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Best price guarantee Learn More
- Platinum Operator
- Contiki
- 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 8 - 50
- Age range 18 to 35
Places You’ll See
Highlights
- Explore Christchurch and South Island
- Learn pounamu carving with a Māori guide
- Heli ride over Franz Josef Glacier
- Cruise through the stunning Milford Sound
- Stargaze at Lake Tekapo's Dark Sky Reserve
Itinerary
- Introduction
- Day 1 Christchurch to Franz Josef via Arthur's Pass and Hokitika
- Day 2 Franz Josef
- Day 3 Franz Josef to Queenstown via Haast and Wānaka
- Day 4 Queenstown
- Day 5 Queenstown
- Day 6 Queenstown
- Day 7 Queenstown to Te Anau via Milford Sound
- Day 8 Te Anau to Lake Ōhau via Kingston and Arrowtown
- Day 9 Lake Ōhau to Christchurch via Lake Tekapo
What's Included
- Accommodation
- Guide
- Meals
- Additional Services
- 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
Where You'll Stay
Rainforest Retreat (or similar)
HotelDays 1, 2Lylo (or similar)
HotelDays 3, 4, 5, 6The Village Inn Hotel (or similar)
Hotelday 7Lake Ōhau Lodge (or similar)
Hotelday 8
Operated by
Contiki
Number of tours
596
Age Range
18 to 35 years old
Response time
6 hours
Response rate
92%
Contiki has been running tours for over 50 years, all exclusively for...
Read moreSustainability Initiatives
Reduce Carbon Emissions
Animal Welfare
Supporting Destinations
Sustainability Programs
Customer Reviews
- Overall RatingExcellent
- ItineraryExcellent
- GuideExcellent
- TransportExcellent
- AccommodationGood
- FoodGood
- NCNigel· March 10th, 2024Great experience for this tour.. would rate...Show more
Contiki commented on this reviewThank you for your fantastic feedback. We're delighted to hear that you had an amazing experience with us from start to finish. We sincerely hope the new friendships you've made during your trip will last a lifetime. We're looking forward to the... Show moreTrip date: February 2024 - JCJinyoung· February 3rd, 2024Get more money for activities you will not regretContiki commented on this reviewThanks for joining us at Contiki. We hope you had a blast and can't wait to have you back soon.Trip date: January 2024
- HNHang· January 4th, 2024Okay. Too big of a group, mostly suit young people in early 20s, a bit rushed, more of an A to B bucket list check off trip than a focus on an enjoyable journey.Show moreContiki commented on this reviewThank you for sharing your feedback with us. We are sorry you found the group size too large to enjoy the sightseeing during the tour. Our tours are designed exclusively for 18-35-year-olds, and we try to tailor the social aspects to fit that... Show moreTrip date: December 2023
- NBNatalie· April 26th, 2023Such a great tour! The tour guide (Damo) and...Show moreTrip date: April 2023
- HFHeidi· March 18th, 2023I loved this tour, I did it with my sister and...Show moreTrip date: March 2023
- JHJack· December 13th, 2022Trip was good overall. EVERYTHING was...Show moreTrip date: November 2022
Dates & Availability
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- Earn $50 in travel credits
- Free eSim with every purchase
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- From Wednesday2 Jul, 2025To Thursday10 Jul, 2025EnglishAlmost Sold OutCheck the availability with the operatorDeparture on requestMultiple Room TypesFrom:$2,455
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Wednesday16 Jul, 2025To Thursday24 Jul, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$2,385
- Instant Confirmation-15%From Wednesday30 Jul, 2025To Thursday7 Aug, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$2,385$2,027
- Instant Confirmation-10%From Wednesday13 Aug, 2025To Thursday21 Aug, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$2,385$2,147
- Instant Confirmation-10%From Wednesday27 Aug, 2025To Thursday4 Sep, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$2,385$2,147
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Wednesday24 Sep, 2025To Thursday2 Oct, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$2,385
- Instant Confirmation-10%From Wednesday8 Oct, 2025To Thursday16 Oct, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$2,385$2,147
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Saturday18 Oct, 2025To Sunday26 Oct, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$2,135
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Sunday26 Oct, 2025To Monday3 Nov, 2025EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureMultiple Room TypesFrom:$2,349
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Tuesday11 Nov, 2025To Wednesday19 Nov, 2025EnglishMultiple Room TypesFrom:$2,242
Best price guarantee Learn More
What our customers ask about this tour
The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.- R
Rachel
Asked on March 18th, 2025I would like to reserve a spot on: Sweet As South (Westbound, 9 Days) (15 destinations) from April 17th to April 25th.
- R
Rachel
Traveler•Written March 2025I'm currently experiencing a problem following my previous booking attempt with another agency, which was already full. A pre-authorization has been placed on my funds, which is temporarily affecting my ability to pay.
ContikiOperator•Written March 2025Could you confirm which room you would like to book and confirm that you're happy with the price.
1 more answer - L
Lawrence
Asked on March 14th, 2025We would like to make certain of the rooms. We would need a bit of privacy that dormitory style does not afford.
- ContikiOperator•Written March 2025
Contiki tours have an age restriction, requiring guests to be between 18-35 years old to participate. As you are outside this age range, you would not be eligible to join the trip.
- G
George
Asked on October 31st, 2024May I know the tour fee is included transportation? If yes, is included airport transfers and all the transports during the trip? The tour is start from 16 Mar'2025. So we need to arrive Christchurch on 15th Mar and stay one night on our own. Then start the tour on 16th Mar morning at the designated place?
- ContikiOperator•Written October 2024
Yes, you will be using a coach bus as your transportation the whole tour and this is included to the tour price. Airport transfers are not included, you will have to make your own way from the airport to the starting hotel. We recommend booking a pre-accommodation at the start hotel due to the kick-start meeting that will be held in the evening prior to day 1.
- C
Crystal
Asked on October 23rd, 2024We both are of age 42, pretty fit and excited to join the tour if possible
- ContikiOperator•Written October 2024
Contiki tours have an age restriction, and guests must be between 18-35 years old to be eligible to join. We recommend CostSaver which is open to all ages, or other Tour Brands such as Trafalgar, Insight or Luxury Gold.
- S
Stuart
Asked on October 8th, 2024Do you have a tour of the South Island for the same period?
- ContikiOperator•Written October 2024
We have Active New Zealand tour for 9 days. The available departure we have are as follows: 07-Nov-2024 until 15-Nov-2024, 05-Dec-2024 until 13-Dec-2024
- M
Martha
Asked on April 23rd, 2024Would my nephew need to come a day earlier? Does the tour include the first night's accommodation? Where in Christchurch does the group first meet? What time?
- ContikiOperator•Written April 2024
It would be better if he arrive a day earlier. We highly recommend booking pre accommodation in Christchurch as the tour will start at 08:00am. The first night of the tour is included and will be at Rain Forest Retreat Ltd. The hotel that the tour will depart from in Christchurch is at Breakfree on Cashel Christchurch so we recommend booking pre accommodation on this hotel.
- T
Tyler
Asked on April 2nd, 2024What time on the 3rd would we meet the tour group and begin the trip?
- ContikiOperator•Written April 2024
The tour will start in Christchurch at approximately 08:00am, pre night is recommended. It will end in Christchurch at approximately 4:00pm, post-night is recommended.
- S
Sophia
Asked on November 12th, 2023I am requesting a departure date for 15th Jan to 23rd Jan 2024 for the Sweet As South tour in Christchurch. My friend has booked on the 15th Jan to 23rd Jan 2024 but it is sold out. Is there any possibility for an extra spot?
- ContikiOperator•Written November 2023
Unfortunately, 15-Jan-2024 is already sold out, and the only available departure date is the 19th of January. We cannot book the 15th since on our system it's already been closed.
- J
Joanna
Asked on October 19th, 2023I want to go for skydiving. but there is no optional activity in this tour. I wonder if I can go while this tour. Do I have enough free time to go for skydiving or Can you add activity in this tour?
- ContikiOperator•Written October 2023
As we further check the Sweet as South tour for more details and information of the activities, more on bungy jumping for sky activity experience. However, we do have a sky diving activity on other trip here in Contiki Holidays, North Queensland Adventure trip. On the first day of the trip, start location of the trip will be at Christchurch and will start 08:00 am. Kick start meeting will be at 18:00 the night prior of the trip and pre-accommodation recommended.
- D
Daniela
Asked on August 3rd, 2023I am interested in a 10 day tour in Feb.2024, age group 50 and over
- ContikiOperator•Written August 2023
Contiki Holidays has created a product specifically for the enjoyment of travelers in the 18-35 age group. We do hope you can understand that we cannot accept travelers outside of these parameters. We recommend checking out Costsaver Tours and Trafalgar Tours for similar experiences.
Good to Know
Tour ID: 268822
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