Highlights of New Zealand - New Zealand

This is a customisable itinerary to provide you with a start point and suggestions for your travel plans. We’ll work closely with you and our travel partner to design your ideal trip, paying close attention to your interests, your travel style and your budget. Our partner’s specialists know the country inside out and can lead you to experiences you won’t find in a guidebook.

Day 1 International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Auckland.

Day 2 International outbound flight

International outbound flight

On-board your international outbound flight to Auckland.

Day 3 Auckland

Upon arrival in Auckland, you will be welcomed by one of our representatives and spend the morning exploring the city with your guide prior to checking in at your hotel. Your guide will show you the main highlights of the city along with great places to eat. After your tour, you could head up the city’s Sky Tower which, at 328 m (1,076 ft) tall, affords far-reaching views over Auckland and the bay.

Day 4 Rotorua

This morning collect your car and make the three hour drive south to Rotorua. The drive to Rotorua takes around three hours and it's a straightforward drive that takes in the green farmlands of the region and into the forested plateau before arriving at Lake Rotorua. You will stay here for two nights.

Day 5 Rotorua

Spend the morning exploring Rainbow Springs and the Kiwi sanctuary with a keeper. This evening, you have tickets to a Maori cultural evening, where you'll experience traditional performances and a delicious 'Hangi' feast.

Day 6 Blenheim

In the morning, drive to Rotorua airport in time for your onward flight to Blenheim. In Blenheim, you will be collected by a representative and transported by private vehicle to your accommodation. The rest of the day is open to explore the wine region of New Zealand.

Day 7 Blenheim

Spend the day biking around, with your small group, the stunning Blenheim wine region while doing a variety of wine tastings at places like Cloudy Bay.

Day 8 Kaikoura

This morning you will be transported from your accommodation to the train station in time for your afternoon train journey from Blenheim to Kaikoura. In the late afternoon, you will arrive into Kaikoura, home to where the mountains and ocean meet. You will spend the next two nights here.

Day 9 Kaikoura

This morning head out to the Pacific Ocean and don snorkel gear to jump in the water. Here you have the potential to swim with wild dolphins that frequent the region — these curious animals love to interact with humans.

Day 10 Christchurch

Today, you will have the morning to explore Kaikoura before taking the TranzCoastal train from Kaikoura to Christchurch. Try out one of the excellent restaurants in Christchurch tonight — we suggest dining in one along New Regent Street, which has a wide range of options.

Day 11 Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers

Early this morning take a taxi to the train station where you board the TranzAlpine train. This three hour scenic journey takes you across the Southern Alps through Arthur's Pass National Park to South Island's west coast. Upon arrival in Greymouth you collect your hire car from the train station and take a leisurely drive down to the glaciers. We can highly recommend stopping en route at the small town of Hokitika for lunch. The drive to Franz Josef takes around three hours.

Day 12 Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers

Today you will enjoy a fabulous heli-hike on the Franz Josef Glacier. You will be flown up over the glacier before landing where you will put on your crampons and your guide will pick out a path with his pickaxe, enabling him to show you the best ice formations on the glacier that day. Your helicopter will collect you and fly you back down to the township where you have access to the relaxing hot pools for the afternoon.

Day 13 Queenstown

This morning, you will drive south to Queenstown. On the way, there are plenty of short walks to take in the Haast Pass and scenic spots to enjoy. Stop off for the afternoon in Wanaka, a beautiful lakeside town surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. Then take the road over the Cardrona range to Queenstown which offers you spectacular views of the Queenstown area.

Day 14 Queenstown

You will join the Dart River Wilderness Safari today — a great half day excursion including an exhilarating jet boat ride followed by a short guided walk and scenic 4x4 trip through the forest where you will learn about the local flora and fauna as well as local Maori and colonial history. The trip will take you to Glenorchy and you will have the opportunity to view some of the filming locations of Lord of the Rings during the tour!

Day 15 International return flight

Today make your own way to the airport in time for your onward flight.

Day 16 International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.

 

Holiday Name : Highlights of New Zealand  
Reference : Audley Travel