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2026

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2027

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2028

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Who is travelling?

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
From
$3,030
US $2,625 per person

New Zealand Panorama (Northbound)

16 days
From Queenstown to Auckland
4.7
13 traveler reviews
From
$3,030
-13%
US $2,625 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

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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
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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Save and compare this adventure

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Plan your adventure:
Explorer
Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
Partially Guided
Independent travel, featuring selected guided excursions
Low Intensity
Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 1 - 45
Ages 18-35
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Queenstown

    Accommodation
    Hotel (Lylo (or similar))

    Optional Activities

    • Adventure activities in Queenstown
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  2. Day 2

    Queenstown

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Lylo (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Visit Kawarau Bungy Bridge

    Optional Activities

    • Bungy jumping at Kawarau Bridge
    • Free Time Add-On activities
    Landmarks
    Kawarau Bungy Bridge
  3. Day 3

    Queenstown

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Lylo (or similar))

    Optional Activities

    • Wine tasting tours
    • Wine cellar and cave exploration
    • Bungy jumping
    • Ziplining
    • Various adventure activities
  4. Day 4

    Queenstown

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Lylo (or similar))

    Optional Activities

    • Adventure activities
    • Gondola ride to Skyline restaurant and dining
    Landmarks
    Skyline Queenstown
  5. Day 5

    Queenstown to Franz Josef via Wānaka and Haast

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Rainforest Retreat (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Scenic drive through Haast Pass

    Optional Activities

    • Lunch in Wānaka
    • Visit to the Dough Bin for pies
    Landmarks
    Haast Pass (Tioripatea)
    Wānaka
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  6. Day 6

    Franz Josef

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Rainforest Retreat (or similar))

    Optional Activities

    • Helicopter ride over Franz Josef Glacier
    • Pounamu (jade) pendant carving with Māori mastercraftsman
    Landmarks
    Franz Josef Glacier
    Itinerary Image 1
  7. Day 7

    Franz Josef to Christchurch via Hokitika and Arthur's Pass

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (The Breakfree on Cashel (or similar)), Hotel (Drifter Christchurch (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Watch authentic jade carvers in Hokitika
    • Tour Arthur's Pass
    Landmarks
    Hokitika
    Arthur's Pass
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  8. Day 8

    Christchurch to Kaikōura

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Sudima Kaikōura (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Christchurch city tour
    • Visit Cardboard Cathedral
    • Visit Kaikōura Wildlife Rescue and meet wildlife biologist

    Optional Activities

    • Whale and dolphin watching
    Landmarks
    Cardboard Cathedral
    Kaikōura Wildlife Rescue
    Canterbury Plains
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  9. Day 9

    Kaikōura

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Sudima Kaikōura (or similar))

    Optional Activities

    • Dolphin watching tour
    • Swim with dusky dolphins
    • Kayaking along the coastline
  10. Day 10

    Kaikōura to Wellington via Picton

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Visit seal colony
    • Wellington city tour and orientation

    Optional Activities

    • Explore Wellington's food scene
    Landmarks
    Wellington Seal Colony
    Picton
    Itinerary Image 1
  11. Day 11

    Wellington

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman (or similar))

    Optional Activities

    • Visit local café for flat white coffee
    • Zealandia eco-sanctuary visit
    Landmarks
    Zealandia
  12. Day 12

    Wellington to Mount Ruapehu

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Kings Ohakune (or similar))

    Optional Activities

    • Mountain biking on Te Mangawhero Trail
    Landmarks
    Mount Ruapehu
  13. Day 13

    Mount Ruapehu to Lake Taupō

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner (Lake cruise dinner with fishing experience)
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Lakeland Resort Taupō (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Lake Taupō sunset cruise with fishing and meal

    Optional Activities

    • Skydiving at Lake Taupō
    Landmarks
    Lake Taupō
  14. Day 14

    Lake Taupō to Rotorua via Huka Falls

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional Māori Hāngi feast roasted in the ground)
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Visit Huka Falls
    • Learn about New Zealand's national bird and watch kiwi hatching
    • Traditional Māori cultural performance and Hāngi dinner

    Optional Activities

    • Soak in a hotspring
    • Skydiving
    • Canopy tour
    Landmarks
    Huka Falls
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  15. Day 15

    Rotorua

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar))

    Optional Activities

    • Soak in a hotspring
    • Rafting
    • Hike a volcano
    • Rotorua Dawn Canopy Tour with sunrise breakfast and coffee
    • 1200m zipline through the forest
  16. Day 16

    Rotorua to Auckland

    Meals
    Breakfast

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

What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Operated by

Contiki

Platinum Operator
Rating
4.7(6,248 reviews)
Response time
7 hours
Response rate
96%
Cancellation policy

Traveler Reviews

4.7
Overall rating based on 13 Reviews
  • Itinerary
    4.0
  • Transport
    5.0
  • Guide
    4.7
  • Accommodation
    4.5
  • Food
    4.6
  • 4.7

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  • New Zealand Panorama (Northbound) reviewer 1
    March 24th, 2023
    Our trip manager started our tour by saying, "This is not an old person tour. If you want history and facts you're in...
    Show more
    Traveled in March 2023
    Reply from: Contiki
    Thank you for your feedback during your time in New Zealand. We know that a great Trip Manager is essential to our guests' overall enjoyment and comfort on any of our trips. We take great care in selecting our team members; therefore, we are surprised to read that this was a different experience that you received during the trip. We would like to assure you that your feedback has been shared with our Operations team for their attention and appropriate action going forward. With that in mind, hopefully, we will have the chance to restore your impression of our experiences in the future.
    Show more
  • New Zealand Panorama (Northbound) reviewer 2
    October 6th, 2019
    My favourite holiday I have ever been on!! Josh (guide) and Patrice (driver) were amazing. Josh was very organised...
    Show more
    Traveled in September 2019
  • L
    March 28th, 2017
    Contiki in New Zealand was amazing! I loved every minute of it. Everything was organised perfectly and ran smoothly....
    Show more
    Traveled in March 2017
  • T
    March 3rd, 2017
    My trip with Susie was so fabulous, she was so knowledgeable about her hole country and I couldn't have asked for...
    Show more
    Traveled in February 2017
  • M
    March 1st, 2017
    Best trip I'd ever been on! Susie was the best tour guide anyone could ask for!
    Traveled in February 2017
  • T
    January 25th, 2017
    The trip was way better than I thought it would be, the guide and driver were so much friendlier and knowledgable...
    Show more
    Traveled in December 2016
  • L
    January 25th, 2017
    It was amazing, your manager and bus driver were really great, made the trip that much better
    Traveled in December 2016
  • A
    January 25th, 2017
    Susie made my contiki 10 times better than what I expected. She really went out of her way to include everyone and...
    Show more
    Traveled in December 2016
  • M
    January 25th, 2017
    I loved my trip, it was the best I've ever been on! So many things to do and places to see what a tour guide that...
    Show more
    Traveled in December 2016
  • New Zealand Panorama (Northbound) reviewer 10
    November 15th, 2014
    The tour was amazing, visited great places and the optional and included activities were all epic. The ultimate...
    Show more
    Traveled in August 2013

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 20 May, 2026
  • -14%
    From Tuesday
    9 Jun, 2026
    To Wednesday
    24 Jun, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $3,080
    US $2,655 per person
    with Southbound Version
    View this tour
  • -14%
    From Tuesday
    23 Jun, 2026
    To Wednesday
    8 Jul, 2026
    English
    Filling Fast
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $3,295
    US $2,850 per person
    with Southbound Version
    View this tour
  • -14%
    From Tuesday
    30 Jun, 2026
    To Wednesday
    15 Jul, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $2,929
    US $2,525 per person
    with Southbound Version
    View this tour
  • -14%
    From Tuesday
    7 Jul, 2026
    To Wednesday
    22 Jul, 2026
    English
    Filling Fast
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $3,195
    US $2,750 per person
    with Southbound Version
    View this tour
  • -14%
    From Tuesday
    21 Jul, 2026
    To Wednesday
    5 Aug, 2026
    English
    Filling Fast
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $2,860
    US $2,455 per person
    with Southbound Version
    View this tour
  • -14%
    From Tuesday
    4 Aug, 2026
    To Wednesday
    19 Aug, 2026
    English
    Filling Fast
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $3,150
    US $2,695 per person
    with Southbound Version
    View this tour
  • -14%
    From Tuesday
    1 Sep, 2026
    To Wednesday
    16 Sep, 2026
    English
    Filling Fast
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $3,000
    US $2,575 per person
    with Southbound Version
    View this tour
  • -14%
    From Tuesday
    15 Sep, 2026
    To Wednesday
    30 Sep, 2026
    English
    Filling Fast
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $3,325
    US $2,850 per person
    with Southbound Version
    View this tour
  • -14%
    From Tuesday
    29 Sep, 2026
    To Wednesday
    14 Oct, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $3,225
    US $2,775 per person
    with Southbound Version
    View this tour
  • Instant Confirmation
    -13%
    From Tuesday
    6 Oct, 2026
    To Wednesday
    21 Oct, 2026
    English
    Filling Fast
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $3,030
    US $2,625 per person
    Multiple Room Types

Want to read it later?

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

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More benefits

What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
All questions
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Try a different search term or ask a question to this adventure's experts
  • N

    Natalie

    Asked on November 27th, 2025

    Can I make this tour? I am 41.

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • ContikiOperatorWritten November 2025

      Contiki tours have an age restriction, requiring guests to be between 18-35 years old to participate. We have several sister brands that offer tours without age restrictions: Trafalgar, Costsaver, Insight Vacations, Brendan Vacations, and Luxury Gold.

    • N

      Natalie

      TravelerWritten November 2025

      Do you know of similar tours from south to north for similar dates?

    • N

      Natalie

      TravelerWritten November 2025

      I need a tour from viceversa as my flight back to Europe will be from Auckland. Maybe you can make an exception for me despite my age?

    • ContikiOperatorWritten November 2025

      Trafalgar offers the New Zealand Panorama tour, which is similar to Contiki's New Zealand Panorama and may be a great alternative.

    • N

      Natalie

      TravelerWritten November 2025

      Do you have tours in December?

    • ContikiOperatorWritten November 2025

      We have a December departure on 04-Dec-2026, priced at EUR 3,509.25 for a single room. This includes intra-flights and the Black Friday discount.

    • N

      Natalie

      TravelerWritten November 2025

      I am in New Zealand only from the 12th to 30th of December. Can you advise something for these days?

    • ContikiOperatorWritten December 2025

      We can offer a New Zealand tour from Trafalgar called Iconic North. This tour runs from December 15 to 21, 2026, which falls within your travel window.

    • N
      N
      7 more answers
  • G

    Glenn

    Asked on December 6th, 2024

    Does this tour include Hobbiton? Can I know the demographics of the group on the 11th of January? Can I join you on the 12th evening? Can I have more details about sharing accommodation?

    Accommodation
    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • ContikiOperatorWritten December 2024

      After reviewing your request, we offer free time add-ons to Hobbiton for NZ$189.00. Perhaps, the trip manager will provide the final list of free time add-ons on the trip date. Please note that Contiki tours have an age requirement, allowing only guests aged 18–35 to participate. Yes, you are welcome to join the group on the evening of the 12th, but please be aware that the trip will still cost USD$3,968.00 for a single room. Trip rate is subject to change. If you choose to share a room, it will be with fellow travelers of the same gender.

Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at Contiki with your enquiry, they usually respond within 7 hours.
From
$3,030
-13%
US $2,625 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

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Good to Know

Tour ID: 269572

  • 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 July 19th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after July 19th, 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