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New Zealand Panorama | Southbound | Oct 2025 - Sep 2026 ("Northbound" Itinerary)
New Zealand Panorama | Southbound | Oct 2025 - Sep 2026 ("Northbound" Itinerary)
ATTENTION: Our system has identified that the title of this tour refers to a different length than the correct tour length. This is likely a discrepancy coming over to us from the tour company. Please see the "LENGTH" value listed below as well as the details in the "Tour Itinerary" tab below for the correct length.
Length
16 Days
Quality
This indicates the overall quality of the tour operator's products. A low rating does not mean it is not good - it just means that it does not include as much, or perhaps is of a more standard quality than the higher quality tours. For example, a 3 star quality rating means that it is a more standard/economical tour, while 5 stars is a very luxurious tour that often includes a lot of amenities.
Starts in
Queenstown (New Zealand)
Ends in
Auckland (New Zealand)
Available Tour Start Dates
MAY 10, 2026 These are the tour start dates for instances of this tour that were available the last time Contiki sent us such information. There may be other departures for this tour that are not available (i.e. sold out or cancelled).
Activity Level
No Rating Provided These are tours that the vendor has not electronically communicated an activity level for. Contact us if you would like to know the activity level for any of these tours.
Language
English
Guaranteed Date(s)
Yes means that there is at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur. No means that there is not at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur, which usually means that the vendor wants a certain amount of reservations on each tour in order for each one to occur. Of course, the terms and conditions of the vendor do allow for the vendor to cancel guaranteed tour dates for certain reasons (for example, a natural disaster).
Yes
Special Interest(s)
18-to-Thirtysomethings
Contiki tours are only available for 18- to 35-year olds.
From
Pricing listed is per person, based on double occupancy, and is the least expensive price for at least one departure date of this tour. Price is for the tour only. Additional items, including but not limited to, airfare (unless noted otherwise), travel insurance, and more, are additional.
$3,312.00
Available
Contact Us for a Special Price!
Overview
Feed your adrenaline cravings - relaxation is overrated! Kick it off in Queenstown, the adventure-adrenaline Capital of the World. Ride the Shotover Jet (until Sep 2018) & get a slice of the action! Ever tried bungy jumping, or luging? Now's the time! As you head North, see stunning glaciers, visit Christchurch, try a Māori 'hangi', cruise Lake Taupō & hit Rotorua to try the 'Zorb' or luge!
Visited During Tour
Arthur's Pass (New Zealand) | Auckland (New Zealand) | Christchurch / Otautahi (New Zealand) | Franz Josef / Ka Roimata O Hine Hukatere (New Zealand) | Haast (New Zealand) | Hokitika (New Zealand) | Huka Falls (New Zealand) | Kaikoura (New Zealand) | Mount Ruapehu (New Zealand) | Picton (New Zealand) | Queenstown (New Zealand) | Rotorua (New Zealand) | Taupo (New Zealand) | Wanaka (New Zealand) | Wellington (New Zealand)
Dates, Offers & Prices
Tour Itinerary
More Details
Dates, Offers & Prices
The following are New Zealand Panorama | Southbound | Oct 2025 - Sep 2026 ("Northbound" Itinerary) tour dates available from Contiki. Select a bonus offer graphic to view its details, including its terms.
Pricing Type: Double Occupancy
Pricing is per person, based on two people per reservation
Start Date
End Date
Bonus Offers
From
Pricing listed is per person, based
on double occupancy, and is the least expensive price available on
this tour date. Price is for the tour only, unless noted otherwise. Additional items,
including but not limited to, airfare, travel insurance, and more, are additional.
Guaranteed?
Yes means that that the vendor guarantees that tour date will occur.
No means that the vendor does not guarantee the tour will occur on that date, which usually
means that the vendor wants a certain amount of reservations on that date in order to
confirm it. Of course, the terms and conditions of the vendor do allow for the vendor to
cancel guaranteed tour dates for certain reasons (for example, a natural disaster).
SundayMay 10, 2026
MondayMay 25, 2026
Exclusive Rates on all Contiki Tours!
Exclusive Rates on all Contiki Tours!
Book any Contiki tour with us and you'll get the best deal possible!
Available for new bookings made starting 10/21/20. Subject to expire without advanced notice.
Bonus Offers are not combinable,
unless noted otherwise. Pricing may already reflect the
application of any applicable promotions. Additional
restrictions apply. Certain terms and conditions apply to
each offer. Additional restrictions apply. We reserve the
right to correct errors.
No Booking Fees!
No Booking Fees!
We do not charge booking fees on any Contiki vacations.
You're sure to enjoy an affordable Contiki tour package when booking with us!
Available for new bookings made starting 10/21/20. Subject to expire without advanced notice.
Bonus Offers are not combinable,
unless noted otherwise. Pricing may already reflect the
application of any applicable promotions. Additional
restrictions apply. Certain terms and conditions apply to
each offer. Additional restrictions apply. We reserve the
right to correct errors.
$3,312.00
Yes
(Departure #20260510)
Tour Itinerary
Note: The version of the tour that is currently selected (via the "Select Season" options above) will be in the reverse order of what is listed below. Please select a different version of this tour above (that doesn't indicate "Reverse") if you'd prefer the tour in the order listed below.
New Zealand Panorama | Southbound | Oct 2025 - Sep 2026 ("Northbound" Itinerary)
Contiki Tour Code 544-1859
Day 1
Queenstown
Kia Ora and welcome to Queenstown (Tāhuna). After checking in to your hotel the rest of the afternoon is yours to start discovering why Queenstown is best known as the adventure capital of the world. Tonight you'll meet up with the rest of the crew, no doubt swapping notes on which thrill seeking activity to tick off first. Let the adventure commence...
Accommodations:Lylo (or similar)
Day 2
Queenstown
Today is yours to get acquainted with Queenstown and spend some time mulling over the activities up for grabs in the next two days. First, we'll visit the legendary Kawarau Bungy Bridge (AKA the home of the world home of the bungy!) for your morning adrenaline hit. Later, we'll stroll around this beautiful city. Please Note: The Free Time Add-Ons which take place in Queenstown can be booked for any day you are there. Just let your Trip Manager know, and they'll arrange this for you.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Accommodations:Lylo (or similar)
Day 3
Queenstown
It's times like this that you really start to work out what sort of traveller you are. And human for that matter. You might be the one trailing through wine country and exploring wine cellars and caves, or you may be that one that crams in a bungy jump and ziplining & still craves more. It's your holiday - run wild as you see fit.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Accommodations:Lylo (or similar)
Day 4
Queenstown
With our last day in adrenalin city edging closer, this is the time to conquer those niggling fears. For those who did their dash yesterday, a day staying mellow and enjoying this beautiful region will prove more than sufficient. Tonight you can choose to jump on a gondola and to wine & dine atop of the highest restaurant in Queenstown, Skyline. What a way to end our time here!
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Accommodations:Lylo (or similar)
Day 5
Queenstown to Franz Josef via Wānaka and Haast
Time to return our adrenalin levels to normal and make tracks to the wild (and often wet) West Coast and it's towering glaciers. Enjoying our scenic drive we'll stop for lunch in Wānaka, a pretty ski resort town situated on a lake front and dwarfed by mountains. This town is fast becoming one of NZ's most popular spots, and a trip to the 'Dough Bin' for a luscious pie should be high on the list today. Our first piece of NZ eye-candy comes in the form of Haast Pass (Tioripatea), beautified by ancient rainforests, small glaciers and waterfalls. Note how the scenery changes as we roll away from Queenstown through the Southern Alps.Playing host tonight is the town of Franz Josef (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere), home to some of NZ's finest natural beauty with bushlands and glaciers that almost reach the sea. Tomorrow we'll be out and about making the most of it - who's excited?
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Dinner
Accommodations:Rainforest Retreat (or similar)
Day 6
Franz Josef
This morning will be another big ol' tick off the list as we take to the ice of Franz Josef Glacier. We've got a heli ride over the glacier up for grabs, or the opportunity to carve your own Pounamu (jade) pendant, under the tuition of a Māori mastercraftsman. Pounamu is sacred to the Māori people, and this is a great way to learn about its cultural significance, while also creating a beautiful please of jewellery.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Accommodations:Rainforest Retreat (or similar)
Day 7
Franz Josef to Christchurch via Hokitika and Arthur's Pass
Armed with a new found appreciation for frozen water, we hop back on the coach & start making our way back to Christchurch (Ōtautahi). In the gold rush town of Hokitika we'll watch authentic carvers get to work on green jade and take a look at traditional Maori art. Back on the coach we're coastline bound to one of the islands most jaw-droppingly beautiful spots... Take in the beautiful scenery as we wind our way across the highest and most spectacular mountain pass across the Southern Alps. Tonight we'll sleep well in Christchurch, drifting off to the pleasant memories of NZ's natural beauty that seasoned our day.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Accommodations:Drifter Christchurch (or similar)
Day 8
Christchurch to Kaikōura
We'll set off on an inspiring tour of Christchurch this morning, the city that was totally rebuilt after the Christchurch earthquake. Look out for the Cardboard Cathedral, which is the only cathedral in the world to be built mostly from plain old cardboard! After that, it's another jaw-dropping drive up to the top of the South Island. The coach cuts across the Canterbury Plains to Kaikoura. We'll arrive in Kaikōura, known for whales & dolphins, so have those cameras at the ready as we roll around the coast. We'll visit Kaikōura Wildlife Rescue to meet a local wildlife biologist, Sabrina Leucht, who has been working to build a dedicated wildlife hospital. We'll learn about the wildlife we might encounter here, the threats they face, and what we can do to make a difference. After a busy day, we'll check into our seafront hotel, then head out for dinner. Did you know that Kaikōura literally translates into 'eat (kai) crayfish (koura)'? So, no prizes for guessing what type of cuisine we'll be trying!
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Accommodations:Sudima Kaikōura (or similar)
Day 9
Kaikōura
We all love a free day - especially one spent in beautiful Kaikōura! We recommend taking a dolphin watching tour, where you'll have the opportunity to see (or swim with) dusky dolphins. Or even kayaking across the coastline! We'll stay another night in Kaikōura after an action-packed day, before heading to Wellington tomorrow morning.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Accommodations:Sudima Kaikōura (or similar)
Day 10
Kaikōura to Wellington via Picton
After breakfast, we'll head back on the Contiki coach and head to our next destination. We'll stop at a seal colony, where you'll struggle not to break into a collective 'cuuuute' as you watch these guys sunning themselves on the rocks. Afterwards we'll continue on to Wellington, the capital of NZ since 1865, when it replaced Auckland. Almost thirty years later, Wellington parliament was the first in the world to allow women the right to vote. A pretty cool city all in all.By the afternoon, we'll have reached Wellington (Te Whanganui a Tara), just in time for a tour of the city. After an orientation through the narrow streets of Wellington, and a chance to explore the great food scene, a night on the town will be on the cards.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Accommodations:Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman (or similar)
Day 11
Wellington
Ready to explore Wellington in all its glory? Today, why not head to a local cafe and try the famed flat white coffee in its city of origin (sorry Australians). Caffeinated and refreshed, you can opt to take a trip to Zealandia, a 225-hectare (basically massive) eco-sanctuary that protects over 40 rare native wildlife species. Because Zealandia is fully fenced, you'll be able to walk alongside incredibly rare birds like the hihi and the takahē. Look out for the tuatara, a prehistoric reptile known as a 'living fossil', which can only be found in New Zealand!
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Accommodations:Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman (or similar)
Day 12
Wellington to Mount Ruapehu
We wave goodbye to Wellington and its beautiful scenery and we prepare ourselves for our next adventure – and trust us, this one is bucket-list worthy.Known as the après-ski capital of the North island, Ohakune is a tranquil town with stupendous view. Today you have the option to go mountain biking along one of NZ's most picturesque track, "Te Mangawhero Trail". Tonight, snuggle down in our Special Stay ski lodge, located in prime position at the base of Mount Ruapehu (Ruapehu).
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Dinner
Accommodations:Kings Ohakune (or similar)
Day 13
Mount Ruapehu to Lake Taupō
Wake up in the spectacular surroundings of Mt. Ruapehu with epic views of the volcano. Today we head off to Lake Taupō!Here we are in Lake Taupō (Taupō Nui a Tia). Don't be fooled by the seemingly still scenery - a skydive is on the menu if that adrenaline itch needs scratching. This evening we jump on a lake cruise to watch the sunset, go fishing and enjoy some eats with our Contiki fam.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Accommodations:Lakeland Resort Taupō (or similar)
Day 14
Lake Taupō to Rotorua via Huka Falls
As we leave Lake Taupō keep an eye out for even more recognisable ‘The Lord of the Rings’ backdrops. 220,000 litres (58 000 gallons) of water gush over Huka Falls per second. Just let that sink in for a minute. Wild, right? When you catch your first whiff of that… ‘unusual’ sulphur smell, you’ll know we’ve arrived in Rotorua. Upon arrival in Rotorua we get to learn some fascinating info on NZ's national birds, as well as watch new lives hatch right in front of our eyes! How impressed are you right now? Soak in a hotspring, go skydiving or take a canopy tour - there's plenty of time for you to make the best of this town. Tonight we enjoy a Māori cultural performance and feast on a Hāngi dinner that is sweetly roasted in the ground.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Dinner
Accommodations:Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar)
Day 15
Rotorua
Today is yours to roam free in this geothermal paradise. Soak in a hot spring, go rafting or hike up a volcano. Opt for the Rotorua Dawn Canopy Tour (exclusive to Contiki) and watch the sunrise, enjoy breakfast and coffee up in the trees as the birds make their morning calls. Then, soar 1200m through the forest on the ultimate zipline adventure.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Accommodations:Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar)
Day 16
Rotorua to Auckland
Just as we were acclimatising to that funky smell, it's time to leave Rotorua. Take one last look at the bubbling geothermic mud pools before we flee. Arriving into Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau), we'll say goodbye to the wolf pack (sob). NZ - you've been real.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
More Details
Contiki is informing us of the following additional details regarding their New Zealand Panorama | Southbound | Oct 2025 - Sep 2026 ("Northbound" Itinerary) tour:
Travelers Notes
* DAY 1: Trip starts in Queenstown at 17:30. Guests to arrive into Queenstown Airport (ZQN). The kick-start meeting starts at 17:30. * DAY 16: Trip ends in Auckland at 15:00. Guests to depart from Auckland Airport (AKL). It is not recommended to book flights prior to 19:00 on the last day of the trip. Post night is recommended in Auckland. * TRANSFERS: Both complimentary and chargeable transfers are not offered through Contiki. Travellers should make their own way from/to the airport at their own expense. * NEW ZEALAND: USA passport holders require an Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) for New Zealand. It must be obtained on-line prior to departure from the Country of Origin. We recommend applying 60 days prior to departure. * IMPORTANT: Please see important visa details sent with your invoice.
Meals Included
Pricing listed above for tours is per person, in US Dollars, and is based on double occupancy. Pricing may change for other occupancy types. Pricing is based on the last time the vendor electronically sent us pricing data, which varies by vendor (usually occurs overnight or multiple times throughout each day).
Pricing and availability are subject to change and must be confirmed by one of our travel advisors, who can contact the vendor to do so. Intra-vacation air (also referred to as internal air) is usually based on economy class seating (do not assume otherwise, unless explicity noted otherwise) and may be 100% non-refundable at time of final payment. Air quotes (including intra-vacation airfare) may be subject to change until final payment has been received by the vendor. Flight confirmation may be based on availability. Air reservations may not be able to be confirmed until a passport copy is received by the vendor. The following charges are not included in the vacation price unless otherwise noted: airfare to and from the start of your vacation; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees, including the September 11th Security fee, passenger facility charges, Federal domestic flight segment fees, and U.S. and international arrival and departure and other government-imposed fees added by the airline and applicable at time of booking; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; optional excursions; additional activities and excursions purchased online; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all other items of a personal nature. Itinerary details are provided by the vendor. Vendors may reserve the right to change itineraries, even on existing reservations. There may be instances where the name of a tour contains a tour length in it, but where there is a version of the tour that is a different number of days in length. You can check the true length of a tour by referring to the length value listed in association with that tour. Destination images displayed on this web page, some which are supplied by the related vendor and some which are not, are intended to simply give a general representation of the region of the world being visited during the tour. Such images are not necessarily of the exact areas being visited during the tour. Hotel details (including, but not limited to: rating/class, descriptions, images, amenities and addresses) are provided by Contiki. Hotel amenities may be communicated in shorthand by Contiki (for example, if "Laundry" is listed that may only mean that the hotel has an optional fee-based service that would allow for your laundry to be done by their staff). We reserve the right to correct errors.
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