Quick answer
Ten days in New Zealand fits three days in the North Island for Hobbiton, Rotorua and the Waitomo glowworm caves, then a flight to Queenstown for Milford Sound and adventure activities, and a drive via Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo to Christchurch for your flight home. Mid-range land costs start at about ₹1,40,000 per person.
The route
- Auckland
- Hobbiton
- Rotorua
- Waitomo
- Queenstown
- Milford Sound
- Mount Cook
- Lake Tekapo
- Christchurch
Day-by-day plan
- 1
Day 1
Arrive in Auckland
Morning: Land in Auckland after a one-stop flight from India, usually via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong or an Australian city.
Afternoon: Walk Viaduct Harbour and go up the Sky Tower for city views.
Evening: Early dinner and rest to recover from the long journey.
Stay: Auckland CBD
- 2
Day 2
Hobbiton and Rotorua
Morning: Drive about two hours to Matamata for a guided Hobbiton Movie Set tour.
Afternoon: Continue an hour to Rotorua and walk the Redwoods Treewalk.
Evening: Maori cultural evening with haka and a hangi feast.
Stay: Rotorua
Ask for vegetarian hangi dishes when booking; kumara, pumpkin and stuffing are cooked in the earth oven too.
- 3
Day 3
Rotorua geothermal day
Morning: Te Puia for the Pohutu geyser, boiling mud pools and the Maori carving school.
Afternoon: Skyline Rotorua gondola and luge, or a soak at the Polynesian Spa.
Evening: Dinner on Rotorua's Eat Streat.
Stay: Rotorua
- 4
Day 4
Waitomo glowworm caves
Morning: Drive about 2 hours to Waitomo for the glowworm grotto boat ride.
Afternoon: Drive about 2.5–3 hours to Auckland.
Evening: Rest near the airport for tomorrow's flight.
Stay: Auckland airport area
- 5
Day 5
Fly to Queenstown
Morning: Fly about 1 hour 50 minutes to Queenstown, with views of the Southern Alps on a clear day.
Afternoon: Skyline Gondola and luge above Lake Wakatipu.
Evening: Dinner on the lakefront.
Stay: Queenstown town centre or Fernhill
- 6
Day 6
Milford Sound
Morning: Early coach departure through Te Anau and the Homer Tunnel.
Afternoon: Cruise Milford Sound past Mitre Peak, waterfalls and seal colonies.
Evening: Back in Queenstown around 7–8 pm.
Stay: Queenstown town centre or Fernhill
A fly-cruise-fly option cuts the 12-hour day to about four hours, weather permitting.
- 7
Day 7
Queenstown adventure day
Morning: Shotover Jet through the canyon.
Afternoon: Arrowtown's gold-rush main street, then the Kawarau Bridge Bungy, to jump or just watch.
Evening: Free evening in town.
Stay: Queenstown town centre or Fernhill
- 8
Day 8
Aoraki/Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo
Morning: Drive about 3 hours via Cromwell and the Lindis Pass to Aoraki/Mount Cook village.
Afternoon: Walk the Hooker Valley Track to the glacier lake, about 3 hours return.
Evening: Drive an hour to Lake Tekapo for a stargazing tour.
Stay: Lake Tekapo
- 9
Day 9
Tekapo to Christchurch
Morning: Church of the Good Shepherd at sunrise, with lupins in late November and December.
Afternoon: Drive about 3 hours to Christchurch.
Evening: Walk the city centre and the Avon river.
Stay: Christchurch city
- 10
Day 10
Departure
Morning: Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
Afternoon: Transfer to the airport for your flight home via Australia or Singapore.
Evening: In flight.
Is 10 days enough for New Zealand?
Ten days covers both islands' headline sights if you fly between them and accept a few long days. The North Island gets three days for Hobbiton, Rotorua and Waitomo; the South Island gets the rest for Queenstown, Milford Sound, Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo. You will not see the West Coast glaciers or the Bay of Islands; those need 14 days.
How this route works
Arriving in Auckland and leaving from Christchurch avoids backtracking. The Auckland to Queenstown flight is under two hours. Driving is the easiest way to see the South Island, and Queenstown to Tekapo via Mount Cook is a scenic day with a walk in the middle. Distances look short on a map, but mountain roads are slow, so allow more time than apps suggest.
If no one in your group wants to drive, swap the self-drive days for coach tours from Queenstown and a coach transfer to Christchurch via Tekapo.
What this itinerary costs
Mid-range land costs start at about ₹1,40,000 per person, twin sharing, for nine nights in 3–4 star hotels with car hire, the domestic flight, Hobbiton, the Waitomo caves, a Maori evening, the Milford Sound cruise and the Shotover Jet. International flights, the visa and the visitor levy are extra. See the New Zealand trip cost.
New Zealand fines travellers on the spot for undeclared food at the airport. Declare every packet, including masalas.
Before you book
Apply six to eight weeks ahead through our New Zealand visa guide, check the best time to visit, and choose a base from where to stay in Queenstown. More ideas are on things to do in New Zealand.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do this New Zealand itinerary without driving?
Should I add the glaciers to a 10-day trip?
Is this New Zealand itinerary suitable for families?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
