2 National Parks 4 cities 2 islands (North Island and South Island)
This "New Zealand Essential Tours" itinerary is for those travellers who wish to have an active vacation and discover the most New Zealand attractions in the shortest possible time. The pace is fast, yet pleasant.
This suggested New Zealand itinerary starts in Auckland and ends in Christchurch. You can purchase international flights arriving into one city and leaving from the other. Alternatively, I can supply a domestic connecting flight upon request.
The tour already includes domestic flights from Rotorua to Wellington and from Wellington to Queenstown.
May I recommend to book your tour well ahead; I am usually booked 3-6 months in advance. I hope to have the pleasure to guide you on your New Zealand tour. - Mark Wolk
Day 1: Auckland
New Zealand Essential Tours
Early arrival at Auckland International Airport. Your driver-guide awaits you. Transfer to your accommodation (available from 12:00). Time for rest and sightseeing including Mount Eden, Kelly Tarlton aquarium, America's Cup village, Ponsonby. Early dinner and two nights in Auckland. - LDA*
2: Auckland
New Zealand Essential Tours
Waitakere jungle (native plants and birds) and Muriwai gannet colony. Dinner at Sky Tower's panoramic restaurant (52nd floor). Second night in Auckland. - BLDA*
Ohinemutu Maori village and church. Agrodome farm show. Whakarewarewa geysers. Maori concert. Maori arts & crafts institute. Huka Falls and Lake Taupo. Second night in Rotorua. - BLDA*
5: Rotorua - Wellington
New Zealand Essential Tours
Free time in Rotorua. Flight to Wellington. Weather permitting, we should see Tongariro National Park semi-active volcanoes. 2 nights in Wellington. - BLDA*
6: Wellington
New Zealand Essential Tours
Wellington, the southernmost capital in the world. Mt Victoria panoramic view, Old St Pauls Cathedral, Te Papa National Museum. Second night in Wellington. - BLDA*
7: Wellington - Queenstown
New Zealand Essential Tours
Fly over Cook Strait, Marlborough Sounds and the Southern Alps to reach Queenstown, New Zealand's tourist capital. 2 nights in Queenstown. - BLDA*
8: Queenstown
New Zealand Essential Tours
Queenstown sightseeing (bungy jumping, jet-boating - all optional) and shopping. Scenic drive to Glenorchy. Second night in Queenstown. - BLDA*
9: Queenstown - Milford Sound
New Zealand Essential Tours
Lake Wakatipu. Te Anau wildlife sanctuary. Fiordland National Park. Kea mountain parrot spotting. Overnight cruise on a very comfortable boat on Milford Sound. (Subject to availability; if not available, overnight in Te Anau.) - BLDA*
10: Milford Sound - Dunedin
New Zealand Essential Tours
Back to the East coast, to Dunedin, crossing the towns of Gore and Clinton ("The Presidential Highway"). 2 nights in Dunedin. - BLDA*
11: Dunedin
New Zealand Essential Tours
Dunedin Scottish city. Otago Peninsula. Monarch wildlife cruise. Albatross colony. Second night in Dunedin. - BLDA*
12: Dunedin - Twizel (Mount Cook)
New Zealand Essential Tours
Moeraki Boulders. Oamaru white stone city. Maori rock paintings. Mt Cook National Park views and walks. Overnight in Twizel, one of the world's youngest towns (founded 1965). - BLDA*
13: Twizel (Mount Cook) - Christchurch
New Zealand Essential Tours
Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo. Good Shepherd's chapel. Christchurch sightseeing: cathedral, Arts Centre, Museum. Overnight in Christchurch. - BLDA*
14: Christchurch
New Zealand Essential Tours
More time for sightseeing and free time in Christchurch. Drop-off at Christchurch International or domestic airport. Haere ra e te manuhiri tuarangi (farewell, honoured guests). - BL*
* B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner; A = Accommodation
Prices include: private driver-guide, transport (all tour vehicles air conditioned), domestic flights Rotorua - Wellington and Wellington - Queenstown, all entrance fees as per suggested itinerary, accommodation in boutique/luxury style small hotels and Bed & Breakfasts (comfortable double room with private bathroom), continental breakfasts, light lunches (i.e. quiche, sandwich, soup), dinners in best available restaurants (3 items to choose freely ŕ la carte) with best available New Zealand wine (half a bottle per dinner per person), all taxes and tolls, all guide's fees and expenses including repositioning from Christchurch to Auckland. This price does not include: personal expenses, insurance, flights to and from New Zealand, drinks other than mentioned and optional activities.
To secure your booking, New Zealand Splendeur Tours need 20% non refundable deposit a.s.a.p. (usually 3-6 months ahead); balance is payable 60 days before the start of the tour. Visa / Mastercard accepted. Please use the secure payment means as described during
our booking correspondence.
Cancellations: the 20% deposit is non refundable; 50% refund for cancellations received in writing until 30 days before departure; 20% refund for cancellations received in writing until the day before departure; no refund for cancellations received later.
I look forward to guiding you in New Zealand. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions by emailing me at
private.tours@nzst.co.nz. I am always gladly at your service. - Mark Wolk
