Guided tours of New Zealand – See the real New Zealand with local experts

A guided tour of New Zealand is the best way to discover our beautiful country without the hassle of itinerary planning, route mapping, organising transport and booking accommodation. A good tour should take care of all those nitty-gritty details for you. But a truly fantastic tour takes things a step further. It should feel like you’re exploring with a friend who’s keen to share what they love most about New Zealand with you – their favourite walks and hikes, local haunts and lookouts, as well as that little-known spot to grab a perfectly-made flat white!

But not all New Zealand guided tours are created equal.

Why choose a guided tour of New Zealand with New Zealand Trails?

New Zealand Trails guests enjoy an impeccable small-group experience on our New Zealand guided tours. We’re very proud of what we do and consistently receive rave reviews from very happy travellers. This doesn’t just give us the warm fuzzies, but it also means that our 2018-19 tours have the industry’s highest rating guest reviews – it’s good for us, but it’s great for you!

This was a TRIP OF A LIFETIME for me. I felt very safe and cared for, learned so much about New Zealand topography and culture, enjoyed the camaraderie of the group and guides, loved the hiking and other activities, ate like a queen, and will always remember the beauty of your country and the kindness of your guides.

Gigi Whitmore | USA | January 2019

New Zealand is our home and we’re insanely proud to share it with guests. We’re New Zealand owned and operated, and we ONLY run our tours here. We’re not out for world domination, so the focus is 100% on crafting, running and leading the very best guided New Zealand tours imaginable.

A big part of what makes New Zealand Trails’ trips so special are the guides. We’ve handpicked incredible and experienced New Zealanders to show your around the country. They’re all proud locals, passionate about sharing their culture and scenery with guests from around the globe.

If you’re searching for guided hikes in New Zealand or you like the idea of an escorted tour, then look no further - joining a New Zealand Trails trip ensures that your time in New Zealand is everything you want it to be and more.

Join a New Zealand guided tour with local experts

We’re a small team made up of pioneering adventure travel veterans and enthusiastic outdoors experts. Most of us have been in travel for our whole careers.

We’ve travelled extensively. We’ve led 6000-mile African overland trips, guided tours to the Himalayas, kayaked in Greenland, explored Antarctica, cycled across the world – you name it and someone in the New Zealand Trails team has done it.

Now we’ve come home, returned to our roots and in 2013, we set up New Zealand Trails.

We know New Zealand inside out and we’ll take you there, every twist and turn, each snow-capped mountain and lush valley floor, from bubbling geothermal landscapes to wildly beautiful isolated beaches. In the company of two experienced local guides and a small group of like-minded travellers, you’ll discover the real New Zealand in comfort and style, without compromise.

With a range of different tours to suit our travellers, we can make your dream New Zealand trip a reality.

LET'S TALK! If you have questions, or just want to hear a friendly voice, call Jodi.

Custom tours & special interest tours

Enjoy a tailor-made New Zealand trip for your group, whether large or small. Experience New Zealand your way and at your pace on a custom tour, perfectly designed to suit your needs. Flexibility is inbuilt on these bespoke trips, so you can hike, bike and paddle as much or as little as you’d like. We’re experts in all things New Zealand, so we know where to go and the most enjoyable way to get there.

Excellent New Zealand private tours

See and experience the finest New Zealand has to offer on a private guided tour of the country. Our team of experienced and passionate travel experts will work with you to hand-craft the perfect itinerary, ensuring that you make the most of your time in New Zealand.

Travelling to New Zealand alone?

If you’re travelling to New Zealand by yourself, join a small group of like-minded adventurers on a guided tour of the country. You’ll make new friends and enjoy unique Kiwi experiences as you hike the tracks and trails together. A fantastic way to travel solo without being alone.

Unforgettable New Zealand family tours

New Zealand is the perfect place for a memorable family vacation. Enjoy quality time and the chance to relax with your family on a fun and adventurous guided tour. We know flexibility is key when you’re travelling with family, so we’ll seamlessly weave multiple options in to ensure there’s always a plan B (or C!). Here at New Zealand Trails we’ll create a tour that ticks all the boxes for your family, both young and old.

New Zealand tours for all ages

Join a small-group guided tour with other mature active travellers, make new friends and create memories. Travel at your own pace and enjoy hand-picked tastes of New Zealand’s culture, scenery and history on a comfortable tour that’s just a little outside the box (in a good way!).

Luxury New Zealand tours

A luxury trip with New Zealand Trails is the perfect choice for discerning world-travellers. Soak up New Zealand’s exquisite landscape on our World Heritage walking tour and enjoy prestigious small-group travel with the personal touch. Experience the finest walks in the world, stay in charming accommodation, visit our world-renowned wineries and enjoy premium local cuisine at some of New Zealand’s best restaurants.