4		Level 5
		miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain
1	Other	Otago Peninsula Hike (4 Hours)
2	Other	At Sea: Cruise Dusky Sound
3	Other	At Sea: Cruise Milford Sound
4	Other	At Sea: Cruise Western Coast
5	Other	Queen Charlotte Track Hike (5 Hours)
	Other	Cruise Mistletoe Bay (30 Minutes)
	Other	Cruise Picton to Wellington
6	Other	Otari-Wilton's Bush Walk (2½ Miles)
	Other	Optional Activities in Wellington (2 Hours)
	Other	Cruise Wellington to Napier
7	Other	Napier Coast Bike Route (3 Hours)
7	Other	Cruise Napier to White Island
8	Other	White Island Guided Walk (2 Hours)
8	Other	Cruise White Island to Tauranga
9	Kayaking	on Lake McLaren (1½ Hours)
	Other	Afternoon Biking Option (15 Miles)
	Other	Cruise Tauranga to Auckland
10	Other	Disembarkation

Note: The biking terrain on this trip ranges from flat to rolling. Please note that cars drive on the left in New Zealand, so we will also be riding on the left; this presents an additional challenge. Hiking routes consist of well-worn trails and are moderately hilly with some steeper sections.

Learn more about how we determine our activity level and fully support a range of abilities and interests.

Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies and other external factors.

Previous: Lodging

Next: What's Included

Meals

All breakfasts, 9 lunches, 9 dinners

Available Bike Options

The key to a stellar day’s ride is a bike that’s perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.

Backroads Titanium Bikes (Included in your trip price)

Our custom-built titanium bikes are specially designed for you—and we offer different models for varied terrain so your bike is ideally suited to the region. Our custom-made bikes are included in your trip price.

Touring Bike (Included)

Performance Road Bike (Included)

Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included in your trip price)

Wishing for a little extra assistance up those hills? Our custom Backroads Electric-Assist Bike lets you experience the thrill of exploring on two wheels while providing a boost when you want it. We've modified a selection of our great Titanium Bikes with the intuitive BionX "pedal-assist" system.

Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included)

Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem ($400 rental fee)

Do you prefer to spin in tandem with your partner? You'll love the Co-Motion Periscope Torpedo tandem on your Backroads trip. You can upgrade to a Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem on your trip.

Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem (Upgrade)

Also Included

Expert Backroads Trip Leaders, on ship and on shore
Off-the-beaten path exploration
Access to all ship amenities
Impeccable and personalized service from ship staff and Backroads Leaders
Exclusive activities that amplify your appreciation and understanding of the local culture
Exclusive biking and hiking routes with multiple options at varied paces
Gratuities on ship and on shore handled by your Backroads Leaders
Exploring lesser known routes away from busy ports
Access to all ship activities and excursions
Wine included with all onboard meals

Previous: Activity Level

Next: Straight Talk

Next: Why Backroads

Get the Straight Talk about This Trip

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Ships

The ships we sail on are like floating luxury hotels, so you can visit a new destination each day without touching your suitcase once you've settled in. Our ships are custom‐designed with a variety of inviting spaces that offer plenty of room for both relaxing and socializing. These ships are vastly smaller than most cruise ships, with up to just 150 passengers on our river trips and up to only 250 on our ocean trips.

Backroads Support On Board and On Shore

We sail with up to 30 Backroads guests per group. Occasionally there may be more than one Backroads group onboard and you may cross paths with the other group on routes or at restaurants. When this occurs, each group will have their own dedicated onboard Backroads leaders.

Backroads Cruising Life

If you're new to Backroads active cruise trips, there are a few things you need to know. Although our average group size is larger than a typical Backroads tour, our ship-based trips feel smaller and much more intimate than a typical cruise.Additionally, even with an itinerary subject to fixed nautical schedules, we get out and explore far beyond the cruise norm. Although our time ashore may be shorter than an average Backroads Hotel trip, you still have the option to select a route that matches your pace. In larger cities, you can decide to shift gears and opt for less active site-seeing activities. It's important to note, our time ashore can be limited due to changes in the nautical schedule and ship tendering.Being onboard a ship provides the benefit of being able to take advantage of ship amenities: the fitness room, spa, sauna and swimming pool. In addition, there is the opportunity to relax in the inviting common spaces or the privacy of your room, complete with balcony. Your Trip Leaders will have information on the array of options to choose from.If having longer routes or more flexibility to explore is important for you, we recommend choosing one of our River Cruise or Hotel trips. If you love meeting new people and having more time to relax aboard the ship, and enjoy the ease of unpacking once, you'll love our approach to active ocean cruising. Nobody does it like we do.

Meals

On our active cruises, we seek out diversity by including regionally authentic and inventive meals for onshore lunches, picnics and the occasional onshore dinner. On-ship meals, though delightful, are meant to appeal to a wide cross section of passengers and may at times feel more conventional and less reflective of the region than on Backroads hotel trips.

Stateroom Categories

In contrast to our Hotel trips, which typically have similar room categories, the Ponant ships offer a wide range of stateroom categories to choose from. The top-tier staterooms often fill fast, so book as early as possible if this is important to you.

Previous: What's Included

Next: Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in New Zealand

The Best Leaders in New Zealand

Backroads has the best-qualified people to lead your trip in New Zealand, and our guests back that up, rating our Trip Leaders an average of 9.75 out of 10 for all-around quality of performance. Get the facts (and no fluff) on how we recruit and develop the very best people for your trip.

We've Set the Standard

For nearly four decades we've worked to earn and maintain our right to call Backroads the world's #1 active travel company. In pursuing that vision on behalf of our guests, we believe we've set the standard for our industry—captured in the Backroads Quality Guide, which clearly sets out the benchmarks of excellence, choice and support that we live by

We Invented the Multi-Adventure Trip

After more than 30 years of creating Backroads Multi-Adventures, our trip designers know how to blend the perfect balance of biking and hiking with other activities to showcase the best of a region. And then they arrange the seamless transitions that would be so hard to orchestrate on your own—adding dimensions to your trip that are exciting, inspiring and just plain fun.

Everyone at Their Own Pace

We design and support our New Zealand trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.

Quality You Can Measure

Since 1979, Backroads Founder and President Tom Hale has shown that staying #1 means constantly evaluating our performance using the best possible source of information: our guests. As we systematically analyze your feedback on our trip consultants, leaders, hotels, meals and on-trip activities, we never stop working to make a great company even better.

Our Superb Bikes Included

A great bike is obviously critical for a great multi-adventure trip; you don't want to gamble on one that's been sourced locally to trim costs. This trip features our acclaimed Backroads Custom Titanium bikes, expertly tuned and fitted, and included in your trip price. Learn why our titanium bikes are ideal for most riders.

Previous: Straight Talk

Previous: What's Included

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip

Guest Photo Gallery

Featured Blog Story

New Zealand Travel Guide

Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

New Zealand by Sea Ocean Cruise Multi-Adventure Tour