Samaya Holidays

NEW ZEALAND 19 NIGHTS 20 DAYS


New Zealand, located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, is a country of breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cities. Comprising the North Island and South Island, it offers a diverse range of experiences from the bustling urban life of Auckland and Wellington to the stunning natural wonders of the Southern Alps and Fiordland. The North Island is known for its geothermal activity in Rotorua, the enchanting Hobbiton Movie Set, and the cultural richness of Wellington, while the South Island features dramatic glaciers like Franz Josef and Fox, adventure sports in Queenstown, and the scenic beauty of Abel Tasman National Park. With its unique blend of indigenous Māori heritage and European influences, New Zealand captivates visitors with its spectacular scenery, outdoor adventures, and rich cultural experiences.

Highlights
Outline Itinerary
Day 1 : ARRIVAL IN AUCKLAND & AUCKLAND HARBOUR DINNER CRUISE
Day 2 : COUNTRY TO COAST WINE & WILDLIFE TOUR
Day 3 : DRIVE TO ROTORUA VIA HOBBITON
Day 4 : EXPLORE ROTORUA, SEE KIWIS, MĀORI CULTURE EXPERIENCE & HĀNGĪ FEAST
Day 5 : DRIVE TO WELLINGTON
Day 6 : WELLINGTON FOOD TOUR & ZEALANDIA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Day 7 : COFFEE, CHOCOLATE, CHEESE & CRAFT BEER TOUR
Day 8 : FERRY TO PICTON & DRIVE TO BLENHEIM
Day 9 : DRIVE TO KAIKŌURA, HALF-DAY COOKING CLASS
Day 10 : KAIKŌURA WHALE WATCHING TOUR & DRIVE TO CHRISTCHURCH
Day 11 : DRIVE TO AORAKI / MOUNT COOK
Day 12 : TASMAN GLACIER LAKE CRUISE, EXPLORE AORAKI / MOUNT COOK
Day 13 : DRIVE TO TE ANAU VIA KAKA POINT & VISIT GLOWWORM CAVES
Day 14 : DRIVE TO MANAPOURI & DOUBTFUL SOUND OVERNIGHT CRUISE
Day 15 : DRIVE TO QUEENSTOWN & RIDE THE SKYLINE GONDOLA
Day 16 : "THE LORD OF THE RINGS" FILMING LOCATIONS, COUNTRY FARM DINNER
Day 17 : DRIVE TO FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER
Day 18 : EXPLORE FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER
Day 19 : TRANSFER TO CHRISTCHURCH VIA GREYMOUTH
Day 20 : DEPARTURE FROM NEW ZEALAND

Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Auckland & Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise Arrive in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. After settling into your accommodation, you will enjoy an elegant dinner cruise around Auckland Harbour. This evening cruise offers a chance to appreciate Auckland's skyline and waterfront, providing a relaxing introduction to the city with fine dining and stunning views. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 2: Country to Coast Wine & Wildlife Tour After breakfast, embark on a "Country to Coast" tour that combines New Zealand’s wine regions with its native wildlife. The tour will take you through lush vineyards, where you can sample local wines, and wildlife parks where you will see native species. This day highlights the diversity of New Zealand’s offerings, from its agricultural prowess to its unique fauna. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 3: Drive to Rotorua via Hobbiton After breakfast, drive south to Rotorua. En route, stop at Hobbiton, the famous movie set from "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit." Explore the picturesque village, enjoy a guided tour, and take in the immersive experience of the Shire. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 4: Explore Rotorua, See Kiwis, Māori Culture Experience & Hāngī Feast After breakfast, spend the day discovering Rotorua, renowned for its geothermal activity and Māori culture. Visit a wildlife park to see kiwis and other native species. In the afternoon, experience Māori culture through a traditional performance and participate in Hāngī feast, where food is cooked in an earth oven. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 5: Drive to Wellington After breakfast, Travel from Rotorua to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. The drive will take you through diverse landscapes, giving you a taste of the North Island’s natural beauty. Upon arrival in Wellington, you can explore the city’s vibrant culture and scenic waterfront. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 6: Wellington Food Tour & Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary After breakfast, food tour of Wellington to savor the city’s culinary delights, including local specialties. In the afternoon, visit Zealandia, a ground-breaking wildlife sanctuary focused on conservation. Explore the lush surroundings and learn about New Zealand’s efforts to protect its unique wildlife. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 7: Coffee, Chocolate, Cheese & Craft Beer Tour Indulge in a tour dedicated to Wellington’s artisanal offerings. Sample local coffee, chocolate, cheese, and craft beer, gaining insight into the region’s rich food and drink culture. This tour is a delicious way to experience Wellington’s culinary scene.

Day 8: Ferry to Picton & Drive to Blenheim Take a scenic ferry ride from Wellington to Picton, located in the Marlborough Sounds. From Picton, drive to Blenheim, a key town in New Zealand’s wine country. Enjoy a relaxing evening exploring Blenheim or visiting local vineyards.

Day 9: Drive to Kaikōura, Half-Day Cooking Class Drive to Kaikōura, a coastal town known for its marine life. Participate in a half-day cooking class, where you'll learn to prepare local dishes using fresh, regional ingredients. This hands-on experience offers a deeper connection to New Zealand’s culinary traditions.

Day 10: Kaikōura Whale Watching Tour & Drive to Christchurch Take part in a whale watching tour in Kaikōura, where you might spot sperm whales, dolphins, and other marine creatures. After the tour, drive to Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island. Explore Christchurch’s recovery and redevelopment following the 2011 earthquake.

Day 11: Drive to Aoraki / Mount Cook Travel to Aoraki / Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. This scenic drive showcases the changing landscapes as you approach the alpine region. Upon arrival, take in the breathtaking views of Mount Cook and its surrounding mountains.

Day 12: Tasman Glacier Lake Cruise, Explore Aoraki / Mount Cook Embark on a cruise on the Tasman Glacier Lake to witness stunning glacier views and icebergs. Spend the rest of the day exploring the Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, enjoying the dramatic alpine scenery and perhaps taking short walks or hikes in the area.

Day 13: Drive to Te Anau via Kaka Point & Visit Glowworm Caves Drive from Aoraki / Mount Cook to Te Anau, making a stop at Kaka Point. In Te Anau, visit the famous Glowworm Caves. Take a boat tour through the caves and marvel at the bioluminescent glowworms lighting up the underground caverns.

Day 14: Drive to Manapouri & Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise Travel to Manapouri and board an overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound. This remote fjord offers dramatic landscapes and tranquil waters. The cruise provides opportunities to spot wildlife such as dolphins and seals, and enjoy the serene beauty of the fjord.

Day 15: Drive to Queenstown & Ride the Skyline Gondola Disembark from your Doubtful Sound cruise and drive to Queenstown, a hub for adventure and relaxation. Ride the Skyline Gondola for panoramic views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the surrounding mountains. In the evening, explore Queenstown’s lively dining and entertainment scene.

Day 16: "The Lord of the Rings" Filming Locations, Country Farm Dinner Explore the iconic filming locations from "The Lord of the Rings" around Queenstown. In the evening, enjoy a country farm dinner that showcases traditional New Zealand farm life and cuisine, adding a rustic charm to your Queenstown experience.

Day 17: Drive to Franz Josef Glacier Drive to Franz Josef Glacier, located on the West Coast. This drive offers spectacular scenery as you travel through rainforests and rugged landscapes. Once there, you can start exploring the glacier area and prepare for the next day’s activities.

Day 18: Explore Franz Josef Glacier Spend the day exploring Franz Josef Glacier. Choose from various activities, such as guided glacier walks, scenic helicopter flights, or simply enjoy the glacier views from the surrounding areas.

Day 19: Transfer to Christchurch via Greymouth Travel from Franz Josef Glacier to Christchurch, with a stop in Greymouth. This scenic drive will take you through diverse landscapes, including coastal and mountainous regions. Upon arrival in Christchurch, you can explore the city or relax before your departure.

Day 20: Departure from New Zealand On your final day, prepare for your departure from New Zealand. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some time for last-minute shopping or sightseeing in Christchurch before heading to the airport.

Inclusions
  •   Roundtrip Airfare
  •   Visa Services
  •   19 Night Hotel accommodation as mentioned or similar on breakfast basis.
  •   Ground transportation in air-conditioned vehicle
  •   All services mentioned in the program
  •   5% Government Tourism Tax

Exclusions
  •   Any transport not mentioned in the itinerary
  •   Meals which are not mentioned in above itinerary
  •   Any other services not mentioned above
  •   Personal Expenses like Telephone, Fax, Internet, Laundry, etc.