10-Day New Zealand Icons
Ten days by private vehicle on six set departures from December 2026 to May 2027: Auckland, Waitomo and Rotorua, then a flight to Queenstown for Milford Sound, Glenorchy and Arrowtown, and the Mackenzie Country to Christchurch.
- Length
- 10 days · 9 nights
- Style
- Private vehicle
- Start and finish
- AucklandChristchurch
- Next open departure
- Book before
- 16 days left to book
What is the 10-Day New Zealand Icons package?
A ten-day fixed departure by private vehicle from Auckland to Christchurch: Waitomo and Rotorua, a flight to Queenstown for three nights with Milford Sound, then Wānaka, Lake Tekapo and Christchurch. Six departures, December 2026 to May 2027, at trade net rates.
Last updated: 8 October 2026
The route, stop by stop.
Two North Island days from Auckland, then the domestic flight to Queenstown on day 5, which leaves three nights for Milford Sound, Glenorchy and Arrowtown. The last two days cross the Mackenzie Country to Christchurch.
- Auckland2 nights
- Rotorua2 nights
- Domestic flight
- Queenstown3 nights
- Wānaka1 night
- Christchurch1 night
Clients who want the best-known sights of both islands on set dates, touring in a private vehicle rather than a coach. Rooms are twin share.
Destination guides: Auckland, Waitomo Caves, Rotorua, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Glenorchy, Arrowtown, Wānaka, Lake Tekapo, Aoraki / Mount Cook, Christchurch.
Services this package draws on: FIT & tailor-made, Guides & driver-guides, Māori cultural experiences.
The programme, day by day.
-
Day 1
Arrive in Auckland
- Auckland
Arrival day, with time to settle in after the journey.
Highlights- Arrival in Auckland and transfer to the hotel
- Check-in and a free evening
-
Day 2
Auckland city tour
- Auckland
The Sky Tower, then a tour through the heart of the city.
Highlights- The Sky Tower observation deck
- A full Auckland city tour
- Free time for the city’s shops and cafés
-
Day 3
Waitomo Caves and Rotorua
- Auckland
- Waitomo
- Rotorua
Departure from Auckland after breakfast, south to the caves.
Highlights- A guided visit to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, with the underground boat ride beneath the glowworms
- Drive on to Rotorua
- The Redwoods Treewalk in the evening
The Redwoods Treewalk is not in the inclusions list, and the Redwoods night walk appears among the add-ons. Confirm it at quotation.
-
Day 4
Geothermal Rotorua
- Rotorua
Mud pools, geysers and a Māori cultural experience.
Highlights- Rotorua’s geothermal landscapes of bubbling mud pools and geysers
- A Māori cultural experience with performance and storytelling
- A detour to the Blue Spring at Putaruru, on the road towards Auckland
-
Day 5Flight day
Fly to Queenstown and the Shotover Jet
- Rotorua
- Auckland
- Queenstown
The flight south, then straight onto the river.
Highlights- Domestic flight from Auckland to Queenstown
- A Shotover Jet ride on the Shotover River
- A free evening in Queenstown
-
Day 6
Milford Sound
- Queenstown
- Milford Sound
A full day through Fiordland National Park to the fiord.
Highlights- The road through Fiordland National Park
- A scenic cruise of about two hours below the peaks and waterfalls
- Seals and dolphins are sometimes seen from the boat
-
Day 7
Glenorchy and Arrowtown
- Queenstown
- Glenorchy
- Arrowtown
The head of Lake Wakatipu, then a gold-mining town.
Highlights- Glenorchy, at the head of Lake Wakatipu, with time for walking trails and photographs
- Arrowtown, the historic gold-mining town: its streets, shops and museum
-
Day 8
Wānaka to Lake Tekapo
- Queenstown
- Wānaka
- Lake Tekapo
Puzzling World, then the lake country to the Church of the Good Shepherd.
Highlights- Wānaka and Puzzling World
- A drive through the South Island lake country
- The Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
-
Day 9
Aoraki / Mount Cook lookout to Christchurch
- Lake Pukaki
- Christchurch
Alpine views, then the Garden City.
Highlights- An Aoraki / Mount Cook lookout
- A stop at Lake Pukaki
- Christchurch: time for the Botanic Gardens and the historic streets
Punting on the Avon is one of the optional add-ons.
-
Day 10
Departure
- Christchurch
The tour ends after breakfast.
Highlights- Breakfast at the hotel
- Departure transfer
- Lunch provided when the flight time allows
Sightseeing order can change with weather, road conditions and operator timetables.
Six set dates, one deadline each.
Each departure has its own book-before date. Dates and availability are confirmed at booking.
- Earliest open departure Departs Book before 16 days left to book
- Departs Book before 47 days left to book
- Departs Book before 83 days left to book
- Departs Book before 114 days left to book
- Departs Book before 142 days left to book
- Departs Book before 173 days left to book
Departures past their book-before date are offered on request. Booking status, New Zealand date:
Included, and not.
What the package covers
- Accommodation
- Nine nights in hotels of 4-star category or higher, twin share
- Transport
- Touring in a private luxury vehicle
- Domestic flight
- Auckland to Queenstown
- Meals
- Breakfast at the hotel, a packed lunch on some touring days, and the meals shown day by day
- Sky Tower entry
- Waitomo Glowworm Caves
- Māori cultural experience
- Shotover Jet boat ride
- Milford Sound cruise
- Puzzling World
What it does not cover
- International flights
- Activities and sightseeing not in the itinerary, paid locally in New Zealand dollars — for example bungy jumping, zip-lining, skydiving and whale watching
- Drinks, snacks and other in-room charges, billed to the room and settled before check-out
- Pay-TV, water damage and any other damage to the room
- Items of a personal nature, and food and drink not stated in the itinerary
- Anything not listed as included
Add-on experiences, at extra cost.
Clients can personalise the tour with these activities. Availability depends on the activity and the day’s schedule.
- Zip-lining in Rotorua
- The Redwoods night walk in Rotorua
- Kayaking in Rotorua or Wānaka
- The Agrodome farm show in Rotorua
- ZORB in Rotorua
- The Skyline Luge in Queenstown
- Bungy jumping in Queenstown
- Parasailing in Queenstown
- Stargazing at Lake Tekapo
- Horse riding in Glenorchy
- Punting on the Avon in Christchurch
Notes for your booking.
- Vegetarian and other dietary preferences can be catered for. Send them with the booking.
- All itineraries can be amended or combined with other itineraries. Advise the changes when you request a quote.
- Sightseeing order can change with weather, road conditions and operator timetables.
Placing clients on this package.
Send the departure date, the number of travellers split into adults and children, and any dietary or accessibility needs to b2b@explera.co.nz as a new email, or use the quote form.
We reply with trade net rates and availability, and the package can run white-label under your brand.
Send each booking before its deadline.
10-Day New Zealand Icons — what agents ask.
How long is the 10-Day New Zealand Icons?
10 days and 9 nights. Two North Island days from Auckland, then the domestic flight to Queenstown on day 5, which leaves three nights for Milford Sound, Glenorchy and Arrowtown. The last two days cross the Mackenzie Country to Christchurch.
When does the 10-Day New Zealand Icons depart?
On 4 December 2026, 20 January 2027, 19 February 2027, 17 March 2027, 18 April 2027, 20 May 2027. Each departure has a booking deadline, and dates and availability are confirmed at booking.
Which meals does the 10-Day New Zealand Icons include?
Packed dinner on day 1; breakfast, lunch and dinner on days 2 to 9; breakfast on day 10. Breakfast is at the hotel and lunch may be packed on touring days. Vegetarian and other dietary preferences can be catered for.
Can the itinerary be changed?
Yes. All itineraries can be amended or combined with other itineraries. Advise the changes when you request a quote.
How is this package priced?
Trade net rates are quoted on request to the travel agent, who sets the sell price. Explera DMC New Zealand does not publish prices and does not sell to your client.
The other packages.
12days
Small group
12-Day New Zealand Highlights
Both islands in twelve days on six set departures from December 2026 to May 2027: Auckland, Hobbiton, Rotorua and Taupō, then a flight to Queenstown for Milford Sound, Wānaka and the Mackenzie Country, ending in Christchurch.
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Auckland
- Queenstown
- Wānaka
- Christchurch
8days
Self-drive
8-Day North Island Self-Drive
Eight days by hire car from Auckland and back: Hobbiton and Rotorua, Lake Taupō, Tongariro National Park and New Plymouth, with the Waitomo Glowworm Caves on the drive home. It starts on any day, subject to availability.
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Taupō
- Tongariro National Park
- New Plymouth
- Auckland
Need a different route or pace? See the itineraries we tailor per brief.
Related trade briefings
Explera DMC New Zealand is the B2B New Zealand DMC for 10-Day New Zealand Icons. We contract the accommodation, transfers, licensed guides and experiences at net rates, so you sell 10-Day New Zealand Icons with one accountable ground partner and your own branding. Send the brief to our New Zealand DMC desk for a net programme quotation.
Start quoting New Zealand at net rates this week.
Register on the Explera trade platform for net rates, white-label documents and one accountable desk from first quote to final transfer. Registration is free and approval is fast.