Small Group Tour
Small Group Tour
9 Day South Island Tour
Start: Christchurch
Finish: Christchurch
What's included:
- 9 nights of hostel accommodation (includes one night before the tour starts)
- 9 tasty breakfasts (vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options on request)
- Dark Sky Project tour; gaze at the stars in the largest dark sky reserve in the world
- Glenorchy and Lake Wakatipu day tour
- Greenstone carving experience; carve your own piece of pounamu jewellery, a highly valued greenstone in New Zealand that plays an essential role in Māori culture.
- Various scenic hikes (all included and optional); Mt John walkway in Lake Tekapo, Hooker Valley in Mt Cook National Park and Franz Josef glacier valley walk.
- Selected winter departures include a 1-day Ski Package* 27th June, 25th July & 8th August are all Ski Package departures. These tours are priced at $2310.00 per person
With spectacular scenery and many adventure opportunities, this 9-day South Island adventure starts and finishes in the diverse city of Christchurch. Turquoise lakes, majestic glaciers, dramatic mountain peaks and the picture-perfect towns of Queenstown, Wanaka and Franz Josef are all a part of this epic road trip. With accommodation and some activities included (see below), our tours are hassle-free, authentic experiences for those short on time.
This tour departs at 9 am from Hotel Give (12 Hereford Street, Christchurch Central), where your accommodation has been booked for the night before departure. Breakfast is from 8 am at the hostel before departure. The tour will finish in Christchurch at approximately 5 pm.
Read more about our Booking Guarantee here
Tour Dates - 2023
- 13 June - 21 June Book here
- 27 June - 5 July* Book here - SKI PACKAGE INCLUSIVE DEPARTURE $2310.00 PER PERSON*
- 25 July - 2 Aug * Book here - SKI PACKAGE INCLUSIVE DEPARTURE $2310.00 PER PERSON*
- 8 Aug - 16 Aug Book here -
- 22 Aug - 30 Aug Book here
- 5 - 13 September Book here
- 12 Sep - 20 Sep Book here
- 19 Sep - 27 Sep Book here
- 26 Sep - 4 Oct Book here
- 3 - 11 October Book here
NZ $1970
Day 1Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
Saying goodbye to Christchurch, we’ll hit the road and cruise into the magnificent Mackenzie Country, home to Lake Tekapo. Here we will visit the charming stone Church of the Good Shepherd (included), sat next to the breathtakingly blue waters of the lake framed with colourful lupins. As night falls, we will visit the Dark Sky Project situated among the UNESCO Dark Sky reserve (included).
Accommodation
- Lakes Edge
Experiences & Highlights
- Marvel at the stars at the Dark Sky Project, Lake Tekapo, where science, Māori heritage and fascinating multi-media installations bring together a ‘Big Bang’ of awe and inspiration.
- Visit the The Church of the Good Shepherd; situated on the shores of Lake Tekapō amongst the natural beauty of the lake and the mountains.
- Hike up Mount John for a 360-degree panorama of the surrounding mountains, lakes and Mackenzie Basin flats.
Day 2Lake Tekapo to Mt Cook (return)
Cruising past the ‘powerade factory’ Lake Pukaki (you’ll know what we mean when you see it) we head for Mount Cook village where we will enjoy a couple of breathtaking scenic hikes in the National Park (included) which will break your internet and blow your mind. Here you will have the opportunity to experience the Tasman Glacier by helicopter or take a scenic flight through the Mt Cook National Park (Aoraki).
Accommodation
- Lakes Edge
Experiences & Highlights
- Spend the day at Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.
- Hike the Hooker Valley track to Hooker Lake. An awe-inspiring landscape of the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana on one of our best day hikes - wind up the Hooker Valley past alpine streams and glaciers in the shadow of Aoraki/Mount Cook.
- Enjoy a scenic flight over Aoraki National Park (not included).
- Go skydiving over Aoraki National Park (not included).
Day 3Lake Tekapo To Queenstown
We drive on through the stunning Lindis Pass and onto Queenstown; known as the adrenaline capital of New Zealand. There is so much to see and do here for everyone, you will not be dissapointed. This evening why not enjoy the nightlife that Queenstown has to offer.
Accommodation
- Nomads Queenstown
Experiences & Highlights
- AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge Bungy (not included)
Day 4Queenstown
Carrying on the adrenaline-pumping theme, you have a full day to fill with activities that suit all budgets and appetites for adventure. Try your hand at activities such as white water rafting, bungy jumping, skydiving, jet-boating or canyon swinging… if you dream it, it probably exists here in Queenstown. Speak to your Driver Guide who will be able to point you in the right direction.
Accommodation
- Nomads Queenstown
Day 5Queenstown
Today we will head out into the heartlands of Otago to the picturesque town of Glenorchy to experience a scenic landscape brimming with southern charm.
Day 6Queenstown
Spend the Whole day in Queenstown soaking up the beautiful scenery. Make the most of the adreneline activities such as bungy jumping and skydiving.
Accommodation
- Nomads Queenstown
Experiences & Highlights
- Soack up the sights of Queenstown
- Experience the adrenaline activities such as bungy jumping and skydiving.
- Selcted Winter departures on 27th Jun, 11th July, 25th July, 8th Aug, include a 1-day lift pass to Cardona Ski Field
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What's included in the ski package: *Selected departures only *T&C apply
- 1 day mountain lift pass at Cardona Ski Field
- 1 day equipment and clothing hire
- Equipment: skis or snowboard, helmet and goggles
- Clothing rental: Jacket and pants
- Mountain transport transfers
Day 7Queenstown to Franz Josef
We start out early in order to stroll round Lake Wanaka and some lunch. We then cruise up the last stretch of Highway 6, stopping at popular scenic spots along the way. We'll then head to Lake Matheson where you can catch the perfect mirror reflection of Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. The onwrads to Franz Josef.
Accommodation
- Rainforest Retreat
Experiences & Highlights
- Lake Wanaka and the famous Wanaka Tree
- Lake Matheson mirror lake
- Franz Josef Glacier
Day 8Franz Josef
Incredible Franz Josef sits in the world heritage area, the combination of alpine scenery and west coast rainforest makes for an epic setting for your free day. You can experience a Heli-Hike on the glacier or you can explore this lush corner of New Zealand (for free) on foot; hitting up the many walking trails in the area. Relax afterwards in a Hot Spring with breathtaking views.
Accommodation
- Rainforest Retreat
Experiences & Highlights
- Design and carve your own Greenstone jewelery in a West Coast workshop (included)
- Walk the Glacier valley walk in Franz Josef
Day 9Franz Josef to Christchurch
Today we travel from coast to coast right over the Southern Alps! We’ll stop for the chance to carve your own greenstone necklaces (pounamu), a unique gift from this special place. Then a journey through the Arthur’s Pass National Park, a landscape of 2 halves. Ascending the western side, we’ll venture through dense rainforest alongside and over deeply gorged rivers, on the eastern side, you'll see wide, shingle-filled riverbeds and vast swathes of beech forest. Along this road, we will stop off at the Devil’s Punch Bowl and the breath-taking Castle Hill (included).
Experiences & Highlights
- Scenic hikes across Arthurs Pass
- Walk the Castle Hill track; wander through majestic limestone rock formations of special significance to Ngāi Tahu.
- Devils Punchbowl waterfalls.
What's Included
- 9 nights hostel dorm accommodation
- 9 tasty breakfasts
- Dark Sky Project, Lake Tekapo
- The Church of the Good Shepherd
- Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
- Glenorchy & Lake Wakatipu tour
- Thunder Creek Falls
- Lake Matheson
- Greenstone carving
- Glacier valley walk in Franz Josef
- Scenic hikes across Arthurs Pass
- Devils Punchbowl and Castle Hill
Optional Extras
Our Small Group Tours offer a fixed itinerary, with a few bucket list items included. There are plenty of additional activities you can add on to your experience as you travel.
What our passengers think
It was a perfect way to spend a quick tour in the South Island
I was a bit hesitant about joining a group tour because I was alone (and introverted) and don't know anything, and there were some not-so-good reviews. But i dint really wanna spend so much renting a car alone (plus it'd be tiring to drive alone) so I opted to book it. It was a very pleasant experience from day 1 to finish. I met the group in Christchurch, although they have already started the tour from north island. They were mostly solo travelers as well, and everyone was respectful of each other. I actually made good friends with some after the trip (and was a bit sad when we parted).
It's easy to meet likeminded people and make friends
I'm here to learn and explore New Zealand and do activities that I wouldn't be able to do anywhere else
Faq's
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I’m a solo traveller... will I meet other solo travellers?
Absolutely! The majority of our passengers are travelling solo. Kiwi Experience is a social experience guaranteed to leave with new friends from across the globe.
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Am I too old/young for Kiwi Experience?
We welcome the young, and the young at heart aboard our buses, there is no upper limit! There is however a lower limit; you’ll need to be 18 at the time of travel.
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What visas do I need?
Luckily, many nationalities are able to visit New Zealand for less than 3 months without a visa. However, if you are not from one of these countries, obtaining your own visa is your own responsibility. We ask that you check out the Immigration New Zealand website before booking your Kiwi Experience trip.
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Do I need travel insurance?
While not mandatory, travel insurance is strongly recommended and should be taken out when travelling with us. As well as making sure your expensive stuff is covered, you should also get comprehensive travel insurance (covering all medical expenses you could incur while travelling).
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How much should I budget for each day?
We recommend you budget between $70 - $100 per day to cover food and super fun times. From time to time, it may be worth putting a little more aside to pay for the really crazy stuff like skydiving.
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How much luggage am I allowed to bring?
Passengers are allowed one 23kg suitcase/backpack and one day bag, as there are strict weight restrictions on our buses.
