The best trip ever - Uma with KimKim perfected what we wanted to do and see. I will use them for future trips.

New Zealand | Feb 18 - Mar 3, 2026

This was one of our best trips and we have traveled quite a lot. Uma Natarajan was amazing. She already had an itinerary that interested me and my cousins and we just made it exactly what we wanted,
14 days in beautiful New Zealand. It was very busy but we wouldn't leave anything out. I'm sure there is even more to see in that wonderful place.
From the Harbour Sailing dinner cruise in Auckland, then Auckland City Tour with just the 6 of us (cousins) with Raymond great tour guide, Eco Zip line -super beautiful including the walk back to base through the rainforest, Then the unique Waitomo Glowworm Caves and on to Hobbiton with driver Rachael. I'm a huge Hobbit/Lord of the Rings fan and this was special. Next day' Hell's Gate Mud Bath experience was very interesting followed by breathtaking walk through the Redwood Trees. very secure and magical. We followed that with Tu Te Ra Maori Summer celebration. That was wonderful to understand the Maori beginnings and culture. This was followed by a very tasty dinner of their specialties. Next day we flew to South New Zealand into Christchurch and had a unique Tramway gourmet dinner while passing the sights of Christchurch. Next day a Christchurch city tour followed by Punting on the Avon with John from Ireland our boat punter - such a great job he did. The end of the day we picked King of Snakes to have my husband's birthday meal. We had the meal where they put together a selection of their choosing and each item was so delightful - Like a Michelin restaurant. From Christchurch we went to Tekapo Springs and enjoyed a morning soaking in different temperature pools with mountains in the background - so beautiful and relaxing. That night we stayed up late and went to the Dark Sky Project, where they took us to very dark deserted place to tell us about the night sky. We saw the Southern Cross, Jupiter and its rings and its 4 moons, We saw other galaxies - Loved it!. Then on a Cheeky Kiwi van with others to Queenstown the next day. Thrilling walks for views of Mt. Cook and so many "Oh My Gosh" sights. We went on the Appellation Wine Tour - 4 wineries with a tasty meal after winery #1. It was so good that we joined the Kinross wine club. The gondola ride that we did after that was another ' oh my gosh" beautiful experience. Yes, we did more that day - we went on the Walter Peak Steamer to an amazing dinner - actually too much wonderful food to choose from - it was a buffet but we enjoyed the sheep shearing demonstration after that. Next day's highlights was the Milford Sound cruise. Goodness - gorgeous waterfalls, smooth waters, peaceful. Back at the fabulous Rees hotel we enjoyed some light snacks in the bar area before we got a perfect night's sleep. Next headed to Franz Josef on another Cheeky Kiwi bus. It was a long day and possibly too many stops but each one was beautiful so who'd want to miss them? Uma knew we would get in late so she arranged dinner to be included at Legacy Te Waonui. That was one of the best meals of the trip & that's saying something. Next day a Scenic Cruise of lake Mapourika with Joe. A small ship with just our group and 4 others young ladies. Joe was so personable felt like family. We all loved it so much and views of Franz Josef glacier and all the natural beauty that is New Zealand. So after the peaceful cruise we had a nice meal in town and then had a 4 wheeler adventure with Franz Josef Wilderness. That was exhilarating to be sure: rainforests, glacier beds, rivers, mud - wow! At 71 yrs old I had never done this before. The last day of the trip was a highlight. We took the Tranz Alpine Train trip from Greymouth back to Christchurch. Exceptional trip. Views and vista galore and we saw the hugest most vibrant rainbow I'd ever seen. Next day smooth sailing with our transfers to airport and then home to Texas. Couldn't even envision a better trip !