Tour highlights: Auckland - Rotorua - Taupo - Wellington - Queenstown - Milford Sound - Dunedin - Oamaru - Mount Cook - Tasman Glacier - Christchurch
2 National Park 4 cities
2 islands (North Island and South Island)
2 islands (North Island and South Island)
This "New Zealand Essential Tours" itinerary is for those travellers who wish to have an active vacation and discover the most New Zealand attractions in the shortest possible time. The pace is fast, yet pleasant.
This suggested New Zealand itinerary starts in Auckland and ends in Christchurch. You can purchase international flights arriving into one city and leaving from the other.
Suggested Tours
Essential (14)
Day 1: Auckland
Early arrival at Auckland International Airport.Transfer to your accommodation (available from 12:00). Time for rest and sightseeing including Mount Eden, Kelly Tarlton aquarium, America's Cup village, Ponsonby. Early dinner and two nights in Auckland.
Early arrival at Auckland International Airport.Transfer to your accommodation (available from 12:00). Time for rest and sightseeing including Mount Eden, Kelly Tarlton aquarium, America's Cup village, Ponsonby. Early dinner and two nights in Auckland.
Day 2: Auckland
Waitakere jungle (native plants and birds) and Muriwai gannet colony. Dinner at Sky Tower's panoramic restaurant (52nd floor). Second night in Auckland.
Waitakere jungle (native plants and birds) and Muriwai gannet colony. Dinner at Sky Tower's panoramic restaurant (52nd floor). Second night in Auckland.
Day 3: Auckland - Rotorua
Scenic coastal road. Winery tour. Waikato plains. Waimangu geothermal valley. 2 nights in Rotorua.
Scenic coastal road. Winery tour. Waikato plains. Waimangu geothermal valley. 2 nights in Rotorua.
Day 4: Rotorua
Ohinemutu Maori village and church. Agrodome farm show. Whakarewarewa geysers. Maori concert. Maori arts & crafts institute. Huka Falls and Lake Taupo. Second night in Rotorua.
Ohinemutu Maori village and church. Agrodome farm show. Whakarewarewa geysers. Maori concert. Maori arts & crafts institute. Huka Falls and Lake Taupo. Second night in Rotorua.
Day 5: Rotorua - Wellington
Free time in Rotorua. Flight to Wellington. Weather permitting, we should see Tongariro National Park semi-active volcanoes. 2 nights in Wellington.
Free time in Rotorua. Flight to Wellington. Weather permitting, we should see Tongariro National Park semi-active volcanoes. 2 nights in Wellington.
Day 6: Wellington
Wellington, the southernmost capital in the world. Mt Victoria panoramic view, Old St Pauls Cathedral, Te Papa National Museum. Second night in Wellington.
Wellington, the southernmost capital in the world. Mt Victoria panoramic view, Old St Pauls Cathedral, Te Papa National Museum. Second night in Wellington.
Day 7: Wellington - Queenstown
Fly over Cook Strait, Marlborough Sounds and the Southern Alps to reach Queenstown, New Zealand's tourist capital. 2 nights in Queenstown.
Fly over Cook Strait, Marlborough Sounds and the Southern Alps to reach Queenstown, New Zealand's tourist capital. 2 nights in Queenstown.
Day 8: Queenstown
Queenstown sightseeing (bungy jumping, jet-boating - all optional) and shopping. Scenic drive to Glenorchy. Second night in Queenstown.
Queenstown sightseeing (bungy jumping, jet-boating - all optional) and shopping. Scenic drive to Glenorchy. Second night in Queenstown.
Day 9: Queenstown - Milford Sound
Lake Wakatipu. Te Anau wildlife sanctuary. Fiordland National Park. Kea mountain parrot spotting. Overnight cruise on a very comfortable boat on Milford Sound. (Subject to availability; if not available, overnight in Te Anau.)
Lake Wakatipu. Te Anau wildlife sanctuary. Fiordland National Park. Kea mountain parrot spotting. Overnight cruise on a very comfortable boat on Milford Sound. (Subject to availability; if not available, overnight in Te Anau.)
Day 10: Milford Sound - Dunedin
Back to the East coast, to Dunedin, crossing the towns of Gore and Clinton ("The Presidential Highway"). 2 nights in Dunedin.
Back to the East coast, to Dunedin, crossing the towns of Gore and Clinton ("The Presidential Highway"). 2 nights in Dunedin.
Day 11: Dunedin
Dunedin Scottish city. Otago Peninsula. Monarch wildlife cruise. Albatross colony. Second night in Dunedin.
Dunedin Scottish city. Otago Peninsula. Monarch wildlife cruise. Albatross colony. Second night in Dunedin.
Day 12: Dunedin - Twizel (Mount Cook)
Moeraki Boulders. Oamaru white stone city. Maori rock paintings. Mt Cook National Park views and walks. Overnight in Twizel, one of the world's youngest towns (founded 1965).
Moeraki Boulders. Oamaru white stone city. Maori rock paintings. Mt Cook National Park views and walks. Overnight in Twizel, one of the world's youngest towns (founded 1965).
Day 13: Twizel (Mount Cook) - Christchurch
Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo. Good Shepherd's chapel. Christchurch sightseeing: cathedral, Arts Centre, Museum. Overnight in Christchurch.
Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo. Good Shepherd's chapel. Christchurch sightseeing: cathedral, Arts Centre, Museum. Overnight in Christchurch.
Day 14: Christchurch
More time for sightseeing and free time in Christchurch. Drop-off at Christchurch International or domestic airport. Haere ra e te manuhiri tuarangi (farewell, honoured guests).
More time for sightseeing and free time in Christchurch. Drop-off at Christchurch International or domestic airport. Haere ra e te manuhiri tuarangi (farewell, honoured guests).This New Zealand tour can be enjoyed at any time of the year:
Rotorua is New Zealand's geothermal wonderland. Steaming geysers, boiling mud and naturally heated geothermal pools characterize this unique city. Steeped in history and culture, Rotorua is home to the famous buried village created in the eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886. The city is surrounded by amazing lakes and forestry, and is pervaded by a proud Maori culture. Rotorua offers our international visitors many unique options. The Agrodome show proudly showcases our agricultural base, Rainbow Springs and Te Puia let you see our very endangered Kiwi bird in a natural setting, and there is the famous Zorb , where you can roll down a hill encased in a plastic bubble, as well as many cultural performances and exhibitions.