Day 1 Christchurch meeting day
All day
Arrange unified airport pick-up according to the arrival flight time of tourists
If your flight is far away from the scheduled pick-up time, you can go to the meeting hotel on your own. Uber costs about NZD 40. There is a shuttle bus from the airport to the city for NZD 5 per person.
Day 2 Christchurch → Tekapo → Twizel
All day
After breakfast, we will head to the town center to visit Lake Tekapo. From the windows of the famous Shepherd's Church and the altar of the Border Dog statue, we will admire the pristine lake water and the snow-capped Southern Alps.
Then we will go to the small town of Twizel to stay overnight.
After dinner, follow the local guide to find a dimly lit open space and watch the starry night view of the southern hemisphere with your naked eyes.
Day 3 Twizel → Mt Cook Hike → Wanaka
All day
Hiking Information:
Hiking distance: about 9 kilometers
Hiking duration: about 3-4 hours
Road conditions: Gravel road, glacier
After breakfast, we set out from Mount Cook National Park and walked all the way to Tasman Glacier Lake, where I was once again struck by the beauty of New Zealand. Standing by the lake, huge blocks of ice lay on the surface like still waves. In the distance, towering snow-capped mountains stretched out like a silver Great Wall. The hike itself was quite short, about an hour round trip, with gravel slopes along the way and the opportunity to slowly descend to the glacier for photos.
If you're not planning on glacier hiking, you can opt for the optional* [Glacier Helicopter Flight + Glacier Hike]. Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain, boasts towering peaks, glaciers, and a milky-blue lake. The view from the helicopter is breathtaking. After arriving at the glacier landing point, embark on a roughly two-hour glacier hike. During the hike, admire Mount Cook's snow-capped peaks while your guide explains ice caves and crevasses. During the hike, you'll also visit an ice cave, immersing yourself in a world of icy blue. The path through the cave is narrow, allowing only one person to navigate.
After the hike, we return to the town of Mount Cook, take a short break, and then head to Wanaka.
Arrive in Wanaka and head to Lake Wanaka, New Zealand's fourth-largest lake, where you'll find a photo stop at the solitary tree. Surrounded by the majestic Southern Alps, tourists will immerse themselves in this secluded paradise.
After a free dinner, check in to the hotel and rest.
Day 4: Wanakaroi Track Hike → Queenstown
All day
Hiking Information:
Hiking distance: about 13 kilometers
Hiking duration: about 5-6 hours
Road conditions: grassland trails; forest trails; ridge trails; gravel roads
After breakfast, we will head to Roy's Peak, a famous New Zealand postcard destination.
After a day of climbing 1,000 meters, the tourists reached the summit viewpoint, where Lake Wanaka shimmered in an enchanting azure. With each step, it receded from view until only the sound of the wind lingered, a tranquil scene worthy of its Middle-earth reputation.
Royce Peak is New Zealand's epic walk, one of the most popular in the Southern Hemisphere. The popular viewing platform is approximately 1,000 meters above sea level, and the summit is approximately 1,300 meters. The round trip to the viewing platform is about 12-13 kilometers, while the climb to the summit is 16 kilometers. The entire route is a zigzag uphill climb with a maximum gradient of 60 degrees.
Ascent: 2.5 hours for those in good condition, 3.5 hours for those with lesser condition. Descent: 0.75 to 1 hour for those in good condition, 1.5 to 2 hours for those with lesser condition. The total journey takes approximately 5-6 hours.
After the hike, we will go to Queenstown. If you have enough time, you can do some free activities in Queenstown.
Day 5 Queenstown → Glenorchy Light Hike → Auckland
All day
Hiking Information:
Hiking distance: about 3-5 kilometers
Hiking duration: about 1.5 hours
Road conditions reference: Lakeside boardwalk
After breakfast, we will head to the small town of Glenorchy to start today’s light hiking trip.
Glenorchy is the filming location for many movies such as The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia. Interested tourists can catch up on the Lord of the Rings trilogy to resonate more with it.
Check out Glenorchy's famous red house. This is also the starting point of the trail, and many people check in and take photos here. Behind the red house is a beach and lake, perfect for lounging.
Facing the red house, walk to the right. There is only one road. Walk straight for about ten minutes and you will reach the starting point of the Glenorchy Trail. Continue walking after the starting point to see the beautiful scenery.
There are two Glenorchy Lagoon Scenic Walkways. We will choose the large loop, which takes about 1-2 hours to hike.
Then fly to Auckland
Day 6 Hobbit + Firefly - Turangi
All day
After breakfast, head to the Hobbit Village in the Land of the Lord of the Rings.
Hobbiton is not only the filming location for "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit," but it's also an immersive, magical journey! Step onto lush green meadows, bathe in a leisurely stream, and experience a fairytale-like world surrounded by charming huts. Each igloo holds a unique story and decoration, making visitors feel like they've been transported to a film set. Whether you're a professional or a photography enthusiast, every corner here is a perfect spot to capture a moment.
Then drive to Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
Located on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, this cave is a renowned natural wonder. The caves, with openings both above and below, attract numerous insects to breed. Among the cave's unique inhabitants are the spider-like fireflies, which prey on insects. Spraying beads of sticky silk, their tails emit a blue glow. Dotted across the deep caverns, the fireflies cling to the surface, creating an enchanting scene resembling a starry sky.
After the tour, we will go to the small town of Turangi to stay overnight and recharge our energy for the next day's hike.
Day 7 Tongariro Walk - Turangi
All day
Hiking Information:
Hiking distance: about 19 kilometers
Hiking duration: about 8 hours
Road conditions reference: volcanic desert; forest trail
After breakfast, we will head to Tongariro National Park to start today’s hike.
Mount Doom, the forge of Sauron's kingdom in the ancient land of Mordor, is the most powerful location in the "Lord of the Rings" films. In reality, such a volcano exists in Tongariro. It is Mount Ngauruhoe, the filming location for Mount Doom. The eerie volcanic landscape of Tongariro National Park has become the realm of Mordor, the domain of the "Dark Lord" Sauron.
Tongariro National Park was designated a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site in 1990.
Tourists will enjoy the classic Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike. The 19.4km walk takes 7-9 hours. The trail begins on Mangatepopo Road and ends on Ketetahi Road. This one-day hike allows hikers to ascend the Red Crater, circle Mount Ngauruhoe, the model for Mount Doom in the film "The Lord of the Rings," and overlook the sacred Maori lake and the alpine lake, Blue Lake.
The hike can be roughly divided into 4 sections:
Section 1: Mangatepopo-Soda to Soda Springs (easy), this section of the hike is around the ridge of Mount Doom
The second section: Soda Springs to Red Crater (very difficult). This section has a total climb of 600 meters and requires climbing two mountains to reach the crater. Be careful! The crater is very windy, so you need to wear gloves and a hat.
Section 3: Red Crater to Blue Lake (medium) - This section is a descent from the top of the volcano. The volcanic rock is very soft, so you need to pay attention to head protection.
Section 4: From Blue Lake to Ketetahi parking lot (easy) This is a continuous downhill journey, so be careful about your knees.
After the journey, return to Turangi and check in.
Day 8 Lake Taupo → Rotorua
All day
After breakfast, we will go to Lake Taupo. Lake Taupo is one of the largest lakes in New Zealand, located on a volcanic plateau in the central part of the North Island. The upper reaches of the Waikato River flow into the lake from the south, and the lake water flows out from the northeast of the lake through the Waikato River. You can enjoy the panoramic view of the lake and mountains.
Huka Falls, formed by the Waikato River, New Zealand's longest river, cascades down a narrow pass and fault line, creating a cascading waterfall. Known as "New Zealand's most beautiful waterfall," Huka Falls is a glacial-fed waterfall. Its gentle drop creates a thunderous roar and awe-inspiring spectacle. Its striking mint-blue color is refreshing and refreshing.
For lunch, head to the popular McDonald's Taupo restaurant and experience the thrill of enjoying a burger inside a 1943 DC-63. Originally in service with Air New Zealand from the 1950s to the 1970s, the aircraft was retired in October 1984. McDonald's purchased it in 1990 and, after renovations, officially welcomed guests from around the world.
After lunch, we'll depart for Rotorua, passing through Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Hailed as "one of the most surreal places in the world," the vibrant palette of the Champagne Pools evokes a dreamlike atmosphere, and steam billows like a fantasy world. The wonderland is famous for its Champagne Pools and Lady Knox Geyser. Centered on the active Taupo Volcanic Area, this geothermal wonderland offers a 3-kilometer walking trail leading to a variety of fascinating attractions, including the bubbling and photogenic Champagne Pools, thick yet perpetually bubbling mud, mineral-rich hot springs, and Lady Knox Geyser, known for its mysteriously timed eruptions, often lasting up to an hour and spewing water up to 20 meters high.
Afterwards, proceed to the hotel to check in and spend your free time.
A special bonus experience: [Secret Location Hot Tub], perfect for forest bathing. Soak in your own hot tub, surrounded by native ferns and overlooking the stunning Whakarewa Forest and Pualunga Creek.
Note: Each hot tub can accommodate up to 6 people. The Rotorua hot tub experience includes a 45-minute soak. Towels, swimsuits, and bathrobes are available for rental at the front desk. (This is a complimentary service. If you voluntarily opt out due to personal reasons, there will be no refund. Thank you for your understanding!)
After a free dinner, return to the hotel to rest.
Day 9 Redwood Forest Hike → Skywalk - Auckland
All day
Hiking Information:
Hiking distance: about 5 kilometers
Hiking duration: about 1.5 hours
Road conditions reference: Forest Sky Trail; Forest Road
After breakfast, we started a pleasant day in Rotorua. When we arrived in New Zealand, a mangrove hike was a good choice.
Visit the redwood forest at the right time and enjoy a hike inside. The redwood forest is a great place for a stroll or a mountain bike ride. Inside the redwood forest, towering trees rise from the ground, one close to the other, surrounding visitors like a tiny country.
Enjoy water activities and hiking at Blue Lake & Green Lake. These are hidden gems only locals know about. Across the winding mountain road, you'll find a vast lake nestled against a lush forest. Geothermal plumes rise and connect with the clouds. Blue Lake and Green Lake are private reserves for Rotorua residents. Several lakes are scattered throughout the forest, with dozens of trails leading to the mountaintops and lakes. The water is so pure it's practically drinking spring water. The Blue Lake is as deep as a swimming pool near its shores, so bring your swimsuit for a refreshing dip.
Afterwards, return to the hotel near Auckland Airport to rest.
Day 10: Disbandment Day in Auckland
All day
Today you can sleep until you wake up naturally, or get up early to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Auckland. Check out at 12 noon and end this trip.
