16 Days from $15,890 USD / person
Road Trip: Luxury New Zealand
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 – 2
International Arrival
You will be transferred from Auckland Airport to your hotel in a private vehicle
1 Night
Auckland
Experience Auckland, a stunning natural playground and melting pot of cultures with a strong Māori influence. Straddling natural harbors on the Hauraki Gulf and the Tasman Sea, Auckland sits on a volcanic isthmus flanked by contrasting coastlines. From volcanic peaks, lush native canopies and black sand beaches, to hip entertainment districts, contemporary art scenes and gourmet experiences, there’s something for everyone in this populous waterfront city, the largest in New Zealand! The city also entertains adrenaline seekers at the iconic sky tower while rugby fans can catch an All Blacks’ match the country’s biggest stadium, Eden Park. Relax in the laid-back neighborhoods or head out to explore the series of walking paths that present spectacular vantages of the Auckland region. Short ferry rides away, the nearby islands are home to boutique vineyards, wineries, olive groves, rainforests, and reserves. Enjoy tranquil island vistas with a plethora of sailboats on the east, and the Waitakere Ranges with rugged black sand beaches and farmlands on the west.
Hotel options
Hotel Grand Windsor MGallery by Sofitel – Opt 1
Room
Classic King Room
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Boutique
Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour 5* – Opt 2
Room
Junior Suite
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Boutique
Day 2 – 5
You will be transferred from your Hotel to Auckland Airport in a private vehicle
You will be transferred from Taupo airport to your hotel in a private vehicle
3 Nights
Taupo
With its massive lake framed by the snowy peaks of Tongariro National Park, Taupo is a nature lover’s dream come true. Located within the caldera of Taupo Volcano, there is never a dull moment in this photographer’s paradise. Satiate your quest for an adrenaline rush with adventure activities such as skydiving over Lake Taupo, jet boating, and white water rafting. A favorite destination with cyclists from across the world, this panoramic region is famed for its geothermal spots. Soak in a mineral-rich hot water pool and emerge rejuvenated or head to Craters of the Moon walkway to get a closer look at bubbling mud pools, spluttering craters, and gushing hot springs. Nature enthusiasts will particularly enjoy the Huka Falls just outside town, where the gurgling Waikato River surges through a narrow chasm to plunge down 36 feet! Not just natural wonders, Taupo is also home to a unique museum featuring hundreds of glass sculptures and glass blowing displays. Uncover the town’s heritage at Taupo Museum with its interesting displays including the recreation of a 19th century shop and don’t forget to pop into the rose garden next door. Just a boat ride away, the stunning Maori rock carvings etched into cliffs at Mine Bay make for an interesting excursion.
Hotel options
Lake Taupo Lodge – Opt 1
Room
Cherrywood Executive Suite
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Lodge
Huka Lodge – Opt 2
Room
Lodge Suite
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Lodge
Day 5 – 7
You will be transferred from your hotel to Taupo airport in a private vehicle
You will be transferred from Nelson airport to your hotel in a private vehicle organized by your hotel
2 Nights
Nelson
A paradise for outdoor adventure enthusiasts, Nelson is blessed with breathtaking wooded hills, rocky headlands, and golden beaches. Boulder Bank, a dramatic eight-mile long natural rocky formation out at Nelson Haven, adds to the waterscape, and also has a lighthouse! Home to a vibrant creative community, the city is punctuated with a host of quirky landmarks. Visit the renowned World of Wearable Art & Classic Cars Museum that displays avant garde pieces and exotic automobiles under the same roof. Being one among New Zealand’s oldest settlements, Nelson’s Founders’ Heritage Park gives visitors an insight into the early European settlers in the region. Hike to the geographical center of New Zealand, which affords panoramic views over this coastal city surrounded by the Tasman Mountains and overlooking the serene Tasman Bay.
Hotel options
Edenhouse Lodge – Opt 1
Room
Garden Cottage
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Lodge
Split Apple Retreat – Opt 2
Room
Fuji Suite
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Lodge
Day 7 – 9
You will be transferred from your hotel to Nelson airport in a private vehicle organized by your hotel
You will be transferred from Christchurch airport to your hotel in a private vehicle
2 Nights
Christchurch
Christchurch is a vibrant city with a rich English heritage nestled on the eastern coast of New Zealand’s South Island, bordered by the Waimakariri River and the Pegasus Bay. With innovative architecture, public installations such as the 185 Chairs, and international street art, Christchurch is undergoing an extraordinary urban regeneration. Explore Quake City, a space that showcases the aftermath of Canterbury’s recent earthquakes, Māori galleries that contain some beautiful pounamu (greenstone) pieces, and the International Antarctic Center with its interactive and educational exhibits. Hagley Park and Christchurch Botanic Gardens offer delightful green spaces within the city. Not to be missed is the hop-on-hop-off loop tram, a fun ride infused with commentary, to navigate the city’s highlights. For a more leisurely experience, go punting on the Avon River, passing through the heart of Christchurch, and sit back and relax on a gondola ride that offers stunning vantages of the Canterbury Plains, the Banks Peninsula, and the Southern Alps beyond!
Hotel options
Otahuna Lodge – Opt 1
Room
Master Suite
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Lodge
Day 9 – 12
You will be transferred from your hotel to Christchurch airport in a private vehicle
Pick up your rental car from Queenstown airport
3 Nights
Queenstown
Queenstown is where adventure seekers head out to for a shot of adrenalin! The region’s dramatic landscape is wrapped around the scenic lakes, velvety mountains and valleys of the Southern Alps. Summer or winter, there’s always plenty to do along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and the slopes of the Coronet Peak. Arguably the bungee jumping and skydiving capital of the world, get ready to plunge down bridges, planes and hill tops. The fiord of Milford Sound, home to the rare black coral, seal colonies, penguins, dolphins and the Mitre Peak, is not too far away. Kayaking along Lake Wakatipu, camping at the Routeburn Track, jet-boating down the Shotover and Dart rivers, and skiing down Coronet Peak and The Remarkables are some of the city’s popular pastimes. Queenstown also forms a base for exploring South Island’s other adventure destinations, charming vineyards and old mining settlements around Wanaka, Glenorchy and Arrowtown.
Hotel options
Eichardt's Residence – Opt 1
Room
Mountain View Suite
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Boutique
Matakauri Lodge – Opt 2
Room
Deluxe Suite
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Lodge
Day 12 – 14
Drive yourself from Queenstown to Te Anau in your rental car (Duration: 2-3 hrs)
2 Nights
Te Anau
Te Anau, with its breathtaking landscape, sits on the banks of serene Lake Te Ana, the second largest in the country. Known as the gateway to Fiordland National Park, this picture perfect town is located amid nature’s bounty with spectacular glaciers, endangered flightless takahe birds, limestone cave, beech forests, and majestic mountains all within easy reach. Hike the Kepler, Routeburn, and Milford tracks, explore the spectacular Te Anu glow worm caves, book a scenic flight, and indulge in fishing or kayaking at this outdoor paradise. Whether you are looking for authentic Kiwi cuisine or international flavors to tantalize your taste buds, the restaurants in Te Anau have something for everyone. Famed for its wild food, especially venison, lobster, and various other varieties of seafood, Te Anau has a selection of fine dine and casual eateries, some featuring live entertainment and al fresco dining.
Hotel options
Fiordland Lodge – Opt 1
Room
Deluxe Lodge Room
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Lodge
Fiordland Lodge – Opt 2
Room
Executive Suite
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Lodge
Day 14 – 16
Drive yourself from Te Anau to Wanaka in your rental car (Duration: 3 hrs)
2 Nights
Wanaka
Wanaka is a spectacular highland lake town in South Island filled with exhilarating possibilities for adventure lovers as well as endless panoramic vistas for leisure travelers. The little resort town offers myriad reasons to celebrate the great outdoors by the picturesque Wanaka Lake and lakefront, and the nearby Mt Aspiring National Park with its mountains, highland rivers, waterfalls and Alpine forests. There’s much to do in the summers with kayaking, paddle boating and jet boating down the lake, as well as hiking and mountain biking up in the forested trails. Come winter, skiers and snowboarders from across the world come together at Wanaka’s famous ski fields. Apart from its picture postcard landscapes, Wanaka is well known for its museums, art galleries, parks and designer boutiques at the town center. The National Transport and Toy Museum, Puzzling World, an amusing outdoor maze for all ages, and natural features such as the Wanaka Station Park – remains of the old sheep station, are worth a visit. It may be a little town, but Wanaka offers a fair share of artisanal produce at the Market, and there are charming little wineries and breweries around town too. Enjoy splashes of local color at annual festivals and events such as ‘Warbirds over Wanaka’, ‘Rhythm & Alps’, and the ‘Audi Quattro Winter Games’. Soaking in the great outdoors by day and exploring trendy eateries and bars by night: what’s not to love?
Hotel options
Tin Tub Luxury Lodge – Opt 1
Room
Lodge Room
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Boutique
Mahu Whenua – Opt 2
Room
Cottage Suite
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Lodge
Make your own way to the Queenstown airport and drop off your rental car
International Departure
Price & Inclusions
Prices are in USD and exclude international flights. This trip price is based on low season rates for accommodation and other applicable services, and may change depending on availability, currency fluctuations and number of people traveling together. For high season prices, please contact us with your exact travel dates and preferences.
Price Includes
- Accommodation & meals as specified in the itinerary
- Activities & excursions as specified in the itinerary
- Transportation services as specified in the itinerary
- Your Trip Coordination Team: Dedicated support throughout your journey, with a primary, personal point of contact. Plus, in case of emergencies while you’re traveling, our trip coordination team are available 24/7 by phone
Not Included
- Entrance fees & meals, unless mentioned in the itinerary description
- Tips & personal expenses
- Visa & tourism fees
- Travel, health and cancellation insurance
- International airfare
What Our Guests Say
“Enchanting Travels took our dreams and made them a reality, getting us to New Zealand with adventures that were both urban and outdoors. Professional team and great spirit. We’re fans!”
November 2025 Rating 5/5
“I enjoyed how thorough the coordinators are in ensuring that you are able to experience as much as you would like within the time you have. My trip allowed me to explore 4 popular cities/towns in New Zealand (Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Queenstown) and see some of the best sights and there’s no way that I would’ve been able to do this on my own.”
April 2025 Rating 5/5
“Enchanting Travels made our dream vacation to New Zealand a reality for us, from initial planning to pre-trip prep, and support throughout, they helped take the burden of trip logistics off our shoulders so we could focus on being present in each and every moment of New Zealand’s wonders.”
December 2025 Rating 5/5
“Our experience with enchanting travels was absolutely out of this world. We utilized their services to plan our honeymoon to New Zealand and boy, did they deliver!! Rebecca, went above and beyond to ensure we were truly happy with our itinerary and that It included a good balance of excursions as well as relaxing on our trip. She was receptive to any questions or feedback we had. Our travel liaison, Emma, was there every step of our trip to make sure we were comfortable, never lost, and always had the answers to any of our questions. This trip was truly the trip of a lifetime and a bucket list trip for my husband and I. We would not hesitate to utilize their services for another trip and we would definitely recommend them to any of our friends and family.”
November 2024 Rating 5/5
“I have had experience planning group trips with dear friends and this was by far the most well planned trip I have had the pleasure of putting together. Kelly and Megan listened to all of our ideas and requests and followed through on every front. Knowing that our trip coordinator, Megan Cena was double checking all of our hotels and activities a couple of days before arrival made a huge difference. We were expected at all of the arranged accommodations, no surprises! The quality of the private small group tours we participated in was exceptional. The tour guides were top-notch. We traveled by bus, train,ferry, airplane and luxury van and every piece of our trip went beautifully. Also, one ferry was cancelled and Enchanting Travels was working right away to get us on the next ferry. Having contact with Megan throughout our trip was another plus- she would write every night to ask how that day had gone. A wonderful vacation!”
March 2024 Rating 5/5
“Enchanting Travels has again organized and supported a fantastic trip for us. I highly recommend them, especially if you are venturing into unknown countries where English is not the primary language.”
November 2023 Rating 5/5
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