I was very happy with my week on the MEC at Mt Cook.I can find no fault at all in the 5 days experience, even the weather played the game by raining at the start when we did classroom stuff. Then the flight up to the tarn to camp and play and learn. Our guide was the best. He knew the terrain, kept us informed and most importantly was very experienced. I came away knowing that there are mountains out there that I could and will climb. Just the best. Thanks. Roger
Climbing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This is the New Zealand you’ve always heard about – endless lakes, snow-capped mountains and pristine glaciers. Spend nine days discovering the best of the South Island with a passionate local leader at the helm. Encounter creativity and resilience in Christchurch, gaze at out-of-this-world stars in Lake Tekapo, get your adrenaline pumping in Queenstown, take your time in postcard-pretty Wanaka and stand in awe of the Franz Josef Glacier. With thrilling activities available around every corner, this adventure is sure to get your heart racing (and that’s just from the views!).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Accommodation on this trip is in mixed-gender multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared facilities. We are aware of a system functionality limitation incorrectly indicating "twin-share" when you manage your booking on our website.
Beach
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hostel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queen
Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef
22% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Today is a free day to explore Christchurch at your own pace. Maybe chill out in the Botanic Gardens to see some of the native plants, or stop by the Canterbury Museum to learn about the region’s cultural heritage. Tonight, you’ll have another welcome meeting at a 6 pm to meet the new travellers joining you for the next leg of your adventure. After, why not head out to dinner at a local restaurant and get to know each other better.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Accommodation on this trip is in mixed-gender multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared facilities. We are aware of a system functionality limitation incorrectly indicating "twin-share" when you manage your booking on our website.
Active and outdoorAdventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hostel, Lodge
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Christchurch, Lake Tek
Auckland, Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Taupo, Murupara, Rotorua, Coromandel Peninsula, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef, Kaikoura, Wellington
22% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
New Zealand’s South Island has a reputation as one of the most naturally beautiful places on earth, yet it still manages to defy expectations. On this 10-day round trip from Christchurch, you’ll be met with astonishing sight after astonishing sight as a local leader shows you what they love about their country. Get your heart racing in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world, discover the laidback delights of postcard-perfect Wanaka, stand in awe of the Franz Josef Glacier, and cross the Southern Alps on one of the world’s most spectacular train journeys. Between glacial lakes and snow-capped peaks, you’ll soon see what all the fuss is about.
Active and outdoorBeach
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Christchurch, Ohau, Queenstown
Christchurch, Ohau, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef
18% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Taking you from Christchurch to Queenstown via glaciers, wineries, lakes and fiords, this 10-day Premium trip showcases the natural beauty and thriving food and wine scene in New Zealand’s South Island. Forage for fresh ingredients with a local chef in Otago, cruise the quiet waters of Doubtful Sound and come face to face with endangered species – including New Zealand’s rarest kiwi bird – at a wildlife centre on the West Coast. With a knowledgeable local leader to guide the way, you’ll get to know the history and stories of landscapes shaped by the elements over thousands of years.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort, Hut
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Christchurch, Queenstown, Punaka
Christchurch, Queenstown, Punakaiki, Franz Josef, Wanaka
22% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
The tour operator was amazing. I fell in love with New Zealand. Simon was great guide and the small tour group made it even better as we all became close friends. I would highly recommend the tour operator to all my friends and Family. I loved every moment that I was in New Zealand. I would come back in a heart beat and travel with the operator again.
National parksCity sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Christchurch, Franz Jo
Auckland, Christchurch, Franz Josef, Coromandel Peninsula, Raglan, Rotorua, Tongariro National Park, Wellington, Kaikoura, Ohau, Queenstown, Wanaka
15% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
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).
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Christchurch, Kaikoura, Aoraki
Christchurch, Kaikoura, Aoraki, Ohau, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef
15% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
For departures from June 2025.
If you only have a short time to explore the largest island of New Zealand, this is the tour for you! Prepare for nine days of spectacular scenery and lots of opportunity for adventure. Turquoise lakes, majestic glaciers, dramatic mountain peaks, golden tussock lands and the picture-perfect towns of Queenstown, Wanaka and Franz Josef are all included on this iconic road trip!
Our small-group guided tour of the South Island will visit Christchurch, Wanaka, Queenstown, Tekapo (an International Dark Sky Reserve), Franz Josef Glacier, and back across to Christchurch via Arthur’s Pass. You’ll have the option to visit Milford Sound (dubbed the ‘8th Wonder of the World’ by Rudyard Kipling), and we’ll stop at many other scenic spots along the way.
There’s a range of optional add-on activities: from adrenaline-pumping bucket-list items like bungy jumping, jet boating, and skydiving to more gentle activities like heli-hiking, quad biking, kayaking, scenic flights and stargazing. None of these are compulsory; you can just add the ones you want.
Looking to extend your time in New Zealand? We can book a few extra nights for you at the beginning or end of your trip, so you can explore further.
New Zealand’s South Island Adventure Tour Tips:
All activities can be purchased on the road – just let your tour guide know and we can book them in for you.
Our tour starts in the evening, so you can spend the day exploring Christchurch at your leisure. You can check out our website for recommendations on what to do and where to explore!
The tour price includes dorm share accommodation but if you would prefer your own space, you have the option to upgrade to a private room. You can select this upgrade when you start building your tour online.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hostel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queen
Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef
25% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
For departures from June 2025.
From Auckland to Christchurch (or, from Christchurch to Auckland – please see the reverse New Zealand itinerary), you’ll soon see that New Zealand is filled with many different landscapes and opportunities for adventure!
This small-group guided tour of the North and South Island will visit Auckland, Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupō, Wellington, Kaikōura, Wanaka, Queenstown, Lake Tekapo (an International Dark Sky Reserve), and Franz Josef, with the option to visit Hobbiton, The Tongariro Crossing and Milford Sound along the way.
The New Zealand's Amplified Tour comes with some very special inclusions: experiencing a Māori cultural night and traditional hāngī meal, learning haka and poi dance, and carving your very own pounamu (greenstone/jade) pendant in Franz Josef. Join this Haka Tour for an action packed two and a half weeks in New Zealand!
Keen to explore further? If you'd like to extend your time in New Zealand after the tour has finished, our team can book a few extra nights for you.
*New Zealand Amplified Tour Tips*
- All activities can be purchased on the road – just let your tour guide know and we can book them in for you.
- Our tour starts in the evening, so you can spend the day exploring Auckland at your leisure, you can check out our website for recommendations on what to do and where to explore!
- The tour price includes dorm share accommodation but if you would prefer your own space you have the option to upgrade to a private room for the duration of your tour. You can select this upgrade when you start building your tour online. Please note: private room upgrades are not available for the one-night shared cultural experience (Murupara).
- If you arrive in Auckland with a few days to spare either before or after your tour, we have a great three-day Bay of Islands Tour which showcases the Northland region of New Zealand.
As our tours are made up of a combination of tours, the composition of your group may change throughout your tour (Auckland and Christchurch are the hubs where the group may change).
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hostel, Lodge
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Christchurch, Kaikoura
Auckland, Christchurch, Kaikoura, Wellington, Taupo, Murupara, Rotorua, Coromandel, MacKenzie Country, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef
25% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Explore New Zealand, where snow-dusted peaks rub shoulders with glacial lakes and off-the-grid surf towns give way to cosmopolitan cities. This in-depth 20-day adventure takes you to some of the best landmarks of the country, from the North Island to the South Island. Join your local leader in Auckland, travel through the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and relax on the beaches of Coromandel and Raglan. See the otherworldly landscapes at Tongariro National Park, then continue to the South Island, where the high-adrenaline activities of Queenstown, the fabulous wineries of Marlborough and the beautiful scenery of Franz Josef await.
Natural landmarks sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Christchurch, Kaikoura
Auckland, Christchurch, Kaikoura, Ohau, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef, Coromandel Peninsula, Raglan, Rotorua, Tongariro National Park, Taupo, Wellington
18% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Geoff VenningTravel Expert in New Zealand
