Active New Zealand

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Our Price From
US$1,462
Save up To $271
Multi Share (Per Person)
 Trip Length
9 Days
 Trip Starts
Christchurch
 Trip Finishes
Christchurch
9 Day Active New Zealand Itinerary (Contiki)
Countries Explored: New Zealand
Trip Operator
Trip Style
Discoverer
Departures
Accommodation
2.5 - 3.5 Star
Max. Group Size
53
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
AVAD

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Contiki's 9 Day Active New Zealand. This trip sees you exploring magical valleys, gigantic glaciers and truly lovely lakes. From Arthur’s Pass to Wanaka & Fox Glacier (and a 4-day stint in Queenstown!) - you’re in for a thrill-packed ride. With plenty of hiking, biking, skydiving, stargazing and lake exploration to channel your energy into. And enough incredible views to clog up your camera reel - this is adventure done right.

Itinerary

Hello & welcome adventurers! We kick off our journey right here in Christchurch (Ōtautahi), famous for its botanical gardens, cycle routes and sumptuous dining spots. With no time to waste, we'll hit the road to our very first stop, Arthur's Pass. Driving through Arthurs Pass National Park and Westland Tai Poutini National Park, we'll make a quick stop for refreshments and take in all the magical alpine scenery. Lunch breaks are rarely ever this scenic. So make sure your camera's fully charged when we hit Hokitika. 

And, here we are - in the Fox Glacier (Te Moeka o Tuawe)! Come bond with your crew over a delicious 2-course dinner and then catch some sleep for the big day tomorrow. (D) Stay: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier (or similar)

Time to get exploring! Here at Fox Glacier, you'll have the chance to look around on foot, sure, but the action doesn't stop there. That's right, you'll have the opportunity to take an E-bike tour or even better, get an absolutely spectacular view of the glacier from a helicopter (!). We've satisfied our inner adventurer, now it's time to satisfy our hungry tummies.

Tonight, we'll grab some dinner at a rustic 150-year-old hotel (with the mountains as our backdrop!). And then it's back to our hotel to rest our travel-tired limbs. (B/D) Stay: A conveniently located hostel

Another morning waking up to breathtaking natural beauty. How lucky are we? Today is yours to spend, just the way you like. Grab some breakfast at one of the many local cafes here. Via ferrata, kayaking, skydiving - there's so much for us adrenaline junkies here.

In the evening, you can join us for a cruise of the stunning Lake Wānaka. What a way to end the day.

Morning, daredevils. We've got some more exploration to do today. You can grab some breakfast in town before we hop onto our coach towards our next destination. Nothing spells adventure like jumping off a bridge. And you best believe, that's exactly what we're doing at the world's first commercial bungy jumping site. Plus, the view of the crystal blue river is a sight in itself. It really is an experience for a lifetime. Hungry? Luckily, the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown (Kā Muriwai) has a spot or two to satisfy the rumble.

Our home for the coming few days? The adventure capital of the world! Tonight you can choose to wine & dine atop of the highest restaurant in Queenstown, Skyline. We've got 4 days of non-stop adventure ahead of us. So rest up! Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront (or similar)

Wakey wakey, we're up and out bright and early today to get a head start on one of the best hikes in New Zealand. Yup, today we're taking on the Routeburn Track.

The world famous Routeburn Track: 19 km of jaw-dropping mountain views and plenty of chats with your crew in a seriously picturesque setting. What more could you ask for? Well, how about us taking care of your tickets, so you can save all your brainpower for the trek? We're already a step ahead. Oh, and did we mention you'll get the inside scoop on the Routeburn's incredible wildlife and the conservation efforts making it all possible?

You have a free night tonight, so you can either sample Queenstown's laid-back-yet-legendary nightlife… or you can hit the hay and dream about what a wonderful day you just had. The call is yours. (B)

Today is yours to spend however you like – you can explore in your own way, or join us on an optional boat trip, vineyard tour, e-biking experience, ziplining adventure and adventure canyoning. (Safe to say adventure with a capital A lies in store for us.)Please Note: The Free Time Add Ons which take place on Day 6 & Day 7 can be booked for either day through your Trip Manager. (B)

Another day, another catapult… skydive… bungy jump… Yup, there's loads more optional activities in store for us today, so make sure you eat all your morning oats – it's gonna be a big one. And if you wanna explore Queenstown your way? You're welcome to! (We're all about freedom here.) Dinner's on us tonight, so come hungry! (B/D)

Queenstown, it's been a blast but we've gotta be off now. We're making our way to even more mesmerising views. Twizel is a worthy stop-off on any NZ trip. Luckily, this is where you'll munch on some lunch (surrounded by enchanting natural beauty). It's a feast for your tummy and your eyes...

It's hike time! Hike underneath the incredible Aoraki Mount Cook AKA Aotearoa New Zealand's highest mountain. It's one of NZ's most famous hiking tracks. Or as the Kiwis call it - 'tramping tracks'. Staying on the edge of one of NZ's most photographed lakes, we'll arrive into the glacier-fed beauty of Tekapo.

Tonight, you have the option to wind down inside a hot pool (surrounded by alpine scenery). (B) Stay: The Godley Hotel (or similar)

You know it's a good morning when you wake up to unreal lake views. And today, you have the chance to see it all from above with the famous Grand Traverse Flight! Next, we'll get a move on, making our way back to Christchurch. This quaint farming town is the gateway to the oh-so-stunning central & southern lakes and the Canterbury plains too. (P.S. It's a great stop to try local jams, chutneys, juices and cheeses!). 

It's time to say goodbye (sadly). What an adrenaline & scenery-packed ride it has been! But not to worry, because we'll be back again another time, in another place, for another adventure. That's what life's about, right? (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • Take One of the World’s Best Hikes – Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife as you hike up the side of this breathtaking mountain and bond with your group. This simply is a Queenstown must-do.
  • Learn all about Routeburn Wildlife Protection (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience) – Come learn about the incredible work that goes behind conserving NZ's unique wildlife on this talk. With around 80,000 native species (many found nowhere else), it’s a biodiversity jackpot. But all the introduced mammals have wreaked havoc, pushing native species to the brink. That’s where the Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust steps in, leading predator control efforts to save them. (Now you see why Kiwis are such eco-warriors!).

  • 6 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners

  • 6 nights in Hotels, 2 nights in Hostel

  • Expert Trip Manager, Trip Driver

  • Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
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Contiki Worldwide (2025) Brochure

Contiki Worldwide (2025)

The complete travel experience for 18-35s. Legendary activities. In legendary places. With legendary people. All sorted for you by travel experts, so you just need to show up (and have the time of your life). You get the bucket list must-dos, plenty of free time to explore, and some extra-special experiences too (many of which are unique to Contiki).

Dates & Pricing USD USD

Thursday 22 Jan 2026 22 Jan 26 Christchurch
Friday 30 Jan 2026 30 Jan 26 Christchurch
Details
Definite Departure
Exclusive Savings
Was: $1,805
US$1,625
Save $180
Multi Share (Per Personpp)
Thursday 26 Feb 2026 26 Feb 26 Christchurch
Friday 06 Mar 2026 06 Mar 26 Christchurch
Details
Definite Departure
Exclusive Savings
Was: $1,805
US$1,534
Save $271
Multi Share (Per Personpp)
Thursday 19 Mar 2026 19 Mar 26 Christchurch
Friday 27 Mar 2026 27 Mar 26 Christchurch
Details
Not Available
Our Price
US$1,534
Multi Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Thursday 16 Apr 2026 16 Apr 26 Christchurch
Friday 24 Apr 2026 24 Apr 26 Christchurch
Details
Definite Departure
Worldwide Sale
Was: $1,625
US$1,462
Save $163
Multi Share (Per Personpp)
Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Contiki. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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