Both Islands in Seven Nights — Glow Worms, Milford Sound and Mount Cook
The shortest of the combined-island itineraries, and the one that covers the most ground per night. Seven nights, both islands, connected by a domestic flight.
Journey overview
The moments that make this journey unforgettable — the signature experiences we have woven through every day, so the best of the destination is never left to chance.
The shortest of the combined-island itineraries, and the one that covers the most ground per night. Seven nights, both islands, connected by a domestic flight.
Journey highlights
The moments that make this journey unforgettable — the signature experiences we have woven through every day, so the best of the destination is never left to chance.
- Both New Zealand islands in seven nights.
- The Waitomo Glow Worm Caves and their underground boat ride.
- Te Puia's geysers and boiling mud in Rotorua.
- A full-day Milford Sound excursion with a catamaran cruise past Mitre Peak.
- The Lindis Pass and Mount Cook on the way to Christchurch.
Day-by-day itinerary
You are met at Auckland Airport and transferred to your hotel. Auckland is built across a narrow isthmus between two harbours, which is why it is called the City of Sails, and the waterfront is an easy walk from most city hotels. The rest of the day is free to recover from the flight. · Auckland
You travel south from Auckland with a guided tour of the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, ending by drifting in silence on the underground river beneath thousands of glow worms on the cavern roof. You continue to Rotorua in the afternoon. · Rotorua
A half-day tour of Rotorua taking in Te Puia and its thermal valley of geysers and boiling mud pools. You then travel to Rainbow Springs to see trout and native wildlife, and on to the Agrodome sheep show. Rotorua sits on an active geothermal field and you will smell it before you see it. · Rotorua
You transfer to the airport for your flight south to Queenstown, crossing from the North Island to the South. Airfare on this sector is not included. You are met on arrival and transferred to your hotel, with the rest of the day free beside the lake. · Queenstown
An early start along the shore of Lake Wakatipu and through Te Anau into Fiordland. The road runs through beech forest beneath steep mountains and finally through the Homer Tunnel, cut straight through rock, to reach the water. You board a catamaran and cruise Milford Sound past Mitre Peak before returning to Queenstown. · Queenstown
No touring is scheduled today. Queenstown is New Zealand's adventure capital and sits on a lake ringed by mountains, so the day is easy to fill or easy to do nothing with. Anything you choose to arrange is at your own cost and is not part of this package. · Queenstown
You travel over the Lindis Pass and reach Mount Cook around the middle of the day — New Zealand's highest peak, standing above glacial lakes and tussock country. Scenic flights over the snowfields are available here at your own cost. You then continue across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. · Christchurch
Breakfast at the hotel, then check out and a transfer to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. Christchurch is the South Island's main gateway. Your onward flight is not part of this package, so allow the check-in time your airline requires. If your flight leaves later, ask the hotel about storing luggage.
What's included & excluded
Exactly what your journey covers — set out clearly, with no surprises, so you know precisely what to expect.
Included
- Seven nights' accommodation — Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown and Christchurch.
- Daily breakfast, from Day 2 to Day 8.
- Private airport transfer on arrival, Auckland Airport to your hotel.
- Private airport transfer on departure, your hotel to Christchurch Airport.
- Private transfers to and from the airport on the Day 4 domestic sector.
- Guided tour of the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, including the underground boat ride, on a seat-in-coach basis.
- Half-day Rotorua tour including Te Puia thermal valley, Rainbow Springs and the Agrodome sheep show, on a seat-in-coach basis.
- Full-day Milford Sound excursion from Queenstown including the catamaran cruise, on a seat-in-coach basis.
- Surface travel Auckland to Rotorua, and Queenstown to Christchurch via Mount Cook, on a seat-in-coach basis.
Excluded
- GST is extra and is charged on the final amount.
- TCS is extra and is charged on the final amount.
- International airfare is extra and is not included.
- Domestic and internal airfare is extra and is not included.
- Visa is extra and is not included — visa fees, associated service charges, airport taxes and any related charges.
- Travel insurance is extra and is not included.
- All meals other than the daily breakfasts listed above. The source operator states plainly that its FIT tours do not include any lunch or dinner, and no lunch or dinner transfer is provided.
- Drinks with meals.
- Any optional activity, scenic flight, cruise or admission described as optional or recommended rather than included.
- Any sightseeing, entry ticket or excursion not specifically listed under Inclusions.
- Tips and gratuities.
- Personal expenses — laundry, telephone, minibar, and anything of a personal nature.
- Early check-in and late check-out charges, and any hotel upgrade.
- City taxes or resort fees charged directly by the hotel.
- Anything not specifically listed under Inclusions.
Related to this journey
Every destination on this journey has its own guide — attractions, where to stay and what to eat — and the journeys that pair with this one are a click away.
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