Tour 11 Day Tour - Best Of New Zealand

Transport

Arrival transfer. Coach throughout tour. TranzAlpine Train from Greymouth to Christchurch. Departure transfer. One-way Air New Zealand flight from Rotorua to Christchurch.

Others

Shuttle to Glacier Valley Te Puia Geothermal park Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. Real Journeys Milford Sound nature cruise. TranzAlpine Train from Greymouth to Christchurch. Arrival and departure airport transfers.

Accommodation

1 night in a twin-share room at an Auckland hotel / apartment. 1 night in a twin-share room at a motel in Franz Josef. 1 night in a twin-share room at a motel in Mt Cook. 2 nights in twin-share rooms at a motel in Rotorua. 2 nights in twin-share rooms at a motel in Christchurch 3 nights in twin-share rooms at a motel i Queenstown. Your accommodation can be upgraded - contact us for more information.

Meals

1 lunch

Guide

English commentary on tourist coaches, local guides on activities and commentary on train.

Not included:

Insurance

Travel insurance is not included.

Optional

Optional experiences are available on this tour for an additional cost and will be provided to you with your finalised travel documents.

Others

Tipping. Other meals, snacks and drinks. Pre and post tour accommodation. Single supplement (Mandatory).

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Welcome To Auckland City
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Welcome To Auckland City

Personal meet and greet, and private transfer to your accommodation

On arrival you will be met by one of our team and driven to your Auckland accommodation.
Day 2 Day 2: Auckland To Waitomo To Rotorua
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Auckland To Waitomo To Rotorua

Auckland to Rotorua including Waitomo and Rotorua Experience

On this tour, you will be picked up from the hotel in a comfortable mini-bus and driven through the stunning Waikato countryside on a fully guided journey to Waitomo Caves and Te Puia Geothermal Park.

During the journey to Waitomo, you will encounter New Zealand’s longest river, beautiful mountains, and see several different farm animals along the way. Once in Waitomo, you will explore the ancient and amazing caves, with their many different cave formations including Stalactites, Stalagmites, and Lime Columns, before descending even further underground for your glowworm experience. Board your glowworm boat for a cruise on the grotto river with thousands of glowworms glittering above your head. Waitomo Glowworm Caves are a must-see for any traveller. Arriving at your second feature destination, Te Puia, you will receive a fully guided tour to best experience the geothermal and cultural wonders including Pōhutu Geyser, Māori Architecture, The National Māori Arts School, geothermal craters, geothermal events, and even the chance to view a Kiwi bird in the Kiwi viewing house.

Continue your adventure with another fully guided journey south to Rotorua, with many more attractions to see along the way, including hydro dams, rivers, and lots more animals. Once in Rotorua, you will be guided past many of its famous and historical sites, including Lake Rotorua, The Government Gardens, Blue Baths, Thermal Springs, and Polynesian Spa.
Day 3 Day 3: Explore Rotorua At Leisure
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Explore Rotorua At Leisure

Explore Rotorua at your own leisure

Peppered with natural hot springs, boiling mud pools and steaming geysers, Rotorua sits within one of the world’s most active volcanic regions. But geothermal landmarks aside, this city of sulphur has a rich indigenous history. Home to several prominent Maori tribes, a visit to the Mitai Maori Village should be high on your agenda, as should an excursion to the Polynesian Spa for an invigorating soak in its natural mineral hot springs. Spike your adrenaline at Agroventures on stomach-dropping attractions such as static skydiving, or a giant swing reaching 130 km per hour. Go up the Gondola for soaring lake views, and ride the luge at night for an extra thrill.
Day 4 Day 4: Fly Rotorua To Christchurch Today
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Fly Rotorua To Christchurch Today

Rotorua Accommodation to Rotorua Airport

You will be collected from your accommodation and transferred to Rotorua Airport.

Fly Rotorua to Christchurch

Domestic airfares once issued are non refundable. Changes can be made to the flight time and date by paying a service fee and the difference in the original airfare cost and the new airfare cost. These terms and conditions are stipulated by Air New Zealand and a full copy will be attached to your electronic air tickets.

Private transfer Christchurch airport to your accommodation

On arrival you will be met by a private driver and delivered to your Christchurch accommodation.
Day 5 Day 5: Christchurch To Mt Cook National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Christchurch To Mt Cook National Park

Christchurch to Mount Cook

This small group, fully-guided day trip combines all of the key highlights in the area with the famous Lake Tekapo, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and Tasman Glacier. The ultimate way to get from Christchurch to Aoraki/Mount Cook. Led by famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety.
Day 6 Day 6: Mt Cook National Park To Queenstown
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Mt Cook National Park To Queenstown

Mount Cook to Queenstown

Depart Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park in the afternoon and head south through the tawny tussock of the Mackenzie Country. En route enjoy views of the quaint village of Omarama. Crossing the Lindis Pass (this is one of New Zealand’s highest roads with the summit reaching 971 metres) you pass from the Mackenzie Basin and into Central Otago. Approaching Queenstown the impressive Remarkables mountain range come into view and then beautiful Lake Wakatipu as you head towards the adventure and activity capital of New Zealand.
Day 7 Day 7: Free Day To Explore Queenstown
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Free Day To Explore Queenstown

Although celebrated as New Zealand’s ‘adventure capital’ Queenstown offers far more than a fast paced action-packed holiday. Settled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath a soaring panorama of the Remarkables Mountain Range, this alpine town is surrounded by a plethora of historic, gastronomic and scenic wonders. Today is a free day for you to explore - you could take a wine tour to the Gibbston valley wine trail to sample some of the region’s best Pinot or catch a ride on the 100 year old Steamship - the TSS Earnslaw - to Walter Peak Station for dinner and a farm tour. Browse the waterfront cafes and have lunch at Michelin star chef Josh Emett’s ‘Rata.’ Experience a four-wheel drive trip to Macetown. Take a leisurely lakeside stroll or ride the gondola for breathtaking views. And after all of that - if you do really want the adrenaline rush Queenstown is known for, try the Shotover Jet, Nevis Bungy, Canyon Swing, Zipline, Luge or White Water rafting.
Day 8 Day 8: Milford Sound Day Tour With Real Journeys
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Milford Sound Day Tour With Real Journeys

Milford Sound Nature Cruise with return luxury coach transfers from Queenstown

Return luxury coach transport from Queenstown to Milford Sound, with an extended 2.5 hour Nature Cruise along the full length of the fiord. On board a Real Journeys luxury glass-roofed coach in Queenstown, you will enjoy a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau. The coach driver provides an informative commentary. After a morning tea break in Te Anau, where you have the option of purchasing refreshments, the coach continues along the spectacular Milford Road. There is time for photo stops and short walks along the way. On reaching Milford Sound, you board the Milford Mariner for a leisurely extended cruise of the fiord. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to enjoy waterfalls, rain forest, mountains and wildlife with extensive commentary by the on board nature guide.
Day 9 Day 9: Queenstown To Franz Josef Glacier
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Queenstown To Franz Josef Glacier

Queenstown to Franz Josef with Glacier Shuttles

Leaving Queenstown, travel past picturesque scenery of massive mountain peaks and crystal-clear blue lakes. Travel across the Haast Pass to the other side of the Southern Alps, the landscape changes dramatically. Welcome to the wild and wonderful West Coast, a remote and unspoiled region. Wind your way past native rainforest, rocky coastlines and powerful waterfalls. Your journey concludes in the village of Franz Josef, your base for exploration of the area.

Glacier Valley shuttle

You will be met at your accommodation by a representative from Glacier Shuttles and taken on a short tour to view the glacier. Your shuttle vehicle will transfer you up the Franz Josef valley to the road end. Here you will have the opportunity to walk to view the glacier from a viewing platform. Or enjoy one of the short walks available in this area. You will be returned to your accommodation by the Glacier Valley Shuttles.
Day 10 Day 10: Franz Josef To Greymouth Train Station, Tranz Alpine Train To Christchurch
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Franz Josef To Greymouth Train Station, Tranz Alpine Train To Christchurch

Franz Josef to Greymouth Train Station with Hokitika Scenic Tours

Today you’ll head north through the historic gold mining region of Hokitika. Known for its Greenstone (Pounamu) this seaside town has a rich history dating back to the 1860’s. Continue on to Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast and the starting point for the next leg of your journey - the TranzAlpine Scenic Train.

TranzAlpine Scenic Train: Greymouth to Christchurch

Considered one of the world’s great train journeys, the TranzAlpine Scenic Train takes you from Greymouth to Christchurch. You’ll travel across the South Island from the west to the east coast through Arthur’s Pass National Park. From the comfort of your carriage see lush beech forest, deep river valleys and the spectacular peaks of the Southern Alps. Descend to the windswept Canterbury Plains before arriving in the city of Christchurch.

Private Transfer Christchurch Train Station to Accommodation

On arrival into the Christchurch train station you will be met by a private transfer driver and taken to your accommodation.
Day 11 Day 11: Depart Christchurch Today
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Depart Christchurch Today

Private transfer to Christchurch airport

You will be collected from your accommodation and a private transfer will deliver you to Christchurch airport in time for your departing flight.

11 days tour

11 Day Tour - Best Of New Zealand

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip 11 Day Tour - Best Of New Zealand

Day 1: Welcome To Auckland City

Day 2: Auckland To Waitomo To Rotorua

Day 3: Explore Rotorua At Leisure

Day 4: Fly Rotorua To Christchurch Today

Day 5: Christchurch To Mt Cook National Park

Day 6: Mt Cook National Park To Queenstown

Day 7: Free Day To Explore Queenstown

Day 8: Milford Sound Day Tour With Real Journeys

Day 9: Queenstown To Franz Josef Glacier

Day 10: Franz Josef To Greymouth Train Station, Tranz Alpine Train To Christchurch

Day 11: Depart Christchurch Today

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