Guide

We have TWO great guides on every trip to ensure you are well looked after. Flying Kiwi have one of the best guide to passenger ratios in New Zealand!

Meals

Delicious, tasty and healthy meals are included. See our detailed itinerary for details of which meals are included on a day-to-day basis. If you have a certain dietary requirement just let our team know, we can cater for most dietary needs.

Transport

We travel in custom built, private vehicles.

Others

These activities are free for everyone - some operators may list these as free activities specific to their tour but as Kiwis are such a generous bunch all those listed below are free for everyone! Glow worm walks heaps of free hikes Seal spotting Tekapo Church of Good Shepherd Access to National Parks (Fiordland, Aoraki) Use of sports equipment on board (bodyboards, frisbee and more dependant upon bus) Amazing sunrises and sunsets at beautiful beachside campsites, and more.

Accommodation

It’s staying in amazing locations on these trips that makes them so unique. We camp out in beautiful locations, away from the tourist crowds, by lakes, mountains and oceans. You will wake up to amazing sunrises, views of snow capped peaks and the sounds of the ocean. If you fancy a break from the canvas then cabin upgrades are also available for a small fee - all are located in the same location as the tents so you’re still totally involved.

Not included:

Flights

International flights not included.

Others

Other activities and services are not included

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Optional

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: The activities below are additional to your trip cost and can be booked as you travel (we have only listed the most popular here and others will be available on your trip). All below are optional and there are always free alternatives. BUNGY JUMPING - for those that want to take the leap NZ is the place to do it. There are all kinds of ways to take the jump in Queenstown. WHITE WATER RAFTING - ride the rapids in Queenstown MILFORD SOUND BOAT CRUISE - discover the "eight wonder of the world" in magnificant Fiordland National Park HANG GLIDING AND PARAGLIDING - see Queenstown from a new perspective with these spectacular ariel options JETBOATING - enjoy high speed water thrills through huge carved canyons HORSE RIDING - take a ride through the hills of Queenstown CANYON SWING - if jumping off things is for you then we have found the answer - adrenalin fix guaranteed! LORD OF THE RINGS TOUR - Visit Lord of the Rings locations, plus experience unparallelled scenic vistas RIDE THE LUGE - a thrilling ride suitable for everyone, steer your way through tunnels and dips! QUAD BIKING - another great way to get off the beaten track and see parts of NZ so many tourists miss

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Day 1 Christchurch – Lake Tekapo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Christchurch – Lake Tekapo

Welcome to the first day of your Flying Kiwi adventure! Your tour begins in Christchurch, one of New Zealand’s most famous destinations which has been rebuilding since the infamous earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 and is now home to great shopping, cool laneway bars and amazing eateries. You’ll meet your group and Guide at 2pm outside the Rydges Hotel and then continue on down to the stunning Lake Tekapo where we’ll spend the next two nights camping.

Meals included: Dinner

Walks: Explore Christchurch City

Bike rides: Lake Tekapo Lake Front
Day 2 Lake Tekapo And Trip To Aoraki/Mt Cook
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Lake Tekapo And Trip To Aoraki/Mt Cook

This morning, we’ll wake up in arguably the most beautiful part of the South Island. Lake Tekapo is incredibly scenic, and home to the most spectacular turquoise waters which get their colour from the glacial flour brought down from the rivers flowing from glaciers high up in the mountains.

We’ll go and see some incredible sights today, heading for Aoraki/Mt Cook where we’ll hike to the base of NZ’s highest mountain following a trail up the Hooker valley where you’ll cross swing bridges and experience stunning views of the mountains before finishing up at a glacial lake with some awe inspiring views of the Hooker Valley glacier - trust us, you’ll want to bring your camera for this! This evening, we recommend going for a soak in the nearby hot pools or enjoying some world famous star gazing at the Mt John Observatory - you are staying in an International Dark Sky Reserve, after all!

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Walks: Mt John walkway, Hike to the base of Mount Cook & Hooker Valley

Bike rides: Lake Tekapo Regional Park, A2O Cycle

Optional Activities: Scenic Flight, Tekapo Hot Pools, Star Gazing
Day 3 Lake Tekapo To Oamaru
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Lake Tekapo To Oamaru

Today we’ll spend the morning in Lake Tekapo before departing this afternoon to travel back towards the Pacific coast. We’ll camp in the historic town of Oamaru this evening, close to the unique Moeraki Boulders and the Scottish city of Dunedin. Go for a walk this evening to a great view point offering expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and try to spot a little Blue Penguin along the shore.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Walks: Explore the Moeraki Heritage Trail

Bike rides: 13 km Alps2Ocean trail ride
Day 4 Oamaru To Te Anau
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Oamaru To Te Anau

If the tide is low this morning, we’ll go for a walk along the beach to see the mysterious Moeraki boulders. These perfectly round spheres of rock have formed over millions of years and have found their way onto the beach near Moeraki and make for some fun photo opportunities.

Next it’s onto the historic Scottish city of Dunedin, the South Island’s second-largest city and home to NZ’s only castle. Dunedin is home to the world’s steepest residential street and the coastline is home to some fantastic and rare wildlife. Afterwards, we’ll continue down to the gateway to the Milford Sound, situated on the edge of Lake Te Anau. Tonight’s camp is on the lakeside in Te Anau, which is the South Island’s largest lake. The bikers can go for a ride on the lake to lake Te Anau trail and the rest of us can enjoy a leisurely walk along the lakefront or head up to the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary where we can see the endangered native Takahē. If you’d like to do an activity, we recommend the incredible glowworm caves tour and boat ride.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Walks: World’s steepest street, explore Dunedin city

Bike rides: Lake Te Anau Lakefront Cycle Upukerora Trail (5km+)

Optional Activities: Te Anau glowworm caves tour & boat ride
Day 5 Fiordland National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Fiordland National Park

Today we’ll travel along one of the world’s most scenic roads and into Milford Sound! Described as the ’eighth wonder of the world’, Milford Sound was carved by glaciers during the ice ages. We highly recommend boarding a cruise, where you’ll see dramatic waterfalls and snow-capped peaks and if you’re lucky, some wildlife! At different times of year, penguins, dolphins, seals and even whales have been spotted at Milford. As it’s just the one road in and out, we head back along the same breath-taking route to our lakeside camp in Te Anau. Along the way, we drop off those doing the Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand’s 9 Great Walks. This hike is a haven for native birdlife. Charge up your camera as this hike offers everything from mountainous peaks and sheer rock faces to pristine lakes, cascading waterfalls and dense, luxuriant forest.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Walks: Plenty of short walks from camp

Bike rides: Lake to Lake Te Anau trail, Lakefront Upukerora trail (5 km+)

Optional Activities: Milford Sound Cruise, Te Anau glowworm caves tour & boat ride
Day 6 Te Anau To Queenstown
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Te Anau To Queenstown

After a chance for a morning bike ride on the Lake to Lake Trail, if not done already, we will make our way along the Devil’s Staircase, and catch our first glimpses of Queenstown. The Adventure Capital of NZ, Queenstown is located on the shores of the South Islands second largest lake, Lake Wakatipu. There are many cycle trails & walks for everyone to enjoy.

Meals included: Breakfast

Walks: Routeburn Track (must be pre-booked and hikers will rejoin the group in Queenstown)

Optional Activities: Too many to list – something for everyone (see our website or ask us for details)
Day 7 Queenstown
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Queenstown

With so much to do we’ll spend another full day in the fantastic Queenstown, so everyone has the opportunity to have those once in a lifetime experiences. Speaking of experiences, may we suggest trying the legendary Fergburger! Tonight, we dine out at one of Queenstown’s many delicious eateries - a great chance for your group to enjoy a feast at an iconic Queenstown eatery (own cost).

Meals included: Breakfast

Walks: Queenstown walks, Ben Lomond

Bike rides: Lake Wakatipu trail (16km), Queenstown trail (48 km)

Optional Activities: Too many to list – something for everyone (see our website or ask us for details)
Day 8 Depart Queenstown
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Depart Queenstown

A last chance to indulge in the Queenstown action before finishing your tour with us here and saying farewell to your fellow Flying Kiwi travellers!

Meals included: Breakfast

Walks: Multiple walking options
Day 9 Day 9: Depart Queenstown
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Depart Queenstown

A last chance to indulge in the Queenstown action before finishing your tour with us here and saying farewell to your fellow Flying Kiwi travellers!

Meals included: Breakfast

Walks: Multiple walking options

8 days tour

Southern Light From Christchurch - Top Rated By National Geo

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Southern Light From Christchurch - Top Rated By National Geo

Christchurch – Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo And Trip To Aoraki/Mt Cook

Lake Tekapo To Oamaru

Oamaru To Te Anau

Fiordland National Park

Te Anau To Queenstown

Queenstown

Depart Queenstown

Day 9: Depart Queenstown

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