Sweet as South | Eastbound | Oct 2023 - Sep 2024
Tour Operator:
Tour Code:
NSZCD1M23-60
Start City:
Christchurch
End City:
Christchurch
Tour Style:
Tour Quality:
Budget
Tour Length:
9 days
Age Requirement:
18 - 35
Dates & Prices
| Start Date | End Date | Offers | Brochure Land Price | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, May 20, 2024 | Tuesday, May 28, 2024 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Tuesday, Jun 18, 2024 | Wednesday, Jun 26, 2024 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Tuesday, Jul 09, 2024 | Wednesday, Jul 17, 2024 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Tuesday, Jul 16, 2024 | Wednesday, Jul 24, 2024 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Tuesday, Aug 20, 2024 | Wednesday, Aug 28, 2024 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Tuesday, Sep 03, 2024 | Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote |
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Why pay full price? Call us or click above for a quick quote and save money on Contiki Tours.Tour Itinerary
Experience the best of South! From Lake Ohau to Queenstown to Christchurch - it's an adventure you won't want to end. Start off on a scenic flight over Mt. Cook then get ready to hit Queenstown, the adventure Capital of the World. Try bungy, or you can opt to take a stunning Milford Sound cruise. In Franz Josef you'll hike a glacier before your tour ends in Christchurch.
Countries Visited
Cities Visited
Christchurch , Franz Josef , Hokitika , Kingston , Lake Ohau , Milford Sound , Queenstown , Te Anau , Wanaka
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Day 1
Christchurch to Lake ?hauChristchurch what's up? New Zealand's South Island is the home to adventure, adrenaline and good times and we're here to take it all on. We'll stop off to see the intense milky blue waters of glacially-fed Lake Tekapo. Here we'll also get to enjoy an unforgettable Dark Sky experience, an interactive multimedia exhibition that mixes stargazing, science and traditional M?ori astronomy, teaching us how the M?ori people used to use stars to harvest food, and about the importance of reducing light pollution. Onto Lake ?hau, with its glorious views of Mt. Cook. Yet another swoon-worthy location where you'll have to pick that jaw up off the ground.Accommodation: Lake ?hau Lodge (or similar)
Meals: Dinner -
Day 2
Lake ?hau to Te AnauAnother day, another natural wonder to discover. We make a quick stop for lunch in this historic gold mining town before heading on. Our next stop today is Kingston for an authentic and important NZ farm experience. Where a charity helps local girls to learn practical farming skills and gain qualifications. Contiki makes a donation on behalf of every traveller who visits the farm, so you can help more NZ women and girls plough through barriers and get ahead in their ‘field’ just by turning up. Arriving in the stunning lakeside town of Te Anau, why not opt to take a guided jet boat trip to Fiordland National Park. From Te Anau through Lake Manapouri, it's a pretty exhilarating way to soak up the scenery. Prefer to keep you feet (or wheels) on dry land. You can also take a trip to the ethereal glow worm caves (woaahhh) or simply cycle the gorgeous trails through native bush.Accommodation: The Village Inn Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 3
Te Anau to QueenstownIt's time to make tracks to the spectacular natural wonder of Milford Sound. Welcome to New Zealand's most stunning attraction, with a magical combination of mountain peaks, forest-clad cliffs and deep dark waters. We take an included cruise of the fiord and experience the beauty of this pristine destination by boat, the best way to see Milford Sound in all its glory. Welcome to the adventure capital of the world - Queenstown. Rest up tonight - the next few days are going to be BIG.Accommodation: Lylo (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 4
QueenstownToday is yours to get acquainted with Queenstown and spend some time mulling over the activities up for grabs in the next two days. First stop is the legendary Kawarau Bungy Bridge, get your morning adrenaline hit with a heart pounding jump at the world home of the bungy. Later, take a stroll around beautiful Queenstown, nestled in the Southern Alps this stunning town has plenty to offer other than adventure activities.Accommodation: Lylo (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 5
QueenstownIt's times like this that you really start to work out what sort of traveller you are. And human for that matter. You might be the one trailing through wine country and exploring wine cellars and caves, or you may be that guy that crams in a bungy jump and ziplining & still craves more. It's your holiday - run wild as you see fit.Please note: If you're here during ski season, you can opt for an exclusive Ski day-trip to Cardrona. Check out ‘Dates & Pricing’ to see these "Special Departures".Accommodation: Lylo (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 6
QueenstownWith our last day in adrenalin city edging closer, this is the time to push yourself to the limits and jump over any mental barriers you've put up around yourself. Embrace the spirit of adventure and conquer those niggling fears once and for all. For those who did their dash yesterday, a day staying mellow and enjoying this beautiful region will prove more than sufficient. Tonight you can choose to jump on a gondola and to wine & dine atop of the highest restaurant in Queenstown, Skyline. What a way to end our time here!Accommodation: Lylo (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 7
Queenstown to Franz Josef GlacierTime to return our adrenalin levels to normal and make tracks to the wild (and often wet) West Coast and it's towering glaciers. Enjoying our scenic drive we'll stop for lunch in Wanaka, a pretty ski resort town situated on a lake front and dwarfed by mountains. This town is fast becoming one of NZ's most popular spots, and a trip to the 'Dough Bin' for a luscious pie should be high on the list today. Our first piece of NZ eye-candy comes in the form of Haast Pass, beautified by ancient rainforests, small glaciers and waterfalls. Note how the scenery changes as we roll away from Queenstown through the Southern Alps. Playing host tonight is the town of Franz Josef, home to some of NZ's finest natural beauty with bushlands and glaciers that almost reach the sea. Tomorrow we'll be out and about making the most of it - who's excited?Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 8
Franz Josef GlacierThis morning will be another big ol' tick off the list as we take to the ice of Franz Josef Glacier. We've got a heli ride over the glacier up for grabs, or the opportunity to carve your own Pounamu (jade) pendant, under the tuition of a Maori mastercraftsman. Pounamu is sacred to the M?ori people, and this is a great way to learn about its cultural significance, while also creating a beautiful please of jewellery.Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 9
Franz Josef Glacier to ChristchurchArmed with a new found appreciation for frozen water, we hop back on the coach & start making our way back to Christchurch. In the gold rush town of Hokitika we'll watch authentic carvers get to work on green jade and take a look at traditional Maori art. Back on the coach we're coastline bound to one of the islands most jaw-droppingly beautiful spots... Take in the beautiful scenery as we wind our way across the highest and most spectacular mountain pass across the Southern Alps. Arriving into Christchurch marks the end of our adventure (sob). NZ - you've been real.
Meals: Breakfast
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Dining Summary
- 2 Dinner (D)
- 8 Breakfast (B)
Included Experience
- Lake Ohau: Looking out at the peaks of Mt Cook across the glacial waters of Lake ?hau... It was once a dream, but today we'll make it your reality. (You're welcome.)
- Lake Tekapo: See the church on the shores of Lake Tekapo with a backdrop of snow-capped peaks - and get that iconic Insta pic too!
- Lake Tekapo: We'll stop at Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo and Geraldine... and watch happily on as NZ's astonishing natural beauty takes your breath away.
- Lake Tekapo: The Dark Sky Experience combines M?ori astronomy, storytelling and science together in one truly unique interactive display.
- Milford Sound: Cruise along the glassy waters and get the kind of view people write poems about. You'll soon see why it's a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Queenstown: Get your adrenaline pumping on the World's first ever (and some would say most famous) bungy jump.
- Wanaka: A lake town with views for days, surrounded by beech forests, alpine lakes, and wilderness glaciers.
- Haast: Ready for some incredible views? We'll drive through the gorgeous mountains of the Gates of Haast and catch once-in-a-lifetime views of the river below. Seems like Mother nature does have a favourite!
Make Travel Matter®
- Te Anau: Today we’ll visit a local farm in Te Anau to support the Fairlight Foundation, which works to advance women in Agriculture. We’ll learn all about farming, as well as the Fairlight Foundation and the work that they do.
- Hokitika: The South Island is known for Pounamu (in fact, it’s even named after the stuff.) Today in Hokitika, we’ll meet with a local M?ori Guide, who’ll tell us all about the connection between the illustrious greenstone and the M?ori people. After that, we’ll go and check some out for ourselves.
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
Question: How many suitcases can I take with me on my trip?
Each person is allowed one "check-in," and one "carry-on." Remember to take all valuables with you as "carry-on", because electronic equipment, cameras, laptops, jewelry, business documents and money are not covered by the airlines' liability, so always carry them aboard with you.
Question: Is Airfare Included in the Price?
Airfare from your point of origin to and from the trip is not included in the land price.
Overall Rating
3.9
Accommodations
3.8
Itinerary
4
Professional Staff
4.2
Repeat with Operator
3.9
Value for Money
3.8
We were lucky that the group of people with were good, but it was a large group tour and did have some of the downfalls of a trip of that nature, like frequent breaks for the bathroom, difficulty when eating out together, and getting things on and off the coach. The trip was still great and a good value for the money.
It was a good value and the experiences included were worth it. The only part that wasn't the best were the accommodations as it was hit and miss. Half of the hotels on the trip were okay, and the other half were really nice.
I had an amazing trip!
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