The Best Hiking & Trekking Guided Tours in New Zealand
Guided Group Tours, Vacation Packages, or Planned Itineraries
Are you ready to leave the beaten path and experience the wonders of nature in New Zealand? We've carefully curated a list of top-rated hiking organized tours, holiday packages, and hiking tour packages based on key criteria such as price, destinations, guest ratings, activities, and service in order to find the best possible hiking tours in New Zealand. Immerse yourself in the beauty of untouched wilderness, navigate scenic trails, and witness breathtaking scenery that will leave you in awe. New Zealand is a fantastic destination because of the beaches, hiking, family-friendly activities, and romance. So, let's find the perfect option for your next trip below.
The Best Hiking 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 hikers?
New Zealand is a paradise for hiking enthusiasts, offering diverse trails through breathtaking landscapes and charming cultural areas. Fiordland National Park, Queenstown, and Nelson are world-renowned for hiking, with gorgeous trails and stunning natural landscapes. Fiordland National Park is known for its world renowned hiking trails and stunning natural environments. Queenstown, Paihia, and Auckland are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. New Zealand's terrific trails and overall beauty make it an exciting and rewarding destination for hikers of all levels.
How much do hiking tours in New Zealand cost?
The average daily price of Hiking Tours in New Zealand is $439 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 Hiking Tours in New Zealand here.
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Which Tour Companies Offer Hiking Tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer hiking and trekking 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.
Exodus Adventure Travels
Exodus Adventure Travels is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Italy, France, Spain, and India. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, wine tasting, kayaking, island hopping, and cooking classes.
See All Tours from Exodus Adventure Travels
Stray Travel
Stray Travel is a smaller tour company that focuses on New Zealand. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category.
See All Tours from Stray Travel
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Australia, Thailand, Tanzania, and Italy. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, wine tasting, snorkelling, kayaking, cooking classes, island hopping, white water rafting, surfing, horse riding, whale watching, and bird watching.
See All Tours from Intrepid Travel
Contiki
Contiki is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Great Britain, Italy, France, and Germany. Younger travelers looking for adventures love this company. This company's tour offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as island hopping, snorkelling, wine tasting, surfing, camping, whale watching, diving, rock climbing, white water rafting, and jet boat rides.
Hiking & Trekking Destinations in New Zealand
Wondering where hiking & trekking 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.
There are many beautiful hikes in the area that take you along the coastline or past local historic sights. The landscape is diverse and you'll find many amazing parks in the area. Hooker Valley Track is one of the best hiking routes nearby.
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.
The city is ideally located near some of the country's best hiking. There are walks through beech forests, along rugged mountains, and to stunning views. Several of the Great Walks are in the area as well, but if you're looking for something a little simpler, then there are many options also.
Wellington
Wellington is the small and vibrant capital city of New Zealand. It's located on the southern end of the North Island, and many visitors pass through it on their way from one island to the other. The city is surrounded by rolling hills and there are many beaches in the area.
The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.
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.
Locals love to get outdoors, and you'll find many local hikes in the area. There are easy paths that are family-friendly and perfect for a stroll, as well as longer stretches that present more of a challenge.
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Other popular destinations for hiking & trekking tours through New Zealand include Wanaka, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Greymouth, and Haast.
Hiking Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
If you're torn between arranging your own trip and booking a guided tour, take a moment to weigh the differences between the two approaches.
Organized Tours
- Some hikes may not be well marked, so having a local guide is helpful for safety and accessibility.
- Local experts know the best trails and they understand the regional weather conditions. This allows them to offer the best experience for hikers.
- Stay on the best trails and hidden spots.
- All logistics like permits and equipment are handled.
- Guides provide first aid and emergency support.
- Travel with like-minded people for a social experience.
- Group dynamic fosters motivation during the hike.
- Discover places you might not find on your own.
- Larger groups may have a variety of skill levels so it can be hard to meet the needs of all hikers.
- Many group tours are limited on time, so some of the hiking may feel rushed or impersonal.
- Less solitude if you prefer to hike alone.
- May have to adjust to group preferences.
Independent Travel
- Independent travel allows you to move at your own pace, and choose trails that are appropriate for your skill level.
- For many, hiking is an activity that is best enjoyed in peace, which may not happen with a larger group.
- Flexibility is key when it comes to the weather and skill levels. Many guided tours have set itineraries and don't allow for much freedom or flexibility.
- Many hiking trails are located far from public transit, so unless you have your own vehicle, you may have trouble reaching some of the best places.
- Independent travelers may have to buy their own gear, some of which might be provided in guided tours.
- Requires more research to find the best routes.
- Risk of getting lost without proper navigation skills.
- Need to handle permits and bookings independently.
- You may miss out on local insights or tips.
- Safety concerns without a guide in case of emergency.
Which is cheaper?
Is it cheaper to plan your own trip or join guided hiking and trekking 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 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 Christmas & New Years Tours 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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