Compare New Zealand Explorer by Indus Travels vs New Zealand Journey by G Adventures

Make your own way to your chosen airport to board your international flight to New Zealand. Enjoy inflight meals and services on your overnight flight

Make your own way to your chosen airport to board your international flight to New Zealand. Enjoy inflight meals and services on your overnight flight

On arrival at Auckland International Airport, you will be transferred to the hotel for check in. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure to explore the city at your own pace.

Overnight in Auckland

This morning’s tour is packed with city sights and historical landmarks of Auckland. Join your coach to commence a half-day tour introducing you to the sights of Auckland. Travel through the city center, along Karangahape Road with its chequered past and eclectic vibe, past fashionable Ponsonby and over the Auckland Harbour Bridge, enjoying views of the Hauraki Gulf and city skyline. Visit the Viaduct Harbour and Auckland's famous Queen Street before continuing to the Auckland Domain. The Domain is the city's oldest park and, at 75 hectares, one of its largest. Developed around an extinct volcano, it features tropical gardens, duck ponds and public art, and is also home to the Auckland War Memorial Museum. After visiting the Domain, the tour continues to Parnell Village for a brief morning tea stop (own expense). The historic buildings of Parnell have been transformed into a trendy shopping area featuring a range of boutiques, craft and specialty stores. You will be transferred back to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Auckland

Today you will experience New Zealand's rich cultural heritage and the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua. You will also tour through the famous glowworm caves at Waitomo. Leaving Auckland in the morning, journey through the lush farmland of the Waikato and King Country regions while listening to entertaining commentary from your driver guide. Hear about the history of the region as you pass sites of interest including Rangiriri, the location of a major battle in the Maori Land Wars in 1863. Your first stop is in the small town of Waitomo, where you'll enjoy a 45-minute guided tour through the world famous Waitomo Caves. Travel through these underground limestone caverns, discovered in 1887, and hear how the amazing stalactites, stalagmites, and other weird and wonderful rock formations were formed over a period of 30 million years. Your tour finishes with a short but magical boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto – a subterranean cavern illuminated by thousands of tiny glowworms. Enjoy a delicious picnic-style lunch (vegetarian and other dietary options available on request) as you make your way to Rotorua, in the heart of the Central North Island. On the outskirts of the city, stop at the Agrodome, an organic working farm where you can learn all about farming in New Zealand. Take a tour of the Agrodome farm in an all-terrain vehicle, see how sheep are shorn and watch a live sheep dog trial. Leaving the Agrodome, make our way to Te Puia, one of New Zealand's foremost cultural venues. At Te Puia's marae (meeting house) you will receive a traditional welcome and be invited to experience a Maori cultural performance, in which ancient and modern stories are told through song, dance, poi and stick games. You'll gain an understanding of this unique culture and its history and be thoroughly entertained by the talented and charismatic performers. The tour concludes in Rotorua, where you can also experience everything from adrenaline rushes like luging and jet boating to nature encounters and relaxing spa treatments. The tour will end with drop-off at your hotel.

We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and taking a warm jacket for the Waitomo Glowworm Caves guided tour.

Overnight in Rotorua

Enjoy the morning at leisure and, in the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Christchurch. Upon arrival in Christchurch, you will be transfer to hotel for check-in. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure or book an optional tour.

Overnight in Christchurch

Join your coach to commence a half-day tour that will take you on a journey to discover Christchurch. The trip begins by covering the central city highlights including the botanical gardens, Museum and Art Centre, the Avon River, Bridge of Remembrance, the city's new pop up container mall and many other CBD* highlights. On leaving the inner city, the tour travels to Mona Vale and historic homestead and gardens. Up to the Sign of the Takahe, a historic building providing spectacular views over the city, Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps, then over the Port Hills to the Port of Lyttleton, through the harbour tunnel to the seaside suburb of Sumner and cave rock before returning to the central city. Tour concludes at approximately 12.00pm, at which time hotel drop offs will commence.

*Please note that the tour of the CBD can change daily due to road closures and new areas re-opening.

Overnight in Christchurch

Today you will have an intercity tour to Queenstown. En-route, experience the beauty and grandeur of the Southern Alps on a sightseeing day tour via Mount Cook. Leaving Christchurch in the morning, travel through the fertile farmland of the Canterbury Plains to the shores of the stunning, glacier-fed Lake Tekapo, where you can view the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd and take in the sights of the spectacular Southern Alps. Continue to the location of New Zealand's tallest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook, situated in a National Park and UNESCO World Heritage site. Rising to 3,724 meters high, Aoraki certainly lives up to its name, which in Maori can be translated as 'cloud piercer'. Legend tells of a young boy named Aoraki who was stranded with his brothers when their canoe struck a reef. As it tilted, the brothers climbed to the high side, where they were frozen by the south wind and turned into stone. Aoraki and his brothers now form the Southern Alps. Enjoy time for at the famous Hermitage Hotel in Mount Cook Village (lunch not included). After lunch you'll have time to explore the village and soak up the view. Alternatively there is time to experience a scenic helicopter or ski plane flight for incredible views of mountain peaks and glaciers (additional cost, weather permitting – this flight can be arranged with your driver guide on the day). The tour continues south, past Lake Pukaki and through the tawny tussock of the Mackenzie Country. En route, enjoy afternoon tea (own expense) in the quaint village of Omarama and if time permits, visit the Jones Family Orchard near Cromwell. Your tour concludes at approximately 6:30pm upon reaching Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand.

Overnight in Queenstown

Enjoy the day at leisure or pre-book one of the following optional tours.

Overnight in Queenstown

Enjoy the day at leisure or pre-book one of the following optional tours.

Overnight in Queenstown

In the morning check out and, if needed, you will be able to store your luggage at the hotel and explore the town. At the arranged time, you will be transferred to Queenstown Airport in time for your flight home.

Day 1 Auckland

Arrive at any time.

Please make your own way to the joining hotel. Our CEO will have a welcome meeting this evening. Auckland is a fantastic city with so much to see and do. Should you want more time to explore on your own, we recommend booking pre-nights.

Jump right into your adventure by adding the 'Auckland Sailing: America's Cup Experience' extra to your tour. Work with a crew to sail around Auckland's Waitemata Harbour on a competitive yacht, and take in the stunning views. PLEASE NOTE: If booking this extra, a pre-night in Auckland is highly recommended as this activity may start early in the morning on Day 1. If you are interested in visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set, we recommended that you book additional pre-trip accommodations and purchase a day trip from Auckland on (or prior to) Day 1 of this tour.

Day 2 Auckland

Take an orientation walk in Auckland, one of the most multicultural cities in the Southern Hemisphere. We’ll then catch a ferry to beautiful Waiheke Island, a haven of world-class vineyards and idyllic beaches. Visit two wineries to learn about New Zealand's burgeoning wine industry and the history of viticulture in the country while sampling some of the local blends.

Day 3 Auckland/Rotorua

Drive to the lakeside town of Rotorua, situated over an active geothermal zone and known for its volcanic features and rich Maori heritage. Stop en route at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, and take a boat ride through this spectacular underground realm to see thousands of flickering glowworms light up in the dark.

Rotorua sits over an active geothermal zone with bubbling mud pits and multi-coloured pools in different areas around the town. This is a fascinating region with Maori history and culture tied directly to the geothermal aspects of the land.

Day 4 Rotorua

On a full-day excursion, head to the Maori-owned Kohutapu Lodge, our base for exploring New Zealand's indigenous culture. See ancient rock carvings and learn about their spiritual significance to the Maori people, both past and present. Watch as a hangi lunch is prepared the traditional way--buried in an underground pit—and enjoy the resulting feast with your Maori hosts. After lunch, take a walk through the 800-year-old podocarp trees in Whirinaki Rainforest, learning the history of the forest and spotting endemic birds and medicinal plants. Return to Rotorua for an optional evening meal or a well-deserved soak in the hot springs.

Day 5 Rotorua/Christchurch

Enjoy time at leisure this morning before catching a flight to Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island. Take some time to explore this small city on your own.

With free time in Rotorua this morning, opt to relax in one of the hot pools fed by water coming directly from the natural springs.

Day 6 Christchurch/Franz Josef

Board the TranzAlpine train—one of the world’s most scenic rail routes—for a breathtaking journey through verdant plains, beech forests, and majestic, misty mountains. After a whistle stop at Arthur’s Pass—the highest pass in the Southern Alps— continue to the end of the line in Greymouth, gateway to the West Coast. Continue on a private vehicle to a rainforest lodge near the town of Franz Josef, our home for the next two nights.

Please be aware that if you are traveling over the Christmas and New Year period the TranzAlpine train may not be operational. Instead your CEO will drive the group through the Southern Alps on a similar route. An additional group holiday dinner will be provided as a substitute for missing the train experience.

Day 7 Franz Josef

Discover the natural wonders of the Franz Josef area on your own today. Opt to embark on a walk in the area; soak in natural hot pools surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery; and more.

Please note that when in Franz Josef optional activities may be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.

Day 8 Franz Josef/Queenstown

Set out towards Queenstown on a drive along the South Island’s magnificent west coast. Stop at tranquil Lake Matheson, where, on a clear day, you can capture a postcard-perfect image of New Zealand’s highest peaks reflected in the water. Continue to Queenstown, pausing for short walks through the rainforest and visits to picturesque waterfalls.

Early start to travel to the picturesque Lake Matheson. When the weather is right, you can get a great photo of the Southern Alps reflected in the lake. Follow the wild West Coast Road, through the rainforest before stopping for some short walks and waterfall visits.

Day 9 Queenstown/Fiordland National Park

Discover the glacially carved wilderness of Fiordland National Park on a cruise. Glide past shimmering waterfalls and towering cliffs, and look out for bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, and little blue penguins with our naturalist guides. Depending on the season, we’ll spend the night onboard in comfortable cabins, enjoying time to relax on deck and watch the stars.

In the evening, enjoy a delicious three course buffet dinner prepared by our onboard chef and served in the dining saloon. Mingle with fellow travellers, savour some of the fine wines at our licensed bar (additional price) and if the skies are clear in the evening, spend some time on the upper deck gazing at the stars. Please note: your accommodations onboard this vessel are private cabins with en-suite bathrooms. Amenities onboard include viewing decks, a dining saloon, a licensed bar and an observation lounge.

Day 10 Fiordland National Park/Queenstown

Rise early for a wildlife viewing cruise along the pristine fjord. Then navigate back to Queenstown and spend the rest of the day at leisure in this fun-loving lakeside town, known as the adventure capital of the world.

Day 11 Queenstown

The day is yours to explore Queenstown. Choose to cruise lake Wakatipu on a historic steamer; experience a thrilling jet boat ride; or visit a local winery to sample the region’s award-winning vintages. This evening, enjoy a cable car ride to the top of Bob’s Peak for panoramic vistas of Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps.

Day 12 Queenstown

Depart at any time.

For more time to explore Queenstown, we recommend booking post nights with your agent if you are interested in the countless adrenaline-packed activities in the town known as the "adventure capital of the world." Jet boating and mountain biking are some of the activities available.