About this trip
Sixteen days across New Zealand's South Island, built around the landscape doing most of the talking — rainforest, glacier country, and coastline that shifts constantly as you move through it.
This is a trip for people who want to be outdoors and moving rather than sightseeing from a bus window. Adventure runs through the whole itinerary, with a fully guided group keeping things simple so you can focus on the terrain.
One night's stay is a wilderness hostel set deep in the rainforest itself, which gives you a sense of the trip's character even when you're not out on an activity.
What you'll do
- Explore glacier landscapes on the South Island
- Travel through rainforest terrain
- Follow stretches of dramatic coastline
- Stay overnight at a wilderness hostel in the rainforest
- Take part in adrenaline-focused activities throughout
- Rated moderate — expect a reasonably active pace with outdoor activities most days
- Fully guided group trip, good for travellers who want structure without doing the planning themselves
Worth it if you want a well-structured South Island highlights tour with a strong guide and group vibe. Think twice if you need flexibility or pristine hostel standards—and be very cautious about the company's cancellation policies.
- Guides (Robyn, Sparkles, Summer) consistently described as amazing, bubbly, entertaining and genuinely attentive to group welfare.
- Itinerary hits the best South Island sights efficiently; breathtaking scenery and good hostel quality throughout most of tour.
- Cancellation and refund process appears chaotic and unfair; customer reported months of email delays, refusal to refund, and legal action.
- Some hostels fell below standard (Dunedin hostel noted as unclean and unsafe); weather can force itinerary changes; breakfasts described as sparse.
Distilled from real traveller reviews on TourRadar — we don't edit out the bad bits.
The same-vibe trips, side by side — price, value per day, and how each is moving. Only we can lay two operators' trips out honestly.
Sorted by fit — never by who paid. Price moves and fill fill in from our own tracking as it builds.
Departing in Aug is cheapest — from £1,500, about 40% below the priciest month (Jan).
Getting there
Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.
Where to stay
A night before your tour in Wellington · 19 Aug – 20 Aug
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