NEW ZEALAND • NOV 5–19, 2026
New Zealand Tour 2026 — South Island
14 days riding the most cinematic island on the planet.
Alpine lakes, fjords, glaciers, Mount Cook, Milford Sound, Arthur’s Pass.
New Zealand is one of the most complete motorcycle journeys on the planet. The South Island concentrates everything a rider wants in a small area: turquoise alpine lakes, fjords carved into bedrock, glaciers descending into rainforest, sinuous mountain roads, the wild South Pacific coastline. All of it with first-world infrastructure — fuel every 30 km, polished accommodations, great food, total safety.
This tour rides the full South Island in 14 days starting and finishing in Christchurch. It passes Lake Tekapo with views of Mount Cook, crosses Lindis Pass, takes a cinematic detour to Glenorchy, sails Milford Sound (the most famous fjord in the world), explores The Catlins in the deep south, climbs to Fox Glacier and Franz Josef, and crosses Arthur’s Pass through the Southern Alps. A strategic rest day in Queenstown halfway through. Full logistics: rental motorcycle from a local NZ partner, bilingual tour leader, support vehicle, 15 nights of accommodation, professional photography.
One important note: NZ drives on the left. Day 2 is dedicated to adapting (a light loop ride to Akaroa). Beyond that, it’s a polished international tour: valid passport, motorcycle license (Class A or equivalent), the NZeTA electronic travel authority (~NZD 52, online), and your flight to Christchurch (CHC). Riders who finish this trip leave with the South Island tattooed in memory.
IN MOTION
Meet UpSerra
UpSerra institutional video — the spirit of the operation. This is the first New Zealand edition; in November we’ll come back with our own footage.
More videos on @upserra on YouTube →
THE ROUTE
Christchurch → Mount Cook → Queenstown → Milford Sound → Glaciers → Christchurch
Day-by-day itinerary
DAY 01 · THU NOV 5 · CHRISTCHURCH
Arrival in Christchurch
Reception at Christchurch (CHC), hotel check-in, rest. A day dedicated to adapting to the time zone and country. Technical briefing in the afternoon, motorcycle handover, welcome dinner.
DAY 02 · FRI NOV 6 · ~240 KM (149 MI) · LEFT-SIDE RIDING
Christchurch ⇄ Akaroa
First contact with the bike and with left-side riding. Coastal road to Akaroa, a historic French village on Banks Peninsula. Easy curves, ocean overlooks, moderate pace to build confidence on the left side of the road.
DAY 03 · SAT NOV 7 · ~320 KM (199 MI) · MOUNT COOK
Christchurch → Lake Tekapo → Twizel / Omarama
Crossing through the island’s interior. Lake Tekapo has glacier-turquoise water and is the base for views of Mount Cook (3,724 m / 12,218 ft, the highest peak in NZ). The iconic Church of the Good Shepherd sits at the lakeshore. Overnight in Twizel or Omarama.
DAY 04 · SUN NOV 8 · ~260 KM (162 MI) · LINDIS PASS
Twizel / Omarama → Cromwell → Queenstown
Riding through Lindis Pass, one of the most beautiful stretches in New Zealand — golden hills that look straight out of Lord of the Rings. Cromwell is a historic gold-rush village. Arrival in Queenstown, the adventure capital of NZ, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
DAY 05 · MON NOV 9 · QUEENSTOWN · REST DAY
Rest day in Queenstown
Strategic free day in the middle of the tour. Suggestions: bungee jumping (Kawarau is the world’s original), Shotover River jet boat, gondola up Bob’s Peak, Gibbston Valley wineries, or simply walk the lakeshore and rest.
DAY 06 · TUE NOV 10 · ~190 KM (118 MI) · GLENORCHY
Queenstown ⇄ Glenorchy
Cinematic round trip along the shore of Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy. Lord of the Rings filming location. Small village with spectacular overlooks, historic pier, local gastronomy. Return to Queenstown for the night.
DAY 07 · WED NOV 11 · ~175 KM (109 MI) · TE ANAU
Queenstown → Te Anau
Easy ride to Te Anau, the strategic base for Milford Sound the next day. Glacial lake, mountain ranges all around. Free afternoon.
DAY 08 · THU NOV 12 · ~240 KM (149 MI) · MILFORD SOUND
Te Anau → Milford Sound → Te Anau
One of the highlights of the trip. Scenic road through Fiordland National Park (UNESCO World Heritage) to Milford Sound, the most famous fjord in the world. Cruise through the fjord — vertical granite walls, waterfalls hundreds of meters high, fur seals.
DAY 09 · FRI NOV 13 · ~310 KM (193 MI) · THE CATLINS
Te Anau → Invercargill → The Catlins
Heading to the southern edge of the island, exploring the wilder, less-touristed regions. Invercargill is the southernmost city, and The Catlins is a virgin coast with sea lions, yellow-eyed penguins, and hidden waterfalls (Purakaunui Falls).
DAY 10 · SAT NOV 14 · ~350 KM (217 MI) · DUNEDIN
The Catlins → Dunedin → Omarama / Twizel
Riding up the eastern coast. Dunedin is a university town with strong Scottish heritage, Victorian architecture, and the Otago Peninsula with its marine wildlife. Return inland to Omarama / Twizel.
DAY 11 · SUN NOV 15 · ~330 KM (205 MI) · GLACIERS
Omarama / Twizel → Fox Glacier / Franz Josef
Complete change of scenery, crossing the Southern Alps to the west coast. Rainforests, giant ferns, and the glacier region — Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier are two of the most accessible glaciers in the world, descending almost to sea level.
DAY 12 · MON NOV 16 · ~260 KM (162 MI) · WEST COAST
Fox / Franz Josef → Hokitika / Greymouth
Riding the West Coast, one of the most beautiful roads in the country. Hokitika is famous for local pounamu (jade), and Greymouth is the base for Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki.
DAY 13 · TUE NOV 17 · ~260 KM (162 MI) · ARTHUR’S PASS
Hokitika / Greymouth → Arthur’s Pass → Christchurch
Final crossing through the Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass (920 m / 3,018 ft, cinematic scenery). Return to Christchurch to wrap up the tour. Farewell dinner with the group.
DAY 14 · WED NOV 18 · CHRISTCHURCH · RESERVE DAY
Reserve day
Free day reserved for weather adjustments or additional rest. Time to explore Christchurch (Cathedral Square, Botanic Gardens, Re:Start Mall) or simply recharge before flying home on D15.
THE SOUTH ISLAND IN PICTURES
New Zealand in pictures
Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, Milford Sound, Lindis Pass, Glenorchy, Fox Glacier, Arthur’s Pass.
More photos on Instagram @upserra_ →
THE COMPLETE SOUTH ISLAND
Why New Zealand is the most cinematic tour
The South Island fits inside an 800 × 250 km (497 × 155 mi) rectangle — a small area for what it delivers. In a single week you ride through five distinct ecosystems: the Canterbury plains, the alpine lakes of the interior, the Otago vineyards, the southwestern fjords (UNESCO World Heritage), and the rainforests of the west coast where glaciers descend to sea level. The Southern Alps run nearly the full length of the island.
NZ roads are made for motorcycles: good pavement, comfortable averages (200–260 km / 124–162 mi per day), light traffic (4 million people in the entire country), technical mountain curves, long open straights across the plains. Left-side riding is the only adjustment — UpSerra dedicates the entire D2 to adapting on a light Akaroa loop. After that, it’s automatic.
Full UpSerra logistics: rental motorcycle from a local NZ partner (part of the package, not a separate fee), bilingual tour leader, support vehicle, 15 nights of accommodation, ferries and entrance fees included in the itinerary, travel kit, international travel insurance, professional photography. You handle your passport, motorcycle license, NZeTA, and your flight to Christchurch.
What’s Included
- Rental motorcycle via NZ partner agency throughout the entire trip
- 15 nights of accommodation in selected hotels
- Experienced bilingual tour leader with the group
- Support vehicle along the entire route
- Ferries, tolls, and entrance fees included in the itinerary
- International travel insurance included in the package
- UpSerra travel kit
- Complete itinerary and UpSerra roadbook
- Professional photo coverage of the experience
Not Included
- International airfare to Christchurch (CHC) round-trip
- NZeTA (electronic travel authority, ~NZD 17 + IVL 35 — issued by the rider)
- Motorcycle fuel during the tour
- Meals and beverages
- Optional excursions in Queenstown (bungee, jet boat, etc.)
- Milford Sound cruise (~NZD 100, optional but highly recommended)
- Personal expenses
Unlike other UpSerra tours, the international travel insurance is already included in the New Zealand package (minimum coverage required for NZeTA entry). UpSerra organizes everything; you only handle your passport, motorcycle license, and NZeTA.
Requirements
Documentation
- Passport valid 6+ months past the tour dates
- NZeTA (NZ Electronic Travel Authority) — mandatory online application for US/CA/UK/EU citizens (~NZD 17 + IVL NZD 35); fast issuance (usually minutes, up to 72h). AU citizens exempt.
- Motorcycle license (Class A or equivalent) — local rental partner accepts your home country license. International Driving Permit (IDP) recommended.
- International flight to Christchurch (CHC) arriving by Nov 5 and departing on or after Nov 19
- International credit card with at least NZD 2,500–3,000 / USD 1,800 available limit (motorcycle security hold)
Riding & gear
- Heavy-bike experience (700cc+) with comfort in mountain curves
- Left-side riding: NZ drives on the left. UpSerra dedicates the entire D2 to a progressive adaptation. Experienced heavy-bike riders typically adapt within 1–2 hours.
- Personal gear: helmet, armored jacket, gloves, riding pants, high-cut boots, rain shell (NZ has heavy rain on the west coast)
- All-weather gear: Southern Hemisphere late spring in NZ is 8–18°C (46–64°F), with possible snow at altitude
- No mandatory vaccinations required to enter NZ
RESERVE YOUR SPOT
Reserve your spot — New Zealand Tour November 2026
Leave your details and our team gets back to you on WhatsApp to confirm your spot, payment and documentation. Reply within 24 hours.
Prefer to chat first? Message the UpSerra team on WhatsApp →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is left-side riding hard to adapt to?
UpSerra dedicates the entire D2 to adaptation. Smooth departure from Christchurch to Akaroa on a coastal road with easy curves. Riders with experience on big bikes adapt in 1–2 hours — the brain switches quickly. Traffic in NZ is light, local drivers are patient with tourists. After D2, you forget you’re on the left. Right-of-way rules are the same; only the side flips.
How does the NZeTA work?
The NZeTA is the mandatory electronic travel authority for entry into New Zealand for US, Canadian, UK, EU citizens (Australians exempt). Costs NZD 17 + IVL (tourist levy) NZD 35 = NZD 52 total (~USD 32). Apply online at immigration.govt.nz/nzeta or via the app — issued in minutes to 72h. Valid for 2 years. UpSerra sends the link and a complete tutorial when you confirm your spot.
Do I need an International Driving Permit (IDP)?
The local rental partner accepts your home country motorcycle license. An IDP is recommended — it’s an official translation of your license and simplifies any roadside check. In the US it’s issued by AAA (~USD 20); other countries have similar issuing bodies. Bring both your home license and the IDP.
What about flights to Christchurch?
Christchurch (CHC) connects via Auckland (AKL) for most international routes. From the US: USA → Auckland or Sydney → Christchurch. From Europe: Europe → Singapore/Dubai → Auckland → Christchurch. From Australia: direct flights from major cities. Plan to arrive 1–2 days early for jet lag recovery.
Which motorcycle will I ride?
The local NZ rental partner runs BMW R1250GS / R1300GS, Triumph Tiger, and Harley-Davidson Pan America among others. The specific model depends on availability at the time of booking — confirm preference at booking, subject to availability on tour dates. NZD 2,500–3,000 (~USD 1,800) credit card hold required at pickup (refunded at drop-off if no damage).
How much should I budget for fuel and meals?
Fuel: estimate NZD 600–800 (~USD 370–490) over the 2,935 km. Meals: NZD 60–100 per day (~USD 37–62) — NZ is on par with Europe for food. Queenstown excursions: bungee NZD 250, jet boat NZD 150, gondola NZD 50. Milford Sound cruise: NZD 100. Plan a buffer of USD 1,500–2,000 for comfort.
What’s the weather like in November?
Late austral spring — the best time of year to ride the South Island. Temperatures: 8–20°C (46–68°F) depending on altitude and region. The west coast has frequent rain (Westland is one of the wettest regions on earth). Snow is possible at high passes in the Southern Alps. Variable wind. Layered all-weather gear and a rain shell are mandatory.
How tough is this tour for a first-time rider in NZ?
Moderate level. NZ roads are made for motorcycles: well-paved, comfortable averages (200–260 km / 124–162 mi per day), light traffic. The challenges are left-side riding (1–2 hours to adapt), west coast rain (rain shell handles it), and jet lag from long-haul flights (D1 is built for arrival recovery). Recommended for riders with experience on big bikes (700cc+) and at least one international ride under their belt.
Pricing
Per person, in USD. Rental motorcycle and international travel insurance always included. International airfare to Christchurch on the rider.
| Package | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Rider — Twin Room (motorcycle included) | USD 10,200 |
| Rider — Single Room (motorcycle included) | USD 11,800 |
| Couple — Double Room (motorcycle included) | USD 12,200 |
Payment terms: 10% deposit at booking. Balance via international wire transfer (USD) or credit card. Talk to the UpSerra team on WhatsApp.
Limited spots.
Small group to keep pace and full team attention.
Reserve your spot directly with our team.
“More than roads, we live experiences. More than destinations, we build friendships.”
@UPSERRA_ · #SOBREAMIGOSECAMINHOS