New Zealand Panorama (Southbound)

16 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
98%
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Group Tour
Ready for the ultimate 2 week adrenaline rush? Eat with the Māori in Rotorua, hike up an active volcano, cruise on Lake Taupō and head to the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown. Ever tried bungy jumping, sky diving, canyon swinging? Now's your chance.
28% OFF
$3,746
From$2,696
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Overview

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

What's this trip about?

    Ready for the ultimate 2 week adrenaline rush? Eat with the Māori in Rotorua, hike up an active volcano, cruise on Lake Taupō and head to the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown. Ever tried bungy jumping, sky diving, canyon swinging? Now's your chance.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeGroup - max of 40 people
Age range18 to 35 years
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityAuckland
End CityQueenstown (Nz)

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • 50 Plus

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 40

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Auckland to Rotorua

All aboard the Contiki bus! Starting in Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau), we'll drive through the lush farmlands of Waikato, an area that produces many of New Zealand's best Rugby players for the All Blacks. We'll visit the world’s largest kiwi bird conservation project,...

Day 2: Rotorua

The day is yours to roam free in this geothermal paradise. Soak in a hot spring, go white water rafting or hike up a volcano. The options are limitless and the decisions are yours. We recommend the Rotorua Dawn Canopy Tour, exclusive to Contiki, where you'll watch the...

Day 3: Rotorua to Lake Taupō via Huka Falls

From Rotorua, we make our way to Lake Taupō, but not before a cheeky stop-off at the awesome Huka Falls. 220,000 litres (that's 58 000 gallons) of water gush over Huka Falls per second. Just let that sink in for a minute. Wild, right? Even wilder still is the Hukafall...

Day 4: Lake Taupō to Mount Ruapehu

We drive through the central plateau to the southern end of the Tongariro National Park, Ohakune is known as the aprés ski capital of the North Island. Today you have the option to go mountain biking along one of NZ's most picturesque track, "the Old Coach Rd".Tonight...

Day 5: Mount Ruapehu to Wellington

These landscapes are unique and the sights will leave you breathless. On route to the windy capital Wellington where we'll show you the sights of this city.As much as we've been loving the nature time, the change of scenery to New Zealand's well-cultured capital will ...

Day 6: Wellington

Ready to explore Wellington in all its glory? Today, why not head to a local cafe and try the famed flat white coffee in its city of origin (sorry Australians). Caffeinated and refreshed, we'll take a trip to Zealandia, a 225-hectare (basically massive) eco-sanctuary ...

Day 7: Wellington to Kaikōura via Picton

So long north island! Today we're making tracks for your southern brother, darting across the Cook Strait via the Inter-Island ferry. Our first port of call on the South Island will be Picton (Waitohi), the gateway to wine country. Sauv blanc, anyone? Kaikōura is know...

Day 8: Kaikōura

We all love a free day - especially one spent in beautiful Kaikōura! We recommend taking a whale watching tour, where you'll have the opportunity to see giant sperm whales in action, as well cute seals and dusky dolphins. Other free time add-ons include a thrilling he...

Day 9: Kaikōura to Christchurch

We're onto our next destination, so long Kaikōura!  We'll arrive in Christchurch (Ōtautahi) by lunch-time, where we'll take an inspiring tour of the city that was totally rebuilt after the Christchurch earthquake. Look out for the Cardboard Cathedral, the only cathedral in the world to be built mostly from plain old cardboard!

The Breakfree on Cashel (or similar)

Breakfast

Day 10: Christchurch to Franz Josef via Hokitika and Arthur's Pass

Christchurch, it was short and sweet, but with with ice age action on the horizon we gots to move on. Take in the beautiful scenery as we wind our way across the highest and most spectacular mountain pass across the Southern Alps. In the gold rush town of Hokitika, we...

Day 11: 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...

Day 12: Franz Josef to Queenstown via Haast and Wānaka

With a new appreciation for frozen water, we'll hop on the coach & continue to Queenstown, with a few cheeky stops along the way.Our first piece of NZ eye-candy comes in the form of Haast Pass (Tioripatea), beautified by ancient rainforests, small glaciers and wat...

Day 13: 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

Day 14: 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 &...

Day 15: 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 the...

Day 16: Queenstown

This morning our adventure comes to an end (sob). Hug it out with your new bff's, with plans no doubt in place for Contiki 2.0. NZ, you've been real.

Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,696
Price per day$169
Last Updated: 2/4/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
27 Feb 2025
14 Mar 2025
$2,728
07 Mar 2025
22 Mar 2025
$2,728
23 Mar 2025
07 Apr 2025
$2,728
08 Apr 2025
23 Apr 2025
$3,033
24 Apr 2025
09 May 2025
$2,696
26 May 2025
10 Jun 2025
$2,696
23 Jun 2025
08 Jul 2025
$3,370
07 Jul 2025
22 Jul 2025
$2,961
14 Jul 2025
29 Jul 2025
$2,961
21 Jul 2025
05 Aug 2025
$2,961

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

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.

Contiki Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
5,469
Great
817
Average
195
Disappointing
65
Terrible
70
T

Trusted Customer

Jan 2025

Written on

New Zealand Panorama Southbound

The trip was an amazing amount of adventure, adrenaline, learning about culture and fun activities and delicious food and drinks. I had the most amazing time and wou...

C

Corbett Mann

Jan 2025

Written on

New Zealand Panorama Southbound

A great experience with a professional trip manager and driver

T

Trusted Customer

Jan 2025

Written on

New Zealand Panorama Southbound

The overall trip was amazing. I didn't have to worry about a thing as we had the best trip manager and driver. All the free time add ons were great, I would definite...

T

Trusted Customer

Dec 2024

Written on

New Zealand Panorama Southbound

I loved every minute of this trip! It was equal amounts of adrenaline, party and chill! The driver and trip manager did a fantastic job ensuring that everything went...

Write a Review

Other Contiki Reviews

M

Meg

Feb 2025

Written on

Active New Zealand

Fantastic. I had never travelled over seas before, and Contiki made it so easy and enjoyable. The guide ensured the whole group was looked after and had fun for the ...

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Logistics

Accommodation

  • Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar)
  • Lakeland Resort Taupō (or similar)
  • Kings Ohakune (or similar)
  • Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman (or similar)
  • Sudima Kaikōura (or similar)
  • The Breakfree on Cashel (or similar)
  • Rainforest Retreat (or similar)
  • Lylo (or similar)
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
  • 4 Dinner (D)
  • 15 Breakfast (B)
Age Requirements
18 to 35 years
Additional Information
Trip ID
contiki-NBZADM24

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