Kea
9 Day South Island Tour
Christchurch → Aoraki Mount Cook → Queenstown → Milford Sound → Wanaka → Franz Josef Glacier → Punakaiki → Christchurch
Have you always dreamed of visiting the South Island of New Zealand and its iconic spots like Aoraki/Mt Cook, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Wanaka and the West Coast Glaciers?
Our Kea tour is the ultimate small group South Island tour with all the world famous spots included in one very special itinerary.
As well as the stunning South Island scenery, you’ll meet the locals and hear their stories, see our unique, native wildlife up close, get out on the water and up in the air, enjoy fresh food and wine, make new friends and at the end of each unforgettable day relax in 4-star comfort.
TWO MULTI NIGHT STAYS
Queenstown (3 nights) • Punakaiki (2 nights)
SIX NATIONAL PARKS
Aoraki/Mt Cook • Mt Aspiring • Fiordland • Westland Tai Poutini • Paparoa • Arthur’s Pass
FIVE INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
Privately hosted homestead lunch • Milford Sound Cruise • Milford Sound Scenic Flight • Welcome dinner at Aoraki/Mt Cook • Farewell dinner at Punakaiki
Day 1
Christchurch - Aoraki / Mt Cook
We meet in Christchurch and head south for a special lunch at Akaunui homestead, a 117-year-old country home where we dine on wonderful fresh produce prepared by our hosts, Di and Ian Mackenzie.
We continue through the spectacular Mackenzie Country for sweeping vistas of tussock lands, glacial lakes and the Southern Alps. We can’t miss the Church at Lake Tekapo and the unreal turquoise blue Lake Pukaki before arrival at Aoraki/Mt Cook village. We celebrate our arrival with dinner at The Hermitage.
- A hosted country lunch with friends at Akaunui homestead
- Enjoy our welcome dinner in the heart of the mountains
- Mount Cook - The Hermitage Hotel
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Included activities & exploring
Accommodation
Mt Cook - The Hermitage Hotel
Another national icon, the ghost of the greatest Kiwi of all, Sir Edmund Hillary, is everywhere here. There is no more stunning setting in the entire country, spectacular views of New Zealand’s highest peak and you can walk right out the front door into the great scenery.
What we love about the Hermitage – Having a drink in the Snowline bar watching the sunset work its magic on ‘the cloud piercer’.
Day 2
Aoraki/Mt Cook - Lindis Pass - Queenstown
Aoraki/Mt Cook is our highest mountain and “home ground” of the most famous Kiwi of all, Sir Edmund Hillary.
Enjoy a short walk in this alpine wonderland. Continue to Omarama, over the Lindis Pass and through the rugged Kawarau Gorge and Gibbston Valley to Queenstown – our home for three nights.
- New Zealand’s most stunning alpine scenery at Aoraki/Mt Cook
- Settle in for three nights in Queenstown and enjoy the vibrant scene
- Queenstown - Scenic Suites
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Included activities & exploring
Optional activities
Accommodation
Queenstown - Scenic Suites
Everyone wants to be close to all the action in Queenstown, and we’re just minutes walk from the Mall and Lakefront. This is our home for 3 nights on tour, you’ll love all the space and being so close to it all.
What we love about the Scenic Suites – Being able to walk into town so easily!
Day 3
Queenstown - Milford Sound Cruise - Scenic flight - Queenstown
We follow the shores of the great lakes Wakatipu and Te Anau into the mountains and waterfalls of Fiordland National Park. We cruise on Milford Sound dominated by iconic Mitre Peak and home to seal colonies and dolphins. A magnificent scenic flight back over the Southern Alps to Queenstown ends this fantastic day.
- From Lake Te Anau through Fiordland National Park on the Milford Road
- Small Boat Cruise on Milford Sound, under waterfalls and out to the Tasman Sea
- A memorable scenic flight from Milford Sound back to Queenstown
- Queenstown - Scenic Suites
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Included activities & exploring
Accommodation
Queenstown - Scenic Suites
Everyone wants to be close to all the action in Queenstown, and we’re just minutes walk from the Mall and Lakefront. This is our home for 3 nights on tour, you’ll love all the space and being so close to it all.
What we love about the Scenic Suites – Being able to walk into town so easily!
Day 4
At leisure in Queenstown - activities and day tours
Today is yours to make the most of the infinite number of activities Queenstown has to offer.
Your Kiwi Guide can help you choose – a jet boat ride on the Dart River in Lord of the Rings scenery, wine tasting at vineyards, e-biking or cruising on the heritage steamship tss “Earnslaw” on Lake Wakatipu, and many more.
- Queenstown - Scenic Suites
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Optional activities
Accommodation
Queenstown - Scenic Suites
Everyone wants to be close to all the action in Queenstown, and we’re just minutes walk from the Mall and Lakefront. This is our home for 3 nights on tour, you’ll love all the space and being so close to it all.
What we love about the Scenic Suites – Being able to walk into town so easily!
Day 5
Queenstown - Arrowtown - Cardrona Valley - Wanaka
We call into picturesque Arrowtown where gold mining history comes alive beside the Arrow River.
From the Crown Range we take in the last views of the Wakatipu basin. We stop for refreshments at historic Cardrona Hotel before arriving at Edgewater Resort, our lakeside hotel in Wanaka.
Enjoy a walk or bike along the lakefront trail.
- Wanaka - Edgewater Resort
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Included activities & exploring
Optional activities
Accommodation
Wanaka - Edgewater Resort
This is the only hotel in Wanaka that’s right on the lake edge, that’s why we stay here. Nestled in a friendly Kiwi neighbourhood, with everything here we need and super friendly staff it feels just like home. On site spa, tennis and bikes too.
What we love about Edgewater – Walk out of your room, across the lawn and down to the lake before breakfast, you’re in New Zealand now!
Day 6
Wanaka - Haast Pass - Lake Matheson - Franz Josef
We drive beside lakes Hawea and Wanaka and into the mountain and river scenery of the Haast Pass.
There are short walks in the beech forests to waterfalls and coastal scenery at Ship Creek to enjoy. Lush rainforest lines the road as we head north to Fox Glacier, Lake Matheson and on to Franz Josef.
- Franz Josef Glacier - Aspen Court
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Included activities & exploring
Accommodation
Franz Josef Glacier - Aspen Court
One of the newest accommodations in town set amongst native bush, staying at Aspen Court is comfortable and relaxing.
What we love about Aspen Court Franz Josef – Being surrounded by native bush and the views of the mountains.
Day 7
Franz Josef - Hokitika - Punakaiki
The morning is free to walk to Franz Josef Glacier lookout, take an optional helihike or flight onto the Glacier, or cruise out on Okarito Lagoon in search of the rare Kotuku, White Heron.
In Hokitika meet the carvers of the treasured Pounamu (greenstone) before reaching Papamoa National Park and Scenic Hotel Punakaiki, our home for two nights.
- Punakaiki - Scenic Hotel
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Included activities & exploring
Optional activities
Accommodation
Punakaiki - Scenic Hotel
We’re so close to the beach you can smell the sea air and hear the waves crashing on the shore. Just around the corner from the Pancake Rocks and tucked in beside our own little beach, most the world just passes on by.
What we love about Scenic Hotel Punakaiki – sharing a drink on the beach right outside our rooms watching a classic West Coast sunset unfold.
Day 8
Punakaiki - Paparoa National Park - Charleston - Cape Foulwind
See the Pancake rocks, blowholes, limestone cliffs, karst rock formations and river valleys of subtropical rainforest. Further up the coast historic Denniston Plateau gives an insight into the lives of early coal miners and their families.
Walk to an isolated beach and the seal colony at Cape Foulwind or enjoy a favourite option, the glow worm cave at Charleston before returning down the coast road to Punakaiki. Celebrate our adventures over dinner tonight at the Scenic Hotel.
- Punakaiki - Scenic Hotel
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Included activities & exploring
Optional activities
Accommodation
Punakaiki - Scenic Hotel
We’re so close to the beach you can smell the sea air and hear the waves crashing on the shore. Just around the corner from the Pancake Rocks and tucked in beside our own little beach, most the world just passes on by.
What we love about Scenic Hotel Punakaiki – sharing a drink on the beach right outside our rooms watching a classic West Coast sunset unfold.
Day 9
Punakaiki – Arthur’s Pass – Christchurch
Leaving the West Coast we drive up the Otira Viaduct, a spectacular cantilevered road, to the alpine beech forests and river scenery of Arthur’s Pass National Park.
We stop to take short walks in the forest and to the massive rock formations at Kura Tawhiti Castle Hill. The dramatic landscapes make a fitting finale to your adventure. We descend Porter’s Pass and leave the mountains behind, crossing the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
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Next departures
Please contact us if you have any questions about our tour departure dates.
| Tour Date | Price (from) | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|
Departure Guaranteed 13 Oct 2024 - 21 Oct 2024 | $6,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 10 Nov 2024 - 18 Nov 2024 | $6,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 08 Dec 2024 - 16 Dec 2024 | $6,290 (NZD) | Almost full Just 4 seats left! | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 08 Jan 2025 - 16 Jan 2025 | $6,290 (NZD) | Almost full Just 2 seats left! | Enquire |
General Tour Inclusions
- All transport by comfortable, air conditioned coach
- Small group tour, maximum 18 guests
- Services of your knowledgeable MoaTrek Kiwi guide
- Quality accommodation chosen for a “sense of place”
Included Dining & Activities
The following experiences are all included in the price of your tour.Included Sightseeing & Exploring
You’ll visit and discover all these iconic New Zealand places on your tour
Please contact us if you have any questions about our tour departure dates.
Please contact us if you have any questions about our tour departure dates.
| Tour Date | Price (from) | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|
Departure Guaranteed 13 Oct 2024 - 21 Oct 2024 | $6,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 10 Nov 2024 - 18 Nov 2024 | $6,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 08 Dec 2024 - 16 Dec 2024 | $6,290 (NZD) | Almost full Just 4 seats left! | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 08 Jan 2025 - 16 Jan 2025 | $6,290 (NZD) | Almost full Just 2 seats left! | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 26 Jan 2025 - 03 Feb 2025 | $6,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 09 Feb 2025 - 17 Feb 2025 | $6,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 28 Feb 2025 - 08 Mar 2025 | $6,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 09 Mar 2025 - 17 Mar 2025 | $6,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 13 Apr 2025 - 21 Apr 2025 | $6,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Optional activities on your Kea tour
Over the course of the tour, you’ll have many chances for some wonderful optional tour add-ons. These excursions are booked by your Kiwi Guide to fit with the tour itinerary timings.
Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
Touch down in a pristine snowy landscape. Book these activities on tour with your Kiwi Guide.
Queenstown
One of our scenic tourism hot spots, you’re spoiled for choice in Queenstown. Book these activities on tour with your Kiwi Guide.
Wanaka
Cruise out on Lake Wanaka for a nature walk or board your 4X4 vehicle. Book these activities on tour with your Kiwi Guide.
Franz Josef
Either fly and land on the snow or join a nature cruise in search of birdlife. Book these activities on tour with your Kiwi Guide.
Punakaiki
Charleston has great glowworms! Book these activities on tour with your Kiwi Guide.
Next departures
Please contact us if you have any questions about our tour departure dates.
| Tour Date | Price (from) | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|
Departure Guaranteed 13 Oct 2024 - 21 Oct 2024 | $6,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 10 Nov 2024 - 18 Nov 2024 | $6,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 08 Dec 2024 - 16 Dec 2024 | $6,290 (NZD) | Almost full Just 4 seats left! | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 08 Jan 2025 - 16 Jan 2025 | $6,290 (NZD) | Almost full Just 2 seats left! | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 26 Jan 2025 - 03 Feb 2025 | $6,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 09 Feb 2025 - 17 Feb 2025 | $6,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 28 Feb 2025 - 08 Mar 2025 | $6,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 09 Mar 2025 - 17 Mar 2025 | $6,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 13 Apr 2025 - 21 Apr 2025 | $6,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
