Premium New Zealand South Island
Premium New Zealand South Island
Premium New Zealand South Island
10 Days Starting in Christchurch and ending in Queenstown
Visiting: Christchurch, Christchurch / Greymouth / Punakaiki, Hokitika / Franz Josef , Franz Josef , Makaroa / Wanaka, Wanaka, Milford Sound, Milford Sound / Te Anau / Queenstown, Arrowtown / Queenstown, Queenstown
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PHPS
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Physical rating:
Low, Low
Age range:
15-99 years
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$5090
$4455 (USD)
Operator discount: -$509
The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$126
-12%
Tour Overview
Taking you from Christchurch to Queenstown via glaciers, wineries, lakes, and an overnight cruise on Milford Sound, this 10-day tour showcases the natural beauty and thriving food and wine scene in the South Island of New Zealand. Forage for fresh ingredients with a local chef in Otago, set your pulse racing during a jetboat ride in Queenstown and come face to face with endangered species at a wildlife centre on the West Coast, including New Zealand’s rarest kiwi. With a friendly leader to guide the way, you’ll experience a landscape that has been shaped by the elements over thousands of years.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Christchurch
Location: Christchurch
Accommodation: The Fable Christchurch or similar
Meals Included: dinner
Welcome to Christchurch! Your tour begins with a late afternoon group meeting at 6pm followed by an exclusive Welcome Dinner at a tiny restaurant and natural wine bar featuring produce from the Canterbury region and across the South Island. Enjoy a delicious three course meal celebrating local producers at a restaurant that champions sustainability.
Included Activities:
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Day 2: Christchurch / Greymouth / Punakaiki
Location: Christchurch / Greymouth / Punakaiki
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Punakaiki (previously called Ocean View Retreat) or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast
Take a morning stroll with your leader around some of the landmarks of Christchurch. Next set off for Punakaiki, driving through Arthur’s Pass and Castle Hill – the spectacular mountain scenery may look familiar, as parts of The Chronicles of Narnia movie were filmed against this dramatic backdrop. After lunch in Moana, enjoy a short stop at Lake Brunner, the largest lake in the northwestern South Island of New Zealand. Spend the afternoon in Greymouth, stopping into a boutique studio to learn about the prized west coast jade known locally as Pounamu (Greenstone). Then continue to Monteith's Brewery, considered the original home of New Zealand craft brewing, for a tour and tasting. Arrive at Punakaiki Resort by late afternoon. Situated in Paparoa National Park, the resort is adjacent to the beautiful Punakaiki beach and the magnificent Pancake Rocks and Blowholes - the perfect spot to reflect and relax.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Hokitika / Franz Josef
Location: Hokitika / Franz Josef
Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat Deluxe Tree Hut or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast, explore the Punakaiki Rocks and Blowhole before the drive to Franz Josef. Along the way, stretch your legs at the charming west coast town of Hokitika, and enjoy an exhilarating treetop adventure on a walk through the ancient Rimu and Kamahi tree canopy. In the afternoon, take a private ranger-guided tour of the West Coast Wildlife Centre, home of the official breeding programme for the world's rarest kiwi, the Rowi. Also keep an eye out for tuatara, a reptile endemic to New Zealand. Arrive at your Franz Josef accommodation by evening.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Franz Josef
Location: Franz Josef
Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat Deluxe Tree Hut or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast
Begin your day with a self-guided walk to see the icy wonderland created by the Franz Josef Glacier, one of the steepest glaciers in New Zealand. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you may like to join an optional heli-hiking tour and get even closer to this incredible glacier. Other optional activities include kayaking, a scenic cruise on Lake Mapourika or a soak in the hot tubs at Franz Josef.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 5: Makaroa / Wanaka
Location: Makaroa / Wanaka
Accommodation: Wanaka Homestead or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Depart Franz Josef for the picturesque resort town of Wanaka, the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park, located in the Otago region. Stop along the way at Makorora and visit the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust, an organisation which strives to protect and restore indigenous biodiversity. After lunch, enjoy a guided flora and fauna walk with a local ornithologist and ecologist. Keep an eye out for endangered birds as you learn about how the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust is working to reduce predators and save some of New Zealand’s rarest species. Arrive in Wanaka by later afternoon, and settle in to your home for the next two nights - a homestead built on the site of a former sheep station. Located next to the resplendent Wanaka Station Park on the shores of Lake Wanaka, and a short stroll from Wanaka township, you'll be perfectly placed to enjoy all this charming town has to offer.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Wanaka
Location: Wanaka
Accommodation: Wanaka Homestead or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Enjoy a sleep in or perhaps start your day with a hike up Mt Iron for a view over Lake Wanaka and the surrounding peaks. Today's experience is one of the real highlight's of your trip. Central Otago is a region well known for food and wine, and today you will visit the spectacular Criffel Station for a chef-guided tasting and foraging tour, followed by a delicious lunch, washed down with some excellent Central Otago wines.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Milford Sound
Location: Milford Sound
Accommodation: Milford Sound Overnight Cruise (Feature Stay)
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
Depart Wanaka for the drive to Te Anau. Along the way, take in a spectacular scenic drive across the Crown Range and by the shores of Lake Wakatipu. After lunch, continue on to your embarkation point for your Feature Stay, an overnight cruise surrounded by the spectacular beauty of Milford Sound, also known by its Te Reo (Maori) name Piopiotahi. Aboard your purpose-built vessel, enjoy a full length journey of the fjord out to the Tasman Sea, with the possibility to see wildlife such as seals, penguins and dolphins. You will also have access to a specialist guide with information on the fjord's history and natural environment. For those who are keen, kayaking and/or small boat tours allow a truly immersive experience of this special place. Finish your day with a delicious three-course dinner before settling down in your cosy cabin.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Milford Sound / Te Anau / Queenstown
Location: Milford Sound / Te Anau / Queenstown
Accommodation: Ramada Queenstown Central or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast
After a leisurely onboard breakfast surrounded by some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery, you’ll disembark and travel to Queenstown with plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs along the way. After another stop in pretty Te Anau for lunch, you’ll arrive in plenty of time to check into your boutique hotel in Queenstown.
Day 9: Arrowtown / Queenstown
Location: Arrowtown / Queenstown
Accommodation: Ramada Queenstown Central or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast
Today is the grand finale of your trip. In the morning, take an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Kimi Akau (Shotover River), deep into the spectacular Shotover Canyons. Speeding over water as shallow as 10cm, this is an amazing white water experience, operated by the Ngai Tahu, Maori people who have a centuries-old connection with this land. Continue on for a leader-led walk through historical Arrowtown, then enjoy a wine tasting at Gibbston Valley. Perhaps toast the end of your journey with a New Zealand-inspired gin & tonic or glass of Otago wine at a bar & restaurant with arguably the most spectacular views in all of Queenstown.
Included Activities:
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Day 10: Queenstown
Location: Queenstown
Meals Included: breaksfast
Your New Zealand adventure ends this morning after breakfast. As this trip spends very little time in Queenstown, we recommend you spend an extra day or two here if you want to experience all the town has to offer. Your booking agent will be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (5 nights), Homestead (2 nights), Cruise boat (1 night)
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Meals
9 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
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Transport
Private vehicle, Jet Boat, Cruise boat
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Christchurch - Welcome Dinner
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Greymouth - Monteith's Brewery Tour & Tasting
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Greymouth - Pounamu (Greenstone) Studio Visit
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Christchurch - Leader-led Orientation Walk
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Lake Brunner - Nature Walk
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Hokitika - West Coast Treetops Walk
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Franz Josef - West Coast Wildlife Centre Visit with Ranger
What's Not Included
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International Travel
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Tipping and Gratuities
Transport
- Private vehicle , Jet boat , Cruise boat
Accommodation
- Hotel (6 nights), Homestead (2 nights), Cruise boat (1 night)
Important Information
- 1. A Single Supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. The price of the single supplement does not include the following nights, where a single room does not form part of the package. In this case you will be matched up with another traveller of the same gender: Day 7 - Milford Sound Cruise
- Please also note that due to the small properties we use there is only a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent.
- 2. The Milford Sound Cruise is seasonal and weather dependent. Some departures may require a slight shift in itinerary to make sure the cruise is included. If the Cruise has finished for the season, the Feature Stay will instead be the Milford Sound Lodge.
- 3. Some changes will be required for departures over Christmas and New Years. On PHPS231219 and PHPS231221, the visit to Aspiring Biodiversity on Day 5 will be replaced by a boat ride to explore islands on Lake Wanaka, and Criffel Station on Day 6 will be replaced by Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining on the final night.
- 4. Criffel Station will be closed during the following departures: PHPS231228, PHPS240130, and PHPS240201. Instead, the visit will be replaced by Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining on the final night.
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes if aged 15+ and accompanied by an adult
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes, Complimentary arrival airport transfer
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes, except optional activities
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Are international flights included in this tour?
No
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Is this trip right for you
The diversity of the seasons here makes for incredible scenery, but the weather in this region can be unpredictable. It’s best to wear layers at all times of the year in case conditions change during the day. At night the temperature can really drop, so bring your warm clothes.
There are walking opportunities throughout this trip. We recommend you bring good quality walking shoes if you're keen to enjoy a hike - or two! -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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COVID Protection
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and other Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination remains a requirement. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information of your chosen tour for more details. -
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