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Experience the top destinations of New Zealand’s South Island on this luxury guided tour. Offering the best flexible New Zealand and Queenstown private tours and highly experienced tour guides, we cater for 1-30 people. With no date or itinerary restrictions, your luxury South Island guided tour can be fully customised.
Your fantastic guided South Island holiday begins in Christchurch, New Zealand’s “Garden City.”
Discover the vibrant and picturesque garden city, renowned for its natural beauty, lively entertainment scene, and strong cultural heritage.
Explore Christchurch with your guide, options include; experiencing Christchurch Tramway, Gondola, Botanic Gardens, visiting the International Antarctic Centre, Canterbury Museum or venturing to Sumner Beach.
In the evening option to add dinner aboard the Christchurch Tram. The Tramway Restaurant offers curated seasonal dining combined with evening sightseeing in central Christchurch for a truly unique experience!
Stay 1 night in Christchurch.
Travel time Christchurch to Mt Cook Village – 4 hours
Your scenic journey through the Mackenzie Basin begins today. As the Southern Alps loom before you, there will be photo opportunities around every corner.
You will pass an amazing smoky turquoise lake, called Lake Tekapo. Take a break in Tekapo and visit the most photographed church in New Zealand – the famous Church of the Good Shepherd. Other attractions in Lake Tekapo include the spa complex Tekapo Springs and of course the world-famous Mt John Observatory.
Continue past Lake Pukaki on your way to Mt Cook Village, nestled at the foot of New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mt Cook.
In the afternoon, explore the length of the majestic Tasman Glacier on a helicopter tour to view Mt Cook. Land atop the glacier itself to experience the immense scale of this alpine paradise.
At 27 kilometres in length, the mighty Tasman Glacier is a powerful place to visit. You can also explore Tasman Glacial Lake in a small boat. Experience the enormity of NZ’s largest glacier as you weave in and out of floating icebergs.
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park forms the majority of New Zealand’s only International Dark Sky Reserve and there are only eight in the world. The stargazing here is magnificent and stargazing tours can be added to your tour.
Stay 1 night in Mt Cook Village.
Travel time Mt Cook Village to Wanaka – 2.5 hours
Continue south to Wanaka, an alpine town boasting panoramic views and a relaxing atmosphere.
Wanaka has a reputation for great food and wine, with a wide variety of lakefront bars, cafés and restaurants serving exceptional local cuisine.
The crystal-clear water of the lakes and rivers are ideal for kayaking, fishing, lake cruises, and jet-boating, or to get an aerial perspective of the region and take a scenic helicopter flight.
Explore Wanaka with your guide – you may want to visit Puzzling World, Wanaka’s illusional attraction; the National Toy and Transport Museum or the Wanaka Lavender Farm located just a few minutes from Wanaka, where you can experience 20 acres of beautiful lavender fields, farm animals & display gardens.
Test out your fishing skills at “Hook”, Wanaka’s very unique interactive Lake to Plate dining experience. Catch a Chinook salmon from the scenic spring-fed fishing lakes and then relax as the team prepares it for you. No experience is necessary and fishing equipment can be hired on the day.
Stroll the streets and be inspired by galleries and stylish shops, visit ‘That Wanaka Tree’ for the perfect photo, or enjoy one of the many famous walking tracks such as Mt Iron.
Stay 1 night in Wanaka.
Travel time Wanaka to Te Anau – 3.5 hours
Enjoy the scenic drive over the Crown Range – your guide will stop for photos at fantastic viewing points. Option to stop at the historic Cardrona Hotel and the Cardrona Distillery.
Your scenic tour will continue as you make your way around Lake Wakatipu on your way to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park.
In the afternoon, enjoy the thrill of jet boating down the majestic trout filled Waiau River, to the serene Lake Manapouri, step foot into ancient beach forests and learn all about this unique location among Fiordland National Park. Suddenly, find yourself out on the breath-taking Lake Manapouri. Surrounded by mountains that have been carved by snow and ice over thousands of years, experience a sense of wonderment as you gaze at the magnificent mountains and sit in awe of their sheer beauty.
Stay 2 nights in Te Anau.
Embark on a scenic journey to Milford Sound, known as the “eighth wonder of the world.” As you venture deep into the heart of Fiordland National Park, you will get the chance to stop and view a number of must-see destinations along the way.
Upon reaching Milford Sound you will enjoy a 2 hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise. Offering a close-up experience of Milford Sound’s rainforest, soaring rock walls, towering snow capped mountains, cascading waterfalls, and wildlife. Words just don’t do it justice, you have to see it for yourself! Throughout the cruise, the guides share stories of the fiord’s history and are happy to answer your questions.
Option to upgrade to a Milford Sound Overnight Cruise, a once in a lifetime experience!
Travel time Te Anau to Queenstown – 2.5 hours
Return past Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. Option to add an exciting range of Queenstown private tours during your stay.
Visit Arrowtown with your guide and explore the quaint historic mining settlement. If there are any Lord of the Rings fans in the group, your guide will show you the filming locations for Minas Tirith, Argonath, the Misty Mountains, and the Ford of Bruinen. Your guide will tailor your Queenstown private tours based on your interests.
In the evening, relive the elegance of turn-of-the-century travel with a cruise aboard the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. Disembark at Walter Peak High Country Farm for a stunning gourmet BBQ meal and farm tour.
Stay 2 nights in Queenstown.
Taste your way around the Central Otago wine region today on a private boutique wine tour. With four winery tastings and a delightful platter lunch at Carrick Winery Restaurant, this tour will give you an exclusive look at the most prestigious vineyards of the Queenstown area. Queenstown private wine tours offer a more in-depth, personalised experience.
In the evening, celebrate a fantastic holiday!
Your guide will deliver you to Queenstown Airport for your departing flight.
We offer the very best of the South Island on our luxury guided tours. From unmissable highlights such as Milford Sound to personalised tours, we aim to showcase the most breathtaking scenic destinations.
In addition, our luxury guided tours are fully customisable. In other words, we will work with you to design a bespoke experience based on what you value most in travel.
Take a look at our 10 Day South Island Luxury Guided Tour or our 7 Day North Island Luxury Guided Tour.
Contact your personal New Zealand Guided Tours specialist today...
