Sensational South

11 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Map not provided by operator
Additional images not provided by operator
4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
95%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
preferred

USTOA

Group Tour
Nature lovers will adore this epic encounter with New Zealand's South Island. Visit Milford Sound, Mt. Cook and the Tasman Glacier, sampling the region's award-winning wine, food and adventure.

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

    • CITY TOUR in Wellington and Christchurch
    • CRUISE Cook Strait, around Tasman Glacier and on Milford Sound
    • VIEW stunning scenery in Fiordland National Park, Lake Pukaki and Mt. Cook
    • VISIT a winery, orchard and historic gold mining village

What's this trip about?

    Nature lovers will adore this epic encounter with New Zealand's South Island. Visit Milford Sound, Mt. Cook and the Tasman Glacier, sampling the region's award-winning wine, food and adventure.

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeOperator does not provide
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityWellington
End CityQueenstown Nz

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Education / Learning
  • Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

  • New Zealand

Attractions

  • Christchurch
  • Queenstown
  • Wellington

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Wellington (2 Nights)

New Zealand's capital of cool launches your exploration of the 'south'. On arrival in Wellington (flights to arrive prior to 4pm), you'll be transferred to your hotel. Meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception this evening.

Day 2: Wellington Sightseeing and Free Time

This morning we head out with a 'Local Specialist' on a walking tour of this quirky creative capital. Gain insight into Wellington's rich culture and the vibrant food and drink scene. Afterwards you are free to discover more of Wellington on your own.

Day 3: Wellington - Marlborough (2 Nights)

Board the Interislander ferry for a cruise across Cook Strait to the South Island. You'll meander through a maze of arms and inlets into the sleepy seaside village of Picton, then it's on to Blenheim for an orientation tour before arriving at your hotel. Later we visit one of the region's famous wineries, Hans Herzog Estate, for a tasting and 3-course Regional Dinner.

Day 4: Marlborough Sightseeing

Embark on your choice of sightseeing today, choosing between a half-day tour of the best wineries in Marlborough's celebrated wine-growing region, or the Greenshell Mussel Cruise through the Marlborough Sounds which includes a visit to a mussel farm to learn all about this local industry.

Day 5: Marlborough - Christchurch

Travel to Kaikoura, keeping a keen eye out for Sperm Whales. You could choose to take an Optional Experience flight over Kaikoura Sea Canyon, before travelling to Christchurch. See how the city is rebuilding itself after its devastating earthquakes and visit the Transitional Cathedral, the world's only cathedral made substantially of cardboard.

Day 6: Christchurch - Mt. Cook (2 Nights)

'Connect with Locals' Angie and Stan Taylor at their home Morelea, to experience some warm Kiwi hospitality. Indulge in a 'Be My Guest' barbecue lunch and hear about a lifetime spent farming in New Zealand. Pavlova is on the menu and you'll get to witness Angie prepar...

Day 7: Mt. Cook Sightseeing

This morning you'll experience the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand's largest, by boat. On arrival in the Tasman Valley, take a 30-minute alpine walk to the terminal lake and then board your boat to view the melting ice-face and icebergs that have carved into its murky wat...

Day 8: Mt. Cook - Te Anau

This is another scenic day, where you will travel over the Lindis Pass through Central Otago. Visit Cromwell and call in at a local orchard for a taste of some of the town's delicious stone fruit. On the way into Queenstown, stop to visit the faithfully restored gold ...

Day 9: Te Anau - Queenstown (2 Nights)

Leave Te Anau and journey through Fiordland National Park and out to Milford Sound. Travel through native rainforests, beech forests, alluvial flats and meadows. Stop at Mirror Lakes where, as the name suggests, you can see the stunning mountain scenery perfectly refl...

Day 10: Queenstown Sightseeing

Your choice of sightseeing: venture out on a scenic tour visiting the many locations of the Lord of the Rings films or sit back and enjoy a peaceful cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard New Zealand's oldest steamship, the TSS Earnslaw, to Walter Peak Station and indulge...

Day 11: Depart Queenstown

Say farewell to your fellow travellers as your holiday comes to an end this morning after breakfast. You will be transferred to Queenstown Airport for your onward flight (flights anytime).

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $4,295
Price per day$390
Last Updated: 3/20/2020

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Trafalgar.

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.

Trafalgar Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
21,248
Great
6,529
Average
1,868
Disappointing
578
Terrible
375
Write a Review

Other Trafalgar Reviews

S

Stephen Polizio

Mar 2024

Written on

Iceland including the Blue Lagoon

Great time and great tour guide.

S

Scott Barnett

Mar 2024

Written on

European Highlights End Paris

The trip went quickly. This was perfect itinerary for an introduction to Europe. ...

S

Scott Barnett

Mar 2024

Written on

European Highlights

*personal info removed by Feefo* was an excellent travel guide! Hotels were ...

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

Trafalgar

preferred
View Profile

At Trafalgar, we passionately believe in the power of travel to broaden the mind and build bridges between people. By sharing with you the hidden places not mentioned in guidebooks, the local people you wouldn’t otherwise meet, and the traditions you may not have experienced by yourself, we ensure that you get the ‘insider’ view, an authentic and enhanced experience you simply could not have had on your own.

It is this dedication to taking our guests beyond the obvious sights that has helped us grow over the past 65 years into one of the most trusted and successful international guided vacation/holiday companies in the world. From Europe to the United States, South America to South Africa, and with the recent addition of Asia, we pride ourselves on uncovering the hidden gems, cultural highlights and not-to-be-missed attractions of the places you visit. We’ll help you delve deep into the heart of each city and capture the true essence of each new destination.

We are committed to establishing lasting relationships with our guests by exceeding their expectations the first time and every time, through consistently outstanding quality of service, experience and value.

We're proud to be the most globally awarded guided travel company. Every year, we win some of the most prestigious travel accolades around the world – from the Travel Globes to the Agents' Choice Awards. We've collected 46 major travel awards over the last five years alone, as well as the Gold Trusted Merchant Award from independent reviews provider Feefo.

 longdesc=

About the company:

As the world’s most awarded and loved travel company, Trafalgar unlocks the best of the world for every traveller. From the iconic sites to breaking bread with locals at private Be My Guest experiences, guests can be assured of a dream holiday without the stress of 'what ifs'. Committed to Make Travel Matter, Trafalgar aims to make a positive impact on locals, communities and wildlife visited, and the planet we call home. With tried and tested tours, created by local travel experts in destination and enjoyed by more than 5million happy guests, Trafalgar’s proud to be recognised by its Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award.

Trafalgar is part of the family-owned and run The Travel Corporation (TTC), driven by service for over one hundred years.

 

Why we love this operator
Their travelers enjoy 24/7 travel expertise and dedicated service throughout the trips - everything is taken care of.
What they’re known for
Tours and experiences that include everything from the iconic sites to breaking bread with locals, guided by expert travel directors.

Associations

Why Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Accommodation

Millennium,
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
  • 10 breakfasts
  • 1 lunch (Connect With Locals)
  • 6 dinners
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing Daily breakfast and an average of 50% of evening meals Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys) Cherry-picked hotels all tried and trusted Handcrafted Highlights Optional Experiences and free time All porterage and local charges included Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras An expert Travel Director and separate Driver, Driver Guide only on Mini-Stays All hotel tips, charges and local taxes Airport transfers on the first and last day of your guided holiday VIP entry to many sights
Trip ID
trafalgar-ZWCQM2010

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >