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- Silver Operator
- Stray Travel
- Hiking & Trekking
- Epic trails and breathtaking landscapes await
- Group Tour
- Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
- Fully Guided
- An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
- Low Intensity
- Travelers can expect some light physical activities
- Guided in English
- Group Size 8 - 22
- Ages 18+
Places You’ll See
Highlights
- Explore Abel Tasman National Park
- Hike to Franz Josef Glacier
- Cruise through Milford Sound
- Stargaze in Mount Cook
- Walk around Lake Matheson
Itinerary
- Introduction
- Day 1 CHRISTCHURCH TO MARAHAU (ABEL TASMAN)
- Day 2 MARAHAU (ABEL TASMAN)
- Day 3 MARAHAU (ABEL TASMAN) TO HOKITIKA
- Day 4 HOKITIKA TO FRANZ JOSEF
- Day 5 FRANZ JOSEF
- Day 6 FRANZ JOSEF TO QUEENSTOWN
- Day 7 DAY TRIP TO MILFORD SOUND
- Day 8 QUEENSTOWN
- Day 9 QUEENSTOWN TO MOUNT COOK
- Day 10 MOUNT COOK TO CHRISTCHURCH
- Day 11 DEPART CHRISTCHURCH
What's Included
- Accommodation
- Guide
- Additional Services
- Transport
- Free eSIMTourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Meals
- Optional
- Additional Services
Operated by
Stray Travel
Number of tours
10
Age Range
12 to 70 years old
Response time
within 2 days
Response rate
76%
From the North Island to the South Island, you'll experience black sand...
Read moreCustomer Reviews
- Overall RatingExcellent
- ItineraryExcellent
- GuideExcellent
- TransportExcellent
- AccommodationExcellent
- FoodGood
phil· April 9th, 2025Brilliant guide, Nicole. Well planned. Very interesting tourShow moreTrip date: March 2025- TWTammy· December 13th, 2024This tour was an unforgettable way to see the...Show more
Stray Travel commented on this reviewHi Tammy, Wow! Thank you so much for your amazing review. We're so happy you had such a brilliant time on our tour and in particular with James, our Guides really do make all the difference and we'll be sure to pass along your feedback to him! Kind... Show moreTrip date: November 2024
Dates & Availability
Select departure month and travellers
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Thursday15 Jan, 2026To Sunday25 Jan, 2026EnglishFilling FastThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $4,635 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Thursday22 Jan, 2026To Sunday1 Feb, 2026EnglishFilling FastThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $4,635 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Thursday5 Feb, 2026To Sunday15 Feb, 2026EnglishFilling FastThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $4,635 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Thursday19 Feb, 2026To Sunday1 Mar, 2026EnglishFilling FastThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $4,635 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Thursday5 Mar, 2026To Sunday15 Mar, 2026EnglishFilling FastThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $4,635 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Thursday19 Mar, 2026To Sunday29 Mar, 2026EnglishFilling FastThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $4,635 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Thursday2 Apr, 2026To Sunday12 Apr, 2026EnglishFilling FastThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $4,635 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Thursday16 Apr, 2026To Sunday26 Apr, 2026EnglishFilling FastThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $4,635 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Thursday30 Apr, 2026To Sunday10 May, 2026EnglishFilling FastThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $4,635 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Thursday14 May, 2026To Sunday24 May, 2026EnglishFilling FastThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $4,635 per personMultiple Room Types
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What our customers ask about this tour
The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.- G
Grace
Asked on October 15th, 2025Can I extend my stay at Mt Cook for one more night?
- G
Grace
Traveler•Written October 2025Does this route include Arthur's pass route?
Stray TravelOperator•Written October 2025The tour does not include Arthurs Pass, however our Kaka Tour does. The tour does not allow for extending stay in Mt Cook as the tour continues along the route after the 1 night stay here. I can also confirm there is still availability on this departure date.
1 more answer - R
Rick
Asked on October 14th, 2025Is there an error description from the start and end destination. From the itinerary, the tour starts and ends in Christchurch, but it also mentions that the tour starts in Picton?
- Stray TravelOperator•Written October 2025
For the Takahe Tour, the tour can be started from Christchurch (with an Intercity bus up to Blenheim to join the tour from there), Wellington (with the ferry across to Picton), or from Picton (making your own way to Picton to be picked up here). And the tour does finish in Christchurch. So you are 3 different starting options depending on what works best for your plans.
- H
Harry
Asked on October 5th, 2025What are the room options for three people (2 parents and one child)? Will there be additional costs for the three of us to be in the same room? How large is the tour group roughly? What kind of transport/buses will be used throughout the trip? Is there any more detailed itinerary of the vehicle travel times between locations? Is there any more details on the accommodation? Is the daily breakfast included refer to a hotel buffet at our accommodation or something else? What is the weather like in December? Are there likely to be weather issues that lead to detours or road closures?
- Stray TravelOperator•Written October 2025
Our max group size is 24 people, in December, on average we are probably looking at 10-16 people. We use either a Yutong D7 or a Rosa with a luggage trailer. These are 18-22 seater buses. On average a travel day is about 3 hours. We try to make stops about every 2-3 hours to ensure comfort stops/ bathroom stops/ stretch of legs. A stop could be a quick 5-10 minute stop or a bit longer up to 1 hour depending on the day. It is a mix between hotel buffet breakfasts & continental breakfasts. New Zealand weather in December is generally warm, with average daytime highs of 20-25°C. Expect generally sunny conditions, especially in the South Island, but be prepared for variable weather, with the potential for cool nights, wind, and some rain, particularly in certain parts of the South Island like the West Coast.
- H
Harry
Traveler•Written October 2025The child is 21 years old so we are ideally looking for a single room for 3 adults. I'd be grateful if you could let us know if this is possible with hotels, and if not, the other options. In terms of details on the accommodation, I was wondering if there is a list of the accommodation you usually book for each point just so I can see what the accommodation is like beforehand.
- Stray TravelOperator•Written October 2025
Unfortunately, there are not triple rooms available. The accommodation used is usually the following: Mercure in Queenstown, The Barn - Abel Tasman Coast, Blue Duck Station - Retaruke, Distinction in Rotorua. Would a Double/Twin room and a private single room be okay for you?
- H
Harry
Traveler•Written October 2025A double/twin room and a private single room would work. How would the pricing change then if we were to take that option?
- H
Harry
Traveler•Written October 2025We were actually looking at the 9 Day 'Kaka' South Island Select Tour and we think this might be a better option as 11 days is a bit longer than we would like. Is the transport used similar to the 11 day trip? And what are the accommodation usually booked for this trip? Is the twin/double room plus a single private room possible with this trip as well?
- Stray TravelOperator•Written October 2025
Yes, the transport is the exact same as the 11 day tour. With your child being 21 years old they are absolutely welcome to travel with us. We can ask the hotels to have the rooms next door to each other if preferred to ensure you're all sticking close. For the 13th December Kaka Tour departure, the hotels are: Beachfront Hotel, Scenic Franz, Mercure Queenstown (2 nights), Distinction Te Anau Luxemore (2 nights), Mt Cook Lodge, Cotswold Christchurch.
H5 more answers - L
Lawrence
Asked on September 1st, 20251.Accommodation for day 1 & 2 is at barn. Does it mean sleeping on the floor, no room or divider to separate? Any bathroom?
- L
Lawrence
Traveler•Written September 2025Are we supposed to get on a public bus from Christchurch to Picton on our own to meet Stray guide group? How long does it take and How many more hours of driving from Picton to MARAHAU (ABEL TASMAN) on day 1?
- Stray TravelOperator•Written September 2025
The Barn is just the name of the accommodation. We are booked to stay in Cabins with double beds in the rooms, these are private rooms and will just be 1 or 2 people per room. No sleeping on the floor. The room itself does not have an ensuite bathroom, the bathrooms are shared and are in a different building from your cabin.
- Stray TravelOperator•Written September 2025
If you opt to start this tour in Christchurch, we will book you an Intercity bus ticket (unguided) and you will then meet your tour guide in Blenheim when you get off the Intercity bus. This ticket is included in your tour so no additional cost. The drive from Christchurch - Blenheim on the Intercity bus is about 3-4 hours. And from there to Abel Tasman (The Barn), the drive is an additional 3 hours.
2 more answers - R
Rhonda
Asked on August 14th, 2025Is there a single supplement for this trip? How much? Also, the information is confusing. Does the tour start in Picton or Christchurch?
- Stray TravelOperator•Written August 2025
The single upgrade is not compulsory, travellers can choose to just book the twinshare option and we will room them with someone of the same sex on the tour. If they wanted to guarantee their own room, the solo upgrade price would be an additional NZ$1,385.00. This tour can be started in Wellington, Picton or Christchurch. Wellington start: We would book a ferry ticket to get to Picton. Picton start: We would pick the travellers up from Picton iSite. Christchurch: We would book the travellers an Intercity bus ticket from Christchurch- Picton and pick them up from there. The ferry ticket and the Intercity ticket do not increase the price, if they choose either of those options.
- C
Caroline
Asked on August 8th, 2025We are looking for this trip. It says on the site Picton to Christchurch. the map is showing Picton in the tekst on site and pdf shows Picton. But the start and adress from the first day is Christchurch. We don't understand. Can you please explain us?
- C
Caroline
Traveler•Written August 2025Is it possible to make the trip for two 74 and 78 old women?
- Stray TravelOperator•Written August 2025
For the Takahe Tour, you can chose to start in Wellington, Picton or Christchurch, depending on what suit your travel plans. If you chose to start from Christchurch, we will book you an Intercity bus from Christchurch to Blenheim (included), and Blenheim is where you'll hop off and meet your tour guide. If you chose to start from Picton, we will pick you up from the Picton i-Site. If you chose to start from Wellington, we'll book you onto to the ferry from Wellington to Picton. Yes, I can confirm there is space for 2 travellers on the 15th January 2026 departure and we would love to have you both join!
1 more answer - R
Robyn
Asked on March 18th, 2025Any availability for March 20th, Picton to Christchurch?
- Stray TravelOperator•Written March 2025
We currently have space on the bus Takahe Tour for March 20th 2025. However please note as this tour is starting in 48 hours - we would need to contact all our accommodations to confirm a spot in the hotels. If you want to book please let us know ASAP as we would need to get on to this right away. Please note this close to departure there would be a chance that we would need to book you into an alternative hotel from the group if they are unable to accommodate.
- R
Robyn
Traveler•Written March 2025Trying to book and also look at itinerary. Seen can only book for April. Also looking for price. Can you help?
R1 more answer - S
Samuel
Asked on March 13th, 2025Could you provide me with more details on the group? Size, ages an nationalities?
- Stray TravelOperator•Written March 2025
the trip is mostly female with a few males, and mainly European - some german, dutch etc.
- C
Carmen
Asked on December 27th, 2024Is there an additional cost?
- Stray TravelOperator•Written December 2024
As a solo traveller for the Takahe tour you have two options: Pay the twin-share price with the current sale: $3,785 NZD (this would mean sharing a room with another solo traveller of the same gender) or Pay the solo room upgrade price: $5,170 NZD (this would mean you would have your own room so there is an extra fee)
- J
Jacqueline
Asked on November 23rd, 2024How much does the bus ticket cost? Do I have to pay for it myself or is it included in the price of the trip? What time do we arrive at the Interislander ferry terminal or the Picton i-SITE bus stop? Do we continue to Marahau directly after arriving in Picton? Is it possible to reserve a front row seat due to a slight disability and if so, what is the cost? Is the daily breakfast included?
- Stray TravelOperator•Written November 2024
The bus ticket is included in the price of the tour. If you are going to book the Takahe from Christchurch with the Intercity bus option, you will bus from Christchurch to Blenheim and will be picked up by your tour guide in Blenheim roughly around 12:40PM. Yes, you will stay in Marahau once you are picked up by your tour guide. We cannot reserve certain seats on the bus, however we can absolutely leave a note on your booking for your tour guide to see that you prefer a seat up near the front due to personal needs and they will always do their best to cater to that. Yes, breakfast is included where mentioned on the itinerary.
- J
Jacqueline
Traveler•Written November 2024I thought we would meet at the Interislander ferry terminal or the i-SITE bus stop in Picton. But you write tour guide will be picked up around 12:40pm in Blenheim is that correct?
- Stray TravelOperator•Written November 2024
Yes you will get the Intercity all the way to Blenheim to meet the group - this makes for a smoother pick up than Picton does. There IS an option to meet the group in Picton if you do NOT want the Intercity bus from Christchurch, this is for passengers who will already be in Picton or want to make their own way there.
- J
Jacqueline
Traveler•Written November 2024Do you also have an appointment for 2 people on 06.02.2025?
- Stray TravelOperator•Written November 2024
Unfortunately, not for the Takahe. Here are the closest dates to early Feb for the Takahe: 23 January 2025 - GUARANTEED, 20 February 2025 - GUARANTEED. We do have a north island Pukeko tour starting the 13 of February, if that is something you'd be interested in instead.
J4 more answers
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Tour ID: 204572
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