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New Zealand South Island Itineraries & Tours

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Tranquility and awe abound with a tour of New Zealand. Remoteness and raw beauty make the region a must-see for adventurers and nature-lovers alike. Paddle through staggering fjords and hike along magnificent glaciers as you indulge in a spectacular wilderness. Explore the South Island’s kaleidoscopic landscape with an adventure tailored to you by Zicasso.

How Zicasso Works In 3 Simple Steps

  1. 1

    Describe your dream New Zealand South Island itinerary.

  2. 2

    We match you with up to 3 top travel specialists (travel agencies). They compete to plan your tour.

  3. 3

    Book the trip when you are satisfied.

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Tailor Made Itineraries

Get inspired with our sample trips below. Let our travel specialists customize a trip just for you.

Misty morning on the Southern Island New Zealand
Adventures of New Zealand's South Island

9 Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from $2,983

Soar to New Zealand for nine days of essential exploration through its Southern Alpines. This tour showcases the frosted allure of New Zealand's picturesque landscapes. Beginning in the buzzing city of Christchurch and culminating atop the icy summit of Franz Josef, every second of this tour will bring you closer to the surreal spectacles that sweep New Zealand’s Southern summits.

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Go down the Shotover River by jet boat, Queenstown, New Zealand
Marvelous Highlights Tour of New Zealand’s South Island

7 Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from $2,270

From tropics to fjords, experience the ultimate island immersion into nature on this one-week tour of New Zealand’s South Island. This is an exclusive itinerary that includes Fjordland, Franz Josef, Abel Tasman, and Kahurangi National Parks. Handcrafted with three distinctive natural realms, you will helicopter and hike into the wild and escape into landscapes that are rarely encountered by visitors.

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Savor great taste while wine tasting in Otago, Wanaka region.
Best New Zealand South Island Vacation in 9 Days

9 Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from $2,920

Handcrafted with South Island’s most iconic and exclusive experiences, this exciting 9-day adventure will reveal glaciers, icebergs, fjords, caves, vineyards, lakes, mountains, and charming towns. New Zealand’s South Island is a canvas of dramatic landscapes, invigorating adventure, and natural wonders. Indulge in wine tasting, spend a night on Milford Sound, and explore the Fiordland from a helicopter.

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Milford Sound in New Zealand
New Zealand South Island Itinerary in One Week

8 Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from $7,275

Adventure, exploration, and unforgettable experiences highlight your perfect 7-day New Zealand tour. Your private tours and specialized guides will immerse you in the splendid landscape around the South Island. The majesty of New Zealand will emerge from Queenstown to Abel Tasman National Park, Milford Sound to Canterbury. Fly over shimmering glaciers, sip celebrated wine in lush vineyards, and cruise down serene fiords in search of waterfalls and wildlife.

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Jet boating in Queenstown, New Zealand
Adventurous Two-Week South Island Family Vacation

14 Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from $6,281

Your epic two-week family-friendly New Zealand tour will create unforgettable memories of timeless adventures on the South Island. You can swim with dolphins and cycle down winding hilltop trails. Kayaking on clear turquoise waters will provide surprising wildlife sightings. Cruise through the pristine wilderness of Doubtful Sound and immerse the family in Middle Earth by visiting Lord of the Rings filming locations for a dynamic New Zealand family excursion.

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Beautiful landscape of the South Island, New Zealand
New Zealand’s South Island Tour: Christchurch, Queenstown & More

14 Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from $12,735

New Zealand’s South Island is all about the journey. Here, you can ride on dreamy railways across the untouched wilderness, take a helicopter ride to a remote glacier, relax on overnight cruises through surreal fjords, and cruise on alpine roads past turquoise lakes. The destinations are also something that will have you dreaming about New Zealand for months to come. You can see villages with a mountain view, quaint cities of 19th-century heritage, and towns that are perched on lakes and beneath glaciers. Combine all these majestic highlights on this two-week, best-of tour that connects both nature and culture.

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Plan Your Trip with
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Just for You
Travel with a personalized itinerary and experiences designed for you.
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Couple sitting on the pier at Nelson Lake National Park
Romantic South Island Vacation for Couples

14 Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from $12,735

Sublime scenery and secluded luxury will create your perfect 14-day romantic New Zealand vacation. You can reach isolated mountainscapes by helicopter for a private picnic and sample delicious wines on celebrated vineyards. An opulent cruise will take you along the sparkling waters of Milford Sound while the charming waters provide exceptional views passing whale pods. You will experience the opulence of New Zealand’s South Island for passionate and spirited couples.

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Queenstown with the Remarkables mountains in the background
New Zealand’s South Island: Leisure Tour for Seniors

14 Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from $4,545

You can indulge in idyllic vineyards and rugged glacial landscapes during your 14-day New Zealand tour for seniors. You will travel at your preferred pace on a custom-tailored tour perfect for an easy-going exploration that reveals the highlights of South Island. You will cruise the majestic Milford Sound, watch for fascinating whales off the Kaikoura coast, and witness preserved Maori heritage for your perfect New Zealand adventure.

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Surround yourself with the natural beauty of Kaikoure Island
Heritage Tour of New Zealand’s South Island: Powhiri to Pounamu

13 Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from $4,220

Discover 800 years of dynamic heritage during your 13-day culture tour of New Zealand. Experience the powerful pōwhiri welcome and search for Scottish and Victorian architecture. Find a spirit of exploration exuding from pioneer history and the customs of wayfinders. Explore raw natural history and local traditions during your custom-tailored tour connecting the timelines between settlers and explorers, archipelagos and cities across the North and South islands.

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Lupins and Lake Tekapo, South Island, New Zealand
Ultimate South Island Nature Tour: Fjords, Mountains & Beaches

17 Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from $5,520

Nature’s kaleidoscope unfolds on New Zealand’s South Island. New Zealand is full of tropical beaches, tiny rays, massive glaciers, glowworm caves, sperm whales, snowy mountains, and bucolic green valleys. No other island on Earth has such a diversity of landscapes, and this 17-day tour takes you around it all, including hiking, kayaking, canoeing, whale watching, swimming with dolphins, a scenic flight, a Heli Hike, and an overnight cruise.

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Milford Sound in New Zealand
Best of New Zealand's South Island

13 Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from $9,095

This tour of New Zealand’s South Island introduces you to the natural splendor that this country has to offer. Drive from the largest cities, through the countryside, over soaring mountain ranges, and by awe-inspiring glaciers. Your days of driving will be interspersed with cruises over alpine lakes and adrenaline-inducing activities. Experience the charm that New Zealand provides its visitors.

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Couple enjoying a sunset in New Zealand
Exclusive South Island New Zealand Tour for Couples

9 Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from $2,920

Handcrafted with the island’s most romantic activities and five-star lodges, this exciting 9-day adventure is the perfect celebration for two. Romance echoes across New Zealand’s South Island landscapes. Hot air balloon over Canterbury, indulge in wine tasting in Marlborough, bask in a spa in the wilderness, and partake in a scenic flight above the fjords. Private tours and exclusive excursions place the two of you amid the forefront of breathtaking landscapes and amorous surprises.

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New Zealand Glacier Tour

7 Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from $6,365

You will discover dynamic and vibrant landscapes in frozen scenery during your 7-day New Zealand nature tour. Frozen rivers and their contrasting blue and white icy features will shimmer as you touch the crisp surface of renowned glaciers. Whether climbing through ice caves or standing beneath soaring mountain peaks, cruising on pristine glacial lakes or finding drifting icebergs, you will have an immersive adventure of New Zealand’s epic South Island.

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More About New Zealand South Island Itineraries

New Zealand Travel Guide
Beautiful scenery of river winding though green treed hills and mountains in Whanganui National Park in New Zealand
New Zealand Travel Guide

Pristine nature is accompanied by surprising cultural discoveries in this enchanting South-Pacific destination.

New Zealand will inspire with its towering fjords, stunning glaciers, and verdant countrysides, and Zicasso’s New Zealand Travel Guide will give you the best information and inspiration to visit these places the best way possible.

To get all the details you need to make your dream trip happen, submit a Trip Request, and get connected to a top travel specialist.

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Best Time to Visit New Zealand
Lupins around Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Best Time to Visit New Zealand

The four seasons of New Zealand make it a great place to visit year-round, with October through April the ideal months to visit.

From your exploration of Maori traditions to trekking around erupting geysers, sampling celebrated food and wine or uncovering the depths of the unique wilderness, when you visit can change how you experience the diversity of the country.

Each season in New Zealand brings opportunity, and there is the perfect time to take your vacation based on what you want to see and do.

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How to Plan a Trip to New Zealand: Frequently Asked Questions
Milford Sound, fiord with snow capped Mitre Peak on New Zealand’s South Island
How to Plan a Trip to New Zealand: Frequently Asked Questions

Embrace the extremes of the natural world in New Zealand and the relaxed ambiance of the North and South Islands with these answers to common travel questions.

From exploring the wilderness of ancient forests, towering mountains, and stoic glaciers to learning about Maori culture, British influence, and local wildlife, New Zealand vacations offer a glimpse into what makes the country tick.

Learn more about the best time to visit, the top things to do, where to go, and more with the following guide.

Read More    >
Top 8 Things to Do in New Zealand
Biking in Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand.  Photo courtesy MarlboroughNZ
Top 8 Things to Do in New Zealand

Known for spectacular scenery and natural beauty, New Zealand offers natural wonder, ancient culture, food and wine, beautiful cities, and breathtaking destinations for an endless list of things to do.

Your trip can take you snowboarding down steep powdery slopes, trekking over stunning glaciers, or stepping into a life-sized hobbit hole.

From uncovering the nuances of cuisine at the best foodie destinations such as Auckland and Christchurch to crossing the illustrious landscapes of Marlborough and Waiheke Island, New Zealand will be yours to discover.

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10 Best Places to Visit in New Zealand
Aerial view of Queenstown at twilight with Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkable Mountains in New Zealand.
10 Best Places to Visit in New Zealand

Wild is the best way to describe the breadth and depth of the country, and the must-see list of destinations in New Zealand is impressive.

Nature carved the main islands with pristine majesty to form national parks, world-famous wave breaks, and celebrated slopes for skiing and snowboarding.

The diversity of the islands, cities, scenery, and culture create unforgettable destinations you can visit during your New Zealand vacation.

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4 Things to Do in New Zealand's Mount Cook National Park
Aerial view of Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand.
4 Things to Do in New Zealand's Mount Cook National Park

Embrace the captivating natural beauty of New Zealand when you take part in the best activities to truly experience the world-famous Mount Cook National Park and New Zealand’s largest glacier.

You can experience the shining ice and dramatic colors of the glaciers that cover more than 40 percent of Mount Cook National Park in the Southern Alps, including the enticing summit of Mount Cook itself, the country’s tallest mountain.

Besides its epic scenery, you can revel in exclusive experiences among the floating icebergs, jagged snowcapped peaks, and deep crevices that split the glacier’s icy surface to create the perfect adventure during your New Zealand tour.

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Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service

4.84 stars based on 1576 reviews.

New Zealand Luxury Vacation Review: Queenstown, Wellington,...
"Rick was amazingly helpful with changes that had to be...

Reviewed By Judy l.

Luxury New Zealand Trip Review: Mount Cook, Queenstown,...
"We were very pleased overall with the trip to both islands,...

Reviewed By Rene R.

New Zealand & Australia Vacation Review: Land, Sea &...
"Our B&B house was a very friendly place to stay."

Reviewed By Douglas A.

Luxury New Zealand Trip Review: Christchurch, Twizel, Queenstown,...
"David and I were extremely lucky to have had Geoff of this...

Reviewed By Diane M.

Australia & New Zealand Travel Review: Queenstown, Milford...
"We truly enjoyed the trip that Dick has lined up for us."

Reviewed By Luz N.

New Zealand Luxury Vacation Review: North Island, Countryside,...
"It was great working with Kate from our travel agency."

Reviewed By Linda G.