Day 1| Departure from Canada – International Flight

Day 2| International Flight

Day 3| Auckland
Arrival at Auckland International Airport and private car transfer to your hotel. Your room will be available starting at 2 pm. Still nicknamed the “City of Sails”, Auckland is undoubtedly New Zealand’s biggest city, with 1 million people living here – one third of the country’s total population. With its surprisingly rich cultural heritage, quality of life in this ‘spread-out’ city is unbeatable. And let’s not forget that Auckland’s port is where the America’s Cup was held in 1999 and 2003.

Day 4| Auckland
Breakfast at your hotel. Today you are free to explore Auckland. This city has a wide range of interesting activities and visits to choose from, including the spectacular Sky Tower, the tallest tower in the southern hemisphere. Also worth visiting are America’s Cup village, the colonial village in Parnell, the trendy areas around Ponsonby, Mount Eden (an extinct volcano offering great views of the city), and Auckland Domain Park and its museum, for a good introduction to Maori and Polynesian culture. You could also visit Auckland Bay’s islands (Rangitoto et Waiheke). At the end of the day, relax and go sailing on a ship once used in the America’s Cup in Auckland’s port.

Day 5| Auckland - Rotorua (3h30)
American breakfast at your hotel. The area around Rotorua is one of the most touristic places of the North Island. This town is famous for its geothermal activity, its lake, and its many tourist attractions, but also for the very strong smell of sulfur that permeates the air. Rotorua is also at the heart of Maori culture, and a great place for visitors to participate in traditional music and dances, and well as discover “Hangi”.

Day 6| Rotorua
Breakfast at your hotel. Today you are free to explore Rotorua. You could head to the old town and take a walk next to the lake. Visit the exquisite Government Gardens, next to the museum. Close by, you can explore the village of Whakarewarewa and take a stroll around the fascinating thermal reserves with its mud pools and volcanic smoke. Continue on to Te Puia reserve and its geyser, and Wai-O-Tapu or Orakei Korako thermal reserves. End the day on a relaxing note and enjoy a Polynesian bath. An interesting alternative is Rainbow Springs and The Kiwi Encounter, where you’ll learn all about the country’s plants and animals. Those looking for a unique and unforgettable experience can hop on a small plane or helicopter and take a tour of the area to get a better idea of the importance of the geothermal and volcanic activity. Another option is to visit Mokoia Island, an important place in Maori mythology. Hangi dinner included in the evening.

Day 7| Rotorua - Tongariro
American breakfast at your hotel. Mount Ruapehu volcano is still active, and is the highest mountain on the North Island. Many skiers and snowboarders come here. Turoa and Whakapapa now form a single ski resort, each with their own ski trails on either side of the mountain. Learn more about the 1995 eruption by talking with the region’s inhabitants. There are many mountains in this area, including the Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu mountains. Visit the thermal reserves at Wai-O-Tapu and the famous Champagne Pool, a thermal water source with surprising colors. Waimangu or Orakei Korako also make for interesting visits.

Day 8| Tongariro
American breakfast at your hotel. A day of free time in Tongariro National Park, where you can enjoy a variety of activities, including hiking along the Tongariro Crossing, jet boating on the Whanganui to the Bridge to Nowhere, or gazing at the beautiful natural landscape on a small plane tour of the area.

Day 9| Tongariro - Wellington (4h30)
American breakfast at your hotel. Once you arrive in Wellington, spend some time exploring the country capital, built like an amphitheatre facing an immense bay that opens onto Cook Strait and the South Island. It’s also New Zealand’s cultural capital: this is where Catherine Mansfield, the country’s most famous writer, grew up. Interesting activities include a visit to Te Papa museum, wandering the streets looking for ancient Victorian buildings, and taking the cable car to the botanic gardens overlooking the city.

Day 10| Wellington - Picton - Kaiteriteri (3h ferry ride + 2h15 min)
American breakfast at your hotel. This morning, make your way to the Wellington ferry terminal to drop off your rental car and take the ferry crossing the Cook Strait, which separates the North and South Islands (schedule to be confirmed). Pick up your second rental car upon arrival in Picton. At the northern end of South Island, Marlborough Sound and the region around Nelson are blessed with an impressive variety of natural resources. Fishing, boat rides, hiking, ATV tours, R&R, and wine tastings are just a few of the activities on offer in this little paradise, making it a very popular tourist destination.

Day 11| Abel Tasman National Park
Continental breakfast at your hotel. Today you have free time to enjoy the vineyards or discover Abel Tasman National Park. Options include hiking, swimming, and kayaking on the sea.

Day 12| Kaiteriteri - Greymouth (4h40 min)
Continental breakfast at your hotel. A very beautiful road will take you to Punakaiki, on the west coast, close to the impressive Pancake Rocks and Blowholes, on the shores of the Tasman Sea. These limestone formations look like piles of pancakes sprayed by powerful water jets shooting from cracks in the rocks. After your visit here, make your way to Greymouth.

Day 13| Greymouth - Glaciers (2½ h)
American breakfast at your hotel. Simply put, New Zealand’s West Coast is a dream destination. With its myriad Pungas and Piupius, it stretches for more than 600 km of beaches and cliffs. Few people live here. The landscape is rich in contrasts and ranks among the most beautiful in the country: mountains, tropical forests, valleys, untouched beaches, glaciers, and lakes abound here. You can go on a full-day or half-day hike on one of the glaciers (varying levels of difficulty are available, some of which require crampons and ice axes). Another option is to fly over the glaciers aboard a helicopter or small plane, from where you can catch a glimpse of Mount Cook before landing on the snow. In the evening, we suggest you make the most of the Hot Pools in Franz Josef, superb thermal pools set in a beautiful natural setting.

Day 14| Glaciers - Queenstown (5 h 45 min)
American breakfast at your hotel. Arrival in Queenstown, in the heart of the majestic New Zealand Alps. Queenstown welcomes many visitors throughout the year. This is New Zealand’s number one destination for adventure sports and outdoor activities and remains a favorite spot among the country’s skiers and snowboarders. Bungee jumping, parasailing, and hiking along the lake are just a few of the activities on offer here.

Day 15| Queenstown
American breakfast at your hotel. Today you are free to do as you please in the Queenstown area. Make the most of this wonderful city and enjoy some of the many activities available here: hiking, horseback riding, jet boating, rafting, exploring the Dart river and, of course, visiting some of the area’s excellent vineyards. Make sure you take the cable car up to Bob’s Peak to take in the scenery (you can also try luge on top of the mountain).

Day 16| Queenstown - Milford Sound - Te Anau (4h + 1h30 cruise + 1h45 min)
American breakfast at your hotel. Today you head to Milford Sound, on the edge of the country’s largest national park: Fiordland. This park features dense tropical forests, a dozen often snow-covered peaks, and many endangered species (takahe, kea, kaka, brown kiwi). In other words, it’s paradise on earth for nature lovers. At around 12:45 pm, make your way to the park visitor center for your 1:15 pm cruise on Milford Sound aboard a comfortable boat (1h30). Penguins, seals, and, sometimes, dolphins can be seen during the cruise. You’ll also navigate to the foot of basalt cliffs plunging into crystal clear waters. You can also opt to visit glowworm caves on the other side of the lake. After the cruise, return to Te Anau: here, at the wilderness center, you can spot a very rare bird, the Takahe, which was thought extinct until 1948 (free).

Day 17| Te Anau - Dunedin (4h10 min)
This morning, take the road all the way to Dunedin, a city with a strong Scottish influence. Close to Dunedin, the Otago peninsula is famous for being home to many rare animal species – not to mention the area’s incredible scenery. This region has a fascinating history, marked with many quarrels between Maori tribes, the arrival of European colonists, and the famous gold rush. The region’s main city, Dunedin features unique 19th-century architecture and is known for its university. As soon as you set foot here, you can feel the Scottish influence. Otago is considered the country’s best fishing destination, and has great ATV trails and vineyards. Stopover in Moeraki to take a look at the Boulders, intriguing geological formations dropped on the beach like giant marbles, and then head to Oamaru, a small historical city where visitors can take a close look at the blue penguin colony.

Day 18| Dunedin
American or continental breakfast at your hotel. A day of free time to explore the region. Interesting sites around the Otago peninsula include the Albatros Centre, Natures Wonders, and Penguin Place. You can also go on a wildlife observation cruise around the peninsula and take a picturesque return train trip on the historical Taieri Gorge Railway – a truly unforgettable experience.

Day 19| Dunedin - Mount Cook (4 h 45 min)
American breakfast at your hotel. This morning get back on the road and head to Mount Cook village, which started off as a base for construction workers building hydroelectric dams in the Mackenzie basin. At 3754 meters, majestic Mount Cook is New Zealand’s (and Oceania’s) highest peak, and the main attraction for the national park of the same name. Called Aoraki by the Maori, this enormous mountain can be seen from far away, towering above the Dividing Range as you arrive from the south along Lake Pukaki. Founded in 1953 Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park features more than twenty peaks rising above 3000 meters, as well the Tasman Glacier, the largest in New Zealand, which glides down Mount Cook. Mt Cook Village is also where you’ll find the most famous hotel in the country, the Hermitage.

Day 20| Mount Cook
American or continental breakfast at your hotel. A little bit of hiking will allow you to discover the area’s superb landscape. The Red Tarns track will lead you to a small ledge on the slopes of Mount Sebastopol. Here, visitors can discover many tarns (cirques) as well as numerous flower species typical of such humid alpine area. Pushing forward on an unmarked trail towards the top of Mt Sebastopol, you reach a second ledge where more tarns can be found, even more pristine and numerous than on the previous ledge, offering fantastic views of the Mt Cook massive. The Hooker Valley Walk (3-4 hours) is a beautiful hike in the Hooker Valley with views on the rapids and Lake Hooker, which you can also observe from above aboard a small plane or helicopter. Finally, those looking for an opportunity to see the glaciers up close and personal can board the Glacier Explorer, a zodiac excursion that will take you to the foot of these marvels of nature.

Day 21| Mount Cook - Christchurch (4 h 45 min)
American or continental breakfast at your hotel. Drive to Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island and the second largest in the country. This city is known for its cathedral, its superb gardens, its parks, museums, restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. There are many cultural activities organized in the region, and plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. Christchurch is blessed with both the historical charm and the lively, vibrant energy you can only get in a modern city.

Day 22| Christchurch
American breakfast at your hotel. A day of free time in Christchurch. Discover this city’s British ambiance, get some rest, or take a stroll in any of the lovely parks, including the Botanical Gardens. The very picturesque tramway is a great way to visit the city and its historical sites, including the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrement and Christchurch Cathedral. If you want to know more about the area’s cultural history, the Centre for the Arts (once a university), the new art gallery, and Canterbury museum are for you. Visit the International Antarctic Center: Christchurch is still the point of departure for many expeditions on the icy continent. Outside the city, visitors can spot cetaceans off the shores of Kairouka (2 h 40 min drive), while a 1h30 drive will take you to the small fishing village of Akaroa and its subtle French charm.

Day 23| Departure from Christchurch – International Flight
American breakfast at your hotel. Head to the airport to drop-off your rental vehicle and board your plane back home. This is the end of your unforgettable trip to New Zealand.

** Budgets displayed on this website are provided for information purpose only and do not have any contractual value, Uniktour cannot be held responsible for any consequences related to this information (departure dates are not indicated). Fares are led to change on a regular basis, depending on exchange rates and the fluctuation in the hospitality industry. For a precise quotation, you may click here.

** Fares applying to the on-site itinerary are not subject to applicable GST (TPS) & QST (TVQ). The displayed budget does not include 0.1% FICAV contribution (The Compensation fund for customers of travel agents)

The budget for the land portion of this trip includes:
- Transfer upon your arrival on day 3
- Accommodation in standard (3-Star) or superior quality (4-Star) hotels, depending on which option you chose
- Continental or American breakfast every day
- CDAV category car from day 4 to the end of your trip (automatic; unlimited mileage). FDAR category car for 3 people.
CDAV category: Toyota Corolla Hatch or Sedan / Ford Focus, or similar
FDAR category: Ford Falcon XT or similar
- Day-long tour of the vineyards around Napier
- Ferry crossing from the North Island to the South Island
- Wine tasting at Rippon winery, in Wanaka
- Half-day on the Queenstown Wine Trail, around Queenstown
- Cruise on Milford Sound
- GST of 12.5%
- 24/7 English-speaking assistance

The budget for the land portion of this trip does not include:
- International flight
- Airport pickup fees of NZ$ 39.00 (subject to change without prior notice)
- Excursions not mentioned above
- Suggestions
- Tips and personal expenses
- Any meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Departure tax of NZD 25.00 per person
- Anything not mentioned in the “The budget for the land portion of this trip includes” section above

Next departure dates for this travel

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION – RENTAL CONDITIONS – HERTZ 2009/2010 & 2010/2011
- Vehicle rental includes unlimited mileage
- Renter must be at least 21 years old and be owner of original permit and international permit for at least one year. 25 years old for PFBV category cars
- Vehicle insurance is included (third-party)
- A 2812.50 NZ$ deposit is required upon picking up the vehicle (banc card swipe). This is the deductible for the first 4 types of vehicles
- A 3375.00 NZ$ deposit is required upon picking up the vehicle (banc card swipe). This is the deductible for the last 3 types of vehicles
- To bring the deductible down:
Optional extra insurance, payable on location: NZ$ 28.13 per day for the first 4 types of vehicle
- To bring the deductible down:
Optional extra insurance, payable on location: NZ$ 33.75 per day for the last 3 types of vehicle
- Minimum rental period, pick-up and drop-off at same location: 3 days (3 X 24 hours)
- Minimum rental period, pick-up and drop-off at different location: 3 days (3 X 24 hours).
- Minimum rental period for inter-island rental: 3 days (3 X 24 hours) on each island
- For each vehicle dropped off under 1 or 2 days, one-way fees apply (NZ$ 250, payable on location)
- For vehicles picked up in Kerikeri or Gisborne, a remote fee of NZ$ 45.00 is applicable
- For any pick-up at the Wellington ferry terminal after 5 pm, a fee of NZ$ 56.25 is applicable
- For any pick-up at the Picton ferry terminal after 6 pm, a fee of NZ$ 56.25 is applicable
- Vehicle type can vary: renters will obtain vehicle mentioned above or similar
- Refunds are not available for early drop-offs
- For the ferry transfer between the 2 islands, drop off your vehicle at the ferry departure point and pick-up another one at the arrival point
- Vehicles can be picked up at the Hertz office either in the city or at the airport. It is possible to leave the vehicle at the hotel any day of the week between 8:30 am and 4 pm. This service costs NZ$ 50.63 and must be reserved 48 hours in advance.
- For vehicles picked up at the airport or at the ferry port, an extra NZ$ 39.38 may be applicable (at the discretion of the local operator)
- Full coverage does not cover the GPS
- For inter-island rentals, the GPS must be dropped off at the ferry or the airport at the same time as the vehicle. Renter will receive another GPS for the second leg of the trip
- For inter-island rentals, the maximum time allowed between drop-off of one vehicle and pick-up of the other is 5 hours
- Hertz insurance also includes over-the-phone medical assistance

Deductible:
Hertz rental fees include standard deductibles (third-party insurance) of 2812.50 for the first 4 types of vehicles, and NZ$ 3375.00 for the last 3 types of vehicle. A deposit worth one of these amounts will be taken upon signing the rental contract. Payment of this deposit can only be made using a credit card. The standard deductible can be reduced by opting for a deductible buy-back, payable on location.

List of Hertz offices in New Zealand: https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/byr/index.jsp?targetPage=locationTab.jsp&leftNavUserSelection=globNav_4