New Zealand & the Cook Islands

Superior Private Tour in brief

Day 1: Auckland

Arrive into Auckland, collect your hire car and drive to SkyCity Grand Hotel for 1 night. (N)

Day 2: Auckland • Rotorua

Explore Auckland’s city sights before travelling south towards Rotorua, stopping en route at the glow-worm caves at Waitomo for a guided tour and boat ride through the grotto. Continue on to Rotorua and stay 2 nights at the Millennium Hotel Rotorua. (N)

Day 3: Rotorua

Choose from a selection of included tours such as a visit to Te Puia, offering Maori cultural experiences and an impressive display of geysers and boiling mud pools, explore Rainbow Springs Nature Park and the Kiwi Encounter, or relax in a thermal pool. (N)

Day 4: Wellington

Travel to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington, passing Lake Taupo and Tongariro National Park en route. Stay 1 night at Copthorne Hotel Wellington. We recommend visiting the National Museum Te Papa during your time in the city. (N)

Day 5: Fly to Queenstown

Drive to the airport for the short flight to Queenstown* . On arrival, collect your hire car. Stay 3 nights at QT Queenstown. (N)

Days 6-7: Queenstown

During your stay we recommend a visit to the old gold-mining town of Arrowtown and a trip to the Fiordland region for a cruise on Doubtful or Milford Sound. (N)

Days 8-9: Franz Josef

Drive west along the rugged West Coast Road and over the Haast Pass, following the dramatic coastal road north to the small town of Franz Josef. The following day we recommend a helicopter flight over Franz Josef and Fox glaciers or a valley walk with a local glacier guide. Stay at Te Waonui Forest Retreat for 2 nights. (B)

Days 10-11: Greymouth • Christchurch

Journey north up the rugged west coast to Greymouth, where you will return your hire car and board the TranzAlpine train for a journey through the Southern Alps to Christchurch. On arrival, transfer to The George Hotel for 2 nights, with the following day at leisure to explore the city. (N)

Day 12: Fly to Rarotonga (Cook Islands)

Transfer to the airport and fly to Rarotonga, then transfer to the Manuia Beach Resort for 3 nights, where you will receive a warm ‘ei welcome. (N)

Days 13-14: Rarotonga

Morning at leisure. Afternoon tour by 4×4 vehicle into the green rugged interior of the island for an insight into its history and culture. The following day is at leisure with the opportunity to relax or explore the island further. (N)

Day 15: Aitutaki

Fly to the island of Aitutaki. On arrival, transfer to the Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa for 3 nights. (N)

Day 16: Aitutaki

Join a cruise on the island’s lagoon and perhaps snorkel amid the array of fish, coral and giant clams. The cruise will stop at the uninhabited One Foot Island for lunch before returning. (L)

Day 17: Aitutaki

Join a 4×4 tour of Aitutaki, visiting sacred Polynesian sites (marae) and learn about the traditions of the cannibal Polynesians who inhabited the island. (N)

Day 18: Fly to Rarotonga • Onward travel

Return by air to Rarotonga. Transfer to the Islander Hotel for the afternoon before a late-evening transfer to the airport for a flight to London, or continue your holiday in the South Pacific. (B)

Meal basis

As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals

Important information Flights:

International and internal flights are not included with this itinerary. For flight options and prices, please contact your Cox & Kings travel consultant.

Superior tour

This tour is based in 4- and 5-star accommodation.

Tailor-made travel:

For a price quote based on alternative accommodation standards, to discuss flight options or to tailor this itinerary, please call to speak with a Cox & Kings consultant or enquire online.