Tour overview

This 20-day holiday is designed exclusively for solo travellers, combining a grand tour of New Zealand's North and South Islands with four relaxing nights on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. Every traveller has a twin or double room of their own with no single supplement, and a dedicated host travels with the group, with a local representative in the Cook Islands. Return flights from London and the flights to and from the Cook Islands are included, along with a UK airport lounge and porterage. You stay fourteen nights in three- and four-star hotels in New Zealand and five nights on a bed and breakfast basis, four at a beachfront boutique resort.

Your journey begins in Auckland, set around a harbour on the Hauraki Gulf, with a city tour. You travel through the Waikato farmland to the Waitomo Caves to see the famous glow-worm grotto, then spend two nights in Rotorua, visiting the boiling mud pools and geysers of Te Puia, with optional trips to Hobbiton or a Māori hāngī feast. Passing Huka Falls and Lake Taupō, you reach Napier, one of the world's great Art Deco towns, for a winery dinner, then Wellington, the capital.

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A ferry crossing brings you to the South Island and Christchurch, and the next day you ride the TranzAlpine train through the Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass, continuing to the Franz Josef Glacier. The road through Westland National Park, past lakes Wanaka and Hawea, leads to Queenstown for three nights, with a full-day trip to Milford Sound for a cruise and lunch among towering cliffs and waterfalls. You then visit Arrowtown and the Mount Cook region, and cross Lake Tekapo and the Canterbury Plains back to Christchurch for a farewell drink.

Flying to Rarotonga, you cross the International Date Line and spend four nights at the Manuia Beach Resort, a boutique hotel with an infinity pool overlooking the lagoon. The days are yours to swim, snorkel, ride the island bus or discover Polynesian crafts, before a final night in Auckland and the flight home.

The physical rating is low. This holiday suits solo travellers who want to see the best of New Zealand in good company, with a tropical island to finish.

Trip highlights

  • The Waitomo glow-worm caves (Day 3)
  • Te Puia geysers in Rotorua (Day 4)
  • A winery dinner in Napier (Day 5)
  • The TranzAlpine train (Day 9)
  • A Milford Sound cruise (Day 11)
  • Four nights on Rarotonga (Days 15–18)

Your route

19 stops from Auckland to Auckland

20-day route: Auckland – Rotorua – Napier – Wellington – Christchurch – Franz Josef – Queenstown – Christchurch – Rarotonga
  1. Auckland Days 1–2
  2. Waitomo Caves Day 3
  3. Rotorua Days 3–4
  4. Huka Falls Day 5
  5. Napier Day 5
  6. Wellington Days 6–7
  7. Kaikoura Coast Day 8
  8. Christchurch Day 8
  9. Arthur's Pass Day 9
  10. Franz Josef Glacier Day 9
  11. Lake Wanaka Day 10
  12. Queenstown Days 10–12
  13. Milford Sound Day 11
  14. Arrowtown Day 13
  15. Omarama Day 13
  16. Lake Tekapo Day 14
  17. Christchurch Day 14
  18. Rarotonga Days 15–18
  19. Auckland Days 19–20

Why choose this tour

Designed for solo travellers, with a room of your own. Both islands, the TranzAlpine and a Cook Islands beach stay, with flights.

Best suited to

  • Solo travellers
  • First-time visitors to New Zealand
  • Travellers who value comfort
  • Beach and nature lovers
Rarotonga's green interior seen from the sea

Day-by-day itinerary

20 days from Auckland, New Zealand to Auckland, New Zealand

  1. Day 1 · Auckland Auckland

    A welcome meeting.

    Hotel
    Crowne Plaza Auckland
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Auckland Auckland

    A city tour.

    Hotel
    Crowne Plaza Auckland
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Waitomo Caves, Rotorua Rotorua

    A glow-worm grotto.

    Hotel
    Millennium Hotel Rotorua
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Te Puia Rotorua

    Geysers and mud pools.

    Hotel
    Millennium Hotel Rotorua
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Huka Falls, Lake Taupō, Napier Napier

    Art Deco and a winery dinner.

    Hotel
    Scenic Hotel Te Pania
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Wellington Wellington

    To the capital.

    Hotel
    James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Te Papa Wellington

    A free day.

    Hotel
    James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Cook Strait, Kaikōura, Christchurch Christchurch

    A ferry to the South Island.

    Hotel
    Distinction Christchurch Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · TranzAlpine, Arthur's Pass, Franz Josef Franz Josef

    A great train journey.

    Hotel
    Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Haast, Lake Wanaka, Queenstown Queenstown

    Through Westland National Park.

    Hotel
    Holiday Inn Queenstown Frankton Road
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Te Anau, Milford Sound Milford Sound

    A fjord cruise.

    Hotel
    Holiday Inn Queenstown Frankton Road
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  12. Day 12 · Queenstown Queenstown

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Holiday Inn Queenstown Frankton Road
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Arrowtown, Mount Cook region Omarama

    Towards Aoraki Mount Cook.

    Hotel
    Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  14. Day 14 · Lake Tekapo, Christchurch Christchurch

    A farewell drink.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  15. Day 15 · Rarotonga Rarotonga

    Fly to the Cook Islands.

    Hotel
    Manuia Beach Resort
    Meals
    Breakfast
  16. Day 16 · Rarotonga Rarotonga

    A free day by the lagoon.

    Hotel
    Manuia Beach Resort
    Meals
    Breakfast
  17. Day 17 · Rarotonga Rarotonga

    Explore by island bus.

    Hotel
    Manuia Beach Resort
    Meals
    Breakfast
  18. Day 18 · Rarotonga Rarotonga

    Polynesian arts and crafts.

    Hotel
    Manuia Beach Resort
    Meals
    Breakfast
  19. Day 19 · Auckland Auckland

    Fly back to New Zealand.

    Hotel
    Crowne Plaza Auckland
    Meals
    Breakfast
  20. Day 20 · Auckland Depart

    The holiday ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Glowworms lighting the roof of a cave, New Zealand

Where you stay

  • Auckland (2 nights) Crowne Plaza Auckland
  • Rotorua (2 nights) Millennium Hotel Rotorua
  • Napier (1 night) Scenic Hotel Te Pania
  • Wellington (2 nights) James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
  • Christchurch (1 night) Distinction Christchurch Hotel
  • Franz Josef (1 night) Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
  • Queenstown (3 nights) Holiday Inn Queenstown Frankton Road
  • Omarama (1 night) Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel
  • Christchurch (1 night) Hotel
  • Rarotonga (4 nights) Manuia Beach Resort
  • Auckland (1 night) Crowne Plaza Auckland

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Return flights from London and flights to the Cook Islands
  • Accommodation 19 nights, with a room of your own
  • Meals 19 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 2 dinners
  • Transfers, coach travel and the TranzAlpine train
  • Waitomo Caves, Te Puia and a Milford Sound cruise
  • Winery dinner and tasting in Napier
  • Host throughout and a UK airport lounge

Not included

  • Optional excursions such as scenic flights
  • Meals not included 17 lunches and 17 dinners
  • Tips
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
A Victorian house in Napier

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You are travelling as a couple
  • You want an active holiday
  • You want most meals included
  • You want a small group

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–20 · Lunch: Day 11 · Dinner: Days 1 and 5
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for New Zealand
A geothermal landscape and blue lake near Rotorua, New Zealand

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £8,499 per person, twin share, tour only. 7 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Is this holiday only for solo travellers?

Yes, it's designed for people travelling on their own, each with a room of their own.

Are flights included?

Yes, return flights from London and the flights to and from the Cook Islands.

What is the Cook Islands stay like?

Four nights on a bed and breakfast basis at a beachfront boutique resort, with time to relax.

Do I need a visa?

UK visitors need an NZeTA for New Zealand. Check the latest advice for the Cook Islands too.

Is Milford Sound included?

Yes, a cruise with lunch, weather permitting.

Who hosts the holiday?

A dedicated host travels with the group in New Zealand, with a local representative on Rarotonga.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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