Truly New Zealand
Day 1: WELCOME TO AUCKLAND/ SKYCITY TOWER - SKY WALK EXPERIENCEArrive in Auckland today and take your self-drive car from the airport and relax after your long flight. Later, when you wish to head out, visit the Skycity Tower for panoramic views and then experience the adrenaline filled skywalk !
Take a walk on the wild side at the top of New Zealand’s highest building. With no handrails to separate you from the 192m drop, you’ll be doing some adrenaline-fuelled challenges designed to get your heart racing while you take in those epic 360-degree views of the City of Sails.
Day 2: AUCKLAND CITY SIGHTS
Discover first-hand why Auckland is regarded as one of the best places in the world to live, with a half-day tour of its scenic highlights.
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. 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.
Day 3: DRIVE TO TAURANGA/ EVENING GLOW WORM KAYAK
After a relaxed morning in Auckland, pick up your rental vehicle & head out on a drive to Tauranga and spend the day at leisure in this idyllic town. Later, in the evening, leave for Glow worm Kayak Tour in Lake McLaren.
Try a unique glow worm kayak tour, complete with refreshments, beautiful scenery, fantastic birdlife, and glow worms. Travel over the night waters in Lake McLaren with your guide to take in the glow worms in action.
Snack on New Zealand cheeses and other refreshments along the edge of Lake McLaren. Your experienced kayak guide will prepare and brief you on how to kayak effectively before launching you onto picturesque Lake McLaren at twilight.
See constellations of glow worms as your guide leads you into the canyon at the top of the lake and learn about the life cycles and peculiarities of this fascinating creature along the way.
Day 4: HOBBITON MOVIE SET TOUR
Experience the real Middle-earth with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set, featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films.
Your guided tour starts with a drive through our picturesque 1,250 acre sheep farm with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges.
Take a look at Bag End, where Frodo and Bilbo’s adventures began. Get lost among the hobbit holes and visit the Green Dragon Inn, the mill and the Party Tree. Listen to spell-binding tales of how Hobbiton came to be.
Day 5: DRIVE TO ROTORUA/ DELUXE LAKE SPA
Drive from Tauranga to Rotorua (1 hr). Check in to your Hotel. Later, at your leisure, Relax and unwind at Rotorua’s iconic Polynesian Spa – a world-leading, natural mineral bathing and luxury spa retreat. Geothermal waters nourish the skin and relieve tired muscles and aches and pains, while decadent therapies rejuvenate body, mind and soul. This ticket provides access to the premium bathing area, the Deluxe Lake Spa, which includes a range of mineral rock pools at various temperatures. Using both alkaline and acidic mineral springs, the Deluxe Lake Spa is the ultimate geothermal bathing experience.
Day 6: AGRODOME FARM SHOW/ TE PUIA & CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Discover Rotorua's best visitor attractions on this morning Rotorua sightseeing tour. Gain an insight into New Zealand's Maori culture at Te Puia, then experience Rotorua's famous geothermal activity with a tour of the neighbouring Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley - a place where mud pools bubble and boil and geysers shoot steam high into the air. Later, visit the Agrodome Farm show & also get an Orchard Farm tour.
DAY 7: FLIGHT TO QUEENSTOWN
Today drop your self-drive car at Auckland airport and head to Queenstown from Auckland by flight today. On arrival, get transfer to your Hotel. Rest of the day free for leisure.
Queenstown, New Zealand, sits on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu, set against the dramatic Southern Alps. Renowned for adventure sports, it’s also a base for exploring the region’s vineyards and historic mining towns. There's bungee jumping off Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge and jet-boating on the Shotover and Dart rivers. In winter, there's skiing on the slopes of The Remarkables and Coronet Peak.
DAY 8: SKYLINE GONDOLA & 3 LUGES/ SHOTOVER JET
Today take the Skyline Gondola cable car, which not only offers amazing panoramic views of Queenstown but where you can kick-off your adventures with thrilling Zip-lining, Paragliding & Luge Rides. Later, enjoy a thrilling Shooter Jet Ride in the Canyons ! Prepare yourself for the ultimate jet boating experience with Shotover Jet - the unique, breathtaking white water ride and adrenaline rush you'll never forget.
DAY 9: MILFORD SOUND SCENIC FLIGHT & CRUISE
The glacial waters, soaring cliffs, and thundering waterfalls of Milford Sound are spectacular from all angles, and this half-day tour takes in all the highlights. Enjoy thrilling aerial views of the Fiordland National Park on a round-trip flight from Queenstown, and marvel at Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, and Mount Pembroke on a scenic Milford Sound cruise.
DAY 10: TANDEM SKYDIVE QUEENSTOWN
It takes a certain kind of person to jump out an aircraft from 15,000ft. It takes courage. Harnessed to an experienced jumpmaster, expect sensory overload as you reach terminal velocity/200kph. The personal challenge is immense! Located amidst the most breathtaking scenery in the world, your flight to altitude takes you high above the alpine resort, over crystal clear lakes and snow-capped mountains.
DAY 11: ONSEN HOT POOLS
Today, in the afternoon, proceed for Onsen Hot Pools in Queenstown. Treat yourself to the relaxing Onsen Hot Pools in Queenstown, situated on a cliffside overlooking breathtaking alpine scenery and views of the Shotover River. Each of the 14 classic cedar-lined hot pool spas are heated to approx. 38.3 degrees, and are infused with 100% Earth Minerals, rich in magnesium to naturally detoxify the body and mind.
DAY 12: DRIVE TO MT COOK/ GLACIER EXPLORER TOUR
Today, depart from Queenstown to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand's highest mountain.
An up close amazing encounter with icebergs, on a glacial terminal lake. Depart from Mount Cook Village outside The Hermitage Hotel. The bus will take you on a pleasant trip to the Tasman Valley, followed by a 1/2hr alpine walk through the National Park.
Then board your MAC boat, and enjoy the ever changing ice face of the Tasman Glacier icebergs on the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake. Commentary throughout the trip by your experienced guide.
DAY 13: TASMAN GLACIER 45 MINS ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE
The Southern Alps of New Zealand’s South Island offers one of the most visually spectacular glacier environments in the world. Experience the adventure of flying through the towering mountains of the Southern Alps in a ski plane & helicopter.
Exceptional views of Aoraki Mt Cook and the Hochstetter Icefall as you fly up the Tasman Valley. Explore the flawless and pristine Tasman Glacier and experience this unique alpine environment with 600 metres of glacier ice beneath your feet.
DAY 14: DRIVE TO LAKE TEKAPO/ TEKAPO SPRINGS STARGAZING & HOT POOLS
Today, we drive down to the town of Lake Tekapo.
The ultimate in stellar relaxation, Tekapo Star Gazing is the only guided hot pools and star gazing experience in New Zealand. The tour operates from the renowned facilities of Tekapo Springs, combining the stunning Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve with our soul-warming hot pools. A two-hour experience, the first half of this guided indoor and/or outdoor tour introduces you to Tekapo’s amazing night skies with a unique combination of astronomy and storytelling. You will then enjoy exclusive use of a 38℃ hot pool; lie on a floating hammock and feel like you’re soaking in the stars as you explore the wonder of night skies!
DAY 15: OVERNIGHT IN PUREPOD EXPERIENCE
Today, drive down to your Purepod - Kaikoura region.
The first thing you’ll notice about your PurePod is its heavenly and private location. Each PurePod is designed to ensure you experience nature’s show vividly. Better still, your PurePod is luxurious, warm and immaculately styled.
The PurePod is designed from the foundations up for environmental sustainability and minimalist luxury. Travel through a delightful nature walk to discover your PurePod. Explore your own isolated slice of paradise, revel in the birdsong all day long.
DAY 16: DRIVE TO CHRISTCHURCH/ INTERNATIONAL ANTARCTIC CENTRE
Today, we enjoy the scenic drive from our Purepod to Chrictchurch. Check in to your Hotel. Later, we visit the International Antarctic Centre for a unique experience !
The International Antarctic Centre is your destination for authentic, interactive fun and provides an exciting experience of Antarctica for visitors of all ages. It doesn’t matter whether you’re 2 or 92, there are hours of fun here for everyone. You’ll visit ‘Antarctica’ the snow and ice experience, survive an Antarctic Storm, learn about life in modern day Antarctica and Scott Base, and hang out with Little Blue Penguins! There’s also the famously exciting Hagglund ride and an awesome simulated 4D cruise, Happy Feet 4D and lots more! It’s quite possibly the closest you’ll get to Antarctica without mounting your own expedition!
DAY 17: FLIGHT BACK HOME
As per your flight schedule, drop off the rental vehicle at Christchurch Airport & check in for your flight back home.