New Zealand: A 10-Day South Island Dream
New Zealand
$4900 per person (split into 3 payments) | $800 deposit due to reserve spot
Optional $600 solo room supplement
January 14-23, 2027
14 spots
About the Adventure
On KWR's first trip to New Zealand (!!) we will be exploring all that the South Island has to offer. We'll journey through alpine towns to wild coastlines, exploring by foot, kayak, boat, and helicopter. Expect big landscapes, active days, and reflective moments to take a breather and take in the insane views.
You’ll hike iconic trails, cruise through fjords, walk on ancient glaciers, and kayak along golden beaches in Abel Tasman National Park. We also have some good food, local wine, sauna sessions, and quiet lakeside evenings.
This trip balances challenge and comfort, with expert local guides handling the logistics so you can stay present. It’s for curious, open-minded travelers who value connection, nature, and experiences that feel earned. By the end, you won’t feel like you “checked off” New Zealand—you’ll feel like you truly lived it.
Trip Led by Lillee & Haley
This trip is co-led by Lillee and Haley, two close friends who share a thoughtful, curiosity-driven approach to travel.
🌿Lillee brings a creative, community-focused perspective shaped by her work in the music industry and her role leading marketing strategy for Kook’s Wild Ride. Her first KWR trip to Nepal sparked a love for intentional group travel rooted in reflection, movement, and meaningful connection, and she has since traveled with KWR through Peru and beyond.
✨Haley is an adventure-minded guide whose passion for travel began while studying abroad in Australia and grew through years of exploring destinations across the U.S. and abroad. After joining her first Kook’s Wild Ride trip to Peru, she connected deeply with the balance of adventure and presence that defines the experience.
Together, Lillee and Haley create a supportive and immersive travel experience that blends exploration with intention, helping travelers experience New Zealand with ease, curiosity, and connection.
10-Day Itinerary Overview
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
DAY # 1 | Thursday, January 14
Arrive in Queenstown
Activities:
☯ Arrive in Queenstown & meet your driver-guide
☯ Explore Queenstown (dependent on arrival time)
☯ Scenic sightseeing including Arrowtown & Bungy Jump Bridge
☯ Skyline Gondola ride + 3 luge runs overlooking Lake Wakatipu
Drive time: Short local transfers throughout the afternoon
Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Queenstown
DAY # 2 | Friday, January 15
Queenstown → Milford Sound → Te Anau
Activities:
☯ Scenic drive through Fiordland National Park
☯ Milford Sound Signature Cruise with packed lunch
☯ Waterfall, rainforest & wildlife viewing from the water
Drive time: Approx. 7–8 hours total (including stops & cruise)
Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau
DAY # 3 | Saturday, January 16
Te Anau → Routeburn Track
Activities:
☯ Guided hike on the Routeburn Track to Key Summit (option to sit this out)
☯ Alpine views, forest trails & mountain lakes
☯ Optional short walks in surrounding Greenstone and Hollyford valleys.
Hiking: Routeburn Track to Key Summit is 3-4 hours, 4.5-6 miles round-trip
Drive time: Approx. 1–2 hours round-trip to trailhead
Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau
DAY # 4 | Sunday, January 17
Te Anau → Wanaka
Activities:
☯ Scenic transfer through South Island mountain landscapes
☯ Classic Central Otago wine tasting at Kinross Winery
☯ Free evening to explore Wanaka
Drive time: Approx. 3.5–4 hours
Accommodation: Wanaka Hotel
DAY # 5 | Monday, January 18
Wanaka → Haast
Activities:
☯ Early morning in Wanaka with optional sunrise viewpoints at Roys Peak
☯ Scenic drive past Blue Pools, Lake Matheson & Fox Glacier
☯ Relax and unwind at the Secret Sauna at Lake Hawea
Drive time: Approx. 5–6 hours total (with scenic stops)
Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Haast
DAY # 6 | Tuesday, January 19
Haast → Franz Josef
Activities:
☯ Scenic coastal and rainforest drive north
☯ Helicopter flight onto Franz Josef Glacier
☯ Guided glacier hike across ice formations
Drive time: Approx. 3–4 hours
Accommodation: Punga Grove, Franz Josef
DAY # 7 | Wednesday, January 20
Franz Josef → Hokitika → Greymouth → Nelson
Activities:
☯ Māori cultural experience at the Pounamu Pathway
☯ Glowworm cave adventure through ancient limestone caves
☯ Scenic West Coast drive toward Nelson
Drive time: Approx. 6–7 hours total
Accommodation: Saxton Lodge, Nelson
DAY # 8 | Thursday, January 21
Nelson → Abel Tasman National Park
Activities:
☯ Transfer to Abel Tasman kayaking base
☯ Guided sea kayaking along golden beaches & remote coves
☯ Beachside dinner and overnight glamping in the park
Drive time: Approx. 1–1.5 hours
Accommodation: Glamping tents inside Abel Tasman National Park
DAY # 9 |Friday, January 22
Abel Tasman → Nelson
Activities:
☯ Morning kayaking & coastal exploration
☯ Breakfast at the conclusion of the kayak journey
☯ Free afternoon and final night out in Nelson
Drive time: Transfer provided by kayak operator
Accommodation: Rutherford Hotel Nelson
DAY # 10 | Saturday, January 23
Depart Nelson
☯ Breakfast in Nelson
☯ Shuttle transfer to Nelson Airport
☯ Domestic flight to Auckland & onward international travel
Drive Time: Approx. 30 minutes to airport
Included
Nine nights of accommodation in carefully selected hotels and unique stays, based on twin or double occupancy
Daily breakfasts plus select lunches and dinners as outlined in the itinerary
Private, air-conditioned transportation throughout the South Island
Experienced English-speaking driver-guide from Queenstown through Day 8
Queenstown sightseeing including Arrowtown and the Bungy Jump Bridge
Skyline Queenstown gondola ride with three luge runs
Milford Sound Signature Cruise with packed lunch
Guided Routeburn Track hike to Key Summit
Central Otago wine tasting experience at Kinross Winery
Secret Sauna experience at Lake Hawea
Franz Josef Glacier heli-hike experience
Māori cultural experience at Pounamu Pathway – Māwhera Pā
Glowworm cave adventure on the West Coast
Two-day, one-night fully guided Abel Tasman sea kayaking adventure
All kayaking equipment, meals, and glamping accommodation during the Abel Tasman experience
All entrance fees and experiences listed in the itinerary
Not included
International or domestic flights to and from New Zealand
Flights between Nelson and Auckland at the end of the trip
Travel insurance (required for all travelers)
Meals not explicitly listed in the itinerary
Alcoholic beverages and drinks outside of water, tea, or coffee where provided
Personal expenses, souvenirs, or snacks
Optional or add-on activities not listed as included
Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers
Hotel porterage or luggage handling
Single room supplement, if applicable
Frequently Asked Questions
Travel is one of those things that naturally gives rise to queries, so we’re here to put your mind at ease. Which trip is right for me? What do I do about visas? How much do I tip? For questions frequent and otherwise, this is the spot.
Do I Need a Passport?
YES. The second you consider a trip with us, please check to ensure your passport is up to date and does not expire up to 6 months after the trip. At the moment, all of our trips are international. However, if we choose to do a
domestic one you would not need a passport but would need the REAL ID come 2025. In general, this is something you should consider getting soon to assist with your travel needs next year
Will I need a Visa?
Whether you need a visa depends on the country we are visiting. We will let you know in advance if a visa is required for any of our trips. Please be aware that visa fees are not included in the trip prices, but they are generally inexpensive. We will guide you through the simple visa application process before each trip.
KWR Trips that require a visa:
● 2024: Nepal, India
● 2025: None
Do I need to buy Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is not included in our trip package. While it is not mandatory to join our trips, it is highly recommended. Travel insurance can cover various aspects of your journey, and there are many types and options available. We are happy to assist you in finding the right insurance that suits your needs before the trip.
Are flights included?
Flights are not included in our trip packages. However, we are happy to assist you in finding and choosing the best flight options for each trip. Please keep in mind that we recommend purchasing flight insurance for added
peace of mind.
Are transfers to and from the airport included?
Yes, transfers to and from the airport upon arrival and departure are included in our trips. Please note, that if you arrive or depart outside of the scheduled trip dates, we can arrange transfers for an additional fee.
I have special dietary requirements – will they be catered for?
We are dedicated to accommodating special dietary requirements as best as we can. Please inform us of your specific needs in advance, and we will make every effort to ensure you are properly catered for throughout the trip. Please note that the ability to accommodate dietary restrictions may vary by location. We are knowledgeable of the areas we visit though, and will inform you if your specific needs cannot be met.
How do you arrange room sharing on the trip and who will I have to share with?
We arrange rooms based on your preferences. Often, friends and partners sign up together and request to share a room. Alternatively, solo travelers sometimes express a desire to share, and we assist in pairing them up.
Room arrangements depend on the trip's participants, including individuals and groups of friends.
Note that room options vary by country, typically offering choices such as solo, double, and occasionally triple occupancy.
Prices vary based on your room selection, and there is always an additional charge for a single room.
If I am traveling with a significant other or friend, how do I ensure we are put in the same room?
When you sign up for the trip, please specify the person you wish to room with.
We will ensure that you are placed together in the same room automatically.
Are there options for single rooms if I don’t want to share?
Yes, single rooms are available on our trips. There is an additional fee for solo
rooms, which varies by country. We will inform you of this fee when you sign up.
When is the final due date for my trip?
We typically offer payment for our trips in 2-3 installments. The initial deposit is
deducted from the total trip price. The final payment is due typically between 35
to 60 days prior to the start of the trip. The exact deadline depends on the country
and payment schedule requirements.
Let’s connect and travel
Immerse yourself in local culture, enjoy daring adventures, and form long-lasting friendships with fellow travelers from around the globe.
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