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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
11,987 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

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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
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

    Optional Activities

    • Stroll through Christchurch Botanic Gardens
    • Visit Canterbury Museum to learn about the region's cultural heritage
    • Group dinner at one of Christchurch's lively restaurants
    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 at Fairlie)

    Included Activities

    • Christchurch City Tour
    • Visit Christchurch Cathedral
    • Southland Style Lunch at Fairlie
    • Visit Church of the Good Shepherd

    Optional Activities

    • Stargaze from Mount John summit
    • Relax at Tekapo Springs Hot Pool - NZD50
    Landmarks
    Christchurch Cathedral
    Church of the Good Shepherd
    Lake Tekapo
    Mount John
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  3. Day 3

    Lake Tekapo to Queenstown

    Meals
    Dinner (Dinner at Fergburger)

    Included Activities

    • Skyline Gondola with panoramic views
    • Luge ride
    • Dinner at Fergburger

    Optional Activities

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

    Queenstown

    Optional Activities

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

    Queenstown to Arrowtown to Gibbston Valley

    Included Activities

    • Arrowtown village visit
    • Kawarau Gorge 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 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
    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 to Westport

    Meals
    Dinner (Kiwi BBQ Dinner)

    Included Activities

    • Punakaiki Rocks and Blowhole visit
    • Kiwi BBQ Dinner

    Optional Activities

    • Stop at glow worm caves
    • Hire a surfboard and learn to surf
    • GlowWorm Cave Adventure - NZD165
    • Underworld Cave Rafting - NZD245
    • Surfboard Hire - NZD45
    • Surfing Lesson - NZD90
    Landmarks
    Punakaiki Rocks
    Punakaiki Blowholes
  9. Day 9

    Westport to Abel Tasman National Park

    Included Activities

    • Seal Colony visit at Tauranga Bay
    • Museum of Kawatiri (Westport) visit

    Optional Activities

    • Walk through Abel Tasman National Park
    • Cruise and Anchorage Walk - NZD138
    • Canyoning - from NZD319
    • Full Day Sailing - NZD213
    • Skydiving - from NZD280
    Landmarks
    Tauranga Bay
    Museum of Kawatiri
    Abel Tasman National Park
  10. Day 10

    Abel Tasman National Park

    Optional Activities

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

    Abel Tasman National Park to Picton to Wellington

    Included Activities

    • Ferry through the Marlborough Sounds

    Optional Activities

    • Group dinner and drinks in Wellington
    • Botanic Garden - Free
    • Cable Car (return) - NZD12
    • Te Papa Museum - NZD35
    • Mount Victoria Lookout - Free
    • Weta Workshop Tour - NZD45
    • Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary - NZD26
    Landmarks
    Picton
    Marlborough Sounds
    Wellington Botanic Garden
    Cable Car
    Te Papa Museum
    Mount Victoria Lookout
    Weta Workshop
    Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary
    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
    Cable Car
    Te Papa Museum
    Mount Victoria Lookout
    Weta Workshop
    Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary
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What's Included

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  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport
  • 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
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Operated by

Intrepid Travel

Number of tours

878

Age Range

5 to 99 years old

Response time

11 hours

Response rate

88%

Back in 1989, two guys from Melbourne, Australia by the names of Darrell and...

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Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

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A transparent overview of applicable fees.

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Dates & Availability

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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
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Upcoming departures
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Friday
    3 Jul, 2026
    To Tuesday
    14 Jul, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $1,940 per person
    Multiple Room Types
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    From Saturday
    1 Aug, 2026
    To Wednesday
    12 Aug, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
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    Multiple Room Types
  • 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:
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    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Thursday
    22 Oct, 2026
    To Monday
    2 Nov, 2026
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    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
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  • Instant Confirmation
    From Thursday
    5 Nov, 2026
    To Monday
    16 Nov, 2026
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    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
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    US $2,060 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • 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
    Multiple Room Types
  • 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
    Multiple Room Types
  • 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
    Multiple Room Types
  • 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
    Multiple Room Types
  • 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
    Multiple Room Types
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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
Save and compare this adventure

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

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 May 1st, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after May 1st, 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