Best of New Zealand 14 Days
Day 1 Arrive in Auckland
Upon arrival you will be met by our local representative in the arrival hall and transferred to hotel in a private vehicle. Overnight in Auckland. – Only arrival transfer
Day 2 Auckland – Waitomo Caves – Hamilton
Enjoy a scenic tour from Auckland to Rotorua, including a guided tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
Leaving Auckland in the morning we travel through the Waikato and King Country regions, passing by flourishing farmland and picturesque countryside. Your experienced local driver guide will provide entertaining commentary and point out highlights along the way, such as Rangiriri, where in 1863 a major battle was fought between colonial forces and those loyal to the Māori King.
On arrival in the small town of Waitomo, take a trip underground with a 45-minute guided tour through the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves, a series of limestone caves formed over 30 million years ago. Learn all about stalagmites, stalactites and other intriguing rock formations as you walk through the caverns, and finish the tour with an enchanting boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto, illuminated by thousands of tiny glowworms.
Lunch at WAITOMO RESTAURANT.
After lunch you will head to Hamilton Gardens. Hamilton Gardens is a public garden park in the south of Hamilton owned and managed by Hamilton City Council in New Zealand. The 54-hectare park is based on the banks of the Waikato River and includes enclosed gardens, open lawns, a lake, a nursery, a convention centre and the Hamilton East Cemetery.
Enjoy Dinner. Overnight in Hamilton.
Day 3 Hamilton – Rotorua and Rotorua City tour
Gain an insight into New Zealand’s Māori culture at Te Puia, then experience Rotorua’s famous geothermal activity with a tour of the neighboring Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley – a place where mud pools bubble and boil and geysers shoot steam high into the air. You’ll also see Te Puia’s woodcarving and weaving schools and see how these ancient Māori art forms are being passed on to a new generation of master artists.
After lunch you will see our agricultural industry in action at the Agrodome, a working organic farm where you can find out all about farming life in New Zealand, watch a sheep shearing display and see sheep dog trials where the hard-working farm dogs show off their amazing skills.
Later you will take a tour at Rainbow Springs Nature Park, where you can get up close to all kinds of native flora and fauna including the famous kiwi, a flightless native bird. Wander through native forest and discover New Zealand birds, fish and lizards (including the ancient tuatara), as well as exotic animals from around the world.
Later drive to Taupo and spend some quality time on the shore of beautiful Lake Taupo. Come back to Rotorua.
Enjoy Dinner. Overnight in Hamilton
Day 4 Tongariro National Park
Today you will be visiting the world heritage area of Tongariro National Park, also the oldest national park in New Zealand. It is also home to the famed Tongariro Alpine crossing, widely regarded as one of the world’s best one-day hikes. You will see snow-capped volcano Mt Ruapehu and visit various Lord of the Rings filming locations. Enjoy Dinner. Overnight in Hamilton Day 5 Hamilton – Christchurch
Today you will transfer to Auckland airport to board flight for Christchurch.
After lunch you will be participating in Avon river Punting and city tour.Enjoy Dinner. Overnight in Christchurch
Day 6 Mount Cook Day Tour: Christchurch to Queenstown
Experience the beauty and grandeur of the Southern Alps on a sightseeing day tour to Mount Cook. Leaving Christchurch in the morning, we travel through the fertile farmland of the Canterbury Plains to the shores of the stunning, glacier-fed Lake Tekapo, where you can view the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd and take in the sights of the spectacular Southern Alps. We then continue to the location of New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Aoraki / Mount Cook, situated in a national park and UNESCO World Heritage site. Rising to 3,724 metres high, Aoraki certainly lives up to its name, which in Māori can be translated as ‘cloud piercer’. Legend tells of a young boy named Aoraki who was stranded with his brothers when their canoe struck a reef. As it tilted, the brothers climbed to the high side, where they were frozen by the south wind and turned into stone. Aoraki and his brothers now form the Southern Alps.
Enjoy lunch at the famous Hermitage Hotel in Mount Cook Village. After lunch you’ll have time to explore the village and soak up the view.
The tour continues south, past Lake Pukaki and through the tawny tussock of the Mackenzie Country. En route, enjoy afternoon tea (own expense) in the quaint village of Omarama and if time permits, visit the Jones Family Orchard near Cromwell. Your tour concludes in the evening upon reaching Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand.
Enjoy Dinner
Later you will be dropped at your Hotel. Overnight in Queenstown.
Day 7 Queenstown
Relax in tranquility on a real working farm with breathtaking views of middle earth.
Hop off Spirit of Queenstown at Mt Nicholas High Country Farm for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes visit to a truly authentic, family-run merino sheep farm. Mt Nicholas produces the highest quality wool for world-renowned clothing company Icebreaker. Soak in the surrounding panoramic views in one of New Zealand’s most rugged and remote high-country farms.
Everything you need to know
- Join your guide on a tour of the farm, in a stunning mountain location on the lake edge
- Follow the journey of merino wool in a fun, interactive and hands-on environment – from mustering sheep through to the creation of Icebreaker clothing
- Watch sheep being moved by the farm guide and dog
- Meet working animals used on the farm and learn about daily family life
- Trip duration is 3 .5 hours
- Journey deep into the heart of New Zealand’s high country in our 4WD vehicle, and sit back as the landscape unfolds around you
- Enjoy a freshly prepared Farmers Platter Lunch at the Mt Nicholas Station woolshed.
You will reach the world-famous viewing deck for a panorama view of Queenstown through a Gondola ride.
Enjoy Dinner. Overnight in Queenstown.
Day 8 Queenstown – Free Activity Day
Choose to participate the most popular activities Queenstown has to offer:
- Skydive – most popular & exciting adventure activity in NZ, enjoy the breathtaking view of Queenstown at 9000ft, 12000 ft or 15000 ft.
- Zipline – Bolting down a 130m line at over 60k’s an hour over the beautiful Kawarau valley.
- Bungy Jumping – three locations available: Kawarau Bridge where bungy jumping originated, at a height of 43 m you can even touch the water! Nevis Bungy, the highest freefall in NZ at 143m. Ledge Bungy, with the view of the entire Queenstown under your eyes, this is one of the most scenic Bungy jumps in the world, 47m.
- Nevis Swing – world’s biggest swing completing an impressive 300m arc!
- Helicopter tour – Take on a helicopter tour with a panorama view of Queenstown to see Lake Wakatipu & experience an alpine landing.
- Paragliding – Experience a bird’s eye view of Queenstown on a paraglide or hang glide flight at 3800 ft
- Shotover jetboat – A thrilling and only way to experience the beautiful canyons in the Queenstown region.
Enjoy Dinner. Overnight in Queenstown.
Day 9 Queenstown -Milford cruise -Queenstown
This morning you will head to MILFORD SOUND CRUISE. This famous cruise gives you an opportunity to see MITRE PEAK which is just out of the water and mile high. Enjoy Milford Sound’s awe-inspiring scenery from the comfort of our modern, spacious vessels. Our Scenic Cruise vessels have purpose-built observation lounges and large decks, so you can be sure you’ll get some great viewing opportunities. You’ll see the geological drama of sheer cliffs, massive waterfalls, glaciers and rainforest. Keep a look out for wildlife like seals basking on the rocks or dolphins. During the cruise, crew provide commentaries in several languages and point out the sights such as Mitre Peak and the Pembroke Glacier.
Enjoy Dinner. Overnight in Queenstown.
Day 10 Queenstown -Wanaka – Arrowtown -Fran Josef
In the afternoon you will take part in Four Regions, Eight Amazing Stops – a small group tour taking in spectacular scenery including visiting historical Arrowtown and one of the worlds’ stop 10 holiday destinations, Wanaka. Later today you will head to Franz Josef.
- Explore Arrowtown
- The Chinese Village and Cardrona
- Enjoy free time to shop and explore in Arrowtown
- Visit and photograph the world-famous Wanaka Tree
- Wander around Wanaka shops or sample the gorgeous cafes and restaurants
- Lake Matheson Walk
Enjoy Lunch
Dinner in Fran Josef. Overnight in Franz josef.
Day 11 Franz Josef – Greymouth – Christchurch
Franz Josef to Christchurch – Via Arther pass
Today you will leave for Christchurch via the most awe-inspiring highways in NZ, enjoy the snow-capped mountainous glacier region on the road and you will also be crossing through Arthur’s Pass which is a national park in the heart of the Southern Alps with large scree slopes, steep gorges and wide braided rivers.
Later today you will transfer to Auckland.
Enjoy Dinner. Overnight in Auckland.
Day 12 Auckland
Travel through the city centre, including Auckland’s famous Queen Street, Karangahape Road with its chequered past and eclectic vibe and fashionable Ponsonby. Cross over the Auckland Harbour Bridge, enjoying views of the Hauraki Gulf and city skyline, and visit the Viaduct Harbour and the revitalised Silo Park waterfront precinct. See historic buildings around the University of Auckland before continuing over Grafton Bridge to the Auckland Domain.
The Domain is the city’s oldest park and, at 75 hectares, one of its largest. Developed around an extinct volcano, it features tropical gardens, duck ponds and public art, and is also home to the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
After visiting the Domain, the tour continues through the boutique shopping area of Parnell Village, where you will make a brief morning tea stop, and along the scenic waterfront route of Tamaki Drive. Just above Mission Bay is one of the scenic highlights of your tour: Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park. Named after one of New Zealand’s most revered Prime Ministers, the park, with its formal gardens and tranquil atmosphere, offers stunning views over the picturesque Eastern Bays, Auckland city and the Waitemata Harbour. Your Auckland city tour ends with a trip back along the waterfront, finishing in downtown Auckland.
Enjoy Lunch later day at leisure for last minute shopping.
Enjoy Dinner. Overnight in Auckland.
Day 13 Piha/Muriwai
Auckland has plenty to offer including white sand and black sand beaches within short distances. Your tour will be complete only with visits to some of the beaches. We suggest that you visit the Muriwai beach and Piha beach located in West Auckland.
End of Tour.