8 day private tour
8 Day South Island Glaciers & Lakes
A Christchurch loop over Arthur's Pass to glacier country, down the lakes to Queenstown, and home across the Mackenzie.
Tour overview
Eight days that string together the best of the South Island: the drive over the Southern Alps to the West Coast rainforest, two nights in glacier country at Franz Josef, the Haast Pass into Wānaka, three unhurried nights in Queenstown, and a quiet finish beneath the turquoise water and dark skies of Lake Tekapo. Your own driver guide and vehicle are with you the entire way, so you never touch a steering wheel or a timetable.
Best for: First-time visitors with a week in the South Island
Highlights
- Castle Hill walk
- Devils Punchbowl waterfall
- Arthurs Pass visit
- Heli Hike
- Scenic Helicopter flight
- kayaking
- Fox Glacier lookout
- Thunder Creek Falls
- Lake Matheson
- Lake Hawea
What's included
- Private driver guide for every day of the tour
- Private vehicle sized to your group
- Accommodation at your chosen level for every night
- All driving, fuel, road user charges and parking
- Free sightseeing stops and short walks along every leg
- Your driver guide's own accommodation and costs
Not included
- Flights into and out of New Zealand
- Meals and drinks
- Paid activities such as glacier heli-hikes and cruises
- Travel insurance
Full itinerary
Pick an exact start date in the booking panel to see real dates here.
We leave Christchurch and climb into the Southern Alps over Arthur's Pass, stopping for the braided rivers, beech forest and the kea that patrol the summit. On the far side the road drops into West Coast rainforest and follows the wild Tasman shoreline south to the glacier township of Franz Josef, where you have two nights.
Accommodation: 3 star (motel) in Franz Josef
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the number of nights in each place?
Yes. Open the Customise this tour tab and add or remove nights anywhere on the route, or add another destination. The price updates instantly.
Is this tour private?
Completely. It is just your group, your driver guide and your vehicle. There are no other travellers and no fixed departure dates.
What is the best time of year for this route?
It runs all year. Summer brings long days and lake weather, autumn the Central Otago colour, and winter clear skies over Tekapo with snow on the peaks.
How firm is the price?
It is an instant estimate built from our live operating costs for the month and group you selected. We confirm it in writing before anything is booked.
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