Duration: 13 Days
Price: NZ$8,495 - FREE Cable Car Ride*
Departure From: Christhchurch
Departure Date: Throughout 2025 & 2026
Tour Type: Escorted Tour
Meal Plan: B+B and selected meals
Physical Grading: 2/5
ENQUIRE NOWInspired by one of the greatest and most iconic adventurers of our time, the Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer invites you on an epic journey by rail and luxury coach through the majestic South Island of New Zealand.
Sir Edmund Hillary epitomised the New Zealand spirit of adventure and he is our inspiration when planning your experience of a lifetime. We pay homage to Sir Edmund Hillary and learn more about his achievements and humanitarian efforts as we explore the South Island of New Zealand and experience the postcard perfect vistas and dramatic alpine scenery that this part of the world is renowned for.
“Adventure for the sake of a dream, for the pleasure of searching”
Sir Edmund Hillary
Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer tour includes Hillary’s life highlights including travelling through Marlborough, where Edmund was trained for the air force during the Second World War and where he made some daring ascents of Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku. In Christchurch, learn more about his team’s expedition crossing Antarctica using converted farm tractors at the International Antarctic Centre. At Aoraki/Mt Cook, a visit to the museum dedicated to Edmund’s adventurous spirit and his achievements is a must. A special dinner is hosted there by Edmund’s daughter Sarah Hillary or son Peter Hillary – also a keen mountaineer and adventurer. Find out how they continue to keep their father’s memory alive.
LOCO EXCLUSIVE – BOOK YOUR 2025 TOUR WITH LOCO JOURNEYS & RECEIVE A FREE WELLINGTON CABLE CAR RETURN JOURNEY EXPERIENCE*
The first week of your journeys leads you on a circuit of the South Island’s highlights, enjoying experiences such as the TranzAlpine train, the West Coast Glaciers, and the wonders of Queenstown, Te Anau and Milford Sound. You will cruise on the steamship TSS Earnslaw and ride on the Kingston Flyer. Onward to Dunedin where you will enjoy another iconic rail journey, The Tiaeri Gorge, an epic rail trip over white water rapids, towering viaducts and tunnels.
Mountain country then beckons and you will enjoy a two night stay at the prestigious Hermitage Hotel overlooking Aoraki/Mount Cook and a visit to the excellent Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre.
We return back to Christchurch to join The Coastal Pacific Scenic Train, one of the most picturesque journeys on New Zealand’s railways. Throughout this scenic experience, you will meander along the Pacific coast across remote beaches, between mountains and sea, on a timeless journey of breath-taking beauty to Kaikoura.
From Kaikoura through to Marlborough, we board the Coastal Pacific again departing Kaikoura’s dramatic mountain backdrops onwards to the Marlborough winelands region. The coastal route heads inland, crossing the historic railroad bridge at Seddon and bursting out to the Awatere Valley, then through the Dashwood Pass to Blenheim. Explore the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre on arrival, which features a worldclass exhibition of WW1 & WW2 aircraft.
Your Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer tour features the “Big 5” rail journeys of the South Island
Each option on our is highly recommended to make the most of your New Zealand rail highlights tour. Ask at the time of booking.
FREE Wellington Cable Car Journey – This LOCO Journeys exclusive offer is available to those travellers booking post-tour accommodation in Wellington. Opened in 1902, the historic Wellington Cable Car takes passengers from the heart of the city up through the hillside terraced houses of Kelburn, to the lookout perched high above the city. Your return cable car journey must be confirmed at the time of booking. Ask for more details at the time of booking. This offer is valid for tours departing throughout 2025 only.
Franz Josef Helicopter Flight – Enjoy a sensational helicopter flight over the Southern Alps and famous West Coast Glaciers. A real highlight for the adventurers.
Te Anau Glow Worm Tour – A special experience crossing Lake Te Anau by boat and then enjoy heading underground into glow-worm caves which were only rediscovered in 1948
Doubtful Sounds Cruise (instead of Milford Sound cruise) – An option to view the more expansive but no less impressive Doubtful Sound
Glacier Explorer Cruise – a unique few hours cruising the glacier lake of the Tasman Glacier
Big Sky Stargazing – there’s only a handful of dark-sky reserves across the world. Star-gazing in New Zealand’s South Island viewing the Southern Hemisphere night sky is like nowhere else on earth.
Whale Watch Cruise or Kaikoura Scenic Flight – either experience will offer memories you will cherish as you seek out the mammoths of the sea.
Northern Explorer Train – once your 13-Day tour is over, extend your journey and take the chance to ride on New Zealand’s epic Northern Explorer taking you from Wellington to Auckland in one day. LEt us know at the time of booking.
Prices are based on per person sharing. Single supplements apply to all tour prices, rates shown below.
Christchurch to Wellington, 13 days, 12 nights, 29 meals.
2026 Departures
If you would like to travel on this tour but the departure dates are not available, consider instead the Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Tour – “Winter Edition”, operating throughout Winter 2025.
Click Here for the Winter Edition tour itinerary
Please see below for a detailed itinerary and booking conditions.
For a detailed brochure dedicated to the Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Tour contact us and we are happy to email this to you.
LOCO Journeys can offer you pre-tour and post-tour departure activities, flights and accommodation.
Important: To enjoy LOCO Journeys exclusive FREE historic return Wellington Cable Car journey, you must book post-tour accommodation in Wellington to ensure you have enough time to enjoy this . This offer is valid for new bookings on tours departing through 2025.
Guests wishing to continue their journey to Auckland on the Northern Explorer or return to Christchurch should advise at the time of booking and this can be arranged and booked on your behalf.
If you would like to travel on this tour but the departure dates are not available, consider instead the Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Tour – Winter Edition, operating throughout Winter 2025.
Click Here for the Winter Edition tour itinerary
Click here for alternate New Zealand scenic train and railfan tours.
For more information about this tour, price queries and updates on specials, please Enquire Now.