EXPERIENCE NEW ZEALAND: THE SOUTH ISLAND IN DEPTH
TRIP DESCRIPTION
Explore the Beauty of the South Island.
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Start Location: Christchurch
End Location: Christchurch
TOP HIGHLIGHTS
- Dolphin watching cruise in Kaikoura
- Full day kayak and watching tour in Abel Tasman National Park
- Franz Josef Glacier valley walk
- Queenstown highlights tour
- Walter Peak evening cruise with dinner
- Milford Sound guided tour and cruise
- City tour of Dunedin
- Half day peninsula encounter tour
SAMPLE ITINERARY (CUSTOMIZABLE)
Day 1: Arrive Christchurch
Upon arrival you will be transferred to your accommodation.
Overnight: Christchurch
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Christchurch - Kaikoura (Rail)
Take the Coastal Pacific Train to Kaikoura.Take a whale watching tour, Every Whale Watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Giant Sperm Whales are the stars of the show and year-round residents. A typical Whale Watch tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season you may also see migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales, and Southern Right Whales. Orcas and Hector's dolphins are common sightings.
Overnight: Kaikoura
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Kaikoura - Blenheim - Nelson (Rail & Coach)
Continue your train trip to the top of the North Island and continue over to Nelson.
Overnight: Nelson
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Abel Tasman National Park
Welcome aboard the Vista cruising catamaran. Relax with comfortable seating around tables and panoramic views from open or enclosed viewing decks and enjoy the onboard cafe and bar. With your flexible cruise and walk day pass, choose to spend from three to eight hours exploring the spectacular granite coast. Stay on board or disembark at a golden beach fringed by lush forest and azure waters, ideal for swimming. Enjoy quality beach time with walking options up to four hours. Your friendly crew takes care of your comfort and safety with interpretative commentary and maps.
Overnight: Nelson
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Nelson - Punakaiki
Take a coach to Punakaiki to view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. You'll stay in an eco-friendly resort right on the waterfront. Enjoy dinner while watching the thundering surf at your doorstep!
Overnight: Punakaiki
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Punakaiki - Franz Josef
Visit the small town of Hokitika, the heritage and cultural centre of the West Coast, for a greenstone (jade) jewellery demonstration by a local carver. Then visit the West Coast's newest attraction, the Treetop Walkway through the canopy of this lush rainforest. Now you're off to the gold-mining town of Ross before arriving at Franz Josef.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Franz Josef Sightseeing
Today enjoy an interpretive walk to the glacier to have the perfect opportunity to learn the role of the Franz Josef Glacier in shaping this remarkable landscape. After a short walk through the regenerating rainforest, the trip continues along the glacier valley with your guide calling stops to explain the unique features of the Franz Josef Glacier and its surroundings.With the emphasis more on geographical information and the glaciers history, you're able to venture beyond the public barriers and right up to the dramatic terminal face of this advancing glacier with your experienced and knowledgeable guide.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Franz Josef - Queenstown
Your coach today will take you to the adventure capital of New Zealand - Queenstown.
Overnight: Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Queenstown Sightseeing
Today you will be collected from your hotel by Limousine South for your Queenstown Highlights tour. Enjoy Queenstown's diverse attractions with your friendly, knowledgeable local guide. You will be captivated by the amazing views over Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range. Watch the fearless jumpers hurl themselves off AJ Hackett's original Bungy Bridge while learning about the history and excitement of bungy jumping. Enjoy a wine tasting tour at Gibbston Valley Winery savouring the flavours of fine local wines. You will also see where key scenes from Lord of the Rings were shot and re-live the 1860s gold rush at beautiful Arrowtown, where remnants of that fascinating era merge with modern, speciality shopping, before being dropped back off to your accommodation.
Overnight: Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Milford Sound Tour & Cruise
Today you will travel by luxury coach on an unforgettable journey from Queenstown into Milford Sound. Located within the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, this region is rich with dense rainforest, lakes and waterfalls cascading from rugged mountain peaks. Travel through the Southern Alps via the Homer Tunnel, a 1.2km tunnel drilled through a solid mountain of rock. Upon arrival at Milford Sound, board your vessel for a spectacular cruise on New Zealand's most famous waterway. At the end of the cruise you will return by coach to Queenstown.
Overnight: Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Queenstown at leisure
Enjoy a scenic cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm onboard the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. On disembarking at Walter Peak, you are welcomed and escorted through the lakeside gardens to the Colonel's Homestead where you are seated for dinner. The Gourmet BBQ menu, designed by Kiwi Celebrity Chef Josh Emett, incorporates fresh seasonal produce and locally hunted game and seafood so famous in the Central Otago region. All meat and seafood is cooked on the outdoor BBQ and rotisserie, in front of you and served immediately. A locally influenced wine list and other beverages are also available to purchase at the bar. Following dinner, you have the option of a brief farm show or relaxing at the bar before returning onboard the TSS Earnslaw to Queenstown. A tradition is the TSS Earnslaw's sing-along around the piano on the return journey.
Overnight: Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Queenstown - Dunedin (Rail & Coach)
Travel South to Dunedin
Overnight: Dunedin
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13: Dunedin Sightseeing
Start the day with a one hour city tour of Dunedin, before departing for the Otago Peninsula to see the Yellow eyed & Blue Penguins.
Overnight: Dunedin
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14: Dunedin - Christchurch
Travel by Coach back to Christchurch.
Overnight: Christchurch
Meals: Breakfast
Day 15: Package ends
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
DATES & PRICES
Availability:
AVAILABLE ALL YEAR
Interested in this trip? Contact Us for 2025 dates and prices
Applicable taxes vary depending on travel destination and are not included. Please ask your sales agent what extra taxes will be payable for your tour.
WHY CHOOSE ANDERSON VACATIONS?
Anderson Vacations
Other Companies
Independent Travel
See what you want, where you want, how you want. Solo, with a friend, or with a group of friends.Canadian Travel Experts
With at least 30 years of experience.Min. 95% Satisfaction Rate
From past guests.Accreditation and Consumer Protection
Feel confident booking because of a membership in all the following organizations:
Sustainability
Planting one tree for every passenger that travels with us.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 14 nights of accommodation
- Airport transfers throughout
- Coastal Pacific train Christchurch to Blenheim
- Coach service Blenheim to Nelson
- Coach service Nelson to Punakaiki
- Coach service Punakaiki to Franz Josef
- Coach service Franz Josef to Queenstown
- Coach and train service from Queenstown to Dunedin
- Coach service Dunedin to Christchurch
- Sightseeing and attractions as listed
EXCLUSIONS
- Airfare unless specified as included within the itinerary
- Taxes as applicable
- Travel Insurance and Cancellation Protection (strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
- Gratuities for Local Guides, Tour Managers, and/or Bus Drivers
- Meals not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary
- Items (attractions and sightseeing & entrance fees) not listed as included in the itinerary
Why Take An Anderson Tour?
Seasoned Tour Guides
Get a deeper understanding with storytelling tailored to your interests.
Space To Breathe
We never max out buses even if we use the same size bus as the competition.
All Inclusive
No hidden expenses along the way. Competitors offer activities as an extra - we don't
Our guide training manual is accredited by ACTA/CITC Canadian Educational Standard Inc. Now used as the standard in educational college programs.
Can't find what you're looking for?
Our specialists can take away the stress and create a custom trip tailored to your exact interests and budget.
Get A Custom Quote
OR CALL
1.866.814.7378
Custom Trip Plans
You can see what you want, when you want, how you want.
Unique Experiences
Experiences that help you take in the region in a different way.
Freedom To Explore
Time to take in each place with only the tours you want to do.
Tour Questions
What is the maximum number of travellers in a group?
Anderson Vacations specializes in Small Group Fully Escorted tours. If the tour is classified as a ‘Classic Tour’ up to 24 persons may join the tour although tours commonly travel with anywhere between 18 to 24 travellers. If the tour is classified as a 'Tour of Distinction’ only up to 18 persons may join the tour and many 'Tours of Distinction' travel with 12 to 18 travellers.
What are Guaranteed Departures?
After dreaming about travel to an exciting destination, arranging for time off work, booking your flights the last thing you need is for your trip to be cancelled. Anderson vacation's pre-Guaranteed tours take the uncertainty away from planning your travel and give you peace of mind to book our tours. Pre-Guaranteed Tours are group tours that we have already confirmed as certain to travel on the specified date. All 'Guaranteed Tours' will travel except in the event of a natural disaster or a catastrophic event that is beyond our control. They may already have the minimum number of people booked or else are tours that are known to be popular. Only select departures of tours are 'pre-Guaranteed'.
What happens if I book on a tour that is not Guaranteed?
We pride ourselves on providing “a small shared group experience.” In the event that we have fewer than ten participants on a tour we will offer a “small-group surcharge” to ensure that the tour runs as scheduled. This fee, which is up to 15% of the “land” portion of the tour, will be offered to you as an option to continue with the trip. This fee will cover the costs associated with handling a smaller group.
What is the average age of passengers for this tour?
Our tours are suitable for all age demographics. The average age of travelers is typically 45+.
How physically demanding is this tour? Are you able to accommodate people with mobility restrictions/limitations?
Some tours are mainly coach based and may not be physically demanding while others may require walking inclines or on rough surfaces to access interesting locations. Please check with us and your booking agent carefully and discuss your mobility restrictions before completing any tour booking to ensure this style of travel is right for you.
Can you accommodate passengers with dietary restrictions (food allergies, vegan, vegetarian etc.)?
Yes, we do accommodate dietary restrictions (within reason) such as, food allergies, vegan, vegetarian, etc. There are many meals included on our fully escorted tours. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking so we can ensure there are alternative meal choices.
Booking & Flight Questions
Do you arrange airport transfers?
Yes, we can assist you with airport transfers for you in most locations at a reasonable extra cost. Several tours have airport transfers already included. Please contact us for more details.
Can you assist with booking additional accommodation?
Yes, we can certainly assist with booking additional nights of hotel accommodation for you before and after your fully escorted tour. This is available upon request and subject to availability. Please inquire for further information and prices.
How much luggage should I bring?
Each passenger may bring one large suitcase and one carry-on bag. The weight limit for baggage is 20 kilograms or about 40 pounds. Baggage handling is provided at the hotels in our tour packages but there may be places where you will be required to wheel in your bags for quicker access. Be sure to advise our reservations staff if you will be bringing additional items such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair. You may also bring one small soft-sided carry-on bag, which should easily fit into the overhead shelf of a coach. Each person is responsible for his/her own carryon luggage. Remember to check your airline baggage restrictions if you are flying, as they may differ from Anderson Vacations guidelines.
I am a solo traveller. Is there a single surcharge?
There are options for single travelers to join most tours. Solo travellers can choose to pay a Single Supplement and have their own room throughout the tour. For those willing to share with a co-traveller of the same gender, we have a Twin Share option that is offered for most tours where you share a hotel room with another same gender traveller. In this case, you will not be charged for Single Supplement.
Is it possible to book a triple share accommodation?
Yes, it is possible to book triple share accommodations on select trips. Please inquire or contact us regarding this option, as prices and availability vary from tour to tour.
Can we book this tour with our exclusive group?
Yes, you can! Anderson Vacations works with many private groups and helps to customize a tour to traveller’s needs. Please contact us for more details.
Are gratuities included in the tour cost?
For convenience, gratuities for local guides and meals that are specified in the itinerary are included in the tour price. For meals not included in your tour package please remember that it is customary to tip your server 10-20% in North America. Gratuities for your Coach Driver (where appropriate) and Tour Director are entirely at your discretion. We recommend about CDN $5.00 per person, per day, for your Driver and CDN$7.00 per person, per day for your Tour Leader.
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Ready? Have More Questions?
Over 25 years offering custom trips and small group tours.
INQUIRE ABOUT THIS TRIP
OR CALL
1.866.814.7378
Seasoned Tour Guides
Get a deeper understanding with storytelling tailored to your interests.
Space To Breathe
We never max out buses even if we use the same size bus as the competition.
All Inclusive
No hidden expenses along the way. Competitors offer activities as an extra - we don't
DOWNLOAD
Tour Code
CGSI
Experience New Zealand: The South Island in Depth
15 days
Created On: 26 Dec 2024
Highlights
- Dolphin watching cruise in Kaikoura
- Full day kayak and watching tour in Abel Tasman National Park
- Franz Josef Glacier valley walk
- Queenstown highlights tour
- Walter Peak evening cruise with dinner
- Milford Sound guided tour and cruise
- City tour of Dunedin
- Half day peninsula encounter tour
Inclusions
- 14 nights of accommodation
- Airport transfers throughout
- Coastal Pacific train Christchurch to Blenheim
- Coach service Blenheim to Nelson
- Coach service Nelson to Punakaiki
- Coach service Punakaiki to Franz Josef
- Coach service Franz Josef to Queenstown
- Coach and train service from Queenstown to Dunedin
- Coach service Dunedin to Christchurch
- Sightseeing and attractions as listed
Exclusions
- Airfare unless specified as included within the itinerary
- Taxes as applicable
- Travel Insurance and Cancellation Protection (strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
- Gratuities for Local Guides, Tour Managers, and/or Bus Drivers
- Meals not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary
- Items (attractions and sightseeing & entrance fees) not listed as included in the itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Christchurch
Upon arrival you will be transferred to your accommodation.
Overnight: Christchurch
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Christchurch - Kaikoura (Rail)
Take the Coastal Pacific Train to Kaikoura.Take a whale watching tour, Every Whale Watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Giant Sperm Whales are the stars of the show and year-round residents. A typical Whale Watch tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season you may also see migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales, and Southern Right Whales. Orcas and Hector's dolphins are common sightings.
Overnight: Kaikoura
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Kaikoura - Blenheim - Nelson (Rail & Coach)
Continue your train trip to the top of the North Island and continue over to Nelson.
Overnight: Nelson
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Abel Tasman National Park
Welcome aboard the Vista cruising catamaran. Relax with comfortable seating around tables and panoramic views from open or enclosed viewing decks and enjoy the onboard cafe and bar. With your flexible cruise and walk day pass, choose to spend from three to eight hours exploring the spectacular granite coast. Stay on board or disembark at a golden beach fringed by lush forest and azure waters, ideal for swimming. Enjoy quality beach time with walking options up to four hours. Your friendly crew takes care of your comfort and safety with interpretative commentary and maps.
Overnight: Nelson
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Nelson - Punakaiki
Take a coach to Punakaiki to view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. You'll stay in an eco-friendly resort right on the waterfront. Enjoy dinner while watching the thundering surf at your doorstep!
Overnight: Punakaiki
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Punakaiki - Franz Josef
Visit the small town of Hokitika, the heritage and cultural centre of the West Coast, for a greenstone (jade) jewellery demonstration by a local carver. Then visit the West Coast's newest attraction, the Treetop Walkway through the canopy of this lush rainforest. Now you're off to the gold-mining town of Ross before arriving at Franz Josef.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Franz Josef Sightseeing
Today enjoy an interpretive walk to the glacier to have the perfect opportunity to learn the role of the Franz Josef Glacier in shaping this remarkable landscape. After a short walk through the regenerating rainforest, the trip continues along the glacier valley with your guide calling stops to explain the unique features of the Franz Josef Glacier and its surroundings.With the emphasis more on geographical information and the glaciers history, you're able to venture beyond the public barriers and right up to the dramatic terminal face of this advancing glacier with your experienced and knowledgeable guide.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Franz Josef - Queenstown
Your coach today will take you to the adventure capital of New Zealand - Queenstown.
Overnight: Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Queenstown Sightseeing
Today you will be collected from your hotel by Limousine South for your Queenstown Highlights tour. Enjoy Queenstown's diverse attractions with your friendly, knowledgeable local guide. You will be captivated by the amazing views over Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range. Watch the fearless jumpers hurl themselves off AJ Hackett's original Bungy Bridge while learning about the history and excitement of bungy jumping. Enjoy a wine tasting tour at Gibbston Valley Winery savouring the flavours of fine local wines. You will also see where key scenes from Lord of the Rings were shot and re-live the 1860s gold rush at beautiful Arrowtown, where remnants of that fascinating era merge with modern, speciality shopping, before being dropped back off to your accommodation.
Overnight: Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Milford Sound Tour & Cruise
Today you will travel by luxury coach on an unforgettable journey from Queenstown into Milford Sound. Located within the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, this region is rich with dense rainforest, lakes and waterfalls cascading from rugged mountain peaks. Travel through the Southern Alps via the Homer Tunnel, a 1.2km tunnel drilled through a solid mountain of rock. Upon arrival at Milford Sound, board your vessel for a spectacular cruise on New Zealand's most famous waterway. At the end of the cruise you will return by coach to Queenstown.
Overnight: Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Queenstown at leisure
Enjoy a scenic cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm onboard the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. On disembarking at Walter Peak, you are welcomed and escorted through the lakeside gardens to the Colonel's Homestead where you are seated for dinner. The Gourmet BBQ menu, designed by Kiwi Celebrity Chef Josh Emett, incorporates fresh seasonal produce and locally hunted game and seafood so famous in the Central Otago region. All meat and seafood is cooked on the outdoor BBQ and rotisserie, in front of you and served immediately. A locally influenced wine list and other beverages are also available to purchase at the bar. Following dinner, you have the option of a brief farm show or relaxing at the bar before returning onboard the TSS Earnslaw to Queenstown. A tradition is the TSS Earnslaw's sing-along around the piano on the return journey.
Overnight: Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Queenstown - Dunedin (Rail & Coach)
Travel South to Dunedin
Overnight: Dunedin
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13: Dunedin Sightseeing
Start the day with a one hour city tour of Dunedin, before departing for the Otago Peninsula to see the Yellow eyed & Blue Penguins.
Overnight: Dunedin
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14: Dunedin - Christchurch
Travel by Coach back to Christchurch.
Overnight: Christchurch
Meals: Breakfast
Day 15: Package ends
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
