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Best price guarantee Learn More
- Platinum Operator
- Intrepid Travel
- Explorer
- Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
- Group Tour
- Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
- Fully Guided
- An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
- Guided in English
- Group Size 6 - 16
- Ages 18+
Places You’ll See
Highlights
- Explore Christchurch's innovative architecture
- Stargaze in Lake Tekapo's Dark Sky Reserve
- Experience Queenstown's thrilling adventures
- Relax by the stunning Lake Wanaka
- Carve your own pounamu in Franz Josef
Itinerary
- Introduction
- Day 1 Christchurch
- Day 2 Christchurch / Lake Tekapo
- Day 3 Queenstown
- Day 4 Queenstown
- Day 5 Queenstown / Arrowtown / Wanaka
- Day 6 Wanaka / Franz Josef
- Day 7 Franz Josef
- Day 8 West Coast / Christchurch
- Day 9 Christchurch
What's Included
- Accommodation
- Guide
- Meals
- 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
- Optional
- Additional Services
Customer Photos
Operated by
Intrepid Travel
Number of tours
1,652
Age Range
5 to 99 years old
Response time
11 hours
Response rate
92%
Back in 1989, two guys from Melbourne, Australia by the names of Darrell and...
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Customer Reviews
- Overall RatingExcellent
- ItineraryExcellent
- GuideExcellent
- TransportExcellent
- AccommodationGood
- FoodGood
- HSHilda· March 16th, 2025The tour was excellent, a very good itinerary, our tour leader, Adam had a very good knowledge & his commentary on road while driving from one place to another was very good, he stopped at interesting spots for us to spend time, view & take pictures.Show more
Intrepid Travel commented on this reviewThank you Hilda for taking the time to post such a lovely review of your tour in New Zealand. We will forward on your lovely feedback for your leader Adam and I am glad to see that you were able to take the time to really enjoy the landscape and... Show moreTrip date: March 2025 
Elizabeth· January 18th, 2025The trip was amazing. The guide -Hayley was also wonderful. All in all- 5 stars was not enough. Everything about the whole experience from Day 1 to the end is perfect.Show moreIntrepid Travel commented on this reviewThank you so much, Elizabeth, for sharing your experience with us on your recent New Zealand South Island Express trip. Your pictures look beautiful and we are delighted you had such an incredible time.
Trip date: January 2025- MHMaximilian· September 24th, 2024Loved the whole trip Our guide Duli was amazing he read our wishes from our lips and made them happenShow moreTrip date: August 2024
- Annette· April 12th, 2023Great tour! We got to see so many places in...Show moreIntrepid Travel commented on this reviewThank you for your wonderful review Annette! It sounds like you've made some life-long memories and friends during your travels, we're so glad you enjoyed exploring the South Island of New Zealand with us, we'd love to have you explore the North Island... Show moreTrip date: March 2023
- Janet· February 21st, 2023Our guide James took great care of us..Seen...Show moreIntrepid Travel commented on this reviewThanks so much for your review Janet! We're so pleased to hear that James did a wonderful job taking care of you and your fellow travellers, we hope you enjoyed exploring the South Island with us and look forward to welcoming you on another adventure in... Show moreTrip date: February 2023
- Sheree· January 3rd, 2023Due to an Admin error I could not join my tour at the departure point. Although my records were missing I did get the opportunity to join the tour a few days in. It was an OK tour. I really enjoyed some of the places visited, accommodation was OK. And most people on the tour were lovely. Of course there is always one person who makes it difficult for others and this tour made it easy to ignore them most of the time.Show moreIntrepid Travel commented on this reviewHi Sheree - thank you for taking the time to leave us this review. Our Customer Care team will be in touch with you directly regarding your experience. We're very sorry for the complications at the start of your tour, but so glad to read that you've... Show moreTrip date: December 2022
- Donna· November 17th, 2022Great scenery, length and size of tour is good. More time made for lunch would be good while travelling long distance i.e. cardrona hotel, picnic lunches organised for some activities etc. More structure, information and correct pricing required around the activities. The tour guide was informative enough, respectful and polite. However, he was 2 hours late arriving for the tour with apologies, excuses and blaming Hakka tours and the flights. Then he had to pick up his skate board at another hotel. We did not receive our tour around Christchurch as we were behind time. Breakfast could be better prepared and catered for. Would have been insightful to inform everyone about Lake Tekapo designated night sky project. Queenstown -visits to wineries for wine tasting was not offered even when requested by guests and horse riding was not an option. Dinner time was not as advertised. Everything was closing or could not accommodate a large group and when they could many items on the menu were not available. We did not visit Arrowtown as advertised. Wanaka is beautiful however the accommodation was overcrowded (8 in a room) with inadequate bathroom facilities. A bathroom was opened but it was filthy (I was the first one to have a shower and picked up two wads of hair near the drain). Our room was flooded by the water from the shower and peoples bags got wet. The tour to Mou Waho Island was disappointing and overpriced. We were told a large Catamaran would cruise us to the island. What we got was a water taxi with no access to outside and limited viewing. The driver said he was instructed to hurry by our tour leader as we had to be back in time. We arrived back in time but then waited on the street for 2 hours for the rest of the group who were late back from their activity. No body took responsibility. Franz Josef accommodation was great. The green stone carving and the hosts were excellent. The Kayacking was another great activity with lovely guides. The TranzAlpine train was also good. I organised additional accommodation in Christchurch at Urbanz an additional night only to be told I have to be out of the room by 10am and come back for check in after 2pm. What was the point of booking extra accommodation when I wanted the extra to be able to relax before moving onto the next phase of my trip. Please note…people from other countries do not want to be told about their country from someone who has only been a visitor. Tour guides need to be careful how they talk about other cultures. All cultures need to be respected not just Māori. Overall with pricing discrepancy, tour guides blaming each other, price discrepancy for activities, inadequate accommodation, being told I have to leave the accommodation by 10 am and not checkin until 2pm when staying for two nights, being billed twice for pre and post accommodation. I paid $270AU for pre and post accommodation. Then get billed again by Hakka and $250NZD is deducted from the bill of activities. $250NZD is $228AUD. I have not received the correct deduction, invoices or receipts. The list of disappointment continues. This was a disappointing, overpriced and confusing tour that I will not be recommending to others.Show moreIntrepid Travel commented on this reviewDear Donna – we are very sorry to learn of the multiple issues you encountered our New Zealand South Island Express tour. We have put your review to our Operations team to get a better understanding of your experience and investigate the issues you’ve... Show moreTrip date: November 2022
- SGsusan· November 5th, 2022Callum was a fantastic tour guide he made our...Show moreIntrepid Travel commented on this reviewHi Susan so happy to hear that you had a great Local Leader in New Zealand! Thanks for traveling with us!Trip date: October 2022
Dates & Availability
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- -10%From Sunday21 Sep, 2025To Monday29 Sep, 2025EnglishFilling FastCheck the availability with the operatorDeparture on requestFrom:$2,495NZ $2,245 per personMultiple Room Types
- From Tuesday7 Oct, 2025To Wednesday15 Oct, 2025EnglishAlmost Sold OutCheck the availability with the operatorDeparture on requestFrom:NZ $2,820 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant Confirmation-25%From Wednesday29 Oct, 2025To Thursday6 Nov, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:$2,500NZ $1,875 per personMultiple Room Types
- From Sunday2 Nov, 2025To Monday10 Nov, 2025EnglishAlmost Sold OutCheck the availability with the operatorDeparture on requestFrom:NZ $2,830 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Thursday13 Nov, 2025To Friday21 Nov, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $2,540 per personMultiple Room Types
- From Tuesday18 Nov, 2025To Wednesday26 Nov, 2025EnglishAlmost Sold OutCheck the availability with the operatorDeparture on requestFrom:NZ $2,650 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Monday24 Nov, 2025To Tuesday2 Dec, 2025EnglishFilling FastThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $2,735 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Monday1 Dec, 2025To Tuesday9 Dec, 2025EnglishFilling FastThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $2,695 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Thursday4 Dec, 2025To Friday12 Dec, 2025EnglishFilling FastThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $2,670 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Saturday13 Dec, 2025To Sunday21 Dec, 2025EnglishFilling FastThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $2,750 per personMultiple Room Types
What our customers ask about this tour
The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.- N
Nick
Asked on June 25th, 2025Do you have any ferry rides or train rides in south island express trip? Do private vehicles have toilets for long distance trips? How do you provide lunch and dinner? Which restaurants do you have? May I know the names of hotels we are going to stay?
Intrepid TravelOperator•Written June 2025For this trip all transportation is done via private vehicle no ferries or trains. The vehicle does not have a bathroom onboard but for longer travel days there will be stops included where everyone can use the restroom. Only breakfast is included all other meals you will need to buy yourself. We do stay very centrally located and the leader is able to make great suggestions. As for accommodations we use multi-share hostels with shared facilities.
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Nick
Traveler•Written June 2025What level of accommodation you provide? 3 star or 4 star? Does this include airport pick up and transfers? Where do we get breakfast in a restaurant or supplied by accommodation place?
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written June 2025
We use simple accommodation, local transport, and include plenty of free time on our Basic style trips. Transfers are not included, so you will need to make your own way to and from the hotel. Meals included: 7 breakfasts. For other meals, your tour leader will help the group find good local places to eat.
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Nick
Traveler•Written June 2025We have 3 people. So can we get twin share room and sole room with attached bathroom?
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written June 2025
Accommodation on this trip is in multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared bathrooms, on a mixed-gender basis. A supplement for a private room (with shared bathroom facilities) is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. Single traveller will get a single room, and the other 2 travellers will get a double room.
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Nick
Traveler•Written June 2025Don't we have the tranzalphine journey to this tour
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written June 2025
This tour does not include the TranzAlpine train journey. The return to Christchurch on Day 8 is done by private vehicle via Arthur's Pass, which is a scenic drive with photo stops along the way, but not by train.
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Nick
Traveler•Written June 2025Do you have train journey packages in south island
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written June 2025
At the moment, we don't offer any train journey packages specifically in the South Island. However, if you're interested in exploring the South Island by other means, we'd be happy to recommend some great tour options!
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Nick
Traveler•Written June 2025If you have the scenic train south island option, can you tell me about it?
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written June 2025
Sadly, we don't offer any train specific tours of New Zealand at this time. Our tours are mainly private vehicles with small sections being on local trains - depending on the tour.
N10 more answers - R
Renee
Asked on June 24th, 2025Can we book double rooms for the whole tours, as we will only book this tour if we can have 2 double rooms all the way.
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written June 2025
Regarding your request for double rooms throughout the entire tour, we're currently unable to guarantee that in full. Double room availability can vary depending on the accommodation used during the trip. However, once a tentative spot is held, we can check with our local team and do our best to arrange double rooms for both couples wherever possible.
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Crystal
Asked on February 14th, 2025What is the process for making payments?
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written February 2025
A deposit is required to secure your spot, and the full payment will need to be confirmed via your booking confirmation page.
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Rosemary
Asked on February 3rd, 2025Just checking if there are any tours in late Feb or early/mid March?
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Rosemary
Traveler•Written January 2025Would like to know the cost for a single supplement, pre-accommodation, helicopter ride and cruise, and confirm March 3 departure availability
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written January 2025
Single supplement (with shared bathroom) is AUD 1,505. Pre accommodation at Haka House Christchurch - Double Room Ensuite - AUD 175.00 per night. Optional activities: Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike - NZD795, Franz Josef Heli Experience with Snow Landing - NZD325, Queenstown Milford Sound trips from NZD274 to NZD789. Complimentary 48-hour hold before requiring AUD 400 deposit.
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written February 2025
Departures for this trip: 03 Mar 2025 to 10 Mar 2025 - on request, 10 Mar 2025 to 17 Mar 2025 - 1 space left - on request, 15 Mar 2025 to 22 Mar 2025 - 4 spaces left on request
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Bill
Asked on January 28th, 2025Can we have my 14 year daughter on this trip with us?
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written January 2025
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept your 14-year-old daughter on this trip, as the minimum age requirement for this particular trip is 18 years.
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Bill
Traveler•Written January 2025Can you suggest us If she stays with us is that acceptable? If not can you suggest any alternate tours
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written January 2025
Unfortunately, all of our New Zealand tours are run by our partner company Haka tours and their minimum age is 18 years old. At this time we do not have any family trips available where we could accommodate travelers younger than 18, apologies for the inconvenience.
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Bill
Traveler•Written January 2025Are there any options of private rooms for solo traveller if yes fear are charges? What are optional charges for Milford
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written January 2025
A single supplement (with shared bathroom facilities) from $1,135 is available if you'd prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability.
B4 more answers - O
Oliver
Asked on January 25th, 2025What accommodation options are available during the tour?
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written January 2025
Accommodation during the trip is included in the tour price. You can also arrange pre/post accommodation for an additional charge.
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Trevor
Asked on December 15th, 2024What is the group size for the tours?
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written December 2024
The group sizes can vary, but each tour will accommodate a specific number of travelers depending on demand.
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Louis
Asked on December 5th, 2024Which island is best to do so? Warm and cold weather is fine.
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written December 2024
This is the New Zealand you've always heard about – endless lakes, snow-capped mountains and pristine glaciers. Spend nine days discovering the best of the South Island with a passionate local leader at the helm. Encounter creativity and resilience in Christchurch, gaze at out-of-this-world stars in Lake Tekapo, get your adrenaline pumping in Queenstown, take your time in postcard-pretty Wanaka and stand in awe of the Franz Josef Glacier.
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Luis
Asked on November 19th, 2024Does this mean I am not suitable for the tour? Why is there an age limit?
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written November 2024
For this trip, the minimum age requirement is 18, and if you're 35 or above, you can absolutely join. There's no upper age limit for this particular category of tours. That said, we also have a specific category of trips exclusively designed for young travelers aged 18 to 35. These trips focus on activities, pacing, and a group dynamic that cater to this age range, ensuring a travel experience tailored to their preferences. For this reason, travelers outside the 18–35 age range are unable to join those specific trips.
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Trevor
Asked on October 28th, 2024We are interested in this 9 day tour. There are 4 of us. If we want to stay in private rooms (2 rooms) or 4 people dorm. How much would that be?
- Intrepid TravelOperator•Written October 2024
Accommodation on this trip is in multi-share hostels. Multishare typically includes 4-8 beds. You may be required to share with group members of a different gender, couples and non-Intrepid travelers outside of your group. People travelling together may occasionally be separated due to rooming configurations. A single supplement (with shared bathroom facilities) is available at an additional cost of $1,200, if you prefer not to share a room on this trip.
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Good to Know
Tour ID: 223856
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