From
$2,385
NZ $2,027

New Zealand: Sweet As South (Westbound)

9 days
Start and end in Christchurch
4.5
6 traveler reviews
From
$2,385
-15%
NZ $2,027
Find this price
Save and compare this adventure
Payment plan $200 now + easy payments of $138 Learn More

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Plan your adventure:
Explorer
Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
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
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

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

Expand All
  1. Introduction
  1. Day 1 Christchurch to Franz Josef via Arthur's Pass and Hokitika
  2. Day 2 Franz Josef
  3. Day 3 Franz Josef to Queenstown via Haast and Wānaka
  4. Day 4 Queenstown
  5. Day 5 Queenstown
  6. Day 6 Queenstown
  7. Day 7 Queenstown to Te Anau via Milford Sound
  8. Day 8 Te Anau to Lake Ōhau via Kingston and Arrowtown
  9. Day 9 Lake Ōhau to Christchurch via Lake Tekapo
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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Free eSIM
    TourRadar 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

All accommodations are subject to change

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 more

Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Customer Reviews

  • Overall Rating
    Excellent
    4.5
  • Itinerary
    Excellent
    4.2
  • Guide
    Excellent
    4.2
  • Transport
    Excellent
    4.6
  • Accommodation
    Good
    3.8
  • Food
    Good
    3.8
  • 4.7
  • Most Recent
  • Most Popular
  • Highest First
  • Lowest First
  • NC
    · March 10th, 2024
    Great experience for this tour.. would rate...
    Show more
    Contiki commented on this review
    Thank 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 more
    Trip date: February 2024
  • JC
    · February 3rd, 2024
    Get more money for activities you will not regret
    Contiki commented on this review
    Thanks for joining us at Contiki. We hope you had a blast and can't wait to have you back soon.
    Trip date: January 2024
  • HN
    · January 4th, 2024
    Okay. 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 more
    Contiki commented on this review
    Thank 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 more
    Trip date: December 2023
  • NB
    · April 26th, 2023
    Such a great tour! The tour guide (Damo) and...
    Show more
    Trip date: April 2023
  • HF
    · March 18th, 2023
    I loved this tour, I did it with my sister and...
    Show more
    Trip date: March 2023
  • JH
    · December 13th, 2022
    Trip was good overall. EVERYTHING was...
    Show more
    Trip date: November 2022

Dates & Availability

9 days
New Zealand: Sweet As South (Westbound)
From Christchurch to Christchurch

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    • Rated excellent on
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    • Earn $50 in travel credits
    • Free eSim with every purchase

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Upcoming departures
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  • From Wednesday
    2 Jul, 2025
    To Thursday
    10 Jul, 2025
    English
    Almost Sold Out
    Check the availability with the operator
    Departure on request
    Multiple Room Types
    From:
    $2,455
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    16 Jul, 2025
    To Thursday
    24 Jul, 2025
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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    From:
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  • Instant Confirmation
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    From Wednesday
    30 Jul, 2025
    To Thursday
    7 Aug, 2025
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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    From:
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    $2,027
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    -10%
    From Wednesday
    13 Aug, 2025
    To Thursday
    21 Aug, 2025
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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    From:
    $2,385
    $2,147
  • Instant Confirmation
    -10%
    From Wednesday
    27 Aug, 2025
    To Thursday
    4 Sep, 2025
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    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
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    From:
    $2,385
    $2,147
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Wednesday
    24 Sep, 2025
    To Thursday
    2 Oct, 2025
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    Multiple Room Types
    From:
    $2,385
  • Instant Confirmation
    -10%
    From Wednesday
    8 Oct, 2025
    To Thursday
    16 Oct, 2025
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
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    From:
    $2,385
    $2,147
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Saturday
    18 Oct, 2025
    To Sunday
    26 Oct, 2025
    English
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    Guaranteed departure
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    From:
    $2,135
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Sunday
    26 Oct, 2025
    To Monday
    3 Nov, 2025
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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    From:
    $2,349
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Tuesday
    11 Nov, 2025
    To Wednesday
    19 Nov, 2025
    English
    Multiple Room Types
    From:
    $2,242
From
$2,385
-15%
NZ $2,027
Find this price
Save and compare this adventure
Payment plan $200 now + easy payments of $138 Learn More

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
All questions
  • R

    Rachel

    Asked on March 18th, 2025

    I would like to reserve a spot on: Sweet As South (Westbound, 9 Days) (15 destinations) from April 17th to April 25th.

    Price / Availability
    Tour Details
    • R

      Rachel

      TravelerWritten March 2025

      I'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.

    • ContikiOperatorWritten March 2025

      Could 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, 2025

    We would like to make certain of the rooms. We would need a bit of privacy that dormitory style does not afford.

    Accommodation
    • ContikiOperatorWritten 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, 2024

    May 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?

    Flights / Transfers
    Tour Details
    Transport
    • ContikiOperatorWritten 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, 2024

    We both are of age 42, pretty fit and excited to join the tour if possible

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • ContikiOperatorWritten 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, 2024

    Do you have a tour of the South Island for the same period?

    Other
    Tour Details
    • ContikiOperatorWritten 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, 2024

    Would 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?

    Accommodation
    Tour Details
    • ContikiOperatorWritten 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, 2024

    What time on the 3rd would we meet the tour group and begin the trip?

    Tour Details
    • ContikiOperatorWritten 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, 2023

    I 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?

    Price / Availability
    Tour Details
    • ContikiOperatorWritten 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, 2023

    I 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?

    Other
    Tour Details
    • ContikiOperatorWritten 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, 2023

    I am interested in a 10 day tour in Feb.2024, age group 50 and over

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • ContikiOperatorWritten 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.

Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at Contiki with your enquiry, they usually respond within 6 hours.

Good to Know

Tour ID: 268822

  • Currency
    $
    New Zealand Dollar
    New Zealand
  • Plugs & Adapters

    Type I
    New Zealand
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before August 21st, 2025 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after August 21st, 2025, a minimum payment of $200 is required to confirm your booking with Contiki. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 65 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and Contiki will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Contiki" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.