New Zealand
New Zealanders have a huge appetite for the outdoors and adventure. But you don’t need to be an athlete to enjoy this gorgeous country. Its awesome landscapes, variety of wildlife and pleasant climate make this a vacationer’s paradise, best explored on long, smooth drives. Also called Aotearea or the Land of the Long White Cloud by the Maori, New Zealand offers an abundance of everything: lush gardens, fine dining restaurants, luxury resorts, the fascinating Maori culture, art galleries and museums. All you need to ensure that you have a truly memorable holiday.
City Information
Christchurch
The south island’s largest city, christchurch is an entertaining mixture of refined lifestyle and cultural excitement. The tranquil avon river meanders through the city, its historic buildings house a lively arts community and restored trams make it easy for visitors to get around the city. Visit historic sites, museums and art galleries and dine at some of the country’s finest restaurants.
Queenstown
The first people to discover queenstown’s rare beauty were maori pounamu (jade) hunters. Then came the gold miners, in search of another kind of treasure. Queenstown itself is a treasure chest of magnificent scenery, adventure opportunities and a luxurious lifestyle. In any season, you can count on stylish accommodation, designer shopping and fabulous culinary experiences.
Mt. Cook
The alpine village of mt. Cook, located in aoraki mount cook national park, offers tourists a thoroughly refreshing natural experience. There are a host of activities for the adventurous. Take a four wheel drive safari. Skim along the surface of tranquil glacier lakes. Explore the area on a horseback trek. Climb up to one of the three summits of the mt. Cook range. Or simply take long walks amidst some truly spectacular scenery.
Rotorua
The community feeling of rotorua must be experienced to be believed. Here, there is a oneness to everything: the cultural strength of rotorua’s people, the geothermall earth forces of the region and the natural beauty of the forests, lakes and rivers. The people of rotorua consider it a personal challenge to offer visitors the best experience possible. Voted new zealand’s most beautiful city in 1999, 2000 and 2002, rotorua’s striking gardens, cobbled streets and fascinating mix of maori and english tudor architecture give it the feel of paradise.
Auckland
Auckland’s blend of polynesian culture and modern city environment has created a lifestyle ranked amongst the best in the world. Half urban and half marine, it’s a cosmopolitan experience encircled by a fascinating water world dotted with over 50 islands. Intriguingly enough, auckland is called ‘the city of 100 lovers’ in the maori language, because it is desired by all and conquered by many.
Tram Car Dinner
Sit back in an air-conditioned, colonial style dining tram and indulge in the finest service, cuisine and beverages that New Zealand has to offer. As you dine, the tram will make its way along 2.5 km of track, passing some of Christchurch’s finest attractions along the way. Look out upon the Cathedral Square, the Arts Centre, the Botanical Gardens, New Regent Street and Cathedral Junction, to name jus a few. Linger over your delicious lunch, as the tram continues on its leisurely journey along the tracks.
Helicopter ride over Mt. Cook
Mt. Cook is New Zealand’s highest peak, and dominates the mountain range that divides New Zealand’s South Island. Take a helicopter ride to New Zealand’s highest peak, Mt Cook / Aoraki (looming up to a height of 12,316 ft), to best experience the area’s natural grandeur. On your flight, you will enjoy magnificent views over picturesque farmland, coastal forests and pristine lakes. You will also be able to see the awesome Franz Joseph glacier.
A Skyline Gondola Ride
Skyline Skyrides carry you to 487 metres above sea level to a give you superb view over Rotorua. These are the largest gondolas in the southern hemisphere. The cableway restaurants are open for buffet lunch and dinner.and are recommended for their authentic New Zealand cuisine. There are three luge(three-wheel cart) tracks of varying terrains here. These tracks offer and enjoyable family activity.
Hell’s Gate & Wai Ora Mud Spas
It’s an experience unique to New Zealand: bathe in geothermal mud at Hell’s Gate and Wai Ora Spa with the traditional massage and mud therapy packages. Long ago, Maori warriors bathed here to salve their battle wounds. In the late 1800s, Europeans described these waters as having remarkable curative properties. Today, you can soak in the soothing waters and mud of this legendary place.
Milford Sound Cruise
Admire the stunning scenery of rugged hills and calm lakes as you pass through Egligton Valley towards Milford Sound. Float along the edge of Lake Wakatipu to the Fiordland National Park. Stop at the Mirror Lakes for photographs. Go through the Upper Hollyford Valley past the Christie Falls, into the 1.2 km Homer Tunnel towards the Cleddau Valley and the descent into Milford Sound. Here you will see the wonders of Mitre Peak, rock walls scarred by glaciers that rise 1,200 m into the sky from the sea, and waterfalls gushing into the Sound.
Jet Boating
Take a magical adventure into the heart of alpine New Zealand. Visit the country's most spectacular Lord of the rings filming location. Stop to hand-feed and photograph red deer, bison, llama and several other exotic animal species. trek around the summit lake and take a trip into the film set of Walt Disney's The Rescue. View footage of the movie, and learn about the local maori legends. This is the perfect opportunity for you to learn about the fascinating history and legends of the gold rush.
Waiheke Island Winery Tour
Take a pleasant half hour cruise to the Waiheke Island, where you will be met at the ferry terminal and escorted to three wineries - Mudbrick, Ridgeview Estate and Te Whau. Enjoy a day of fine wines, gourmet cuisine and entertainment. From these vineyards, take in the superb views of the urban skyline across to the Hauraki Gulf. After the tour, return to the ferry terminal and take the ferry back to Auckland.
Sky Walk
Take an informative journey around the ring of Auckland’s iconic Sky Tower for the best view of the glimmering harbour and the city's landmarks. Perched on a 1.2m walkway at a height of 192 m, with nonthing on either side but a sheer drop, it's an unforgettable, exhilarating sensation. There are no rails on this walk, but never fear, a full body harness and overhead safety lines keep you quite secure.Hotels
On holidays, it's essential that you spend your nights in comfort, enabling you to rise refreshed for a day packed with possibilities. At Kuoni, we give you a choice of the most celebrated hotels and resorts in each location.
In New Zealand you may choose from five star and four star hotels. The hotels, and resorts we offer have been chosen for their level of luxury, services, location, amenities and opportunities for recreation. So that you can look forward to putting up your feet in comfort at the end of each day.
Meals
There's something about a holiday that increases the appetite multifold. Perhaps it's the fresh air. Or the eager anticipation of the day ahead. Whatever be the reason, We ensure that meals are something you will look forward to.
Every morning, wake up to the convenience of a hot buffet breakfast at your hotel. At lunch time, you are free to sample the local cuisine at any of the restaurants around your hotel, or en ruoute to your next destination. End your days with flavours of home: a sumptuous dinner at an Indian restaurant located close to your hotel.
Almost every day of your journey has a culinary surprice in store. Lunch at the celebrated Galeries Lafayette, Paris. A Tyrolean dinner in innsbruck, complete with entertainment. A visit to Ben & Jerry's Ice cream Factory, with tasting, of course. Every kind of cuisine from across the globe, at the World Carnival Buffet, Las Vegas. A sumptuous Lobster dinner at Sydney. A wine tasting in a Stellenbosch veinyard in South Africa. And more.
Bon appetit!
New Zealand Reverie (9D/8N)
Spend nine leisurely days in the land of the Kiwi. Attend sheep shows, a wine tasting and a traditional feast, visit glowworm caves and indulge in a pleasurable spa session.
Your Itinerary
- Auckland 2 nights
- Rotorua 2 nights
- Queenstown 3 nights
- Christchurch 1 night
Day 1
Arrive at Auckland International Airport, and drive to your hotel. The rest of the day has been kept free for you to explore the area around your hotel or go shopping. Head to The Observatory at Sky Tower for dinner, with complimentary access to the Sky Tower’s main observation level before or after dinner.
Day 2
After breakfast, take the ferry from Auckland ferry terminal to Waiheke Island for a vineyard tour. Take the ferry back to Auckland and round off your day with dinner at an Indian restaurant.
Day 3
After breakfast, drive along the Southern Motorway to the market garden area of Pukekohe. Continue through Hamilton region to arrive at Waitomo where you will visit the Glowworm Caves and, if weather permits, take an underground boat ride on a river. Continue over the forested Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua for a traditional Hangi dinner and Maori concert.
Day 4
Fortified by a sumptuous breakfast, visit Te Puia, Zorb, and the Agrodome for a Sheep Show where you will learn about the different breeds of New Zealand sheep. Head to Rainbow Springs to see the trout pool and a magnificent aviary where you will see the Kiwi. After a Skyline Gondola ride, unwind at Hell’s Gate Spa for mud bath & spa and a Geothermal Reserve Walk. You may also choose to have a full body Maori massage at an extra cost. End your day with a sumptuous Indian dinner at a restaurant.
Day 5
Head to the airport for your flight to Queenstown. At Queenstown, collect your rental car and drive to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner is at a local Indian restaurant.
Day 6
Once you’ve done justice to the buffet breakfast, take a coach to Milford Sound, where you will board a cruise to best enjoy the fjordland scenery of cascading waterfalls and rainforests. Later, return to Queenstown by coach for a buffet dinner.
Day 7
After breakfast at the hotel, ride the Shotover Jet on the Shotover River into the Shotover River Canyons. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy Queenstown’s varied delights: bungee jumping, white water rafting, and more (not included in your tour cost), after which you will proceed to dinner at an Indian restaurant.
Day 8
After breakfast at your hotel, drive through the Central Otago region to Lake Pukaki, towards Mt. Cook where you will take a 40-minute ski plane flight, including a 10-minute halt at a glacier. Admire the close up views of Aoraki / Mt. Cook, Mt. Tasman and the Southern Alps from Aoraki / Mt. Cook National Park. After the flight, travel across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. As you pass through Christchurch, your driver will introduce you to the history of some of the outstanding buildings in the heart of the city. Tonight, savour a delicious four-course dinner at Tramway restaurant.
Day 9
After breakfast, return your rental car and set off to the airport to board your flight home.
Sojourn of North New Zealand (7D/6N)
Over seven unforgettable days, drive through some of North Island’s loveliest locales, from the magical glowworm caves of Waitomo to the much-lauded wineries of Napier.
Your Itinerary
- Auckland 1 night
- Rotorua 2 nights
- Napier 2 nights
- Wellington 1 night
Day 1
On arrival in Auckland, collect your rental car at the airport and drive to the hotel. Head out for dinner to an Indian restaurant.
Day 2
Drive southwards to Waitomo after breakfast for a guided tour of the Glowworm Caves. Continue over the Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua. End this day with dinner at an Indian restaurant.
Day 3
After breakfast, visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see boiling mudpools and roaring geysers, and on to Rainbow Springs to see New Zealand’s trout, birds and wildlife before continuing to the Agrodome for a New Zealand farm show featuring sheep dog demonstrations, cow milking and an introduction to the stars of the sheep industry. The afternoon is yours to spend as you please. In the evening, savour an authentic Maori Hangi (feast) and a concert.
Day 4
After breakfast, drive south towards Taupo before travelling over rugged mountain ranges and farmland to arrive in Napier. Relax over dinner at an Indian restaurant.
Day 5
After breakfast, visit four boutique wineries, each offering fine handcrafted red and white premium and Reserve award winning wines. End the day with dinner at an Indian restaurant.
Day 6
After breakfast, drive through the Manawatu Gorge to Palmerston North, travelling down the Kapiti Coast to arrive in Wellington. Round off the day with dinner at an Indian restaurant.
Day 7
After breakfast, return your rental car and set off to the airport to board your flight home.
Southern New Zealand Enchantment (6D/5N)
A quick but memorable trip, with the best that the South Island has to offer. Dinner at a restaurant with the best view of the city, a cruise to milford sound, and more.
Your Itinerary
- Christchurch 2 nights
- Queenstown 3 nights
Day 1
When you arrive in Christchurch, collect your rental car at the airport and drive to the hotel. Head out for dinner to an Indian restaurant.
Day 2
Drive across the fertile Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo, southwards to the little town of Twizel and through the historic Central Otago region to Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown. End the day with a sumptuous dinner at Skyline Restaurant.
Day 3
Follow the southern arm of Lake Wakatipu to Lumsden, and onward to Lake Te Anau. Enter the Eglinton Valley and travel through the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Take a cruise on this world famous fiord, dominated by the Mitre Peak and the Bowen Falls. Return to Queenstown and head to dinner at an Indian restaurant.
Day 4
This day has been kept free for you to explore the endless optional attractions available. Queenstown offers bungee jumping, jet boating, white water rafting, gondola rides and much more, (not included in your tour cost), after which you will proceed to dinner at an Indian restaurant.
Day 5
After breakfast, drive through the Central Otago region to Twizel. Follow the shores of Lake Pukaki to Mt. Cook Aoraki. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo before travelling across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Relax over dinner at an Indian restaurant.
Day 6
After breakfast, return your rental car and set off to the airport to board your flight home.