while there is no guarantee on the weather, how does the weather compare with the same trip starting in Oct?

It is always hard to predict! :) Particularly in New Zealand where you can have 4 seasons in one day! I would say October is generally warmer than September, but rain is very hard to predict. However, September is still a good month to travel, it is the end of the cold season and you can see some pretty cool and wonderful scenario in the South Island that only the winter time can gift ! :)

I'm a solo traveller and wondering what the inclusions of the tour are and what accommodation/meals are provided. What experiences are additional add ons/how much do they cost approximately.

Accommodation provided is in multi-share dorms. Optional activities include: Tawanui Farm Wine Tasting, Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools, Iron Ridge Quarry, Pohatu Penguins Nature Tour, Christchurch Street Art Tour, Greenstone Carving Experience, West Coast Wildlife Centre, Milford Sound Day Tour & Cruise, Various Scenic Hikes. Additional optional activities are available through our trip planner.

I wanna know about accommodation, as I'm traveling alone and would like to have a private bathroom, What are the options then?

Unfortunately we do not offer private rooms and/or bathrooms unfortunately so cannot help on this occasion, sorry.

I'd like to book onto the 15 day South Island group tour, but am concerned, being a solo, 22 year old traveler, that there won't be others of my age booked onto the trip. Some of the reviews on trip advisor state that tours have been as small as four and comprised of older couples due to tours not at capacity. As I'm sure you can appreciate, this would take much of the enjoyment out of the tour for me. So I was wondering if you could tell me in advance how many people are currently booked onto this trip (7th December) and if many of them are between the ages of 18 and 30? Also, would there be a Whatsapp group or something to talk to the others in advance of departure?

Generally our travellers are between the 18-30 age bracket, and we generally have more females travellers; however this is dependent and subject to each group. Our small group tours for the upcoming summer period are beginning to fill up; the South Island tours are always particularly popular during the summer season! The first night before your tour starts, you have a small meet & greet with your driver guide and your other fellow travellers. Here, the driver guide will create a WhatsApp group chat for your tour.

I was wondering what the average age is at the tour? Because I'm only 19 and would be great if some people are joining which are close to my age.

For the small group tours, we do have an average age of 18-35.

What is the difference between a 15-day Southern Kiwi trip and a Big South trip?

I'm not sure where you saw the Big South trip, it's probably from another company. You can read about the Southern Kiwi tour.

Is this tour available for me?

We don't have a specific age limit on our tours, but there are quite a few included activities which involve hikes and physical exercise. So it depends on your level of fitness and how you feel about that! I'd say the average age range for our small group tours is around 20 - 30 or mid 30's, but each trip is different and we do have a very wide range!

We are a family of 4, aged 13,15 ,50 and 51. Can we join this tour?

We aren't able to take any passengers below the age of 18 on our tours.

From

US $2,115 per person

Southern Kiwi - Small Group Tour

15 days

•

Start and end in Christchurch

5.0 (1 review)

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From

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Price based on Shared Room

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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

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Plan your adventure:

Gold Operator: Kiwi Experience
Adventure & Adrenaline: Seek thrilling adventures that keep you moving
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided: An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Low Intensity: Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 6 - 18
Ages 18-49

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Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Intro
Introduction
Day 1
Christchurch
Christchurch
Start point
12 Hereford Street, Christchurch-Linwood, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand (Hotel Give, 18:30)
Included Activities
- Welcome drinks with tour group at local bar
Day 2
Christchurch to Kaikoura
Christchurch to Kaikoura
Accommodation
Hostel (Dusky Lodge )
Included Activities
- Tawanui Farm visit - sheep and beef farm experience with animal feeding
Optional Activities
- Whale watching in Kaikoura
- Swimming with dolphins in Kaikoura
Landmarks
Tawanui Farm
Day 3
Kaikoura to Abel Tasman
Kaikoura to Abel Tasman
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hostel (Bethany Park )
Included Activities
- View seals on Kaikoura coastline
- Wine and gin tasting in Marlborough region
Optional Activities
- Hiking in Abel Tasman National Park
- Kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park
- Water taxi into Abel Tasman National Park
Landmarks
Abel Tasman National Park
Marlborough Region
Day 4
Abel Tasman
Abel Tasman
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hostel (Bethany Park )
Optional Activities
- Hiking the Coastal track
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Water taxi into Abel Tasman National Park
Landmarks
Abel Tasman National Park
Day 5
Abel Tasman to Hanmer Springs
Abel Tasman to Hanmer Springs
Meals
Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stop at Nelson Lakes
Optional Activities
- Walking trails around Hanmer Springs
- Heritage Forest with lookout point trail
- Waiau Gorge with whitewater rapids
Landmarks
Nelson Lakes
Hanmer Springs
Heritage Forest
Waiau Gorge
Day 6
Hanmer Springs
Hanmer Springs
Included Activities
- Entry to Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa - 22 outdoor thermal pools with hydroslides and Conical Thrill aquatic ride
Optional Activities
- Forest hiking
- Mountain biking
- Horse trekking
- Bungy jumping
- Jet boating
- Skiing (winter)
Landmarks
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa
Day 7
Hanmer Springs to Christchurch
Hanmer Springs to Christchurch
Included Activities
- Iron Ridge Quarry Sculpture Park visit
Landmarks
Iron Ridge Quarry Sculpture Park
Day 8
Christchurch
Christchurch
Accommodation
Hostel (Hotel Give )
Included Activities
- Christchurch Street Art tour - street art, murals and graffiti art with urban art history
Day 9
Christchurch to Franz Josef
Christchurch to Franz Josef
Accommodation
Hostel (Rainforest Retreat )
Included Activities
- Devil's Punchbowl scenic stop
- Castle Hill scenic stop
Landmarks
Arthur's Pass National Park
Devil's Punchbowl
Castle Hill
Day 10
Franz Josef
Franz Josef
Accommodation
Hostel (Rainforest Retreat)
Optional Activities
- Heli-Hike on the glacier
- Walking trails in Franz Josef area
Landmarks
Franz Josef Glacier
Day 11
Franz Josef to Wanaka
Franz Josef to Wanaka
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hostel (Adventure Hostel)
Included Activities
- Franz Josef Wildlife Centre visit - see live kiwis in nocturnal house and Tuatara reptiles
- Lake Matheson walk - scenic loop around lake with mountain reflections
Optional Activities
- Roys Peak Track - 5-6 hour hike with breathtaking views of Lake Wanaka (weather and seasonal dependent)
- Mount Iron Track - shorter hiking option
- Wanaka Skydive - high altitude experience
Landmarks
Franz Josef Wildlife Centre
Lake Matheson
Aoraki Mt Cook
#ThatWanakaTree
Roys Peak
Mount Iron
Day 12
Wanaka to Queenstown
Wanaka to Queenstown
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hostel (Nomads Queenstown )
Optional Activities
- Kawarau Bridge Bungy - world's first commercial bungy site jump
Landmarks
Kawarau Bridge
Queenstown Waterfront
Day 13
Queenstown
Queenstown
Accommodation
Hostel (Nomads Queenstown)
Optional Activities
- White water rafting
- Bungy jumping
- Skydiving
- Jet-boating
- Canyon swinging
- Other adventure activities in Queenstown
Day 14
Milford Sound Day Tour
Milford Sound Day Tour
Meals
Breakfast (Breakfast, coffee or snacks in Te Anau)
Accommodation
Hostel (Nomads Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Milford Sound scenic boat cruise - 2 hours exploring peaks and waterfalls
Landmarks
Milford Sound
Mirror Lakes
The Chasm
Homer Tunnel
Te Anau
Day 15
Queenstown to Christchurch
Queenstown to Christchurch
End point
12 Hereford Street, Christchurch-Linwood, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand (Hotel Give, 17:00)
Included Activities
- Church of the Good Shepherd visit at Lake Tekapo
Landmarks
Lake Tekapo
Church of the Good Shepherd
Lindis Pass
Mackenzie Country

Landmarks
Tawanui Farm

Landmarks
Abel Tasman National Park
Marlborough Region

Landmarks
Abel Tasman National Park

Landmarks
Nelson Lakes
Hanmer Springs
Heritage Forest
Waiau Gorge

Landmarks
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa

Landmarks
Iron Ridge Quarry Sculpture Park

Landmarks
Arthur's Pass National Park
Devil's Punchbowl
Castle Hill

Landmarks
Franz Josef Glacier

Landmarks
Franz Josef Wildlife Centre
Lake Matheson
Aoraki Mt Cook
#ThatWanakaTree
Roys Peak
Mount Iron

Landmarks
Kawarau Bridge
Queenstown Waterfront

Landmarks
Milford Sound
Mirror Lakes
The Chasm
Homer Tunnel
Te Anau

Landmarks
Lake Tekapo
Church of the Good Shepherd
Lindis Pass
Mackenzie Country

Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services

What's Not Included

Flights
Insurance

Where You'll Stay

Dusky Lodge
Hostel
day 2
Bethany Park
Hostel
Days 3, 4
Hotel Give
Hostel
day 8
Rainforest Retreat
Hostel
day 9
Rainforest Retreat
Hostel
day 10
Adventure Hostel
Hostel
day 11
Nomads Queenstown
Hostel
day 12
Nomads Queenstown
Hostel
Days 13, 14

All accommodations are subject to change

Operated by

Kiwi Experience

Gold Operator

Rating: 4.6 (65 reviews)
Response time: within 1 day
Response rate: 93%
Cancellation policy: Learn more

Traveler Reviews

5.0

Overall rating based on 1 Reviews

Itinerary
5.0
Transport
5.0
Guide
5.0
Accommodation
5.0
Food
5.0
Tour Operator
4.6

Peter5.0•October 2026
Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable and enriching travel experience.
Traveled in September 2026

Dates & Prices

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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.

All questions

We couldn't find results

Try a different search term or ask a question to this adventure's experts

P
Pat
Asked on May 21st, 2026
while there is no guarantee on the weather, how does the weather compare with the same trip starting in Oct?
Tour Details
- Kiwi ExperienceOperator•Written May 2026
  It is always hard to predict! :) Particularly in New Zealand where you can have 4 seasons in one day! I would say October is generally warmer than September, but rain is very hard to predict. However, September is still a good month to travel, it is the end of the cold season and you can see some pretty cool and wonderful scenario in the South Island that only the winter time can gift ! :)
- P
  Pat
  Traveler•Written May 2026
  which start date, Sept 5 or Oct 10, would YOU choose - assuming you're a Kiwi ;) ?
- Kiwi ExperienceOperator•Written May 2026
  I would stick to September! Even if it is still a bit cold! There will still good days and you will enjoy the beautiful panorama with the snow! Plus, as far as I am aware, Roys Peak track in Wanaka closes during the lambing season if you are into hikes!
M
Marc
Asked on February 12th, 2026
I'm a solo traveller and wondering what the inclusions of the tour are and what accommodation/meals are provided. What experiences are additional add ons/how much do they cost approximately.
Accommodation
Meals
Tour Details
- Kiwi ExperienceOperator•Written February 2026
  Accommodation provided is in multi-share dorms. Optional activities include: Tawanui Farm Wine Tasting, Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools, Iron Ridge Quarry, Pohatu Penguins Nature Tour, Christchurch Street Art Tour, Greenstone Carving Experience, West Coast Wildlife Centre, Milford Sound Day Tour & Cruise, Various Scenic Hikes. Additional optional activities are available through our trip planner.
A
Alison
Asked on January 21st, 2026
I wanna know about accommodation, as I'm traveling alone and would like to have a private bathroom, What are the options then?
Accommodation
- Kiwi ExperienceOperator•Written January 2026
  Unfortunately we do not offer private rooms and/or bathrooms unfortunately so cannot help on this occasion, sorry.
- A
  Alison
  Traveler•Written January 2026
  Regarding transfer from airport to hotel and vice versa, are these included?
- Kiwi ExperienceOperator•Written January 2026
  The transfer from the Airport to the accommodation is not included. However, please note there is public transport or Uber that can be used. Hotel Give is about 30/40 mins from the airport by bus, and 20 mins by car. From the best of my knowledge the cost of public transport is about 4/5 NZD (approximately). Please check this as it may have changed!
J
Jeffrey
Asked on September 13th, 2024
I'd like to book onto the 15 day South Island group tour, but am concerned, being a solo, 22 year old traveler, that there won't be others of my age booked onto the trip. Some of the reviews on trip advisor state that tours have been as small as four and comprised of older couples due to tours not at capacity. As I'm sure you can appreciate, this would take much of the enjoyment out of the tour for me. So I was wondering if you could tell me in advance how many people are currently booked onto this trip (7th December) and if many of them are between the ages of 18 and 30? Also, would there be a Whatsapp group or something to talk to the others in advance of departure?
Age Range
Group size
Tour Details
- Kiwi ExperienceOperator•Written September 2024
  Generally our travellers are between the 18-30 age bracket, and we generally have more females travellers; however this is dependent and subject to each group. Our small group tours for the upcoming summer period are beginning to fill up; the South Island tours are always particularly popular during the summer season! The first night before your tour starts, you have a small meet & greet with your driver guide and your other fellow travellers. Here, the driver guide will create a WhatsApp group chat for your tour.
R
Rachel
Asked on February 1st, 2024
I was wondering what the average age is at the tour? Because I'm only 19 and would be great if some people are joining which are close to my age.
Age Range
- Kiwi ExperienceOperator•Written February 2024
  For the small group tours, we do have an average age of 18-35.
B
Brandon
Asked on December 13th, 2023
What is the difference between a 15-day Southern Kiwi trip and a Big South trip?
Tour Details
- Kiwi ExperienceOperator•Written December 2023
  I'm not sure where you saw the Big South trip, it's probably from another company. You can read about the Southern Kiwi tour.
M
Maria
Asked on November 17th, 2023
Is this tour available for me?
Age Range
Tour Details
- Kiwi ExperienceOperator•Written November 2023
  We don't have a specific age limit on our tours, but there are quite a few included activities which involve hikes and physical exercise. So it depends on your level of fitness and how you feel about that! I'd say the average age range for our small group tours is around 20 - 30 or mid 30's, but each trip is different and we do have a very wide range!
S
Sally
Asked on July 17th, 2023
We are a family of 4, aged 13,15 ,50 and 51. Can we join this tour?
Age Range
Tour Details
- Kiwi ExperienceOperator•Written July 2023
  We aren't able to take any passengers below the age of 18 on our tours.

Good to know

Tour ID: 248874

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Spread the cost in interest-free biweekly installments of $381.
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Balance due
60 days before departure
Installments
Interest-free, every two weeks
Currency
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Booking fee
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Book now with just a 10% deposit and pay the rest later. The remaining balance is due 60 days before departure, charged automatically to your card, or you can split it into interest-free biweekly installments of $381 at checkout. Everything is charged in USD, and TourRadar never adds a booking fee. Any trip departing before January 1st, 2027 will need to be paid in full at checkout.
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US $2,115 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select departure month

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Pay only 10% today. The rest is due 60 days before departure. Learn more

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Southern Kiwi - Small Group Tour

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Pay in installments

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Accepted for Kiwi Experience tours

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