New Zealand is both a dream destination and an once-in-a-lifetime place to visit. New Zealand is a place with heavenly middle Earth beauty. Cascading waterfalls, deep fjords, hot water spring, steaming geysers, untamed wilds, clear beaches and dazzling glaciers; it’s just the beginning of its beautiful story. The country is full of so many wonders that it’s hard for people to decide which one to visit and which one to miss.
Day 1: ARRIVE AUCKLAND
Welcome to New Zealand! On arrival clear immigration, collect your luggage and proceed to exit gate. You will be received by our Representative & assisted with your transfer to the hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay in Auckland
Day 2 : AUCKLAND – ROTORUA
Check out from the Hotel & proceed on a City Tour of Auckland
Discover Auckland’s charms on a half-day tour of its scenic highlights. Travel through the city center, along fascinating Karangahape Road and past fashionable Ponsonby, and over the Auckland Harbor Bridge. Visit the Viaduct Harbor and Auckland’s famous Queen Street before continuing to the Auckland Domain, the city’s oldest park. Continue to Parnell Village and explore the boutique shops and specialty stores of this historic suburb during a morning tea break. Then travel along the scenic waterfront route of Tamaki Drive enroute to Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park, above Mission Bay. This tranquil park offers a panoramic outlook over Auckland city and the Waitemata Harbour. Next enjoy a bird’s eye view of Auckland city from the Sky Tower observatory deck. Free time for Lunch on your own.
Post Lunch , proceed to Rotorua. En route stop at Matamata to visit the twelve acre site recounting fascinating details of how Hobbiton Movie set was created. The Hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn, Mill and other structures created for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films can be viewed and you will see how this beautiful piece of Waikato farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle-Earth. Arrive in Rotorua & Check in to the Hotel. Overnight stay in Rotorua
Day 3 : ROTORUA
Proceed for a guided tour of Te Puia Thermal Reserve. Rising from the geothermal valley above mud pools and steam vents is Te Puia. Once a fortress, Te Puia protected the people and its culture from warring tribes. Today Te puia stands majestic as a symbol of protection for New Zealand arts, crafts and culture, upholding the values of Maori -past, present and future. With your entry ticket to Te Puia, visit the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute where masters and students share their art and culture. Step into the natural wonder of Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley where geysers, mud pools and boiling waters still play after 40,000 years. At the Kiwi house, discover the fascinating traits of New Zealand s national icon. The concerts at Te Puia are a fun way to experience the personality of our Maori culture and dance and traditions. One of our most entertaining forms of storytelling is Maori performance art. Take a guided tour of the reserve ensuring that you see the best of Te Puia.
Later, proceed to visit Agrodome, a multi-faceted visitor attraction, which proudly displays many aspects of New Zealand agriculture. The agrodome complex is surrounded by a 150 hectare working farm providing enrichment. Sheep show which is the still the premier attraction of the Agrodome with one hour of live entertainment with a Sheep shearing Demonstration, an exciting sheep auction with audience participation, a demonstration by Huntaway dogs, plus our famous “Duck” dog. The show would not be complete without the opportunity to hand-milk a cow on stage as well as feeding lambs. The show features nineteen breeds of sheep. This is a unique combination of information sharing and hands on experience, providing an interesting and rewarding insight into the New Zealand way of life. Horticulture is also an increasingly popular part of New Zealanders and the farm tour includes 6 hectares of organic kiwifruit, apples, olives and mandarins. With also a stop at the Organic Education Center for kiwifruit juice and honey tasting, this farm tour is entertaining and educational.
Return to the Hotel. Overnight stay in Rotorua.
Day 4 : ROTORUA – AUCKLAND
Check out & take a sightseeing day tour from Rotorua to Auckland, including a guided tour of the fascinating Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Leaving the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua in the morning, we travel through lush farmland into the King Country region. Along the way, enjoy your driver guide’s commentary on the area’s history and highlights, and enjoy spectacular sights like Fitzgerald Glade, where the trees arch overhead to form a tunnel of natural greenery. After arriving in the small town of Waitomo, you’ll be taken on a 45-minute guided tour through the world famous Glowworm Caves, which were discovered in 1887 and are now one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations. Wander through subterranean caverns and learn how the stalagmites, stalactites and other spectacular limestone rock formations were formed over millions of years. To end your tour, travel through the Glowworm Grotto on a magical boat ride, surrounded by the twinkling lights of thousands of glowworms. After your Glowworm Caves tour you’ll have leisure time at the Waitomo visitor complex. Today a delicious buffet lunch will be served at Waitomo Caves Restaurant. Enjoy the stunning views and learn more about the region in the discovery centre. We journey on through the beautiful Waikato region, the dairy farming capital of New Zealand, and northward to Auckland, where your tour concludes on arrival in the afternoon.
Arrive Auckland & check in to the Hotel. Overnight stay in Auckland.
Day 5 : AUCKLAND – QUEENSTOWN
Check out & transfer to the Airport to board your flight to Queenstown. On arrival in Queenstown, you will be received by our Representative & assisted with your transfer to the Hotel. Check in to the Hotel.
Proceed on a half day tour that will take you to Queenstown Hill with spectacular panoramic views over the town centre, Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Mountain Range. Next is a visit to the birth place of bungy jumping as we know it and home to the Bungy Dome, an 8 minute multi media show that allows passive bystanders to experience the thrill of bungy jumping without taking the leap. The Bungy Centre is a state of the art facility that offers grand stand viewing of the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and of the Bungy jumping platform. Then head to Gibbston Valley for some wine tasting and cheese tasting. Then onto Kawarau Gorge where a scene from ‘Lord of the Rings – Pillars of the Kings’ was filmed. To complete the highlights of the Queenstown area, visit the picturesque town of Arrowtown which retains its old world charm through careful preservation of its colourful history and colonial style architecture. Return t the Hotel. Overnight stay in Queenstown
Day 6 : QUEENSTOWN
Proceed on a full day tour of Milford Sound
Leaving Queenstown, travel into southern farmland to Lake Te Anau. After a morning tea stop, travel into Fiordland National Park. Enter the picturesque Eglinton Valley and take advantage of the photo opportunities on offer along the Milford Road, like the stunning Mirror Lakes, where on a calm day the surrounding mountain ranges are perfectly reflected in the still waters, and Knobs Flat, where glaciers have carved their mark on the terrain. Travel under the mountains through the Homer Tunnel, a 1.2km passageway drilled into solid rock, then experience The Chasm, a short but impressive walk over footbridges spanning a series of powerful, swirling waterfalls and rapids. At Milford Sound, board your 1 hour 45 minute Southern Discoveries Scenic Cruise and set off to explore the region that Rudyard Kipling called the Eighth Wonder of the World. Travel the length of the fjord and out to the Tasman Sea, gliding past glacier-scarred rock walls and waterfalls that tumble through valleys and crash into the sea far below. Lush native forest clings to steep cliffs, while wildlife including seals, penguins and dolphins are regular visitors to the icy waters. Mountain ranges surround the fiord, including Mitre Peak which rises dramatically from the depths to a height of 1,692 metres above sea level. After your cruise, return to Queenstown by coach
Overnight stay in Queenstown
Day 7 : QUEENSTOWN
Day at leisure to explore Queenstown at your own pace. You may also opt for the various adventure activities the Adventure Capital of the World has to offer. Sky Diving, Bungy Jumping, Funyak rides, Shotover Jet Boat are to name a few.
Overnight stay in Queenstown
Day 8 : QUEENSTOWN – FRANZ JOSEF
Check out & proceed to Franz Josef. Enroute stop the picturesque town of Wanaka & visit the Puzzling World that offers the world’s first modernly styled Great Maze, incredibly designed Illusion Rooms, and the most eccentric architecture and Oddities, this place is a photographer’s delight. Later drive Franz Josef, perfect base to explore the world famous Franz Josef Glacier. The German explorer Julius von Haast named the Franz Josef Glacier after Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria. Located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park, it is approximately 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) long. Explore its spectacular scenery.
Proceed to the Hotel & Check in. Overnight stay in Franz Josef.
Day 9: FRANZ JOSEF – CHRISTCHURCH
Check out & proceed to Christchurch driving past the mountain ranges of Canterbury plains. On arrival in Christchurch, transfer to the Hotel & Check in.
Proceed on a half day tour visiting the beautiful Botanical gardens, the new Cardboard Cathedral and drive past the Art Center and the Canterbury Museum. Overnight stay in Christchurch
Day 10: CHRISTCHURCH
Proceed on a full day Tour with Whale Watching Cruise in Kaikoura. Learn about the marine mammals of Kaikoura and the town’s whaling industry. Observe a fur seal colony on the shore near Kaikoura. Enjoy wine tasting at one of the North Canterbury vineyard. Overnight stay in Christchurch
Day 11: DEPARTURE FROM CHRISTCHURCH
Check out & transfer to the Airport to board your departure flight.