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  3. New Zealand 11 Nights 12 Days Luxury Self Drive Escape Itinerary
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Itinerary
Queenstown
3 Nights Stay
Queenstown3 Nights
Day 01
Morning
Arrive in Queenstown airport and drive down to your hotel.
Noon to Evening
At leisure. Add Activity
Day 02
Queenstown: Self Drive Guided Buggy Tour
Morning
Queenstown: Self Drive Guided Buggy Tour
Noon
At leisure. Add Activity
Exciting skyline gondola with admissions included
Evening
Exciting skyline gondola with admissions included
Day 03
Gem of the Sound Cruise with Picnic Lunch
Morning
Gem of the Sound Cruise with Picnic Lunch
Noon to Evening
At leisure. Add Activity
Fly to Auckland
Auckland
2 Nights Stay
Auckland2 Nights
Day 04
Morning
At leisure. Add Activity
Noon to Evening
Checkout of your hotel. Board your flight to Auckland. Check-in to your new hotel in Auckland
Day 05
London: Warner Bros. Studio Harry Potter Tour with Transfers
Full Day
London: Warner Bros. Studio Harry Potter Tour with Transfers
Drive down to Rotorua
Rotorua
2 Nights Stay
Rotorua2 Nights
Day 06
Morning
Checkout of your hotel. Drive down to Rotorua. Check-in to your new hotel.
Rotorua City and Lakes Duck Tour
Noon
Rotorua City and Lakes Duck Tour
Evening
At leisure. Add Activity
Day 07
Rotorua: Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park Entry Ticket
Full Day
Rotorua: Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park Entry Ticket
Fly to Franz Josef
Franz Josef
2 Nights Stay
Franz Josef2 Nights
Day 08
Morning
At leisure. Add Activity
Noon
Checkout of your hotel. Board your flight to Christchurch. Drive down to Franz Josef. Check-in to your new hotel
Evening
At leisure. Add Activity
Day 09
Franz Josef: Waiho Hot Tubs 1 Hour Private Experience
Morning
Franz Josef: Waiho Hot Tubs 1 Hour Private Experience
Noon
At leisure. Add Activity
Franz Josef: Half-Day Nature Tour to Lake Matheson
Evening
Franz Josef: Half-Day Nature Tour to Lake Matheson
Drive down to Christchurch
Christchurch
2 Nights Stay
Christchurch2 Nights
Day 10
Morning
Checkout of your hotel. Drive down to Christchurch. Check-in to your new hotel.
Noon to Evening
At leisure. Add Activity
Day 11
Christchurch Tram City Tour & Punting Combo
Full Day
Christchurch Tram City Tour & Punting Combo
Day 12
Morning
At leisure. Add Activity
Noon to Evening
Take your flight back home. Hope you end up with a lot of memories and a few souvenirs too.
Add trip details
₹151,470/ person
Excluding Applicable Taxes
Your route
city
This is my honest review of my experience with PickYourTrail whose services my partner and I used to book our memorable New Zealand honeymoon. Right from helping us with understanding our personalities, our trip goals, our budgets, and timelines and building an itinerary based on all these inputs, Sivarohit was extremely helpful and proactive. Vijay from their Visa assistance team was prompt and ensured we got our visas perfectly in order and in time. Special shoutout to their support team: Chandramouli, Shreyah, Anith, Selina, Gaurav, Taniya, and Naveen who were available round the clock to help us with any queries (no matter how big or small) as well as regularly checking-in with us via the in-app chat to ensure we were doing okay. There were a few minor glitches (but overall, that's hardly a concern in the larger scheme of things). Right from the flights, to the choice of hotels, activities picked from the best quality providers, as well as the great self-drive rental cars that we got, the team did so much of the heavy-lifting for us so that we made the most out of our vacation. Can't wait for our next vacation with PYT!Tejas Kinger, Trip to New Zealand

New Zealand Luxury self-drive-escape Trip: 11 Nights & 12 Days

If you’re seeking an extraordinary way to explore New Zealand, you’ve chosen wisely! This 12-day luxury self-drive escape invites you to immerse yourself in breathtaking landscapes, rich Maori culture, and thrilling adventures, all at your own pace. From the vibrant city of Auckland to the serene beauty of Franz Josef Glacier, every stop on this itinerary delights the senses and rejuvenates the soul.

Highlights of the Destination

  • Queenstown: Known as the adventure capital of New Zealand, it offers myriad outdoor activities like bungee jumping and jet boating, alongside scenic vineyards promising exquisite wine experiences.
  • Auckland: With its unique harbors and diverse culture, Auckland captivates visitors with its bustling markets, stunning beaches, and the iconic Sky Tower view.
  • Rotorua: A geothermal wonderland rich in Maori culture. It features geysers and hot springs, plus cultural experiences that give insight into the indigenous way of life.
  • Christchurch: Known as the Garden City, its resilience shines through post-earthquake revitalization, featuring lush parks, a beautiful botanical garden, and a charming tramway.

Travel Tips for New Zealand

  • Plan your driving route ahead to ensure you make the most of stunning stops along the way, keeping flexibility for spontaneous adventures.
  • Embrace the local Maori culture—visit cultural centers and participate in traditional feasts for a truly enriching experience.
  • Check the weather regularly; New Zealand's diverse climate can change quickly, affecting your driving plans and outdoor activities.
  • Opt for accommodations that are centrally located to minimize travel time and maximize exploration opportunities in each city.

Conclusion

Your 12-day journey through New Zealand promises unforgettable experiences, whether you're standing under the majestic Franz Josef Glacier or enjoying a hot springs soak in Rotorua. Each destination offers something uniquely captivating, making this self-drive escape both luxurious and liberating. Embrace the freedom of the open road, and allow yourself to discover every corner of this breathtaking country.

See what’s included in this tripCost your itinerary to see the hotels, flights, and activities included in your trip
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4.7
From 8250 reviews
Verified Reviews
Photos from Travellers
Pickyourtrail's Original Reviews
Tejas Kinger-Profile
Tejas Kinger
Reviewed on :19 Mar 2026
This is my honest review of my experience with PickYourTrail whose services my partner and I used to book our memorable New Zealand honeymoon. Right from helping us with understanding our personalities, our trip goals, our budgets, and timelines and building an itinerary based on all these inputs, Sivarohit was extremely helpful and proactive. Vijay from their Visa assistance team was prompt and ensured we got our visas perfectly in order and in time. Special shoutout to their support team: Chandramouli, Shreyah, Anith, Selina, Gaurav, Taniya, and Naveen who were available round the clock to help us with any queries (no matter how big or small) as well as regularly checking-in with us via the in-app chat to ensure we were doing okay. There were a few minor glitches (but overall, that's hardly a concern in the larger scheme of things). Right from the flights, to the choice of hotels, activities picked from the best quality providers, as well as the great self-drive rental cars that we got, the team did so much of the heavy-lifting for us so that we made the most out of our vacation. Can't wait for our next vacation with PYT!
Tejas Kinger-Profile
Tejas Kinger
Reviewed on :19 Mar 2026
This is my honest review of my experience with PickYourTrail whose services my partner and I used to book our memorable New Zealand honeymoon. Right from helping us with understanding our personalities, our trip goals, our budgets, and timelines and building an itinerary based on all these inputs, Sivarohit was extremely helpful and proactive. Vijay from their Visa assistance team was prompt and ensured we got our visas perfectly in order and in time. Special shoutout to their support team: Chandramouli, Shreyah, Anith, Selina, Gaurav, Taniya, and Naveen who were available round the clock to help us with any queries (no matter how big or small) as well as regularly checking-in with us via the in-app chat to ensure we were doing okay. There were a few minor glitches (but overall, that's hardly a concern in the larger scheme of things). Right from the flights, to the choice of hotels, activities picked from the best quality providers, as well as the great self-drive rental cars that we got, the team did so much of the heavy-lifting for us so that we made the most out of our vacation. Can't wait for our next vacation with PYT!
nikhil sanjay-Profile
Nikhil Sanjay
Reviewed on :18 Nov 2024
PYT does an amazing job at organizing your trips. Special thanks to Amit Tripathi for organizing the entire New Zealand trip/ managing bookings and always being available even after work hours, Sanjula for managing the activities and visa related queries and Vijay for initiating the Visas for us. Overall, it was a wonderful experience and would recommend to book internantional trips via PYT.
nikhil sanjay-Profile
Nikhil Sanjay
Reviewed on :18 Nov 2024
PYT does an amazing job at organizing your trips. Special thanks to Amit Tripathi for organizing the entire New Zealand trip/ managing bookings and always being available even after work hours, Sanjula for managing the activities and visa related queries and Vijay for initiating the Visas for us. Overall, it was a wonderful experience and would recommend to book internantional trips via PYT.
Neeti Sanghani-Profile
Neeti Sanghani
Reviewed on :27 Aug 2024
We recently planned our trip to New Zealand with PickYourTrail and we couldn't be happier with the experience. The team was incredibly supportive throughout our entire journey. From initial planning stages to the final day of our trip they were always available to assist, answer questions and ensure everything went smoothly. Their attention to detail and dedication made our trip truly unforgettable. We highly recommend PYT for anyone looking to have a hassle free and enjoyable travel experience. Thank you Sagir, Manoj, Rahul & Shreya for your exceptional support.
Neeti Sanghani-Profile
Neeti Sanghani
Reviewed on :27 Aug 2024
We recently planned our trip to New Zealand with PickYourTrail and we couldn't be happier with the experience. The team was incredibly supportive throughout our entire journey. From initial planning stages to the final day of our trip they were always available to assist, answer questions and ensure everything went smoothly. Their attention to detail and dedication made our trip truly unforgettable. We highly recommend PYT for anyone looking to have a hassle free and enjoyable travel experience. Thank you Sagir, Manoj, Rahul & Shreya for your exceptional support.
brindha rao-Profile
Brindha Rao
Reviewed on :04 Mar 2024
Awesome itinerary made for us and kudos to the intact follow-ups while we were in the tour , will surely recommend anyone
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brindha rao-Profile
Brindha Rao
Reviewed on :04 Mar 2024
Awesome itinerary made for us and kudos to the intact follow-ups while we were in the tour , will surely recommend anyone
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brindha rao-testimonial-1
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+1View all
harish m s-Profile
Harish M S
Reviewed on :16 Jun 2023
I had planned my New Zealand vacation via Pickyourtrail in May 2023. Starting from guiding me with the tour dates keeping visa issuance time period in mind, to helping me secure Visa with prompt followups with the Embassy, the Pre-Trip support was amazing. While on the trip, their 24*7 customer support was very prompt with timely trip & Activity intimations to resolving issues then and there. There was a small mistake with the cab planning where the cab drop was arranged for Queenstown while it was supposed to be Christchurch. The support team was very timely in coordinating and getting it changed with the Rental Service Provider else we would have gotten stuck as it was almost closing time. Now coming to the post Trip, Pickyourtrail ensured to follow up with me and get the refunds done with a few days despite waiting for my request. On the whole it was a crazy ride for me in New Zealand and all thanks to Pickyourtrail and it's team for making my first international vacation memorable.
harish m s-testimonial-0
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harish m s-testimonial-2
harish m s-Profile
Harish M S
Reviewed on :16 Jun 2023
I had planned my New Zealand vacation via Pickyourtrail in May 2023. Starting from guiding me with the tour dates keeping visa issuance time period in mind, to helping me secure Visa with prompt followups with the Embassy, the Pre-Trip support was amazing. While on the trip, their 24*7 customer support was very prompt with timely trip & Activity intimations to resolving issues then and there. There was a small mistake with the cab planning where the cab drop was arranged for Queenstown while it was supposed to be Christchurch. The support team was very timely in coordinating and getting it changed with the Rental Service Provider else we would have gotten stuck as it was almost closing time. Now coming to the post Trip, Pickyourtrail ensured to follow up with me and get the refunds done with a few days despite waiting for my request. On the whole it was a crazy ride for me in New Zealand and all thanks to Pickyourtrail and it's team for making my first international vacation memorable.
harish m s-testimonial-0
harish m s-testimonial-1
harish m s-testimonial-2
Shivangi Kulshrestha-Profile
Shivangi Kulshrestha
Reviewed on :23 Jan 2023
We went to New Zealand for our honeymoon and believe me pickyourtrail is bestest among all the other travel and tour packages providing vendors in market. From the very start of planning the trip to the execution everything was so smooth. Their staff was so helpful and best thing is you can customise your trip and they are open and kind enough to accept any changes in itinerary. Thank you guys for your outstanding service and support. Looking forward for more trips with you guys definitely in future.😊👍🏻
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Shivangi Kulshrestha-Profile
Shivangi Kulshrestha
Reviewed on :23 Jan 2023
We went to New Zealand for our honeymoon and believe me pickyourtrail is bestest among all the other travel and tour packages providing vendors in market. From the very start of planning the trip to the execution everything was so smooth. Their staff was so helpful and best thing is you can customise your trip and they are open and kind enough to accept any changes in itinerary. Thank you guys for your outstanding service and support. Looking forward for more trips with you guys definitely in future.😊👍🏻
Shivangi Kulshrestha-testimonial-0
Shivangi Kulshrestha-testimonial-1
Shivangi Kulshrestha-testimonial-2
+1View all
4.7
From 8250 reviews
Verified Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to visit New Zealand?

The best time to visit New Zealand is during spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) for the mild weather and fewer tourists.

Do I need a special license to drive in New Zealand?

You can drive in New Zealand with a valid international driving permit or your home country’s license if it's in English.

What is the driving age in New Zealand?

The minimum driving age in New Zealand is 16 years, but renting a car usually requires drivers to be at least 21.

Are there any road rules particular to New Zealand?

Yes, New Zealanders drive on the left side of the road, and wearing seatbelts is mandatory for all passengers.

Is it safe to explore New Zealand by car?

Yes, New Zealand is generally very safe for driving, but be sure to follow road signs and be cautious in rural areas.

What are must-try foods in New Zealand?

Be sure to try lamb, green-lipped mussels, pavlova, and local wines, especially those from the Marlborough region.
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