South Island 5 Days / 4 Nights
Explore Queenstown, Dunedin, Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo, with the Skyline Gondola, Larnach Castle, a special brewery lunch and distinctive holiday-home accommodation.
Highlights
- Skyline Gondola and Queenstown at leisure
- Dunedin city sights and Larnach Castle
- Two-course lunch at Speight’s Brewery
- Mount Cook National Park and Lake Tekapo
Daily Itinerary
Arrive independently in the honeymoon town of Queenstown (confirm the exact time with the guide). Ride the ★Skyline Gondola to Bob’s Peak, 790 metres above sea level, and enjoy panoramic views of Queenstown and beautiful Lake Wakatipu, with Glenorchy at the far end of the lake and mountain-ringed Middle-earth scenery in the distance. At the summit, stroll on the viewing platform, try the luge at your own expense, or rest in the summit café and enjoy Queenstown’s fresh air and vitality. Hotel: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Lakefront Queenstown or a similar 4-star hotel Dinner: At your own expense
Enjoy a free day in picturesque Queenstown. Nestled between mountains and a lake, it is regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful resort destinations, a paradise for relaxation and a playground for adventure. Plan your day to suit your interests: • Film enthusiasts can visit storybook-like Glenorchy to explore filming locations for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit and discover the real landscapes of Middle-earth. • Thrill-seekers can choose world-class skydiving, bungee jumping, paragliding or jet boating. • For a slower pace, take the gondola to admire Queenstown, fly by helicopter over snow-capped mountains and glaciers, or taste authentic New Zealand wines at a vineyard. • Simply stroll through town, enjoy street performances, and savour coffee, sunshine and the lakeside breeze. Do not forget to try the famous handmade Fergburger: crisp, fragrant and juicy, it will leave a delicious memory of your day. Hotel: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Lakefront Queenstown or a similar 4-star hotel Breakfast: Western-style at the hotel; Lunch: At your own expense; Dinner: At your own expense
After breakfast, drive to Dunedin, known as the Edinburgh of the South, and begin a city tour: St. Paul’s Cathedral: An English Gothic landmark beside the Octagon. University of Otago: New Zealand’s oldest university, founded in 1869; its Scottish-style stone main building is an excellent photo spot. Dunedin Railway Station: Known as the most beautiful railway station in the Southern Hemisphere, its old-fashioned gingerbread-house style is ideal for photos. Baldwin Street: Guinness World Records-certified as the world’s steepest street; adventurous visitors can walk up its slope for a distinctive view over the city. For lunch, enjoy a specially arranged two-course Western meal at the century-old Speight’s Brewery, experiencing Dunedin’s food heritage in its warm, nostalgic setting. In the afternoon visit ★Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle. Explore its lavish Victorian architecture, hear family stories from a century ago, and enjoy its gardens and history. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross or a similar 4-star hotel Breakfast: Western-style at the hotel; Lunch: Two-course brewery meal—a special culinary memory; Dinner: Chinese hot pot
After breakfast, depart for Mount Cook National Park. En route, pass a renowned five-star salmon farm in the Southern Hemisphere, where you may taste delicious salmon at your own expense. Mount Cook National Park lies in one of the most magnificent parts of the Southern Alps, with diverse natural scenery and remarkable landforms; there will be ample time to explore this pristine landscape. Weather permitting, you may choose a helicopter flight at your own expense to the Tasman Glacier, the largest glacier in the South Pacific, landing on the ice to experience the striking silver-white scenery. Arrive at beautiful Lake Tekapo in the afternoon. Tekapo means “night mat” in Māori and is also called “a place to sleep beneath the stars”. Walk along the lake and visit the famous Church of the Good Shepherd. At night, enjoy the unparalleled starry sky in this world-renowned stargazing reserve. Stay overnight in a distinctive holiday home. Accommodation: Special homestay (a whole holiday home per group is not guaranteed; each group is guaranteed a private bedroom) Breakfast: Western-style at the hotel; Lunch: At your own expense; Dinner: Buffet
After breakfast, take souvenir photographs beside picturesque Lake Tekapo and admire its dreamlike emerald-blue water. Then drive back to Christchurch and proceed to the airport or a designated city location according to your flight arrangements. Breakfast: Western-style at the hotel; Lunch: At your own expense; Dinner: At your own expense
Price Table
| Item | Price NZD |
|---|---|
| Adult | NZ$1720 |
| Child aged 12–4 sharing with one adult (per-child price) | NZ$1548 |
| Child aged 12–4 sharing with two adults (per-child price) | NZ$1376 |
| Child aged 4–2 | NZ$1204 |
| Under 2 without a bed (infant receives a seat only, no other services) | NZ$720 |
| Single-room supplement | NZ$660 |
Departure Dates
2026-10-12 2026-10-19 2026-11-02 2026-11-16 2026-11-30 2026-12-14 2026-12-28 (Christmas surcharge NZD 380) 2027-01-11 2027-01-25 2027-02-08 (Lunar New Year surcharge NZD 260) 2027-02-22 2027-03-08 2027-03-22
Included
- 1. Accommodation: 3 nights in star-rated hotels with breakfast and 1 night in a special homestay with breakfast.
- 2. Meals listed in the itinerary (Chinese group-meal standards for groups of more than 6: 6 guests receive 6 dishes and 1 soup; 7 guests receive 7 dishes and 1 soup; groups of 8 or more receive 8 dishes and 1 soup).
- 3. Transport: 7–39-seat vehicle throughout, with a Chinese-speaking driver-guide (ten working hours per day; overtime costs NZD 150, payable in cash to the guide).
- 4. Main admission tickets to 2 attractions: Skyline Gondola and Larnach Castle.
- 5. Note: Adults and children must pay an additional holiday surcharge during Christmas, New Year and Lunar New Year. Please ask sales for details.
Not Included
- 1. Guide gratuities (recommended NZD 6 per person per day).
- 2. Lunches and dinners at your own expense, airfares, visa fees and optional activities.
- 3. Additional costs resulting from circumstances beyond human control, such as weather or hotel-room issues.
- 4. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Notes
2026.10–2027.03 (Monday departures); small-group tour of up to 25 people. 3–4-star itinerary; NZD $1,720 per person. Price per person sharing a twin room; prices in NZD. Friendly reminder: If you book within 10 days of departure, hotels may charge an additional supplement. Thank you for your understanding. Please contact your sales consultant with any questions. Important information: 1. Depending on hotel availability, the hotel star rating may change. If rooms are unavailable, or if surcharges apply during major events or public holidays, the final confirmed quotation will prevail. 2. If three guests request a shared room, the company will arrange a triple room suitable for 3 adults. Configurations include, but are not limited to, 3 single beds, 2 double beds, 1 double bed plus 1 single bed, a sofa bed or a folding bed. For two guests requesting a double room, the bed will be a New Zealand standard double, 137 cm × 187 cm. Twin-room configurations include, but are not limited to, 2 single beds or 1 double bed plus 1 single bed. Please state any special requirements when booking; we will do our best to accommodate them. The company retains final interpretation rights over room arrangements, and guests may not object or withdraw on this basis. 3. Complimentary airport transfers are available only on the tour’s departure and ending dates. Refer to the specific itinerary for times and locations. Guests who miss the scheduled meeting time must make their own way to rejoin the tour and bear all resulting costs. 4. The company may adjust the itinerary due to flights, hotels, weather or other circumstances beyond human control. 5. Guests are strongly advised to purchase travel and personal-belongings insurance. The local operator does not bear any related costs. *Cancellation and amendment policy* A 50% deposit per person is payable upon confirmation of the quotation; the balance must be paid 21 days before departure. If the tour is cancelled for any reason, refunds are calculated as follows: • 30–15 days before departure (inclusive): cancellation or booking change incurs a charge of 30% of the tour fare. • 14–8 days before departure (inclusive): cancellation or booking change incurs a charge of 50% of the tour fare. • Within 7 days before departure (inclusive): cancellations or changes are non-refundable. If guests cannot travel because of an epidemic, the same refund rules apply. The company accepts no responsibility if guests fail to meet the guide on time for personal reasons. All programs depend on local conditions. The company may adjust sightseeing arrangements due to weather or flights and retains final decision-making and interpretation rights. If a listed hotel is fully booked, the company may substitute a hotel of the same standard. *Booking information* Important reminder: Hotel star ratings may change depending on availability. If hotel rooms are unavailable or subject to surcharges during major events and public holidays, the final confirmed quotation applies. Smoking is prohibited inside hotel rooms and on room balconies. Violations incur a fine starting at NZD 500 under hotel requirements. The person responsible for the room must pay any smoking fine issued by the hotel. If payment is refused, the company has agreed with the hotel that the hotel may submit the matter to the New Zealand Disputes Tribunal. Any subsequent fines, litigation, visa and immigration issues are the individual’s responsibility. If you suffer from motion sickness, prepare medication and a sick bag in advance. Terms and restrictions: The travel agency may adjust the itinerary according to weather. If force majeure prevents visits to attractions, we will refund the relevant cost or arrange a product of equal value. Shopping by guests during free time is personal conduct and unrelated to us. Insurance: Travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover unexpected costs, such as additional transport, cancellation fees and losses caused by lost valuables. Guests who voluntarily decline insurance must bear these costs themselves in the event of an accident, including extra transport, accommodation, cancellation fees and lost valuables. If weather, war, strikes, earthquakes or other force-majeure events prevent travel, the company will refund unused attraction tickets in accordance with the travel-agency agreement. Other services follow supplier policies. There is no refund if a traveller voluntarily abandons the tour for personal reasons. The company’s liability is limited to the services and related matters expressly listed in this text. We accept no responsibility for matters outside this description, including interpersonal or personal matters, unforeseen emergencies, legal or criminal matters, religious beliefs or other such matters. All prices marked NZD or $ are New Zealand dollars. All terms, restrictions and itinerary descriptions are prepared in accordance with relevant New Zealand laws and regulations and are governed and protected by New Zealand law. All text, pictures, marks and icons are copyrighted by our company; unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. If a newer itinerary is available, the latest version takes precedence.
Why choose us
A local Mandarin-speaking team, fully licensed (Qualmark / TAANZ / IATA), with itineraries you can verify.
How to book
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Departure info
Prices are indicative only; the live price and confirmed departure status on this site apply.