Travel Dates
Duration
Trip Cost
(Considering 2 people in 1 car and stay on twin sharing)
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bid goodbye to New Zealand with memories of breathtaking landscapes and adventures. As the Māori say, mā te wā—see you soon!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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 |
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.
Breakdown assistance is provided on all Embarq tours.
All guided tours have a tour leader and support crew.
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.
Yes. To get the best experience on our guided tours, we expect you to follow the group leader/lead vehicle.