Women's Travel with New Zealand Trails

By Jodi Narbey

Kia Ora, it’s Jodi from New Zealand! 

As I write this with my wee dog Pipi curled up under my desk, I’ve been thinking about the wonderful conversations I’ve been having with all of you adventurous women.

You’re a group of travellers that grows every year and I love hearing your stories. Whether you’re treating yourself to a birthday adventure, you’re newly retired and keeping busier than ever, you’ve just conquered one bucket list item and are looking for the next, or you’re heading out our way on a girls' trip, the list of reasons that women are heading ‘down under’ is boundless.

See the best of New Zealand and feel confident you're in good hands.

In fact, these days more than a third of our guests are solo travellers and more than half of those solo travellers are women! 

This all got me thinking about my last solo trip. I left hubby at home (to ‘dogsit’ Pipi) and off I went on a solo adventure around the U.S. I had a fabulous time hiking, biking, horse riding, kayaking, sailing and scuba diving all over. Through it all, it occurred to me how much it matters while you’re travelling by yourself, to feel safe, to be supported and to have someone tell you “you’re in the right place”. 

I had a lot of “fingers crossed” moments. What will the other travellers be like? Will I be the only solo traveller on the trip? Will I be physically up for doing this trip? Will I still have my creature comforts?

These also happen to be the first questions our solo travellers ask me and I’m writing to tell you, I’m with you and I know exactly what all of that’s like!

"I loved my experience in New Zealand and working with New Zealand Trails was great. This was my first group tour and first time I've done a big trip like this alone and it worked out so well. Overall, the experience I had in New Zealand makes me want to return and see and do more and I would certainly work with New Zealand Trails again! I am recommending your company to anyone who will listen. I gained so much from my trip to New Zealand and came away feeling fulfilled and wanting more!" 

- Bonnie Cutts, Masterpiece

Trips designed with you in mind

When I was travelling, I was overwhelmed with choices. I really just wanted to talk to a real person about my trip. Like many of our guests, I’m always looking for an active adventure, and I love the balance of being out in nature during the day and relaxing in comfort at night.  

New Zealand Trails’ trips are designed so that we’ve got an itinerary to fit every type of traveller. Whether you’re looking for a hiking-focused trip, something at a gentler pace, or perhaps a touch of luxury, one of our New Zealand trips will be your perfect fit.  

We've designed our itineraries with the independent traveller in mind. No matter which trip you’re on you’ll be able to manage your own activity level. There’s never any rush and there are always options if you want to take on a challenge or have a more relaxed day.

Make memories of a lifetime whether you're travelling solo or with your best hiking buddies.

We’ve kept our groups nice and small, a maximum of 14 guests, and you’ll find as you share meals, experiences and conversations with your fellow travellers, the whole group will begin to feel like whānau (Māori word for family).

And here in New Zealand, we’re not shy - so ask your guides anything! At the end of the day, it’s your trip and we want it to be the best it can be. We have chosen our guides for their ability to make magic! They handle the logistics, eliminating all the stress that usually comes with solo travel so you can experience New Zealand the way you’re meant to - in total relaxation.  

"Travelling as a single woman, New Zealand Trails always made me feel safe, part of the small group experience. They were always inclusive and welcoming. This is important when travelling and having small groups is definitely an advantage."

- Joan Murray, Masterpiece

Interested? Get your Brochure here

Our small yet mighty team will look after you from start to finish

When trying to figure out what it is you want to do and see in a different country, it makes such a difference when you can talk to someone on the ground - even better, a local!  

What you’ll notice about New Zealand Trails that’s a bit different to many other operators is that we’re a women-led company. We love helping other women get out and have new adventures and we understand what you’re looking for when it comes to group travel.

Explore New Zealand's most iconic sights with our expert guides and the company of other like-minded travellers.

Your New Zealand adventure starts when you first get in touch with us and usually, I’ll be the first person you chat to! Whether that’s on the phone, over video chat or via email, as soon as you hear my 'Kiwi' accent, you know that you’re speaking with a real New Zealander who knows the real New Zealand.

Once you join up, you’ll meet our lovely guest services ladies, Robyn and Becca, who are here to make sure you have everything you need right up until you board your flight to New Zealand. Robyn and Becca help put all the bits and pieces together so that your trip runs smoothly and are experts on everything to do with flights, travel insurance and anything else you may need help with. They’ll worry about all the details so that you don’t have to.

While you’re out on your trip, of course, you’ll have your New Zealand guides with you, and we have our operations team on call 24/7 should you or your family back home need to chat with them about anything. 

"Thank you to everyone at New Zealand Trails for showing us your beautiful country! You made it easy for us to experience so much of New Zealand with a huge desire to come back and spend more time. The guides went above and beyond and truly made our experience outstanding. Looking forward to our next trip!"

- Mary Bain, Kiwi Classic

Your Guides  

A lot of our solo ladies who have travelled with us tell me just how important their guides were to their trip. I think the secret ingredient when it comes to solo adventures is our guides really ‘get it’. Most of them are solo travellers themselves and over half of them are wāhine (the Maori word for strong women) like you!

They know when to check in, when to step back and when to encourage you. Whether it’s taking on that extra challenge or taking some well-deserved time for yourself, there’s a special magic about bringing travellers together.

"This is the most amazing trip I have ever taken! Everything was planned to the smallest detail. Georgia and Eva were wonderful guides- they made things fun and interesting. They were professionals for sure. The pace was perfect and we were able to do so much each day. We also lucked out with a wonderful group who became friends and they made the experience richer. I could go on and on. Your country is beautiful and it was a joy to see it with these wonderful guides and guests."

- Jill Hunter, Masterpiece

We would love to have you join us here in New Zealand, and you are without a doubt ‘in the right place’.

I’m ready to chat, whether that’s by phone or over video chat, about the very best way to see and explore our country and how we can help you put it all together. So don't hesitate to get in touch - I'd love to chat. 

Talk soon,

Jodi 

Jodi and Pipi