New Zealand Trip (The New Zealand Highlights in One Trip)

Tour Overview

Explore the cosmopolitan city of Auckland, cruise by boat through the glow worm caves at Waitomo, view mighty geysers in Rotorua and visit the picture perfect Milford Sound in the World Heritage Fiordland National Park.

Start Location Auckland

End Location Queenstown

Top Highlights

Auckland Sky Tower
Auckland city tour
Guided tour Auckland to Rotorua
Waitomo glow worm caves
Guided tour of Rotorua
Te Puia Thermal Reserve
Rainbow Springs
Skyline gondola ride with lunch
City tour of Christchurch
Guided tour Christchurch to Queenstown via Mt Cook
Queenstown highlights tour, Walter Peak evening dinner with cruise
Milford Sound guided tour & cruise

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An unforgettable journey awaits you

Embark on a travel experience that will stay with you forever. We offer a blend of culture, adventure, and tranquility, ensuring every moment is filled with wonder. Whether you’re seeking thrill or relaxation, we create journeys that are truly unforgettable.

The journey Begins

Day 1: Arrive Auckland

Upon arrival in Auckland you will be transferred to your downtown accommodation. New Zealand's largest city, blending harbour islands, Polynesian culture and a vibrant city centre, Auckland has been ranked amongst top in the world as a lifestyle city.

Overnight: Auckland
Day 2: Auckland Sightseeing

Experience the best of Auckland today visiting the highlights the inner city offers before heading out to the untamed coastline of the rugged West Coast with deep black beaches and subtropical rainforests. Travel to the Arataki Centre perched high on the ridge of the Waitakere Ranges and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean.

Overnight: Auckland
Day 3: Auckland - Waitomo Caves - Rotorua

Travel south through the rich farmland of the Waikato on to Waitomo. After lunch (included) begin your guided tour through the long galleries and lofty chambers of the caves. Your tour continues with a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto, illuminated by thousands of tiny lights from the glowworms suspended from the cave ceiling. Continue onto Rotorua.

Overnight: Rotorua
Day 4: Rotorua Sightseeing

Enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of Rotorua's top attractions including a visit to Te Puia and the Maori Arts & Crafts Institute where you can view mighty geysers and boiling mud pools. Visit Rainbow Springs, a unique showcase of New Zealand's flora and fauna. Experience the Agrodome Sheep Show. Ride the Skyline Gondola ride to the top of Mt Ngongotaha, buffet lunch is included. This evening see warriors in traditional dress paddle an ancient warrior canoe (waka) down the Wai-o-whiro stream as you experience a traditional Maori Hangi (feast).

Overnight: Rotorua

Meals: Lunch
Day 5: Rotorua - Christchurch(flight not included)

With a transfer to the airport you will leave the North Island today and fly south to Christurch. This afternoon enjoy a tour that covers the central city highlights. The tour includes several parks and gardens including Mona Vale Gardens and Hagley Park. Your tour then moves on to Riccarton House, Riccarton Bush, and the University of Canterbury. Continue to the Sign of the Takahe, an historic building providing spectacular views over the city, Canterbury Plains and to the Southern Alps. Your tour concludes with a drop off in the central city or a return to the original pickup points.

Overnight: Christchurch
Day 6: Christchurch - Mt Cook - Queenstown

Your tour today takes you from Christchurch, through diverse farmland to Lake Tekapo, where you can view the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd. Your tour continues along the Tasman River before arriving at the location of New Zealand's tallest mountain Aoraki / Mount Cook. There is time to experience an optional scenic helicopter or ski plane flight (weather permitting) before departing for New Zealand's Adventure Capital, Queenstown.

Overnight: Queenstown
Day 7: Queenstown Sightseeing

Today you will be collected from your hotel by Limousine South for your Queenstown Highlights tour. Enjoy Queenstown's diverse attractions with your friendly, knowledgeable local guide. You will be captivated by the amazing views over Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range. Watch the fearless jumpers hurl themselves off AJ Hackett's original Bungy Bridge while learning about the history and excitement of bungy jumping. Enjoy a wine tasting tour at Gibbston Valley Winery savouring the flavours of fine local wines. You will also see where key scenes from Lord of the Rings were shot and re-live the 1860s gold rush at beautiful Arrowtown, where remnants of that fascinating era merge with modern, speciality shopping, before being dropped back off to your accommodation.

Overnight: Queenstown
Day 8: Milford Sound Tour & Cruise

Today you will travel on an unforgettable journey from Queenstown into Milford Sound. Located within the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, this region is rich with dense rainforest, lakes and waterfalls cascading from rugged mountain peaks. Board your vessel for a spectacular cruise on New Zealand's most famous waterway, return by coach to Queenstown.

Overnight: Queenstown

Meals: Dinner
Day 9: Queenstown at leisure

Explore Queenstown at your pace.

Overnight: Queenstown
Day 10: Package ends

Your departure transfer will take you back to the airport where you will say, "Goodbye" to New Zealand.

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Applicable taxes vary depending on travel destination and are not included. Please ask your sales agent what extra taxes will be payable for your tour.

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What’s Included

9 nights of accommodation
Airport transfers throughout
Sightseeing and attractions as listed

What’s Not Included

Rotorua to Christchurch Flight
Airfare unless specified as included within the itinerary
Taxes as applicable
Gratuities for Local Guides, Tour Managers, and/or Bus Drivers
Meals not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary
Travel Insurance and Cancellation Protection (strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
Items (attractions and sightseeing & entrance fees) not listed as included in the itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Tour Questions

The tour officially starts in Auckland and concludes in Queenstown, New Zealand. Travelers arrive in Auckland on Day 1, explore both the North and South Islands via guided tours and a domestic flight, and finish their 10-day trip in Queenstown on Day 10.

This is a 10-day "Explore New Zealand Highlights" trip package designed to showcase the country's most iconic landscapes and cultural attractions. The itinerary begins upon arrival in Auckland on Day 1 and concludes with departure transfer arrangements in Queenstown on Day 10.

Key highlights include exploring Auckland's Sky Tower and the rugged West Coast, taking a boat ride through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, and viewing geothermal wonders at Te Puia in Rotorua. Additional experiences feature a Skyline Gondola lunch, a Christchurch city tour, a Queenstown highlights tour with wine tasting, and a guided tour and cruise at Milford Sound.

The package includes 9 nights of accommodation and airport transfers throughout the journey. It also covers sightseeing, guided tours, and prepaid attractions explicitly listed in the itinerary, such as the Waitomo caves tour, Rotorua cultural experiences, and Milford Sound cruise.

Exclusions from the package include the Rotorua to Christchurch domestic flight and general airfares unless specified as included in the itinerary. Additionally, applicable taxes, gratuities for local guides, tour managers, or bus drivers, unmentioned meals, and travel insurance are not covered.

While the tours are suitable for all age demographics, the average age of travelers is typically 45 and older. This ensures a comfortable, well-organized, and companionable environment for mature travelers exploring New Zealand's top highlights.

Solo travelers can choose options to join most tours by paying a single supplement to secure their own private room throughout the trip. For those willing to share, a Twin Share option is offered for the majority of our tours, allowing you to room with another single, same-gender traveler to avoid single fees.

This tour features a low to moderate level of physical demand, combining guided coach tours, boat rides, and city sightseeing with optional active excursions like scenic flights. However, you should inquire about any specific mobility restrictions before completing your booking to ensure the activities suit your needs.

Each passenger is allowed to bring one large suitcase and one small soft-sided carry-on bag, following standard guidelines with a recommended weight limit of 20 kilograms or 40 pounds. Because the itinerary involves airport transfers and domestic travel, keeping your baggage compact and manageable is ideal.

Yes, the tour operators and partner venues can accommodate reasonable dietary restrictions such as food allergies, vegan, and vegetarian requirements. Guests are requested to inform staff of any specific dietary needs at the time of booking so appropriate alternative meal choices can be arranged.

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An unforgettable journey awaits you