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2026

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Who is travelling?

Who is travelling?

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From
US $1,780 per person

18 to 35s Essential New Zealand: South Island (18 destinations, 15 destinations)

12 days
From Christchurch to Wellington
4.5 (12,144 reviews)
From
US $1,780 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

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:
City & Culture
Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
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. Intro

    Introduction

  2. Day 1

    Christchurch

    Christchurch

    Optional Activities

    • Stroll through Christchurch Botanic Gardens
    • Visit Canterbury Museum to learn about the region's cultural heritage
    • Head out with group for dinner at one of the city's restaurants
    Landmarks
    Christchurch Botanic Gardens
    Canterbury Museum
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  3. Day 2

    Christchurch to Lake Tekapo

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

    Included Activities

    • Christchurch city tour
    • Visit Christchurch Cathedral
    • Fairlie - Southland style lunch
    • Visit Church of the Good Shepherd

    Optional Activities

    • Stargaze from the summit of Mount John
    • Visit 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
  4. Day 3

    Lake Tekapo to Queenstown

    Lake Tekapo to Queenstown
    Meals
    Dinner (Dinner at Fergburger, a popular 'hole in the wall' style restaurant known for their gourmet burgers)

    Included Activities

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

    Optional Activities

    • Explore Queenstown's nightlife (recommendations from group leader)
    Landmarks
    Skyline Gondola Queenstown
    Coronet Peak
    The Remarkables
    Lake Wakatipu
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  5. Day 4

    Queenstown

    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
    • Walk around Lake Wakatipu
    • Nevis Bungy - NZD395
    • Time Tripper - NZD20
    • Canyoning - NZD239
    • Canyon Swing - from NZD295
    • Dart River Funyaks - from NZD495
    • Kawarau Bridge Bungy - NZD320
    Landmarks
    Lake Wakatipu
    Milford Sound
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  6. Day 5

    Queenstown to Arrowtown to Queenstown

    Queenstown to Arrowtown to Queenstown

    Included Activities

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

    Makarora - Franz Josef Glacier

    Makarora - Franz Josef Glacier
    Meals
    Lunch

    Included Activities

    • Makarora Blue Pools Track walk through native forests
    • Franz Josef Glacier Forest Walk

    Optional Activities

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

    Franz Josef Glacier

    Franz Josef Glacier

    Included Activities

    • Franz Josef Glacier - Forest Walk

    Optional Activities

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

    Punakaiki - Westport

    Punakaiki - Westport
    Meals
    Dinner (Kiwi BBQ Dinner)

    Included Activities

    • Visit Punakaiki Rocks and Blowhole
    • Kiwi BBQ Dinner
    • Kawatiri Experience
    • Seal Colony at Tauranga Bay

    Optional Activities

    • Surfboard Hire - NZD45
    • Surfing Lesson - NZD90
    Landmarks
    Punakaiki Rocks
    Punakaiki Blowhole
    Tauranga Bay Seal Colony
  10. Day 9

    Westport to Abel Tasman National Park

    Westport to Abel Tasman National Park

    Included Activities

    • Westport - Seal Colony at Tauranga Bay
    • Westport - Kawatiri Experience
    Landmarks
    Tauranga Bay
    Museum of Kawatiri
    Abel Tasman National Park
  11. Day 10

    Abel Tasman National Park

    Abel Tasman National Park

    Optional Activities

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

    Abel Tasman National Park to Picton to Wellington

    Abel Tasman National Park to Picton to Wellington

    Included Activities

    • Picton - Ferry through the Marlborough Sounds

    Optional Activities

    • Dinner and drinks with group in Wellington
    Landmarks
    Marlborough Sounds
    Picton
    Itinerary Image 1
  13. Day 12

    Wellington

    Wellington

    Optional Activities

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

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Operated by

Intrepid Travel

Platinum Operator
Rating
4.5 (12,144 reviews)
Response time
8 hours
Response rate
92%
Cancellation policy
Learn more

Reviews from other tours by Intrepid Travel

  • Laura4.0May 2026
    We had a fantastic guide, the itinerary was jam packed, an amazing country
  • Bill5.0April 2026
    Truly a great experience and highly recommended. Our tour guide Griff was great. There were absolutely no problems...
    Show more
  • Sonja5.0April 2026
    great trip with an excellent tour guide

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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
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  • From Thursday
    24 Sep, 2026
    To Monday
    5 Oct, 2026
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    From:
    US$2,051 per person
  • From Thursday
    22 Oct, 2026
    To Monday
    2 Nov, 2026
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    Filling Fast
    Check the availability with the operator
    Departure on request
    From:
    US$2,030 per person
    Price based on Shared Room
    with 2026-2027 Version
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  • From Thursday
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    To Monday
    16 Nov, 2026
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    Filling Fast
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    Price based on Shared Room
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  • From Thursday
    26 Nov, 2026
    To Monday
    7 Dec, 2026
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  • From Thursday
    10 Dec, 2026
    To Monday
    21 Dec, 2026
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    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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    US$2,220 per person
    Price based on Shared Room
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  • From Thursday
    24 Dec, 2026
    To Monday
    4 Jan, 2027
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US$2,030 per person
    Price based on Shared Room
    with 2026-2027 Version
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  • 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
    Price based on Shared Room
    with 2026-2027 Version
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  • 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
    Price based on Shared Room
    with 2026-2027 Version
    View this tour
  • From Thursday
    4 Mar, 2027
    To Monday
    15 Mar, 2027
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US$2,030 per person
    Price based on Shared Room
    with 2026-2027 Version
    View this tour
  • From Thursday
    18 Mar, 2027
    To Monday
    29 Mar, 2027
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US$2,030 per person
    Price based on Shared Room
    with 2026-2027 Version
    View this tour

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From
US $1,780 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

Best price guarantee Learn More

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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 November 19th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after November 19th, 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
    • Cancellation terms may vary per tour. Please check for the full cancellation policy here.

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      TourRadar is an authorized agent of Intrepid Travel, and we handle payments so you don't have to. Payment is securely transferred to the Operator based on your departure date.
  • Insurance

    Our travel protection from our award-winning partner, XCover, means you and your travel companions can book with peace of mind knowing there’s protection available in case your trip doesn’t go to plan. At checkout you will be able to select between different options in case you or the tour are eligible for insurance. In case no option is available, you are always able to purchase travel insurance outside of TourRadar.

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  • 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