9D8N NORTH & SOUTH TOUR PLUS MILFORD SOUNDS

Day 1: Arrival Auckland

Arrive at Auckland International airport and shuttle bus transfer to your hotel. The rest of today is free on your own.

Day 2: Auckland - Waitomo – Hobbiton - Rotorua

Travel south to Waitomo. Here you will embark on a guided tour of Waitomo caves into a grotto illuminated by countless of tiny glow worm suspended from the cave ceiling. Enjoy a picnic lunch box. Afterwards, depart to the township of Matamata to experience the real middle earth with a visit to Hobbiton movie set and guided  tour.  The bucolic setting for the Shire was featured in Peter Jackson directed film, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. You will be taken around the 12acre set; past Hobbiton holes, the Mill and into the famous Green Dragon Inn, where you can indulge in our exclusive, specially brewed beverages to conclude your own Middle-earth adventure. Afterwards, proceed to the famous geothermal city of Rotorua for overnight stay.

DAY 3: Rotorua

Today, free for own activities and explore the stunning geothermal landscapes in Rotorua! Take time out to do some optional activities which we suggest to include a visit to Skyline Rotorua to experience spectacular views of Lake Rotorua, the city and steaming geothermal vistas, or experiencing the farming life in New Zealand and watching a sheep shearing display or seeing sheep dog trials at Agrodome. Tonight enjoy an evening Maori cultural performance and traditional Hangi buffet dinner at Te Puia. Transfer pick up is from the Rotorua CBD. The Te Pō Indigenous Experience begins with our mouth-watering buffet with locally sourced cuisine and an authentic Māori twist in each dish. Following this, you will be led to view an exhilarating Maori cultural performance that takes place in our beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. It will include a Pōhiri (Traditional Māori Welcome), Waiata (Song), Mōteatea (traditional chant), Poi, and Haka. Afterward, enter the geothermal valley on our waka (electric shuttle) and discover one of New Zealand’s most magnificent geothermal wonderlands – featuring dramatic geysers, bubbling mud, and beautiful native bush. Enjoy a hot chocolate, seated on a naturally heated rock terrace overlooking the powerful Pōhutu Geyser. This experience is approximately 2 hours 45 minutes long.

DAY 4: Rotorua - Auckland

This morning, travel north via Hamilton, New Zealand's fourth largest city and fertile Waikato region to the "The City of Sails" Auckland. This afternoon is free on your own to explore Auckland city and have time to do some shopping or enjoy one of the many cafes or restaurants. At night, how about trying your luck at the Sky City Casino?

DAY 5: Auckland /fly/ Queenstown

Transfer to Auckland Domestic Airport by shuttle bus for a domestic flight to the Queenstown. Upon arrival in Queenstown you will be met by the shuttle bus to transfer you to your Queenstown hotel.

DAY 6: Queenstown - Milford Sound – Queenstown

Early morning departure for a spectacular journey to Milford Sound. View the Mirror Lakes and continue to Eglinton Valley and through the Homer Tunnel into the Cleddau Valley. Enjoy the beautiful Milford Sound cruise, which is an unforgettable experience exploring the wonders of this majestic fiord. Return back to Queenstown

DAY 7: Queenstown 

Today is your free day! Choose one of the many optional activities available to you. For example, going for the exciting jet boating, bungy jumping, relaxing garden tours, lake cruises, or helicopter rides over the surrounding mountains.

DAY 8: Queenstown – Mt Cook - Christchurch

Today travel back through the Central Otago region onto Twizel, then continue north following the shores of lake Pukaki, when arrive at Mount Cook National Park, if time and weather permit, we suggest a scenic flight (own expense) over some of New Zealand's finest alpine scenery. After departing from Mount Cook National Park, journey to Lake Tekapo. Here you get to view the Church of Good Shepherd against magnificent alpine and lake Tekapo scenery. Then traveling across the Canterbury Plains to arrive at Christchurch.

DAY 9: Christchurch / Overseas

Transfer to Christchurch International Airport by shuttle bus for your flight bound for home, taking with you unforgettable and pleasant memories of a wonderful of New Zealand.