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Southern Light - from Christchurch

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - From Picton to Queenstown, this trip takes you to a huge range of natural wonders from glaciers and mountains to beautiful beaches and wild coastlines. There are plenty of wildlife encounters along the way and a great selection of hikes and bike rides! 

Why Choose Flying Kiwi...?

1. MORE EXPERIENCE = BETTER TRAVEL OPTIONS...  

Flying Kiwi is the original New Zealand tour company.  We are the experts with 30 years' experience in conducting tours of the highest quality and thousands of very, very satisfied customers.  You can be guaranteed that our team will provide a professional and enjoyable experience of a lifetime.

2. MORE PEACE OF MIND WITH GUARANTEED DEPARTURES...

Once you are booked you are going!  ALL our summer tours (Oct-Apr) are guaranteed departures.  This gives you complete peace of mind and enables you to plan and look forward to your trip - trips do fill fast though so get in quick.

3. MORE NATIONAL PARKS....

We have a license with the Department of Conservation that enables us to visit, and stay in, places other tours can't access.  We ensure our tours give you time to experience New Zealand's best national parks too, including Paparoa, Abel Tasman, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Tongariro and Fiordland.

4. MORE CHANCES TO GENUINELY GET OFF THE BEATEN TRACK...

There are a number of World famous highlights on any trip to New Zealand - Milford Sound, Queentown, Rotorua to name a few and we make sure to experience the best these spots have to offer.  However, what makes our trips totally unique is exploring the lesser known spots that other tour groups don't visit.  Whether it's a secret glow-worm walk at night, a lush rainforest-fringed pool for a dip, a bike ride along deserted roads hugging the coast or a local cafe that serves quite possibly the best muffins in New Zealand we have found the best secret spots - we know you will love them just try not to tell too many others!

5. MORE ACCOMMODATION BY LAKES, MOUNTAINS AND OCEANS...

Rather than wake up in a hostel dorm we wake up to amazing views, fresh air and away from the crowds.  By staying in these carefully selected sites you get to experience amazing sunrises, spectacular sunsets, campfires, sleeping to the sound of the ocean, morning dips, lakeside dining to name a few.  There are camping and cabin accommodation options (so something for everyone).

6. MORE TASTY AND HEALTHY MEALS...

Our trips involve a great deal of activity and we appreciate the importance of good food.  We usually offer breakfast, lunch and dinner which saves you time and money.   With an average meal out in NZ costing around $30 you'll save a fortune compared to other tour companies. 

7. MORE CYCLE OPTIONS...

With bikes on board you have the chance to cycle as much, or as little, as you want.  We cover a huge range of rides along the coast, by lakes, through mountain landscapes, downhill, uphill and even across hill - there is something for everyone and every fitness level.

8. MORE HIKES AND ACTIVITY OPTIONS (+LOADS OF FREE STUFF)...

We offer more hikes and activity options than any other tour company.  That gives you more choice every day to try the hikes you fancy and the activities you have always wanted to try.  Everything is optional and there are always free alternatives.  We also include a number of the activities free of charge such as Queenstown gondola ride and more.

9. MORE FLEXIBILITY...

Our tours are designed to fit around you.  We aren't a traditional tour - you choose the activities you want to do, you choose the style of accommodation you want and you can even take extended breaks along the way - Flying Kiwi is the perfect combination of independent travel and touring convenience.

10. MORE VALUE FOR MONEY...

Quite simply our trips are unbeatable.  With transport, accommodation, most meals and use of sports equipment included you won't find a better value tour.  Our tours add up to around $160 NZD per day which is a great measure to compare with other options (don't forget a meal out in NZ averages around $30 for starters and bike hire starts at approx. $35 per day).

11. FREE HIGHLIGHTS...

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 and more.

12. PLACES WE VISIT ARE...
- Infamous Mount Cook
- Adrenalin rush of Queenstown
- The spectacular Milford Sound
- Real Lord of the Rings country
- Cultural and historical treasures
- New Zealand’s World Heritage Sites
- The wildlife spotting paradise of Otago Peninsula
- Numerous remote locations that other tours and tourists don't reach

13. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES TO CHOOSE FROM...

- Superb cycle rides (for all levels)
- Excellent hikes (for all levels)
- Sea kayaking
- Zipline tours
- Skydiving
- Bungy jumping & giant swings
- White water rafting
- Horse riding
- Nature toursBus/coach transport
- Surfing
- Brewery tours
- Milford Sound boat cruise
- Glow worm tours

Day 1 : CHRISTCHURCH - RANGITATA
Leaving Christchurch at 2:30pm we travel towards the Southern Alps with fantastic views across the Canterbury Plains – real Lord of the Rings country! Tonight’s unique camp is at the Shearer’s Headquarters (an actual operating farm) located at the foot of the Southern Alps.
Meals :Dinner

Day 2 : RANGITATA – LAKE PUKAKI
Wake up to mountain views and refresh yourself even more with the chance to try white water rafting on the mighty Rangitata River! If rafting isn’t for you then no problem - soak it all in with a morning cycle or walk through the Peel forest. We then head through more jaw dropping landscapes (they don’t stop in the South Island) to the picture postcard, Lake Tekapo. Here you will view 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. From there we head to one of our best wilderness camps – sitting on the shores of Lake Pukaki you can set up your tent and take in the views of the lake with New Zealand’s highest peak Aoraki/Mt Cook visible in the distance.
Meals :Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 : LAKE PUKAKI – MT COOK - MOERAKI
Immerse yourself in the snow-capped mountain scenery that New Zealand is famous for and explore Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Hike to the base of NZ’s highest mountain following a trail up the Hooker valley where you’ll cross swing bridges and get stunning views of the mountains before finishing up at a glacial lake with views of the Hooker Valley glacier. We then travel back towards the Pacific coast for a quick stop in the historic town of Oamaru before continuing onwards to the small village of Moeraki. Walk to a great view point offering expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and try to spot a little Blue Penguin along the shore. If you have a bike it’s possible to visit a colony of extremely rare Yellow-eyed Penguins near to camp.
Meals :Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 : MOERAKI - DUNEDIN
Before travelling south, we make a stop at the nearby Moeraki Boulders and then it’s onto the historic Scottish city of Dunedin, the South Island's second-largest city. This southern city is home to the world’s steepest residential street and the coastline is home to some fantastic and rare wildlife. It’s possible to take a tour onto the Otago Peninsula to view some of this diverse wildlife which includes Albatross and Fur Seals. For the adventurous why not try surfing at one of Dunedin’s best breaks! Our camp is a short distance from the beach with a variety of restaurants close by to choose from.
Meals :Breakfast

Day 5 : DUNEDIN – FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK
Today is one of our longer travel days as we drive through some of New Zealand’s most dramatic natural scenery on our way to Fiordland. Large parts of the landscape have been carved out over thousands of years to leave stunning paths that weave through snow-capped mountains. We stop briefly in Te Anau, the hub and gateway town for Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound and your last chance to get supplies for those doing the Routeburn Track tomorrow. From Te Anau we make our way into the gigantic Fiordland National Park, encompassing some 12,500km2 it is New Zealand’s largest National Park. Tonight’s camp is a pretty special place in the heart of the Hollyford Valley, established in the 1930s. You can learn more about the history of the camp at the onsite museum. Cyclists have the chance to cycle to camp through some great native bush and walkers can do some nice short walks from camp (ask your guide about the secret glow worm trails).
Meals :Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 : FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK – MILFORD SOUND - TE ANAU
Travel one of the world’s most scenic routes into Milford Sound! Described as the 'eighth wonder of the world', Milford Sound was carved by glaciers during the ice ages. We highly recommend taking in the boat trip on Milford Sound with dramatic waterfalls, snow-capped peaks and possible wildlife spotting of dolphins, penguins and seals! 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 3-day Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand’s 9 Great Walks. This 3-day hike passes through two National Parks and 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 :Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 : TE ANAU - QUEENSTOWN
Today we journey to Queenstown along the shores of the photogenic Lake Wakatipu. Once we arrive at the adventure capital of New Zealand you can enjoy spectacular views, a free Gondola ride and a huge selection of activities to choose from. There is everything here, from adrenalin pumping bungy, canyon swing and skydiving to a relaxing horse trek or boat cruise – this place has it all. There are great tracks around the lake ideal for bikers and hikers and all with wonderful views of this alpine region.
Meals :Breakfast

Day 8 : QUEENSTOWN
With so much to do we spend the full day in fantastic Queenstown with the opportunity to enjoy those once in a lifetime experiences (don’t forget to try the legendary and very tasty Fergburger!). Routeburn Track walkers re-join the group here at midday with time to try some of the many exciting activities this vibrant city has to offer. Tonight, we dine out at one of Queenstown’s many delicious eateries - a great chance for your group to enjoy a true kiwi feast (own cost).
Meals :Breakfast

Day 9 : QUEENSTOWN
Another chance to try any of the numerous activities including bungy, canyon swing, skydive, paraglide, horse trek or gondola ride - to name a few! This is the last day of the tour and there is plenty to keep you busy with options to extend the trip or stay on for more fun and frolics in the stunning, adrenalin capital. We say our final farewells by 2:00pm.
Meals :Breakfast

Christchurch 2.30pm, outside the Canterbury Museum on Rolleston Avenue, central Christchurch city.  

2018 TOUR DEPARTURE DATES:

October:     28
November:  3, 12, 21, 30
December:  9, 18, 27

2019 TOUR DEPARTURE DATES:

January:      5, 14, 23
February:    1, 10, 19, 28
March:         9, 3, 18

October:     28
November:  3, 12, 21, 30
December:  9, 18, 27

Optional hires: You can hire any of the following equipment from us for the duration of your trip or bring your own gear. We charge a small handling fee for those who bring their own bikes but there are no charges for your own tent etc.

$210     Cycle hire for entire trip
$ 80      Bring your own bike
$ 90      Single tent upgrade
$ 50      Sleeping bag hire

Cabin upgrades (optional): Are available most nights for a small fee, payable on the day (subject to availability).  During the peak travel months of Dec, Jan, Feb we recommend pre-booking upgrades prior to travel through the Flying Kiwi office. Pre-booking upgrades incur a 10% pre-booking service fee of the total upgrade cost.

Optional Activities: Most days there are a selection of optional activities you can choose to do (i.e. skydiving, heli hiking etc). Payment for optional activities are made direct to the operator on the day.

Tour extensions If you have a few days after your trip why not extend it with one of these great trips:

Wild West Tour - Wild is the operative word for this one! Starting in Queenstown we travel along a route recently voted one of the top 10 drives in the World by the Lonely Planet. We have also found a few extra spots to enjoy and a range of excellent rides and activities.

Reverse Traverse Tour - This is a one way adventure, from Queenstown, for those who have a little less time but still want to see a sizeable chunk of the country. Highlights include thermal wonders of Rotorua, blackwater rafting, whale watching, dolphin swimming, Milford Sounds, the adventure capital Queenstown and much more.