Share intimate adventures in New Zealand with our carefully curated small group tours. Each journey is led by our hand-selected travel experts, featuring carbon offset initiatives, best price guarantees, and premium tour selections.
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Geoff VenningTravel Expert in New Zealand
David TupperTravel Expert in Australia & New Zealand
Fall in love with the highlights of this 10 day South Island itinerary that takes you on a circuit of spectacular mountains, lakes, rivers, glaciers, waterfalls and rainforests and gives you the opportunity to enjoy all the bucket list adventures you could wish for.
Created for travellers in their mid-thirties and upwards, on this New Zealand South Island itinerary you’ll visit Christchurch, Queenstown, Lake Wanaka, Lake Tekapo (and Lake Wakatipu, Lake Mapourika, Lake Hawea, plus more lakes!), the Mackenzie Country, and Franz Josef, plus you’ll get to take one of the world’s greatest train rides! Your comfortable 3–4 star accommodation on tour includes a boutique hotels and a rainforest retreat.
We’ll travel from the wide plains of Canterbury, through the mountains and lakes of Central Otago, to the glaciers and pristine rainforest of the West Coast via the spectacular Haast Pass. By the end of this New Zealand South Island itinerary, you will have lost count of the number of times you’ve uttered the words: “Wow!”, “So beautiful!” and “It’s breathtaking!”.
You’ll have the opportunity to swim, kayak, jet boat, skydive, hike, bike, see kiwis, relax in hot pools, eat and drink like a local, and more.
But only if you want to; this is your trip, and it’s designed to be flexible. Across this 10 day South Island itinerary we include some of the things that we reckon are absolute essentials, but rather than force you into activities you’re not so sure of, we leave the choice up to you. You can pre-book activities that you definitely want to do before the trip starts, and then add more while you’re on tour.
As our tours are made up of a combination of tours, the composition of your group may change throughout your tour (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch are the hubs where the group may change).
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Christchurch, Kaikoura, Aoraki
Christchurch, Kaikoura, Aoraki, Ohau, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef
5% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Taking in the best of the North and South Islands, spot birdlife at the Coromandel Peninsula, learn about Maori heritage in Rotorua, explore the volcanic valley of Waimangu, visit charming seaside towns and trendy cities, discover the golden coves and turquoise lagoons of Abel Tasman National Park, opt for a helicopter ride over Fox Glacier, and cruise Milford Sound on this 16 day escorted group tour of New Zealand.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
18-55 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Queenstown
Auckland, Queenstown
5% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Experience the best of New Zealand on a 20-day tour from Auckland to Queenstown. Discover the Bay of Islands and Waitangi, explore Rotorua’s geothermal wonders and Māori culture, and admire Napier’s Art Deco charm. Cross Cook Strait to Marlborough’s vineyards and Abel Tasman’s golden bays, then spot wildlife in Kaikōura. Ride the famous TranzAlpine train, see the glaciers of the West Coast, and finish with a spectacular cruise on Milford Sound.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
18-55 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Queenstown
Auckland, Queenstown
5% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
For departures from June 2025.
From Auckland to Christchurch (or, from Christchurch to Auckland – please see the reverse New Zealand itinerary), you’ll soon see that New Zealand is filled with many different landscapes and opportunities for adventure!
This small-group guided tour of the North and South Island will visit Auckland, Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupō, Wellington, Kaikōura, Wanaka, Queenstown, Lake Tekapo (an International Dark Sky Reserve), and Franz Josef, with the option to visit Hobbiton, The Tongariro Crossing and Milford Sound along the way.
The New Zealand's Amplified Tour comes with some very special inclusions: experiencing a Māori cultural night and traditional hāngī meal, learning haka and poi dance, and carving your very own pounamu (greenstone/jade) pendant in Franz Josef. Join this Haka Tour for an action packed two and a half weeks in New Zealand!
Keen to explore further? If you'd like to extend your time in New Zealand after the tour has finished, our team can book a few extra nights for you.
*New Zealand Amplified Tour Tips*
- All activities can be purchased on the road – just let your tour guide know and we can book them in for you.
- Our tour starts in the evening, so you can spend the day exploring Auckland at your leisure, you can check out our website for recommendations on what to do and where to explore!
- The tour price includes dorm share accommodation but if you would prefer your own space you have the option to upgrade to a private room for the duration of your tour. You can select this upgrade when you start building your tour online. Please note: private room upgrades are not available for the one-night shared cultural experience (Murupara).
- If you arrive in Auckland with a few days to spare either before or after your tour, we have a great three-day Bay of Islands Tour which showcases the Northland region of New Zealand.
As our tours are made up of a combination of tours, the composition of your group may change throughout your tour (Auckland and Christchurch are the hubs where the group may change).
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Experience one of the most remote, historic sectors of the deep South in comfort on this exploratory expedition aboard the luxurious Douglas Mawson. Your journey begins in the subantarctic, where yellow-eyed penguins waddle through wizened rata forests and royal albatross nest amid megaherb moors. Cross the Antarctic Circle and cruise the pack ice, keeping watch for emperor and Adélie penguins porpoising along the ice edge, orcas patrolling for prey and snow petrels soaring against a backdrop of the vast Antarctic Ice Sheet. Embrace the spirit of adventure as you continue along the Victoria Land Coast and into the Ross Sea, where the Antarctic Ice Sheet flows into the world's largest floating ice shelf. These are historic waters, where the explorers of the Heroic Age staged their bold assaults on the South Geographic Pole. Hear the stories of their expeditions and attempt to land at some of their remarkably well-preserved huts.
Navigate through gleaming pack ice - alive with Weddell and leopard seals, Adélie and emperor penguins
Revel in the richness of the unique Ross Sea ecosystem - part of the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area
Visit rowdy beaches - crowded with harems of New Zealand sea lions
Explore rata forests - where rare yellow-eyed penguins can be found
Reflect on the remarkable achievements of the Heroic Age explorers - visit some of their historic huts
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut, Ship Cabin
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Dunedin, Ross Sea, Macquarie Island
Dunedin, Ross Sea, Macquarie Island
5% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Immerse yourself in New Zealand’s best nature with this 4-day, short but super sweet walking trip. Base yourself in Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park and the famed Milford Sound – and explore at your own pace. Take on some of the South Island’s most gorgeous hiking trails and wander atop mountain peaks, through lush rainforests and by shimmering lakes like Lake Manapouri and Lake Ada. Witness the majesty of Milford Sound – on foot and boat – and look out for fur seals, bottleneck dolphins and numerous cascading waterfalls. Brave high swing bridges with beech forest views, listen to the birdsong of tui, bellbird and kereru and breathe in some of the freshest air in the world.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Queenstown, Te Anau
Queenstown, Te Anau
14% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
For departures from June 2025.
The North Island is full of fun and fabulous contrasts! Up North you’ll find the idyllic Coromandel where you can soak in a hot pool that you’ve dug in the sand or venture through a geothermal wonderland of geysers. Enjoy the real Middle Earth countryside and explore a Hobbit Hole, admire lush rainforests and marvel at a volcanic desert – you’ll be amazed by the variety of experiences and landscapes on offer.
This small-group guided tour of the North Island will visit Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupō, and Wellington, Hobbiton, and the Tongariro Crossing along the way. We’ve also extended the North Island trip so we can head down to the South Island and visit Kaikoura and Christchurch – a great win for those looking to visit the South Island but are short on time! Plus, an ideal for those looking to end their time in Aotearoa at an international airport.
As with all our tours, we do include a few 'must-do' events including a Māori cultural night and traditional Māori hāngī dinner cooked in an underground oven.
You’ll see a massive range of optional activities available to add to your tour, from bungy jumping and white-water rafting to canopy forest zipline tours and scenic flights. None of these are compulsory; you can just add in the ones you want.
Looking to extend your time in New Zealand? We can book a few extra nights for you at the beginning or end of your trip, so you can explore further.
New Zealand’s North Island Adventure Tips:
- All activities can be purchased on the road – just let your tour guide know and we can book them in for you.
- Our tour starts in the evening, so you can spend the day exploring Christchurch at your leisure. You can check out our website for recommendations on what to do and where to explore!
- The tour price includes dorm share accommodation but if you would prefer your own space, you have the option to upgrade to a private room. You can select this upgrade when you start building your tour online. Please note: private room upgrades are not available for one night on this tour: the cultural experience at Kohutapu Lodge in Murupara
As our tours are made up of a combination of tours, the composition of your group may change throughout your tour.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
On this 5-day Northland tour from Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland, we’ll travel up to Tutukaka and explore some of the Bay of Islands before heading back to Auckland. You’ll have the opportunity to visit Tutukaka, Paihia, Waitangi and some of the 144 islands that make up the magnificent Bay of Islands.
Venture with us on our Bay of Islands tour to the region known as ‘The Winterless North’! While we can’t promise sunshine 100% of the time, we can assure you that you’ll get to explore some truly spectacular scenery and have plenty of opportunity to take part in some once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Lush green hills, sweeping beaches, epic marine life, giant sand dunes, idyllic islands, and settlements steeped in culture and history – the Northland and Bay of Islands region are truly special.
We’ll have plenty of included activities and stops on our Bay of Islands tour including visiting Whangarei Falls – a 26m cascading waterfall, staying in Tutukaka - renowned as one of the top coastal destinations globally by National Geographic Traveller, sailing to Poor Knights Islands - featuring spectacular drop-offs, walls, caves, arches and rich biodiversity, and taking time to explore Waitangi Treaty Grounds and its important role in NZ’s history.
Optional activities include skydiving, scuba diving (both beginner or advanced), or cruises around the bays in search of the local sea-life! Or simply enjoy the town of Paihia or take the ferry to historic Russell. None of these are compulsory; just add the ones you want. Book this New Zealand itinerary for spectacular scenery and ultimate serenity!
**Enchanting Northland Tour Tips:**
- This tour is great if you want a magical, yet quick escape to soak up the sun – but it needn't end after 5 days, as our [10-day Northern Trail](https://hakatours.com/haka-plus-tours/10-day-north/) or [24-day Ultimate NZ](https://hakatours.com/haka-plus-tours/24-day/) tour also departs Auckland and takes in a huge array of highlights.
- Optional activities can be pre-booked or purchased on the road - just let your tour guide know. We can't always guarantee availability when booking on the road, so we suggest pre-booking any activities you especially want to do.
Natural landmarks sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Tutukaka, Paihia
Auckland, Tutukaka, Paihia
5% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Geoff VenningTravel Expert in New Zealand
David TupperTravel Expert in Australia & New Zealand
