July Student Tour
The July Student tour is for High School students only.
Departing from Wellington and finishing in Nelson the full 14 day tour operates from: 4 - 17 July 2020. See the DATES AND PRICES tab for all departure locations.
Looking for something to do in the July school holidays? Look no further, we have the ultimate - 7 to 14 day adventure that shows you the best of our South Island winter wonderland.
Starting from Wellington, Nelson, Picton, Christchurch or Queenstown we do a loop of the South Island and take you to where you can ski not 1, not 2 but 3 ski fields if you choose...wow! There will be two fun and friendly guides with you to show you the way. There are lots of inclusions and guaranteed good times and fantastic adventures to be had.
So pack your thermals and join us on this ultimate southern Winter Explorer around New Zealand's stunning South Island winter wonderland.
Are you ready for the ultimate winter adventure?
If you have any questions, contact us here.
Tour inclusions:
Everyone loves a freebie and this tour is crammed with them. There's not enough room to list them all so here's a taste of what you'll get!
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Transport | Travel in a modern, air-conditioned tour coach complete a bike storage compartment, a commercial kitchen, solar powered fridge and the kitchen sink! |
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Small Group | With a maximum of 26 students on board, you won't just be a number! |
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All accommodation | In carefully selected hostels and lodges. |
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Lots of tasty & healthy meals | 12 x breakfasts, 5 x lunches, 12 x dinners |
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Free use of bikes | That's right get out there and check out the many great cycle options with a mixture of off-road and on-road trails - all FREE! |
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Ferry transfers | If starting and finishing in Wellington, your ferry transfers through the scenic Marlborough Sounds are included. |
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Tekapo Hot Pools | Finish the day with a soak in the Tekapo Springs Hot Pools |
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Queenstown 10-Pin Bowling | Enjoy a night out in Queenstown as we challenge you to a game of 10-pin bowling |
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Extensive itinerary | This tour takes you to all the favourite locations in the South Island - not just a few! |
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Great hikes | Awesome free walks to choose from daily |
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Great guides | We only choose our best guides to lead your travels, making it both safe and fun. |
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Group games | With frisbee, rugby balls and much more on board, we make plenty of time for group games on the beach. |
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WELLINGTON TO PICTON
Join your guide and fellow travellers at the Railway Station in central Wellington city then it’s underway to the ferry terminal for our departure to Picton through the stunning Marlborough Sounds. Tonight, we stay at a great hostel with time tomorrow morning to explore before joining our group at 11am.
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NELSON, PICTON TO KAIKOURA
Leaving Nelson by 9am our first stop is Picton to collect those joining us there at 11am then its on wards to Kaikoura. The Pacific coast to Kaikoura takes us along a stunning coastal route where close encounters with fur seals and sea birds are common. Optional sea kayak or whale watch flight and a spectacular evening peninsula walk. Stay tonight at a great location for exploring this beautiful town.
- Meals: Dinner
- Optional Activities: Sea kayaking, whale watching (flight)
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KAIKOURA TO TEKAPO
For those who joined the tour yesterday you can do an optional Coastal Encounter Tour or a take the time to explore Kaikoura. We then continue south through the Canterbury region to pick up students joining us in Christchurch. After a short stop, we leave Christchurch at 2:30pm and make our way through the central South Island towards the breath-taking turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo. Here we settle into our lakefront accommodation for the next 2 nights.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
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TEKAPO
We spend the full day in this stunning location with plenty to see and do. If you want to hit the slopes there is a skifield close by offering a great day out. If skiing isn’t for you grab a snow tube or take to the ice and try your luck ice skating. There are also some great walks and bike rides around this scenic lakeside location. Tonight, we go out as a group to the hot pools to soak away the day.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Optional Activities: Skiing/snowboarding, ice skating, snow tubing
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TEKAPO TO MT COOK
Getting underway early we enjoy a scenic lake side drive past Lake Pukaki to the Aoraki National Park. Hike around the basin of Mt Cook, before settling into our unique lodge accommodation. Time to light the fire and if we’re lucky, watch the snow falling outside
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
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MT COOK TO QUEENSTOWN
Today we make our way to the adventure capital of New Zealand…Queenstown! Leaving Mount Cook we travel through the dramatic and scenic Lindis Pass which links the MacKenzie Basin with Central Otago. Taking us up 971 metres above sea level you can expect to see snow in this mountainous area where snow tussock grassland dominates the landscape
- Meals: Breakfast & dinner
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QUEENSTOWN (1st day)
Your chance to explore one of the many ski slopes on offer or try one of Queenstown’s many famous activities such as the bungy, canyon swing, jet boating to name a few! This place has it all, as well as spectacular views. Great cycle rides and walks are also aplenty in this stunning alpine area.
- Meals: Breakfast & dinner
- Optional Activities: Skiing/snowboarding, bungy, canyon swing, jetboating, horse riding + much more!!
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QUEENSTOWN (2nd day)
We spend another day here in Queenstown giving you plenty of time to enjoy its endless activity options. Tonight, it’s competition time as we enjoy pizza and challenge each other to a ten-pin bowling competition!
- Meals: Breakfast & dinner
- Optional Activities: Skiing/snowboarding, bungy, canyon swing, jetboating, horse riding + much more!!
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QUEENSTOWN TO FRANZ JOSEF
Travel the dramatic Haast Pass with spectacular views of the Southern Alps. Short walks through rainforest, past waterfalls and pools to the wild West Coast. Picnic lunch then head to Glacier country where we stay at Franz Josef for 2 nights, plenty of time to explore this unique town.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
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FRANZ JOSEF
Spend the morning taking in the scenery before an optional guided heli-hike tour on the awe-inspiring glacier. With plenty of a great walks and cycle rides in the area make the most of the free cycles and get out and explore! There's something for everyone here with an optional kayak tour, skydive or visit the Wildlife Centre and view Kiwis.
- Meals: Breakfast & dinner
- Optional Activities: Franz Josef guided walk, Guided Heli-Hike
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FRANZ JOSEF TO PUNAKAIKI
Today we continue our journey up the West Coast stopping for lunch in Hokitika with a chance to check out the Greenstone factories. Then it’s back on board as we head to the Paparoa National Park, home to Punakaiki and the famous Pancake Rocks! Catch the sunset and fall asleep listening to the pounding West Coast surf at our seaside backpackers.
- Meals: Breakfast & dinner
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PUNAKAIKI TO ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK
Travel through the Buller Gorge to one of NZ’s most stunning spots – the Abel Tasman region. Take to the skies with an optional sky dive then it's off to camp where we stay for two nights with the Abel Tasman National Park on our doorstep, a perfect base for exploring this stunning area.
- Meals: Breakfast & dinner
- Optional Activities: Skydiving
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ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK
Your free day to explore the National Park. The options are aplenty with multiple walking choices that can even include a one-way boat trip. Kayaking is an all-time favourite or for the more relaxed scenic option jump on board a sail boat.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Optional Activities: Kayaking, water taxi & walk, sailing, horse riding + much more!!
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ABEL TASMAN TO NELSON TO WELLINGTON
Your last chance to exchange photos and say farewell to your knew friends before we pack up and prepare to travel home, finishing in Motueka by 9am, Nelson by 10am or Wellington by 6:00pm.
- Meals: Breakfast
Tour Dates & Prices:
| Start/finish | Travel Details | |||
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| Wellington - Wellington | 4 - 17 July 2020 | $2,295 NZD | 14 days | Start time: 2pm |
| Wellington - Queenstown | 4 - 12 July 2020 | $1,650 NZD | 9 days | Start time: 2pm |
| Nelson/Picton - Nelson | 5 - 17 July 2020 | $2,195 NZD | 13 days | Start time: 8:45am |
| Nelson/Picton - Queenstown | 5 - 12 July 2020 | $1,490 NZD | 8 days | Start time: 8:45am |
| Christchurch - Nelson | 6 - 17 July 2020 | $2,050 NZD | 12 days | Start time: 3:30pm |
| Christchurch - Queenstown | 6 - 12 July 2020 | $1,345 NZD | 7 days | Start time: 3:30pm |
| Queenstown - Nelson | 9 - 17 July 2020 | $1,650 NZD | 9 days | Start time: 5:00pm |
*We can arrange your transfers to/from Christchurch or elsewhere within NZ (at your own cost)
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MORE REVIEWSIt was an amazing time. I met so many nice people and I did nice and cool things that I would never do without the tour.
Noa from DE , travelled July Student Tour on 01/07/2019
It was a great experience. We saw how beautiful New Zealand is and had the time to do great activities and we met awesome people. I can really recommend this tour.
Nadja from DE , travelled July Student Tour on 01/07/2019
The tour was perfect for making new friends, experiencing lots of new places around the South Island and especially having so much fun!
Leander from DE , travelled July Student Tour on 01/07/2019
The tour was a great experience! Lots of amazing views and fun activities - even for those that don't want to spend a lot of money.
Tabea Karb from DE , travelled July Student Tour on 14/07/2018
I had such an amazing time with lovely people. This trip was the first time to travel by myself but I felt so comfortable because I could make many friends and learn English.
Riko Higashihara from JP , travelled July Student Tour on 14/07/2018