Premium New Zealand South Island

Intrepid Travel Premier
Has very high quality customer experiences and demonstrated commitment to responsible travel practices. read more
4.6 . Excellent
94%
Travel Style: Array Full on
Physical Level: Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment. Easy
Lodging Level: Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels. Value (3*)
10 days
From: $ 4,581 $ 458 / day
Checking price

Overview

Highlights (Bullets)

  • Experience some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery during your Feature Stay on Milford Sound aboard a purpose-built vessel.
  • Savour the flavours of the Otago region with a chef-led food and foraging Exclusive Experience on an expansive and stunning New Zealand deer station.
  • Take an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Kimi Akau (Shotover River). This Exclusive Experience takes you deep into the spectacular Shotover Canyons, with the Ngai Tahu - the Maori people of this land.
  • Enjoy a ranger-guided walk around the aptly named Blue Pools that feed the Makarora River and learn about the important work of the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust to reduce predators and save some of New Zealand’s rarest species.
  • Take a 'backstage tour' of the West Coast Wildlife Centre, helping bring the critically endangered Rowi and Haast tokoeka kiwi back from extinction. Come face-to-face with these rare creatures.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Forest & Bird. Donations help them give nature a voice - protecting wildlife and wild places in Aotearoa New Zealand by advocating for conservation on the ground and at a government level.

Short Description

Taking you from Christchurch to Queenstown via glaciers, wineries, lakes, and an overnight cruise on Milford Sound, this 10-day tour showcases the natural beauty and thriving food and wine scene in the South Island of New Zealand. Forage for fresh ingredients with a local chef in Otago, set your pulse racing during a jetboat ride in Queenstown and come face to face with endangered species at a wildlife centre on the West Coast, including New Zealand’s rarest kiwi. With a friendly leader to guide the way, you’ll experience a landscape that has been shaped by the elements over thousands of years.

Style Small group tour
See all the highlights and popular spots on a classic tour.
Itinerary Focus Classic Highlights
Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels.
Lodging Level Value (3*)
Flight & Transport Inclusions All internal ground transport
Start City Christchurch
End City Queenstown

Destinations

New Zealand

Attractions & Cities Visited

Christchurch Milford Sound Queenstown

Activities & Interests

N/A

Age Requirement

15-99

N/A
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Itinerary

Day 1 Christchurch

Welcome to Christchurch! Your tour begins with a late afternoon group meeting at 6pm followed by an exclusive Welcome Dinner at a tiny restaurant and natural wine bar featuring produce from the Canterbury region and across the South Island. Enjoy a delicious three course meal celebrating local producers at a restaurant that champions sustainability.

Day 2 Christchurch / Greymouth / Punakaiki

Take a morning stroll with your leader around some of the landmarks of Christchurch. Next set off for Punakaiki, driving through Arthur’s Pass and Castle Hill – the spectacular mountain scenery may look familiar, as parts of The Chronicles of Narnia movie were filmed against this dramatic backdrop. After lunch in Moana, enjoy a short stop at Lake Brunner, the largest lake in the northwestern South Island of New Zealand. Spend the afternoon in Greymouth, stopping into a boutique studio to learn about the prized west coast jade known locally as Pounamu (Greenstone). Then continue to Monteith's Brewery, considered the original home of New Zealand craft brewing, for a tour and tasting. Arrive at Punakaiki Resort by late afternoon. Situated in Paparoa National Park, the resort is adjacent to the beautiful Punakaiki beach and the magnificent Pancake Rocks and Blowholes - the perfect spot to reflect and relax.

Day 3 Hokitika / Franz Josef

After breakfast, explore the Punakaiki Rocks and Blowhole before the drive to Franz Josef. Along the way, stretch your legs at the charming west coast town of Hokitika, and enjoy an exhilarating treetop adventure on a walk through the ancient Rimu and Kamahi tree canopy. In the afternoon, take a private ranger-guided tour of the West Coast Wildlife Centre, home of the official breeding programme for the world's rarest kiwi, the Rowi. Also keep an eye out for tuatara, a reptile endemic to New Zealand. Arrive at your Franz Josef accommodation by evening.

Day 4 Franz Josef

Begin your day with a self-guided walk to see the icy wonderland created by the Franz Josef Glacier, one of the steepest glaciers in New Zealand. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you may like to join an optional heli-hiking tour and get even closer to this incredible glacier. Other optional activities include kayaking, a scenic cruise on Lake Mapourika or a soak in the hot tubs at Franz Josef.

Day 5 Makaroa / Wanaka

Depart Franz Josef for the picturesque resort town of Wanaka, the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park, located in the Otago region. Stop along the way at Makorora and visit the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust, an organisation which strives to protect and restore indigenous biodiversity. After lunch, take a guided walk with a local ornithologist and ecologist to enjoy the vibrant hue of the aptly named Blue Pools that feed the Makarora River. Keep an eye out for endangered birds as you learn about how the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust is working to reduce predators and save some of New Zealand’s rarest species. Arrive in Wanaka by later afternoon, and settle in to your home for the next two nights - a homestead built on the site of a former sheep station. Located next to the resplendent Wanaka Station Park on the shores of Lake Wanaka, and a short stroll from Wanaka township, you'll be perfectly placed to enjoy all this charming town has to offer.

Day 6 Wanaka

Enjoy a sleep in or perhaps start your day with a hike up Mt Iron for a view over Lake Wanaka and the surrounding peaks. Today's experience is one of the real highlight's of your trip. Central Otago is a region well known for food and wine, and today you will visit the spectacular Criffel Station for a chef-guided tasting and foraging tour, followed by a delicious lunch, washed down with some excellent Central Otago wines.

Day 7 Milford Sound

Depart Wanaka for the drive to Te Anau. Along the way, take in a spectacular scenic drive across the Crown Range and by the shores of Lake Wakatipu. After lunch, continue on to your embarkation point for your Feature Stay, an overnight cruise surrounded by the spectacular beauty of Milford Sound, also known by its Te Reo (Maori) name Piopiotahi. Aboard your purpose-built vessel, enjoy a full length journey of the fjord out to the Tasman Sea, with the possibility to see wildlife such as seals, penguins and dolphins. You will also have access to a specialist guide with information on the fjord's history and natural environment. For those who are keen, kayaking and/or small boat tours allow a truly immersive experience of this special place. Finish your day with a delicious three-course dinner before settling down in your cosy cabin.

Day 8 Milford Sound / Te Anau / Queenstown

After a leisurely onboard breakfast surrounded by some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery, you’ll disembark and travel to Queenstown with plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs along the way. After another stop in pretty Te Anau for lunch, you’ll arrive in plenty of time to check into your boutique hotel in Queenstown.

Day 9 Arrowtown / Queenstown

Today is the grand finale of your trip. In the morning, take an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Kimi Akau (Shotover River), deep into the spectacular Shotover Canyons. Speeding over water as shallow as 10cm, this is an amazing white water experience, operated by the Ngai Tahu, Maori people who have a centuries-old connection with this land. Continue on for a leader-led walk through historical Arrowtown, then enjoy a wine tasting at Gibbston Valley. Perhaps toast the end of your journey with a New Zealand-inspired gin & tonic or glass of Otago wine at a bar & restaurant with arguably the most spectacular views in all of Queenstown.

Day 10 Queenstown

Your New Zealand adventure ends this morning after breakfast. As this trip spends very little time in Queenstown, we recommend you spend an extra day or two here if you want to experience all the town has to offer. Your booking agent will be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Availability

Checking price
Price From $ 4,581
Price Per Day: $ 458 per day
Checking price
Start DateFinish DateBase PriceAvailability 
Dec-07-2023Dec-16-2023$ 5,7692 spots left Reserve
Dec-14-2023Dec-23-2023$ 5,7205 spots left Reserve
Dec-19-2023Dec-28-2023$ 5,5715 spots left Reserve
Dec-21-2023Dec-30-2023$ 5,9946 spots left Reserve
Jan-02-2024Jan-11-2024$ 5,5714 spots left Reserve
Jan-04-2024Jan-13-2024$ 4,8609 spots left Reserve
Jan-09-2024Jan-18-2024$ 5,6253 spots left Reserve
Jan-11-2024Jan-20-2024$ 5,8361 spots left Reserve
Jan-30-2024Feb-08-2024$ 5,2113 spots left Reserve
Feb-01-2024Feb-10-2024$ 5,2116 spots left Reserve
Feb-13-2024Feb-22-2024$ 5,620Sold Out Reserve
Mar-07-2024Mar-16-2024$ 5,7203 spots left Reserve
Mar-21-2024Mar-30-2024$ 5,162Sold Out Reserve
Mar-28-2024Apr-06-2024$ 5,0135 spots left Reserve
Apr-04-2024Apr-13-2024$ 4,9901 spots left Reserve
Apr-18-2024Apr-27-2024$ 4,58110 spots left Reserve
May-02-2024May-11-2024$ 4,5817 spots left Reserve
Sep-13-2024Sep-22-2024$ 5,36412 spots left Reserve
Sep-27-2024Oct-06-2024$ 5,36412 spots left Reserve
Oct-11-2024Oct-20-2024$ 5,36412 spots left Reserve
Oct-25-2024Nov-03-2024$ 5,58011 spots left Reserve
Nov-08-2024Nov-17-2024$ 5,58012 spots left Reserve
Nov-15-2024Nov-24-2024$ 5,58012 spots left Reserve
Nov-22-2024Dec-01-2024$ 5,58012 spots left Reserve
Nov-29-2024Dec-08-2024$ 5,79212 spots left Reserve
Dec-06-2024Dec-15-2024$ 5,79210 spots left Reserve
Dec-13-2024Dec-22-2024$ 5,79212 spots left Reserve
Dec-20-2024Dec-29-2024$ 6,43512 spots left Reserve
Dec-27-2024Jan-05-2025$ 6,43512 spots left Reserve
Jan-03-2025Jan-12-2025$ 6,43512 spots left Reserve
Jan-10-2025Jan-19-2025$ 6,43512 spots left Reserve
Jan-17-2025Jan-26-2025$ 6,43512 spots left Reserve
Jan-24-2025Feb-02-2025$ 6,43512 spots left Reserve
Jan-31-2025Feb-09-2025$ 6,20012 spots left Reserve
Feb-14-2025Feb-23-2025$ 6,20012 spots left Reserve
Feb-21-2025Mar-02-2025$ 6,20012 spots left Reserve
Feb-28-2025Mar-09-2025$ 5,89512 spots left Reserve
Mar-07-2025Mar-16-2025$ 6,20012 spots left Reserve
Mar-28-2025Apr-06-2025$ 5,96012 spots left Reserve
Apr-04-2025Apr-13-2025$ 5,96012 spots left Reserve
Apr-18-2025Apr-27-2025$ 5,96012 spots left Reserve
May-02-2025May-11-2025$ 5,96012 spots left Reserve
May-16-2025May-25-2025$ 5,96012 spots left Reserve
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Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Intrepid Travel.

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.

4,356 Intrepid Travel Travel Reviews & Ratings

94%
4.6 out of 5 (100+ reviews)
Excellent 3,287
Great 662
Average 142
Disappointing 77
Terrible 188
Value
4.6
Guide
4.6
Activities
4.6
Lodging
4.6
Transportation
4.6
Meals
4.6

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Company Reviews

Beware of intrepids Lack of Ethics

1.0
Details
Value1.0
Guide1.0
Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
We were to travel with intrepid tours on a premium morrocco trip on sept 25,2023 However the 6.8 earthquake on September 10 made us rethink our plans. Would there be tremors? If we needed medical attention (we are seniors) would We be able to receive it? And we believed it was too soon to visit Morrocco when thousands of people just died in an earthquake. We did want to roll over trip to 2024.
We were told by Intrepid we needed to cancel two weeks before our trip started. That would have made sense in normal times, but this was not normal times whatsoever. There hadn’t been an earthquake in decades We were trying to get answers from intrepid, before deciding what to do.
We called and chatted multiple times and begged to have the trip rescheduled. Each customer service person said no and there was no opportunity to speak to a supervisor. It was a dead issue with intrepid.
Intrepid was totally nonnegotiable for allowing us to delay the trip. As far as they were concerned, the September 25 trip would depart with modifications. I asked what the modifications were. They couldn’t tell me. We spent thousands of dollars and no one knew what the modifications were but we were supposed to be willing to travel …really? I have been vocal on their Facebook page. No response from intrepid. Yes they had to ensure travelers in Morocco are safe, but they also should have had the manpower to address our concerns with the trip scheduled in two weeks
When we did cancel, they immediately posted openings on their website for the September 25 departure at a $200 discount so they kept our money, wouldn’t allow us to postpone the trip and aimed to sell our slot. Double dipping if you asked me,
I then read on intrepid‘s Facebook page that other people scheduled to take tours to Morocco around the same time as us got their trips rescheduled I was truly upset for company. The prices itself on its ethics, not treating each customer with the same rules is well unethical. I sent an email to the CEO in Australia and the general manager in North America. I saved in chat and emails with their customer service people I had evidence of our request to reschedule.
I finally got a response in two weeks. It was from an underling who didn’t answer my main question, which was why we weren’t offered the option to reschedule like others did. This person gave BS corporate speak about intrepid will apply what they learned to future trips, and thank me for my insight Why didn’t she answer my question and now with the war going on in Israel, Intrepid isn’t allowing future guests to reschedule the trip looks like they just d o what’s best for them in normal and abnormal Times
We had trip insurance but are still out thousands of dollars
Avoid this tour group at all costs

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PREMIUM LEVEL check Accomodation reviews.We have just done 3 Intrepid tours.

4.0
Details
Value4.0
Guide4.0
Activities4.0
Lodging4.0
Transportation4.0
Meals4.0
We have just done 3 Intrepid tours.
My review here relates to the Premiun Turkey in depth tour.
Excellent Guide Seda, Excellent driver Mesut and Excellent Itinerary.
Where this trip disappointed us was some of the accommodation was not Premium Infact one would not even meet the Original Tours standard.
We paid considerably more to travel at this level and like others in the group were disappointed all accommodation was not at Premium standard which is what we paid for. Some others were hoping to book Intrepid Premium again but said they would look at other options. It doesn't come near the Peregerine level which we understand Intrepid have purchased and call it Premium.
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Update to my 1 star review

1.0
Details
Value1.0
Guide1.0
Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
Update to my 1 star review. Intrepid has not returned +$7,000 from a trip our agent booked and paid for but was cancelled by Intrepid. We have submitted a fraud claim with the Better Business Bureau and now our lawyer is involved. Stay away from this company.
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Disappointed

1.0
Details
Value1.0
Guide1.0
Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
Intrepid is lovely, until you’re actually on the trip. I spoke to a number of kind and helpful staff with questions up until the start of my trip however, once this trip began I found myself in a different situation entirely.

I went on a trip with Intrepid from New York to Miami in a majority female group and our tour guide was creepy towards us the whole time taking pictures without consent, often not passing them on to us and even started private messaging members of the group after the trip had ended. I have tried to bring this up with intrepid multiple times through email but have received no response.

Besides this our tour guide also had never been to most of the places we visited so we often ended up being the one guiding him. Also, as a type 1 diabetic, keeping my medication cool and safe is extremely important as I literally depend on it to stay alive. Knowing this, I contacted intrepid ahead of time hoping they’d inform my guide after being assured that the guide would be able to accommodate me and I was in good hands. Upon meeting my guide I found out he didn’t even know what insulin was let alone the appropriate storage conditions. This lack of organisation on Intrepid’s part meant that I had to store my medicine in a cooler underneath piles of unsanitary food bags amongst ice which was melted most of the time risking water logging of said medications.

All in all I did not feel safe while on this tour and honestly think I may have been better off traveling by myself. Clearly more attention is needed in the hiring department.
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Somebody came down with Covid

1.0
Details
Value1.0
Guide1.0
Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
Somebody came down with Covid, Intrepids policy policy is to continue the tour. Then at least two more people had it. My last trip with Intrepid Travel. Gadventures and Exodus both do quarantine, off the bus.
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Intrepid Travel are disguising

1.0
Details
Value1.0
Guide1.0
Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
Intrepid Travel are disguising, backing a WEF agenda to limit our basic human right to travel through carbon footprint allowance. Spend your money elsewhere.

With great power comes great responsibility?! You aren't spiderman.
You aren't a government body, you are a commercial entity providing a service. You have no business encroaching on basic human rights.
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Details

Flight & Transport Inclusions

All internal ground transport Private vehicle,Jet boat,Cruise boat

Group Size

Small Group - 24 max

Maximum Number of People in Group: 12

Accommodations

Hotel (6 nights),Homestead (2 nights),Cruise boat (1 night)

Guides

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Premium leaders are Intrepid’s most experienced, with in-depth knowledge and extensive local networks to make it a trip of a lifetime. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. When not already included in your trip, your leader will be able to recommend a local guide service who can share more detailed or specialised information at specific sites should you be interested in delving deeper. On this trip your group leader is also your driver, taking you from start to finish in a comfortable vehicle.

Age Notes :

Min. Age: 15

Max Age: 99

Additional Information

Finish point

  • Ramada Queenstown Central
  • 24 Frankton Road
  • Queenstown
  • 9300
  • NEW ZEALAND
  • Phone: +64 3 244 9000

Trip ID#:

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