Day01
Arrive Auckland
Welcome to New Zealand. Meet your driver at Auckland Airport arrivals and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. An evening stroll at Viaduct Harbour is recommended.
Kiwi Grand Tours · Ready Package
18N The Complete Circle
New Zealand at a relaxed pace. Adds Lake Taupo and the capital Wellington to the North Island, then two nights each in Franz Josef, Wanaka and Lake Tekapo.
Duration18 Nights / 19 Days
Hotels4-star, breakfast only
Airport transfersPrivate (all 4)
Tours & intercitySIC and coach
Domestic flightWellington to Christchurch
Route at a glance
Auckland2 Nights
Road via Hobbiton ›
Rotorua2 Nights
Coach via Taupo ›
Wellington2 Nights
Flight 50m ›
Christchurch2 Nights
TranzAlpine train ›
Franz Josef2 Nights
Coach via Haast Pass ›
Wanaka2 Nights
Coach ›
Queenstown3 Nights
Road via Mt Cook ›
Lake Tekapo2 Nights
Road ›
Christchurch1 Night
Day by day
PVT = Private · SIC = Seat in coach (shared, small group)
Day02
Auckland City Highlights and Sky Tower
Half-day guided city tour: Mt Eden volcanic cone, Auckland Museum precinct, Parnell, Harbour Bridge views and Tamaki Drive to Mission Bay. Afternoon visit to the Sky Tower observation deck.
Day03
Auckland to Rotorua via Hobbiton and Te Puia
Drive south through the Waikato to the Hobbiton Movie Set for a guided walk through the Shire. Continue to Te Puia geothermal valley for Pohutu Geyser, the kiwi house and a Maori cultural performance. Lunch stop en route at own cost. Drop at your Rotorua hotel.
Day04
Rotorua Geothermal and Redwoods
Morning tour to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland: Lady Knox Geyser, Champagne Pool and the Artist's Palette. Walk the Redwoods Treewalk in the forest canopy. Afternoon ride the Skyline Rotorua Gondola with 2 luge rides.
Day05
Rotorua to Wellington via Taupo
InterCity coach south past Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake, and across the Central Plateau with views of the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park, to the capital Wellington.
Day06
Wellington City and Te Papa
Half-day guided city tour: Mt Victoria lookout, the Beehive parliament building and the waterfront, with a ride on the historic Cable Car. Afternoon at Te Papa, New Zealand's national museum (free entry).
Day07
Fly to Christchurch and City Tour
Private transfer to Wellington Airport for the flight to Christchurch (approx. 50 min). Private transfer to your hotel. Afternoon guided city tour: Cathedral Square, the Cardboard Cathedral, Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens.
Day08
International Antarctic Centre
Experience Antarctica at the International Antarctic Centre: Hagglund ride, the storm room and the little blue penguins. Afternoon free to punt on the Avon River or ride the Christchurch Gondola.
Day09
TranzAlpine Train to Franz Josef
Board the TranzAlpine, one of the world's great train journeys, across the Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass. Continue by coach to the turquoise Hokitika Gorge and Hokitika town, then down the wild West Coast to Franz Josef.
Day10
Franz Josef Glacier
Walk the Franz Josef Glacier Valley track to the glacier viewpoint (approx. 1 hr 30 min return, easy). Afternoon soak at the Glacier Hot Pools set in native rainforest. Optional helicopter flight with snow landing.
Day11
Franz Josef to Wanaka via Haast Pass
InterCity coach south along the West Coast to Haast, then through Mt Aspiring National Park over the Haast Pass, with short scenic stops on the way, to Lake Wanaka.
Day12
Wanaka at Leisure
A slow day in Wanaka. Walk the lakefront to the Wanaka Tree, visit Puzzling World or take the short Mt Iron track for views over the lake. Optional lake cruise or winery visit.
Day13
Wanaka to Queenstown and Skyline
Morning InterCity coach to Queenstown (approx. 1 hr 30 min). Afternoon Skyline Gondola with 2 luge rides and views over Lake Wakatipu.
Day14
Milford Sound
Full day into Fiordland National Park via Te Anau, the Eglinton Valley mirror lakes and the Homer Tunnel. Boutique cruise on Milford Sound past Mitre Peak, seal colonies and waterfalls. Lunch at own cost. Return to Queenstown in the evening.
Day15
Arrowtown and Free Afternoon
Half-day guided visit to the gold-rush town of Arrowtown and its Chinese Settlement. Afternoon free in Queenstown. Optional Shotover Jet or a Lake Wakatipu cruise.
Day16
Queenstown to Lake Tekapo via Mt Cook
Over the Lindis Pass to Aoraki / Mt Cook village for free time and a short glacier-view walk. Along Lake Pukaki to Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd.
Day17
Lake Tekapo at Leisure
Morning free to walk the lakefront or relax at Tekapo Springs. Optional scenic flight over Aoraki / Mt Cook and the glaciers. Evening guided stargazing in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve.
Day18
Lake Tekapo to Christchurch
Morning at leisure by the lake. Afternoon coach across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Evening free in the city centre.
Day19
Depart Christchurch
Breakfast and check out. Private transfer to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. Haere ra, until next time.
Inclusions
- 18 nights in 4-star hotels, standard room, breakfast only
- 4 private airport transfers (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch arrival and departure)
- All sightseeing and intercity road travel on SIC or InterCity coach, as listed
- Entrances as listed: Sky Tower, Hobbiton, Te Puia, Wai-O-Tapu, Redwoods Treewalk, Skyline Rotorua, Wellington Cable Car, Antarctic Centre, TranzAlpine train, Glacier Hot Pools, Skyline Queenstown, Milford Sound cruise, Tekapo stargazing
- 24/7 in-country support and NZ GST
Exclusions
- International airfare and taxes
- New Zealand visitor visa and travel insurance
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and room service
- Optional tours and anything not under Inclusions
- Early check-in, late check-out, porterage, tips
- Peak-date surcharges (Christmas, New Year, events)
Popular add-ons
| Add-on | Where | Basis | From (pp) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milford Sound scenic flight back (upgrade) | Queenstown | SIC | NZD 550 |
| Tasman Glacier heli hike | Mt Cook | SIC | NZD 1,220 |
| Franz Josef helicopter with snow landing | Franz Josef | SIC | On request |
| Waiheke Island wine day | Auckland | Private guide | NZD 269 |
| Shotover Jet boat ride | Queenstown | SIC | On request |
| Wellington Weta Workshop tour | Wellington | SIC | On request |
Good to know before you sell
- SIC and coach luggage limit: 1 suitcase (max 20 kg) plus 1 small bag per person. Extra bags on request.
- Day 3, Day 5, Day 9, Day 11 and Day 16 are long travel days with scheduled stops.
- Book the morning domestic flight so clients make the same-day afternoon city tour.
- Milford Road can close in bad weather. The operator rebooks or refunds as per their policy.
- Tours stop at cafes for lunch. Carry snacks on long days if clients prefer Indian or Jain food.
- Pick-ups are not always from the hotel lobby. Guest may have to walk to 5-10 mins to reach to the nearest coach stop.
- Not valid between 21st Dec 2026 to 07th Jan 2027.