South Island Solo Tour | New Zealand Guided Holiday

South Island Solo Travellers Tour

from £3410 excluding flights

11 nights
Jan-Feb, Sep

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Highlights

new zealand southern lakes milford sound aerial tnz

Take a cruise on beautiful Milford Sound

new zealand view of mt cook over lake pukaki astk

Visit Mt Cook and the glaciers of Franz Josef and Fox

Share your adventure with other solo travellers

new zealand coastal pacific train kahutara river gjnz

Cross the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine Railway

new zealand ultimate luxury coach travel2 gpt

Choose from 2 levels of touring style

Why this trip...

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Like-minded travellers

Share your travel experiences with fellow travellers

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Expertly guided

In-depth knowledge and expertise will enrich your experience on this trip

How you travel

This holiday features transport that is an integral part of the overall experience

Overview

In the company of other solo travellers from around the world, experience the best of New Zealand’s beautiful South Island, with its soaring mountains, lush rainforest and rugged coastlines.

You’ll be travelling in comfort on your preferred level of touring – this itinerary is available as a Signature or Ultimate tour. On both options you have the choice of a guaranteed single room to yourself, or pairing with another traveller in a shared twin room.

Starting from the garden city of Christchurch you’ll board the famous TranzAlpine train, traversing the mighty Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass to the West Coast. Here you’ll discover the twin glaciers of Franz Josef and Fox before continuing to Queenstown, perched on the edge of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the Remarkables mountain range. Enjoy a cruise by traditional paddle steamer across the lake before continuing your journey into the heart of Fiordland.

A cruise on Milford Sound will be an undoubted highlight of your tour, with its surrounding peaks and thundering waterfalls – keep your eyes peeled for wildlife too. You’ll also visit Dunedin and marvel at New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki-Mt Cook, before ending your South Island adventure back in Christchurch.

Itinerary

On arrival into Christchurch, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink when you meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner.

This morning visit the International Antarctic Centre, designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. Feel the chill of the Antarctic storm room, take a ride on the Hagglund all-terrain vehicle, see the little blue penguins and be astonished within the immersive 4D theatre. This is followed by a city tour of Christchurch. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure to explore further.

This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur’s Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing to Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

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See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is at leisure, you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.

Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with many optional activities available. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride or a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.

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new zealand queenstown view over lake wakatipu astk

Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before travelling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. This innovative museum is heavily involved in the protection of the historic buildings scattered around town. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).

Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy lunch onboard. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. You might like to cap off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film, Ata Whenua – Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland Cinema (optional).

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Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ where you can enjoy a city tour on arrival. Signature Tour guests will then travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle for a guided tour followed by Devonshire Tea. Ultimate Tour guests have the afternoon free to explore. Optional activities to consider include a wildlife excursion to observe animals in their natural habitat or a guided tour of Olveston Historic Home, containing a wealth of treasures of a bygone era.

Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ where you can enjoy a city tour on arrival.

Signature Tour guests will then travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle for a guided tour followed by Devonshire Tea.

Ultimate Tour guests have the afternoon free to explore. Optional activities to consider include a wildlife excursion to observe animals in their natural habitat or a guided tour of Olveston Historic Home, containing a wealth of treasures of a bygone era.

Signature Tour will depart for Oamaru famous for its limestone, then follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you continue to marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Travel to Twizel for your overnight stay. Ultimate Tour will travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle this morning, to hear tragic and scandalous stories on a guided tour. There is time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you travel to Mt Cook for your overnight stay.

Signature Tour will depart for Oamaru famous for its limestone, then follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you continue to marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Travel to Twizel for your overnight stay.

Ultimate Tour will travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle this morning, to hear tragic and scandalous stories on a guided tour. There is time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you travel to Mt Cook for your overnight stay.

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Signature Tour continues to Lake Tekapo, to view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving in Christchurch. Ultimate Tour will spend the morning marvelling at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Continue via a scenic stop at Lake Tekapo and on to Christchurch. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner with your newfound friends.

Signature Tour continues to Lake Tekapo, to view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving in Christchurch.

Ultimate Tour will spend the morning marvelling at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Continue via a scenic stop at Lake Tekapo and on to Christchurch.

This evening enjoy a farewell dinner with your newfound friends.

Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.

Your Choice of Touring Styles

Signature | Ultimate

This holiday is available in 2 different levels of touring style, as detailed below. Whichever option you choose, one simple price is inclusive of all transfers and transportation, comprehensive sightseeing, and some meals, with the services of a professional Coach Captain throughout.

Signature Coach Tours

Sit back and relax on a spacious, specially designed 32-seater coach, accompanied by a Coach Captain and Tour Guide. These traditional-style tours include 4* accommodation.

Ultimate Small Group Tours

Aimed at the discerning traveller, the purpose-built Ultimate coach features just 20 luxury leather seats and offers a level of comfort unparalleled by any other vehicle touring in New Zealand. These small group holidays include 4.5* accommodation and the services of an experienced Coach Captain.

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The Ultimate Coach

The Ultimate Coach is in a class of its own. This full size coach (13.5 metres long) which would normally house 48 seats has been reconfigured with only 20 luxury leather seats, offering maximum space and comfort as well as a more intimate small group touring experience. Travel in business-class style as you enjoy the extensive onboard features:

20 luxury leather fully reclining seats adjustable headrest & calf support
Panoramic viewing, air-conditioning and seat belts
Wood grain timber tray table with built in cup holder
Seat side personal storage area providing easy access to your travel bag
Personal audio control unit with multiple music channels & set of headphones
Individual USB point for charging your camera, mobile phone and iPod
Stylish centre galley area equipped with refrigerated drinking fountain and fridge
Complimentary daily on board Wi-Fi allowance
Onboard restroom

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Ultimate Tour Extras

As part of the Ultimate Small Group Tours experience you will receive a number of exclusive extras:

A deluxe Travel Set including Travel Bag & Ticket Wallet
Complimentary pre dinner drink at the welcome dinner
Cloth bag including boxed mints & complimentary bottle of water
An intimate farewell dinner including selected beverages

Accommodation Options

Accommodation for this itinerary is based on your choice of touring level:

Signature – 4 star hotels

Ultimate – 4.5 star hotels

Discuss your options with our Travel Specialists.

Prices and Departures

Price from £3410 excluding flights

Airfares start from around £825 per person and are quoted separately to the holiday price.
When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
Note: Airfares tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

What's Included

Hotel accommodation for 10 nights (standard hotels for Signature Tours, Superior hotels for Ultimate tour)
All breakfasts, 8 dinners, 1 lunch, 1 afternoon tea
Transportation in specially configured coach
1 rail journeys
2 cruises
All attractions and activities as detailed in the itinerary (unless specified as optional)
Professional Coach Captain; plus Tour Leader on Signature Tour
24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
No surcharge guarantee
Full financial protection

Signature Tour

From prices per person

Departure	Duration	Single room price (pp)	Twin share price (pp)
21 Feb 2025	10 nights	£4,340	£3,410

Ultimate Tour

From prices per person

Departure	Duration	Single room price (pp)	Twin share price (pp)
21 Sep 2024	10 nights	£5,305	£3,995
07 Jan 2025	10 nights	£5,405	£4,095

* Due to timetable scheduling or nominated maintenance days as applied by the rail company, some departures may not include the advertised rail journey as part of the tour itinerary. These dates are subject to change and will be advised when possible at the time of booking.

Personalised adventures. Trusted expertise.

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Adventure, Your Way

Our tailor made approach means you can think of us as your personal planning service.

Every Trip is an Original

Whatever the brief we'll create an amazing trip to get excited about. We give you on tap knowledge.

Here's the Plan

View your trip itinerary along with travel tips and maps with our online portal and travel app.

24/7 On Trip Support

No-one likes a plot twist. As standard we provide complete piece of mind with our in country 24/7 support and guidance.

As Standard, Complete Piece of Mind

We’re listening. We always care what our fellow travellers think and love building strong customer relationships so we continuously focus on improving future experiences based on feedback. How incredible for the last three years we have received the Feefo Platinum Award.

The World's Great. Pass it On

To mark our 40th anniversary, we've launched our Education Bursary Fund to help disadvantaged school children experience the wonders of travel. A percentage of revenue from every holiday booked will go into the bursary fund to pay for at least 40 students to join one of our school trips abroad.

South Island Solo Travellers Tour

Highlights