New Zealand is considered one of the most beautiful places on the planet – a paradise for nature lovers and cultures. A mosaic of beautiful landscapes, cities, gardens, and sea- majestic fjords, golden beaches next to rocky shores, active volcanoes, and quiet villages. The country is composed of 2 main islands, the North Island and the South Island, and a number of smaller islands. We will visit both the North and South Islands. We will see some of the most beautiful natural wonders of New Zealand and visit its major cities as well.
We will land in Auckland known as the “Sailboat City,” New Zealand’s largest and most populous city. Over the next two days, we will get to know the city, We’ll be visiting the Auckland Museum with rare Maori art treasures and the Botanical Gardens, home to more than 10,000 plants from around the world. We’ll ascend Sky Tower, the tallest tower in the southern hemisphere, 328 meters high, for panoramic views of the city.
Today we will travel for a first encounter with one of New Zealand’s most famous rainforests, a short drive to the WAITAKERE RANGES – a lush rainforest, where we will walk among New Zealand’s famous giant Kaori trees, through spectacular panoramic views that reveal the Tasman Sea on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. At the end of the tour, we will return to the hotel and begin preparations for Shabbat.
After Shabbat prayers and a festive Shabbat meal, we will go for a walk in the hotel area.
Today we will visit the Waitomo Caves, where glowing worms are seen creating a spectacular sky-like spectacle strewn with stars. The visit will include a cave cruise. In the evening we will go bathing in the hot baths.
After breakfast, we will visit Wai-O-Tapu, a thermal wonderland! We will see colorful bubbling pools, all-natural and completely fascinating. In the evening we will enjoy a Maori folklore show.
After breakfast, we will visit Lake Taupo and then visit Tongariro National Park which sits at an elevation of 1967 meters.
After breakfast, we will travel to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, and the second-largest city in the country after Auckland. Wellington lies on the southern tip of the North Island. We will take the train to see the views of the area and then continue to the Botanical Gardens. After this visit, we will visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s famous National Museum.
READ MOREWe will enjoy interactive exhibits that illustrate the population of New Zealand, both the native Maoris as well as the immigrants. We will continue to see the city and view the houses of the old Parliament.
Close thisToday we’ll get on a ferry and cross Cook’s Strait to the South Island. We’ll get off the ferry in Pickton and from there we’ll go to Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand’s South Island, the capital of Canterbury County. On the way, we will stop for a view of the Marlboro bays and visit a kosher winery, where we will learn about the production of wine and at the end of the tour, taste the wine.
Today we will explore the Banks Peninsula where we can see rainforests, cliffs, fjords, and volcanoes. We’ll get to Akaroa and from there we’ll go on a dolphin-watching cruise. At the end of the cruise, we will return to Christchurch and begin preparations for Shabbat.
After Shabbat prayers and Shabbat meals, we’ll take a walk. As Christchurch, the city of gardens is also known for its abundance of public parks and landscaped gardens, we’ll take a walk in some of the gardens.
As Christchurch is the last stop of expeditions before they set off for Antarctica training is done here for those who will be working in Antarctica. we will visit the International Antarctic Center, where we will walk among giant images from Antarctica and see how it was discovered and charted.
READ MOREWe will meet some of the animals who can survive its harsh climate. At the end of the visit, we will drive towards Nelson passing vines and vineyards. Nelson is the oldest city on the South Island. On arrival, we will take a tour of the city.
Close thisAfter breakfast, we will visit the Abel Tasman Nature Reserve, named after the Dutch captain but Tasman, the Dutch sailor who was the first European to arrive in New Zealand in the 17th century. This is one of the most impressive parks on the South Island. We will arrive at the garden after a short boat ride. We will see the sea lions and enjoy watching the peaceful blue seawater among the trees and mountains.
Today we’ll visit the beautiful nature reserves, the Nelson Lakes Reserve, and the Paparoa Range Reserve, which features karst views of cliffs and caves integrated into rainforests, where endemic cherry and palm trees stand out – nicao palms. We’ll also get to the Pancake Rocks in Funkaiaki. We will walk among them and see the sea emerging from under them into the cave and create the impression of geysers.
Today we will explore the glacial region of New Zealand extending from the peaks to the west, and we will approach the views of the Franz Joseph Glacier located in a mountainous valley surrounded by waterfalls and high mountains. We’ll take a walk in Hokitica Gorge.
After breakfast, we will drive south towards the fjord area and glacial valleys. We’ll reach Haast’s tiny community, which is on the coast where the wide Haast River meets the Tasmanian sea. We will stop at points where the scenery is especially beautiful.
READ MOREWe will drive via Haast Pass and descend to the land of lakes. We will pass through Wanaka and In the evening we will arrive in Queenstown, a resort and ski town on the shores of Lake Wakatifo.
Close thisToday we will visit the golden miner town of Arrowtown. At the end of the visit, we will return to Queenstown and do a city tour. We will go by cable car to Bob’s Peak for a panoramic view of the city and surrounding area. We also will be able to view those who are bungy jumping from the famous bridge and the motorboats on the nearby lake. We will return to the hotel to prepare for shabbat, have tfilot and our shabbat meal.
After Shabbat prayers and our Shabbat meal, we will go for a walk in the hotel area.
Today we will drive through the Valleys of Eglinton and Hollyford, cross the Homer Tunnel on the way to the Royal Milford Fjord. We’ll take a cruise to one of the most beautiful fjords in New Zealand. From the ship, the views are even more impressive.
READ MOREThe steepness and depth of the fjord allow ships to sail only a few meters from the cliffs surrounding it, allowing you to even get wet from the spray of the huge waterfalls that fall into the sea throughout the fjord, and of course enjoy the dramatic sights of the cliffs that fade in the fog, waterbirds, sea lions and seals. At the end of the visit, we will go to Te Anau. We’ll take a tour of the abyss, including a cruise.
Close thisAfter breakfast, we will take a walking route to one of the famous “Kepler” treks. At the end of the trek, We will travel towards the southern shores of the South Island and drive through the Catlins Reserve.
Today we will visit Dunedin and one of the lifestyle houses of the beginning of this century, The House of Avalaston. At the end of the visit, we will go to the airport and fly to Christchurch.
Our rich and fascinating trip to New Zealand is over and done. We will go to the airport and fly experience-laden back home.
* Price per person in USD double or twin room
** Supplement Price for single room
Comfortable and air-conditioned tour bus
First-class hotels
Half board throughout the trip and food provided for making sandwiches for lunch.
An English speaking guide from the Shai Bar Ilan team
Entrance to sites mentioned in the program.
Tips for service providers abroad
International flight
Travel, Health, and Baggage Insurance
Personal expenses such as drinks at meals, phones, etc.
Personal expenses (drinks not included in meals, laundry, shopping)
Tip for the Israeli guide (it is customary to give $5per person per day of travel)
Shows not included in the itinerary and the price of the trip (details will be given to each trip separately)
There may be changes to the order of places visited. We will make every effort to visit every place mentioned in the itinerary.
The tour organizers have no control over airline services such as seating, special meal requests, changes in departure times or delays. These remain the sole responsibility of the airline company.
Only strictly kosher food is provided to our travelers on all our tours. On some of our tours we are able to provide glatt meals. Kashrut is of utmost importance to us and we take special measures to ensure that everything served is kosher.
Breakfast is prepared using our utensils. We use local fresh fruits and vegetables, and we use milk products when they are permitted. We use kosher cereals, and bread. We usually serve hard boiled eggs and sometimes scrambled eggs or omelets. At breakfast, we prepare our lunches so that people have their choice as to what they eat for lunch. We bring food from Israel to supplement what is served in the hotel such as cheeses, peanut butter, tuna, etc.
For dinners, we serve either fish or meat (usually chicken) as our main course. In areas where meat is not available nor readily acquired, we will have fish. When possible, we acquire the meat locally from Chabad or other reliable kosher source, and in some cases we fly the meat in from Israel. We try to provide as many meat meals as possible. The main course at dinner is preceded by soup and salad and accompanied by freshly prepared vegetables. Dessert typically consists of fresh fruits.
We do not guarantee Pat Israel and Chalav Israel for all destinations.
In many destinations we have our own dishes and silverware. Where we don’t, we provide disposables at the meals. When we cook in hotel kitchens, we use our own knives, cutting boards, pots and pans, cooking implements and disposable metal trays. All food preparation is done on covered surfaces under the strict supervision of our trained staff/guides who function as our mashgichim.
We make great efforts to assure that our travelers will experience local foods first-hand, while maintaining stringent observance of Kashrut laws on all occasions.
On most of our tours, you will be accompanied by two of our staff members- one a guide for the tour who is knowledgeable about the places you are visiting and will accompany you throughout the day and the second, a person who will deal with the logistics of the tour and provide kashrut supervision in the kitchen.
It is our aim to provide the finest hotel possible in each area we visit. We require our hotels to allow us to work in the kitchen and to supervise the cooking and there are many hotels that are not willing to cooperate. They simply have no desire for us to be “meddling” in their cooking process nor are they happy about our bringing our equipment into their kitchens. We work very hard to find the best hotel in the area that will meet our requirements. Because we are not ready to compromise on kashrut, we may not always be able to use a five star hotel.
Terms of cancellation
From the time of registration, US $ 47 per passenger for cancellation fees which will be charged in any case
• From 21-60 working days before embarking on the trip: 30% of the price of the trip to the traveler (on trips to South America cancellation fees apply from 60 working days before the departure of the trip from Israel)
• From 7-20 working days before embarking on a trip: 50% of the price of the trip to the passenger
• Less than 7 working days before departure: 100% cancellation fee including all associated costs such as visa,
• Cancellation fees for domestic flights: Any flight booked will be subject to full cancellation fees on the passenger.
Important Information
• Fridays and Saturdays, holidays and holidays in Israel, Sundays and holidays abroad are not counted as a working day.
• If any flight tickets were issued or additional services such as visas were purchased, etc., their prices will be added to the above cancellation fees
• The price of the trip is based on a minimum of 15 paying travelers
• The passenger is responsible for the final updates, all the many changes that are made in the final route after updating domestic flights and changes of travel agents abroad. Tour itineraries undergo changes according to the above, as well as due to serious climatic changes or hazards which require necessary changes. As travel agents, we do not have control over many changes that are required, which are made many months after the tour was originally planned. In the event that the passenger finds it necessary to cancel registration for the tour due to these changes in the itinerary, the passenger will be refunded all his/her money.
• The trip is subject to the conditions and responsibilities as they appear on the website
• Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the return date from the tour
• There may be changes in the itinerary due to changes in internal flight times and other objective reasons
