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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHxx-qpE-AY

New Zealand

A luxurious self drive road trip

About the trip

Travel Dates
21st December 2025 to 2nd January 2026
Duration
13 Days
Trip Cost
INR 8,40,000/- Per Person
(Considering 2 people in 1 car and stay on twin sharing)
Trip Style
Self-Drive Road Trip
Vehicle
Mitsubishi Outlander or similar
Driving Distance
3000 kms (approx.)
Landscapes
Mountains, Fjords, Coastlines, Volcanoes

Route Map

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Auckland

Welcome to Auckland, the “City of Sails,” where urban charm meets natural beauty.

Collect your car and get ready to explore New Zealand’s stunning landscapes and vibrant cityscapes

Enjoy seamless transfers and world-class amenities to start your adventure in style!

Day 2 Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo

Drive through Waikato’s rolling farmlands to the magical limestone caves of Waitomo. Explore glowworm-lit caves with Spellbound Tours or try black water rafting for an adventure like no other.

Waitomo to Rotorua

Travel through lush farmland to Rotorua, a geothermal wonderland. Indulge in the Wai Ariki Hot Springs for a restorative spa journey inspired by Māori culture. Stay at Rydges Rotorua, surrounded by nature’s beauty near the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley.

Day 3 Discover Rotorua

Discover Rotorua’s geothermal marvels, rich Māori culture, and outdoor adventures. Stroll through steaming landscapes at Te Puia or Wai-O-Tapu, and enjoy the Redwood forest’s treetop trails. Indulge in a hāngī buffet dinner and Māori performances at Te Puia’s Te Po experience. Unwind with a spa treatment or dine at Eat Street. Rotorua offers unforgettable culture, nature, and relaxation.

Day 4 Rotorua to Wellington

Drive through Taupō, with a stop at Huka Falls or a thrilling jet boat ride. Pass Lake Taupo’s volcanic caldera and ascend the Rangipo Desert to Tongariro National Park, home to Mt. Doom from The Lord of the Rings. Continue through Waiouru’s Army Museum and the Kapiti Coast’s scenic seaside towns before reaching Wellington, New Zealand’s vibrant capital city.

Day 5 Meri Kirihimete / Merry Christmas!

Celebrate a Kiwi Christmas in the summer sun. Plan ahead—most shops and alcohol sales are closed. Pre-book festive meals with your consultant.

Included – Interislander Ferry Wellington To Picton:

Board the 08:45 ferry for a 3-hour scenic cruise across the Cook Strait with stunning views of Kaikōura Ranges, Marlborough Sounds, and marine life. Premium Plus Lounge included.

Picton to Kaikōura:

Pass Marlborough wine country and coastal ranges. Optional wine tours or whale watching; spot Sperm Whales year-round and seasonal Humpbacks, Blues, and more.

Day 6 Marine adventure

Embark on an exclusive 3.5-hour marine adventure aboard New Zealand’s only whale-watching company. Enjoy up-close encounters with giant Sperm Whales, fur seals, dolphins, and seasonal visitors like orcas and humpbacks. In the Captain’s Cabin, share an intimate space with the skipper.

Day 7 Kaikōura to Christchurch

Scenic coastal drive through Waipara Valley wine region. Optional detour to Hanmer Springs for thermal pools. Arrive in Christchurch, a city revitalized after the 2010–11 earthquakes.

Christchurch to Lake Pukaki:

Travel across Canterbury Plains to Geraldine, then over Burkes Pass to Lake Tekapo. Continue 30 mins to Lake Pukaki with stunning views of Mt. Cook and Aoraki National Park.

Lake Pukaki:

Turquoise alpine lake fed by Tasman and Hooker Glaciers, spanning 80 sq. km. Its colour comes from glacial rock flour; Mt. Cook is visible on clear days, 70 km away.

Day 8Glacier Explorers

Check in 30 mins before 9:00 AM. Walk 2 km to Tasman Glacier’s Lake for a 3-hour tour of ancient icebergs and towering ice cliffs. Dress warmly for changing weather.

Alpine Restaurant Buffet:

Enjoy a buffet lunch at The Hermitage Hotel with views of Aoraki Mt. Cook. Includes soups, salads, seafood, meats, desserts, and tea/coffee.

Night Sky Experience at Lakestone Lodge:

Guided stargazing in Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. Relax with warm drinks and learn about the Southern sky under crystal-clear conditions.

Day 9Lake Pukaki to Queenstown

Drive through Omarama and the Ahuriri River, passing the scenic Lindis Pass at 971 meters. Explore the quaint village of Tarras with its boutique stores and Bendigo’s historic gold mining ruins. Arrive in Queenstown, New Zealand’s Adventure Capital, ready for thrilling experiences.

Day 10Queenstown to Milford Sound

Drive along Lake Wakatipu with the Remarkables as your backdrop, passing Kingston, Mossburn, and Te Anau into Fiordland National Park. Enjoy scenic stops like Mirror Lakes and the Homer Tunnel before reaching Milford Sound for a boutique lunch cruise on the Fiordland Jewel

Return to Queenstown

Take a stunning 35-minute scenic flight over glacial lakes and peaks. Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside for a relaxing end to the day.

Day 11Appellation Private Gourmet Scenic Wine Tour

Begin your exclusive full-day wine tour at 9:30 AM with a personal guide. Visit four vineyards across Central Otago, including Cloudy Bay, and explore New Zealand’s largest underground wine cave. Enjoy a cheese and wine pairing, a wine barrel-cooked lunch, and a stop at historic Arrowtown with artisan chocolates to take home.

Day 12Explore Queenstown

Known in Māori as Tāhuna, Queenstown sits on Lake Wakatipu and offers year-round adventure with jet boating, skydiving, bungy jumping, hiking, and spa escapes. Ride the Skyline Gondola, cruise the TSS Earnslaw, or hit Coronet Peak. In winter, it becomes a premier ski destination with buzzing nightlife and dining.

Day 13Farewell from Aotearoa

Bid goodbye to New Zealand with memories of breathtaking landscapes and adventures. As the Māori say, mā te wā—see you soon!

Driving through exotic landscapes with Embarq was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Every detail, from curated stays to offbeat routes, was perfect. Hats off to Sujal Patwardhan for being a great guide and friend throughout the tour!

Mahesh Gowaikar
Contact Us: +91 88678 09433
Inclusions
  • All stays (on twin sharing)
  • All Meals
  • Car Rental (Mitsubishi Outlander or similar)
  • Fuel for the car
  • Embarq Lead and Support Car
  • Airport Transfers
Exclusions
  • Flight tickets to and from New Zealand and Visa Charges
  • Individual Insurance & Documentation Cost like travel and medical Insurance
  • All Personal Expenses
  • Any Cost Arising Out of Unforeseen Circumstances
  • Refundable Security Deposit For Car Rental
  • TCS as Applicable

Fun Facts About New Zealand

There are more sheep than people in New Zealand
(4.5 sheep to 1 person).​
The landscapes in​
The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit weren’t CGI they’re real places
New Zealand sits on the Ring of Fire, and has over 50 volcanoes​
some still active

Upcoming Road Trips

Photo Gallery

FAQs

What is a road trip?

As the name suggests, a road trip is a journey by road using a vehicle. It is the best way to experience different landscapes and terrains and soak in the culture of a place. Meant for those to whom the journey matters more than the destination.

What is an Embarq guided tour?

An Embarq guided road-trip is a premium fixed departure trip with a fixed itinerary. The trip is designed by the co-founders after a detailed recce of the destination and various routes ensuring the best curated experiences & activities are planned along the route. The stays and food are hand picked. The travellers move in a convoy led and tailed by the Embarq crew that provides personalised attention and support throughout the tour.

What are overland journeys/road-trips?

Overland Roadtrips are Self-Drive road trips that one does in his/her own vehicle where you experience the thrill of crossing India’s border and drive to other countries like Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Central Asia, Russia, UK, Europe etc.

These road-trips require a lot of planning, paperwork and permits, visas etc. Our co-founders have done multiple overland road-trips across continents and we can help you plan it all and experience this epic once-in a life time journey!

What are Embarq Bespoke Road-Trips?

Self-Drive Road-Trips that are customized for you at any of our listed destinations including overland journeys, considering your specific requirements.

You could be a solo traveler or group of friends & family, you can choose the dates suitable to you and the budget that makes you smile!

Our expert team will help you put the personalized itinerary together considering the dates, various routes, stay, food and rental car options to suit your needs!

We can also customize luxury road-tripping holidays for you.

What is the difference between your guided and self-guided tours?

SERVICE GUIDED-FIXED DEPARTURE BESPOKE
Rental Car YES YES
Lead Vehicle & Embarq Team YES NO
Local Guide YES Optional
Back-up/Escort Vehicle YES Optional
Breakdown Assistance YES YES (T&C apply)
Embarq Special Experiences YES Optional
Flexible Dates for Departure NO YES
Group size restriction YES NO
Tour Cost Standard As per individual budget
Planned Itineraries YES YES
Accommodation YES YES
Meals YES NO
Fuel YES NO

What is the distance that we travel every day?

The daily distance we cover depends on the terrain and the scheduled activities. It typically varies between five to seven hours on an average. Please refer to the brochure for detailed itinerary.

What happens if my vehicle breaks down during the trip?

Breakdown assistance is provided on all Embarq tours.

Do all of your road trips have tour leaders?

All guided tours have a tour leader and support crew.

Who are the tour leaders and how experienced are they?

Embarq guided tours are led by our co-founders themselves. They have more than five years of experience in organising road trips and have scouted the routes beforehand.

Do we have to follow the tour leaders on a guided tour?

Yes. To get the best experience on our guided tours, we expect you to follow the group leader/lead vehicle.