Cox & Kings
The Grand New Zealand Escape (Self Drive)
OCEANIA

The Grand New Zealand Escape (Self Drive)

New Zealand travels the full length of the country across twelve days, beginning in Auckland and continuing south through the North and South Islands. The journey starts with Auckland's twin-harbour cityscape before travelling through Waitomo's glowworm-lit caves and Matamata's real Hobbiton Movie Set. Continue to Rotorua, known for its bubbling mud pools, spouting geysers and Maori culture. From Rotorua, fly south to Christchurch, the Garden City, framed by the Pacific Ocean and Southern Alps. The journey then crosses Arthur's Pass to New Zealand's rugged West Coast and the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.Continue to Queenstown, the Adventure Capital of the World, before travelling into Milford Sound, a spectacular fjord carved by ice-age glaciers. The final part of the journey takes you towards Aoraki Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain, and Lake Tekapo, home to the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, before returning to Christchurch. With your own rental vehicle for the full eleven nights, this self-drive journey gives you the flexibility to experience New Zealand's natural wonders at your own pace.

  • 12 Days · 11 Nights
  • 1 country · 7 cities
  • Tailor Made Tour
  • Relaxed and Slow
Starting from₹2,50,958/ person
Talk to an Expert
4.9from 2,400+ verified reviews
// The journey, curated for you

Tour highlights

Every detail privately arranged, so you need only turn up and be there for it.

  • Transfers
  • Accommodation
  • Support
  • Meals
  • Sightseeing
HighlightPhoto 1 of 5
  • ✦

    Self-drive freedom across both islands with your own rental vehicle for the full 11 nights

  • ✦

    Explore the underground glowworm-lit world of Waitomo Glowworm Caves

  • ✦

    Visit the real Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata with its character Hobbit homes and gardens

  • ✦

    Discover Rotorua's geothermal landscape, including the striking mineral pools of Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland

  • ✦

    Experience an immersive evening amongst the giant redwoods with Redwoods Nightlights

  • ✦

    Explore Christchurch, the Garden City, framed by the Pacific Ocean and Southern Alps

  • ✦

    Discover New Zealand's wild West Coast and the accessible Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers

  • ✦

    Experience Queenstown, the Adventure Capital of the World, surrounded by dramatic alpine scenery

  • ✦

    Journey into Milford Sound, an ice-age glacier-carved fjord famously called the eighth wonder of the world

  • ✦

    Enjoy a scenic Milford Sound Cruise including Lunch

  • ✦

    Discover Aoraki Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain, and the turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki

  • ✦

    Visit Lake Tekapo and the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd

// 11 nights, 7 cities

Your route

Auckland to Christchurch: 7 cities, one seamless journey.

  1. Auckland1
    1 night

    Auckland

  2. Rotorua2
    2 nights

    Rotorua

  3. Christchurch3
    1 night

    Christchurch

  4. Glacier Region4
    2 nights

    Glacier Region

  5. Queenstown5
    3 nights

    Queenstown

  6. Tekapo6
    1 night

    Tekapo

  7. Christchurch7
    1 night

    Christchurch

// The full picture, day by day

Day by day

12 unhurried days — tap any day to see its hotel, meals and sights beside you.

  1. Upon arrival in Auckland, collect your rental vehicle and self-drive to your accommodation. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure and explore Auckland at your own pace.

    Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, set between two harbors. The eastern side features gentle sandy shores, while the western coast is known for black-sand beaches and wild surf.

    With sheltered, sparkling blue waters and beautiful emerald islands, Auckland provides a wonderful introduction to your New Zealand journey.

    Standard Room
    self drive
    No meals included
// Included, privately

Everything taken care of

  • 01 Night Accommodation in Auckland Hotel

  • 02 Nights Accommodation in Rotorua Hotel

  • 02 Nights Accommodation in Christchurch Hotel

  • 02 Nights Accommodation in Glacier Region Hotel

  • 03 Nights Accommodation in Queenstown Hotel

// Good to know

What’s not included

  • All personal expenses like tips, laundry, telephone calls/fax, alcoholic beverages, camera/video camera fees at monuments, medical expenses, airport departure tax, etc.

  • Entrance fees at all monuments and sightseeing spots (not mentioned in the inclusions)

  • Meals (until specified in the day-wise program)

  • Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary or stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks, and/or any factors beyond control

  • Tips and gratuities (until specified)

// Private journey · your dates

Available dates & prices

This journey is tailored with one of our specialists. Browse the dates below, then talk to an expert to confirm your trip.

This journey is tailor-made, so it runs on your dates, not ours — pick the day you'd like to set off.

October 2026
Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
1 Oct – 30 Apr 2027

Nothing is charged yet — a specialist will help you confirm dates and pricing.

4.9 / 5 ratingFrom 2,400+ verified travellers
100% secure paymentsEncrypted checkout, protected deposit
24 × 7 supportA real human, on WhatsApp or call
Since 1758The world's longest-running travel firm
// Before you book

The policies

Booking, cancellation and the full terms — pick a category and open the full detail whenever you need it.

Payment Schedule — International Tours

  • 35% advance (non-refundable) payable at the time of booking

  • 75% of total tour cost payable 60 days prior to departure

  • 100% of total tour cost payable 45 days prior to departure

Airfare Payment

  • 100% of airfare must be paid at the time of booking

  • Airfare is quoted at proposal stage and is subject to change at actual ticketing

  • If air tickets are part of the package, they are billed separately from the land component

  • Specific cancellation terms for airfare will be shared at the time of ticket issuance

Authorized Payment Channels

Payments must only be made via:

  • Secure payment link shared directly by Cox & Kings

  • NEFT / RTGS / Cheque payable to: Wilson & Hughes India Private Limited

Cox & Kings does NOT accept payments via:

  • Personal UPI IDs (GPay, Paytm, etc.) of any employee or representative

  • WhatsApp QR codes

  • Direct transfers to individual employee or agent accounts

Cox & Kings bears no liability for payments made through unauthorised channels. All official communications come only from email addresses ending with @coxandkings.com

// Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Everything travellers ask us most — pick a category to find your answer.

Travelled, and came back happy

Travellers who trusted us with The Grand New Zealand Escape (Self Drive).

Couples and honeymooners, multi-generational families, friends and solo explorers.

4.9
Excellent · 2,400+ verified reviews
4.8 on Google4.9 on Tripadvisor
The Grand New Zealand Escape (Self Drive)

“Dear Cox & Kings, My wife and I recently returned from our tour of New Zealand, and I am writing to express our sincere appreciation for the excellent service provided. From the logistics and transfers to the selection of accommodations, everything was seamless. We were particularly impressed by how well the trip was paced, allowing us to truly enjoy the the country without any stress. Thank you for making our trip so memorable. We will certainly recommend your services to our friends and family. They had also arranged a car for me; it was excellent. They verified my details and handed over the car in just 10 minutes!”

MMr. Ganapathy Ramalingam
// Travellers also considered

People also view

Browse all journeys
Discover New Zealand (Self Drive) AUCKLAND

Discover New Zealand (Self Drive)

7 Days, 6 Nights·Private tour
Romantic
from ₹1,27,637View
New Zealand Land of Fire & Ice (Self Drive) AUCKLAND

New Zealand Land of Fire & Ice (Self Drive)

10 Days, 9 Nights·Private tour
Top PicksRomantic
from ₹2,00,421View
Australia Signature Escape MELBOURNE

Australia Signature Escape

10 Days, 9 Nights·Group tour
RecommendRelaxed and Slow
from ₹2,51,992View
Grand Australia Discovery SYDNEY

Grand Australia Discovery

8 Days, 7 Nights·Group tour
Family GetawaysAdventure
from ₹1,75,606View
Majestic New Zealand AUCKLAND

Majestic New Zealand

8 Days, 7 Nights·Group tour
Family GetawaysFriends
from ₹2,39,668View
New Zealand Grand Explorer (Self Drive) AUCKLAND

New Zealand Grand Explorer (Self Drive)

14 Days, 13 Nights·Private tour
Family GetawaysFriends
from ₹3,20,686View
All the Australia You Came to See SYDNEY

All the Australia You Came to See

10 Days, 9 Nights·Group tour
Family GetawaysAdventure
from ₹3,96,831View
All Inclusive Kiwi Spirit Trail Through New Zealand AUCKLAND

All Inclusive Kiwi Spirit Trail Through New Zealand

11 Days, 10 Nights·Group tour
Family GetawaysTrending Trips
from ₹5,11,949View
Ready when you are

12 days in The Grand New Zealand Escape (Self Drive),
from just ₹2,50,958 per person.

Every transfer, hotel and key experience handled — confirm your seats today with a fully protected deposit.

WhatsApp us

Travel experts available 9am–9pm IST, every day