NEW ZEALAND: SWEET AS SOUTH

Christchurch:

• Christchurch (Ōtautahi) 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.

Arthur’s Pass:

• Take in the beautiful scenery as we wind our way across the highest and most spectacular mountain pass across the Southern Alps.

Hokitika:

• In the gold rush town of Hokitika, we’ll meet with a local Māori guide who’ll teach us all about pounamu on a unique tour. We’ll learn about the history of the illustrious green stones (which the South Island is named after) and its connection with the Māori people. Back on the coach, we’re coastline bound to one of the island’s most jaw-droppingly beautiful spots (and that’s saying something).

Franz Josef:

• We’ll pull up for the night in glorious Franz Josef (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere), probably one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever of clapped eyes on. A bold statement we know, but well deserved.

Rainforest Retreat (or similar)

Dinner included

Included Experience:

• Learn about Pounamu with a Local Māori Guide MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience

Franz Josef:

• This morning 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 Māori mastercraftsman. Pounamu is sacred to the Māori people, and this is a great way to learn about its cultural significance, while also creating a beautiful please of jewellery.

Rainforest Retreat (or similar)

Breakfast included

Additional Cost Applies:

• Make Your Own Pounamu Pendant
• Check Out Glaciers on a Heli Ride
• Travel to Franz Josef Glacier by Helicopter and Hike on a Glacier
• Get off the Beaten Path at the Franz Josef Glacier
• Skydive over the Franz Josef & Fox Glacier

Franz Josef:

• With a new appreciation for frozen water, we’ll hop on the coach & continue to Queenstown, with a few cheeky stops along the way.

Haast:

• Our first piece of NZ eye-candy comes in the form of Haast Pass (Tioripatea), beautified by ancient rainforests, small glaciers and waterfalls. Note how the scenery changes as we roll towards Queenstown through the Southern Alps and region of Otago.

Wānaka:

• We’ll stop for lunch in Wānaka, 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.

Queenstown:

• Welcome to the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown (Tāhuna)! First stop is the legendary Kawarau Bungy Bridge, get your adrenaline hit with a heart pounding jump. Tonight you can choose to jump on a gondola and to wine & dine atop of the highest restaurant in Queenstown, Skyline. Rest up tonight – the next few days are going to be BIG.

Lylo (or similar)

Breakfast included

Included Experience:

• Discover Wānaka

Additional Cost Applies:

• Dine at the Skyline Restaurant
• Bungy Jump off Kawarau Bridge

Queenstown:

• Today is yours to get acquainted with Queenstown and check out the activities up for grabs in the next two days. Take a stroll around beautiful this stunning town, nestled in the Southern Alps that has so much to offer.

Lylo (or similar)

Breakfast included

Additional Cost Applies:

• Take the Canyon Swing Over Shotover River
• Climb Waterfalls (Available Oct – Apr Departures Only)
• Explore Queenstown on Two Wheels
• Boogie at an Ice Bar

Queenstown:

• It’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”.

Lylo (or similar)

Breakfast included

Additional Cost Applies:

• Take a Ride on the Shotover Jet
• Walter Peak Horse Trek
• Tour Otago’s finest vineyards
• Take the Ziptrek Zipline
• Ski in Cardrona (Seasonal)
• Fly over the Mountains in Queenstown

Queenstown:

• With 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.

Lylo (or similar)

Breakfast, Dinner included

Additional Cost Applies:

• Take a Kayak Trip to Paradise with Funyaks
• Take the Nevis Bungy Jump
• Take the Nevis Swing
• Experience the Nevis Catapult
• Experience the Nevis Thrillogy (Bungy, Swing & Catapult)
• Skydive over Lake Wakatipu

Queenstown:

• Alright, it’s time to return our adrenaline levels to a normal level and make tracks to the spectacular natural wonder of Milford Sound.

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 (Piopiotahi) in all its glory.

Te Anau:

• Arriving in the stunning lakeside town of Te Anau, why not opt to take a guided jet boat trip to explore the Fiordland National Park. From Te Anau through Lake Manapouri, it’s a pretty exhilirating 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.

The Village Inn Hotel (or similar)

Breakfast included

Included Experience:

• Cruise Milford Sound Fjord

Additional Cost Applies:

• Explore the Fiordland on a JetBoat

Te Anau:

• So long, Te Anau. It’s been fun.

Kingston:

• Our first stop today is Kingston (Takerehaka) 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.

Kā Muriwai (Arrowtown):

• We make a quick stop for lunch in the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown (Kā Muriwai) before heading onto Lake Ōhau.

Lake Ōhau:

• For our last night, we’ll go out with a bang. Or perhaps a splash. Sketchbooks at the ready folks – we’ll spend our final night by Lake Ōhau (Ōhau), with a spectacular view of Mt Cook in the distance!

Lake Ōhau Lodge (or similar)

Breakfast, Dinner included

Included Experience:

• Support Women in Agriculture MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
• Discover Arrowtown

Lake Ōhau:

• We’re moving on to Christchurch but not before one final stop.

Lake Tekapo:

• We’ll kick off our final day with a visit to the glacier-fed Lake Tekapo (Takapō), admiring the crystal clear water. Next, it’s time for a Dark Sky experience – a multimedia exhibition that combines stargazing, science and traditional Māori astronomy. Here we’ll learn how the Māori people would use the stars to help aid their harvests, plus why reducing light pollution is so important.

Christchurch:

• And then the adventure ends in Christchurch. Sure, there’ll be some sadness, but that’s normal when awesome things end. And this has been more than awesome. On a brighter note, the memories will put a smile on your face for years to come.

Breakfast included

Included Experience:

• See the Church of the Good Shepard
• Marvel at the Epic NZ Landscapes
• Visit the Dark Sky Experience