Day 1: Christchurch Arrival

• The Vibe: Today is all about arriving, checking into your hostel, and meeting your new travel family.

• Included: You’ll kick things off with a Christchurch Street Art Tour to see the city’s vibrant, rebuilt creative hubs, followed by welcome drinks at a local bar to get to know your guide and group.

Day 2: Christchurch to Kaikōura

• The Journey: You head north out of Christchurch toward the dramatic coastline where the mountains meet the sea.

• Included: A stop at Tawanui Farm—a classic Kiwi sheep and beef farm experience where you’ll get to help feed the animals and see real farm life.

• Optional Add-ons: Once you arrive in Kaikōura, you have free time for world-class whale watching or swimming with wild dusky dolphins.

Day 3: Kaikōura to Abel Tasman National Park

• The Journey: Travel up past wild seal colonies and head into the famous Marlborough region.

• Included: A wine and gin tasting session in Marlborough (famous for some of the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world).

• The Destination: You’ll finish the day at the golden-sand beaches of Kaiteriteri, the gateway to Abel Tasman.

Day 4: Abel Tasman (Free Day)

• The Vibe: A completely free day in New Zealand’s sunniest national park.

• Optional Add-ons: You can choose to go skydiving, rent a kayak to paddle out to Split Apple Rock, catch a water taxi deep into the park, or hike a stunning section of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track.

Day 5: Abel Tasman to Westport

• The Journey: Head down the upper West Coast along State Highway 6.

• Included: A scenic stop at the Iron Ridge Sculpture Park—a wild, quirky outdoor art gallery set against massive limestone cliffs.

• The Destination: Arrive in the historic surf town of Westport.

Day 6: Westport to Lake Mahinapua

• The Journey: Drive deeper down the rugged, untamed West Coast shoreline.

• Included: You’ll stop at the famous Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes, plus stretch your legs on the Cape Foulwind Seal Colony walk.

• The Vibe: You arrive at the historic Mahinapua Hotel. This is a legendary Kiwi Experience stop where the group usually does a massive, fun themed dress-up party.

Day 7: Lake Mahinapua to Franz Josef

• The Journey: A short drive into the heart of Glacier Country.

• Included: A Greenstone (Pounamu) carving experience, where you get to carve your own traditional piece of New Zealand jade to keep. You also get entry to the Franz Josef Wildlife Centre to see the rare Rowi Kiwi birds!

Day 8: Franz Josef (Free Day)

• The Vibe: Adrenaline and ice. This day is left open because West Coast weather can be unpredictable.

• Optional Add-ons: The absolute must-do here is the Glacier Heli-Hike (taking a helicopter up onto the glacier and hiking through glowing blue ice caves). You can also go quad biking or relax in the local hot pools.

Day 9: Franz Josef to Wānaka

• The Journey: Start early to view the perfect mirror reflections of the mountains on Lake Matheson, then head over the spectacular Haast Pass.

• Included: A series of stunning scenic hikes along the way through Mount Aspiring National Park.

• The Destination: Arrive in the beautiful alpine lakeside town of Wānaka (and snap a photo of the famous lone Wānaka Tree).

Day 10: Wānaka to Queenstown

• The Journey: Short drive over the Crown Range into the Adventure Capital of the World.

• Included: A stop at the historic Kawarau Bridge—the birthplace of commercial bungy jumping.

• The Vibe: Arrive in Queenstown and head out with the group to tackle the legendary nightlife and grab a Fergburger.

Day 11 & 12: Queenstown (Free Days)

• The Vibe: Two full days to do whatever your heart desires in Queenstown.

• Optional Add-ons: Skydiving, the massive Nevis Bungy, canyon swinging, white-water rafting, riding the Shotover Jet, or a more relaxing wine-tasting tour through Central Otago.

Day 13: Milford Sound Day Tour

• The Journey: An early wake-up call for one of the most stunning drives on earth through the Homer Tunnel and into Fiordland National Park.

• Included: A Milford Sound Scenic Boat Cruise. You’ll glide past towering waterfalls and Mitre Peak, keeping an eye out for seals, dolphins, and penguins. You’ll head back to Queenstown to sleep.

Day 14: Queenstown to Hanmer Springs

• The Journey: You begin heading back north through the center of the South Island.

• Included: Entry to the famous Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa. You can spend the afternoon soaking in 22 different outdoor thermal pools or hitting the hydroslides.

Day 15: Hanmer Springs to Christchurch

• The Journey: The final leg of the tour.

• Included: On the way back to Christchurch, you’ll make scenic stops at the breathtaking Devil’s Punchbowl waterfall and the massive limestone boulders of Castle Hill (where The Chronicles of Narnia was filmed).

• The End: You’ll arrive back in Christchurch by mid-afternoon where the tour officially wraps up!

• Peak Summer (December to February): Book 3 to 6 months in advance. This is New Zealand’s absolute busiest season. Because these specific small-group tours have a fixed number of seats and pre-booked hostel spaces, they sell out fast, and popular add-ons like the Franz Josef Heli-Hike fill up months ahead.

• Shoulder Season (October–November & March–April): Book 1 to 3 months in advance. The weather is still great, but there is a bit more breathing room.

• Winter (May to September): Book 2 to 4 weeks in advance. Since this isn’t a ski-specific tour, winter departures are much quieter, meaning you can often grab last-minute spots or catch a promo deal.

You should budget around $60 NZD per day, depending entirely on your appetite for nightlife and extra bucket-list adrenaline activities.

We recommend you call Kiwi Experience a week before the tour starting to check in and make sure you are all ready for your trip.