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
11N New Zealand Highlights
Everything in the 8 night classic, at an easier pace. Adds the Antarctic Centre, a stargazing night at Lake Tekapo, Skyline Queenstown and a lakeside night in Wanaka.
Duration11 Nights / 12 Days
Hotels4-star, breakfast only
Airport transfersPrivate (all 4)
Tours & intercitySIC and coach
Domestic flightRotorua to Christchurch
Route at a glance
Auckland2 Nights
Road via Hobbiton ›
Rotorua2 Nights
Flight 1h 55m ›
Christchurch2 Nights
Road ›
Lake Tekapo1 Night
Road via Mt Cook ›
Queenstown3 Nights
Coach ›
Wanaka1 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
Fly to Christchurch and City Tour
Private transfer to Rotorua Airport for the morning direct Air New Zealand flight to Christchurch (approx. 1 hr 55 min). Private transfer to your hotel. Afternoon guided city tour: Cathedral Square, the Cardboard Cathedral, Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens.
Day06
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.
Day07
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
Cross the Canterbury Plains to turquoise Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd. Lupins line the lake from November to January. Evening guided stargazing in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve.
Day08
Lake Tekapo to Queenstown via Mt Cook
Along Lake Pukaki to Aoraki / Mt Cook village for free time and a short glacier-view walk. Continue over the Lindis Pass and through Cromwell fruit country to Queenstown.
Day09
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.
Day10
Skyline Queenstown and Arrowtown
Morning Skyline Gondola with 2 luge rides and views over Lake Wakatipu. Afternoon guided visit to the gold-rush town of Arrowtown and its Chinese Settlement.
Day11
Queenstown to Wanaka
Morning InterCity coach to Wanaka (approx. 1 hr 30 min). Afternoon at leisure: the famous Wanaka Tree, the lakefront and cafes. Optional Puzzling World or a lake cruise.
Day12
Depart via Queenstown Airport
Breakfast and check out. Private transfer over the scenic Crown Range Road to Queenstown Airport (approx. 1 hr 10 min) for your onward flight.
Inclusions
- 11 nights in 4-star hotels, standard room, breakfast only
- 4 private airport transfers (Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch, Wanaka to Queenstown Airport)
- 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, Antarctic Centre, Tekapo stargazing, Milford Sound cruise, Skyline Queenstown
- 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 |
| TranzAlpine train and Arthur's Pass day | Christchurch | SIC | NZD 449 |
| Waiheke Island wine day | Auckland | Private guide | NZD 269 |
| Shotover Jet boat ride | Queenstown | 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 8 and Day 9 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.