OFFICIAL NEW ZEALAND CUP TOUR
Featuring The New Zealand Trotting Cup
Queenstown, New Zealand
Christchurch, New Zealand
November 2026
We are delighted to introduce a special tour in November 2026, built around the New Zealand Cup and a journey through the South Island!
The tour begins in Queenstown, one of New Zealand’s most scenic destinations and an ideal base to explore the surrounding alpine landscapes. This part of the itinerary focuses on relaxed sightseeing and showcasing the best of the South Island, with time to explore Queenstown at leisure alongside carefully chosen scenic experiences.
The itinerary then continues to Christchurch, home to one of the biggest racing weeks in the Southern Hemisphere. Centred around Christchurch Show Week and New Zealand Cup Day, this stage of the tour offers the chance to experience the atmosphere and tradition that make the event so special. Alongside the racing, there will also be the opportunity to enjoy the wider region, including one of New Zealand’s most memorable wildlife experiences.
With world class racing, outstanding scenery and a well balanced itinerary throughout, this tour offers a memorable way to experience New Zealand in November 2026.
Please note international flights are not included in the package price. We are currently holding a limited allocation of flights at a competitive rate, so please get in touch if you would like to discuss international flight options.
Flights available from UK and Ireland. Talk to us at time of booking for flight options.
Tuesday 3rd November
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Arrival into Queenstown.
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Transfers from the airport to your hotel
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Check in to the QT Queenstown for a six-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.
Wednesday 4th November
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Breakfast at hotel.
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Today is a free day to explore the best that Queenstown has to offer, allowing you to enjoy the town at your own pace.
Thursday 5th November
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Breakfast at hotel
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Today we will enjoy a half day cruise on Lake Wakatipu, taking in the stunning alpine scenery and views of the Remarkables. A relaxed way to experience one of Queenstown’s most iconic landscapes from the water.
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In the evening, we'll enjoy dinner at Botswana Butchery, one of Queenstown’s most renowned restaurants, the perfect setting to round off the day.
Friday 6th November
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Breakfast at hotel.
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Today we depart on a full day tour to Milford Sound and Fiordland, travelling through dramatic alpine scenery, glacial valleys and rainforest to Milford Sound, one of New Zealand’s most famous natural landmarks, known for its towering cliffs and waterfalls.
Saturday 7th November
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Breakfast at hotel.
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We travel to Lake Wanaka, known for its crystal clear waters and beautiful mountain backdrop, with time to enjoy the scenery and relaxed lakeside setting.
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Later, we enjoy a wine tasting at Rippon Winery, a world renowned vineyard set high above the lake, offering outstanding wines and breathtaking views across Wanaka and the Southern Alps.
Sunday 8th November
Breakfast at hotel.
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Today is free to explore Queenstown at leisure. You may wish to take the Skyline Gondola for views across the town and Lake Wakatipu, enjoy a walk along the waterfront, or spend time in the town centre with its shops and cafés.
Monday 9th November
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Breakfast at hotel.
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We depart Queenstown by flight, travelling to Christchurch.
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Check in to the Observatory Hotel for a six night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.
Tuesday 10th November
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Breakfast at hotel.
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This morning we will visit a local stable/stud before heading to the races.
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Today we attend New Zealand Trotting Cup Day at Addington Park, one of the biggest race meetings in the southern hemisphere and the highlight of the New Zealand harness racing calendar. Hospitality is included, providing an excellent setting to enjoy the racing and atmosphere on this flagship day.
Wednesday 11th November
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Breakfast at hotel.
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Today is a free day in Christchurch. Guests may choose to join an optional city tour to explore the highlights of the city, or opt to visit Riccarton Park for a day at the races.
Thursday 12th November
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Breakfast at hotel.
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Today we travel to Kaikoura for a half day whale watching tour, one of New Zealand’s most renowned wildlife experiences. Kaikoura is famous for its deep ocean waters close to shore, offering the chance to see majestic sperm whales along with dolphins and seabirds in their natural environment.
Friday 13th November
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Breakfast at hotel.
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Today we attend the Christchurch Show, one of New Zealand’s most important agricultural and equestrian events, with a history dating back over 150 years. The Show is a major showcase for horses and rural life, attracting competitors and visitors from across the country and forming a key date in the New Zealand sporting and agricultural calendar.
Saturday 14th November
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Breakfast at hotel.
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Today we attend New Zealand Cup Day at Riccarton Park, one of the most prestigious race meetings in the country and a highlight of the New Zealand racing calendar. Hospitality is included, providing an excellent setting to enjoy top class racing and the atmosphere on this flagship day.
Sunday 15th November
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Breakfast at hotel.
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Check out of hotel.
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Breakfast at hotel.
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Transfer to the airport for our return flight home to the UK.
Monday 16th November
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Arrive back into the UK.
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Airport transfers upon arrival into Queenstown
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6 Night Stay in the 5* Sofitel Queenstown Hotel on a B&B Basis
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½ Day Cruise on Lake Wakatipu with Stunning Views
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Evening Meal at the famous Botswana Butchery
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Full Day Tour to Milford Sound (just wow!)
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Tour to Nippon Winery and Lake Wanaka
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Economy Flights from Queenstown to Christchurch
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6 Night Stay at The 5* Observatory Hotel on a B&B Basis
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Tour to Kaikoura for Whale & Dolphin Watching
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Stable/Stud Tour
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Full Hospitality at Addington Park for the biggest Harness Race Meeting in the Southern Hemisphere
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Day at Christchurch Show
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Full Hospitality at New Zealand Cup Day at Riccarton Park
HOTELS
Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa is a stylish five star hotel right in the centre of Queenstown, just a short walk from the lakefront, shops and restaurants. It offers elegant rooms, a relaxed luxury feel and excellent dining and bar options, making it an ideal base for exploring the town while enjoying a high level of comfort.
modern design with a relaxed luxury feel, with stylish rooms, the popular Bazaar restaurant and Reds Bar, plus easy access to Queenstown’s shops, restaurants and waterfront.
Sofitel Queenstown Hotel
The Observatory Hotel Christchurch is a boutique hotel set within the beautifully restored Gothic Revival buildings of the Te Matatiki Toi Ora Arts Centre in the heart of Christchurch city. Its individually designed rooms blend heritage architecture with style, with a prime location just steps from Hagley Park, the Botanic Gardens and the city’s galleries and cafes.
The Observatory Hotel Christchurch
NEW ZEALAND CUP
ABOUT THE EVENT:
The New Zealand Cup is one of the great staying races in the Southern Hemisphere and the centrepiece of the New Zealand racing calendar. Held at Riccarton Racecourse in Christchurch, it is a race steeped in history and tradition and remains a real highlight for racing fans.
Run each November as part of Cup Week, the New Zealand Cup is a Group 3 handicap over 3,200 metres and has been staged since 1865. The race has produced countless memorable moments over the years and continues to attract strong fields of stayers from across New Zealand and Australia. Riccarton itself offers a fantastic setting, with wide open spaces, a relaxed atmosphere and excellent viewing for racegoers.
The New Zealand Cup is about more than just the feature race. Cup Week brings a real festival feel to Christchurch, with great racing across several days and a friendly, welcoming crowd. It’s a brilliant opportunity to experience New Zealand racing at its best, combining competitive action on the track with an easygoing atmosphere that makes the whole week thoroughly enjoyable.
DON'T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT.
Andy H,
November 2025
Absolutely amazing, from start to finish!
The actual trip was just phenomenal. We met some lovely people, we learnt so much and we experienced the most wonderful weekend. The organisation was second to none; the hotel was perfect and the location was right opposite the Hippodrome.
From Marc’s knowledge and contacts, we got to spend a day at Nicolas Clement’s stables, we had wonderful seats for the races along with another stables tour, something we would not have experienced if I hadn’t booked with Venatour. The trip was the right mix of activities and leisure time and we both thoroughly enjoyed it.
Jon S,
September 2025
Lovely trip meeting old and new friends.
Fantastic trip to Bruges and Waregem with Venatour Racing Social. This was our first visit to Bruges so Marc and Simon definitely looked after all of us with recommendations for bars and restaurants and places to see.
Wonderful choice of hotel in the centre of Bruges and a nice touch on day 1 to meet up for drinks together and get to know the group. The racing on day 2 was a spectacle not to be missed and with superb hospitality. On the last evening, Marc arranged a meet up at a lovely place by the Canal. Thanks for a lovely trip, meeting old and new friends and being well looked after.
Carol S,
February 2025
We are still buzzing from
our trip.
Firstly, we are still buzzing from our trip to the White Turf Event in St Moritz with Marc & Simon from Venatour. We were with our family on our return and loved relating many of the 'one of a kind' highlights!
We felt very well looked after with all the attention to details, updates and changes of exciting events which they both masterminded. We've now signed up for the Cape Town event plus the add on Safari - we know it will be a superb experience and something we couldn't do without the expertise of Venatour.
Graham H,
November 2025
Very skilled in tailoring the experience.
Our first guided tour of any description (being averse to any set itinerary and having the spirit of a cat, like a caged Lion…😁). However Marc was an excellent herder of cats!
Very skilful in tailoring the experience to the individual; we did our own thing but was always kept in the loop and joined the group and events as we wanted. And when Gatwick threw a curveball by cancelling a bunch of flights, Marc and the team juggled all the chaos like pros. Hats off to them - it was purr-fectly handled! Thanks guys loved it.