Participants will travel throughout New Zealand’s North and South Islands, exploring the Southern Alps, glaciers, primary forests, wild rivers, limestone caves, geothermal areas, national parks, and the Nation’s capital city, Wellington. You will have the opportunity to participate on activities such as:

• Black water rafting in glow worm caves
• Exploring the thermal wonders of Rotorua
• Visiting the cultural attractions of Wellington (New Zealand's Capital)
• Hiking on the Franz Josef Glacier
• White water rafting rapids on the Rangitikei River
• Zorbing
• Sea kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park
• Experiencing the true Kiwi night life in Wellington and Queenstown (the adrenaline capital of the world)

Note: See ISV’s Tour Itinerary (below) which specifies the Program’s Included Activities and those provided in the ISV Optional Activity Package.

Adventure Tour Locations

"I've done and seen things I never thought I'd do or see. We've covered so much in a short amount of time. Absolutely amazing, breath taking, adrenaline packed!"
Carolyn Chan, New York University

Day 1 – Arrive in Queenstown (Skyline gondola, haka and buffet): Depart your Volunteer Project and fly over the Southern Alps to Queenstown, the adrenaline capital of the world. Orientation will take place after arrival and you will have free time in the evening. Those with the ISV Optional Activity Package will start the tour with the 3-in-1 package, a combination of a gondola ride to the top of Queenstown Hill, a powerful Maori culture performance and an all you can eat ‘kiwi tastes buffet’, all overlooking the breath-taking views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.

Day 2 – Free Day in Queenstown (Shotover Jet Boating): The day starts with a wild, breathtaking jet boat experience through the Shotover Canyons for participants with the ISV Optional Activity Package. Afterwards step up and test your courage by signing up for the ultimate in adrenaline, the awe-inspiring bungy jump. Tonight is a good chance to search the local restaurants and cafes for some tasty local cuisine and then sample the truly international nightlife New Zealand’s most vibrant tourist destination offers.

Day 3 – Free Day in Queenstown: Another day to explore the dozens of activities Queenstown has to offer. Travel to stunning Doubtful or Milford Sound for a cruise on the fjords or how about a wine tour or Lord of the Rings horseback tour into "Paradise". Try skiing or snowboarding in the Southern Alps, visit old gold mining towns, and there’s even a chance to go hang-gliding, the options are endless!

Day 4 – Queenstown to Franz Josef: A day not to forget, we travel through the scenic Southern Alps to Franz Josef, one of the great drives of New Zealand. Along the way stopping at the striking lakeside town of Wanaka. We may also visit a kahikatea forest that resembles pre-historic scenery you would expect to see from the dinosaur ages. Make sure you have your cameras handy to capture the diverse landscapes, from snowy mountain peaks to coastal rainforests. Rest up tonight for a dazzling day of glacier hiking tomorrow.

Day 5 – Franz Josef Glacier (Glacier hiking): Today those with the ISV Optional Activity package will experience the ultimate adventure of glacier hiking. Crossing deep ice crevices and exploring through the blue heart of the icefall terrain. The rainforest creeping to the edge of the glacier provides an astounding contrast and phenomenal photo opportunities! Less challenging options may include a forest walk through the valley where you will enjoy a full view of the glacier at the end. Or if you need to get even closer there is always the option of taking a helicopter tour over the glacier.

Day 6 – Franz Josef to Nelson: From the greenest area of New Zealand to the sunniest region of the country in one spectacular drive. We make our way to the top of the South Island with the wild, rugged west coast on one side and the towering Southern Alps on the other side. Photo stops are a must! We visit a Kekeno (New Zealand Fur Seal) colony at Cape Foulwind, and also the famous geology of the Pancake Rocks before arriving into Nelson, the sunniest city in New Zealand.

Day 7 – Nelson (Sea kayaking OR Quad biking): Now is the chance for all those with the ISV Optional Activity Package to choose their adventure for the day. Some may choose sea kayaking through the protected, pristine coastline of the Abel Tasman National Park, exploring the golden sand beaches and forest tracks, or others may prefer to venture through native forest trails high into the hills around nelson on a quad bike (ATV). Nelson is also ISV’s preferred location for skydiving, test your nerves to see if you have what it takes to leap from a plane at 12,000 feet!

Day 8 – Nelson to Wellington:  This is a travel day with a difference. We board a ferry and travel through the stunning Marlborough Sounds at the tip of the South Island, across the Cook Strait and into the port of New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington. Tonight you can explore literally hundreds of cafes and restaurants in the heart of the city to find the perfect cuisine for your evening meal. 

Day 9 – Wellington (Te Papa Museum highlights tour): This morning we embark on an inspiring specially guided tour of the highlights of New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa (ISV Included Activity). The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy and explore New Zealand’s finest city culture.  Take in a tour of the nation’s Parliament building, stroll down Cuba Street (known for it's great shopping), take in a show at the theater and/or visit the Karori Wildlife Refuge to look for New Zealand's rare and endangered birds. Tonight is an opportunity to sample the local nightlife!

Day 10 – Wellington to River Valley: We say goodbye to the bustling city life and journey out into the contrasting full remoteness of the central North Island and River Valley Lodge, our location for tonight’s stay. Nestled at the base of a huge gorge and on the side of the river, this homely lodge will have you sitting around the cosy fireplace into the night resting yourself for tomorrow’s action.

Day 11 – River Valley to Rotorua  (White water rafting): Get ready for an adrenaline packed white water experience (ISV Included Activity)! This is the Rangitikei River, a wild, remote, free flowing river, with ample Grade IV and Grade V white water rapids, “world class, and as good as rafting in New Zealand gets.” After a recuperating lunch we travel on through to Rotorua, the geothermal hotspot of New Zealand, passing beneath the volcanic peaks of the Tongariro National Park and World Heritage area as we go.

Day 12 – Rotorua (Hells Gate thermal reserve): This is the day where we visit Rotorua’s most active geothermal park, The Hells Gate Thermal Reserve, Mud Baths and Spas (ISV Included Activity). Take in the steaming sights of this thermal wonderland and then sit back and relax in the curative and invigorating properties of the special mud and mineral waters. You’ll even have a chance to try your hand at traditional Maori wood carving and flax weaving. In the afternoon and evening you will have free time to enjoy other optional activities or browse the shops for any final gifts and souvenirs.

Day 13 – Rotorua to Waitomo (Kiwi encounter and Zorbing): On the way to Waitomo we will stop in at the Kiwi Encounter, a working nursery and hatchery where Kiwi (New Zealand’s endangered national bird and icon) are raised, you’ll get to see a real live Kiwi up close (ISV Included Activity)! And we can’t miss the Zorb – a real unique activity (ISV Optional Activity Package)! Tumble down the hill inside a giant plastic ball with two of your new best friends! Tonight we enjoy a relaxing evening in Waitomo ready for our last big activity day tomorrow.

Day 14 – Waitomo (Black water rafting): For our final activity day we experience the thrills of Black Water Rafting, a must-do in New Zealand (ISV Included Activity)! Prepare yourself to be mesmerized by this underground glow worm universe. Some participants will choose to upgrade this activity to the more challenging five hour trip as part of the ISV Optional Activity Package. For the remainder of the day, consider horse riding through the rolling Waitomo hillside. Our final night is a celebration of all the achievements, new friends, fun times and adventures gained from this unforgettable ISV New Zealand experience.

Day 15 – Waitomo to Home or Fiji: Today it’s time to say Haere Ra (goodbye) to New Zealand as you depart to return home or onto Fiji (an ISV Optional Excursion) via Auckland. The ISV Adventure Ends!

Accommodations:  All accommodations have been carefully selected for their comfort and ideal locations. Accommodations range from nice tourist class hotels to youth hostels (dormitory style).

Meals:  Most meals are provided by ISV. Meals during times of sightseeing will be the responsibility of participants. ISV also stays in many accommodations with kitchen facilities to allow students to prepare some of their own meals.

Activities: ISV includes a minimum of five activities in the program price to make your experience unforgettable. Activities are subject to change but may include activities such as black water rafting in underground caves, Grade 5 white water rafting, Kiwi Encounter experience, a guided tour through Te Papa National Museum, and an exploration of the thermal wonders of Rotorua (via the Hells Gate Thermal Reserve, Mud Baths and Spas).

Volunteer Project: ISV will send you the Project Overview for your assigned volunteer project along with your ISV Participant Travel Manual, approximately 30 days prior to departure.

Disclaimer: Exact dates, itineraries, accommodations and included activities will be given to participants in the ISV Participant Travel Manual approximately 30 days prior to departure. ISV reserves the right to change the ISV tour itinerary, accommodations and activities without notice. Any and all changes are within the discretion of ISV, Inc.

Optional Activity Package (OAP)