Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
Every day exceeded our expectations. The group were a great crowd. The weather was fantastic. The scenery was awesome and the activities were incredible.
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Christchurch, Tongarir
Auckland, Christchurch, Tongariro National Park, Fox Glacier, Wanaka, Matukitiki, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Mount Cook National Park, Rotorua, Wellington, Abel Tasman National Park, Motueka, Greymouth
Excellent trip.
New Zealand was a wonderful country to visit. It has a casual laid back vibe which was ideal for an intense touring holiday. There is plenty to see and do.
We were a small group so it gave us the time and opportunity to see more sites than featured in the itinerary. Cities, towns, places of interest and geographic sites were all covered. There was plenty of walking involved to counteract some of the longer journeys.
Our guide/driver, Thiago was exceptional with an excellent local knowledge that added interest and variety to the trip’s itinerary. Changes were made to adapt to the everchanging weather conditions to ensure we had the best experiences. He was always patient and professional.
All the hotels were of a good standard with comfortable beds and working bathrooms! Most of the hotel rooms in New Zealand had some level of catering facility in each room, as well as the usual tea and coffee making facilities.
If I had to pick favourite places it would be the stay at Lake Wanaka and the walk and views around Mount Cook.
I would thoroughly recommend this trip.
An amazing and unforgettable experience exploring the breathtaking South Island with an awesome group of people. This was my first Contiki and international solo travel and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Contiki and our trip manager Brad made planning and organising the trip effortless and the locations, activities and transport were sensational. I cannot recommend this trip enough!
New Zealand and its people were spectacular, as was our trip. We felt well taken care of by our operators. They were very responsive to inquiries before and during the trip. Kudos for their counsel prior to the trip, advising us to spend time exploring areas like The Catlins. Overall, our expectations were exceeded.
Highlights for us were private or small tours (Rotorua, Stewart Island, Wanaka) on which we could really engage with our guides and learn. We appreciated the variety of experiences – thrills, nature, hikes, boats, private flights. We especially liked the times when we had solitude rather than big crowds of tourists.
Rotorua, Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown, Tongariro National Park, Kaikoura, Dunedin, Fox Glacier, Milford Sound, Christchurch, Mount Cook National Park, Te Anau, Franz Josef, Picton
Our driver was Simon. We had a great time feeding Donnie the North American horse and then went on to the farm to check out sheep shearing. The view from the farm to the ocean side is mesmerizing.
Delicious picnic lunch box is not only taste great but look beautiful. The wine tasting experience was also very 👌 good. If you don't know what to do, sign up this trip - I would recommend my friends and family when they are coming to Christchurch.
Good trip, wonderful scenary. Really good infrastructure for walking in the trails. It should have been a walk at the Fiordland National Park (close to Wilford Sound) We just did a really small portion towards Marian Lake. It would have been different from the other trails that we did
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut, Lodge, Resort
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Christchurch, Franz Jo
Auckland, Christchurch, Franz Josef, Wanaka, Queenstown, Te Anau, Twizel, Mount Cook National Park, Akaroa, Rotorua, Tongariro National Park, Wellington, Picton, Nelson, Punakaiki
The itinerary covered all important things to see and experience. Accommodations are well placed for city life, night life, botanical gardens, parks and close to all the amenities. Day tours are arranged to discover nature wonders, beautiful countryside, famous landmarks. The trip wound up with relaxing warm beautiful beaches in Fiji.
Set off on an 18-day exploration weaving through New Zealand and Australia, where natural wonders and vibrant cities await. Beginning in Auckland, New Zealand’s dynamic capital, this self-guided trip leads you across iconic sites—cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge for sweeping city and Gulf views and unwind in The Domain, Auckland’s oldest park. Journey south to marvel at the glowworms of Waitomo Caves, cruising through an illuminated grotto, then catch a flight to Christchurch and soak in the Southern Alps’ grandeur from Mount Cook and the serene beauty of Lake Tekapo. Next, uncover the adventure capital of Queenstown before flying to Melbourne, Australia’s cultural heart. Here, discover hidden laneways, innovative cuisine, and the lush Fitzroy Gardens. Stroll through Albert Park, famous for hosting the Australian Grand Prix, then venture north to Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Absorb the laid-back tropical atmosphere before boarding a train to Sydney, where world-renowned sights like the Opera House and Bondi Beach cap off your journey. This tour package offers experienced travelers a seamless blend of comfortable hotels, included meals, and easy transport—making it the ideal relaxed itinerary for those eager to soak in the diverse highlights of both countries at their own pace. The rare combination of New Zealand’s majestic fjords and Australia’s iconic coastal cities is what sets this tour apart, promising unforgettable memories from start to finish.
Explore the best of New Zealand’s South Island on The Southern Drift, a 12-day relaxed-paced city sightseeing tour that starts and ends in Christchurch. Journey on the famous Tranzalpine train to the rugged West Coast, walk the Franz Josef Glacier with expert guides, and glide along the Haast River in a jet boat. Discover Arrowtown’s mining history, indulge in Queenstown’s boutique wines or scenic e-bike tours, and savor fine dining. Trek a portion of the legendary Milford Track in Fiordland, sample craft gin in Dunedin, and celebrate your adventure in Christchurch. Designed for experienced travelers, this trip’s highlight is its seamless mix of guided nature walks, gourmet food, and cultural experiences—all wrapped in comfort.
