1-212-868-7600 info@planettravelny.com

Amazing Australia and New Zealand

Amazing Australia with New Zealand - 18 days

Highlights

Amazing Australia:-Gold Coast. Tangalooma, Cairns and Sydney

New Zealand:-Christchurch, Kaikoura, Queenstown, Rotorua, Auckland

Day 1 Arrive into Christchurch

Welcome to Christchurch – The Garden city of New Zealand. Upon arrival in Christchurch, our local representative will be waiting at the airport to welcome you and to take you to your hotel. Enjoy Indian veg/non-veg dinner. Overnight at Holiday Inn On Avon or similar in Christchurch.

Day 2 City tour of Christchurch International Antarctic Centre

After breakfast, we take you on a panoramic city tour of Christchurch and a visit to the Antarctic Centre. See the famous Gothic-style University building, drive past the city’s beautiful parks and gardens. We stop at Cashmere Hills for breath-taking views of Christchurch and Southern Alps. At the Antarctic Centre, you have an opportunity to come closest to experiencing this continent. Let the four seasons of Antarctica unfold with a stunning 6-minute sound and light show. The Snow and Ice Experience, slide down an icy slope, shelter in the ice cave, brave the wind chill machine at -18 degrees Celsius, or get ‘exchillrated’ in the ‘Antarctic Storm’. Complete with stunning lighting, storm audio and 40 km/h winds, the Antarctic Storm blows every 30 minutes. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant. Overnight at Holiday Inn On Avon or similar in Christchurch

Day 3 Day Trip to Kaikoura Whale watching boat cruise

After breakfast, we proceed on a day trip to Kaikoura with a Whale watching boat cruise. The seaside settlement of Kaikoura, situated on the rugged east coast of New Zealand's South Island, is overlooked by majestic mountains, which remain snow-capped for many months of the year. This unique combination of ocean and mountains offers stunningcoastal alpine scenery and a host of eco-tourism oriented activities, including whale watching, dolphin swimming and much more. Later we proceed on the Whale Watch boat cruise. Watch the Giant Sperm Whales that can grow up to 20 meters and weigh over 50 tons. These whales can be seen all year round making Kaikoura one of the most popular whale watching locations in the world. You may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of dusky dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross. You have an opportunity to spot a wide range of Kaikoura’s wonderful wild life – from fur seals to native birds. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant. Overnight at Holiday Inn On Avon or similar in Christchurch.

Day 4 Onto Queenstown

After breakfast, we drive to the spectacular lakeside resort town of Queenstown – the adventure capital of the world via Mt Cook. You will be spell bound by the natural beauty of this Alpine resort town, famous for its lakes, fjords, water sports and Bungee Jumping. Enroute we stop to visit Mt. Cook National Park. Mt Cook is the highest peak in Australasia and an icon of New Zealand. Standing at an imposing height of 3764 metres, it dominates the Southern Alps that separate Christchurch from Queenstown. Forty percent of the total area is still covered in a spectacular sweeping glacial ice. You can also take a scenic flight to Mount Cook ( if time and weather permits). We later visit the church of Good Shephard at Lake Tekapo. On arrival this evening, we check in to your hotel. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant. Overnight at A - Line Hotel or similar in Queenstown. Add.: 27, Stanley Street, Queenstown.

Day 5 Visit Milford Sound

After a buffet breakfast, we proceed on a day trip to Milford Sound through the lush beech forests of Eglington Valley. We pass through Homer Tunnel and arrive at Milford Sound.Here we board our enchanting cruise (weather permitting) and enjoy the fjordland scenery of cascading waterfalls and lush green rain forest, clinging the mountains. The majestic presence of the magnificent Mitre Peak will leave you spellbound. With luck, you will see dolphins and penguins. Later, we drive back to Queenstown. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant. Overnight at A - Line Hotel or similar in Queenstown.

Day 6 Queenstown sights Arrowtown & bungy jump site

After breakfast, we take you on a tour of Queenstown.Visit Arrowtown where you can leisurely browse through the shops for a wide range of New Zealand made merchandise. Rest of the day is free to enjoy the activities of Queenstown on your own. For the adventure lovers, there’s bungee jumping, lake cruises, Jet boating, white water rafting and more. For the fun lovers, there are fabulous restaurants, nightspots and excellent shopping centers. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant. Overnight at A - Line Hotel or similar in Queenstown.

Day 7 Onto Rotorua Agrodome & Paradise Springs Te Puia Thermal Reserve

After breakfast, we proceed to the airport to take our flight to Rotorua– the land of Thermal Reserve. Our local representative will be waiting outside the airport to welcome you and to take you to Agrodome followed by a visit to Paradise Springs. At Agrodome, learn about the different breeds of New Zealand sheep. Watch a presentation on sheep shearing. Visit Paradise Valley Springs – an award winning Trout and Wildlife Park, set in a natural valley amongst native New Zealand bush. It has its own natural freshwater spring, touch and taste pure New Zealand spring water straight from the natural Spring! Later, we visit the Te Puia Thermal Reserve, world famous for the ‘healing waters’ of its thermal spas. Here the molten heat of the earth surfaces in boiling mud pools and steaming geysers. We then proceed to a Maori Village. Meet the colourful Maori people and learn about the culture. See master craftsmen at work in the Arts and Crafts Institute. See the famous New Zealand wooden artifacts being carved. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant. Overnight at Heritage Hotel or similar in Rotorua

Day 8 Waitomo caves Onto Auckland City tour of Auckland Visit the Sky Tower

After breakfast, we proceed to Auckland via Waitomo caves.Our scenic drive takes you to the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Take a boat ride on the underground river and visit the worldrenowned Glow Worm Grotto. As your boat glides through the darkness, thousands of tiny glowworms light up the cave to give you an unforgettable experience. The delicate incandescence of thousands of tiny glowworms is a magical sight. Later, we proceed to Auckland – The City of Sails. You will love the city of Auckland with colorful yachts decorating its harbour and huge shopping malls. On arrival, we take you on a city tour of Auckland. Your tour will take you to visit Mount Eden, Mission Bay, Tamaki Drive. See the Harbour Bridge, Auckland domain, Queen street & city centre. We also take you to the top of Sky Tower for a breathtaking view of Auckland. Later, we check in to the hotel. Your Sky City Hotel is literally a city in itself. Conveniently located in the main hub of Auckland, you'll find a vast array of entertainment options available at your doorstep. From two casinos, to exercising your taste buds at one of 10 restaurants and bars, to free live entertainment, your hotel has something for everyone. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant. Overnight at Sky City Hotel or similar in Auckland.

Day 9 Day Free

After breakfast, explore this commercial and financial capital of New Zealand. Auckland is a blend of landscape, glistening harbours, modern city environment, outstanding food, wine and shopping with an unbelievable lifestyle ranked amongst the best in the world. Shop at the various shopping malls located within walking distance from your hotel. You can also visit the many restaurant located at the North of this city. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant. After dinner, there are plenty of options for enjoying Auckland’s nightlife, lively bars and pubs all over the central city. For the Arts lovers there are many theaters and places performing live music. Overnight at Sky City Hotel or similar in Auckland.

Day 10 Return home with wonderful memories

After a buffet breakfast, check out & proceed to the airport for your flight back home. Your tour ends at Auckland airport as you board your flight back home. It's time to say goodbye to the new friends you've made. We hope you take back many happy memories of your SOTC World Famous Tour. We would like you to spare a few minutes of your time to write and tell us how you enjoyed your tour and any suggestions you may have for the future.

Day 11 City tour of Christchurch- International Antarctic Centre

After an early breakfast, we drive to the airport for our flight to Christchurch – the Garden city of New Zealand. Upon arrival in Christchurch, our local representative will be waiting at the airport to welcome you and take you to the Antarctic Centre – an opportunity to come closest to experiencing this continent. Let the four seasons of Antarctica unfold with a stunning 6-minute sound and light show. At the Snow and Ice Experience, slide down an icy slope, shelter in the ice cave, brave the wind chill machine at -18 degrees Celsius, or get ‘exchillrated’ in the ‘Antarctic Storm’. Complete with stunning lighting, storm audio and 40 km/h winds, the Antarctic Storm blows every 30 minutes. Later we proceed on to a panoramic tour of Christchurch. Drive past the city’s parks and gardens. See the Gothic-style University building. We stop at Cashmere Hills for breath-taking views of Christchurch and Southern Alps. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant. Overnight at Holiday Inn On Avon or similar in Christchurch.

Day 12 Day Trip to Kaikoura- Whale watching boat cruise

After breakfast, we proceed on a day trip to Kaikoura with a Whale watching boat cruise. The seaside settlement of Kaikoura, situated on the rugged east coast of New Zealand's South Island, is overlooked by majestic mountains, which remain snow-capped for many months of the year. This unique combination of ocean and mountains offers stunning coastal alpine scenery and a host of eco-tourism oriented activities, including whale watching, dolphin swimming and much more. Later we proceed on the Whale Watch boat cruise. Watch the Giant Sperm Whales that can grow up to 20 meters and weigh over 50 tons. These whales can be seen all year round making Kaikoura one of the most popular whale watching locations in the world. You may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of dusky dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross. You have an opportunity to spot a wide range of Kaikoura’s wonderful wild life – from fur seals to native birds. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant. Overnight at Holiday Inn On Avon or similar in Christchurch.

Day 13 Onto Queenstown

After breakfast, we drive to the spectacular lakeside resort town of Queenstown – the adventure capital of the world via Mt Cook. You will be spell bound by the natural beauty of this Alpine resort town, famous for its lakes, fjords, water sports and Bungee Jumping. Enroute we stop to visit Mt. Cook National Park. Mt Cook is the highest peak in Australasia and an icon of New Zealand. Standing at an imposing height of 3764 metres, it dominates the Southern Alps that separate Christchurch from Queenstown. Forty percent of the total area is still covered in a spectacular sweeping glacial ice. You can also take a scenic flight to Mount Cook ( if time and weather permits). We later visit the church of Good Shephard at Lake Tekapo. On arrival this evening, we check in to your hotel. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant. Overnight at A - Line Hotel or similar in Queenstown.

Day 14 Visit Milford Sound

After a buffet breakfast, we proceed on a day trip to Milford Sound through the lush beech forests of Eglington Valley. We pass through Homer Tunnel and arrive at Milford Sound. Here we board our enchanting cruise (weather permitting) and enjoy the fjordland scenery of cascading waterfalls and lush green rain forest, clinging the mountains. The majestic presence of the magnificent Mitre Peak will leave you spellbound. With luck, you will see dolphins and penguins. Later, we drive back to Queenstown. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant. Overnight at A - Line Hotel or similar in Queenstown.

Day 15 Queenstown sights- Arrowtown & bungy jump site

After breakfast, we take you on a tour of Queenstown. Visit Arrowtown where you can leisurely browse through the shops for a wide range of New Zealand made merchandise. Rest of the day is free to enjoy the activities of Queenstown on your own. For the adventure lovers, there’s bungee jumping, lake cruises, Jet boating, white water rafting and more. For the fun lovers, there are fabulous restaurants, nightspots and excellent shopping centers. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant. Overnight at A - Line Hotel or similar in Queenstown.

Day 16 Onto Rotorua- Agrodome and Paradise Valley Springs- Te Puia Thermal Reserve

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel & proceed to the airport to take our flight to Rotorua – the land of Thermal Reserve. Our local representative will be waiting outside the airport to welcome you and to take you on a visit to Agrodome and Paradise Springs. At Agrodome, learn about the different breeds of New Zealand sheep. Watch a presentation on sheep shearing. Visit Paradise Valley Springs – an award winning Trout and Wildlife Park, set in a natural valley amongst native New Zealand bush. It has its own natural freshwater spring, touch and taste pure New Zealand spring water straight from the natural Spring! We later visit to Te Puia Thermal Reserve, world famous for the ‘healing waters’ of its thermal spas. Here the molten heat of the earth surfaces in boiling mud pools and steaming geysers. On our final sightseeing for this day, we visit a Maori Village. Meet the colourful Maori people and learn about the culture. See master craftsmen at work in the Arts and Crafts Institute. See the famous New Zealand wooden artifacts being carved. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant. Overnight at Park Heritage Hotel or similar in Rotorua.

Day 17 Waitomo caves- City tour of Auckland- Visit the Sky Tower

After breakfast, we proceed to Auckland via Waitomo caves. Our scenic drive takes you to the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Take a boat ride on the underground river and visit the worldrenowned Glow Worm Grotto. As your boat glides through the darkness, thousands of tiny glowworms light up the cave to give you an unforgettable experience. The delicate incandescence of thousands of tiny glowworms is a magical sight. Later, we proceed to Auckland – the City of Sails. You will love the city of Auckland with huge shopping malls and colorful yachts decorating its harbour. On arrival, we take you on a city tour of Auckland. Your tour will take you to visit Mount Eden, Mission Bay, Tamaki Drive. See the Harbour Bridge, Auckland domain, Queen street & city centre. We also take you to the top of Sky Tower for a breathtaking view of Auckland. Enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant. Overnight at Sky City Hotel or similar in Auckland.

Day 18 Return home with wonderful memories

After a buffet breakfast, the morning is free for shopping. Later we drive you to the airport for our flight back home. It’s time to say goodbye to all the new friends you have made. We hope you take back many happy memories of your SOTC World Famous Tour.