New Zealand is an island nation that lies in the southwestern Pacific Ocean Extended.

The
country has two main islands, namely the North island and the South. Between the two
islands the landscapes are dramatically different. While the North island has the iconic Mt.
Victoria, South Island's Fiordland and lakes is where the the Lord of the Rings movie series
were shot. Culture, food and beauty, New Zealand has it all.

Landscaped with ancient rock and glacial fjords, New Zealand is often referred to as the
adventure capital of the world. Skiing, skydiving, caving, bungy jumping, hiking, kayaking,
you name it and it is there in New Zealand. While you are there in the country, hike the
Abel Tasman National Park and Tongariro National Park, ride through the glowing
Waitomo Caves, soak in the wilderness of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, and go an
escape to Milford Sound. Increasingly affordable, New Zealand is a popular destination for
budget travelers and backpackers.

IDEAL DURATION 13-15 nights

AVG. ROUND TRIP COST. 62500 from Chennai

BEST TIME TO GO. Oct-Mar

VISA PROCESSING Min 15 working days

Getting around New Zealand

Public Transport
Buses are the most common mode of public transportation in New Zealand. They are cheap and are an
environmentally friendly option in New Zealand especially between major towns. Buses are closely
followed by trains which are quite frequently used in Auckland and Wellington. Further, Ferries are also
used in few of the cities in New Zealand which include Auckland. Trams are no longer used in the
country.

Taxi & Airport transfer

Frequent shuttles and taxis are available at the airport. Some of the popular service providers that you
can make use of include Skybus, Supershuttle, Green Cabs, Alert Taxis, Blue Star Taxis, and Capital
Taxis.
Transport & city passes
Transport passes are a great way to get around New Zealand at a cheaper price. Intercity and Nakedbus
networks offer hop on and hop off transport passes. They can be bought online and the price varies
depending on the route and the season of travel.

Driving & Car rental

Self-driving is a very popular mode of commute in New Zealand. It is highly recommended if you are
looking to explore some of the remote and gorgeous parts of New Zealand at your own pace, as these
may not fall within the bus/train routes. There are several car rental companies and the process is also
fairly straightforward. Make sure to abide by the road rules and other safety measures applicable to New
Zealand.

Culture & Etiquette

Most New Zealanders trace their roots back to the British and so the language spoken is English.
Polynesian influence has brought the Maori culture too, who are highly respected for their culture. Greet
a New Zealander with the term 'Kia Ora'. You will find them refreshingly simple people to mingle with.
Maori customs such as 'Hongi' have people rubbing noses as a greeting. New Zealanders are very social
and love picnics, barbeques and a everything outdoor.

Major events & Public holidays

New Zealand celebrates Waitangi Day on Feb 6 with a public holiday - the day the founding treaty of
the country was signed. This is also when a huge Maori fo od festival is held. Witness grand parades on
Anzac Day, celebrated on Apr 25. If you are in for New Year, go to the Gisborne Rhythm & Vines
festival.

Road rules and driving license

New Zealand is best seen through a road trip. An International Driving Permit is one of the crucial travel
essentials for New Zealand, if you feel like venturing the best out of this beauty of a place using car. The
country follows left hand side driving. Rental Car companies make it easy for travellers to rent cars
according to the number of people taking up road trips. Ensure your travel insurance covers rental car
hire. The maximum speed on any open road is 100kmph on open roads and 50kmph in urban areas.