12 Day New Zealand Itinerary

4-Star Accommodation

Auckland (2 Nights), Rotorua (2), Christchurch (3), Queenstown (3)

Flights

International – Los Angeles to Auckland, Queenstown to Los Angeles (via Auckland)
New Zealand Domestic – Rotorua to Queenstown

Transfers

Day Tours

Auckland – City Sights Tour, Hobbiton and Waitomo Glow-worm Caves

Rotorua – Te Puia To Po Guided and Indigenous Evening Experience

Christchurch – TranzAlpine Scenic Train Journey, Christchurch to Queenstown Aoraki Mt. Cook Tour

Queenstown – Milford Sound Cruise with Lunch

VISA ISSUANCE
REQUIRED (NOT
INCLUDED)

DAY 1

The estimated cost for this package includes the average international airfare from Los Angeles. Request a quote for your preferred routing and travel dates. Your flight will cross the international date line overnight, putting you 1 day ahead in New Zealand. So according to a calendar it will take you 2 days to get to New Zealand, but really, it’s just an overnight flight!

DAYS 4 – 6

Explore Waitomo Caves and Hobbiton to Rotorua

Your next adventure kicks off with an exciting day tour to the mystical Waitomo Caves. Your tour will drive you through the stunning scenery of the Waikoto region’s rolling green hills to Waitomo. Your Waitomo Caves tour guide will take you through the caves, sharing insight about the caves’ natural history and its glowworms. Then, board a boat and gently glide through the underground lake, with the blue twinkle of infinite glowworms shining above you.

Then, your tour will take you to Hobbiton, the enchanting movie set from the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Wander through the lush rolling hills, past Hobbit holes, and the iconic Green Dragon Inn, while your knowledgeable guide shares fascinating insights about the film-making magic that took place here.

You’ll arrive in Rotorua at the end of your tour, where you’ll spend your next two days.

Rotorua – New Zealand’s Geothermal Wonderland

Rotorua, located on the North Island of New Zealand, is renowned for its geothermal activity and vibrant Māori culture. One of the most distinctive features of Rotorua is its geothermal landscape. The area is part of the Taupo Volcanic Zone and boasts numerous geothermal parks characterized by bubbling mud pools, steaming vents, and erupting geysers. The smell of sulfur permeates the air, giving the city a unique and otherworldly feel.

On your second day in Rotorua, you’ll visit Te Puia geothermal park, known for its geothermal activity and rich repository of Māori tradition, art, and ancestry. Begin the Te Pō experience with a guided tour of the geothermal valley, including a delicious hangi buffet and cultural show. Explore stunning landscapes with native bush, geysers, and mud pools, dominated by Pōhutu Geyser, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Visit the Kiwi Conservation Centre and the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute. Relish a buffet at Pātaka Kai Restaurant & Bar, featuring fresh produce, meats, seafood (kai moana), and desserts. Be captivated by a cultural performance with pōhiri, waiata, mōteatea, poi, and haka performances. Your night ends with a serene walk back through the geothermal landscape, hot chocolate in hand.

DAYS 9 – 12

Explore Aoraki Mount Cook from Christchurch to Queenstown

Begin your tour in Christchurch, where your guide highlights the city’s best spots and sets the day’s adventure. Journey through the scenic Canterbury Plains, across stunning farmland, towards Lake Tekapo, noted for its blue waters. See the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Mackenzie Sheep dog before heading to Lake Pukaki, framed by Aoraki Mt Cook and the Southern Alps, for breathtaking photos. In Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, enjoy free time for walking, flying over the glacier, or visiting the Mt Cook Visitor Centre. The tour proceeds to High Country Salmon Farm to taste fresh salmon. Ascend through Lindis Pass for valley views, stopping at Jacksons Orchard for local fruit and ice cream. Pass the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and Roaring Meg Lookout before concluding in Queenstown, where the tour wraps up.

Experience Fiordland at Milford Sound

On your second day in Queenstown, you’ll journey into Fiordland National Park for a cruise on Milford Sound. The journey to Milford Sound is as spectacular as the destination. Sit back, relax and take in the views as your tour takes you from Queenstown to Milford Sound. Dive into the splendor of Milford Sound on a scenic cruise that navigates the entire stretch of this legendary fiord. Along the way, a knowledgeable nature guide provides captivating details about the area’s history and wildlife. Experience the refreshing spray of majestic waterfalls, admire the imposing cliff faces, and watch for dolphins, seals, and the elusive Fiordland crested penguins.

Queenstown – New Zealand’s Adventure Capital

Your third day in Queenstown is free to explore on your own. Located on the shores of the stunning Lake Wakatipu on New Zealand’s South Island, Queenstown is famous for its breathtaking natural beauty and vibrant adventure tourism scene. Wrapped up by the dramatic Southern Alps, this picturesque town serves as a gateway to the full spectrum of outdoor activities, including skiing and snowboarding in winter at nearby resorts such as The Remarkables and Coronet Peak. In the warmer months, the area transforms into a playground for hiking, mountain biking, and bungee jumping.

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