Fall in love with the highlights of this 10 day South Island itinerary that takes you on a circuit of spectacular mountains, lakes, rivers, glaciers, waterfalls and rainforests and gives you the opportunity to enjoy all the bucket list adventures you could wish for.
Created for travellers in their mid-thirties and upwards, on this New Zealand South Island itinerary you’ll visit Christchurch, Queenstown, Lake Wanaka, Lake Tekapo (and Lake Wakatipu, Lake Mapourika, Lake Hawea, plus more lakes!), the Mackenzie Country, and Franz Josef, plus you’ll get to take one of the world’s greatest train rides! Your comfortable 3–4 star accommodation on tour includes a boutique hotels and a rainforest retreat.
We’ll travel from the wide plains of Canterbury, through the mountains and lakes of Central Otago, to the glaciers and pristine rainforest of the West Coast via the spectacular Haast Pass. By the end of this New Zealand South Island itinerary, you will have lost count of the number of times you’ve uttered the words: “Wow!”, “So beautiful!” and “It’s breathtaking!”.
You’ll have the opportunity to swim, kayak, jet boat, skydive, hike, bike, see kiwis, relax in hot pools, eat and drink like a local, and more.
But only if you want to; this is your trip, and it’s designed to be flexible. Across this 10 day South Island itinerary we include some of the things that we reckon are absolute essentials, but rather than force you into activities you’re not so sure of, we leave the choice up to you. You can pre-book activities that you definitely want to do before the trip starts, and then add more while you’re on tour.
As our tours are made up of a combination of tours, the composition of your group may change throughout your tour (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch are the hubs where the group may change).
Experience Peru in style on this 15-day adventure from coastal plains to mountaintop cities. Travelling through Lima, Puno, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, you’ll explore dramatic Andean landscapes and learn about traditional cultures. Visit the iconic Machu Picchu – one of the New Seven Wonders of the World – and see the citadel from different angles on an optional One Day Inca Trail trek. Share a classic pachamanca meal with the locals in the highlands community of Huilloq. And spend time with the Uros people on their floating islands on Lake Titicaca. With a local leader by your side, you’ll go beneath the surface and come away with a deeper understanding of Peru and its people.
Cambodia is a really nice country, highly recommend it! All the services were well arranged so no complaints, big thanks to our consultant Brian, and the team.
Explore a land of natural beauty and rare wildlife on this 20-day adventure in Malaysia. From bustling cityscapes to the blissful countryside to the lush tropical rainforest, unique animals and tribal villages, Malaysia has something for everyone. Experience the very best of mainland Malaysia and Borneo – hike in the Ulu Muda rainforest, climb Mt Kinabalu, share some laughs with your local village hosts and watch sea turtles lay their eggs with an expert local ranger by your side. Each moment of this incredible small group adventure will give you a fascinating insight into Malaysia.
Discover the best of China from Shanghai on this 22-day Essentials tour. Enjoy the view over Shanghai from a rooftop bar and explore the lush scenery of Yangshuo by bike and bamboo raft. See giant pandas and other rare species in Chengdu, marvel at the fascinating Terracotta Army in Xi'an and opt to visit the Shaolin Temple. Walk along the Great Wall and camp beside a deserted section, discover the highlights of Beijing independently, learn Mandarin with several included lessons and hike to the top of Jiuyao Mountain in Hangzhou.
Explore the narrow strip of South Island land sandwiched between the mountains and the Tasman Sea that’s home to some of the country’s most beautiful places. Millions of years of natural history are right in front of you in wild limestone rock formations, powerful glaciers, rushing rivers and surf pounded coast, while the much more recent stories of the gold and coal rush can be found in the heritage settlements and in the resolute spirit of the coasters. Take in highlights from Christchurch to Queenstown, Pancake Rocks to craft gin, kayaking to spa soaking. This is a coastal road trip to rival any other.
This extensive 29-day adventure through India takes you from bottom to top, revealing the icons and local secrets of this diverse country. Revel in the tropical climate, warm waters, and lush green landscapes of the south in places like Kochi, Puducherry, and Madurai. Then be dazzled by kaleidoscopic colours, Mughal grandeur, and the overt spirituality of the north in Jaipur and Agra. Travel from Kochi to Delhi and combine the slower delights of Kerala and Tamil Nadu with the rush and jumble of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on our longest Original-style India tour.
Buckle up, because a heart-warming journey through New England awaits! On this 10-day trip to the heart of the Eastern United States, you will have a chance to explore pockets of history and culture—not to mention grand views of the countryside. Starting from Boston, a cultural and commercial hub, you will travel down the coast, making a stop at locations home to quintessential coastal views like Cape Neddick. In Portland, make intimate connections with the local life by chatting with fishermen and having a tantalizing dinner in the city’s Old Port. Driving inland away from the coast will reward you with the spectacular White Mountains, where atmospheric mountain passes and gorgeous State Parks will lift your spirit. Revel in tradition and culture with a trip to an iconic maple syrup farm. Relax and rewind in the blissful Cape Cod with a free day before you leave.
Wonderful trip with Harsha Gayal Perera. Sri Lanka is a very beautiful country. We highly recommend Aitken Spence Travel Agency for the tour guides they work with. Our tour included the visit of the ancient capitals of the country, the most important temples and also focused on the current culture and society. A mixture of nature and history, which allows you to learn a lot from this experience. Our vacation was perfect thanks also to our guide Gayal, who made it unforgettable. Aitken Spencer Travel should be proud to have a person like Gayal. We invite all readers not to worry about choosing Sri Lanka as a travel destination full of history, legends, spirituality, colours, sound and wonderful people. You can trust an expert tour guide like Gayal and you won't run into any challenges. Enjoy this country! ! !
My bucket list item is now crossed off! The trek itself was incredible. The Manaslu region was diverse in climates (warm, dry valleys - to lush rainforest - to snow capped peaks) and there was a tonne of wildlife to see and experience. Definitely more affordable than other companies but still got the 5 star treatment.
Discover the country that encapsulates ‘pura vida’ (the simple life), on this 10-day exploration of Costa Rica. This laidback paradise, where even the sloths are taking things slow, offers so much to see and do and is perfect for all nature lovers. After soaking up the culture in San Jose, you’ll hit the national parks of Arenal Volcano and Manuel Antonio in search of unspoilt rainforests, waterfalls, scenic views and chill beaches. Search for unique wildlife and soak up loads of free time to choose your own adventure, whether that’s hiking volcanos, soaking in hot springs or searching for local wildlife like howler monkeys, butterflies and caimans. See the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, visit an organic family-owned farm producing some of the best coffee in the world and learn from a local naturalist guide on a hike through lush landscapes.