×

Best of New Zealand(old)

Auckland, Rotorua, Kaikoura, Queenstown, Franz Josef, Greymouth, Christchurch
Best-Time
September - May
Stops
7
Experience
Adventure, City Life, Culture, Family, Honeymoon, Mountains, Nature
Length
15 Days
Type
Tailormade

Highlights

*This itinerary can be done as seat-in-coach (SIC) or as a road trip.

New Zealand is a small country, similar in size to Great Britain or Japan. A small island nation in the Pacific Ocean, it is famous for its national rugby team, its indigenous Maori culture, and its picturesque landscape. Start your journey to Auckland which is the hotspot of New Zealand. Go on Rotorua which is known for the Glowworm Caves. Also, get a chance to experience Milford sound scenic cruise and many other places in the valleys of New Zealand.

What will you cover?

Suggested Itinerary

DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
DAY 5
DAY 6
DAY 7
DAY 8
DAY 9
DAY 10
DAY 11
DAY 12
DAY 13
DAY 14
DAY 15

Day 1 : Auckland Arrival

Arrive at Auckland Airport. Upon arrival, Pick up the keys of your rental car and drive to your hotel where you can check-in.

The Māori call Auckland, Tāmaki Makaurau — a maiden desired by 100 lovers, and a valuable territory fought over for centuries for its fertile land and natural harbors on the Pacific Ocean (to the east) and the Tasman Sea (to the west). Today, it is New Zealand’s largest city; a vibrant and diverse place where nature and urban life go hand-in-hand, with 48 volcanic cones, more than 50 islands, and 29,000 km of coastline and beaches just minutes away from the arts and shopping of the central city.


Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Auckland

Day 2 : Auckland

Today, visit the Kelly Tarlton's aquarium and the Auckland Sky Tower

Visit Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World where you will discover secrets of the Southern Ocean and see the magic of an Antarctic fantasyland, complete with Penguins strutting in fresh snow and ice!

Later, visit Skycity Auckland Sky Tower. At 328 meters, the Sky Tower visit offers impressive panoramic views in every direction.


Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Auckland

Day 3 : Auckland – Waitomo - Rotorua

Today, drive to Waitomo. Upon arrival, visit the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

Take a boat ride through the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Glide through this underground complex, enjoying a light show put on by the millions of tiny bioluminescent insects hanging above.

Later continue your journey to Rotorua, which is renowned for its geothermal activity and its Maori culture. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and then enjoy the day at leisure.


Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Rotorua

Day 4 : Rotorua

Today, explore the Rainbow Springs park, attend the Agrodome Sheep Show and then visit Te Puia Geothermal Reserve.

Visit the Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park where hundreds of brown and rainbow trout can be seen. Next, travel onto the Agrodome for a one-hour performance seeing nineteen sheep breeds introduced onto the stage and they demonstrate the art of sheep shearing.

Later, visit Te Puia Geothermal Reserve and see the boiling mud pools and cascading Pohutu geyser that makes Rotorua famous as New Zealand's "thermal city". Enjoy a visit to the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute with local Maori carvers in action. This evening enjoys an authentic Maori Hangi (feast) and Concert.


Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Rotorua

Day 5 : Rotorua – Wellington

Today, hit the road as you travel south to the popular lake resort of Taupo before continuing on the Desert Road, dominated in the background by the three peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro. Continue south through farmland before arriving in the ‘Capital City’ of Wellington. Drive to the hotel and check-in.


Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Wellington

Day 6 : Wellington

Today enjoy the Te Papa Tour.

Get a personal introduction to Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s premier museum based in Wellington. This tour provides an overview of the museum’s interactive exhibits, artifacts, fine art, and natural history displays. You’ll get a deeper look at Maori cultural heritage and colonial history with an expert guide who share insights and offers suggestions for galleries that might suit your interests.


Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Wellington

Day 7 : Wellington – Picton – Kaikoura

Today, drive down from the hotel to the ferry terminal then embark the Great Journey of New Zealand cruise.

Travel across Cook Strait, the stretch of water that separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand and into the Marlborough Sounds with its sparkling clear waters and lush forests, before arriving in Picton.

Disembark from the cruise and drive down to Kaikoura which is a coastal town on the South Island of New Zealand. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and then enjoy the day at leisure.


Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Kaikoura

Day 8 : Kaikoura – Christchurch

Today, drive to Christchurch. Upon arrival at Christchurch, check in at the hotel and then enjoy the day at leisure.

Christchurch, known for its English heritage, is located on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. It is also known as the "Garden City" because of its many beautiful parks, gardens and tree-lined streets. It is one of the world’s most unique destinations, combining urban regeneration and innovation with heritage, culture and exhilarating activity


Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Christchurch

Day 9 : Christchurch – Mount Cook – Queenst...

Today, leave the Canterbury Plains behind, traveling over the braided Rakaia River into the MacKenzie Country. At Lake Tekapo visit the Church of the Good Shepherd. From Pukaki, take the road inland to Mount Cook.

Depart Mount Cook and follow the shores of Lake Pukaki to the small town of Twizel. The route turns south through the MacKenzie basin and the junction town of Omarama. Then it’s over the Lindis Pass to the old gold workings near Tarras, the township of Cromwell and the "Alpine Resort" of Queenstown. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and then enjoy the day at leisure.


Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Queenstown

Day 10 : Queenstown

Today take an excursion to Milford Sound and embark the cruise.

Arguably the most scenic destination in New Zealand, the Milford Sound cruise offers a sweeping landscape of jagged snow-capped mountains, shimmering fjords and lakes, towering waterfalls and emerald greenery. You’ll also see The Remarkables mountain range, Lake Wakatipu — New Zealand's longest lake, and Lake Te Anau — the South Island are the largest lake.


Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Queenstown

Day 11 : Queenstown

Today enjoy the day at leisure at the adventure capital of the world. Experience adrenaline-pumping activities like jet ski safaris, sky diving, bungee jumping and white-water rafting amongst others


Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Queenstown

Day 12 : Queenstown – Franz Josef

Today, travel along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the Haast Pass, a gateway to World Heritage Westland National Park. Continue up the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native forests, and lakes to the glacier region of Fox and Franz Josef. Arrive at the hotel and check-in. Enjoy rest of the day at leisure.

Franz Josef / Waiau is a small town in the West Coast region of the South Island of New Zealand. The area surrounding the two glaciers is part of Te Wahipounamu, a World Heritage Site park. The river emerging from the glacier terminal of Franz Josef is known as the Waiho River.


Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Franz Josef

Day 13 : Franz Josef

Today, enjoy the day at leisure. You can do sky diving here, hike the glacier or visit the thermal pools.

 


Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Franz Josef

Day 14 : Franz Josef – Greymouth – Christchu...

Leave the Glacier Region today traveling north towards the town of Hokitika. From Kumara Junction, follow the signs north towards Greymouth and the Taramakau road-rail bridge. En route is Shantytown - a replica 1880's mining town set on one of the Coast's former gold rush sites. Return your rental car at the Greymouth Railway Station and check in for the TranzAlpine Train.

Ascend through lush beech forests past the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass before crossing the spectacular Southern Alps. Travel over the Canterbury Plains to reach ‘the garden city’ of Christchurch. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and then enjoy the day at leisure.


Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Christchurch

Day 15 : Christchurch Departure

Today, transfer you to Christchurch airport where you can catch your flight back home.


Where to rest your head ?

NA

Inclusions

accommodation
4 & 5 Star Hotels
sightseeing
Tours & Excursions
transport
Private Car
travel insurance
15 Days
visa
New Zealand Visa
meals
Breakfast

Exclusions

flights
International Flights
meals
Food & Drinks

Starting from
171000 per person