New Zealand & Cook Islands — Between Legendary Fjords and Tropical Paradises
Twenty-nine days combining the best of New Zealand — Queenstown, Milford Sound, the TranzAlpine train, Abel Tasman, Tongariro, Rotorua, Cathedral Cove — with the tropical paradise of the Cook Islands: Rarotonga and a day trip to Aitutaki, whose lagoon is among the Pacific's most beautiful.
The Route
Day-by-Day Programme
Departure for New Zealand
Departure with an intermediate stopover to New Zealand. The journey takes approximately 24–28 hours including transits. First day dedicated to flights.
In Transit
Second day of travel with stopover and onward connection towards Auckland or Sydney.
Arrival in Queenstown
Arrival in Queenstown from Australia by domestic flight. Private transfer to the hotel with Hallmark Limousines. Queenstown stretches along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, at the foot of the Remarkables mountains. Rest and free city exploration.
Queenstown — Walter Peak BBQ Lunch
Free visit to Queenstown and cruise on the TSS Earnslaw steamer to Walter Peak High Country Farm for the gourmet BBQ lunch: grilled meats, fresh fish, seasonal vegetables and local Central Otago wines.
Milford Sound — Guided Tour with Cruise
Guided tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound with glass-roof panoramic coach, naturalist guide and fjord cruise with packed lunch included. Mitre Peak, Stirling and Bowen Falls, dolphins, seals and penguins. Return to Queenstown in the evening.
Queenstown → Mt Cook
Car rental pick-up (All Inclusive, unlimited km) and drive to Mt Cook (260 km). Mt Cook is New Zealand's highest mountain at 3,724 m. Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park offers trails for all levels, from the Hooker Valley Track to the Mueller Hut Track.
Mt Cook → Lake Tekapo
Free time at Mt Cook then drive to Lake Tekapo (105 km). Stop at Lake Pukaki, famous for its intense turquoise colour and Mt Cook views. Lake Tekapo: Tekapo Springs outdoor hot pools and star gazing in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.
Lake Tekapo → Christchurch
Drive to Christchurch (230 km), the Garden City of the South Island. The city has rediscovered its identity after the 2010–2011 earthquakes with innovative architecture, green spaces, a vibrant food scene and the Cardboard Cathedral.
TranzAlpine — Christchurch → Greymouth → Christchurch
Full day on the TranzAlpine, considered one of the world's most scenic trains: it crosses the New Zealand Alps through deep canyons, lush forests, Arthur's Pass and the Bealey River. Wide-windowed carriages with bar and dining service. Departs and returns to Christchurch.
Christchurch → Kaikoura — Whale Watching
Drive to Kaikoura (180 km) and afternoon with Whale Watch Kaikoura: cruise to spot sperm whales, humpbacks, pilot whales, dolphins and albatrosses. Kaikoura hosts one of the world's highest concentrations and varieties of seabirds.
Kaikoura → Marlborough — Wine Tasting
Drive to Marlborough (140 km), New Zealand's most famous wine region and home to the world's most acclaimed Sauvignon Blancs. Free winery visits with tasting recommended at Allans Scott Winery.
Marlborough → Motueka (Abel Tasman)
Drive to Motueka (170 km), gateway to Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand's sunniest national park with golden beaches and crystal-clear waters.
Abel Tasman — Marine Reserve Cruise
Open Day Pass cruise with Wilson's Abel Tasman: explore the park's spectacular coastline, the Split Apple Rock and the seal colony at Tonga Island. Options for kayaking, swimming and stops on secluded beaches. One of the most iconic experiences in the South Island.
Abel Tasman → Picton → Wellington (Ferry)
Drive to Picton (160 km) and Interislander ferry to Wellington with the car on board (3-hour crossing). Arrival in New Zealand's capital in the evening.
Wellington — Capital City and Te Papa Museum
Free day in Wellington, the world's southernmost capital: Te Papa Museum (Māori culture and natural history), the waterfront, artisan cafés, art galleries and the famous Courtenay Place. Wellington is often considered New Zealand's most vibrant city.
Wellington → Tongariro — Sunset Walk
Drive to Tongariro National Park (330 km), New Zealand's oldest with three active volcanoes. 2-hour guided sunset walk with Adrift Guided Outdoor Adventures: lunar volcanic landscapes, with a glass of New Zealand sparkling wine at sunset.
Tongariro → Waitomo → Rotorua
Drive to Waitomo Caves (170 km) for the boat tour among bioluminescent glowworms. Then continue to Rotorua (140 km), New Zealand's geothermal city.
Rotorua — Waimangu and Māori Evening at Te Puia
Morning: Waimangu Volcanic Valley with a 45-minute mini-cruise on Lake Rotomahana. Evening: Te Puia Combo Te Po — visit to the Pohutu geyser, Hangi dinner with traditional Māori cooking and a cultural show of songs, dances and haka.
Rotorua → Coromandel Peninsula
Drive to the Coromandel Peninsula (200 km), stopping at Whitianga, Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove. The peninsula offers pristine beaches, native forests of Coromandel National Park and scenic walking tracks.
Cathedral Cove Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise
Glass-bottom boat tour with Glass Bottom Boat Whitianga: watch fish, corals and occasional dolphins beneath the surface, through to Cathedral Cove arch, New Zealand's most photographed rock formation.
Coromandel → Auckland
Drive to Auckland (150 km): New Zealand's largest city, known as the 'City of Sails', with its natural harbour, markets and vibrant food scene. Car drop-off at the airport.
Auckland → Rarotonga (Cook Islands)
Flight to Rarotonga, the vibrant capital of the Cook Islands. Transfer to the Little Polynesian Resort beachfront bungalow. The island is famous for its white sand beaches, crystal-clear lagoon and thriving food scene.
Rarotonga — Relaxation and Free Day
Free day in Rarotonga: explore the island using the two local buses (one clockwise, one anticlockwise), visit the Punanga Nui Market on Saturdays, snorkel in the lagoon or wander among local restaurants and markets.
Aitutaki — Day Trip with Lagoon Cruise
Full day on Aitutaki: return flights included, island tour and Vaka cruise on the catamaran Titi-ai-Tonga. Snorkelling, swimming and BBQ lunch at One Foot Island — a white sand beach in the middle of the turquoise lagoon. Souvenir passport stamp at One Foot Island.
Rarotonga — Relaxation
Free day at Little Polynesian Resort: kayak, paddleboard, snorkelling in the lagoon and sunset cocktails. The island also offers trekking in the interior hills and scuba diving.
Rarotonga — Relaxation
Final day in the Cook Islands: enjoy the lagoon, local markets and Pacific sunsets. Rarotonga's two local buses make it easy to freely explore every corner of the island.
Rarotonga → Auckland
Transfer to the airport and flight to Auckland. Due to the time zone, arrival in Auckland is the following day.
Auckland — Transit
Arrival in Auckland. Return flight home with an intermediate stopover.
Arrival — End of Journey
Final stopover and arrival at destination. End of the journey.
What's Included
- All accommodation as per itinerary (breakfast included where stated)
- Budget All Inclusive car rental, unlimited km
- Private transfer Queenstown Airport → hotel (Hallmark Limousines)
- Walter Peak BBQ lunch — TSS Earnslaw cruise
- Milford Sound tour — coach + fjord cruise + packed lunch
- TranzAlpine — Christchurch → Greymouth → Christchurch
- Whale Watch Kaikoura
- Wilson's Abel Tasman — Open Day Pass
- Interislander ferry Picton → Wellington (with car)
- Tongariro — Two Hour Sunset Guided Walk
- Waitomo Glowworm Caves — guided tour with boat ride
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley + Lake Rotomahana mini-cruise
- Te Puia Combo Te Po (Hangi dinner + cultural show)
- Cathedral Cove — Glass Bottom Boat
- Aitutaki Day Tour — return flights + Vaka cruise + BBQ lunch
- Little Polynesian Resort — 4 nights Beachfront Bungalow (half board)
- Tekapo Springs — Star Gazing Premium Plus
Not Included
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Anything not expressly listed in the included services
From
US$9,170
per person · land services · indicative price, subject to change
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