The Perfect Trip to Replace Your Cancelled REI New Zealand Adventure

Just like on an REI New Zealand Adventure, New Zealand Trails prices include a professional local guide to lead your trip as well as your transport, accommodation, activities and most meals. As well as this we can offer full-time in-country local support 24/7. Our guides will take the best care of you while you're in New Zealand. While you find time to rest, you'll find them constantly taking care of things behind the scenes to make sure you have an amazing experience. We are focussed on making the most of the outdoors, appreciating our natural environment and taking good care of it. 

So what are the options? Well, where shall we start! Here are five fantastic trips to thrill, delight and inspire you again.

1. Masterpiece - Journey New Zealand's South Island in 14 days

This meticulously designed 14-day itinerary taking in New Zealand’s South Island is our Masterpiece! Your local guide will accompany you on a journey to discover tumbling glaciers, pristine lakes and stunning peaks. You’ll hike on our best trails, kayak over the calm waters of our Sounds and enjoy the company and expertise of two fantastic local kiwi guides. We’ll stay in remote lodges, enjoy freshly prepared meals together and travel comfortably too.

The Masterpiece is about taking our time, exploring and getting to know New Zealand in all its glory. We want you to go home feeling like you’ve experienced so much more than ticking off a list of places. It's the New Zealand we share with our friends!

“The Masterpiece was truly one of the most enjoyable trips I have ever taken. The hikes, kayaking and other activities were great. The spirit the guides fostered kept us inspired for the full two weeks. And from both the experiences and the guides, I got a sense for the pride New Zealanders have in your country, and beyond just nice rhetoric - the genuine pleasure you have in sharing it with others.”

 - Bruce Jentleson | Virginia, USA | February 2020

2. World Heritage Walking Tour - Discover UNESCO World Heritage areas on a luxurious 13 day trip

Indulge yourself completely on our World Heritage Walking Tour. Enjoy 13 days of the finest New Zealand has to offer, from our UNESCO World Heritage areas, to outstanding local guides, excellent food, drink and other delights. We’ll introduce you to some gentle yet beautiful hikes in the mountains to enjoy views across awe-inspiring landscapes. We’ll eat in inviting restaurants and experience famous Kiwi dining and hospitality at its best.

You can take full advantage of having a local guide with you to learn all about the culture, landscapes, people and customs of this small country at the bottom of the world. We’ll travel comfortably on the road, by helicopter, across water and on foot, exploring the wonders of New Zealand. You’ll sleep peacefully each night in carefully selected accommodation in some remote locations. This really is a trip like no other and often described as a trip of a lifetime.

“The World Heritage was our trip of a lifetime! Such an adventure and wonderful experience... we learned so much about New Zealand from Ellie and Nicki, our incredible guides, as well as experiencing the beauty for ourselves on our hikes, stays and activities. I also appreciated the balance of beautiful hikes with more quiet days and activities. The perfect mix.”

- Jill Dineen | Illinois, USA | February 2020

3. Kiwi Classic - A very Kiwi hiking trip in 14 days

For those with a little more time and a lot of energy, the Kiwi Classic is a true Kiwi adventure, full of physical activity, exploration and adventure in New Zealand’s magical South Island. We even start off by summiting a mountain peak (no technical expertise required!) before heading off hiking, kayaking and biking our way round the island.

You’ll be well fed with incredible home-cooked Kiwi fare, sample our best cafés and coffee shops and enjoy some wild dining on your overnight wilderness adventure. You’ll hike and kayak on West Coast lakes, explore ancient woodlands and take on some challenging hikes in the spectacular Southern Alps. It’s not just about the physical activity though, we’ll balance out your physical efforts with wine tasting, dolphin swimming, wildlife watching and relaxing together too.

“We had a fantastic time on our Kiwi Classic tour! Our guides were such an important part of our holiday. Their enthusiasm and knowledge made our time in New Zealand so much fuller. We learned much more than we expected and had so much fun. And everything we ate was delicious.”

- Trish & Brian Dotzert | Ontario, Canada | March 2020

4. Pure South - The essential South Island in 8 days

In just eight days, our Pure South trip offers you a fantastic experience of the incredible scenery, people and culture of New Zealand. You’ll leave feeling as if you’ve been here so much longer! It’s an action packed, expertly planned itinerary, with plenty of down time to balance it out.

You’ll discover the joys of travelling with an enthusiastic local guide and enjoy sociable meals, quirky cafes and delightful accommodation. You’ll hike in our National Parks, sample our Great Walks and marvel at our scenery. We’ll whisk you across Milford Sound on board a boat, and through the valleys of the Southern Alps by air. You’ll jet boat on mountain rivers and take a dip in the ocean with the smallest dolphins in the world. All this in eight awesome action-packed (yet also relaxing) days.

“This trip ranked up there with the best trips we’ve ever taken including Everest base camp, Kilimanjaro, the Indian Himalayas, and Iceland. I might add that this is the only trip that inspired me to want to come back to the same country again. New Zealand is awesome!”

- Mayo Friedlis | Maryland, USA | March 2020

5. Sweet North - Experience the other side of NZ on the North Island in 5 days

The North Island contrasts the South in many ways, with its rich cultural heritage, thermal wonderlands and green rolling hills. Complete your trip with a visit to the North Island on our Sweet North trip and you’ll really experience the whole of New Zealand. Your local guide will introduce you to the stunning surroundings with a famous day hike over a volcanic landscape and visits to roaring waterfalls, vast forests and deserted beaches. You’ll discover more about the local Maori culture, visiting some important sites and learning about their traditions as part of your trip too. All the while we’ll treat you to our signature tasty meals, excellent accommodation and wonderful company.  

“We absolutely loved the Sweet North itinerary. We fully appreciated the incredible attention to detail, the work that went on behind the scenes and the guiding was superb.”

- Kathy & Geoff Randall | Torquay, UK | February 2018

Keeping safe on your New Zealand trip

As for our preparations, we have our Covid safety plan for our trips. You can book with confidence knowing we will do everything we can to run smooth, safe and unforgettable adventures as well as dealing effectively and efficiently with any changes of schedule or rules. Your safety, comfort and wellbeing is our priority.

So there you have it! Five incredible trips to replace your lost REI New Zealand adventure. We hope you enjoyed reading about our trips and if you’d like to know more then please get in touch or request a free brochure!