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Winter South Island Adventure

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Tour Details

Start

Start: 09:30am Merivale Manor in Christchurch or 10.00am Christchurch Airport

Finish

Finish: Approx. 3:00pm Christchurch - central accommodation or airport

DEPARTURE DATES

9 June, 2025
7 July, 2025
4 August, 2025
1 September, 2025
11 May, 2026
8 June, 2026
6 July, 2026
3, 31 August, 2026
10 May, 2027
7 June, 2027

Prices

Period 1 Jul 2024 - 30 Jun 2025
*Adult NZD $10,999.00
*Single Supplement NZD $2,800.00

Days

13 days

Fitness grade

Grade: C
(All hiking/cycling/kayaking is optional)
Book now

*Tour prices are dynamic and will be confirmed upon your booking request.

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Transport

Modern, comfortable minibuses are used for smaller groups and purpose built coaches for larger groups. Vehicles are fitted with good stereo systems, and you will hear plenty of New Zealand music. The average driving time over the period of this trip is just over two hours a day, and as much time as possible is spent in the outdoors. Make no mistake - this trip is not a typical bus tour!

Additional Costs

 

  • Personal items/souvenirs, etc.
  • Meals in Queenstown
  • Optional activities noted as additional in itinerary 
  • Queenstown activities
  • Alcohol
Grading & Fitness

Grade: C
Hiking on tracks. Some uneven terrain.
Carrying backpack of up to 10kg on some hikes.

You must have a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy yourself. You don'’t have to be young and extremely fit (although if you are, you won’'t be bored) but you should be in the habit of doing at least some exercise. Age and experience is not important. You don'’t have to carry a heavy pack. You don'’t need to have sea kayaking experience. You don'’t need to be a serious skiier to enjoy the slopes. There are many options available so you don'’t need to ski at all, if you'’d rather hike, fish, or just laze around! It will help if you'’re energetic and in reasonable shape. The challenges are there though, if you'’re looking for them.

Accommodation

Interesting and comfortable accommodations have been chosen. Some places are quite luxurious, but many of the other places you will stay are off-the-beaten-track and don't have many accommodation options, but they are really, really spectacular. Rooming is based on twin-share, although single rooms are available upon request. As there's such a variety of accommodations on this trip, some places will have ensuite bathrooms and some will have shared bathrooms, so we may ask you to share a bathroom with other group members on occasion. Because of the nature of some of the accommodations on this trip, changes may be made to a night stop. At times, alternative accommodation to the itinerary may be used.

What to Take

Essential Items:

  • large backpack and backpack liner for overnight hikes. For hire - NZ$80.50
  • sleeping bag and sleeping sheet. For hire - NZ$80.50
  • day pack about 30 litres.
  • hiking boots, sturdy with ankle support
  • running shoes
  • water sandal/shoes
  • fleece or down jacket
  • warm gloves and wool/fleece hat
  • waterproof jacket with hood and trousers
  • waterproof over trousers
  • 2 x wool or fleece sweaters
  • 5 x long or short sleeve shirts or tops
  • fleece jacket
  • warm wool or fleece hat
  • warm gloves with a thermal liner pair as well.
  • long pants 2-3 pairs
  • hiking shorts
  • sun hat, sunglasses, sunblock
  • 5 pairs warm socks
  • two sets thermal underwear (polypropylene or similar, not cotton or silk)
  • travel towel
  • sleepwear
  • underwear
  • personal items/toiletries
  • swimsuit
  • water bottle (at least 1 litre)
  • torch/flashlight/headlamp
  • camera
  • toiletries
  • personal first aid kit


This clothing will keep you warm and comfortable during outdoor activities - cotton clothing is not suitable. You will also need other clothing and shoes for between activities, i.e. evenings, travel.

Recommended or optional items:

  • gaiters 
  • walking poles (available for hire - NZ$63.25 for a pair)
  • insect repellent
  • ear plugs
  • bring own ski wear but available for hire in Queenstown
  • alarm clock
  • reading materials

Food

Almost all meals are included on the Winter South Island Adventure. A wide variety of cuisine is used - sometimes you will dine out, and sometimes dine in. Breakfasts when there is an early start will generally consist of cereal, yoghurt, fruit, toast, coffee and juice. When there is more time, your guide will make pancakes and full cooked breakfasts. Lunches are usually picnic style - sandwiches, salad and fruit, or maybe a barbecue - in some beautiful spot. Dinners are usually two- or three-course meals, covering a range of styles. Vegetarians and people with particular dietary needs or preferences are easily catered for.

You will enjoy the skills of your second guides, whose primary responsibility when they are not guiding is cooking up great meals. Their cooking skills will astound you, as you enjoy a traditional kiwi roast dinner at the shearer's quarters, or french toast and sugared bananas at Punakaiki, or one of a score of awesome meals on the road! When the group eats out, there is no budget or restrictions on what to order. You may find the meals are a real highlight of your trip!

 

Guides and Safety

Your experienced guides are highly trained, and will look after you! Guides will manage the level of commitment to suit your experience. The operator holds all relevant government licenses and permits required to operate commercially.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are there on each trip?
A maximum of 14 passengers are on each trip and all trips have at least two staff to look after you. Many people have commented that the social scene was one of the highlights of their trip.
How much luggage can I bring?
There are no particular restrictions on how much luggage you may bring. Space is limited though, so it is requested that you not to bring too much stuff. In general, it is recommended trying to bring one large piece of luggage, and a day pack as a carry on/day bag. There are several places to do laundry while on the road, so you don't need to bring clothes for more than 3 or 4 days.
I need to bring extra luggage with me to New Zealand. Where can I store my extra gear?
It is also possible to bring extra gear along on your trip and leave it in the back of the luggage compartment of your trip's vehicle. If you have excessive luggage, request storage at your pre-tour accommodation.
Will I be able to do laundry during my trip?
You will have access to laundry facilities most days. You will not need to bring laundry soap.
Do I really need everything on the gear list?
Yes, you really do need all of the required items on the gear list. You will stay warm and happy, especially if it's cold and rainy. And it can be cold and rainy at any time of year. Your guide will do a gear check before heading into the mountains, and if you don't have any of the required clothing items, the guide will try to lend you it. If there is no extra clothing for you to borrow, you will be asked to buy it.
Do I need hiking boots or are hiking sneakers okay?
You will need proper hiking boots with full ankle support and a stiff sole with high profile tread. You will be taken places where you will be hiking over a variety of terrain, including uneven surfaces, slippery rocks, and tree roots.
I would like to fly out of Christchurch on the last day of the trip? What time will we be back in Christchurch?
The trip arrives back in Christchurch mid-afternoon so we recommend booking flights with a departure time after 5pm. You can be dropped at Christchurch airport for flights after this time, or can be dropped in the central city about 3pm.

Booking Conditions

Payment:
You can pay in NZ dollars by credit card, or by direct transfer into our NZ dollar account.

Pay in full - non-refundable rates (10% off)
You may choose to pay your full tour price at the time of booking. Non-refundable rate discounts require full payment at the time of booking, and your booking is non-refundable. This discount only applies to bookings that are scheduled to depart no later than 180 days from the date of payment and the 'cancellation and Refund (By You) and Change of Trip or Departure' terms and conditions do not apply, If you change or cancel your trip, no refunds will apply. This discount cannot be combines with any other offers. We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance.

Deposits:
For bookings, 4 or more months in advance of the departure a 25% deposit can be paid with the remainder due 130 days prior to your trip. For bookings within 4 months of the departure, full payment is required. 

This deposit is non-transferable and non-refundable. However, provided you cancel your booking 121 days or more prior to your scheduled departure date, your deposit (less any applicable cancellation fee) will be held as a credit for you for up to 24 months.

Cancellations:
121 days or more: 100% of payments already made by you, less your deposit will be refunded. A cancellation fee of 10% of the full booking value will be deducted from your deposit and the balance of your deposit will be held as a credit for you.
120-91 days: 50% of tour price forfeited. 
90-0 days: 100% of tour price forfeited.

On booking request, you will be sent the full terms and conditions which you must review and acknowledge that you have reviewed the booking conditions associated with this and understand and accept this agreement.

Travel Insurance

We suggest clients take out a comprehensive travel insurance. 

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