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Classic South Island Adventure

8 days
From Christchurch to Queenstown
4.9
353 traveler reviews
Classic South Island Adventure - Active Adventures

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Plan your adventure:
Fully Guided
An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Guided in English
Group Size 5 - 14
Age range 16 to 90
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Highlights

  • Go for a hike in the winter wonderland of Franz Josef Glacier
  • Be amazed on a scenic flight into the remote Siberia Valley
  • Embark on an adrenalin-pumping jet boat ride on Wilkin River

Itinerary

Expand All
  1. Introduction
  1. Day 1 Arrive, hike in Arthur's Pass
  2. Day 2 Kayak Okarito Lagoon and Hike near Franz Josef Glacier
  3. Day 3 to 4: Option A, Siberia Valley Wilderness in Mt Aspiring National Park
  4. Day 3 to 4: Option B, Makarora Adventure in Mt Aspiring National Park
  5. Day 3 and 4: Mt Aspiring National Park options
  6. Day 4 (afternoon): Finish Mt Aspiring National Park options, bike Queenstown Trail
  7. Day 5 Gondola ride, hike Ben Lomond or free day in Queenstown
  8. Day 6 Hike Kepler Track
  9. Day 7 Milford Sound Cruise, Hike Routeburn Track
  10. Day 8 Depart for home
Want to read it later?

Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Flights
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services

What's Not Included

  • Insurance
  • Transport

Customer Photos

4.9
(2,679 reviews)

Number of tours

51

Age Range

6 to 99 years old

Response time

less than 1 hour

Response rate

100%

Our aim is to share with you the grandeur of the outdoors, the joy of achievement, the pleasure of good company and the warmest hospitality on our incredible adventure vacations. Based in Queenstown, New Zealand - we're a small group with a big promise. We sweat the small stuff and look after all...

Read more

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
    4.9
  • Itinerary
    Excellent
    5.0
  • Guide
    Excellent
    4.9
  • Transport
    Excellent
    4.5
  • Accommodation
    Excellent
    4.5
  • Food
    Excellent
    4.4
  • 4.9
  • Most Recent
  • Most Popular
  • Highest First
  • Lowest First
  • Classic South Island Adventure reviewer 1
    · October 26th, 2024
    This was an amazing adventure of a lifetime. Active Adventures did a great job putting together an itinerary that included a wide range of fun activities. We got to experience a lot of the South Island. We went with a group of 9 and we all absolutely LOVED it! Our guides Max, Aleisha, and Sarah were very professional, caring, and made us feel like family! I would 100% recommend this to anyone would is looking to experience the South Island and would like a wide range of fun activities!
    Show more
    Classic South Island Adventure customer review photo 1Classic South Island Adventure customer review photo 2Classic South Island Adventure customer review photo 3
    Trip date: September 2024
  • MB
    · January 23rd, 2023
    This trip was amazing! I cannot speak highly enough of Active Adventures as a company or or of our guides, Kim and Pim. The driving was excellent, the food was healthy and delicious, the activities were fun and extremely well-planned, the scenery was stunning, and the whole thing was just wonderful. Thank you!
    Show more
    Trip date: January 2023
  • KM
    · February 6th, 2020
    The Active Adventures Tui trip taken January 2020 fulfilled all our hopes for an amazing vacation! 8 days to traverse the itinerary meant a few long driving days, but all drives included beautiful scenery, as well as stops for bathrooms, photos, and short hikes. Both guides were "local" extremely knowledgeable, congenially women. Our group of 9 included 8 Americans and 1 Kiwi. Activities were well planned and modified for each person in the group. The only improvement that could be made was the bus; too many rows of seats for the space meant very little leg room. I would take this trip again, and certainly will try another route with the same company.
    Show more
    Classic South Island Adventure customer review photo 1Classic South Island Adventure customer review photo 2
    Trip date: January 2020
  • A
    · October 25th, 2013
    We loved our Tui trip. We covered most of the South Island with Ken leading the way. We hiked (tramped), biked and kayaked in your beautiful country. Haast Pass had been closed due to weather so Ken changed our trip and we saw a few places not on the itinerary including a hike in an abandoned gold mine filled with glow worms. One highlight was sea kayaking in Milford Sound with two Fiordland crested penguins.
    Show more
    Trip date: October 2013
  • A
    · October 26th, 2013
    ""If the trip is as good as the pre-travel customer service, these vacations will be amazing"" was my thought before boarding the plane. Well, Active Adventures New Zealand team Jacks and Loren managed to surpass my highest expectations. I really hope I can go back. What an amazing trip in every sense; food, adventures, and fun.
    Show more
    Trip date: June 2013
  • A
    · November 23rd, 2013
    This trip was truly a trip of a lifetime. The combination of hiking, biking and kayaking was such fun in the midst of constantly changing but gorgeous scenery. Our guides were superb. They were friendly, warm, funny and created opportunities for those at different fitness levels to get the most out of the trip. We had a blast in one of the most scenic and spectacular places on earth: the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. I highly recommend this trip!
    Show more
    Trip date: October 2013
  • A
    · November 24th, 2013
    My partner and I went on this trip to celebrate her retirement. We so looked forward to going off the beaten track and being active on our vacation and with Active Adventures help we did that and more. Expert, kind, supportive and fun guides, incredibly beautiful country, well planned hikes, biking and kayaking all added up to eight days we will never forget. Worth every penny and more!!!
    Show more
    Trip date: October 2013
  • A
    · November 29th, 2013
    Our trip could not have been better. New Zealand is so very beautiful, the people kind and welcoming, the country so clean. Cassie, Dan and Sarah made the trip fun, interesting and different every day. They were all amazing hikers, great sources of knowledge and so very gracious about every detail.
    Show more
    Trip date: November 2013
  • A
    · November 30th, 2013
    Our Tui trip was awesome. Our guides went to the extra effort to give us more hiking and biking options to make our trip even more enjoyable and tailored to our specific level of activity.
    Trip date: October 2013
  • A
    · March 12th, 2013
    Even after travelling in over 30 countries, New Zealand and this trip in particular rank right at the top. I've never been on a more diverse trip in terms of activities, landscape, food. We were able to see so many different sites in just 7 days. Very well organized, and the smallest details were looked after by our excellent guides. A great mix of physical activity, sightseeing in our van, great food, and wonderful conversations with our fellow guests and guides. Can't say enough good things about this trip!
    Show more
    Trip date: October 2013

Dates & Availability

8 days
Classic South Island Adventure
From Christchurch to Queenstown

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More benefits
Select a departure month
  • Upcoming departures
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What our customers ask about this tour

    The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
    • What kind of scenery can we expect during our South Island trip?

      Expect breathtaking landscapes, including mountains, lakes, and diverse wildlife throughout the tour.

    • Is it possible to customize parts of the tour?

      Customizations can only be accommodated for groups of 10 or more; individual custom tours aren’t offered.

    • What should we do if we want to travel with friends regarding room assignment?

      Room assignments should be communicated during booking to ensure your group stays together.

    • How are group sizes managed during the tours?

      Group sizes vary, but arrangements are made to ensure a comfortable experience for all participants.

    • What if we need assistance while on the tour?

      You can reach out to us via the Ask a Question button for any assistance needed while on tour.

    • What is the activity level associated with the hiking during the tour?

      The tour has an activity level of 3 out of 5, involving 3-6 hours of hiking per day on varied trails.

    • Are military discounts available for this tour?

      Currently, we do not offer military discounts.

    • What payment methods can be used for booking?

      Various payment methods are accepted; please check during the booking process for specifics.

    • Can I find information about the itinerary and FAQs?

      Yes, a PDF itinerary is provided which includes a section on frequently asked questions.

    • When should we book our travel dates for the best chance of availability?

      Booking sooner rather than later is advisable as many dates fill up quickly.

    Can’t find the answer to your question?
    Reach out to the experts at Active Adventures with your enquiry, they usually respond in less than 2 hours.

    Good to Know

    Tour ID: 171902

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

      As a traveler from USA, Canada, England, South Africa you will need an adaptor for type I.

      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 March 27th, 2025 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after March 27th, 2025, a minimum payment of $500 is required to confirm your booking with Active Adventures. 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 90 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 Active Adventures will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
      • The following cards are accepted for "Active Adventures" 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.

    Videos

    • Your New Zealand Adventure
    • Introduction to Active Adventures
    Your New Zealand Adventure