Stay 01 · 1 Night
Auckland
05 – 06 December 2026
The Grand by SkyCity
- Room
- Grand Harbour View King Room
- Meal
- Breakfast
Saket & Neha · A private journey by Gainwell Travel
New Zealand
05 — 15 DECEMBER 2026
Auckland · Rotorua · Christchurch
Lake Tekapo · Aoraki / Mount Cook · Queenstown
An unforgettable journey through Aotearoa
Journey at a glance
North + South Island
From geothermal Rotorua to the glaciers of Aoraki, a self-drive through the Mackenzie Country and four nights of adventure in Queenstown — with curated experiences all along the way.
11
Days
10
Nights
5
Main Stays
2
Islands
Self-drive + curated experiences
The route
Kolkata to the Southern Alps — and home
KolkataCCU
Flight ↓
Kuala LumpurKUL
Flight ↓
AucklandAKL
By road ↓
Hobbiton
By road ↓
Waitomo
By road ↓
RotoruaROT
Flight ↓
ChristchurchCHC
Self-drive ↓
Lake Tekapo
Self-drive ↓
Aoraki / Mount Cook
Self-drive ↓
QueenstownZQN
Flight ↓
AucklandAKL
Flight ↓
Kuala LumpurKUL
Flight ↓
KolkataCCU
Your stays
Five places to call home
Stay 02 · 2 Nights
Rotorua
06 – 08 December 2026
Novotel Rotorua Lakeside
- Room
- 1 King Bed · Lake View
- Meal
- Breakfast
Stay 03 · 1 Night
Christchurch
08 – 09 December 2026
Crowne Plaza Christchurch by IHG
- Room
- Standard Room, 1 King Bed · City View, High Floor
- Meal
- Breakfast
Stay 04 · 2 Nights
Lake Tekapo
09 – 11 December 2026
Peppers Bluewater Resort
- Room
- Suite – Mountain View
- Meal
- Room Only
Stay 05 · 4 Nights
Queenstown
11 – 15 December 2026
The Rees Hotel and Luxury Apartments
- Room
- 1 Bedroom Apartment · Lake View
- Meal
- Breakfast
Flights
In the air
05 December 2026
International Journey
CCU → KUL → AKL
MH 185
CCU
Kolkata
KUL
Kuala Lumpur
Dep00:10Arr06:45
MH 133
KUL
Kuala Lumpur
AKL
Auckland
Dep08:30Arr00:01 (+1)
08 December 2026
Domestic
ROT → CHC
NZ 5785
ROT
Rotorua
CHC
Christchurch
Dep10:05Arr12:00
15 December 2026
Return Journey
ZQN → AKL → KUL → CCU
Domestic connection
ZQN
Queenstown
AKL
Auckland
Depapprox. 07:00Arrapprox. 08:45–08:50
MH 144
AKL
Auckland
KUL
Kuala Lumpur
Dep13:55Arr20:20
MH 184
KUL
Kuala Lumpur
CCU
Kolkata
Dep21:35Arr23:10
Day by day
The Itinerary
Eleven days, 05 – 15 December 2026.
Day 01 · Saturday 05 December 2026
Kolkata → Kuala Lumpur → Auckland
The Journey Begins
00:10
Depart Kolkata on MH 185 for Kuala Lumpur.
06:45
Arrive Kuala Lumpur. Proceed for the onward international connection.
08:30
Depart Kuala Lumpur on MH 133 for Auckland.
00:01 (+1)
Arrive Auckland on 06 December. Complete immigration, customs and baggage formalities, then meet your airport transfer to the hotel. Check in and relax after the long journey.
Overnight
Auckland
The Grand by SkyCity · Grand Harbour View King Room · Breakfast
Day 02 · Sunday 06 December 2026
Auckland → Hobbiton → Waitomo → Rotorua
Hobbiton, Glowworms & Geothermal Rotorua
A full-day private Hobbiton & Waitomo Glowworm tour from Auckland — approx. 12 hours, departing at 09:00.
Morning · Auckland → Hobbiton
09:00
Private pickup from your Auckland hotel. Travel south through the scenic Waikato countryside in your own private vehicle.
10:00–10:20
Taupiri Refreshment Stop
A quick coffee, restroom and stretch stop.
- Duration
- Approx. 20 min
- Admission
- Free
Hobbiton Movie Set
11:30
Arrive Hobbiton Movie Set
A guided tour through the famous Shire landscape.
- —Hobbit holes
- —Landscaped gardens
- —Iconic Lord of the Rings and Hobbit filming locations
- Hobbiton experience
- Approx. 3 hrs incl. tour, Green Dragon & lunch
- Guided Movie Set tour
- Approx. 2 hrs
Green Dragon Inn
Enjoy a complimentary cider, ale or ginger beer.
- Duration
- Approx. 15 min
- Admission
- Included
Lunch at Hobbiton
Buffet lunch at the Green Dragon Party Marquee, followed by free time at the Hobbiton Gift Shop — a shopping voucher is included with the tour.
- Lunch
- Included
Afternoon · Waitomo
Hobbiton → Waitomo
- Drive
- Approx. 1¼ hrs
16:00–17:00
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
A guided walk through spectacular limestone formations, then the famous boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto as thousands of tiny glowworms light the cave ceiling.
- Duration
- Approx. 45 min
- Admission
- Included
Waitomo → Rotorua
- Drive
- Approx. 2 hrs
19:00–20:00
Arrive Rotorua and proceed to hotel.
Evening · Polynesian Spa
Time to be confirmed
Polynesian Spa
Relax in Rotorua's famous geothermal mineral pools. Timing to be confirmed, as the pools close around 21:45.
- Open until
- Approx. 21:45
22:00–22:30
Return to hotel. Dinner and evening at leisure.
Overnight
Rotorua
Novotel Rotorua Lakeside
Day 03 · Monday 07 December 2026
Rotorua
Hell's Gate Geothermal Experience & Mud Spa
Fire, Earth & Mineral Waters
After breakfast, a day dedicated to Rotorua's extraordinary geothermal landscape.
09:15
SIC pickup from hotel.
10:00–12:30
Hell's Gate Geothermal Reserve
Recommended experience timing. Explore the reserve, then enjoy the famous Mud Bath & Spa Experience.
- —Steaming vents
- —Bubbling mud pools
- —Volcanic landscape
- —Geothermal formations
For reference — summer hours
01 October 2026 – 30 April 2027: 10:00–21:00.
- Last entry · Geothermal Walk
- 17:30
- Last entry · Mud Bath & Spas
- 19:30
- Last entry · Hell's Gate Experience
- 17:30
13:30–14:00
Return towards Rotorua.
14:00–15:30
Free time at hotel. Dinner and evening at leisure.
Overnight
Rotorua
Novotel Rotorua Lakeside
Day 04 · Tuesday 08 December 2026
Rotorua → Christchurch
To the South Island
Breakfast at the hotel, then check out and proceed to Rotorua Airport.
Domestic flight
Approx. 10:00
Depart Rotorua.
Approx. 12:00
Arrive Christchurch.
Self-drive begins
Collect your rental car at Christchurch Airport
Allow approx. 45–60 minutes for baggage collection, rental formalities and vehicle orientation.
13:00–15:45
International Antarctic Centre
Approx. 5 minutes from Christchurch Airport and 15 minutes from central Christchurch.
- —Antarctic Storm Experience
- —Little Blue Penguins
- —Hägglund all-terrain vehicle experience
- —Interactive Antarctic exhibits
- —Antarctic wildlife
- —Educational displays
Approx. 16:00
Depart for Christchurch hotel.
16:30
Hotel check-in. Evening at leisure.
Overnight
Christchurch
Crowne Plaza Christchurch by IHG
Day 05 · Wednesday 09 December 2026
Christchurch → Lake Tekapo
Into the Mackenzie Country
After breakfast, check out and begin the scenic South Island self-drive.
The drive
08:00
Breakfast and check-out.
08:30
Depart Christchurch.
- Route
- Christchurch → Geraldine → Fairlie → Lake Tekapo
- Distance
- Approx. 225–230 km
- Driving time
- Approx. 3–3½ hrs without stops
10:00
Geraldine
Coffee / refreshment break.
11:15
Fairlie
Lunch / coffee stop, then continue through the beautiful Mackenzie Country.
Afternoon · Lake Tekapo
13:30–14:00
Arrive Lake Tekapo. Check in or leave luggage, subject to hotel check-in time.
14:30–17:00
Explore Lake Tekapo
- —Lake Tekapo waterfront
- —Church of the Good Shepherd
- —Sheepdog Statue
- —Lakefront viewpoints
- —Mackenzie Basin viewpoints
- —Photography around the turquoise lake
Late evening · Soak in the Stars
22:30
Get ready and proceed for the late-night experience.
23:00
Soak in the Stars Stargazing Tour
Warm-water relaxation beneath the exceptionally clear skies of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve — stars, planets and celestial objects, subject to weather and visibility. Afterwards, return to the hotel.
- Commentary
- English
Overnight
Lake Tekapo
Peppers Bluewater Resort
Stargazing is weather dependent and exact arrangements should be reconfirmed at booking.
Day 06 · Thursday 10 December 2026
Lake Tekapo → Aoraki / Mount Cook → Lake Tekapo
Glaciers, Icebergs & the Southern Alps
No hotel checkout required today.
Early start
06:15
Breakfast.
06:45
Depart Lake Tekapo by self-drive.
- Route
- Lake Tekapo → Lake Pukaki → Aoraki / Mount Cook → Glentanner
- Distance
- Approx. 125–130 km
- Drive
- Approx. 1½–1¾ hrs
07:15–07:30
Optional Lake Pukaki photo stop, subject to flight check-in timing.
Approx. 08:15
Arrive Glentanner Airport / helicopter base.
Glacier landing experience
08:30
Check-in.
Approx. 09:00
Scenic flight & snow landing
A spectacular helicopter / ski-plane flight across the Southern Alps and glaciers, with an alpine snow landing, subject to weather.
- Experience
- Approx. 55 min
10:00–10:15
Experience complete. Continue towards Mount Cook Village.
Glacier Explorers · Tasman Lake
15:00–17:45
Boat among the icebergs
Cross Tasman Lake amongst floating icebergs, with views of the Tasman Glacier, the Southern Alps and vast glacial landscapes.
- Total experience
- Approx. 2 hrs 45 min
- Time on the lake
- Approx. 60 min
Evening · Mount Cook → Lake Tekapo
Approx. 17:45
Begin the return drive.
- Route
- Mount Cook → Lake Pukaki → Lake Tekapo
- Distance
- Approx. 105 km
- Drive
- Approx. 1 hr 10 min
Approx. 19:00
Arrive Lake Tekapo. Dinner and evening at leisure.
Overnight
Lake Tekapo
Peppers Bluewater Resort
Both the glacier landing and Glacier Explorers are subject to weather, availability and operating conditions.
Day 07 · Friday 11 December 2026
Lake Tekapo → Queenstown
From Alpine Roads to Queenstown Adventure
U-Fly, then the Skyline Gondola & Luge.
The drive
07:30
Breakfast and check-out.
08:00
Depart Lake Tekapo.
- Route
- Lake Tekapo → Omarama → Lindis Pass → Cromwell → Queenstown
- Distance
- Approx. 255–265 km
- Drive
- Approx. 3–3½ hrs without extended stops
Suggested stops
- —Lake Pukaki / scenic viewpoints
- —Omarama
- —Lindis Pass
- —Cromwell
11:30–12:00
Arrive Queenstown.
U-Fly Queenstown
12:30
Arrive and complete check-in / safety briefing.
13:00
Take the controls
Fly a light aircraft under the supervision of an experienced instructor, with aerial views of Queenstown and the Southern Lakes.
- Allow
- Approx. 1½–2 hrs incl. briefing & flight
14:30–15:00
U-Fly complete.
Skyline Queenstown
15:00
Proceed to Queenstown town centre / Skyline.
15:15
Arrive.
15:30
Gondola to Bob's Peak
Panoramic views over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps.
16:00–17:15
Luge rides & viewpoint
17:30
Descend by Gondola. Evening at leisure.
Overnight
Queenstown
The Rees Hotel and Luxury Apartments
Day 08 · Saturday 12 December 2026
Queenstown
Queenstown Adventure Day
Skydive · Kawarau Bungy · Shotover Jet
Saket and Neha, two adventures. You split up this morning and reunite for lunch.
This morning you split up
Saket & Neha · Two adventures
Saket
Tandem Skydive
07:00
Breakfast.
07:30
Depart for skydive check-in.
08:00
Registration and safety briefing.
08:30
Recommended slot
Tandem skydive over Queenstown with views of the Southern Alps, Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.
- Allow
- Approx. 3 hrs total
Approx. 11:30
Experience complete.
Neha
Kawarau Bungy
10:00
Bus departure from Queenstown.
Approx. 10:30
Kawarau Bungy Centre
Jump from the world's first commercial bungy site at the historic Kawarau Bridge.
- Allow
- Approx. 1½–2 hrs
12:00–12:30
Experience complete. Return to Queenstown by bus.
— and the two of you reunite —
Together again
12:30–13:30
Lunch at leisure.
Shotover Jet
13:30
Proceed to departure point.
14:00
Check-in and safety briefing.
14:30
Through the canyons
A high-speed jet boat ride through the spectacular Shotover River Canyons.
- Ride
- Approx. 25 min
Approx. 15:15
Experience complete.
15:30 onwards
Return to Queenstown. Dinner and evening at leisure.
Overnight
Queenstown
The Rees Hotel and Luxury Apartments
All adventure activities are subject to weather and operating conditions.
Day 09 · Sunday 13 December 2026
Milford Sound
Fly Into Fiordland
Scenic Flight · Cruise · Onsen
Scenic flight
08:45–09:00
Hotel pickup / transfer to Queenstown Airport.
09:15
Arrive airport and complete check-in.
10:00
Depart Queenstown by scenic flight
- —Southern Alps
- —Fiordland National Park
- —Dramatic South Island landscapes
Approx. 10:45
Arrive Milford Sound.
Milford Sound / Piopiotahi cruise
11:00–13:00
Cruise between dramatic fiords, rainforest-covered mountains and waterfalls.
- —Mitre Peak
- —Bowen Falls
- —Stirling Falls
- —Rainforest-covered mountains
- —Wildlife and marine life, subject to conditions
Evening · Onsen Hot Pools
16:30
Depart towards Arthurs Point.
16:45
Arrive Onsen Hot Pools.
17:00–18:00
Original Onsen Soak
A private 60-minute soak in an exclusive-use, cedar-lined hot pool overlooking the Shotover River and alpine scenery. The pools feature retractable roofs.
- Duration
- Approx. 60 min
- Included
- Towels, drinking water
- Optional
- Snacks & beverages for purchase
- Opening hours
- 09:00–23:00
Approx. 18:15
Return towards Queenstown.
19:00 onwards
Special dinner in Queenstown — own arrangement. Evening at leisure.
Overnight
Queenstown
The Rees Hotel and Luxury Apartments
Milford scenic flights are weather dependent. Onsen is subject to availability.
Day 10 · Monday 14 December 2026
Glenorchy · Arrowtown · Gibbston
High Country, Heritage & Wine
Queenstown Wine & Sightseeing Tour — small-group, shared, up to 15 guests.
09:45–17:30
Queenstown Wine & Sightseeing Tour
- Route
- Glenorchy → Arrowtown → Gibbston
- Duration
- Approx. 8 hrs
- Transport
- Comfortable tour vehicle
- Pickup / Drop
- Queenstown
- Commentary
- Local sightseeing & wine-region information
Glenorchy
A scenic drive along Lake Wakatipu to the dramatic high country at the head of the lake.
Arrowtown
Explore the historic gold-mining village and its stone cottages.
Gibbston
Visit boutique vineyards in the famous Gibbston wine region.
- Wine tastings
- 2 boutique vineyards
Return to Queenstown hotel. Evening at leisure.
Overnight
Queenstown
The Rees Hotel and Luxury Apartments
Day 11 · Tuesday 15 December 2026
Queenstown → Auckland → Kuala Lumpur → Kolkata
Until Next Time, New Zealand
Early breakfast and hotel checkout, then proceed to Queenstown Airport.
Approx. 07:00
Depart Queenstown for Auckland.
Approx. 08:45–08:50
Arrive Auckland. Proceed for the international flight.
13:55
Depart Auckland on MH 144 for Kuala Lumpur.
20:20
Arrive Kuala Lumpur.
21:35
Depart Kuala Lumpur on MH 184 for Kolkata.
23:10
Arrive Kolkata.
Journey's end
Home
Ka kite anō
Until next time,
New Zealand.
The self-drive
The open roads of the South Island
Self-drive begins at Christchurch Airport on 08 December. Christchurch → Lake Tekapo → Lake Pukaki → Aoraki / Mount Cook → Lake Tekapo → Omarama → Lindis Pass → Cromwell → Queenstown.
Day 05
Christchurch → Lake Tekapo
Approx. 225–230 km
3–3½ hrs
Day 06
Lake Tekapo → Aoraki / Mount Cook
Approx. 125–130 km
1½–1¾ hrs
Day 06
Mount Cook → Lake Tekapo
Approx. 105 km
1 hr 10 min
Day 07
Lake Tekapo → Queenstown
Approx. 255–265 km
3–3½ hrs
Twenty-one moments
Experiences Along the Way
Hobbiton Movie Set
01Matamata
Wander the rolling green Shire.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
02Waitomo
A silent boat beneath a living galaxy.
Polynesian Spa
03Rotorua
Mineral waters by the lake at night.
Hell's Gate Mud Spa
04Rotorua
Earth, steam and volcanic mud.
International Antarctic Centre
05Christchurch
Storms, penguins and the frozen south.
Lake Tekapo
06Mackenzie Country
Turquoise water, stone chapel, lupin shores.
Soak in the Stars
07Lake Tekapo
Warm water under the Dark Sky Reserve.
Southern Alps Glacier Landing
08Aoraki / Mount Cook
Step out onto the snow.
Glacier Explorers
09Tasman Lake
Drifting among ancient icebergs.
U-Fly Queenstown
10Queenstown
Take the controls above the lakes.
Skyline Gondola
11Bob's Peak
The whole of Wakatipu at your feet.
Queenstown Luge
12Bob's Peak
Gravity, curves and a lake view.
Tandem Skydive
13Queenstown
Freefall over the Remarkables.
Kawarau Bungy
14Kawarau Bridge
Where bungy began.
Shotover Jet
15Shotover River
Canyon walls at full speed.
Milford Sound Scenic Flight
16Fiordland
Over the Alps, into the fiords.
Milford Sound Cruise
17Piopiotahi
Mitre Peak and falling water.
Onsen Hot Pools
18Arthurs Point
Cedar, steam and river views.
Glenorchy
19Head of the Lake
Wild high country at its most cinematic.
Arrowtown
20Central Otago
A gold-rush village, perfectly kept.
Gibbston Wine Tasting
21Gibbston Valley
Two boutique cellars, one valley.
Before you go
Good to Know
Weather-dependent experiences+
The following are subject to weather and operational conditions:
- — Soak in the Stars / Stargazing
- — Glacier helicopter / ski-plane landing
- — Glacier Explorers
- — U-Fly
- — Skyline / Luge where applicable
- — Skydive
- — Kawarau Bungy
- — Milford Sound scenic flight
Exact timings may be adjusted or activities rescheduled according to weather, availability and operator conditions.
Activity times+
Times shown in the itinerary are planned / recommended timings. Final schedules, pickup times and confirmations will be provided at the time of booking.
Self-drive+
Allow sufficient time for road conditions, scenic stops, fuel, parking, weather and rental-car collection formalities.
General disclaimer+
The above itinerary is suggestive and may be subject to change. Tour schedules, timings, services, routes and inclusions may vary and will be confirmed at the time of booking.