Thrillophilia New Zealand Review: Khurana Siblings’ Getaway to Remember
Five years earlier, three siblings made a simple promise. No matter how busy their lives became or how far apart they lived, they would take one trip together every year. It was their way of staying connected.
The eldest, Prajakta, lived in Pune. The middle sibling, Meera, was settled in Delhi. The youngest, Kabir, continued living in Hyderabad. Daily routines and responsibilities kept them in different worlds, but their yearly tradition brought them back to the same place, sharing the same experiences and laughter.
Their first trip had been to Kerala, where they spent a night on a houseboat laughing so loudly that the crew joined in. The next year they found themselves in the hills of the Northeast. After that came Thailand, followed by the peaceful monasteries of Bhutan. Each journey added a new chapter to their shared story.
Choosing the next destination was difficult. Their group chat kept filling up with suggestions. Maybe Sri Lanka or Japan. Eventually it was Prajakta who said, almost casually, that New Zealand looked beautiful and was trending. Meera and Kabir paused. New Zealand had always felt like a dream destination, not a realistic one. But a quick search changed everything. It was more affordable than expected and filled with activities they knew they would enjoy.
Flights were booked, plans were locked in, and just like that, the next chapter of their siblings’ tradition was set in motion.
Thrills in Queenstown
Their first major adventure took place in Queenstown. The moment they saw the mountain ranges and the blue lakes beneath them, they knew this trip would feel different. The weather was crisp and clear, and the town had a mix of quiet charm and wild energy.
On the first full day, Prajakta, ever the planner, already had their activity list ready. She insisted that they begin with the Queenstown Luge. Meera laughed nervously at the idea of speeding downhill but agreed anyway. Kabir grinned, secretly waiting to watch his sisters panic.
As they raced down the winding track, Prajakta let out a scream that echoed right across the hill. Meera burst into uncontrollable laughter while trying very hard not to fall off her cart. Kabir joined in with his own shouts, partly from excitement and partly because he was terrible at controlling the turns. The three of them raced, bumped, shouted and laughed until they reached the end of the track breathless and exhilarated.
Later that evening, they warmed their hands around hot chocolate at a lakeside café. The lights of Queenstown reflected in the water and their earlier laughter still lingered around them. Kabir caught himself watching his sisters and felt a familiar sense of gratitude. These shared moments were the reasons he looked forward to this yearly escape.
Nature and Calm in Rotorua
Rotorua brought a completely different atmosphere. As they drove towards the geothermal landscapes, the air filled with steam rising from the ground and pools of bubbling mud. Meera insisted on keeping the car windows open to feel the cool breeze. Prajakta sat in the back seat with her camera ready, determined to capture every corner of the changing scenery.
The Waimangu Geothermal Valley became one of their favourite places. They followed the walkway through steaming vents, silent pools and towering cliffs. It reminded them of how beautifully unpredictable nature could be.
At the Redwood Forest Walk, Kabir tried to show off by balancing on one of the bridges. Predictably, he lost balance and almost slipped, which sent his sisters into fits of laughter. Their teasing did not stop for the rest of the day.
By the time they reached Lake Rotorua, the teasing had turned into a small sibling challenge. Meera claimed she could skip a stone farther than Kabir. She was surprisingly good at it. Kabir’s attempt landed with an embarrassing single splash. He frowned and pretended not to care, which only made the sisters laugh harder. Prajakta and Meera eventually softened, offering him the bigger share of dessert that evening. These were the small rituals that kept their bond alive.
A Final Stretch in Auckland and a City Filled with Energy
The last three days took them to Auckland. The contrast between the quiet geothermal landscapes and the city’s lively streets felt refreshing. Meera was busy photographing the harbour while Prajakta tried to get the perfect frame of the Sky Tower. Kabir, as usual, looked awkward in all the pictures and accepted his role in silence.
The next day they visited Waiheke Island. The coastal views were bright and open, and the wineries dotted across the island gave them a peaceful afternoon. On the ferry ride back, the three of them stood together at the railing watching the skyline slowly approach. It was one of those quiet moments that needed no words.
Their final day had no fixed plan. They strolled through the city, stopped at small bakeries, wandered through the local markets and bought souvenirs that they knew would eventually gather dust but hold meaning anyway. In the evening they found themselves sitting by the waterfront watching the sunset paint the sky. It felt like the perfect ending.
Why They Chose Thrillophilia for New Zealand
For international trips, the three siblings always turned to Thrillophilia. Their experiences in Thailand and Bhutan had been smooth, so for New Zealand they had no hesitation.
They began by browsing the site and soon reached out to the team. This connected them once again to Kirti, who had planned their previous international trips. She listened to what they wanted and then introduced them to Krish, a destination expert for New Zealand.
Krish helped them build a customised plan after understanding their travel style. He combined two strong itineraries into one final version filled with activities they genuinely wanted to experience. Since the siblings preferred moving around on their own, he arranged a self-drive package along with comfortable stays, smooth transfers and entry tickets arranged in advance.
Every detail felt thoughtfully planned. They did not need to worry about timings, transport or hotel coordination. All they had to do was enjoy their days and follow the instructions shared with them.