Welcome to New Zealand Walking Tours
New Zealand’s finest multi-day, guided hiking tours. Start planning your adventure today.
New Zealand Walking Tours is proudly presented by Active Adventures; and since we're all Kiwis here, we’re modest and proud by nature, and we know our pristine countryside better than any offshore tour operator ever could. With Active Adventures, we pioneer global adventure travel, so for over 20 years now we’ve perfected the process of hand-crafting world-class trips, and we’ve turned that process into an art form. Sure, you might see some parts of our itineraries as being a bit indulgent… but we promise that you won’t find a trip like ours anywhere else in the world.
So grab yourself a hot cuppa, kick your feet up, take a look at our trips and request your FREE brochure now. On all of our guided walking tours you’ll see we’ve identified New Zealand’s most iconic ‘bucket-list’, and ‘off-the-beaten-track’ walking destinations. Then we’ve hand-picked elegant, family owned, 4 star accommodations to stay at along the way. You’ll have to believe us when we say that you won’t be able to catch a taxi there from the airport – some of these hidden gems lie deep in our national parks, accessed only on foot, or by helicopter, or a charter boat. These are the places that created our fondest childhood family holiday memories, places we proposed to our spouses, they’re secret hideaways that we’ve always kept under our hats – until now.
Exceptional guides
Our guides are absolutely exceptional. We are very careful about who we choose to work for us, and our guides are, without exception, enthusiastic, energetic, problem solvers, excellent cooks, and great fun to be around. You'll leave New Zealand feeling like you’ve gained a family member or two!
Delicious local wine
On a New Zealand Walking Tour you can expect to sample some of the delicious wines produced in different regions around the country. Whether your preference is exotic Sauvignon Blanc, deep Bordeaux-style blends, or something in between, we're pretty confident you'll find a new favourite drop on your New Zealand Walking Tour.
Fine food
We'll dine together as a group every evening, and we've picked a selection of great restaurants which use local produce to create delicious Kiwi meals of a high standard. For lunch we'll eat picnics on the trail when weather permits – our guides are great cooks, you can trust them to keep things interesting!
Outstanding, unique accommodations
We've chosen the accommodations for our trips based on their quality, and their location. On trips with us you can overnight in UNESCO World Heritage sites, a handful of national parks, and some beautiful, isolated lodges that many Kiwis don't know about. Better still, we'll stay in most places for two nights, so you can make the most of them.
Tales from our trips
Chateau Tongariro Hotel
The history of the Chateau Tongariro, like New Zealand more broadly, is short but tumultuous. We all know that it's the story of a place that brings it to life, and that has never been more true than in the case of the Chateau.
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Hollyford Track Day Hikes
Our ‘Elegant South’ trip takes in a unique and exciting experience of the Hollyford Track in the world famous UNESCO World Heritage site of Fiordland National Park, including a helicopter flight and a jet boat ride. Ready for an adventure?
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Top 10 New Zealand Vacation Ideas
If you’re thinking about planning a trip to New Zealand and you’re not yet sure what to do, then take a look at the top 10 things to do in New Zealand!
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Day Hikes on the Abel Tasman Coast Track
The Abel Tasman Coast Track takes in the best of Abel Tasman National Park. Here’s what you can expect from a guided day walk with us.
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Kepler Track Day Hikes
The Kepler Track is one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. Here we’re talking about the beautiful day walk sections we’ve chosen for our Pristine New Zealand trip.
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The Headwaters, Glenorchy
Camp Glenorchy is a brand new accommodation created by the team at The Headwaters in Glenorchy. It’s beautiful, and we’re delighted to be able to stay there on our trips.
read moreOutstanding local guides
Clara Gyllentsten
Clara was born and raised in the South West of Sweden, on a small island called Bohus-Björkö, and speaks fluent English and Swedish. New Zealand is her home now though, and she’s delighted to share its secrets and stories with our guests. Clara spends her free time hiking, camping, riding mountain bikes, sufing, and sailing.
“Clara did an awesome job as our guide. She kept us well supplied with healthy snacks on the bus, and meals were superb. I was the oldest, slowest member of the group but Clara never made me feel that way, she was so encouraging!”
Elaine Robak – California – November 2017
Claire Hesselin
Claire was born in Invercargill and grew up in nearby Gore. Adventure has always been closeby; Claire likes to spend her spare time in the Catlins exploring. When she’s not guiding Claire enjoys hiking, kayaking, and biking. She loves to cook, listen to music, and try to crack the formula for the world’s best veggie garden!
“Claire and Elder made two weeks into a lifetime of memories. The support, friendships, cultural knowledge, kindness, and those I shared it with made this trip for me. The guides went way beyond what they had to do to make sure I, along with everyone else, succeeded. Everyone left with an incredible sense of accomplishment which says tons about your staff. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Anna Flynn – Kansas, USA – April 2017
Dan Keys
Dan or ‘DK’ is a Kiwi with a long standing love affair with the New Zealand mountains and oceans. He has more than ten seasons of guiding under his belt throughout New Zealand, Australia, and Nepal. He loves to travel the world – but he also loves to come home to New Zealand and help others enjoy this beautiful country.
“I was fortunate enough to have DK as one of my guides, and between him and Gokul and the others who helped out, they made it a trip I will look back on as one of the best I’ve ever done. I’ve travelled a great deal in my time; this comes straight from the heart, trust me.”
Paul Cassot – New York, USA – October 2017
Why travel with us?
Unique experiences in stunning locations
It’s as much about the ‘where’ as it is the ‘what’ when it comes to a beautiful New Zealand experience. We not only walk through stunning landscapes to unforgettable places, but we make sure the journey is dotted with captivating stories, great food & wine and a few surprises that will have you brimming with stories of your own when you return back home.
Adventure at a leisurely pace
What’s the rush? We’ll slip on our best pair of walking shoes and journey into the most beautiful places in New Zealand. And to soak it all in properly, it makes sense to take our time and not necessarily set ourselves challenges that are a race against daylight hours. That means having the choice to walk, explore and escape at a pace that suits you. Slow down, soak it in, breath in the fresh air, properly feel the ground beneath your feet.
Over 20 years experience
Good things take time, including learning to run first class New Zealand journeys. Time to learn and understand how to be amazing hosts, seek out those hidden places that aren’t so easily seen on a map, and bring together every ingredient to create the perfect trip. It’s a journey we’ve taken for the last 20 years, and a path we’ll stay on in pursuit of providing immaculate trips that you’ll never forget.
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