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2026

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Who is travelling?

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

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From
$1,634
US $1,210 per person

New Zealand: Sweet As South (Westbound)

9 days
Start and end in Christchurch
4.5
6 traveler reviews
From
$1,634
-26%
US $1,210 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 Date

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Save and compare this adventure

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:
Explorer
Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
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 8 - 50
Ages 18-35
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Highlights

  • Explore Christchurch and South Island
  • Learn pounamu carving with a Māori guide
  • Heli ride over Franz Josef Glacier
  • Cruise through the stunning Milford Sound
  • Stargaze at Lake Tekapo's Dark Sky Reserve

Itinerary

View Full Itinerary
  1. Introduction
  1. Day 1 Christchurch to Franz Josef via Arthur's Pass and Hokitika
  2. Day 2 Franz Josef
  3. Day 3 Franz Josef to Queenstown via Haast and Wānaka
  4. Day 4 Queenstown
  5. Day 5 Queenstown
  6. Day 6 Queenstown
  7. Day 7 Queenstown to Te Anau via Milford Sound
  8. Day 8 Te Anau to Lake Ōhau via Kingston and Arrowtown
  9. Day 9 Lake Ōhau to Christchurch via Lake Tekapo
Want to read it later?

Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Free eSIM
    TourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.

What's Not Included

  • Flights

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Operated by

Contiki

Number of tours

595

Age Range

18 to 35 years old

Response time

8 hours

Response rate

84%

Contiki has been running tours for over 50 years, all exclusively for...

Read more

Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Traveler Reviews

4.5
Overall rating based on 6 Reviews
  • Itinerary
    4.2
  • Transport
    4.6
  • Guide
    4.2
  • Accommodation
    3.8
  • Food
    3.8
  • 4.7

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  • N
    March 10th, 2024
    5.0
    Great experience for this tour.. would rate this as 5stars.. made new friends along the way
    Traveled in February 2024
    Reply from: Contiki
    Thank you for your fantastic feedback. We're delighted to hear that you had an amazing experience with us from start to finish. We sincerely hope the new friendships you've made during your trip will last a lifetime. We're looking forward to the opportunity to make your next Contiki adventure even more enjoyable.
    Show more
  • J
    February 3rd, 2024
    5.0
    Get more money for activities you will not regret
    Traveled in January 2024
    Reply from: Contiki
    Thanks for joining us at Contiki. We hope you had a blast and can't wait to have you back soon.
    Show more
  • H
    January 4th, 2024
    3.0
    Okay. Too big of a group, mostly suit young people in early 20s, a bit rushed, more of an A to B bucket list check...
    Show more
    Traveled in December 2023
    Reply from: Contiki
    Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We are sorry you found the group size too large to enjoy the sightseeing during the tour. Our tours are designed exclusively for 18-35-year-olds, and we try to tailor the social aspects to fit that demographic. At Contiki, we take pride in offering trips that provide all travellers an inclusive mix of cultural and social activities. Checking off bucket list items is also essential to exploring the world with us. We hope to provide you with a better experience in the future.
    Show more
  • N
    April 26th, 2023
    5.0
    Such a great tour! The tour guide (Damo) and bus driver (Ollie) were such an amazing team and together they provided...
    Show more
    Traveled in April 2023
  • H
    March 18th, 2023
    5.0
    I loved this tour, I did it with my sister and we had a great time with each other and making new friends. The only...
    Show more
    Traveled in March 2023
  • J
    December 13th, 2022
    4.0
    Trip was good overall. EVERYTHING was practically an add on so budget at least $1600 extra and the guide was not the...
    Show more
    Traveled in November 2022

Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

Select Date

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Upcoming departures
Hurry, deals only available for a limited time!
Ends on 11 Feb, 2026
  • -10%
    From Sunday
    15 Feb, 2026
    To Monday
    23 Feb, 2026
    English
    Almost Sold Out
    Check the availability with the operator
    Departure on request
    From:
    $1,415
    US $1,274 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • -26%
    From Monday
    23 Feb, 2026
    To Tuesday
    3 Mar, 2026
    English
    Almost Sold Out
    Check the availability with the operator
    Departure on request
    From:
    $1,634
    US $1,210 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    -26%
    From Friday
    27 Feb, 2026
    To Saturday
    7 Mar, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $1,720
    US $1,274 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    -26%
    From Thursday
    19 Mar, 2026
    To Friday
    27 Mar, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $1,895
    US $1,395 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • -26%
    From Saturday
    4 Apr, 2026
    To Sunday
    12 Apr, 2026
    English
    Almost Sold Out
    Check the availability with the operator
    Departure on request
    From:
    $1,720
    US $1,274 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    -26%
    From Monday
    20 Apr, 2026
    To Tuesday
    28 Apr, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $1,825
    US $1,346 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    -26%
    From Friday
    22 May, 2026
    To Saturday
    30 May, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $1,700
    US $1,256 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    -10%
    From Tuesday
    9 Jun, 2026
    To Wednesday
    17 Jun, 2026
    English
    From:
    $1,395
    US $1,256 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    -10%
    From Thursday
    18 Jun, 2026
    To Friday
    26 Jun, 2026
    English
    From:
    $1,395
    US $1,256 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    -10%
    From Tuesday
    23 Jun, 2026
    To Wednesday
    1 Jul, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $1,475
    US $1,328 per person
    Multiple Room Types
Want to read it later?

Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

Why book with TourRadar?

    • Trusted and vetted operators
    • Rated excellent on
    • Best price guarantee
    • 24/7 customer support
    • Earn $50 in travel credits
    • Free eSim with every purchase

    To protect your payment and ensure your booking will be processed in United States, never transfer or communicate outside of the TourRadar website or app.

More benefits

What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
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  • G

    Gina

    Asked on December 27th, 2025

    can you hold a space for 48 hours for the Sweet as South (Westbound) tour 22th to 30 th of January

    Price / Availability
    Tour Details
    • ContikiOperatorWritten December 2025

      We completely understand the situation with your payment account and appreciate your enthusiasm to join us. Because this departure on 22 January 2026 is considered a last-minute booking, we do require full payment at the time of booking to secure your spot. Unfortunately, we're unable to hold spaces without payment for this departure.

  • A

    Abigail

    Asked on August 2nd, 2025

    Is there an ability to upgrade rooms where we wouldn't have to share the room with other people? If so, how much would that cost?

    Accommodation
    • ContikiOperatorWritten August 2025

      Good news! We offer a twin room option on this tour, which allows you and your husband to have your own room on tour.

    • ContikiOperatorWritten August 2025

      This tour price is USD 1,630.00 per person, based on a twin room. Tour prices may vary and can change at any time, so the quoted price is not guaranteed until the booking is finalized.

    • 1 more answer
  • P

    Pat

    Asked on June 16th, 2025

    Do you accept this age group?

    Age Range
    • ContikiOperatorWritten June 2025

      Contiki tours have an age restriction, requiring guests to be between 18-35 years old to participate. As you are outside this age range, you would not be eligible to join the trip. We have several sister brands that offer fantastic travel experiences without age restrictions: Trafalgar, Costsaver, Insight Vacations, Brendan Vacations, Luxury Gold.

  • R

    Rachel

    Asked on March 18th, 2025

    I would like to reserve a spot on: Sweet As South (Westbound, 9 Days) (15 destinations) from April 17th to April 25th.

    Price / Availability
    Tour Details
    • R

      Rachel

      TravelerWritten March 2025

      I'm currently experiencing a problem following my previous booking attempt with another agency, which was already full. A pre-authorization has been placed on my funds, which is temporarily affecting my ability to pay.

    • ContikiOperatorWritten March 2025

      Could you confirm which room you would like to book and confirm that you're happy with the price.

    • 1 more answer
  • L

    Lawrence

    Asked on March 14th, 2025

    We would like to make certain of the rooms. We would need a bit of privacy that dormitory style does not afford.

    Accommodation
    • ContikiOperatorWritten March 2025

      Contiki tours have an age restriction, requiring guests to be between 18-35 years old to participate. As you are outside this age range, you would not be eligible to join the trip.

  • G

    George

    Asked on October 31st, 2024

    May I know the tour fee is included transportation? If yes, is included airport transfers and all the transports during the trip? The tour is start from 16 Mar'2025. So we need to arrive Christchurch on 15th Mar and stay one night on our own. Then start the tour on 16th Mar morning at the designated place?

    Flights / Transfers
    Tour Details
    Transport
    • ContikiOperatorWritten October 2024

      Yes, you will be using a coach bus as your transportation the whole tour and this is included to the tour price. Airport transfers are not included, you will have to make your own way from the airport to the starting hotel. We recommend booking a pre-accommodation at the start hotel due to the kick-start meeting that will be held in the evening prior to day 1.

  • C

    Crystal

    Asked on October 23rd, 2024

    We both are of age 42, pretty fit and excited to join the tour if possible

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • ContikiOperatorWritten October 2024

      Contiki tours have an age restriction, and guests must be between 18-35 years old to be eligible to join. We recommend CostSaver which is open to all ages, or other Tour Brands such as Trafalgar, Insight or Luxury Gold.

  • S

    Stuart

    Asked on October 8th, 2024

    Do you have a tour of the South Island for the same period?

    Other
    Tour Details
    • ContikiOperatorWritten October 2024

      We have Active New Zealand tour for 9 days. The available departure we have are as follows: 07-Nov-2024 until 15-Nov-2024, 05-Dec-2024 until 13-Dec-2024

  • M

    Martha

    Asked on April 23rd, 2024

    Would my nephew need to come a day earlier? Does the tour include the first night's accommodation? Where in Christchurch does the group first meet? What time?

    Accommodation
    Tour Details
    • ContikiOperatorWritten April 2024

      It would be better if he arrive a day earlier. We highly recommend booking pre accommodation in Christchurch as the tour will start at 08:00am. The first night of the tour is included and will be at Rain Forest Retreat Ltd. The hotel that the tour will depart from in Christchurch is at Breakfree on Cashel Christchurch so we recommend booking pre accommodation on this hotel.

  • T

    Tyler

    Asked on April 2nd, 2024

    What time on the 3rd would we meet the tour group and begin the trip?

    Tour Details
    • ContikiOperatorWritten April 2024

      The tour will start in Christchurch at approximately 08:00am, pre night is recommended. It will end in Christchurch at approximately 4:00pm, post-night is recommended.

Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at Contiki with your enquiry, they usually respond within 8 hours.
From
$1,634
-26%
US $1,210 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 Date

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Save and compare this adventure

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 268822

  • Currency
    $
    New Zealand Dollar
    New Zealand
  • Plugs & Adapters

    As a traveler from USA, Canada, England, South Africa you will need an adaptor for type I.

    Type I
    New Zealand
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before April 11th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after April 11th, 2026, a minimum payment of $200 is required to confirm your booking with Contiki. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 65 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and Contiki will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Contiki" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec