Kiwiana Panorama (Christchurch to Auckland Winter - Until Sep 2018)

16 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
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USTOA

Group Tour
It's not called the adrenalin capital of the world for nothing! Dive into the thrills of the South Island - from Franz Josef Glacier to Queenstown's non-stop action, you'll need loads of energy to keep you going! Continue the adrenaline rush as you head through "The Lord of the Rings" country to the North Island, packed with Maori culture, cruising on Lake Ta...

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • See Mt Cook across the beautiful blue glacial Lake Ohau
    • Stop at Oamaru and Benmore Dam
    • Locally Guided tour of Te Puia Village (until Oct 2017)
    • Hobbiton Movie Set Tours

What's this trip about?

    It's not called the adrenalin capital of the world for nothing! Dive into the thrills of the South Island - from Franz Josef Glacier to Queenstown's non-stop action, you'll need loads of energy to keep you going! Continue the adrenaline rush as you head through "The Lord of the Rings" country to the North Island, packed with Maori culture, cruising on Lake Taupo & metropolitan Auckland. NZ's two small islands definitely packed full of adventure!

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportRound trip airfare and all internal transport included
Start CityChristchurch (Nz)
End CityAuckland

Travel Themes

  • Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

  • New Zealand

Attractions

  • Auckland
  • Christchurch
  • Dunedin
  • Queenstown
  • Wellington

Activities

  • Culture
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Day 1: Christchurch to Lake Ohau via Lake Tekapo

Christchurch what's up! New Zealand's South Island is the home to adventure, adrenalin and good times and we're here to take it all on and more... We'll stop off to see the inense milky blue waters of glacially-fed Lake Tekapo - a spot you've most likely spotted on In...

Day 2: Lake Ohau to Dunedin

You'll be waking up with a smile on your face this morning as you pull back the blinds to the sight of the bedazzling Lake Ohau. Another Instagram famous destination, rising early is pretty much the only way to make the most of the fresh lake air and insane glassy lak...

Day 3: Dunedin to Queenstown

Before we farewell Dunedin we'll head to the base of Baldwin Street, the world's steepest street, for a look at the mind boggling angle. Seriously, living on this street would give you major vertigo. Welcome to the adventure capital of the world. Rest up tonight - the next few days are going to be BIG.

Day 4: Queenstown

Today is yours to get acquainted with Queenstown and spend some time mulling over the activities up for grabs in the next two days. To get you warmed up, we'll be treating you to an exhilirating Shotover Jet experience, so throw those hands in the air as you fly through narrow Shotover canyons at speeds of up to 85 kph.

Day 5: 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 doing a spot of horse back riding, or you may be that guy that crams in a bungy jump, a skydive and a heliraft & still craves more. It's your holiday - run wild as you see fit.

Day 6: Queenstown

With our last day in adrenalin city ahead of us, this is the time to push yourself to the limits and hurl over any mental barriers you've put up around yourself. Jump into #NOREGRETS spirit 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.

Day 7: Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier

Time to return our adrenalin levels to normal and make tracks to the wild (and often wet) West Coast and it's towering glaciers. But before we do, bridge bungy jump, anyone? Enjoying our scenic drive we'll stop for lunch in Wanaka, a pretty ski resort town situated on...

Day 8: Franz Josef Glacier

This morning will be another big ol' tick off the list as we take to the ice of Franz Josef Glacier. Want to double tick the list in gold sparkly pen? We've got a heli ride over the glacier up for grabs for an ultra special experience. Satisfaction levels on high, ton...

Day 9: Franz Josef Glacier to Christchurch

Armed 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 ...

Day 10: Christchurch to Wellington

It’s another jaw-dropping drive up to the top of the South Island today. The coach cuts across the Canterbury Plains to Kaikoura. Arriving in Kaikoura will see us amongst a seaside settlement known for whales & dolphins, so have those cameras at the ready as we ro...

Day 11: Wellington

Galleries, cafes, shops, street performers, vintage markets -Wellington you're spoiling us. Stroll the eclectic Cuba Street, grab some sushi & pop by the Tattoo Museum where Maori moko face tattoos and modern ink collide, or hop on a quad bike to get down and dirty.

Day 12: Wellington to Mount Ruapehu

We wave goodbye to Wellington and its beautiful scenery and we prepare ourselves for our next adventure – and trust us, this one is bucket-list worthy. Known as the après-ski capital of the North island, Ohakune is a tranquil town with stupendous view. Today you have...

Day 13: Mount Ruapehu

With another day to spend in Mt. Ruapehu, we definitely have lost of bucket-list worthy experiences to look forward to.That’s right, this active volcano is the perfect source of adrenaline for those who seek our incomparably unique, NO Regrets experiences. The next tw...

Day 14: Mount Ruapehu to Rotorua

Array

Day 15: Rotorua

The day is yours to roam free. Soak in a hotspring, go white water rafting, take a canopy tour of hike up a volcano – the options are limitless and the decisions are yours.

Day 16: Rotorua to Auckland

Famed for its spurting geysers, boiling mud pools & hot springs, gondola and speeding luge rides, Rotorua is a natural wonderland and then some. But don't let the allure of this place consume you, for there's a fun stop at Hobbiton village we must complete. Join u...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,958
Price per day$185
Last Updated: 0/17/2022

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Contiki.

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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Contiki took care everything so well! We went from amazing experiences to amazing experience, and everything went incredibly smoothly. We did things we would never h...

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This was a great trip! I had never seen or experienced Europe before and this was a way to get a quick taste of all the different countries in such a short amount of...

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Tour Operator

Contiki

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We’re firm believers that life’s greatest experiences are made better by the people you share them with. That’s why Contiki invented group travel for young people in 1962 and we’ve spent the past 53 years perfecting it. You’ll explore amazing destinations with a group of 18-35 year olds from around the world who share your passion for adventure, good times and creating memories that define what it is to be young, wild and free.

No two travellers are the same and we know that, which is why we offer eight unique ways to explore the world. We have a number of options to choose from to create a vacation that’s perfect for you, from budget to accommodation style.

We're all about exploring the world with like-minded people, which is why we only run trips for 18-35 year olds, to celebrate being young, spirited and curious. You can expect to join a group of 18-53 awesome people from around the world on our Europe, Australia, North America and New Zealand trips, and in Asia and Latin America it's all about small group adventures with up to 25 travellers. Don't worry if you're not traveling as a couple or with a friend from home – though there are plenty of pairs, 50% of our travellers set off solo, meaning you'll have a ton of opportunities to make new friends.

With over 270 trips around the world and plenty of departure dates to work into your schedule, you'll never be short of options on where to go for your next great adventure.

About the company:
Contiki are the world leaders in social youth travel. We’ve been providing amazing travel experiences for young travellers, from 18-35 years old, since 1962. Imagine how good you would be at something if you had been doing it for more than 60 years?

Everything about Contiki is deeply rooted in our core values ‘Make Every Moment Count’ and ‘We’re about people’. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk and live by our brand philosophy of ‘Travel.Together.’ which means to travel with one another, the destinations we visit, the cultures we enjoy and the environment, too.

Why we love this operator
Their trips create life-long memories for young people setting off to discover the world.
What they’re known for
Social travel for 18-35 year olds around the world.

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Logistics

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 .
Meals Included
  • You can expect a healthy breakfast every morning, as well as 5 authentic dinner experiences. From enjoying a delicious portion of fish 'n' chips to mouth-watering BBQs along the way, this is your chance to try the best eats in NZ.
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Trip ID
contiki-NPZCDW1812

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