07 Day Scenic South Island Private Guided Tour

Explore the South Island with a New Zealand escorted tour personalised to suit your group. Our private guided tours are hosted by one of New Zealand’s leading tour guides. Your guide will meet your group at the airport and chauffeur your group to explore the destinations and activities included in your personalised tour package. They will tend to your needs and share valuable local knowledge with your group to enhance your holiday experience. We can cater for groups between 1-40 people.

Our New Zealand escorted tour packages are flexible and are booked to suit your group’s travel dates and interests.

Read on for more details on the 7 Day Scenic South Island Private Guided Tour.

7 Day Scenic South Island New Zealand Escorted Tour

Day 1 Arrive Christchurch

Your fantastic guided holiday begins in Christchurch, New Zealand’s “Garden City.” With a thriving restaurant scene, a string of beautiful parks, and a historic town centre, Christchurch is an excellent holiday destination.

Explore Christchurch with your guide, visiting the botanic gardens, the Christchurch Cathedral, and the Canterbury Museum.

Stay 1 night in Christchurch.

Day 2 Mount Cook

Travel time Christchurch to Mt Cook Village – 4 hours

Your scenic journey through the Mackenzie Basin begins today as you cross over Burkes Pass. As the Southern Alps loom before you, there will be photo opportunities around every corner.

Continue past Lake Pukaki on your way to Mt Cook Village, nestled at the foot of New Zealand’s highest mountain. Your guide will take you to a viewpoint over Tasman Glacier, lying at the base of the spectacular Tasman Valley.

In the evening, visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre to view the displays and watch any of a wide offering of films and planetarium shows on New Zealand.

Stay 1 night in Mt Cook Village.

Day 3 Queenstown + Steamship Cruise + High Country Dinner

Travel time Mt Cook Village to Queenstown – 3 hours

Continue south to Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. Along the way, your guide will take you to sample the fresh fruit from the orchards of Cromwell. You also have the option to visit several top wineries on the drive through the Kawarau Gorge.

Visit Arrowtown with your guide in the afternoon, and explore the quaint historic mining settlement. If there are any Lord of the Rings fans in the group, your guide will show you the filming locations for Minas Tirith, Argonath, the Misty Mountains, and the Ford of Bruinen.

In the evening, relive the elegance of turn-of-the-century travel with a cruise aboard the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. Disembark at Walter Peak High Country Farm for a stunning gourmet BBQ meal and farm tour.

Stay 2 nights in Queenstown.

Day 4 Milford Sound Tour

Embark on a scenic coach journey to Milford Sound, known as the “eighth wonder of the world.” As you venture deep into the heart of Fiordland National Park, you will get the chance to stop and view a number of must-see destinations along the way.

At Milford Sound, witness the grandeur of this mighty fiord up close on a 2.5-hour nature cruise.

Day 5 Wanaka

Travel time Queenstown to Wanaka – 1 hour

Enjoy the scenic drive over the Crown Range to Wanaka – your guide will stop along the way for photos at fantastic viewing points.

Explore the alpine town of Wanaka in the afternoon. Your guide could take you to Puzzling World or Rippon Winery, or you could simply relax on the lakefront and do a bit of boutique shopping.

Stay 1 night in Wanaka.

Day 6 Franz Josef Glacier + Heli Flight with Snow Landing

Travel time Wanaka to Franz Josef – 4 hours

After the Milford Highway, the Haast Pass Highway is one of the most scenic alpine routes in New Zealand. Explore the pass with your guide, stopping to view cascading waterfalls, broad alpine meadows, craggy snowcapped mountains, and the turquoise depths of the Blue Pools.

Continuing along the West Coast, you may like to visit Lake Matheson near Fox Glacier, where you can take a 20-minute walk (one-way) to the jetty, to admire the reflected views of the Southern Alps on the surface of the lake.

In the afternoon, take an unforgettable helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier, where you will land in the snow to enjoy incredible views of the majestic Southern Alps.

Stay 1 night in Franz Josef.

Day 7 TranzAlpine Train Journey + Christchurch

Travel time Franz Josef to Greymouth – 2.5 hours
Train travel time Greymouth to Christchurch – 4.5 hours

Leave the rugged West Coast behind today as you board the TranzAlpine Train for a fantastic journey through Arthurs Pass. Travel past the soaring peaks and braided rivers of the Southern Alps, through the gorges of the Waimakariri River, and past the rolling Canterbury Plains.

Your guide will meet you at the train station and bring you to your accommodation.

Stay 1 night in Christchurch.

Day 8 Depart Christchurch

Your guide will deliver you to Christchurch Airport for your departing flight.

Plan a New Zealand Escorted Tour

This South Island guided tour package is fully customisable and date-flexible. Suited for couples, families, and groups, this itinerary offers a fantastic overview of the highlights of the island.

As you begin planning your New Zealand tour, your personal travel consultant will work with you to tailor the itinerary to suit. From special interests to must-do activities, we will ensure your tour matches exactly what you are hoping for.

In addition, we offer a range of tours through our New Zealand Guided Tours brand for further inspiration.

Contact New Zealand Travel Organiser today to begin planning your unforgettable tour.