New Zealand Express - 10 days
10 Days Starting in Auckland, New Zealand and ending in Christchurch, New Zealand
Visiting: Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Mount Cook, Christchurch
Tour operator:
Tour code:
2799/NZEX
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
18-
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating 10-day journey through New Zealand with the "New Zealand Express" tour. Begin your adventure in Auckland, exploring its vibrant waterfront and iconic Sky Tower. Discover Rotorua's geothermal wonders and immerse yourself in Maori culture with a Te Pa Tu evening. Fly to Queenstown, where you can indulge in thrilling activities or simply enjoy the stunning alpine scenery. Experience the breathtaking beauty of Milford Sound on a scenic cruise, and relax by the serene Lake Te Anau. Continue to Twizel, passing through the majestic Southern Alps, and visit the picturesque Lake Tekapo. Conclude your tour in Christchurch, enjoying a traditional punting experience and a farewell dinner. With expert guides, comfortable 4-star accommodations, and seamless transfers, this small group tour offers an unforgettable exploration of New Zealand's diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Auckland
Location: Auckland
Accommodation Name: M Social Hotel
Haere mai - Welcome! Upon arrival into Auckland you will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day and your first evening offer free time for you to explore the local area and find somewhere for dinner.
Day 2: Rotorua
Location: Rotorua
Accommodation Name: Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Auckland - Rotorua. This morning we enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Auckland, taking in highlights including the Auckland Museum, quaint Parnell Village and the waterfront. We will also admire the panoramic views from Bastion Point. Then it's on to Rotorua, where we also enjoy a guided sightseeing tour. There's some time to relax in the afternoon and we experience a traditional Maori welcome (powhiri), including the traditional hongi - sharing breath.
This evening we visit Tamaki Maori Village to experience Te Pa Tu. An important date on the Maori lunar calendar, we will feast on local cuisine, sing Maori songs and experience this vibrant culture for ourselves.
Day 3: Queenstown
Location: Queenstown
Accommodation Name: Scenic Suites Queenstown
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rotorua - Queenstown. Today we enjoy an included visit to Te Puia with a private local guide. This active geothermal site is also the nation’s centre for indigenous arts and crafts, and a Kiwi conservation project, where you will be able to see New Zealand’s endangered but iconic national emblem. There's plenty of time here to take in the incredible landscape.
In the afternoon, we fly south to Queenstown, New Zealand's premier alpine resort with a rich history of goldmining. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 4: Te Anau Lake
Location: Te Anau
Accommodation Name: Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Queenstown - Te Anau. Departing Queenstown today, our first stop is the historic Arrowtown, a charming gold rush village nestled beneath majestic peaks near the Arrow River. We carry on along the scenic road between the Remarkables mountain range and stunning Lake Wakatipu before traversing a glacial valley turned farmland to reach Lake Te Anau, the South Island's largest freshwater lake and the entry point to Fiordland National Park.
Day 5: Cruising Milford Sound
Location: Milford Sound
Accommodation Name: Scenic Suites Queenstown
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown. Our journey to Milford Sound involves passing through Fiordland National Park, one of the most scenic drives of our trip. One of the greatest wildernesses in the Southern Hemisphere, the scenery is punctuated with lofty mountains and deep glacial valleys. We reach Milford Sound, described by Rudyard Kipling as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World'.
Boarding a comfortable cruiser, we head out onto the waters of Milford Sound. Keep your eyes peeled for seals and dolphins, and admire Mitre Peak from the water. Enjoy a picnic lunch onboard. Back on dry land, we complete our drive back to Queenstown by retracing our steps to Te Anau and then heading north.
Day 6: Queenstown
Location: Queenstown
Accommodation Name: Scenic Suites Queenstown
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is a free day for you to relax or explore Queenstown and the surrounding area. The list of possible activities is endless; you could go zip-lining or ride the gondola to at Bob's Peak, enjoy white water rafting or cruise picturesque Lake Wakatipu. Other options include a 4X4 safari to Skippers Canyon, a cruise on the steamship TSS Earnslaw or a visit to a local winery. Your tour leader will be able to advise you on how to spend your time!
Day 7: Twizel
Location: Mount Cook
Accommodation Name: Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Queenstown - Mount Cook - Twizel. Our journey continues north, and the scenery continues to impress. Heading through the rugged Kawarau Gorge, past idyllic Lake Dunstan and into the Mackenzie Basin, we enjoy views of the Southern Alps. We reach Mount Cook village, offering jaw-dropping views of New Zealand's tallest peak, known in Maori as Aoraki. The night is spent in the rural town of Twizel.
Day 8: Christchurch
Location: Christchurch
Accommodation Name: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Twizel - Christchurch. Today we visit a local home on the shore of Lake Tekapo. We learn how to make a traditional Kiwi pavlova and can taste our creation whilst overlooking the lake. We also visit the Church of the Good Shephard, which is one of the most photographed spots in New Zealand. The Southern Alps tower in the background, making for quite the photograph.
Passing through the rural towns of Fairlie, Geraldine and Ashburton, we finally reach Christchurch. The city has been rebuilt following cataclysmic earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, and is once more a modern, thriving city.
Day 9: Christchurch
Location: Christchurch
Accommodation Name: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we explore Christchurch, a most English of New Zealand cities! The day starts with some punting along the River Avon, and yes, our boatmen will be wearing straw hats and traditional dress! We pass through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and ride a beautifully restored heritage tram through the city centre. To round off our trip, there is an included group dinner this evening at a local restaurant.
Day 10: Christchurch
Location: Christchurch
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today your adventure in New Zealand comes to an end. A transfer takes you to Christchurch Airport for your flight home.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4-star hotels -
9 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 2 dinners
Enjoy 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 2 dinners during your tour.
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9 nights 4 star hotels
Stay in 4-star hotels for 9 nights throughout the tour.
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Airport arrival and departure transfers on day 1 and day 10
Airport transfers are included on the first and last day of the tour.
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Escorted by an expert local guide/driver with specialist local guides at some sites
The tour is escorted by an expert local guide/driver, with specialist local guides at certain sites.
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All relevant transfers and transportation in modern air-conditioned vehicle
All transfers and transportation are provided in a modern air-conditioned vehicle.
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Economy class flight from Rotorua - Queenstown
An economy class flight from Rotorua to Queenstown is included.
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Touring of Auckland, Rotorua & Christchurch
Guided tours of Auckland, Rotorua, and Christchurch are included.
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Te Pa Tu Maori experience
Experience the Te Pa Tu Maori cultural evening.
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Te Puia & Lake Terawera visit
Visit Te Puia and Lake Terawera.
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Milford Sound cruise & lunch
Enjoy a cruise on Milford Sound with lunch included.
What's Not Included
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International flights and visas
International flights and visas are not included in the tour package.
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Items of a personal nature (telephone calls, laundry, travel insurance etc)
Personal items such as telephone calls, laundry, and travel insurance are not included.
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Optional activities
Optional activities are not included in the tour package.
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Tip for your tour guide / driver
Tips for your tour guide/driver are not included.
It is recommended to allow $4 - 7 USD per day per traveler.
Accommodation
Experience a blend of modern design and comfort at the M Social Hotel in Auckland, with stunning city or harbour views. In Rotorua, enjoy luxurious stays at the Millennium Hotel and Regal Palms Resort, offering access to geothermal wonders. Scenic Suites Queenstown provides a stylish retreat with breathtaking views, while Distinction Luxmore Hotel in Te Anau and Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel in Twizel offer cozy havens amidst stunning landscapes. End your journey at the Distinction Christchurch Hotel, centrally located for exploring the city's vibrant culture.
Age Policy
18+The average age of passengers on these tours is between 55-75yrs. Pure Discoveries do not permit children.
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort with airport transfers on arrival and departure days, and all relevant transfers in a modern air-conditioned vehicle. Enjoy an economy class flight from Rotorua to Queenstown, and explore the scenic landscapes of New Zealand with guided tours and a Milford Sound cruise.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of cultural experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a visit to the Tamaki Maori Village in Rotorua where you will experience Te Pa Tu, a significant event on the Maori lunar calendar. This includes a traditional Maori welcome, local cuisine, and Maori songs.
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Are there any opportunities to see wildlife during the tour?
Yes, during the Milford Sound cruise, you may have the chance to see seals and dolphins. Additionally, at the Te Puia geothermal site, you can see New Zealand's endangered national emblem, the Kiwi.
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What activities are available during the free day in Queenstown?
On the free day in Queenstown, you can choose from activities such as zip-lining, riding the gondola to Bob's Peak, white water rafting, a 4X4 safari to Skippers Canyon, a cruise on the steamship TSS Earnslaw, or visiting a local winery.
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What is the accommodation like during the tour?
The tour includes stays in 4-star hotels such as the M Social Hotel in Auckland, Millennium Hotel Rotorua, Regal Palms Resort, Scenic Suites Queenstown, Distinction Luxmore Hotel in Te Anau, Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel in Twizel, and Distinction Christchurch Hotel. These accommodations offer modern amenities, comfortable furnishings, and some provide stunning views of the surrounding landscapes.
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Is there a guide provided during the tour?
Yes, the tour is escorted by an expert local guide/driver, and there are specialist local guides at some sites.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 2 dinners. A picnic lunch is provided during the Milford Sound cruise.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.