Mesmerizing New Zealand

New Zealand is a country which I hold very close to my heart out of the Countries I have Travelled so far. This Country is a paradise. Well, at-least for nature & adventure lovers like me. I had Visited New Zealand four years back. The Travellers with me were my Family. We had a really great time exploring the various sights and experiences that this beautiful country has to provide.

This beautiful country can be categorized in two main parts; North & South island. The North island is where Auckland is located, which is a major hub for international flights. For South Island, the major connectivity is from Christchurch or Queenstown.

Let me First show you the Basic Fact Sheet of New Zealand:

• Population: 45,59,832 people (approx)
• Capital City: Wellington
• Local Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
• Language: Icelandic
• Time Difference: +6 and half Hours ahead of IST

We travelled in this Beautiful Country for 13 Nights and 14 Days and through Tours and Travels we went. Our excitement had no bounds, here I share my experiences sorted in an itinerary format which you consider while planning your New Zealand itinerary.

DAY 1 - MUMBAI – SINGAPORE – AUCKLAND (OVERNIGHT FLIGHT)

- We Assembled at T2 terminal to meet our group and boarded our flight for Auckland via Singapore.

- We arrived in Singapore, and proceeded to board our connecting flight to our next destination.

DAY 2 - ARRIVE AUCKLAND – NORTH ISLAND BEGINS

KIO ARA (Hello) !!! Welcome to New Zealand.

- We have arrived in Auckland Airport, and we proceeded to clear customs and immigrations.

- When everybody was done with the Clearance, we boarded the luxurious coach to enjoy South Indian Lunch at an Indian Restaurant.

- Post Lunch we Checked In Hotel Grand Millennium Auckland.

- Rest of the day was free to relax and unwind ourselves to the fresh air of New Zealand.

- We Enjoyed Indian dinner in restaurant and spent overnight at the hotel. It was my 18th Birthday in Auckland. We all had a blast on my Birthday Night!

DAY 3 - AUCKLAND – ROTORUA (236 KMS – 3.5 HRS DRIVE)

- After breakfast at hotel, we checked out and continued towards Auckland city and its tour by visiting sites like Sky Tower which is the biggest Tower in Southern Hemisphere standing tall at 328 metres. We Proceeded to the observation Deck to get the full city view of Auckland.

- Then Continued with the city tour of Harbour Bridge, Viaduct Waterfront, Tamaki Drive, Savage Point, Parnell Rose Park, Auckland Domain and Gardens and Enjoyed picnic lunch.
- Post Lunch, we proceeded to Rotorua via Waitomo Glow-worm Caves. Enjoyed the world famous boat ride under thousands of magical glow-worms.

- After arriving in Rotorua we proceeded to check In Hotel Grand Millennium Rotorua.

- Enjoyed Indian dinner cooked by Tours and Travels chef and spent overnight at the hotel.

DAY 4 - ROTORUA

- After breakfast at hotel, we proceeded for a full day sightseeing tour starting with Te Puia where you will see the biggest geysers in Rotorua and also largest active one in Southern Hemisphere.

Te Puia

- After Te Puia we went to see the Agrodome Sheep Show where you can see 19 different types of sheep and enjoy this interactive show that will tickle your bone. After the show we enjoyed picnic lunch.

Agrodome Sheep Show

- We then went to see the activities to Velocity Valley like Bungee Swing, Swoop, Free Fall Extreme and more.

- In evening we enjoyed the Polynesian Spa – Where there were Adult Pools & Priest Spa with a famous Mud pack.

- Enjoyed Indian dinner cooked by Tours and Travels chef and spent overnight at the hotel.

DAY 5 - ROTORUA

- After breakfast at hotel, we proceeded for the 8-10 mins Float Plane Ride by the Lake Rotorua.

Float Plane Ride

- Then we Enjoyed the most famous Wai-O-Tapu, here we visited the famous Champagne pool a prominent geothermal area in the North Island.

- Post that, we proceeded for a day trip to Lake Taupo, 1 hour drive. On reaching the lake we enjoyed picnic lunch.

- We Visited the Hukka Falls after the lake visit.

Hukka Falls

- Mid-afternoon we returned to the Hotel and had free time for leisure / shopping.

- Enjoyed Indian dinner cooked by Tours and Travels chef and spent overnight at the hotel.

DAY 6 - ROTORUA – WELLINGTON (450 KMS – 6 HRS DRIVE)

- After breakfast at hotel we Checked Out of the hotel and continued towards Wellington. En-route enjoyed our Picnic Lunch.

- After arriving, we proceeded to check into the Hotel Copthorne Oriental Bay Wellington.

- Enjoyed Indian dinner cooked by Tours and Travels chef and spent overnight at the hotel.

DAY 7 - WELLINGTON

- After breakfast at hotel, we proceeded for a City tour which includes New Zealand’s Parliament Buildings and Beehive, Hop off to visit Old Saint's Paul's Cathedral, Wander the Wellington Botanic Gardens, Ride the historic Wellington Cable Car, Get out and feel the breeze at the top of Mount Victoria loads of photo opportunities in Wellington City and surrounds.

Wellington Botanic Gardens

- Picnic Lunch and then Continue to visit Te Papa: National Museum of New Zealand and then we enjoyed some free time for leisure for shopping down the Lambton Quay area.

- Enjoyed Indian dinner cooked by Tours and Travels chef and spent overnight at the hotel.

DAY 8 - WELLINGTON - QUEENSTOWN (1.15 HRS FLIGHT) - SOUTH ISLAND BEGINS

- After breakfast at hotel, we checked out the hotel and said goodbye to North Island as we proceeded to Wellington Airport to board our flight for Queenstown: South Island of New Zealand.

- On arrival we enjoyed the 30 mins Jet boat Ride experience and then lunch in Indian restaurant.

- Then we Check in Hotel Novotel Lakeside Queenstown and rest of the day was free for us to explore beautiful Queenstown.

- Enjoyed Indian dinner cooked by Tours and Travels chef and spent overnight at the hotel.

DAY 9 - QUEENSTOWN

- After breakfast at hotel, we proceeded to City Tourof Arrow Town, Enjoyed the Lakes District Museum and Chinese Miners’ Settlement. We saw the AJ Hackett Bungee Bridge: Experience the thrill of bungee either as a watcher or maybe even a jumper. I was a watcher. 

- Post lunch we proceeded for Lake Wanaka: New Zealand’s fourth largest lake, and estimated to be more than 300 m deep. Enjoyed the view at the lake and captured beautiful memories.

Lake Wanaka

- Then we enjoyed the Puzzling World: the highlight for a family outing with illusions, puzzles and mazes to play with.

- Later in evening while returning to Queenstown visited Mrs Jones Fruit Stall for some Jam and Chocolate Shopping and we eat Fresh Berries churned ice cream

Mrs Jones Fruit Stall

- Enjoyed Indian dinner cooked by Tours and Travels chef and spent overnight at the hotel.

DAY 10 - QUEENSTOWN - MILFORD SOUND - QUEENSTOWN

- After breakfast at hotel, we proceeded for Milford sound for the scenic cruise. Started an early journey across the Southern Alps and traveled deep into the Homer Tunnel: a 1.2km tunnel drilled through solid rock. Uncovered Eglinton Valley, a place of ancient alpine forest and gushing waterfalls, we took photos of the stunning Mirror Lakes, then walk acrossed The Chasm. Boarded our 4 hours Scenic Cruise. Saw the wonders of Mitre Peak, glacier-scarred rock walls and waterfalls. Lunch in the cruise. 

During Return from Milford Sound to Queenstown

- Enjoyed Indian dinner cooked by Tours and Travels chef and spent overnight at the hotel.

DAY 11 - QUEENSTOWN 

- After breakfast at hotel, we went to Skyline Gondola to have a beautiful view of Queenstown from Bob’s Peak. Then enjoyed the famous Luge Ride.

Bob's Peak

- Rest of the day was free for us to do shopping and also to enjoy all other activities such para gliding, river rafting, Nevis swing, river rafting, Sky diving etc. I did not do Sky Diving because I had already done it in South Africa. 

- After standing in a long queue we eat the Famous FergBurger: In the 20 years since it's began, it offers a wide range of burgers, from 3/4 lb (340 gram) meat patties to tofu, are freshly prepared everyday, well cooked, carefully assembled and delicious. 

- Enjoyed Indian dinner cooked by Tours and Travels chef and spent overnight at the hotel.

DAY 12 - QUEENSTOWN - CHRISTCHURCH (550 KMS - 8 HRS DRIVE)

-After breakfast at hotel, we checked out and proceeded for Christchurch. En-route visited Lake Pukaki: for a scenic view of Mt cook and Lake Tekapo. Enjoyed Picnic Lunch.

- Enjoyed 20 mins Helicopter Ride with snow landing from Glentanner base.

Helicopter Ride to Mt Cook with Snow Landing

- Then continue towards Christchurch. On arrival checked into Hotel Novotel Christchurch.

- Enjoyed Indian dinner cooked by Tours and Travels chef and spent overnight at the hotel.

DAY 13 - CHRISTCHURCH

- After breakfast at hotel, we proceeded towards Christchurch city tour: the largest city of New Zealand in South island affected by 2011 earthquake. Also know the as the Garden City.

- Visited The International Antarctic Centre where we got a chance to witness a Storm Room which goes to -20 Degrees.

- Enjoyed Picnic lunch. Then we got Half day free for shopping at the famous Westfield Mall.

- Enjoyed Indian dinner cooked by Tours and Travels chef and spent overnight at the hotel.

DAY 14 - CHRISTCHURCH – SINGAPORE – MUMBAI

- After breakfast at hotel, we proceeded for Christchurch International Airport to check in for our flight boarding to Mumbai VIA Singapore.

!!! THE TOUR ENDED AND WE RETURNED WITH HAPPY AND GOOD MEMORIES OF THE TOUR!!! 

I hope you enjoyed reading this itinerary and found it helpful. New Zealand is hands down the best trip I have had in my lifetime! Let’s see which next trip can top it up.