New Zealand Tour

The Ultimate Journey Through the South Island

Welcome to Christchurch, the most “English” city in New Zealand, known for its beautiful gardens, historic architecture, and vibrant arts scene. Often referred to as the “Garden City,” Christchurch boasts stunning parks and botanical gardens, which provide a serene backdrop to the bustling city life. The city is also famous for its picturesque Avon River, where you can enjoy punting or walking along the riverbanks. With a blend of heritage and modernity, visitors can explore unique galleries, cafes, and the Cardboard Cathedral, a symbol of the city’s resilience following the earthquakes.

Upon arrival, meet our representative and enjoy a private transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Christchurch.

After breakfast, we will embark on a day tour of Christchurch. We will visit Cathedral Square, the heart of the city, where you can admire the iconic Christchurch Cathedral and the surrounding vibrant atmosphere. Next, we will explore the Canterbury Museum, home to fascinating exhibits on the region’s natural history, including displays of unique historical wildlife and cultural artifacts. A visit to the Antarctic Centre will offer insights into the continent’s environment and the adventures of those who explore it. Finally, we will stroll through the beautiful Botanic Gardens, where you can enjoy the serene landscapes and diverse plant species.
Overnight in Christchurch.

After breakfast, you will pick up your rental car and embark on a scenic drive of approximately 2.5 hours to Kaikoura. The name Kaikoura translates to “the place where crayfish are eaten,” and indeed, this coastal town is the perfect spot to experience all things marine.

Upon arrival, we will join a shared catamaran cruise for a thrilling whale-watching experience. Kaikoura is renowned as one of the few places in the world where you can see the Giant Sperm Whale year-round. These magnificent creatures can reach lengths of up to 18.5 meters and weigh over 55 tons! During the cruise, you may also spot albatrosses, dolphins, sharks, and seals, making it a truly unforgettable adventure.
Overnight in Kaikoura.

After breakfast, you will embark on a drive of approximately 5.5 hours (420 km) to Nelson, known as the “sunshine capital” of New Zealand. Nestled near the stunning Marlborough Sounds, Nelson serves as a gateway for excursions into the Abel Tasman and Nelson Lakes National Parks.

This vibrant city is situated in the heart of a fertile agricultural region, making it an excellent starting point for exploring some of the most beautiful beaches in New Zealand. Enjoy the unique charm of Nelson, with its artistic vibe and outdoor adventures that await you.
Overnight in Nelson.

After breakfast, we will embark on a day trip to Abel Tasman National Park, named after the Dutch captain who discovered New Zealand and paid the price with the lives of some of his unfortunate crew members, who were eaten by local Māori. He is also the one who named the country “Nova Zeelandia,” after a region in Holland, so it was only fitting that this land reward him with a park named after him.

The park features golden beaches interspersed with lush rainforests, and with a bit of luck, you might spot various marine mammals. The tides also reveal and submerge kilometers of land-sea.

We will head to the golden sands of Kaiteriteri Bay, from where we will board a water taxi for a several-hour tour deep into the park. During the boat ride, we will see a colony of fur seals and explore hidden coves, where we can take short walks to appreciate the unique flora and fauna of the area. We will sail to Bark Bay and then hike to Akoranga via Torrent Bay and Cleopatra’s Pool, where we can enjoy stunning views of the forest and the coastline below. Continuing our walk, we will cross the suspension bridge over the Fall River on this spectacular trail, eventually arriving at Torrent Bay, where we will connect with the water taxi back to Kaiteriteri.
Overnight in Nelson.

After breakfast, we will embark on a scenic drive of approximately 3.5 hours (265 km) to Punakaiki Park, where you can witness the stunning phenomenon of sedimentary rock layers formed over millions of years of rising and falling sea levels. These rocks have created formations that remind the settlers of piles of pancakes—though perhaps it was just the name “Punakaiki” that suggested this connection!

Following our exploration at Punakaiki, we will continue our journey with a 3-hour drive (217 km) along the wild shores of the Tasman Sea. We will arrive at the charming town of Franz Josef, named after the nearby glacier. This name pays homage to the Austrian geologist Julius von Haast, who dedicated the glacier to the Austrian emperor.
Overnight in Franz Josef.

After breakfast, we will embark on a breathtaking helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier, where we will enjoy stunning aerial views of the majestic ice formations. This unique experience will also include a short walking tour on the glacier itself, allowing you to explore its stunning features up close.

The rest of the day is free for you to relax and enjoy the surrounding area at your leisure.
Overnight in Franz Josef.

After breakfast, we will embark on a drive south for approximately 3.5 hours (288 km) along the western coast, where we will experience what it means to be at the “end of the world” in the best possible way. As we approach the town of Haast, we will turn east and begin our ascent through the Haast Pass. The scenery and vegetation will transform before our eyes, shifting from dense green rainforest to open alpine landscapes.

We will travel between two of New Zealand’s largest lakes – Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea – through a narrow corridor known as “the neck.” Along the way, we will make several essential stops for photographs, as the breathtaking views are truly unparalleled!
Our journey will culminate in the alpine town of Wanaka, nestled on the shores of the lake bearing the same name.
Overnight in Wanaka.

After breakfast, we will embark on a winding drive of about one hour (67 km) along the golden rivers on our way to Queenstown, the adrenaline capital of New Zealand and perhaps the world, all while surrounded by unparalleled tranquility. Just three decades ago, this was a charming and sleepy resort town on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, which, according to legend, harbors a fearsome monster at its depths (at least that’s what the story says, and who are we to challenge that?).

Upon arrival, we will head out for one of Queenstown’s most popular activities: a thrilling jet boat ride through the rivers. These jet boats, powered by high-performance engines, offer incredible maneuverability at speeds of up to 90 kilometers per hour, even in depths as shallow as seven centimeters. The boats twist and turn just inches from jagged rocks and perform 360-degree spins, accompanied by the excited shouts of passengers.

In the evening, we will take the gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the town and surrounding landscapes. We’ll savor a delicious dinner along with a fine New Zealand wine at the mountaintop restaurant—an unforgettable experience!
Overnight in Queenstown.

After breakfast, we will set off on the famous Routeburn Track, regarded as one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world. The trek will take us around Lake Wakatipu to the towns of Glenorchy and Paradise. We will cross the Dart River and continue our hike through Mount Aspiring National Park, enjoying stunning views and encounters with local wildlife. Lunch is included.

At the end of the trek, we will return to Queenstown.
Overnight in Queenstown.

After breakfast, we will embark on a two-and-a-half-hour drive alongside Lake Wakatipu and Lake Te Anau, the largest lakes on the South Island. Traveling along the “Milford Road,” we will enter the land of fiords. This scenic route features breathtaking landscapes, where we will stop to admire stunning mirror lakes and visit cascading spiral waterfalls.

We will pass through the Homer Tunnel, which cuts through the towering mountain range that borders the fiord area, and soon we will find ourselves in Fiordland National Park, which covers an area equivalent to the entire state of Israel and is the largest national park in New Zealand. We will traverse the land of a thousand waterfalls, aptly named for the countless waterfalls plummeting from heights of hundreds of meters. The sight is truly astonishing! Milford Sound is the northernmost, deepest, and most beautiful of the fiords.

We will board one of the boats cruising through the fiord and marvel at the giant cliffs surrounding us, rising up to 1,700 meters, from which countless waterfalls cascade down with incredible force. Lunch will be provided (shared cruise).

After the cruise, we will drive approximately an hour and a half (118 km) to Te Anau.
Overnight in Te Anau.

After breakfast, we will embark on a day trip to Doubtful Sound, a fjord located within Fiordland National Park. We will cross Lake Manapouri by boat and then continue over Wilmot Pass, where we will set off on a stunning cruise through the fjord. Lunch is included.
At the end of the cruise, we will drive back to Te Anau.
Overnight in Te Anau.

After breakfast, we will embark on a shared cruise on Lake Te Anau. We will enter a system of limestone caves where thousands of glowworms shine above us in a mesmerizing blue light. It’s an amazing experience!

Following our cave exploration, we will drive approximately 3.5 hours (290 km) to Dunedin. The remote road takes us past fossil forests, hidden coves, deserted beaches, coastal cliffs, waterfalls, and abundant marine mammals, including one of the southernmost lighthouses in the world.
Overnight in Dunedin.

After breakfast, we will embark on a city tour of Dunedin. We will visit the beautiful botanic gardens, the famous Baldwin Street, the Dunedin Art Museum, and Larnach Castle.
Later, we will take a shared cruise to the yellow-eyed penguin colony, where you can get very close to these unique birds.

Following the cruise, we will enjoy a one-hour walk to observe the majestic royal albatross.
Overnight in Dunedin.

After breakfast, we will embark on a scenic drive of approximately 4 hours (318 km) to Mount Cook, also known as Aoraki, the highest mountain in New Zealand, rising to 3,724 meters. The mountain is named after the English explorer James Cook, who first arrived in New Zealand with his ship in 1769.
Overnight at Mount Cook.

After breakfast, we will embark on a day hike in the Hooker Valley, where we will enjoy stunning views of some of New Zealand’s highest peaks. During our trek, we will learn about the unique flora of the area and the wildlife that inhabits this beautiful environment.
Overnight at Mount Cook.

After breakfast, we will drive approximately 4 hours (323 km) to Christchurch.
Overnight in Christchurch.

After breakfast, we will drive to Banks Peninsula, located southeast of Christchurch, which is the result of extensive volcanic activity.
Upon arrival, we will embark on a shared catamaran cruise, enjoying the beautiful views of Akaroa Harbor and the peninsula. During the cruise, we may encounter a variety of marine wildlife, including dolphins and numerous bird species.
Overnight in Christchurch.

After breakfast and depending on your flight time, we will drive to the airport, return your rental car, and catch your flight back home.