South Island Tours
Canterbury Trails offers exclusive private tours of New Zealand's South Island exploring and discovering the best of the island. Taking you "off the beaten track" (by vehicle or on foot) and giving you the opportunity to engage with locals these tours are fully escorted with drives, walks, first class service, superb food and accommodations. Canterbury Trails provides a private guiding service with carefully planned custom itineraries that are tailored to the guests' wishes and fitness.
Designing your South Island tour...
So we can tailor-make your tour, firstly, we ask you to fill in a 'Pre Tour Survey' which enquires about your interests, tastes, things you want to do or see in New Zealand, your fitness level, sense of adventure and an idea of your budget. With this information we create a custom tour that takes you where you want to go and add some magical places (not so well known) where we can show you the beauty and heritage of this incredible country.
We encourage visitors to be as active as possible. There are many easily accessible walks around the South Island that allow you to step into stunning scenery of mountains and lakes, primeval forests and native bush, untamed beaches and glaciers. Kayaking on a pristine, still river, lagoon or lake is also an option as is a visit to a sheep station, winery and cultural attraction. The aim is to give our guests a memorable "Kiwi" experience and include attractions that make New Zealand unique.
We have contacts throughout the South Island, many of whom are friends and only too keen to meet and show our guests the real New Zealand. Meeting people who are passionate about New Zealand and what they do is an important element of what Canterbury Trails offers as is recommending the finest food and drink. We try and leave time in the evening for our guests to explore the area around the accommodation or simply relax and reflect before dinner.
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When planning your itinerary, we try to include the dramatic contrast of the east and west sides of the mountains that run the length of the South Island. We believe touring the South Island should also include the wilder West Coast. Some of our favourite places and those that guests most comment on are the ancient rain forests and glaciers of South Westland and the remote and rugged coastline. For those travelling south a chance to visit either Milford or Doubtful Sound should not be missed and few people to the Queenstown area can resist at least a 'wee adrenalin rush' activity. There are opportunities to do all sorts of activities on route throughout the South Island. Suggestions are below and can be arranged as part of your tour. However, unless specified in your itinerary these are NOT included but can still be booked through your guide or at the venue.
Wherever we travel on the South island it is difficult to get away from nature and natural beauty. Your guide will always be on hand to provide an explanation on what you are seeing. If you do have a particular interest there might be a 'right' or 'better' time of year to visit. Visit Events in New Zealand for information on when and where local events are taking place.
Activity Ideas...
Below is a list of activities that can be included as part of your tour. They can be booked by Canterbury Trails in advance or be arranged when you are here. With the latter availability cannot be guaranteed. There is a long list of activities the majority of which are outdoor.
Abseiling, art & craft galleries, ballooning, birding, bungee jumping, cultural tours/shows, farm tour, fishing, food tastings, four wheel drive tour, golf, hiking/tramping, horse trekking, hunting, jet boating, kayaking, luge, marine/boat cruise, mountain biking, museum visits, music, quad biking, road cycling, scenic flight (fixed wing), scenic flight (helicopter), sky diving, snow sports, sports events, white water rafting, winery visits, ziptrek/flying fox.
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