Creator-hosted group trip

Come Travel New Zealand With Jesse

A 10-day South Island adventure through Mount Cook, Wanaka, Queenstown and Milford Sound — built around hiking, road trips, mountain views and a small group travel experience.

Dates

10–20 March 2027

Price

$2,199 USD

Travellers

8 minimum • 22 maximum

Hosted by

Jesse Darnell

Trip Style

Hiking • Adventure • Road Trip • Social Travel

Apply Now

Meet Jesse

Join Jesse as he hosts this South Island adventure through some of New Zealand’s most iconic landscapes. Jesse has built an audience around travel, hiking and outdoor adventure, and this trip has been designed around the experiences he loves most—from scenic road trips and mountain hikes to meeting like-minded travellers and exploring places that many people only dream of visiting. This isn’t a typical tour. It’s a chance to experience New Zealand alongside Jesse and a small group of adventurous travellers.

About The Trip

This is not a standard tour. This is a creator-led South Island road expedition hosted by Jesse, built for people who want to experience New Zealand through hiking, adventure, scenery and a small group travel vibe. The trip will take us from Christchurch through Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, Wanaka, Queenstown and Milford Sound. Expect incredible hikes, unforgettable scenery, road trip days, group dinners, optional adventure activities and a travel experience built around actually exploring New Zealand properly.

Trip Highlights

Lake Tekapo

Mount Cook National Park

Hooker Valley Track

Optional Mueller Hut Overnight Hike

Roys Peak

Wanaka

Queenstown

Queenstown Hill Time Walk

Ben Lomond Track

Milford Sound Coach & Cruise

Optional Shotover Jet

Bungy & Skydiving

Route

Christchurch

→

Twizel

→

Mount Cook

→

Wanaka

→

Queenstown

→

Milford Sound

→

Queenstown

Itinerary

Expandable day cards include Morning, Afternoon and Night sections. Final timing can be refined once the operating itinerary is confirmed.

Day 1 – Christchurch

Open

Morning

Arrivals throughout the day.

Afternoon

Check into accommodation, explore Christchurch and pick up any supplies for the trip.

Night

Welcome dinner, group introductions and trip briefing.

Day 2 – Christchurch → Twizel

Open

Morning

Depart Christchurch and begin the South Island road trip.

Afternoon

Visit Fairlie, Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd before arriving in Twizel.

Night

Check into the Airbnbs and enjoy a group dinner.

Day 2 – Christchurch → Twizel

Open

Morning

Depart Christchurch and begin the South Island road trip.

Afternoon

Visit Fairlie, Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd before arriving in Twizel.

Night

Check into the Airbnbs and enjoy a group dinner.

Day 3 – Lake Tekapo

Open

Morning

Relaxed morning with a visit to the Tekapo Hot Pools.

Afternoon

Explore Lake Tekapo, scenic viewpoints and enjoy free time.

Night

Group dinner followed by stargazing.

Day 3 – Lake Tekapo

Open

Morning

Relaxed morning with a visit to the Tekapo Hot Pools.

Afternoon

Explore Lake Tekapo, scenic viewpoints and enjoy free time.

Night

Group dinner followed by stargazing.

Day 4 – Mount Cook Adventure

Open

Morning

Travel to Mount Cook National Park and choose between the Hooker Valley Track or the optional Mueller Hut hike.

Afternoon

Continue exploring Mount Cook and enjoy the incredible alpine scenery.

Night

Main group returns to Twizel while Mueller Hut hikers stay overnight in the hut.

Day 4 – Mount Cook Adventure

Open

Morning

Travel to Mount Cook National Park and choose between the Hooker Valley Track or the optional Mueller Hut hike.

Afternoon

Continue exploring Mount Cook and enjoy the incredible alpine scenery.

Night

Main group returns to Twizel while Mueller Hut hikers stay overnight in the hut.

Day 5 – Twizel → Wanaka

Open

Morning

Mueller Hut group descends before departing for Wanaka.

Afternoon

Scenic drive via Omarama and Lindis Pass before arriving in Wanaka.

Night

Explore Wanaka and relax by the lake.

Day 6 – Wanaka

Open

Morning

Complete the iconic Roys Peak hike.

Afternoon

Recover by the lake or enjoy free time around Wanaka.

Night

Group dinner and social evening.

Day 7 – Wanaka → Queenstown

Open

Morning

Depart Wanaka and travel towards Queenstown.

Afternoon

Stop at Cardrona and the Crown Range before riding the Skyline Gondola.

Night

Explore Queenstown and enjoy the local nightlife.

Day 7 – Wanaka → Queenstown

Open

Morning

Depart Wanaka and travel towards Queenstown.

Afternoon

Stop at Cardrona and the Crown Range before riding the Skyline Gondola.

Night

Explore Queenstown and enjoy the local nightlife.

Day 8 – Queenstown Adventure Day

Open

Morning

Optional Shotover Jet experience.

Afternoon

Complete the Queenstown Hill Time Walk.

Night

Free evening to explore Queenstown.

Day 8 – Queenstown Adventure Day

Open

Morning

Optional Shotover Jet experience.

Afternoon

Complete the Queenstown Hill Time Walk.

Night

Free evening to explore Queenstown.

Day 9 – Queenstown Hiking Day

Open

Morning

Take on the Ben Lomond Track.

Afternoon

Relax after the hike or choose from Queenstown’s optional adventure activities.

Night

Final group dinner together.

Day 9 – Queenstown Hiking Day

Open

Morning

Take on the Ben Lomond Track.

Afternoon

Relax after the hike or choose from Queenstown’s optional adventure activities.

Night

Final group dinner together.

Day 10 – Milford Sound

Open

Morning

Travel through Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound.

Afternoon

Included Milford Sound Cruise before returning to Queenstown.

Night

Enjoy your final evening in Queenstown.

Day 11 – Departure

Open

Morning

Check out and transfer to Queenstown Airport.

Afternoon

Depart Queenstown.

Night

Trip concludes.

What’s Included

Included

Accommodation (mix of hostels, airbnbs and lodges) • Ground Transport • Milford Sound Coach & Cruise • Jesse as Host • Aventara Travel Staff • Full Trip Logistics

Not Included

Flights • Food & Drinks • Travel Insurance • Bungy • Skydiving • Optional Activities

Who This Trip Is For

Adventure Travellers

Hikers

Solo Travellers

Small Group Travel

Nature Lovers

Intermediate Fitness

Note: Mueller Hut is completely optional due to its difficulty. Travellers can choose a lower-intensity alternative if they prefer.

Optional Mueller Hut Experience

Mueller Hut is an optional overnight alpine hike for travellers looking for an extra challenge. It is an advanced hike, weather dependent, and subject to limited hut availability. If Mueller Hut is unavailable, suitable alternative hut options may be considered.

$2,199 USD per person

Deposit required after successful application.

Ready to Explore New Zealand?

Applications are now open for Jesse’s New Zealand South Island Expedition. Spots are limited to just 22 travellers.

Apply Now