New Zealand is known for its picturesque landscapes all over the world, and the hordes of tourists visiting the country are testament to this fact. While touring the two islands of this country, explore the natural beauty in Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Te Puia Geothermal Reserve. A cruise on the mesmerising waters of Milford Sound will refresh your body and mind. While Kelly Talrton’s Sea Life Aquarium will delight you with the regional marine life, Rainbow Springs will introduce you to some endemic birds and mammals of New Zealand. A Maori cultural performance in Rotorua will keep you aptly entertained and tell you a lot about the lives of these natives. Visiting numerous natural wonders like lakes, peaks and fjords will refresh you from within.
What is included in the tour
- All accommodation on Bed & Breakfast basis.
- Return Flight
- All Transfer & Sightseeing on Compact Car (self-drive)
- All sightseeing as per the itinerary with entrance fees.
What is NOT included in the tour
- All expenses of personal nature like tips, mineral water, laundry charges, telephone charges, food and drinks not forming part of the group menus and optional tours.
- Travel Insurance
- GST
- Any items not specifically mentioned in “tour cost includes
Day 1 - Arrival in Auckland
Upon arrival in Auckland, meet a TravelOcat representative and transfer to the hotel by bus. Travellers, who have chosen the self-drive option, will receive their rented cars at the airport, from where they can drive to the hotel. Auckland, known as the ‘City of Sails’, is a major transport hub, and one of the largest cities in New Zealand. With various adventurous sports enjoyable at just a short driving distance from the luxurious hotels, the place is a popular holiday destination. On reaching the hotel, check-in and rest.
Day 2 - Sightseeing in Auckland
After a delicious breakfast, drive to Kelly Tarlton's SEA LIFE Aquarium.
With over 30 live animal exhibits, Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium is one of the best sites in Auckland to witness the incredible aquatic life of the region. Strolling through the tunnels of this establishment, tourists can relish the sight of diverse species of fish and get to know them better. With mighty sharks, swimming at just a few feet away from you, the sight is bound to get your heart racing. The site also features a colony of king and gentoo penguins in the Antarctic Ice Adventure area. Though the rest of the day is free, you may embark on a sightseeing adventure to explore the various sites that the city has to offer on your own arrangement. After the jaunt, return to the hotel and stay overnight.
Day 3 - Auckland – Waitomo – Rotorua
Post breakfast, leave Auckland and drive to Waitomo via the heavily cultivated fields of the Waikato region.
About 195 km from the City of Sails, the Waitomo district is visited by tourists because of its remarkable caves. On reaching Waitomo, explore Waitomo Glowworm Caves. These caverns are adorned with amazing stalactite and stalagmite formations in various shapes and sizes. The reason that these caves are more popular than the others is the charm added by bioluminescent insects that reside here. Enjoy a boat ride on the stream that flows through the caves, and later continue to Rotorua. Situated on the shores of the namesake lake, Rotorua is famous for pools of mud and roaring geysers. A trip to this town also allows you to familiarise with the culture of the Maoris – the indigenous people of New Zealand. Upon arrival in Rotorua, transfer to the hotel for a good night’s sleep.
Day 4 - Sightseeing in Rotorua
After a healthy breakfast, begin a sightseeing excursion to explore some prominent tourist attractions in the region.
First, move to Te Puia Geothermal Fields to witness some marvellous natural phenomena. The site houses the well-known Pohutu Geyser, which explodes about 20 times a day and throws scalding water to a height of around 30 metres. Thereafter, move to Rainbow Springs to explore the diverse wildlife present here. This establishment is stretched in about 22 acres of land, and is home to several species of birds, lizards and fish. This wildlife park is known for the conservation of kiwis – the national bird of New Zealand. At the bird show organised here, see exotic parrots play games and perform tricks for your entertainment. Another highlight of this park is the tuataras that are found in this country only. The creatures are endemic to New Zealand and often mistaken as relating to dinosaurs or lizards. From here, travel to Agrodome to enjoy a farm show. At about 10 minutes drive from Rotorua town, Agrodome is a farm and a popular tourist attraction because of the show it hosts. This show features numerous breeds of sheep and dogs that are trained to obey the commands of their handlers. The audience can also move on to the stage to get up-close with the animals. Feed some milk to lambs or try hand-milking a cow. In the evening, savour a lavish dinner, comprising dishes cooked in the traditional Maori way. The Maori people dig pits in the ground and cook food inside them using hot stones. With the meal, also enjoy a folk performance by the locals and further familiarise with their culture. After the feast, transfer to the hotel and rest.
Day 5 - Rotorua to Christchurch
Post breakfast, check-out from the hotel and transfer to Rotorua Regional Airport to board the flight to Christchurch (flight ticket is at your expense). A major city in New Zealand, Christchurch is often termed as the gateway to New Zealand's South Island. On arrival at Christchurch International Airport, transfer to the hotel to rest.
Day 6 - Christchurch - Mount Cook - Queenstown
Following breakfast, leave Christchurch and passing through the green fields of the Canterbury Plains, reach Lake Tekapo. Just over a 3-hour drive from Christchurch, Lake Tekapo is a scenic waterbody in the Mackenzie Basin. The water of the lake gets its milky-turquoise shade from the fine glacial flour, and on its shore you can find a bronze statue of a dog. The statue was built as a memorial to honour the canine, without whose help, grazing in the region would not have been possible. In the area, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, which was built in the year 1935 as a memorial to the people who first inhabited the region. Its romantic setting and the picture-perfect views have also made it a popular wedding venue. After exploring the area, travel towards New Zealand's highest mountain – Mount Cook. With an altitude of over 3700 metres, Mount Cook attracts hordes of hikers from all parts of the world. The peak is also called Aoraki and is one of the 20 peaks, rising to an altitude of over 3000 metres in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Move further and drive along the shores of Lake Pukaki and past the Central Otago region to reach Queenstown. Upon arrival in the town, travel to the hotel and enjoy a good night's sleep.
Day 7 - Leisure Day in Queenstown
Post breakfast, spend the day at leisure or head out to explore the various attractions in the area on your own expenses. Queenstown is a hub for various adventurous activities like skydiving, bungee jumping, white water rafting and helicopter rides. After sightseeing, return to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 8 - Queenstown - Lake Te Anau - Milford Sound | Boat Cruise
After a scrumptious breakfast, travel past Lumsden town and along Lake Wakatipu on the way to Lake Te Anau. Lying mostly within the boundaries of Fiordland National Park, Lake Te Anau – with an area of around 350 sq km – is one of the largest such landforms in the country. Driving further ahead, cross the Eglinton Valley and Homer Tunnel to reach Milford Sound for a boat cruise. Milford Sound is the highlight of Fiordland National Park. A stunning fiord in the region, it has also become one of the most visited attraction of South Island. Dotted with several waterfalls and high mountain peaks, this fiord is truly a treat for the eyes. The landscape is dominated by Mitre Peak, which rises vertically from the ground and reaches a height of about 1690 metres. During the cruise, relish a delicious buffet lunch as you capture the enchanting sight in your memories. After the cruise, return to Queenstown and move to the hotel.
Day 9 - Leisure Day in Queenstown
Post breakfast, spend a leisure day and later get a good night’s sleep at the hotel.
Day 10 - Departure from Queenstown
After a scrumptious breakfast, check-out from the hotel and travel to the airport for your onward flight.
