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12 Day South Island Guided Tour South Island Tours New Zealand

Experience the enchanting South Island of New Zealand like never before with our exclusive 12-day guided / small group tour – Kiwi. This journey takes you to iconic landmarks and unveils hidden gems off the beaten path.

Alex Knob Track, Franz Josef, Photo Credit: RoadyNZ

Explore the majestic Aoraki/Mount Cook region and discover the breathtaking Milford Sound by land, sea, and air in our South Island Guided Tour. Enjoy a private lunch with locals at a mid-Canterbury farmhouse, savor a delightful lunch and wine tasting at a Marlborough vineyard, and relish a picnic in the stunning Abel Tasman National Park.

Get up close and personal with New Zealand’s unique native wildlife on land and water. After a day of adventure, unwind in the comfort of 4-star accommodations. Instagram photos

12 Day South Island Guided Tour

12-Day South Island Guided Tour Included Activities

Privately hosted homestead lunch • Milford Sound Cruise • Milford Sound Scenic Flight • Abel Tasman cruise, picnic lunch, and guided walk • Lunch and wine tasting at a Marlborough winery • Welcome dinner at Aoraki/Mt Cook • Farewell dinner in Kaikoura

Explore 6 National Parks in South Island

Aoraki/Mt Cook National ParkMt Aspiring National ParkFiordland National Park • Westland Tai Poutini • Paparoa • Abel Tasman

  •    TOUR DURATION:
    12 days
  •    TOUR STARTS/ENDS:
    Christchurch to Christchurch
  •    TOUR CATEGORY:
    Small Group Tour
  •    TRANSPORTATION:
    Minibus
  •    TOUR DEPARTURES:
    Daily
  •    AIRPORT TRANSFERS:
    Included
  •    MEALS:
    11 Breakfast ,3 Lunch ,1 Dinner 
  •    ACCOMMODATIONS:
    Superior Hotels
  •    PASSENGERS:
    no minimum number of passengers
  •    TOUR CODE:
    MOA032024
  •    PRE & POST ACCOMMODATION:
    “Available“
  •    CITIES/REGIONS VISITED:

    Christchurch → Aoraki Mount Cook → Queenstown → Milford Sound → Arrowtown → Wanaka → Franz Josef Glacier → Punakaiki → Nelson → Abel Tasman National Park → Marlborough → Kaikoura → Christchurch

ITINERARY

Depart from United States Of America, US

DAY 1 : Christchurch - Aoraki / Mt Cook

We meet in Christchurch and head south for a special lunch at Akaunui homestead, a 117-year-old country home where we dine on wonderful fresh produce prepared by our hosts, Di and Ian Mackenzie.

We continue through the spectacular Mackenzie Country for sweeping vistas of tussock lands, glacial lakes, and the Southern Alps. We can’t miss the Church at Lake Tekapo and the unreal turquoise blue Lake Pukaki before arrival at Aoraki/Mt Cook village. We celebrate our arrival with dinner at The Hermitage.

  • A hosted country lunch with friends at Akaunui homestead
  • Enjoy our welcome dinner in the heart of the mountains

 

DAY 2 : Aoraki/Mt Cook - Lindis Pass - Queenstown

Your morning is free to explore Aoraki Mt Cook National Park with New Zealand’s best short walks right out the front door or take an optional flight up onto the Tasman Glacier. After lunch, we head south over the Lindis Pass and onto Queenstown.

  • Take a short walk to explore the stunning alpine scenery of Aoraki Mt Cook
  • Get up close to the Tasman Glacier on an optional helicopter flight
  • Settle in for three nights in Queenstown and enjoy the vibrant mountain scene

 

DAY 3 : Queenstown - Milford Sound Cruise - Scenic flight - Queenstown

We follow the shores of the great lakes Wakatipu and Te Anau into the mountains and waterfalls of Fiordland National Park. We cruise on Milford Sound dominated by iconic Mitre Peak and home to seal colonies and dolphins. A magnificent scenic flight back over the Southern Alps to Queenstown ends this fantastic day.

  • From Lake Te Anau through Fiordland National Park on the Milford Road
  • Small Boat Cruise on Milford Sound, under waterfalls, and out to the Tasman Sea
  • A memorable scenic flight from Milford Sound back to Queenstown

 

DAY 4 : At leisure in Queenstown

Today is yours to make the most of the infinite choice of day tours and activities Queenstown has to offer. From lakeside walks, galleries, bike tours, food & wine, and of course the famous adventure activities like jet boating and bungy jumping, there’s something for everyone!

  • Take your pick from literally hundreds of activities and tours on offer in Queenstown
  • Take a leisurely walk or cycle on the excellent trails in the Wakatipu basin
  • Enjoy dinner at one of the many award-winning restaurants on the lakefront

 

DAY 5 : Queenstown - Arrowtown - Cardrona Valley - Wanaka

Today is a highlights reel of the Southern Lakes beauty, from Arrowtown, we climb up the Crown Range for our last views of the beautiful Wakatipu basin before calling into picture-perfect Cardrona Hotel and on to our lakeside accommodation in Wanaka.

  • Gold mining history comes to life in Arrowtown
  • Relax in the garden at the Cardrona Hotel
  • Short walks or an optional activity in Wanaka
  • Stroll along the lake at Wanaka, we’re staying right on the lakeside tonight

DAY 6 : Wanaka - Haast Pass - Lake Matheson - Franz Josef

Today is a quintessential kiwi day, where else in the world can you visit the seaside, a rainforest, and a glacier all in the same day? From Lakes Hawea and Wanaka over the Haast Pass and out to the West Coast before ending our day in Franz Josef Glacier, your camera will be working overtime today!

  • The stunning World Heritage Highway
  • Short walks in the subalpine zone, rainforest and on the beach
  • Wake up by the lakeshore in Wanaka, go to sleep surrounded by rainforest in Franz Josef

 

DAY 7 : Franz Josef - Hokitika - Punakaiki

Your morning is free to discover Glacier Country and Westland with a walk to the Franz Josef Glacier Valley lookout or a visit to Okarito, home of the revered Kotuku – White Heron. After lunch, we head north via Hokitika to Punakaiki and Paparoa National Park.

  • Franz Josef Glacier walks, or the option of a heli glacier landing
  • An optional wildlife cruise on Okarito Lagoon
  • Explore Hokitika, the ‘pounamu’ or jade capital of New Zealand
  • Sunset views from our hotel right on the beach at Punakaiki

 

DAY 8 : Punakaiki - Paparoa National Park - Charleston - Westport - Punakaiki

Paparoa National Park is very different from any other area on the trip, with towering limestone cliffs and karst rock formations with beautiful river valleys draped in subtropical forest.

DAY 9 : Punakaiki - Cape Foulwind - Murchison - Nelson

Travelling north up the West Coast we call into Tauranga Bay and Cape Foulwind. Turning inland, we continue through the rugged Buller Gorge to Nelson, known for its arts and crafts scene.

  • Enjoy an easy stroll to see the Cape Foulwind seal colony
  • Pass through the rugged Buller Gorge to Murchison and on to Nelson
  • Nelson is home to vineyards, orchards, and a lively arts and crafts scene

 

DAY 10 : Nelson - Abel Tasman National Park

Abel Tasman is a highlight of the entire tour for many people. A picnic lunch is included so you can take your pick from a full scenic cruise or a cruise/walk combo to explore a section of the coastal track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, with time to relax on the beach or even jump in for a swim.

  • Cruise the crystal clear blue waters of Abel Tasman National Park
  • A guided walk and picnic lunch on the Abel Tasman coastal track

 

DAY 11 : Nelson - Kaikoura

We call into Havelock at the head of Pelorus Sound to appreciate the spectacular views. In Marlborough enjoy a private lunch and wine tasting at FROMM Winery in this renowned wine region.

  • Private lunch and wine tasting in this renowned wine region
  • Be awed by the coastline between the Pacific Ocean and Kaikoura Ranges
  • Celebrate our travels with dinner out on the town

 

DAY 12 : Kaikoura – Christchurch

This morning is free to see Kaikoura’s bountiful marine life, the result of an ocean canyon close offshore. After lunch, we depart for Waipara, the Canterbury Plains, and our final farewell in Christchurch.

Arrive to United States Of America, US

Inclusions & Highlights

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
Privately hosted homestead lunch
• Milford Sound Cruise
• Milford Sound Scenic Flight
• Abel Tasman cruise, picnic lunch and guided walk
• Lunch and wine tasting at a Marlborough winery
• Welcome dinner at Aoraki/Mt Cook
• Farewell dinner in Kaikoura

General 12 Day South Island Guided Tour Inclusions
• All transport by comfortable, air conditioned coach
• Small group tour, maximum 18 guests
• Services of your knowledgeable Kiwi guide
• Quality accommodation chosen for a “sense of place”

ACCOMMODATION

THREE MULTI-NIGHT STAYS
Queenstown (3 nights) • Punakaiki (2 nights) • Nelson (2 nights)