Nature’s kaleidoscope unfolds on New Zealand’s South Island. New Zealand is full of tropical beaches, tiny rays, massive glaciers, glowworm caves, sperm whales, snowy mountains, and bucolic green valleys. No other island on Earth has such a diversity of landscapes, and this 17-day tour takes you around it all, including hiking, kayaking, canoeing, whale watching, swimming with dolphins, a scenic flight, a Heli Hike, and an overnight cruise.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Christchurch – Checking into a Welcoming City
Christchurch is the South Island’s central gateway city. You will touch down, transfer to a hotel in the city center, and take some time to settle in. New Zealand is a long way from home so you may want to rest before the adventure begins. Although devastated by a 2011 earthquake, the city has rebuilt and redefined itself over the last few years. It is a very charming and largely pedestrianized city to walk around, with a host of bars and restaurants near your hotel. If you have the energy, then head to the International Antarctic Centre, where simulations show a day in the life of what it is like on Antarctica.
What's Included:
Day 2
Christchurch – Fur Seals and Swimming with Dolphins in Akaroa
Day 3
Christchurch – Whale Watching and More Dolphins in Kaikoura
Day 4
Mount Cook Village – Scenic Flight Over Quintessential South Island Landscapes
Day 5
Mount Cook Village – Guided Mountain Hike and Ancient Icebergs Up Close
Day 6
Wanaka – Island Nature Walk and Lake Wanaka Cruise
Day 7
Te Anau – A 12,000-Year-Old Network of Glowworm Caves
Day 8
Doubtful Sound – Kayaking and Overnighting on the Fjord
Day 9
Wanaka – Resting Up Along the Lake
Day 10
Lake Moeraki – Across Epic Wilderness to the Wild West Coast
Day 11
Lake Moeraki – Canoeing and Hiking in World Heritage Te Wahipounamu
Day 12
Franz Josef – Intimate Glacier Experiences and the Rowi Kiwi
Day 13
Franz Josef – Spectacular Heli Hike on Franz Josef Glacier
Day 14
Arthur’s Pass National Park – Forest Hikes and Sheep Farms
Day 15
Abel Tasman National Park – Relaxing on Tropical Beaches
Day 16
Abel Tasman National Park – Rays, Turtles, Hiking and Kayaking
Day 17
Nelson – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Take a helicopter ride above the rainforest and ice and then hike across the sculpted wonder of Franz Josef Glacier
- Hike and canoe in Abel Tasman National Park, where the landscapes are tropical, and you will not leave the beach
- Swim with the world’s smallest dolphins in Akaroa
- Hike in the majestic wilderness of Aoraki Mount Cook, then take a boat to see 500-year-old icebergs
- Spend 24 hours cruising on Doubtful Sound, which is an overnight experience that includes a beautiful kayaking excursion
- Introduce yourself to the rowi kiwi bird at the West Coast Wildlife Centre
- Explore glowworm caves in Te Anau, hike the forests of Arthur’s Pass, and spot rays in Abel Tasman
- Venture off the beaten track with a two-day stay around Lake Moeraki, which is a lesser-known part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage area
- Take a scenic flight above Lake Tekapo and admire a confluence of the South Island’s different landscapes
- Go whale watching in Kaikoura to witness sperm whales among others
Detailed Description
While volcanoes craft New Zealand’s North Island, the South Island is a dramatic display of nature’s various powers. Landscapes collide here, magnificent fjords emanate a wild mystique, glaciers tumble down through thick green rainforests, and tropical beaches and bays dot the north, which is home to rays and turtles. Wild Pacific waters will bring whales and dolphins to the east while pastoral plains will give way to huge, snowy mountains. Lakes are everywhere, pristine and blue as they guide your journey around the island. One afternoon can be hot and humid as you search for the rare rowi kiwi. The next morning, it may be sub-zero as you are hiking through a glacial ice tunnel.
Celebrating the island’s magnificent range of landscapes, this 17-day tour takes you to all the essential national parks and natural destinations. The tour is privately guided and travels overland from Christchurch to Nelson via Doubtful Sound and the Western Coast. As it is a handcrafted tour, it can be adapted to become a self-driven tour should you wish. At each destination, guided experiences will showcase the landscape in all of its glory. You will experience an overnight cruise, kayaking, canoeing, whale watching, various hikes, swimming with dolphins, a scenic flight, and a Heli Hike on the Franz Josef glacier. This tour is not just about passing through; it is an experiential journey.
You will begin with three days in Christchurch, including day trips to Akaroa for dolphins and Kaikoura for whales. Fly over Lake Tekapo en route to two nights beneath New Zealand’s highest mountain: Aoraki Mount Cook. Explore nature and cruise on Lake Wanaka before the glowworm caves of Te Anau become day seven’s main highlight. Spend 24 hours on Doubtful Sound and then carve a path through the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area. Two days at Lake Moeraki will take you off the beaten track while two nights at the Franz Josef glacier will bring intimate glacier and kiwi bird encounters. Then, Arthur’s Pass can be a contrasting stop en route to Abel Tasman, where you will end your trip by visiting tropical beaches and trails. Make sure your perfect vacation is an unforgettable one by seeing additional New Zealand travel ideas.
Starting Price
$7,000 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
- 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 1706 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.