Packed full of thrilling activities and staggering landscapes, this is the ultimate two-week itinerary for nature lovers on New Zealand’s South Island. This tour leads you from outdoor adventure on the South Island to the highest mountain and the deepest fjord. It features whales, icebergs, jet boats, kayaks, hikes, helicopters, and so much more. Book your adventure today.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Queenstown – Settling in on the South Island
Queenstown is the obvious place to begin an outdoor adventure on the South Island. It is the main hub for activities and the stepping stone for exploring Fiordland National Park. While there is a lot to do here, Queenstown’s laid-back atmosphere is also ideal for relaxing after a long flight. Your driver will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation in the heart of the city. The rest of today will be at your leisure so that you can rest before the real adventure starts.
What's Included:
Day 2
Queenstown – Boat Ride and Vineyard Excursion
Day 3
Queenstown – Your Choice of Outdoor Activities
Day 4
Queenstown – Milford Sound by Boat and Helicopter
Day 5
Wanaka – Mountain Biking around the Lake
Day 6
Wanaka – Mt. Aspiring National Park
Day 7
Franz Josef Glacier – South Island Road Trip
Day 8
Franz Josef Glacier – Walking across a Glacier
Day 9
Franz Josef Glacier – Helicopter to Mt. Cook and Icebergs
Day 10
Abel Tasman National Park – Kayak into the Wilderness
Day 11
Abel Tasman National Park – Tropical Adventures
Day 12
Blenheim – Cruising with Dolphins
Day 13
Kaikoura – New Zealand’s Finest Whale Watching
Day 14
Kaikoura – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Soar over Mt. Cook on a private helicopter tour and cruise across a lake that is speckled with ancient icebergs
- Feel the thrill of a jet boat ride near Queenstown, which will prove to be a stunning introduction to the South Island’s outdoor adventures
- Explore New Zealand’s great walking trails, including a guided hike in Mt. Aspiring National Park
- Discover the wonders of Milford Sound on an afternoon cruise and helicopter ride above Fiordland National Park
- Kayak around a tropical coastline and uncover the lush beauty of Abel Tasman National Park
- Spend a day on the Pacific in search of sperm whales and other whale species, which is an activity that is likely to provide many close-up encounters
- Descend some of New Zealand’s best mountain bike trails, which is another activity for your time in Wanaka
- Spot dolphins along the coast, search for the kiwi bird, and relax at Central Otago vineyards
- Enjoy a fabulous day of walking over Franz Josef Glacier, admiring ice sculptures, and learning how the glacier tumbles through a forest
Starting Price
$16,000 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.85 stars based on 1704 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.