The vast majority of tourist arrivals to New Zealand come through Auckland Airport, which handled nearly fifteen million passengers in 2013. Two percent of visitors arrive by sea (as of 2009). Many international tourists spend time in Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Rotorua, and Wellington. Other high-profile destinations include the Bay of Islands, Waitomo Caves, Aoraki / Mount Cook, and Milford Sound. Many tourists travel large distances through the country during their stays, typically using coach lines or hire cars.
Domestic tourism is also important, though expenditure and trip numbers have been declining or stagnating in the face of fast-growing international tourism. Domestic tourist spending of NZ$20.2 billion a year still exceeds that of international visitors (NZ$11.8 billion).
In November 2012 readers of UK paper The Telegraph voted New Zealand the best country in the world to go to on holiday. The national airline, Air New Zealand, was voted third-best long-haul carrier.
Day 1: Arrive Auckland
On arrival in Auckland, ‘The City of Sails’, seat in coach passengers will be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel. Self drive clients will collect your rental car at the airport and drive to your hotel.
Overnight at Auckland Hotel
Day 2: Auckland: Auckland City Highlights Tour & Kelly Tarltons Sea Life Aquarium
After Breakfast, Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of city, See why Auckland is regarded as one of the best cities in the world to live in, as you join this half day tour around the central city and picturesque suburbs. Our journey begins with a short trip over the Harbour Bridge to the North Shore before returning to the central city to visit Queen St and the Auckland Viaduct. We continue on through the Auckland Domain, the city's oldest park, situated on a 62,000 year old volcano to Parnell Village for our morning tea stop. The historic buildings of Parnell have been transformed in to a trendy shopping area featuring many boutiques, antique, craft and specialty shops. Following this brief stop our tour will then take you along the scenic waterfront route of Tamaki Drive to the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park, in Mission Bay. Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park has panoramic views over Whenua Rangatira, Auckland city and Waitemata Harbour. Also a visit to Kelly Tarlton’s Sealife Aquarium and Antarctic encounter. The remainder of the day is free. You can visit the Sky Tower at the evening by your own to enjoy endless views of Auckland
Overnight at Auckland Hotel
Day 3: Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua - Waitomo Glowworms Caves
After Breakfast, Proceed to Waitomo. More than 30 million years ago, the legend of Waitomo began with the creation of limestone at the bottom of the ocean. Now these limestone formations stand as one of New Zealand's most inspiring natural wonders and a must-see destination. Your guided tour will take you to travel south through the fertile Waikato region to arrive at Waitomo through over 250 metres of stunning underground scenery commencing with the impressive Cathedral. Your experienced tour guide will deliver a highly informative commentary about the formations and the history of the area. The cave is easily accessible to those with reasonable mobility, with good handrails and paths. On completion continue over the Mamaku Ranges to reach the ‘Thermal City’ of Rotorua.
Overnight at Rotorua Hotel
Day 4: Rotorua - Tamaki Maori Village - Maori Culture, Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park, Te Po Maori Concert & Hangi
After Breakfast, Visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see boiling mudpools and roaring geysers. Following this, visit Rainbow Springs to see New Zealand’s trout, birds and wildlife before continuing to the Agrodome for a New Zealand farm show featuring sheep dog demonstrations, cow milking and an introduction to the stars of our sheep industry. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening enjoy an authentic Maori Hangi (feast) and Concert. Te Po is Te Puia's evening cultural experience. It is a feast of storytelling, entertainment and Maori Cuisine.
Overnight at Rotorua Hotel
Day 5: Rotorua - Wellington
Post Breakfast travel south to reach 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.
Overnight at Wellington Hotel
Day 6: Wellington - Wellington City Sightseeing, Te Papa Museum of New Zealand
After Breakfast get ready to enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Wellington which includes the famous Beehive and Parliament Buildings, old Saint Paul's Cathedral, the finest example of Revival Gothic architecture in the Southern Hemisphere, exquisite Lady Norwood Rose Gardens, The largest wooden building in the Southern Hemisphere, various buildings exemplifying classic early Wellington architecture. Enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of Wellington City, hills and harbour from the summit of Mount Victoria, and drive around the rugged and pure scenic bays of Wellington Harbour, A ride on the historic cable car is an optional extra but well worthwhile and a short guided tour of Te Papa (the ‘Museum of New Zealand’) rest of the day enjoy at your own to explore New Zealand’s capital city.
Overnight at Wellington Hotel
Day 7: Wellington - Picton - Kaikoura - Interislander Ferry
After Breakfast, you will be doing journey across Cook Strait and into the Marlborough Sounds before arriving in Picton. Interislander is the New Zealand ferry service which crosses the Cook Strait between the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The 92 km, three hour journey between Wellington and Picton is one of New Zealand's most iconic tourist experiences, and one of the most spectacular cruises in the world. Travel south through the town of Blenheim, before reaching Kaikoura: here you might like to take an optional whale watch cruise or scenic flight.
Overnight at Kaikoura Hotel
Day 8: Kaikoura - Christchurch
Post Breakfast leave Kaikoura behind as you turn inland and travel through North Canterbury to reach the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch, later day free to explore Christchurch.
Overnight at Christchurch Hotel
Day 9: Christchurch - Mt Cook - Queenstown
Travel across the fertile Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd before continuing on to New Zealand’s highest mountain - Mt Cook. Depart Mt Cook and follow the shores of Lake PUnited Kingdomaki south through the historic Central Otago region to the ‘Alpine Resort’ of Queenstown.
Overnight at Queenstown Hotel
Day 10: Milford Sound - Milford Day Tour
After Breakfast, take an unforgettable journey into the heart of Milford Sound. You'll experience the world famous fiord - rich in dense rainforest, glacier carved valleys and beautiful waterfalls. Journey across the Southern Alps and travel deep into the Homer Tunnel, a 1.2km tunnel drilled through solid rock. Uncover Eglinton Valley, a place of ancient alpine forest and gushing waterfalls, take photos of the stunning Mirror Lakes, then walk across The Chasm. At the deep waters of Milford Sound, board your 1 3/4 hour Southern Discoveries Scenic Cruise. See the wonders of Mitre Peak, glacier-scarred rock walls and waterfalls that tumble through valleys and crash into the sea far below.Follow the southern arm of Lake Wakatipu to Lumsden, and onward to Lake Te Anau. Enter the Eglinton Valley and travel through the Homer Tunnel to reach Milford Sound. Return to Queenstown.
Overnight at Queenstown Hotel
Day 11: Queenstown
After Breakfast you have a free day to explore the endless optional attractions available. Queenstown offers bungee jumping, jet boating, gondola rides and much more.
Overnight at Queenstown Hotel
Day 12: Queenstown - Glacier Region
Post Breakfast depart Queenstown and travel via Lake Wanaka and through the historic Haast Pass, gateway to the World Heritage Westland National Park. Continue up the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native forests and lakes to the glacier region of Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers.
Overnight at glacier region of Franz Josef Hotel
Day 13: Glacier Region - Glacier Hot Pools
After Breakfast you have a day at leisure to explore magnificent glacier region. Optional activities include a scenic flight or guided walk on one of the glaciers. Optional activities not included in the tour price. For Self Drive clients, entry to the Glacier Hot Pools is included, which are Nestled in a heavily wooded rainforest, beneath mature 30 meter tall trees, the temperatures of the three main pools and three secluded private pools range from 36 to 40 degrees. Massage facilities add to an atmosphere of complete indulgence. Amid this tranquil and enticing setting, the natural water features and call of native birds calm the mind and nourish the spirit. As you immerse yourself into the Glacier Hot Pools, day-to-day worries disappear as our team takes care of the finer details. Towels, lockers, swim clothing retail and refreshment facilities are all available on site.
Overnight at glacier region of Franz Josef Hotel
Day 14: Glacier Region - Greymouth - Christchurch - Tranz Alpine train
Post breakfast travel north to Greymouth in afternoon and board the world famous TranzAlpine train (seat in coach passengers only). It is truly one of the world’s great scenic train trips through the dramatic contrast of dry beech forests and tussock land on one side of the Alps and lush green landscapes on the other. Travel over Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
Overnight at Christchurch Hotel
Day 15: Depart Christchurch
Post breakfast get transferred or the return of your rental car to the airport for your flight to an onwards destination or back to India with memories which will last for a life time.
Important Note: The above itinerary is tentative and subjected to change without prior notice. We can also amend and tailor-made the above itinerary as per your requirement.
