South Island Adventure - 9 Days

Kia ora! Upon your arrival in Christchurch, make your own way to our hostel. You'll have ample time to unwind after your flight before gathering with the group and heading out for an exciting first night in the city together. We'll get together with the group for a welcome dinner at around 19:00, so you can get to know everyone before our adventure begins tomorrow. We recommend arriving before 15:00 today.

Please note: This tour is designed for younger travellers looking for a backpacker-style experience and to meet like-minded people. The average age on this tour is around 21 - 35, and we are unfortunately unable to take any travellers over the age of 45. We have lots of group tours across our destinations that are suitable for travellers of all ages, browse our website or get in touch to find the perfect trip!

Christchurch - Lake Tekapo. This morning we embark on a morning orientation tour of Christchurch, taking in the best of this quintessentially English city and the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand. Later, we journey to the breathtakingly beautiful Lake Tekapo and check in to our lakeside hostel.

Today, we'll embark on a hike up Mt John, where we'll enjoy panoramic 360-degree views of the Southern Alps. The hike should takes us around 2 - 3 hours. Later, we'll relax our tired muscles in some hot pools.

Lake Tekapo - Wanaka. We'll embark on a picturesque drive through the Southern Alps on our way to Wanaka. In the afternoon, we'll hike through incredible landscapes with views of Aoraki/Mt Cook, the tallest mountain in New Zealand. We're spending the night in a cozy hostel in Wanaka, and tonight is free to head out for a drink or two.

Today, we will explore the highlights of Wanaka. Our activities include kayaking on the beautiful Lake Wanaka and visiting the iconic Wanaka Tree. Later, we'll hike up Mount Iron to enjoy breathtaking views of the local area, including the Pisa Range, Upper Clutha Basin, and the captivating Southern Alps.

Wanaka - Queenstown. Today we’re heading to the beautiful city of Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital. We'll have a quick orientation walk and then you're free to start checking some activities off your bucket list. Skydiving, bungee jumping, canyoning, and zip-lining are just some of the options at your fingertips.

Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown. Today, we're heading to one of the most scenic destinations in all of New Zealand - Milford Sound. On arrival, we embark on a boat cruise through the fjord, where we'll be dwarfed by towering cliffs, ancient forests, and cascading waterfalls. Keep your eyes peeled for penguins, or, more rarely, whales. After our cruise, we head back to Queenstown for the evening.

We're spending another day in Queenstown, and it begins with an included jet boat ride, speeding through canyons at speeds of over 80 km/h. Our skilled driver will perform 360-degree spins and other tricks to keep us entertained and on our toes. Back on dry land, we gather this evening for a farewell dinner. We can enjoy a last night out on the town, to see what this backpacker hub is all about after dark!

Our tour comes to an end today. You can depart this morning, making your own way to the airport or your next destination. Although there is no departure transfer included, your tour leader will be available to help you plan your onward travel and is on hand to assist you. Safe travels!