Best New Zealand Tour

TNZ101: 14 Days Coach Tour of Christchurch - Franz Josef - Queenstown - Milford Sound - Te Anau - Dunedin - Omarama - Lake Tekapo - Christchurch - Picton - Wellington - Rotorua - Auckland
Tour Type: Escorted Coach Tour, guaranteed departures
Guide: English-speaking guide, professional and knowledgeable
Driver: Experienced driver with a spacious air-conditioned coach
Accommodation: 13 nights at good hotels
Meals: Authentic local cuisines and western-style food for your choice
This trip can be customized to meet your individual needs!
From USD5109USD4598Free Inquiry
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Day 1 Arrival in Christchurch
Airport pick-up & hotel check-in. Welcome reception in hotel. (D)
Welcome to the city of garden, Christchurch! When you arrive at the airport, the driver will wait for you at the arrival hall with your name board. Then you will be sent to the hotel for a good rest. In the evening, we will arrange a welcome reception, so you can meet the tour director and other members of this group.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Ibis or similar
Day 2 Christchurch - Franz Josef
Train ride to Author’s Pass and then to Hokitika by coach. Visit Pounamu Factory. Drive to Franz Josef to appreciate the Glacier. (B+D)
This morning we will take a scenic train trip from Christchurch to Author's Pass first. During the journey, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, forests, canyons and more. Upon arrival, we will move on to Hokitika by a luxury coach and enjoy the West Coast scenery along the way. In Hokitika we will also visit a Pounamu Factory. Our final stop today will be Franz Josef Glacier. After checking into the hotel, the professional guide will lead you deep into the wonderful world of ice and snow and see the magnificent glaciers. Or you can take a helicopter ride up to the source of the glacier for a view of the white snow at your own expense. After the tour, we will return to the hotel for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Graham Wing)
Great View on the Way
Great View on the Way
Hokitika Beach
Hokitika Beach
Day 3 Franz Josef Glacier - Queenstown
Stroll around the village and the leave for Queenstown with stopover at Arrowtown. (B)
You can take a leisurely stroll around the village after breakfast. If you missed the helicopter flight yesterday, you still have the chance to experience it today. Later we will leave for Queenstown and you can see the spectacular Thunder Creek Falls and Mt Hooker during the journey. After crossing the Haast Pass, you will mainly see the landscape of southern alpine scenery. Before arriving in Queenstown, we will also stop at Arrowtown for a while to visit this beautiful gold rush village. Stay overnight at hotel in Queenstown.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown
Day 4 Free day in Queenstown
Free day to relax or try outdoor activities in Queenstown. Cruise by TSS Earnslaw Steamship, visit High Country Farm, Barbeque dinner. (B+D)
Today, you are free to explore Queenstown, which is hailed as the "capital of adventure". Queenstown is surrounded by mountains and rivers. You may enjoy the natural beauty or experience some extreme outdoor activities. If you plan to participate in outdoor activities, please inform your tour director in advance. He can help to make the reservation for you. In the evening we will enjoy a cruise on Lake Wakatipu by TSS Earnslaw Steamship to Walter Peak. Upon arrival we will visit the High Country Farm and have the dinner there. After that we will take the ship back to Queenstown.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Arrow Town
Arrow Town
Cruise on Lake Wakatipu
Cruise on Lake Wakatipu
Day 5 Queenstown - Milford Sound - Te Anau
Drive to Milford Sound, visit the fjord by boat. Head to Te Anau and stay overnight. (B+D)
After breakfast we will depart from Queenstown to Milford Sound, the 8th wonder of the world. Upon arrival we will arrange a boat tour for you to admire the scenic views of fjord. After leaving the fjord we will head to Te Anau and stay here for the night. If you are interested, you can explore the Glow Worm Caves at your own expense in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Milford Sound
Milford Sound
Boat at Milford Sound
Boat at Milford Sound
Day 6 Te Anau - Dunedin
Visit Te Anau Lake. Leave for Dunedin and check into the hotel. (B)
This morning you can take a stroll around Te Anau Lake before we set off for Dunedin. It will take about 3.5 hours on the way. After checking into a local hotel upon arrival, you can spend the rest day exploring Dunedin on your own.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City
Day 7 Dunedin - Omarama
Free morning to explore Dunedin. Drive to Omarama and check into hotel. (B+D)
After breakfast you are free to visit Dunedin. You may tour Larnach Castle or Otago University, the first University in Dunedin. Afterwards, we will head north, passing through Oamaru and Waitaki River to Omarama. Check into the hotel upon arrival. Dinner is served at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Heritage Gateway Hotel
Day 8 Omarama - Christchurch
Visit Mt. Cook, Lake Tekapo, Church of Good Shepherd and the Dog Statue. Drive to Christchurch, visit Transitional Cathedral. (B+D)
In the morning we will visit Mt. Cook, New Zealand's highest peak. There, you may try a scenic flight which offers a spectacular view at your own expense. Then we'll go to the beautiful Lake Tekapo to visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Dog Statue. After travelling through the Canterbury Plains, we will arrive at Christchurch, a city rebuilt after the disastrous earthquake. After settling down at hotel, we will visit the Transitional Cathedral, a church built of playing cards.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Ibis Hotel Christchurch
Mt. Cook
Mt. Cook
Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo
Day 9 Christchurch - Picton
Transfer from Christchurch to Picton with stopover at Kaikoura to watch whales. Stay overnight at Picton. (B+D)
Today we are leaving Christchurch and heading north along the Pacific coast. We will stop by Kaikoura, where you will have a chance to watch whales. Afterwards, we will continue driving north to the fishing village of Picton and stay one night there.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Beachcomber Surfers
Day 10 Picton - Wellington
Transfer from Picton to Wellington by ship. Check into the hotel, visit the Parliament Buildings and Te Papa-the Museum of New Zealand. (B)
Today we will take a ship from Picton across the Cook Strait to Wellington. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and then go to visit the Parliament Buildings, Te Papa-the Museum of New Zealand for a rudimentary understanding of New Zealand's history. Afterwards, take a walk along the pier, have a taste a New Zealand coffee and learn more culture about it.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Travelodge Wellington
Picon Harbor
Picton Harbor
The Beehive in Wellington
The Beehive in Wellington
Day 11 Wellington - Rotorua
Drive from Wellington to Rotorua. Lunch at “Eat My Lunch”. Hotel check-in, visit Lake Rotorua, Tamaki Maori Village, enjoy Maori Cultural show and Maori Hangi meal. (B+L+D)
In the morning we will drive from Wellington to Rotorua. Today's lunch will be arranged by a charity organization called "Eat My Lunch". Along the way we will pass by Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand. On arrival at Rotorua, check into the hotel and then pay a visit to Lake Rotorua. After that, we will visit Tamaki Maori Village, watch the Maori Cultural show and enjoy the traditional Maori Hangi meal.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ibis Rotorua Hotel
Day 12 Rotorua
Leisure time in Rotorua, enjoy yourself. (B)
Today comes some leisure time. You are free to explore the geothermal wonders of Rotorua. Ask your tour leader about various activities that might interest you. For example, you can explore Rainbow Springs Nature Park & The National Kiwi Hatchery, or visit Te Puia and join a guided tour to the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve where you will see the famous Pohutu Geyser. It erupts more than 20 times a day, with jets of water as high as 30 meters (100 feet). You'll also have the opportunity to take a bath in the hot spring of Polynesian Spas.

Meals: Breakfast
Lake Taupo
Lake Taupo
Auckland City
Auckland City
Day 13 Rotorua - Auckland
Visit Waitomo Caves. Transfer to Auckland, visit Auckland War Memorial Museum and Waitemata Harbour. (B)
After having breakfast, we will visit the Waitomo Caves first. We will take a boat into the Glow Worm, and you'll be amazed at views like the starry sky. Next follow the winding Waikato River northward to Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. There, we will visit the Auckland War Memorial Museum and enjoy the views of Waitemata Harbour. Stayover night at hotel in Auckland.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: VR Queen Street Hotel & Suites
Day 14 Departure from Auckland
Airport see-off. (B)
The 14-day best New Zealand tours come to an end today. The driver will send you to the airport according to your flight schedule so you can catch your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast
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This trip can be customized to meet your individual needs!
Tour Prices
2024 & 2025 Special: 10% off - Book before Apr 30, 2024
MonthDouble OccupancySingle Room Supplement 
Apr 08 - Apr 21USD5269 USD4742
USD1483
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Sep 30 - Oct 13USD5109 USD4598
USD1385
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Oct 28 - Nov 10USD5109 USD4598
USD1385
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Nov 18 - Dec 01USD5109 USD4598
USD1385
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Dec 09 - Dec 22USD5109 USD4598
USD1385
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Dec 30 - Jan 12, 2025USD5109 USD4598
USD1385
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Jan 27, 2025 - Feb 09, 2025USD6179 USD5561
USD1679
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Feb 24, 2025 - Mar 09, 2025USD6179 USD5561
USD1679
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Mar 10, 2025 - Mar 23, 2025USD6179 USD5561
USD1679
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Apr 07, 2025 - Apr 20, 2025USD6179 USD5561
USD1679
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Sep 29, 2025 - Oct 12, 2025USD6179 USD5561
USD1679
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Oct 27, 2025 - Nov 09, 2025USD6179 USD5561
USD1679
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Nov 17, 2025 - Nov 30, 2025USD6179 USD5561
USD1679
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Dec 08, 2025 - Dec 21, 2025USD6179 USD5561
USD1679
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Dec 29, 2025 - Jan 11, 2026USD6179 USD5561
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Jan 26, 2026 - Feb 08, 2026USD6439 USD5795
USD1965
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Feb 09, 2026 - Feb 22, 2026USD6439 USD5795
USD1965
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Feb 23, 2026 - Mar 08, 2026USD6439 USD5795
USD1965
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Mar 09, 2026 - Mar 22, 2026USD6439 USD5795
USD1965
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Mar 23, 2026 - Apr 05, 2026USD6439 USD5795
USD1965
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Mar 30, 2026 - Apr 12, 2026USD6439 USD5795
USD1965
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  • Prices are per person on twin sharing basis.
  • The prices in red reflect 10% discount.
Price Includes
  • Accommodation with breakfast at selected hotels
  • TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass
  • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Service of English speaking local guides per the itinerary
  • Service of drivers and air-conditioned vehicles per the itinerary
  • Entrance fees for mentioned sights visited
  • Interislander ferry crossing
Price Excludes
  • International airfares into and out of New Zealand
  • Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.)
  • Tips for guides and drivers
  • New Zealand visa fee
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