The 14-day tour is our most comprehensive journey, covering the full length of the South Island with the "Super 6" rail adventures — TranzAlpine, Kingston Flyer (Steam), The Mainlander, Taieri Gorge, Coastal Pacific and Weka Pass. You'll travel from the West Coast and Fiordland through Dunedin, Aoraki Mt Cook, and along the Kaikōura coast to Marlborough.

The 11-day tour focuses on the iconic South Island highlights — Arthur's Pass, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Dunedin and Aoraki Mt Cook — with the "Big 5" rail adventures. It's ideal if you'd prefer a slightly shorter journey without missing the must-see experiences.

Winter Edition tours depart between June and September, when the South Island is at its most dramatic — snow-capped alpine scenery, quieter towns, and a very different rhythm to the warmer months.

The 12-day itinerary features four rail journeys (TranzAlpine, both Mainlander train routes, and Taieri Gorge) alongside time exploring Queenstown, Doubtful Sound, and Aoraki Mt Cook. Accommodation, coaches and experiences are all selected with the winter climate in mind.

The Pinnacle is our exceptional 5-star, small-group tour, hosted personally by Peter Hillary, son of Sir Edmund Hillary. It's a single 15-day departure on 14 January 2027.

You'll travel with a smaller group, stay in premium hotels, enjoy extended stays in places like Wanaka, and take part in experiences unique to this tour — a Haast jet boat safari, a Mt Aspiring 4WD adventure to the Aspinall family farm, helicopter flights, and more. The tour includes the Famous Four Rail Adventures: TranzAlpine, Kingston Flyer (Steam), Taieri Gorge, and Coastal Pacific.

For first-time visitors, the 14-day Spring/Summer tour gives you the most complete picture of the South Island — you'll see the full coast-to-coast sweep, from the Southern Alps through Fiordland, the deep south, and up the Kaikōura coast.

If you have less time or prefer a slightly gentler pace, the 11-day tour still covers the iconic experiences without feeling rushed. Get in touch if you'd like a recommendation based on your interests.

Train seating is allocated by the rail operator and can vary by journey. Most of our scenic routes have large panoramic windows and open-air viewing platforms, so there's no single "best" seat — every seat offers a great view.

On the coach, we rotate seating during the tour so everyone gets time at the front. If you have mobility or accessibility needs, let us know when you book and we'll make sure you're well looked after.

Most Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer tours fill three to five months ahead of departure, and some sell out well before that — the Autumn tour and Pinnacle departure especially.

To secure your preferred date, we recommend booking as early as you're able. A 20% deposit is all that's required to hold your place.

No. A 20% deposit secures your booking. A further 40% is due six months before your tour departs, and the balance is due the month before you travel.

The price shown is for payment by internet banking. Credit card bookings incur a 2% processing fee.

Absolutely — we welcome solo travellers, and many of our guests join on their own. A single supplement applies for a private room (NZ $1,495 for the 14-day tour; single supplements vary by tour).

You'll be part of a small, friendly group throughout the tour, and our guides make sure everyone feels included from day one.

Your tour price includes 4-star accommodation (5-star on the Pinnacle), all rail journeys and luxury coach transfers, most meals, all prepaid attractions listed in the brochure, guided touring throughout, and entry to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre at Aoraki Mt Cook.

Flights to and from New Zealand, pre- and post-tour accommodation, travel insurance, and a small number of meals are not included. The full list of inclusions and exclusions is in each tour brochure.