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Price based on Shared Room
Price based on Private Single Room
Price based on Private Double Room
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- 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
- Low Intensity
- Travelers can expect some light physical activities
- Guided in English
- Group Size 8 - 50
- Ages 18-35
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
851
Age Range
18 to 35 years old
Response time
5 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 this as 5stars.. made new friends along the wayShow 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 regretShow more
Contiki 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 more
Contiki 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 bus driver (Ollie) were such an amazing team and together they provided such an amazing experience of NZ. Highly recommend!Show moreTrip date: April 2023
- HFHeidi· March 18th, 2023I loved this tour, I did it with my sister and we had a great time with each other and making new friends. The only thing is that there were some places I wish we had longer at, like many of the small country towns we stopped through to get lunch. We also didn't get a chance to see Christchurch at all, which we were okay with because it looked so similar to our home, but it would have been nice :) (I'd say book a couple days at the end or start of your trip if you're keen to see it) Still, I highly recommend this tour. Who knew a good cup of tea and the views of the alps could be so good for my mental health. Can't wait to get back to this amazing place.Show moreTrip date: March 2023
- JHJack· December 13th, 2022Trip was good overall. EVERYTHING was...Show moreTrip date: November 2022
Dates & Availability
Select departure month and travellers
- 2 Other Unavailable Departures
- Instant Confirmation-10%From Sunday18 Jan, 2026To Monday26 Jan, 2026EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:$2,365NZ $2,129 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant Confirmation-10%From Thursday22 Jan, 2026To Friday30 Jan, 2026EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:$2,365NZ $2,129 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant Confirmation-10%From Tuesday3 Feb, 2026To Wednesday11 Feb, 2026EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:$2,365NZ $2,129 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant Confirmation-10%From Wednesday11 Feb, 2026To Thursday19 Feb, 2026EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:$2,365NZ $2,129 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Sunday15 Feb, 2026To Monday23 Feb, 2026EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $2,365 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant Confirmation-10%From Monday23 Feb, 2026To Tuesday3 Mar, 2026EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:$2,365NZ $2,129 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Friday27 Feb, 2026To Saturday7 Mar, 2026EnglishThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $2,365 per personMultiple Room Types
Why book with TourRadar?
- Trusted and vetted operators
- Rated excellent on
- Best price guarantee
- 24/7 customer support
- Earn $50 in travel credits
- Free eSim with every purchase
To protect your payment and ensure your booking will be processed in Australia, never transfer or communicate outside of the TourRadar website or app.
What our customers ask about this tour
The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.- A
Abigail
Asked on August 2nd, 2025Is there an ability to upgrade rooms where we wouldn't have to share the room with other people? If so, how much would that cost?
ContikiOperator•Written August 2025Good news! We offer a twin room option on this tour, which allows you and your husband to have your own room on tour.
ContikiOperator•Written August 2025This tour price is USD 1,630.00 per person, based on a twin room. Tour prices may vary and can change at any time, so the quoted price is not guaranteed until the booking is finalized.
1 more answer - P
Pat
Asked on June 16th, 2025Do you accept this age group?
ContikiOperator•Written June 2025Contiki 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. We have several sister brands that offer fantastic travel experiences without age restrictions: Trafalgar, Costsaver, Insight Vacations, Brendan Vacations, Luxury Gold.
- 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 2025Contiki 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 2024Yes, 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 2024Contiki 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 2024We 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 2024It 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 2024The 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 2023Unfortunately, 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.
Price based on Cheapest Room
Price based on Shared Room
Price based on Private Single Room
Price based on Private Double Room
Best price guarantee Learn More
Good to Know
Tour ID: 268822
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