9-New Zealand Westbound Tour: Arthur's Pass, Franz Josef, Kawarau Bungy Bridge, Milford Sound and Lake Ōhau
What you'll experience
Highlights
• Meal Inclusions: 8 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners
• Charming Attractions: Experience the best of Southern New Zealand
• Group Size: Average 45 people
9 days
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Day 1 — Christchurch to Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere via Arthur's Pass and Hokitika
Christchurch: Christchurch (Ōtautahi) what's up? New Zealand's South Island is the home to adventure, adrenaline and good times and we're here to take it all on.
Arthur's Pass: Take in the beautiful scenery as we wind our way across the highest and most spectacular mountain pass across the Southern Alps.
Hokitika: In the gold rush town of Hokitika, we'll meet with a local Māori guide who'll teach us all about pounamu on a unique tour. We’ll learn about the history of the illustrious green stones (which the South Island is named after) and its connection with the Māori people. Back on the coach, we're coastline bound to one of the island's most jaw-droppingly beautiful spots (and that's saying something).
Franz Josef: We'll pull up for the night in glorious Franz Josef (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere), probably one of the most beautiful places you'll ever of clapped eyes on. A bold statement we know, but well deserved.
Included Experience: Learn about Pounamu with a Local Māori Guide MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® ExperienceMeals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Rainforest Retreat (or similar) - 2
Day 2 — 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 great way to learn about its cultural significance, while also creating a beautiful please of jewellery.Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Rainforest Retreat (or similar) - 3
Day 3 — Franz Josef to Queenstown via Haast and Wānaka
Franz Josef: With a new appreciation for frozen water, we'll hop on the coach & continue to Queenstown, with a few cheeky stops along the way.
Haast: Our first piece of NZ eye-candy comes in the form of Haast Pass (Tioripatea), beautified by ancient rainforests, small glaciers and waterfalls. Note how the scenery changes as we roll towards Queenstown through the Southern Alps and region of Otago.
Wānaka: We'll stop for lunch in Wānaka, a pretty ski resort town situated on a lake front and dwarfed by mountains. This town is fast becoming one of NZ's most popular spots, and a trip to the 'Dough Bin' for a luscious pie should be high on the list.
Queenstown: Welcome to the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown (Tāhuna)! First stop is the legendary Kawarau Bungy Bridge, get your adrenaline hit with a heart pounding jump. Tonight you can choose to jump on a gondola and to wine & dine atop of the highest restaurant in Queenstown, Skyline. Rest up tonight - the next few days are going to be BIG.
Included Experience: Discover Wānaka
Kawarau Bungy Bridge
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Lylo (or similar) - 4
Day 4 — 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.Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Lylo (or similar) - 5
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 exploring wine cellars and caves, or you may be that guy that crams in a bungy jump and ziplining & still craves more. It's your holiday - run wild as you see fit.
Please note: If you're here during ski season, you can opt for an exclusive Ski day-trip to Cardrona. Check out "Dates & Pricing" to see these "Special Departures".
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Lylo (or similar) - 6
Day 6 — 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 their dash yesterday, a day staying mellow and enjoying this beautiful region will prove more than sufficient.Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Lylo (or similar) - 7
Day 7 — Queenstown to Te Anau via Milford Sound
Queenstown: Alright, it's time to return our adrenaline levels to a normal level and make tracks to the spectacular natural wonder of Milford Sound.
Milford Sound: Welcome to New Zealand's most stunning attraction, with a magical combination of mountain peaks, forest-clad cliffs and deep dark waters. We take an included cruise of the fiord and experience the beauty of this pristine destination by boat, the best way to see Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) in all its glory.
Te Anau: Arriving in the stunning lakeside town of Te Anau, why not opt to take a guided jet boat trip to explore the Fiordland National Park. From Te Anau through Lake Manapouri, it's a pretty exhilirating way to soak up the scenery. Prefer to keep you feet (or wheels) on dry land. You can also take a trip to the ethereal glow worm caves (woaahhh) or simply cycle the gorgeous trails through native bush.
Included Experience: Cruise Milford Sound Fjord
Milford Sound
Fiordland National Park
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: The Village Inn Hotel (or similar) - 8
Day 8 — Te Anau to Lake Ōhau via Kingston and Arrowtown
Te Anau: So long, Te Anau. It's been fun.
Kingston: Our first stop today is Kingston (Takerehaka) for an authentic and important NZ farm experience. Where a charity helps local girls to learn practical farming skills and gain qualifications. We make a donation on behalf of every traveller who visits the farm, so you can help more NZ women and girls plough through barriers and get ahead in their "field" just by turning up.
Kā Muriwai (Arrowtown): We make a quick stop for lunch in the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown (Kā Muriwai) before heading onto Lake Ōhau.
Lake Ōhau: For our last night, we'll go out with a bang. Or perhaps a splash. Sketchbooks at the ready folks - we'll spend our final night by Lake Ōhau (Ōhau), with a spectacular view of Mt Cook in the distance!
Included Experience: Support Women in Agriculture MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, Discover Arrowtown
Lake Ohau
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Lake Ōhau Lodge (or similar) - 9
Day 9 — Lake Ōhau to Christchurch via Lake Tekapo
Lake Ōhau: We're moving on to Christchurch but not before one final stop.
Lake Tekapo: We'll kick off our final day with a visit to the glacier-fed Lake Tekapo (Takapō), admiring the crystal clear water. Next, it's time for a Dark Sky experience - a multimedia exhibition that combines stargazing, science and traditional Māori astronomy. Here we'll learn how the Māori people would use the stars to help aid their harvests, plus why reducing light pollution is so important.
Christchurch: And then the adventure ends in Christchurch. Sure, there'll be some sadness, but that's normal when awesome things end. And this has been more than awesome. On a brighter note, the memories will put a smile on your face for years to come.
Included Experience: See the Church of the Good Shepard, Marvel at the Epic NZ Landscapes, Visit the Dark Sky ExperienceLake Ohau
Lake Tekapo
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: Excluded
What's included
Included
- Included Experiences
- 4 nights in Hostel, 3 nights in Lodges, 1 night in Hotel
- 8 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners
- Expert Trip Manager, Driver Team, Local Guides
Not included
- Flights to and from your starting and ending points
- Travel insurance and visas
- Choice Experiences
- Any personal expenses
- Gratuities
Cancellation policy
| When you cancel | Refund | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 days before | 0% | Cancellation Made Within 2 days prior to departure, No Refund |
| 3–9 days before | 25% | Cancellation Made Within 3 days to 9 days prior to departure, Refund 25% of total purchase amount |
| 10–23 days before | 50% | Cancellation Made Within 10 days to 23 days prior to departure, Refund 50% of total purchase amount |
| 24–61 days before | 75% | Cancellation Made Within 24 days to 61 days prior to departure, Refund 75% of total purchase amount |
| 62+ days before | 200% | Cancellation Made 62 or more days prior to departure, only $200 charge handling fee by person |
Read the full cancellation terms
• Extra hotel accommodation: non-refundable.
•Transfers: non-refundable.
• Special events and activities may incur additional penalty.
Important info
Special notes
* USA passport holders require an Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) for New Zealand. It must be obtained on-line prior to departure from the Country of Origin. We recommend applying 60 days prior to departure. Please see important visa details sent with your invoice.
* Please note accommodation is multi-share rooms with a maximum of 4 people of the same gender.
* Passports with a minimum of 6 months validity after return date are required and are at your expense.
* We have a whole mix of accommodations styles on our trips, depending on the destination and the travel style you have chosen. With us, you can stay in hotels, hostels, boats, camping sites, jungle lodges, eco camps, beach resorts, and even our very own 16th century French Chateau.
* Please contact the consulate/embassy and family doctor for further details on medical vaccinations that may be required for specific countries.
* Non-US citizens please check with your nearest consulate.
* Day 1 is the start date and first hotel night included with the journey. Please arrange flights to arrive on or before Day 1.
* To give ample time for check-in and security, we recommend arriving at the airport 3 hours prior to your flight departure.
* Focusing on 18-35 year olds allows us to tailor a dramatically more powerful travel experience and an itinerary so fun it feels like all of your best Friday nights combined.
* Group sizes are completely dependent on where and how you choose to travel.
* In Europe and in most of North America and New Zealand, group sizes can range between 24 - 53 awesome travellers.
* In regions like Asia, Australia, Africa and Latin America, and on some North America and New Zealand trips, our group sizes are considerably smaller - as low as 12 or up to 30 travellers max.
* Detour trips offer a different type of experience and max out at 16 people led by a local host.
* For our train trips please note you must be able to carry your own bags on this trip. As we will be taking public transport in cities & getting to the heart of the destinations we visit, pack wisely.
* On European ski trips and New Zealand trips with a ski option you have the option to bring one pair of skis and ski boots or snowboard.
* It's a requirement of traveling that you take out comprehensive insurance cover for cancellation, personal injury, death, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, evacuation expenses, personal liability & loss of personal property and Covid related expenses before you travel with us. It's also super important to check that your insurance covers all of the activities you'll be trying out, particularly any adventure activities (for all you adrenaline junkies).
* Our typical luggage allowances: For our European, North American, Australian and New Zealand trips, luggage is restricted to one decent sized, suitcase, approximately 29" × 20" × 10" (73cm x 50cm x 25cm) with a maximum weight of 20 kilos (44lbs.) plus one small hand/day bag that can go on the transport with you. Metal frame backpacks are not advised as their bulky shape makes packing vehicles tricky, plus they are more likely to damage other luggage.
* For our train trips please note you must be able to carry your own bags on this trip. As we will be taking public transport in cities & getting to the heart of the destinations we visit, pack wisely.
* Flights to and from your starting and ending points are not included in the cost of your trip. These can be added on during the booking process either online or via our contact center or booked independently by you.
* Each trip contains the right amount of free time for you to explore or indulge your travel desires. We offer Free Time Add-Ons, which are additional experiences that are not included in the overall price. These add ons are highlighted on the specific trip page. Your Trip Manager will highlight these to you and organise their booking on trip. Exceptions may apply where pre booking is required but this will be made known to you in your pre departure information.
* A number of meal times are left open for you to explore a region and its foodie offerings in greater detail, so budgeting for your taste in non-catered meals is important.
* Travel insurance and visas are also not included in the cost of your trip, and should be booked separately.
Pricing notes (children, single supplement)
Tour operator
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