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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
US $1,845 per person

Essential New Zealand: South Island

12 days
From Christchurch to Wellington
4.5
12,049 traveler reviews
From
US $1,845 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
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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 12 - 16
Ages 18-35
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Christchurch

    Included Activities

    • Christchurch City Tour

    Optional Activities

    • Stroll through Christchurch Botanic Gardens
    • Visit Canterbury Museum
    • Group dinner at a city restaurant
    Landmarks
    Christchurch Botanic Gardens
    Canterbury Museum
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  2. Day 2

    Christchurch to Lake Tekapo

    Meals
    Lunch (Southland-style lunch of mince pies and cheese rolls in Fairlie)

    Included Activities

    • Christchurch City Tour
    • Fairlie - Southland Style Lunch
    • Lake Tekapo - Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd

    Optional Activities

    • Tekapo Springs Hot Pool - NZD50
    • The Summit Experience - NZD209
    • The Crater Experience - NZD129
    Landmarks
    Christchurch Cathedral
    Church of the Good Shepherd
    Lake Tekapo
    Mount John
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  3. Day 3

    Queenstown

    Meals
    Dinner (Dinner at Fergburger, a gourmet burger restaurant)

    Included Activities

    • Queenstown - Skyline Gondola
    • Queenstown - Luge
    • Queenstown - Fergburger

    Optional Activities

    • Explore Queenstown nightlife
    Landmarks
    Coronet Peak
    The Remarkables
    Lake Wakatipu
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  4. Day 4

    Queenstown

    Optional Activities

    • Shotover River Jet Boat Ride - NZD169
    • Nevis Bungy - NZD395
    • Time Tripper - NZD20
    • Milford Sound Coach-Cruise-Coach Day Trip - NZD274
    • Canyoning - NZD239
    • Canyon Swing - from NZD295
    • Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour - NZD285
    • Dart River Funyaks - from NZD495
    • Kawarau Bridge Bungy - NZD320
    • Walk around Lake Wakatipu
    Landmarks
    Lake Wakatipu
    Milford Sound
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  5. Day 5

    Arrowtown to Queenstown

    Meals
    Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Queenstown - Kawarau Gorge
    • Arrowtown - Village visit
    • Gibbston Valley - Wine Tasting
    Landmarks
    Arrowtown
    Kawarau Gorge
    Gibbston Valley
  6. Day 6

    Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier

    Included Activities

    • Makarora - Blue Pools Track

    Optional Activities

    • Lake Mapourika Scenic Cruise - NZD125
    • Quad Biking - NZD244
    • Waiho Hot Tubs - from NZD89
    • Glacier Lake Kayaking - NZD165
    • Heli-Hiking Tour - from NZD695
    • Carve your own Pounamu Necklace - NZD94
    Landmarks
    Makarora Blue Pools
    Franz Josef Glacier
    Itinerary Image 1
  7. Day 7

    Franz Josef Glacier

    Included Activities

    • Franz Josef Glacier - Forest Walk

    Optional Activities

    • Lake Mapourika Scenic Cruise - NZD125
    • Quad Biking - NZD244
    • Waiho Hot Tubs - from NZD89
    • Glacier Lake Kayaking - NZD165
    • Heli-Hiking Tour - from NZD695
    • Carve your own Pounamu Necklace - NZD94
    Landmarks
    Franz Josef Glacier
    Waiho River
    Glacier Lake
  8. Day 8

    Franz Josef Glacier to Westport

    Meals
    Dinner (Kiwi BBQ Dinner)

    Included Activities

    • Punakaiki - Rocks & Blowhole Visit
    • Westport - Kiwi BBQ Dinner

    Optional Activities

    • Charleston - GlowWorm Cave Adventure - NZD165
    • Westport - Surfboard Hire - NZD45
    • Charleston - Underworld Cave Rafting - NZD245
    • Westport - Surfing Lesson - NZD90
    Landmarks
    Punakaiki Rocks
  9. Day 9

    Westport to Abel Tasman National Park

    Included Activities

    • Westport - Seal Colony at Tauranga Bay
    • Westport - Kawatiri Experience

    Optional Activities

    • Walk through Abel Tasman National Park
    • Relax at accommodation
    Landmarks
    Tauranga Bay
    Abel Tasman National Park
  10. Day 10

    Abel Tasman National Park

    Optional Activities

    • Cruise and Anchorage Walk - NZD138
    • Canyoning - from NZD319
    • Full Day Sailing - NZD213
    • Skydiving - from NZD280
    • Walk along Abel Tasman Coast Track
    Landmarks
    Abel Tasman National Park
    Abel Tasman Coast Track
  11. Day 11

    Abel Tasman National Park to Wellington

    Included Activities

    • Picton - Ferry through the Marlborough Sounds

    Optional Activities

    • Dinner and drinks with the group
    Landmarks
    Marlborough Sounds
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  12. Day 12

    Wellington

    Optional Activities

    • Botanic Garden - Free
    • Cable Car (return) - NZD12
    • Te Papa Museum - NZD35
    • Mount Victoria Lookout - Free
    • Weta Workshop Tour - NZD45
    • Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary - NZD26
    Landmarks
    Wellington Botanic Garden
    Te Papa Museum
    Mount Victoria Lookout
    Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary

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What's Included

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

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Operated by

Intrepid Travel

Platinum Operator
Rating
4.5(12,049 reviews)
Response time
5 hours
Response rate
100%
Cancellation policy

Reviews from other tours by Intrepid Travel

  • Bill
    April 18th, 2026
    Truly a great experience and highly recommended. Our tour guide Griff was great. There were absolutely no problems...
    Show more
  • Sonja
    April 7th, 2026
    great trip with an excellent tour guide
  • Erica
    March 27th, 2026
    Very good. Had a wonderful guide Duli, who listen to us and paid attention to all of our needs.

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
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Saturday
    1 Aug, 2026
    To Wednesday
    12 Aug, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $1,845 per person
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Thursday
    24 Sep, 2026
    To Monday
    5 Oct, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $1,990 per person
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Thursday
    22 Oct, 2026
    To Monday
    2 Nov, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $1,995 per person
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Thursday
    5 Nov, 2026
    To Monday
    16 Nov, 2026
    English
    Filling Fast
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $2,060 per person
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Thursday
    26 Nov, 2026
    To Monday
    7 Dec, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $2,060 per person
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Thursday
    10 Dec, 2026
    To Monday
    21 Dec, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $2,150 per person
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Thursday
    24 Dec, 2026
    To Monday
    4 Jan, 2027
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $2,240 per person
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Thursday
    7 Jan, 2027
    To Monday
    18 Jan, 2027
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $2,090 per person
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Thursday
    28 Jan, 2027
    To Monday
    8 Feb, 2027
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $2,090 per person
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Thursday
    4 Feb, 2027
    To Monday
    15 Feb, 2027
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $2,090 per person

Want to read it later?

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From
US $1,845 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
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Good to Know

Tour ID: 320212

  • 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 June 29th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after June 29th, 2026, a minimum payment of $400 is required to confirm your booking with Intrepid Travel. 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 Intrepid Travel will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Intrepid Travel" 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