South Island Discovery - 10 days

10 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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Small Group Tour
This 10-day tour beginning and ending in Christchurch explores the beauty of New Zealand's South Island. Discover the cities of Christchurch and Queenstown, ride the iconic Tranz-Alpine railway to Greymouth and explore the historic gold rush village of Arrowtown. Escape to the countryside for an optional helicopter ride over Fox Glacier, to explore Mt. Aspiri...
From$3,435
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Christchurch – Explore the city with included punting and a delightful ride on a heritage tram
    • Tranz-Alpine Rail Journey - Cross the Southern Alps on this famous rail journey, taking in some of the South Island's fastest scenery
    • Wanaka - Choose from an ecological tour to a serene island on Lake Wanaka or a 4X4 excursion into the surrounding countryside
    • Te Anau - Stay beside the largest lake on the South Island and the gateway to Fiordland National Park
    • Milford Sound - Pass through incredible Fiordland National Park and enjoy a cruise on Milford Sound - look out for dolphins!
    • Queenstown – End your adventure in this city on the picturesque Lake Wakatipu

What's this trip about?

    This 10-day tour beginning and ending in Christchurch explores the beauty of New Zealand's South Island. Discover the cities of Christchurch and Queenstown, ride the iconic Tranz-Alpine railway to Greymouth and explore the historic gold rush village of Arrowtown. Escape to the countryside for an optional helicopter ride over Fox Glacier, to explore Mt. Aspiring National Park and marvel at Mt. Cook in addition to cruising the clear waters of Milford Sound, keeping your eyes peeled for dolphins!

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityWelcome to Christchurch
End CityChristchurch

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

  • New Zealand

Attractions

  • Christchurch
  • Queenstown

Trip includes

    • 9 breakfasts & 1 lunch
    • 9 nights 4 star hotels
    • Airport arrival and departure transfers on day 1 and day 10
    • Escorted by an expert local guide/driver with specialist local guides at some sites
    • All relevant transfers and transportation in modern air-conditioned vehicle
    • Tranz-Alpine rail journey from Christchurch - Greymouth
    • Christchurch Edwardian punt & heritage tram experience
    • Local eco-guided tour or an authentic 4WD adventure at Wanaka
    • Tour historic gold rush village of Arrowtown
    • Milford Sound cruise & lunch
    • Note: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go.

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day : 1 Welcome to Christchurch

Arriving in Christchurch you will be met and transferred to your accommodation. This afternoon we will join punting boatmen in traditional Edwardian dress for a leisurely River Avon cruise through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. We then enjoy a stylish journey on a ...

Day : 2 Christchurch

Christchurch – Fox Glacier. Today we embark on the renowned Tranz-Alpine rail journey through the Southern Alps to Greymouth. We'll see the vast Canterbury Plains and farmland which is followed by the breathtaking gorges and valleys of the Waimakariri River. We then a...

Day : 3 Fox Glacier

Fox Glacier – Wanaka. First thing today we visit nearby Lake Matheson which, when weather conditions are just right, perfectly mirrors Mount Cook in its waters creating a stunning visual effect. From here we head up over the Haast Past along the river road, which took...

Day : 4 Wanaka

Your choice of activity today must be made at the time of booking. Please let our Reservations team know which included activity you would like to partake in. Today we have a choice of two included excursions. Option 1 sees you join an eco tour. Depart Wanaka by bo...

Day : 5 Wanaka

Wanaka – Te Anau. We begin our day from Wanaka, stopping at the iconic Cardrona Pub. Then we venture through the Crown Range road to explore historic Arrowtown, a charming gold rush village nestled beneath majestic peaks near the Arrow River. We carry on along the sce...

Day : 6 Te Anau

Te Anau – Queenstown. The journey from Te Anau to Milford Sound is one of the most scenic drives you can experience. Fiordland National Park, part of the Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area is awe-inspiring, and features towering mountains and deep valleys sculp...

Day : 7 Queenstown

Nestled amid majestic mountains and on the pristine shores of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown's natural beauty and unique ambiance provide an ideal setting for a visit filled with adventure, exploration, or relaxation. Today, we have the freedom to choose our own activities...

Day : 8 Queenstown

Queenstown – Twizel. This morning we head north through Kawarau Gorge and past the scenic Lake Dunstan. We cross the Central Otago Countryside to the Lindis Pass where we descend into the Mackenzie Basin where the Southern Alps dominate the horizon. We enjoy a picture...

Day : 9 Twizel

Twizel – Christchurch. Today we get to experience Kiwi culture by visiting a local home on Lake Tekapo's shores to learn the art of making Pavlova, a beloved New Zealand dessert. We enjoy our Pavlova during morning tea, taking in the stunning lake views. We admire the...

Day : 10 Christchurch

Today our adventure in New Zealand comes to an end. A transfer takes you to Christchurch Airport for your flight home.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,435
Price per day$344
Last Updated: 0/4/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
20 May 2024
29 May 2024
$4,315
30 Sep 2024
09 Oct 2024
$4,505
04 Nov 2024
13 Nov 2024
$4,825
02 Dec 2024
11 Dec 2024
$5,135
27 Jan 2025
05 Feb 2025
$5,135
03 Feb 2025
12 Feb 2025
$5,135
24 Feb 2025
05 Mar 2025
$5,135
03 Mar 2025
12 Mar 2025
$5,135
17 Mar 2025
26 Mar 2025
$5,135
31 Mar 2025
09 Apr 2025
$5,135

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with On The Go Tours.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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On The Go Tours Reviews & Ratings

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Tour Operator

On The Go Tours

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Escaping a cold London winter back in 1998, we followed the sun for a colourful adventure around the world. Discovering amazing history, interesting cultures and the jaw-dropping beauty of our planet, the friends we made along the way made our journey all the more special. Inspired to share our experiences, the seeds were sown and On The Go Tours was born.

Over the years we’ve grown into a small yet global company, with a purposeful local ethos. True to our own travels, authenticity is core to our holidays. We’d love you to experience a country the way it really is, with people who live there and know it inside out. We know this makes the difference between a great holiday and a truly memorable one. Our carefully sought out English-speaking local guides are passionate about sharing their country with you and we believe that they are amongst the best in the business.

We know too that adventure feels better with a chilled beer poolside or a soft pillow at the end of each day and we search out comfortable hotels and boutique properties for your stay. As we love to say - travel with us and adventure in style!

Unbeatable value: Combining authentic local experiences with an excellent range of 3-5 star hotels & boutique properties, our tours represent unbeatable value. Add in airport transfers, passionate tour guides and all transportation and you do get the best of adventure travel and creature comforts too.

Great group size: With an average of 15 and a maximum of 24, our group size really works well on tour, so you’re bound to meet like-minded travellers and make lasting friendships. Our festival tours do have larger group sizes due to their ‘one-off’ nature.

100% Guaranteed: Not only are all our group tour departures 100% guaranteed, we are also fully financially bonded, so you can book our tours with absolute confidence. We’re proud to say that we recently won 2 prestigious British Travel Awards and were runner up for another 3, testament to the quality of our holidays.

What they’re known for
Affordable group tours and tailor-made itineraries designed for travelers seeking authentic cultural encounters.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International flights and visas
    • Items of a personal nature (telephone calls, laundry, travel insurance etc)
    • Optional activities
    • Tip for your tour guide driver. We recommend you allow $4 - 7 USD per day per traveller. Tipping your tour guide is an entirely personal gesture.

Accommodation

4-star hotels,
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
18+The average age of passengers on these tours is between 55-75yrs. Pure Discoveries do not permit children.
Additional Information
SOIDI
Trip ID
onthegotours-SOIDI

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