The epic grandeur of the South Island will immerse you in endless wonder on your 8-day New Zealand tour. You will trek an ancient glacier and delight in the scenic views of the Southern Alps from a historic train. Waterfalls will crash down Milford Sound's dramatic cliffs while Queenstown’s vibrant ambiance will highlight the friendly local culture for a classic exploration of New Zealand’s South Island.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Christchurch – Open Your Eyes to the Beauty of the South Island
Land in Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, and open your eyes to the stunning scenery around you. The quite rush of the Avon River flows through the city center surrounded by the warm colors of Victorian architecture and the botanic gardens, lush avenues full of leaves and spectacular gardens. Whether floating down the river, strolling through the fabulous gardens, or wandering the pleasant streets of the city, the sweet smell of roses winds through Christchurch and is sure to open your eyes to the beauty of the South Island.
Known as the Gateway to Antarctica, learn more about the city’s connection to the seventh continent at the International Antarctic Centre. Enjoy the incredible simulation of the coldest, driest, and windiest place on earth. Explore the icy way of life from glaciers to penguins. The quiet chirps of little blue penguins come from their cold display where you can watch them fly through the water, glide through the clear imitation sea, search for fish, and nest onshore. You can travel through the ice and frozen water on an all-terrain, amphibious Hagglund. The simulation drives along the tundra offering you the incredible vistas of the open space, the large glaciers that plunge into the sea, and the whales that swim off the coast. And slide along the arctic floor in the “'Antarctica' Snow and Ice experience.”
What's Included:
Day 2
Dunedin – Through the Canterbury Plains
Day 3
Dunedin – See the Sights on the Otago Peninsula
Day 4
Queenstown – A Land of Mountains and Forests
Day 5
Queenstown – Day Trip to Milford Sound
Day 6
Queenstown – Extreme Adventure and Wineries
Day 7
Franz Josef – Glaciers and Ice Tunnels
Day 8
Christchurch – Cross Country Via the TransAlpine Railway
Trip Highlights
- Visit the Franz Josef Glacier
- Traverse the beauty of the “Garden City”
- Enjoy the vistas of Mt Cook
- Learn about the gold rush years of Dunedin
- Drift through the beauty of Milford Sound
- Experience the luxury of the TranzAlpine railway
- Travel along the foothills of the Southern Alps
- Luxuriate in the comforts of Queenstown
Detailed Description
Open your eyes. Sometimes it’s that simple. On this 8-day tour of New Zealand you will see the stunning beauty that lies along the South Islands's coast and sits in the island’s center. Whether in the pristine snow of winter or the shining grass of summer, New Zealand is incredibly vibrant and welcoming. From one coast to another, the land is filled with magic, glaciers, and sounds, as well as Maori and European settlements. It is all here, waiting and ready, all you have to do is open your eyes.
Land in Christchurch and experience the “Garden City.” The Avon River flows softly through the city center. The gentle colors of the buildings offer warmth in the winter and a cooling sensation in the summer. Keep your eyes peeled for the incredible vista of Mt Cook on your way to Dunedin. The coast lines the city’s edge and the history of Maori tribes and the gold rush fill the city’s streets. Whether plunging into the cold seawater or walking along the city’s streets, soak in the city’s ease and beauty.
Make your way to Queenstown with the adventures and luxuries visible at all times. Hike in the lush forests, boat in the opulent lake or, for those daring enough, hang glide down from Bob’s Peak. Queenstown will keep your eyes wide open and the panoramas continuous. Visiting Milford Sound will keep you from wanting to blink. The opal water, the surrounding mountains, and the vibrant wildlife will help you from closing your eyes for one moment. Enjoy the soothing view of Franz Josef Glacier and the adjacent, quaint town. The glacier glows in the sunlight and almost dances until you make your way back to Christchurch along the TranzAlpine railway. No matter how long you spend in New Zealand the hardest part is closing your eyes worrying you might miss something, so why close your eyes at all?
Starting Price
$3,300 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.85 stars based on 1710 reviews.
We very much enjoyed our time in New Zealand and Australia. The tours were all very good. Zicasso's travel agent and our tour partner were very responsive and helpful throughout the planning phase and while we were on vacation.
The only feedback we have is that the hotels selected, other than the hotels in New Zealand, did not have the amenities we were hoping to get from four-star properties. We'll do a better job of indicating what we need in hotel selections moving forward, but we thought the hotels could have been a notch better than they were.
Reviewed By Tim G.
We absolutely loved so much of our trip! My kids’ (ages 11 and eight) favorite activities were luging in Rotorua, NZ, and the sunset camel ride in Uluru, AU, while my husband and I were enchanted by Hobbiton and enjoyed exploring a glowworm cave with the owner's father! We all loved Tasmania.
There were a few hiccups. However, we were very happy with all the support the Zicasso travel company's team provided in real time to help us get back on track.
The overall trip was fantastic. My husband and I appreciated having the team support our adventures, both the highs and the lows. The team members were detailed-oriented. This trip exceeded our expectations and we’re incredibly grateful for their expertise in curating such memorable experiences.
Reviewed By Sivly R.
The trip was awesome; the trip of a lifetime! We saw/experienced everything we could imagine. The trip reflected all of our wish-list items. Zicasso's travel specialist was very accommodating to our ideas and was very detail-oriented. We didn't have to worry about a thing on this vacation.
Reviewed By Sharon B.
We had a fabulous time celebrating my 75th birthday in New Zealand and Bora Bora. Zicasso's travel specialist was fantastic to work with. She was very responsive to all of our questions and concerns and even checked in with us numerous times while we were on the trip. I'd highly recommend her and the travel company when traveling to New Zealand or French Polynesia.
Reviewed By Paul S.
Zicasso's travel specialist worked with us every step of the way to create an amazing itinerary filled with adventure in New Zealand and luxurious relaxation in Fiji. She helped us adjust the itinerary until it was just right. Unfortunately, there were a couple of excursions that were impacted by the weather and other logistics, which impacted our experience, but it was not her fault and she was willing to try to find other options.
Reviewed By Stephanie G.
Great trip! Zicasso's travel planner was responsive to our needs and put together an enjoyable trip. It was organized, with all documents in order and no surprises!
Reviewed By Lisa D.