New Zealand's South Island has a reputation as one of the most naturally beautiful places on earth, yet it still manages to defy expectations. On this 10-day round trip from Christchurch, you'll be met with astonishing sight after astonishing sight as a local leader shows you what they love about their country.
Get your heart racing in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world, discover the laidback delights of postcard-perfect Wanaka, stand in awe of the Franz Josef Glacier, and cross the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine, one of the world's most spectacular train journeys. Between glacial lakes and snow-capped peaks, you'll soon see what all the fuss is about.
Days
- 10 days, 9 nights
Age
- 15+ — under 18s must travel with an adult
Group size
- Small group
Start / finish
- Christchurch / Christchurch
Return
- See itinerary for details
Accommodation
- 9 nights in accommodation en route.
Transport
- Overland travel with a local leader, plus the TranzAlpine train from Greymouth back to Christchurch through Arthur's Pass.
Meals
- Nine breakfasts and two dinners. Every other meal is at your own cost.
Route
Included experiences
- Christchurch — Botanic Gardens, Canterbury Museum and the cathedral rebuild
- Lake Tekapo — Church of the Good Shepherd and the Mt John Lookout
- Mackenzie Basin, the Southern Alps and Kawarau Gorge
- Queenstown — free day on Lake Wakatipu
- Crown Range drive and the Arrowtown goldrush town
- Wanaka — Mou Waho Island cruise and guided nature walk
- Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka lookouts
- Franz Josef — the glacier and greenstone pendant carving
- TranzAlpine train through Arthur's Pass
Pictures / Videos
Reviews
5.0
Based on 48 reviews
Verified from
Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.
AI summary of 48 reviews
Travellers consistently praise the tour's spectacular scenery, excellent organisation and knowledgeable guides who enhance the experience with their enthusiasm and local expertise. The included activities, such as the Milford Sound cruise, helicopter flights to Fox Glacier and the train journey, stand out as memorable highlights, and travellers particularly appreciate the balance between structured activities and free time to explore at their own pace. The small group size and international mix of fellow travellers receive repeated commendation for creating a personal and welcoming atmosphere. The most common caveat concerns accommodation, with a small number of reviewers noting that some beds could be more comfortable, though most travellers express satisfaction with the overall quality of lodging and facilities.
How we collect and publish reviews
Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.
Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.
Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.
A brilliant first taste of New Zealand. Unreal landscapes and loads of fun along the way. Neither of us had done a guided trip before, and having the logistics handled meant we could just switch off and enjoy it. Full marks; Intrepid gets our business again.
Breathtaking, this Intrepid run through the South Island. Not one ordinary day, from peaks to lakes. Big credit to Grant, our guide: clued up, good company, on top of everything, unforgettable.
Well balanced and great fun, giving us a proper look at South Island's rocks, wildlife and plants. Couldn't have enjoyed it more.
A lovely holiday on New Zealand's South Island. Astonishing landscapes, and Intrepid lined up good activities and chances to see the place properly. Snowy, our leader, knew his stuff, had a good sense of humour and bent over backwards for us, so nobody felt uneasy. I'll be booking another Intrepid adventure soon.
Seeing both the North and South Islands was fabulous. No photo captures it: snow-capped mountains, gorgeous lakes, walks out to waterfalls, tracks along clifftops and down gorges to crystal clear rivers, tall trees and ferns in the rainforest. New Zealand is full of those WOW moments, and it does the soul good.
So much crammed in. Everything you look at is worth photographing. A brilliant way to see how gorgeous New Zealand is and get a feel for its bigger cities. Loads of activities, none wasted. No holiday I've had comes close.
First group tour for me, and it was incredible. Intrepid and Angela both get my recommendation for anyone heading to Aotearoa. Having travelled solo a lot, I was wary of group dynamics and sharing rooms, but everyone was so welcoming and keen to share it that I can't see myself travelling any other way.
A guided trip lives or dies on the group and the guide. Angela, you're the best, keep it up! 💚
The 10-day Southern Explorer through New Zealand was a joy. Snowy, our driver, knew what he was doing and looked after us, always suggesting things that fitted what each of us wanted and happy to run drop-offs and pick-ups. What made it work was doing as much or as little as you fancied each day: some went off hiking or kayaking, others parked themselves in the hot tubs. Meals were fresh and healthy, with plenty of scope for pub dinners, cafe treats and coffee, plus time to wander or shop instead. My standout was the 12-hour Doubtful Sound day, where our driver doubled as a superb nature guide; the native birds were another (Snowy knew where to look), along with forests, mountains, lakes, rivers and glaciers. Christchurch's Botanical Gardens were outstanding and I ended up the only person on the free afternoon walk with a tree expert. I also spent a morning on the hop-on hop-off trams and visited the art gallery, where a Māori woman talked me through customs and culture on an almost private free tour. Do the green stone carving too: you make a pendant with help from Jan, a lovely warm New Zealander. A wonderful trip, highly recommend!
Wonderful on the whole. Meghann kept it fun as our guide and the places we saw were spectacular. A few beds could be better.
Great 10 days round the South Island, lots crammed in. Fox Glacier by helicopter, the Milford Sound cruise and the flight to Queenstown amazed us. Meghann guided brilliantly.
Brilliant trip, and I've come home with memories I'll keep. Taylor ran things to a really high standard as our leader. I'd point anyone towards Intrepid and I'd happily go again.
Our South Island trip was huge fun, thanks in no small part to Georgia, who ran it with energy and charm. Knowing the region as she did lifted the whole thing, and the group came from all over the world and were great company. A wonderful holiday, thank you Intrepid!
Twenty days across both islands and I loved it. A busy schedule, but that's how you fit in so much. Clean, comfortable beds. Our group clicked, and a big shout out to Angela, our leader, for bringing Maori culture to life. A STAR!
Intrepid gets my full backing, for New Zealand or anywhere. Loads of great things on: hikes, walks, train journeys and more. I came away knowing far more about the region without any hassle, and the guide was clued up, communicated well and made it a positive experience.
A perfect first look at New Zealand's South Island. The big-ticket spots were covered, well organised and nicely paced. Comfortable transport, first-class beds, and I felt safe and looked after the whole way. Intrepid gets my recommendation.
For your next holiday, book Intrepid. From the first enquiry to the last day, the service and the knowledge passed on were excellent.
First group trip for me, so I went in unsure. There was room to do your own thing, and I loved the six nationalities in it.
Spectacular. New Zealand is a jewel and Intrepid's South Island route is very well designed. Anyone who goes comes away with memories of a fascinating place. Dawn, our tireless guide, and a mixed bunch of like-minded travellers from around the globe made it better still. Book it!
What a blast. The 10-day South Island trip with Intrepid is well worth it: gorgeous scenery, fun activities, a small close-knit group, well run and flexible. Do yourself a favour.
My first Intrepid trip, and at no stage did I have to plan or book anything; it was all handled. Our guide was superb, full of passion and knowledge about her country and its culture. I'll be booking again.
Such a good time, seeing bits of my own country I'd never have got to. Good route, comfy hotels, fun group, a lovely first Intrepid adventure!
Terrific time in New Zealand. What a country: gorgeous and genuinely green. More of the world should treat the earth that way. Lovely food and wine too. I'll be back!
Book an Intepid tour. A smaller group feels personal and everyone gets a say, and the only decision is which activities you fancy. Our guide was great too: clearly experienced, unflappable and easy to approach.
What fun. Conner, our guide, knew a lot and kept us posted on each day's plans. Glaciers, lakes, mountains, rivers, rain forest, beaches, cute towns, all of it beautiful. We loved him.
A once-in-a-lifetime one in New Zealand with Intrepid. Our guide was warm and helpful, and what we saw and did will stay with me. I flew home grinning 😊
Well worth booking, the South Island trip. Blair guided it brilliantly, fitting round whatever anyone wanted to do. Ten magical days, good for 30s to 60s.
My 'New Zealand South Pioneer' trip was excellent. I'd been reluctant to go solo; now I won't stop. Our guide went well beyond. Good value. Intrepid, 100% ✈️
Intrepid had it all arranged and our guide's enthusiasm did the rest, so we soaked up the beauty, mystery and nature of New Zealand.
Thanks Krieg, a great guide is what made this trip. Beautiful country, stunning scenery.
A fantastic trip taking in all the magic of the South Island. Krieg guided us superbly, with real depth day after day. Friends have already been told!
Hugely enjoyable: a first-rate, well-informed leader, fun hands-on activities, and stunning South Island scenery!!!
A brilliant trip with Duli leading us. I ended up doing all sorts of things I'd never have been brave enough to book on my own. If small-group travel appeals, do it ☺️
Just home from the South Island of New Zealand and we had a brilliant time. Other-worldly scenery. What we learnt about the culture, wildlife, history and the country itself came down to Grant, our leader. He's a credit to you and I'm thankful we got him.
Simply amazing, this South Island trip, and beyond expectations. Brilliant insight into the island's geography, culture and history, and our guide was highly professional and knowledgeable. Fantastic!
The Southern Pioneer is wonderful and friends have heard about it already. Masses of natural beauty, a good pace, no rush. Margot, Australia
Nothing I've done comes close to this. If you can spare the time and cash, go. Unforgettable.
Southern New Zealand had been on my list for ages. Lovely scenery and somewhere safe to travel. We ticked off plenty of the big ones: Milford Sound, Lake Tekapo, Wanaka, Franz Josef and the Southern Alps train. Give yourself a day or two in Christchurch first; how it has bounced back from the 2011 earthquake is amazing. I'll be back.
We'd have loved New Zealand on our own. But with a guide sharing his knowledge and his love of the place, we truly experienced it. Best money we've spent on travel.
No complaints at all. The included activities were pitched perfectly, and the tandem skydive and scenic helicopter add-ons were awesome. Book the South Island trip for stunning landscapes.
Amazing trip, amazing guide. Annie knew her stuff and I saw everything on my South Island list. Well-planned days, a real blast. I'll be back!
Great trip, astonishing scenery. At Ohau, get up in the middle of the night for the clearest sky you'll see. And take the optional (pricey) helicopter with a snow landing at Franz Josef glacier: the best bit of my whole five weeks.
George made it such fun. Punctual, full of knowledge, and always mindful of what everyone needed. The best guide.
Thoroughly enjoyable. Excellent route, and Duli was friendly and helpful. The free time let everyone do what they preferred.
