New Zealand: July 26-August 3, 2028

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Overview

New Zealand: July 26-August 3, 2028
Auckland, New Zealand
Jul 26 - Aug 3, 2028
Group size: 8 - 20
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Bookbag Tours
$3,500

New Zealand 2028: Auckland, Rotorua & Wellington

Introduction
New Zealand 2028: Auckland, Rotorua & Wellington image

Auckland - Rotorua - Wellington / 9 days, 8 nights

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New Zealand 2028: Auckland, Rotorua & Wellington

Nine days and eight nights in New Zealand: three in Auckland, two in Rotorua and three in Wellington, with a free day in each. Teachers visit Kiwi schools, learn about Māori culture and education firsthand, and travel overland through the heart of the North Island.

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Why Travel with Bookbag Tours?

Bookbag Tours was built specifically for educators, by people who understand that your time and money matter. We take the learning outside the classroom and into the world, making sure every trip feels as rewarding as it is memorable. From the moment you book to the day you return home, our focus is on creating meaningful, manageable travel that fits your life as a teacher. And the best part? You don't have to go alone. Bring your spouse, a friend, or anyone else who wants to tag along, non-educators are always welcome on our trips too.

✅ Travel With Confidence — Every detail is handled, every partner is vetted, and help is always a message away

✅ Interest-Free Payment Options — Keep your budget stress-free with zero-interest financing

✅ Customizable Payment Plans — Pay on a schedule that actually works for you

✅ 20+ Hours of Professional Development — Built into every trip, ready to document

✅ Graduate Credits Offered — Turn your travel experience into academic credit

✅ Personalized Pre & Post Trip Extensions — Want to explore more? We'll help you plan extra time before or after the group tour

✅ Limited Spots Available — Every trip is intentionally small so every traveler gets the attention they deserve

Terrain:  Mostly flat with some hills

School Visit:  Yes

This trip offers immersive professional development through school visits, allowing educators to engage directly with local teachers and students, observe classrooms, and participate in meaningful dialogue about education systems around the world. These experiences foster fresh perspectives and practical ideas to bring back home.

Professional Development – Medium Level

This trip includes educator discussions, offering authentic opportunities for cultural exchange and professional growth. While you may not be matched with your exact grade level, you’ll gain meaningful insights to reflect on and bring back to your classroom. Participants will receive a certificate for 20+ professional development hours. The true magic of PD on this trip comes from the organic conversations and connections you make with fellow educators along the way.

Graduate Credits- In addition, we have partnered with an accredited university to allow participants to earn 1 graduate credit for an additional $100 or 3 graduate credits for an additional $300. 

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Leaders:

Pricing

Trip Highlights

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At a glance

Booking Your Trip

Costs & Inclusions
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✅ What’s Included

  • 9 days / 8 nights

    Three nights in Auckland, two nights in Rotorua and three nights in Wellington

  • Welcome Reception

    A welcome reception and orientation on arrival in Auckland

  • Farewell dinner

    One farewell dinner in Wellington

  • Māori cultural experience

    One Māori cultural experience with hāngī dinner

  • Breakfast every morning

    Daily breakfast throughout the trip

  • Group activities

    Group activities included as per itinerary

  • Ground transportation

    All ground transportation for group activities

  • PD certificate

    A certificate for 20+ hours of professional development

  • Accommodations

    Accommodations in 3 or 4 star hotels during the trip

  • Airport transfers

    Airport transfers on the scheduled arrival and departure dates

  • BBT T-Shirt

    A BBT T-Shirt sent to participants before departure

  • The BBT Team

    Your trip leaders, professional development facilitators, trip managers, and on-site and off-site support team

❌ What’s Not Included

  • Airfare

    Airfare is not included

  • Optional Side Trips

    Optional side trips may be offered for an additional fee at a later date

  • VISA

    At the appropriate time, we will provide a link to the VISA application

  • Tips and Gratuities

    For in-country guides and drivers

  • Early/Late Transfers

    If you are arriving or departing outside the scheduled group dates, you will be responsible for your own transfers. We are happy to advise, but we will not cover the cost.

Wednesday, July 26, 2028

Day 1 - Kia ora, Auckland

Arrival Day
Day 1 - Kia ora, Auckland image

Arrive in Auckland and Explore Waterfront

Early-morning arrival and group transfer to the hotel

Arrival and transfer to the hotel, with luggage storage available until check-in.

Guided walk along the waterfront and Wynyard Quarter

A gentle afternoon walk along the waterfront and through Wynyard Quarter, a relaxed way to shake off the flight and get your first feel for Auckland.

Welcome Reception and trip orientation

Welcome reception and trip orientation.

Auckland

Overnight: Auckland.
Thursday, July 27, 2028

Day 2 - Auckland schools and Te Ao Māori

Day in Auckland
Day 2 - Auckland schools and Te Ao Māori image

School Visit, Māori Culture and Museum

School visit with classroom observation and Q&A

Morning: School visit, with classroom observation and a Q&A with teachers and leaders.

Auckland War Memorial Museum and Māori cultural performance

Afternoon: Auckland War Memorial Museum, with a Māori cultural performance and time in the Māori and Pacific galleries.

Sunset view from Maungawhau / Mt Eden

Sunset view from Maungawhau / Mt Eden, a volcanic cone rising above the city.

Dinner on your own

Dinner on your own.

Auckland

Overnight: Auckland.
Friday, July 28, 2028

Day 3 - Free Day in Auckland

Free Day
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Explore Auckland at Your Own Pace

Choose your own adventure

Choose your own adventure. Popular picks include a ferry to Waiheke Island for beaches, coastal walks and vineyards; a hike to the summit of Rangitoto, the volcanic island in the harbour; a ferry to Devonport and a climb up North Head; or a trip to the black-sand beaches of the west coast at Piha.

Dinner on your own

Dinner on your own.

Auckland

Overnight: Auckland.
Saturday, July 29, 2028

Day 4 - Into the heart of the North Island

Free Day in Auckland
Day 4 - Into the heart of the North Island image

Journey South to Rotorua and Māori Culture

Private coach south through the Waikato

Departure
Auckland
Destination
Rotorua
Private coach south through the Waikato, about 3 hours.

Lakefront walk past the Government Gardens

Afternoon arrival in Rotorua and a lakefront walk past the Government Gardens.

Māori cultural experience with pōwhiri and hāngī dinner

Evening: A Māori cultural experience with a pōwhiri welcome ceremony, performances and a hāngī dinner cooked in the earth.

Rotorua

Overnight: Rotorua.
Sunday, July 30, 2028

Day 5 - Free Day in Rotorua

Travel to Wellington
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Explore Rotorua’s Wonders at Your Leisure

Choose your own adventure

Choose your own adventure. Popular picks include Hobbiton Movie Set, about an hour away; the Waitomo glowworm caves, about two hours away; Wai-O-Tapu with its colourful thermal pools and the Lady Knox geyser; the Redwoods Treewalk, a suspended walkway through the forest; the Skyline gondola and luge; or the Polynesian Spa hot pools on the lakefront.

Dinner on your own

Dinner on your own.

Rotorua

Overnight: Rotorua.
Monday, July 31, 2028

Day 6 - Geysers and the road to Wellington

Day of Exploring
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Geysers, Taupo Lake, and Arrival in Wellington

Guided visit to Te Puia

Morning: Guided visit to Te Puia, with Pōhutu geyser, mud pools, the kiwi house and the national carving and weaving schools, where students train in traditional arts.

Coach south to Taupō and Huka Falls

Departure
Rotorua
Destination
Taupō
Coach south to Taupō for lunch on the lake and a stop at Huka Falls.

Drive along the Desert Road to Wellington

Departure
Taupō
Destination
Wellington
Afternoon drive along the Desert Road past the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park. Evening arrival in Wellington, about 7 hours of driving with stops.

Wellington

Overnight: Wellington.
Tuesday, August 1, 2028

Day 7 - Wellington schools and Te Papa

Explore Wellington
Day 7 - Wellington schools and Te Papa image

School Visit and Te Papa Museum Experience

School visit

Morning: School visit.

Te Papa Museum

Afternoon: Te Papa, New Zealand's national museum.

Cable car to Botanic Garden and walk

Cable car up to the Botanic Garden and walk back down to the city.

Dinner on your own

Dinner on your own.

Wellington

Overnight: Wellington.
Wednesday, August 2, 2028

Day 8 - Free Day in Wellington

Queenstown
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Explore Wellington’s Wildlife, Film, and Culture

Choose your own adventure

Choose your own adventure. Popular picks include a guided walk at Zealandia, an urban eco-sanctuary bringing native birds back to the city; a tour of Weta Workshop, the film effects studio in Miramar; a ferry to Matiu/Somes Island, a predator-free wildlife reserve in the harbour; or Mt Victoria lookout followed by cafés and shops along Cuba Street.

Farewell dinner

Farewell dinner.

Wellington

Overnight: Wellington.
Thursday, August 3, 2028

Day 9 - Haere ra

Departure Day
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Farewell and Departure from Wellington

Transfer to Wellington Airport

Transfer to Wellington Airport.

Fly home through Auckland

Fly home through Auckland.

Hear it from our Travelers

BT
Bookbag Tours
At Bookbag Tours, we empower educators through immersive professional development journeys, fostering growth, inspiration, and lifelong learning.

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Map of the trip locations

Map

A. Auckland

Auckland, New Zealand

B. Wellington

Wellington, New Zealand

C. Rotorua

Rotorua, New Zealand

D. Auckland War Memorial Museum

Auckland Domain, Parnell, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

E. Maungawhau / Mt Eden

Mt Eden, Auckland 1024, New Zealand

F. Te Puia

Hemo Road, Tihiotonga, Rotorua 3040, New Zealand

G. Taupō

Taupō, New Zealand

H. Huka Falls

Huka Falls Road, Taupō 3377, New Zealand

I. Te Papa Museum

55 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

J. Zealandia

53 Waiapu Road, Karori, Wellington 6012, New Zealand

K. Weta Workshop

21 Camperdown Road, Miramar, Wellington 6022, New Zealand

L. Matiu/Somes Island

Matiu/Somes Island, Wellington Harbour, New Zealand

M. Mt Victoria Lookout

Lookout Road, Hataitai, Wellington 6021, New Zealand

Package Options

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Shared Room Package

Perfect for travelers looking to save and connect. Share a comfortable room with another traveler and enjoy all the same great experiences at a lower cost. If you’re traveling with a friend, let us know your roommate preference at checkout. Otherwise, we’ll thoughtfully pair you with someone of a similar age and teaching level.

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If we cannot place you with a roommate the single room rate will apply, we hope you understand.

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Private Room Package

Ideal for those who prefer extra privacy. Relax in your own room after each day’s adventure while still enjoying all group activities and inclusions. A great option for travelers who want a little more personal space.

Roommate Disclaimer

Heads-Up, Snoozers!  If you snore like a bear, rock a CPAP machine, need white noise, or have any other quirky sleep habits, we totally understand — everyone has their bedtime vibe! But to keep things peaceful for your fellow travelers, please consider booking a private room.

Even better? Bring a friend you’ve already shared a room (and some laughs) with, and have them register too!

Let’s keep the Zzzs drama-free and the vibes just right. Thanks for being the considerate rockstar you are!

About Us

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Bookbag Tours

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What is Bookbag Tours?

Bookbag Tours is dedicated to providing quality professional development through immersive travel experiences for educators and their family and friends. Our trips offer a truly global perspective, allowing participants to gain insights that enrich their classrooms and lives.

Our mission is to empower educators and their companions with hands-on global experiences, equipping them to inspire students both in and out of the classroom.

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What to Expect from Your Trip?

With Bookbag Tours, you’ll earn 20+ professional development hours while exploring incredible countries alongside fellow educators and their guests. We also offer specialized trips focused on Marine Conservation and Ancient Civilizations that provide excellent PD without school visits, ensuring valuable knowledge is brought back to every participant.

We’re committed to enhancing the lives of those who strive to make the world a better place through meaningful group trips, professional development conferences, and cultural engagement.

We're Here to Help

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Contact Us!

We're here to help you plan the perfect adventure! For any inquiries or assistance, feel free to reach out:


Phone or WhatsApp: +1 (864) 907- 9874

Email: contact@bbtglobal.us

DM us on Socials: @bookbagtours

Our team is available to assist with bookings, itinerary changes, and any questions you may have. Let us help you make your dream trip a reality!

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