Is it a hard cut off for age at 45 ? I'm 47 and looking to travel with your tour if possible.

we do not have a limit on the age! Kiwi Experience requires a minimum of fitness level as there are some walks to do along the way. We do have a minimum age of 18yo. The majority of our passengers are within 18 -35yo, but we do welcome all the ages above!

I am interested in visiting New Zealand for my forth coming holiday. I would like to learn more about the tour packages you offer, including destinations, duration, prices, and available dates. My tentative travel period is from 21st Of December 2025 - 4th Of January 2026, and I am particularly interested in nature tours, adventure activities, cultural experiences and the likes.

We have a South & Sound departure on the 23rd of December from Christchurch, this will get you back to Christchurch on the 3rd of January. This trip will include overnight stays in Kaikoura, Abel Tasman, Westport, Mahinapua, Franz Josef (2 nights), Wanaka, Queenstown (3 nights) and Lake Tekapo, alongside a day trip to Milford Sound. The price of the South & Sound includes transport only, accommodation and activities can be booked through the Kiwi Experience Trip Planner, once you have purchased a pass. Accommodation can be booked in shared dorms, and ranges from approximately $50-80 a night, location dependent.

Will you be continuing this tour option in 2026? I believe this would be perfect for my trip.

yes, we do have availability for the Southern Round Up HOHO pass in 2026 as well. What day are you looking to start your travel from Christchurch?

From

US $573 per person

South Island - Hop-On Hop-Off bus pass

12 days

•

From Christchurch to Lake Tekapo

4.6

62 reviews

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From

US $573 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

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
Partially Guided: Independent travel, featuring selected guided excursions
Low Intensity: Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 1 - 55
Ages 18-45

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Day 1
Christchurch to Kaikoura
Start point
12 Hereford Street, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand (Hotel Give, 07:30)
Accommodation
Hostel (Dusky Lodge)
Optional Activities
- Swim with Dolphins
- Whale Watching
Landmarks
Kaikoura Viewpoint Walk
Seal Colony
Day 2
Kaikoura to Kaiteriteri
Accommodation
Hostel (Kaiteri Lodge)
Optional Activities
- Abel Tasman Skydive
Landmarks
Abel Tasman National Park
Day 3
Kaiteriteri to Westport
Accommodation
Hostel (Bazils Hostel & Surf School)
Optional Activities
- Kayaking to Split Apple Rock
- Water taxi to Abel Tasman National Park
- Surfing
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Landmarks
Split Apple Rock
Nelson Lakes
Day 4
Westport to Lake Mahinapua
Accommodation
Hostel (Mahinapua Hotel)
Included Activities
- Cape Foulwind Seal Colony walk
- Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
Landmarks
Cape Foulwind
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
Lake Mahinapua
Day 5
Lake Mahinapua to Franz Josef
Accommodation
Hostel (Rainforest Retreat )
Included Activities
- Franz Josef Glacier walk
Optional Activities
- Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike
- Franz Josef Wilderness Kayak tour
- Franz Josef skydive
Landmarks
Franz Josef Glacier
Lake Mapourika
Day 6
Franz Josef
Accommodation
Hostel (Rainforest Retreat )
Included Activities
- Franz Josef Glacier walk
Optional Activities
- Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike
- Franz Josef Wilderness Kayak tour
- Franz Josef skydive
Landmarks
Franz Josef Glacier
Lake Mapourika
Day 7
Franz Josef to Wanaka
Accommodation
Hostel (Adventure Hostel)
Included Activities
- That Wanaka Tree
- Lake Matheson Lake Walk
Optional Activities
- Skiing (winter months)
- Snowboarding (winter months)
- Mountain biking (summer months)
- Mountain carting (summer months)
- Day hikes in the area (summer months)
Landmarks
That Wanaka Tree
Lake Matheson
Haast Pass
Day 8
Wanaka to Queenstown
Accommodation
Hostel (Nomads Queenstown )
Included Activities
- Kawarau Bridge stop
Optional Activities
- Roy's Peak hike (early morning)
- Kiwi Crawl
- Shotover Jet
- Nevis Bungy
- Canyon Swing
- Bungy jumping
- Jet boating
- Scenic gondola rides
- Lakeside strolls
Landmarks
Roy's Peak
Lake Hawea
Crown Range
Kawarau Bridge
Day 9
Queenstown
Accommodation
Hostel (Nomads Queenstown )
Optional Activities
- Lake walks and scenic strolls
- Adrenaline-pumping activities
Day 10
Milford Sound Day Trip
Accommodation
Hostel (Nomads Queenstown )
Included Activities
- Milford Sound scenic boat cruise (2 hours)
Landmarks
Te Anau
Homer Tunnel
Milford Sound
Rahotu/Mitre Peak
Piopiotahi Marine Reserve
Day 11
Queenstown to Lake Tekapo
Accommodation
Hostel (Lakes Edge)
Included Activities
- Lake Pukaki stop
- Church of the Good Shepherd
- Mount John walk
Optional Activities
- Hot springs soaking
- Scenic walkways
- Stargazing in the dark sky reserve
Landmarks
Lindis Pass
Mount Cook
Lake Pukaki
Lake Tekapo
Church of the Good Shepherd
Mount John
Day 12
Lake Tekapo to Christchurch
End point
12 Hereford Street, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand (Hotel Give, 14:00)
Included Activities
- Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Optional Activities
- Quake City
- International Antarctic Centre
Landmarks
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Quake City
International Antarctic Centre

Landmarks
Kaikoura Viewpoint Walk
Seal Colony

Landmarks
Abel Tasman National Park

Landmarks
Split Apple Rock
Nelson Lakes

Landmarks
Cape Foulwind
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
Lake Mahinapua

Landmarks
Franz Josef Glacier
Lake Mapourika

Landmarks
Franz Josef Glacier
Lake Mapourika

Landmarks
That Wanaka Tree
Lake Matheson
Haast Pass

Landmarks
Roy's Peak
Lake Hawea
Crown Range
Kawarau Bridge

Landmarks
Te Anau
Homer Tunnel
Milford Sound
Rahotu/Mitre Peak
Piopiotahi Marine Reserve

Landmarks
Lindis Pass
Mount Cook
Lake Pukaki
Lake Tekapo
Church of the Good Shepherd
Mount John

Landmarks
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Quake City
International Antarctic Centre

What's Included

Expand All

Guide
Transport
Optional Extras

What's Not Included

Accommodation
Meals

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Dusky Lodge
Hostel
day 1
Kaiteri Lodge
Hostel
day 2
Bazils Hostel & Surf School
Hostel
day 3
Mahinapua Hotel
Hostel
day 4
Rainforest Retreat
Hostel
Days 5, 6
Adventure Hostel
Hostel
day 7
Nomads Queenstown
Hostel
Days 8, 9, 10
Lakes Edge
Hostel
day 11

Operated by

Kiwi Experience

Gold Operator

Rating: 4.6(62 reviews)
Response time: within 1 day
Response rate: 100%
Cancellation policy

Reviews from other tours by Kiwi Experience

Tour Operator
4.6

Susan
March 31st, 2026
Absolutely loved it. The drivers were great- really informative and fun. The atmosphere on the trip was wonderful...
Show more
Ariana
March 25th, 2026
amazing it was! cool acitivities, good advices what to do/where to go and of course, many amazing people to meet! :)
Samantha
February 24th, 2026
The most amazing experience. Our guide Terrance was incredible. It was amazing the legends and history he shared...
The most amazing experience. Our guide Terrance was incredible. It was amazing the legends and history he shared every day during our trip. The itinerary was fast paced but well balanced with a variety of activities available. The included stay at Te Pa Tu was an experience like no other . The people, the culture the history were fantastic . Other highlights were River Valley , and the sunset cruise at Lake Taupō . The accommodations were all good although Queenstown was noisy . Terrance worked so hard planning everything and trying to juggle 20 people’s different itineraries ,activities and needs . He is an amazing person, hard worker ,good driver and a credit to your company. As a more mature couple traveling we felt incredibly lucky to have him as our guide and to be able to learn from him . We are so full of energy ourselves we fitted in with the younger group ,often leading the way with the more daring activities. We did a 20km hike on the Tongariro crossing, white water rafted ,went canyoning ,went on the Shotover jets and did the Nevis Bungy 134m !! Thank you Kiwi experience for being an inclusive company and realising those a bit older still want adventures.Show more

Dates & Availability

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Upcoming departures

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Ends on 24 Jun, 2026

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2 Jul, 2026
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13 Jul, 2026
English
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1 Nov, 2026
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From Saturday
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To Wednesday
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What our customers ask about this tour

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A
Anthony
Asked on April 22nd, 2026
Is it a hard cut off for age at 45 ? I'm 47 and looking to travel with your tour if possible.
Age Range
- Kiwi ExperienceOperator•Written April 2026
  we do not have a limit on the age! Kiwi Experience requires a minimum of fitness level as there are some walks to do along the way. We do have a minimum age of 18yo. The majority of our passengers are within 18 -35yo, but we do welcome all the ages above!
I
Ian
Asked on October 31st, 2025
I am interested in visiting New Zealand for my forth coming holiday. I would like to learn more about the tour packages you offer, including destinations, duration, prices, and available dates. My tentative travel period is from 21st Of December 2025 - 4th Of January 2026, and I am particularly interested in nature tours, adventure activities, cultural experiences and the likes.
Tour Details
Travel Support
- Kiwi ExperienceOperator•Written October 2025
  We have a South & Sound departure on the 23rd of December from Christchurch, this will get you back to Christchurch on the 3rd of January. This trip will include overnight stays in Kaikoura, Abel Tasman, Westport, Mahinapua, Franz Josef (2 nights), Wanaka, Queenstown (3 nights) and Lake Tekapo, alongside a day trip to Milford Sound. The price of the South & Sound includes transport only, accommodation and activities can be booked through the Kiwi Experience Trip Planner, once you have purchased a pass. Accommodation can be booked in shared dorms, and ranges from approximately $50-80 a night, location dependent.
S
Samantha
Asked on August 6th, 2025
Will you be continuing this tour option in 2026? I believe this would be perfect for my trip.
Tour Details
- Kiwi ExperienceOperator•Written August 2025
  yes, we do have availability for the Southern Round Up HOHO pass in 2026 as well. What day are you looking to start your travel from Christchurch?
- S
  Samantha
  Traveler•Written August 2025
  I would like to start from Christchurch on April 10th. I was looking at your website and didn't see the Southern Round up listed. Would you send me a link to it? I did see the South & Sound tour. Which seems similar. I think that would work too. I am excited to do lots of tramping on my trip. I have reserved dates on the Kepler track, April 22-25. I am kind of working backwards from that. Would I be able to hop-off in Te Anua for that time and then hop-on on April 25th? Also, I would like to do some of the Abel Tasman Track. So, I would like to hop-off on the 2nd day (April 11th) and hop-on after 3 nights on the trail. Although, I may need an extra day because of time needed to get to the trailhead. If I can't start hiking that day. I may have to back everything up a day. About what time would we be arriving in Kaiteriteri?
- S
  Samantha
  Traveler•Written August 2025
  Is tour radar the same as Kiwi Experience?
- Kiwi ExperienceOperator•Written August 2025
  we do have our bus scheduled on the website if you want to have a look at these. Please note that the Southern Round Up does not have the Milford Explorer included, therefore the bus to go to Te Anau. If you add the Milford Explorer, you can hop-off on our way back from Milford Sound. We have the following dates: 17th, 22nd, 24th, 26th. About Abel Tasman, we have a bus getting there on the 9th or on the 14th. The time we reach Kaiteri Lodge is around 5.00pm , depending on traffic and weather conditions. TourRadar is a platform, while Kiwi Experience is a bus tour company.

From

US $573 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

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 298238

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 August 19th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after August 19th, 2026, a minimum payment of 10% is required to confirm your booking with Kiwi Experience. 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 60 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 Kiwi Experience will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
- The following cards are accepted for "Kiwi Experience" 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
- Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
- TourRadar is an authorized Agent of Kiwi Experience. Please familiarize yourself with the Kiwi Experience payment, cancellation and refund conditions.
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.
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South Island - Hop-On Hop-Off bus pass

Itinerary

Optional Activities

Optional Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

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What's Included

What's Not Included

Where You'll Stay

Reviews from other tours by Kiwi Experience

Dates & Availability

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