Southern Pioneer Tour by Haka Tours

About the tour

Tour Type

Small Group

Max Group Size

Age Requirement

18 - 99 yrs

Operated In

English

Starts

Ends

Christchurch, New Zealand

Highlights

One of the world’s most scenic Rail Journeys

A Boat Cruise to the Remote Mou Waho Island Nature Reserve

Carve Your Own Greenstone/Pounamu Pendant

Itinerary

Picture yourself circling New Zealand’s South Island, uttering “Wow!” at every turn. The "Southern Pioneer" tour is a 10-day city sightseeing trip that showcases mountains, lakes, glaciers, and rainforests, designed for travelers eager to tick off bucket list experiences while savoring the comfort of boutique hotels and rainforest retreats.

Begin in Christchurch and journey through Aoraki, Kaikoura, Wanaka, and beyond. Marvel at Central Otago’s lakes, traverse the mighty Haast Pass, and witness the pristine wilderness of Franz Josef. Opportunities abound to swim, kayak, jet boat, hike, bike, or simply relax in hot pools. With flexible options, you can customize your adventure—pre-book your must-do activities or decide as you go.

The unique aspect of this tour package is its adaptability: each participant shapes their trip, ensuring a personalized adventure. The mix of structured highlights and free-choice activities makes this the ideal journey for those who want both guidance and independence in discovering New Zealand’s breathtaking South Island.

Day 1Day 1 Christchurch

Day 2Day 2 Christchurch to Ohau (via Lake Tekapo)

Day 3Day 3 Ohau to Queenstown

Day 4Day 4 Queenstown

Day 5Day 5 Queenstown to Wanaka

Day 6Day 6 Wanaka

Day 7Day 7 Wanaka to Franz Josef

Day 8Day 8 Franz Josef

Day 9Day 9 Franz Josef to Christchurch

Day 10Day 10 Christchurch

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What's Included

Accommodation

Stay each night in twin-share 3–4 star accommodation: a mix of hotels, motels, lodges, and rainforest retreats.Stay 9 nights in twin-share 3–4 star accommodation: a mix of hotels, motels, lodges, and rainforest retreats.

Meals

Feast on daily hearty breakfasts and 2 dinners.

Transport

Comfortable and air-conditioned bus transport

Guide

Passionate and knowledgeable local Kiwi guide

Others

Orientation tour of each and every locationSmall groups of maximum 16 peopleExperiences to teach you about our unique Māori cultureTake in the stunning Southern Alps and the vast Canterbury Plains aboard the TranzAlpine, New Zealand’s finest inland rail journey.Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Wanaka to the remote Mou Waho Island nature reserve.Carve your own pounamu (jade) pendant in Franz Josef.

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

This tour has not received any customer reviews yet. However, you can expect a good tour as it is run by a trusted travel specialist who has received 1 review for other tours with an average 5.0rating.

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798 Reviews

Ganapati

Very nice booking experience

22 hours ago

Southern Pioneer

About the tour

Highlights