The Best Organized Christmas & New Years Tours in New Zealand
Guided Group Tours, Vacation Packages, or Planned Itineraries
The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner, and we've got the perfect way for you to celebrate. If you're looking for a guided tour to take all of the stress away from planning, then embark on a guided tour that will make your Christmas and New Year's truly unforgettable. We've carefully analyzed all the organized tours, holiday packages, and tour packages in New Zealand based on key criteria like price, guest ratings, service, and activities, so you can rest assured that your holiday escape will be nothing short of amazing. We're confident that one of these top tours will be perfect for your next holiday trip.
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The Best Christmas & New Years Tours through New Zealand
Including guided tours, organized tours, holiday packages, all-inclusive vacations, and guided itineraries.
All tour prices are listed in US Dollars before taxes, and come from a base price that is reported by TourRadar. Peak season prices can vary significantly, particularly in destinations where seasonal travel fluctuates dramatically. While we do our best to evaluate all tours to maintain accuracy, always confirm the details directly with TourRadar or the tour company before booking. The information provided on this website is sourced directly from TourRadar and may change at any time.
Why does New Zealand appeal to holiday travelers?
New Zealand is a magical destination at Christmas, with cultural activities and charming holiday traditions. Auckland, Rotorua, and Napier offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. Queenstown, Paihia, and Auckland are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. Fiordland National Park is known for its world renowned hiking trails and stunning natural environments. Skiers and snowboarders love Queenstown, Taupo, and Arrowtown because of the thrilling runs and stunning views. Holiday tours offer an amazing opportunity to dive into the best sights in a convenient way at an affordable price. You'll travel stress-free while creating amazing memories.
How much do Christmas & New Years Tours in New Zealand cost?
The average daily price of Christmas & New Years Tours in New Zealand is $308 per day. Prices can vary widely due to the included amenities, length of the trip, number of guests on the tour, and many other factors. If you want more information about prices, we have put together a complete analysis of the costs of Christmas & New Years Tours in New Zealand here.
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Which Tour Companies Offer Christmas & New Years Tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer Christmas & New Years tours in New Zealand. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
Thrifty Tours
Focusing on New Zealand, Thrifty Tours is a smaller tour company which provides a personalized level of service to customers. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category.
See All Tours from Thrifty Tours
AAT Kings
AAT Kings is a smaller tour company that focuses on Australia and New Zealand. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. The tours offered by AAT Kings are usually luxurious, high-end, and provide a top-tier level of service. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as wine tasting, snorkelling, diving, dolphin watching, and island hopping.
Discover New Zealand
Discover New Zealand is a smaller tour company that focuses on New Zealand. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. Wildlife viewing tours are their specialty, so you'll know that you're signing up for a fun experience.
See All Tours from Discover New Zealand
Adventure Junkies
Adventure Junkies is a smaller tour company that focuses on New Zealand. While the cost of their tours may be on the higher side, the smaller groups ensure a more personalized journey for travelers. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category.
See All Tours from Adventure Junkies
Christmas & New Years Destinations in New Zealand
Wondering where christmas & new years tours visit in New Zealand? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city on New Zealand's South Island. It's a nice city with amazing hikes and biking trails. There are beautiful outdoor spaces, parks, and gardens. Many visitors enjoy the city's rich English heritage, and punting along the Avon River is a favorite activity.
Queenstown
Queenstown is located on the banks of Lake Wakatipu near the Southern Alps in New Zealand. It is a high adventure destination with many activities for thrill seekers. There are also vineyards in the area, bungee jumping, and world class hikes. Whether you want to enjoy skiing in the winter or boating in the summer, there is no shortage of activities here.
Auckland
Auckland is a waterfront city that is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in New Zealand. It's spread out between the Manukau Harbour and the Waitemata Harbour, and there's a compact city centre with a number of landmarks and attractions. For many visitors, it's the point of arrival or departure to the country.
Rotorua
Rotorua is a town on New Zealand's North Island that is surrounded by geothermal activity and is filled with Maori culture. There are geysers, hot springs, and cultural villages in the area that make this a highlight for any traveler. Many visitors also enjoy a visit to the charming and whimsical Hobbiton, from the Lord of the Rings movies.
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Other popular destinations for christmas & new years tours through New Zealand include Franz Josef, Greymouth, Wanaka, Raglan, and Hokitika.
Christmas & New Years Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
If you're trying to decide whether to book an organized tour or plan the entire adventure yourself, keep in mind the following factors for each style of travel.
Organized Tours
- Festive itineraries tailored to holiday themes.
- All logistics and planning are handled for you.
- Opportunities to visit famous Christmas markets or New Year's events.
- Enjoy local holiday traditions with expert guidance.
- Group activities bring a festive, social atmosphere.
- Stress-free transportation and accommodation arrangements.
- Special holiday meals or treats are often included.
- Learn cultural insights about Christmas traditions from locals.
- Less flexibility to customize activities or schedules.
- Group dynamics may not suit everyone.
- Strict timelines might reduce leisure time.
- Limited opportunities for private family moments.
- Some holiday traditions might feel commercialized.
Independent Travel
- Customize your itinerary to suit your family’s preferences.
- Greater flexibility in choosing destinations and activities.
- Spend holiday moments in private or intimate settings.
- Freedom to experience lesser-known holiday events or markets.
- Time-consuming to research holiday events and accommodations.
- Must handle transportation and logistics yourself.
- Higher prices and limited availability during peak season.
- Risk of missing popular events without advance booking.
- Requires extra effort to balance relaxation with activities.
- Unexpected weather or closures can disrupt plans.
- Harder to fully relax when managing all the details.
Which is cheaper?
Is it cheaper to plan your own trip or join guided Christmas & New Years tours? The answer isn't clear-cut. Tours typically package accommodations, transportation, meals, entry fees, and activities into one price, whereas independent travelers must arrange and pay for these themselves. To understand the cost difference, compare the tour's price with the cost of booking everything individually. Depending on whether you choose budget-friendly options or splurge on certain aspects, the tour might be a better deal—or not. Make sure to check what's included before drawing conclusions.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Historical Tours in New Zealand, The Best 10-Day Tours in New Zealand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, The Best 3-Day Tours in New Zealand, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, The Best 3-Week Tours in New Zealand, The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Coach Bus Tours in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand, The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in New Zealand, The Best Cultural Tours in New Zealand, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in New Zealand, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in New Zealand, The Tours for Animal Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in New Zealand, The Best Self Drive Tours in New Zealand, The Best Walking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand, The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand, The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand, or The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.
Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Auckland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Christchurch, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Wellington, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Queenstown, The Best 10-Day Tours from Christchurch, The Best 10-Day Tours from Auckland, The Best 10-Day Tours from Wellington, The Best 2-Week Tours from Auckland, or The Best 2-Week Tours from Christchurch for more package tour options.
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