Welcome to New Zealand Walking Tours
New Zealand’s finest multi-day, guided hiking tours. Start planning your adventure today.
We’re all Kiwi’s here at New Zealand Walking Tours. We’re modest and proud by nature, and we know our pristine countryside better than any offshore tour operator ever could. You may know us from Active Adventures, we pioneered 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.
Thousands of Happy Customers
The trip thoroughly exceeded my expectations. Clara and Amanda were simply awesome guides. I cannot day enough positive things about my experience.
Elegant South – Amazing!
I can't say enough about our two guides Amanda and Clara - what gems! It was exciting to be on the very first Elegant South trip and they sure pulled out all the stops. I've never eaten so well, day after day. Yummy wine, breathtaking views and just the right balance of walking and relaxing. I really enjoyed meeting the others in our group and we bonded so well. Kudos to New Zealand Walking Tours!
Blown away
Oh, where does one begin to start describing the amazing trip I experienced? Do I start with the knowledgeable, lovely tour guides or the awesome landscapes we traveled together or the delicious New Zealand foods and wines we tasted? Absolutely everything about this tour from the informative website that prepared us for the tour till we hugged our tour guides goodbye was perfect!!
Put this tour on your bucket list!
Amazing views, extraordinary wildlife (birds!), lovely guides (Tory and Nick), and memorable Active Adventures (no rest for the wicked with a hike or two scheduled every day) - an unforgettable trip all in all.
An unforgettable adventure in the South Island!
Our Active Adventures trip was outstanding! The entire process was a tremendous experience. Staff were responsive and friendly during the "sign up" phase. Our guides Jordie and Holly are two of the finest professional, friendly and knowledgeable guides we've had the pleasure to work with. Shout out for both of these wonderful people! They did a marvelous job managing group dynamics to ensure everyone was motivated and individual needs were met. Well trained and both have mastered the skillful art of quality customer service. Keep up the good work!
Outstanding adventure vacation
I can't begin to describe my experience, from the amazing guides, to my fellow travelers and the detail that you put into everything we did. I was able to see the most amazing untouched scenery, completely decompress and completely check out from my daily life. If you want to see the South Island the way it was meant to be seen, take this trip!
Amazing guides, attention to detail, untouched scenery
We can see why so many travellers fall in love with these breathtaking mountains, lakes and oceans when you are surrounded by a fun loving, polite and professional team of people.
Breathtaking and professional
Our Trips
Elegant South
A walking experience that takes in the best of the South Island from top to bottom. From the picture perfect inlets and hidden coves of the Marlborough Sounds, pristine golden sands and lush forest of Abel Tasman, to whale-watching in Kaikoura, the wine country of Queenstown, remote Martins Bay and the grandeur of Milford Sound.
US$7999 + TAX11 Days
Timeless North
When it comes to variety, the North Island delivers superbly. Walk on New Zealand’s ‘wine island’ of Waiheke and the incredible landscapes of Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, take in the volcanic central plateau and Rotorua, take afternoon tea at Chateau Tongariro, and visit Sanctuary Mountain, a remarkable species protection project.
US$3999 + TAX6 Days
Beautiful South
The far south of New Zealand is defined by dramatic and beautiful mountain landscapes waiting to be experienced on foot, in the air, and from the water. Relaxing, adventurous and comfortable in a location like no other on the planet – the Wakatipu basin, Fiordland and the Great Walks of New Zealand are all on show in this incredible trip.
US$5999 + TAX10 Days
Pristine New Zealand
Experience both islands in all their grandeur. Geothermal landscapes of the North Island, New Zealand’s ‘wine island’ of Waiheke, and more. Then it’s on to the South Island to explore Queenstown, walk the ‘Great Walks’ of Milford, Routeburn and Kepler, cruise on Milford Sound, jetboat the Dart River, and stay in stunning Glenorchy.
US$8499 + TAX13 Days
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
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.
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!
Clara Gyllensten
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.
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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