New Zealand Hiking Tours - Walking Vacations

Discover New Zealand

Heralded as one of the most beautiful countries on Earth, New Zealand is a paradise for walking—or “tramping,” as the locals might say. Here you will walk amid a wilderness that is nothing short of astonishing.

Snow-capped peaks slope down into dense tropical woodlands that harbor over two-hundred native bird species, across a land whose geographic isolation allowed countless varieties of unique flora and fauna to develop without influence from other parts of the world.

Traverse the easy sloping trails of the Abel Tasman Coast Track, one of the nine New Zealand “Great Walks,” a hike that seems to combine all of the island’s distinct geography in one trail: lush savannas, granite cliffs, and vast golden sand beaches. Explore hidden ocean inlets and freshwater pools while kekeno—New Zealand fur seals—frolic on nearby rocks.

Refresh in the sleepy settlement of Marahu, where numerous casual cafes offer fresh local seafood—king salmon, whitebait herring, and crayfish—as well as freshly grown tamarillos, avocados and berries from the wider Tasman region.

View All New Zealand Tours

Country Highlights

Follow the banks of glacial riverbeds, tracing the footsteps of ancient Maori settlers and colonial-era gold miners.
Take a magical night-time stroll through a rainforest, the stars of the Southern Cross glittering above.
Sample fine wines from Otago during meals at beautiful wilderness lodges and at local restaurants.
Walk the Te Moeka o Tuawe Valley alongside the hulking Franz Josef Glacier.

The Great Walks

Discover New Zealand’s dramatic landscapes, magnificent wilderness and stunning wildlife when you hike one of the country’s nine Great Walks. Spanning native forests, rugged peaks and vast valleys, each of the trails are well formed, well marked and easy to follow.

Sample New Zealand Wines

New Zealand’s cool yet sunny climate, low rainfall and free-draining, moderately fertile soil produces some of the world’s most unique and delicious wines. Sauvignon Blancs from the nation’s Marlborough region helped make the country an international destination for wine lovers since the 1980s.

Queenstown

From the easy navigable paths of Queenstown Hill to more difficult Ben Lomond, Queenstown, New Zealand is an internationally renowned destination for outdoor adventure, whether you’re a veteran climber or simply want to bask on the quiet shoreline of Lake Wakatipu.

Our Walking & Hiking Tours in New Zealand

hiker on a scenic path with views of a bay in the distance, in New Zealand

New Zealand: The South Island

Guided Easy/Moderate

Days 8 From $5,045 Tour Only

Inspirational reflections come naturally on this walking tour in New Zealand among the South Island’s mountain-backed lakes and blue-green bays.

Compare

View Tour

Expert Local Guides

Experience your destination like an insider with people who call it home.

Julia Thorne

From a traditional Kiwi upbringing in Northland, New Zealand, Julia Thorne’s life and vocation have segued through worlds of journalism and editorial photography, to property development, artwork, and eclectic roles in the adventure travel sector. Julia’s undying passion for Aotearoa and sharing its natural treasures and culture with visitors eventually led her to her current adventure-guiding guests around her beloved native country.

Mark Brinsden

Mark Brinsden is an avid adventurer and outdoor enthusiast. He has a diverse background having worked in financial markets and bioscience but it is in tourism where his passion lies. A proud ambassador for all things Kiwi, he enjoys nothing more than sharing the wonders of his home country with fellow travelers and visitors from the world over.

Stories from New Zealand

View All Stories

A Nature-Lover’s Guide to New Zealand

With the exciting news that New Zealand has once again opened its doors to international travelers, there’s no better time to explore this nature-lover’s paradise....

Read Story

Kicking Off Your New Zealand Walking Vacation in Christchurch

The South Island of New Zealand has a lot to offer the travelers who venture there. It is a cultural and geographical microcosm of a vibrant nation. Although the country’s...

Read Story

Six Favorite Highlights of Our Staff

Interested in receiving the inside scoop on a destination? So are we! There’s no better way to find out what makes a tour memorable than to ask the people who...

Read Story