New Zealand Flexible schedule Tours & Trip Packages

New Zealand Flexible schedule Tours & Trips

277 New Zealand trips. Tours from 115 tour companies. 447 reviews. 4.6/5 avg rating.

10 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected. We are displaying some similar trips.
My selections:
Flexible schedule
New Zealand - Aotearoa - The Natural Elements
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Enjoy breathtaking alpine scenery and pass through the remarkable 1,200 metre Homer Tunnel before emerging to unforgettable views of Milford Sound’s Mitre Peak
  • The deepest of the sounds, Doubtful was named by Captain Cook in 1770 and is often described as Fiordland’s most spectacular waterway
  • The expedition crew on an exploratory cruise through rarely visited Dusky Sound, among an array of islands, marine and bird life
  • Discover the natural delights and scenic beauty of Stewart Island, a large island that is almost totally wilderness and home to a vast number of seals, birds and other wildlife
  • Dunedin offers a great diversity of experiences from abundant wildlife to the historic Edwardian and Victorian architecture, the Otakou Maori Marae, the famous Speights Brewery, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Settlers Museum and New Zealand’s oldest botanical gardens.

Themes

Family Friendly, High Adventure, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise, Sailing

What travelers are saying

"We particularly wanted to do this trip because of the abundance of wildlife we expected to encounter and selected this ship because they offered the kayaking experience. Overall, the weather was very good. Most people seemed like minded and were there for the adventurous experience. Accommodations Review They upgraded our cabin and we were very pleased with the amount of space and the amenities in the room. We appreciated the twin windows and being able to see humpbacks diving from our cabin. It was kept very clean and it was a treat to have our bed turned down with chocolates on the pillow each night. Meals Review We liked the variety and the quality of the food. There was always something new to try. The dining room staff was very professional and personable. Crew & Guides Review Solon was our Principal Trip Leader. He was incredibly professional and it seemed like he was constantly working to maximize the encounters with wildlife and scenery, taking advantage of all the weather opportunities and going to places that they don't often go. He worked very closely with the captain who was very accommodating and caring about us having a memorable voyage. Aymie and Andrew were our kayak guides. We went out to kayak 10 different times and were able to get to know both of them well. They worked hard to keep us safe and well informed. They made sure that we didn't miss out on any land excursions. We've had quite a few kayak guides over the years that we've paddled and we loved these two. Marla was the marine biologist aboard the ship. She was very enthusiastic and had a passion for marine mammals that was infectious. We loved listening to her presentations and looked forward to hearing her voice on the PA saying that there was another whale sighting. Colin, the geologist aboard the ship, was very knowledgeable and able to make difficult subjects understandable to the passengers. Itinerary Review The trip far, far, far, far, far, far exceeded our expectations. I had one "far" in the sentence when we left South Georgia Island after seeing 250,000 King Penguins at St. Andrews Point and added the second when we saw blue whales on two different days. The third "far" was added when we saw hundreds of whales for 6 hours along the iceberg, A68a. I added another "far" when we kayaked for over an hour with humpbacks all around and another "far" when minke whales were all around the kayaks the next day. The last "far" was added the day we didn't paddle since a leopard seal was all around the kayaks and then an orca came close. We had so many incredible experiences that we could never experience all of them in the same trip again. The guides told us that the close encounters that we had didn't happen very often and that we were very lucky that they all happened on our trip. The only thing that we didn't like was portions of the Drake Passage when it was a tad rough, but that experience gives us something to talk about. Transportation Review We made our transportation arrangements through another travel agency. Traveler Advice Make sure that you take sea sickness meds. Take advantage of every opportunity to see wildlife."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
New Zealand Sailing
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
28 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Nelson

Highlights

  • This is an outdoor leadership course designed for age 23 years and older
  • Experience marine environment of Marlborough Sounds
  • Have an opportunities to see marine life and hike into the hills
  • Explore New Zealand natural history

Themes

Small Ship Cruise, Sailing

What travelers are saying

"Great Wilderness courses!"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
San Francisco to Hong Kong
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.2/5 Great
10 reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Auckland, Brisbane, Hong Kong, Kochi, Osaka, San Francisco, Sydney, Taipei

Highlights

  • Visit the Museum of Modern Art or head for the celebrated vineyards of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.
  • Experience Honolulu from a totally different angle on this thrilling helicopter ride.
  • Explore the sea whilst whale watching aboard the high-tech, twin hulled 140 foot Navatek.
  • Experience the thrill of swimming with sharks and schools of colourful tropical fish followed by a picnic on the beach.
  • Experience the underwater wonders of Bora Bora's picturesque Lagoon by underwater scooter.
Show more

Themes

Around the World, Cultural, High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"Clean and elegantly decorated ship, not gaudy like another cruise ship I have been on. I got a beautiful room with a balcony. The choice of foods was wonderful. I really enjoyed the shows and the music and the sightseeing."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
New York To New York
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.2/5 Great
10 reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Adelaide, Auckland, Bali, Barcelona, Brisbane, Dubai, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Kochi, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, Naples, New York, Perth, Phuket, Rome, Southampton, Sydney

Highlights

  • Step into the Monte Carlo-inspired Empire Casino which offers a full variety of opportunities to tempt Lady Luck.
  • Travel back to the grand old days of Venice at one of our Masquerade balls. Every evening on board is a real event and attending one of our balls in the Queens Room means you're in for a truly special evening.
  • The quality and range of literature available in this beautiful room magnifies the stunning views over the bow. Take the time to linger over more than 8,000 books, in the largest library at sea.
  • Wake yourself up with a brisk walk or breezy jog around our promenade deck. Three laps make a mile!
  • Barossa Valley is famous worldwide for producing some wonderful boutique wines and internationally recognised names.
Show more

Themes

Around the World, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Clean and elegantly decorated ship, not gaudy like another cruise ship I have been on. I got a beautiful room with a balcony. The choice of foods was wonderful. I really enjoyed the shows and the music and the sightseeing."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Spectacular Ross Sea (incl. helicopters)
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Tierra del Fuego National Park, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • Enjoy sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel
  • Discover Flora and fauna in the Ross Sea
  • Visit Terra Nova Bay
  • Visit Borchgrevink's Hut
  • Visit the sub-Antarctic New Zealand Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Campbell Island

Themes

50 plus, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I booked an Antarctic Peninsula trip two years ago through Oceanwide Expeditions that I have been looking forward to for a long time. My goal is to scuba dive on every continent, so I added on the dive package and started training. I shelled out a few grand for a drysuit and other cold water diving gear (freeze resistant regulators, etc). I booked trips to bump up my number of drysuit dives so I’d be ready for Antarctica. Probably more important than the training was the financial outlay. I spent nearly $8500 USD on an 11 day Antarctic cruise that was supposed to depart in February. I spent another few thousand dollars on flights to, from and within Argentina and hotels throughout my trip. Mind you, I’m not exactly rolling in money; I’m an Army officer and I had to save up to afford this trip of a lifetime. I had to jump through a lot of hoops to get my international leave approved, but I got that done and was ready to fly to Buenos Aires on February 4th, and then on to Ushuaia to meet my ship my dives were logged, my gear was ready, my arrangements were made and my money was spent. On January 10th, Oceanwide sent an email informing all passengers that they were cancelling all of their itineraries for the season due to Omicron. I’ll admit, I was furious. I don’t want to get into a COVID debate here, but this trip has given me something to look forward to throughout the pandemic. I booked in March of 2020 while I was locked down during my last deployment as the world shut down for COVID. I was concerned about the trip, but Argentina eventually opened their borders as their vaccination numbers skyrocketed. It looked like the last impediment was out of my way, only to have the company pull the rug out from under me because of the mildest strain of this virus we’ve yet seen. The initial email offered to rebook passengers on next year’s cruises, but I had no interest in this for a few reasons- 1. As a service member, I don’t have the luxury of taking a month of leave whenever I want. I don’t know what obligations I will have a year from now. 2. I don’t trust that the world will be any better off in terms of government and corporate reactions to COVID a year from now. This isn’t going away, new variants will continue to emerge, so if the company is cancelling for the season over something as mild as Omicron, I have little confidence that whatever variant we see in February 2023 will be any better. 3. The company cancelled all itineraries in the 2020-2021 season and I’d imagine they did the same in the 2019-2020 season. They ran a couple in November-December 2021, but have cancelled for the rest of the 21-22 season. They have had no significant cash flow for nearly two years. I don’t want this company to hold on to my money for another year because I’m not confident this company will still exist in a year’s time. Here comes the really frustrating part- I replied to the initial email from their home office on January 10th explaining my position and requesting a refund. I received no reply. On 12 January I emailed the American office of the same company explaining the situation and again requesting a refund. I again received no reply. Between 14-16 January, I called both the American and home (Dutch) offices of the company. In both cases, the employees politely apologized and told me they’d look into it and get back to me. I never received any further communication. On 19 January, I emailed both offices reiterating my request for a refund and expressing my concerns at their lack of communication and requesting a response by the end of the week, or else I would pursue other means of recourse. I received no response. Last night, I again emailed both companies with a final good faith attempt to allow them to resolve the situation. I figured I’d give them the morning to respond, but they have not responded. It looks like I will have to dispute this through my credit card and bank and fight to get back my own money. TL;DR Oceanwide Expeditions accepted payment of $8500 for an Antarctica Cruise then cancelled the cruise and will not respond to any requests for refunds. This shady conduct is more than enough reason to avoid this company."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Spectacular Ross Sea (including helicopters)
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Tierra del Fuego National Park, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • Visit the sub-Antarctic New Zealand Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Campbell Island
  • Explore Cape Adare
  • Discover Flora and fauna in the Ross Sea
  • Visit Cape Evans
  • Sailing along the Ross Ice Shelf

Themes

50 plus, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I booked an Antarctic Peninsula trip two years ago through Oceanwide Expeditions that I have been looking forward to for a long time. My goal is to scuba dive on every continent, so I added on the dive package and started training. I shelled out a few grand for a drysuit and other cold water diving gear (freeze resistant regulators, etc). I booked trips to bump up my number of drysuit dives so I’d be ready for Antarctica. Probably more important than the training was the financial outlay. I spent nearly $8500 USD on an 11 day Antarctic cruise that was supposed to depart in February. I spent another few thousand dollars on flights to, from and within Argentina and hotels throughout my trip. Mind you, I’m not exactly rolling in money; I’m an Army officer and I had to save up to afford this trip of a lifetime. I had to jump through a lot of hoops to get my international leave approved, but I got that done and was ready to fly to Buenos Aires on February 4th, and then on to Ushuaia to meet my ship my dives were logged, my gear was ready, my arrangements were made and my money was spent. On January 10th, Oceanwide sent an email informing all passengers that they were cancelling all of their itineraries for the season due to Omicron. I’ll admit, I was furious. I don’t want to get into a COVID debate here, but this trip has given me something to look forward to throughout the pandemic. I booked in March of 2020 while I was locked down during my last deployment as the world shut down for COVID. I was concerned about the trip, but Argentina eventually opened their borders as their vaccination numbers skyrocketed. It looked like the last impediment was out of my way, only to have the company pull the rug out from under me because of the mildest strain of this virus we’ve yet seen. The initial email offered to rebook passengers on next year’s cruises, but I had no interest in this for a few reasons- 1. As a service member, I don’t have the luxury of taking a month of leave whenever I want. I don’t know what obligations I will have a year from now. 2. I don’t trust that the world will be any better off in terms of government and corporate reactions to COVID a year from now. This isn’t going away, new variants will continue to emerge, so if the company is cancelling for the season over something as mild as Omicron, I have little confidence that whatever variant we see in February 2023 will be any better. 3. The company cancelled all itineraries in the 2020-2021 season and I’d imagine they did the same in the 2019-2020 season. They ran a couple in November-December 2021, but have cancelled for the rest of the 21-22 season. They have had no significant cash flow for nearly two years. I don’t want this company to hold on to my money for another year because I’m not confident this company will still exist in a year’s time. Here comes the really frustrating part- I replied to the initial email from their home office on January 10th explaining my position and requesting a refund. I received no reply. On 12 January I emailed the American office of the same company explaining the situation and again requesting a refund. I again received no reply. Between 14-16 January, I called both the American and home (Dutch) offices of the company. In both cases, the employees politely apologized and told me they’d look into it and get back to me. I never received any further communication. On 19 January, I emailed both offices reiterating my request for a refund and expressing my concerns at their lack of communication and requesting a response by the end of the week, or else I would pursue other means of recourse. I received no response. Last night, I again emailed both companies with a final good faith attempt to allow them to resolve the situation. I figured I’d give them the morning to respond, but they have not responded. It looks like I will have to dispute this through my credit card and bank and fight to get back my own money. TL;DR Oceanwide Expeditions accepted payment of $8500 for an Antarctica Cruise then cancelled the cruise and will not respond to any requests for refunds. This shady conduct is more than enough reason to avoid this company."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More

Unlock Community Benefits

Travel better together

  • Save favorite trips and itineraries
  • Get insider insights
  • Receive personalized recommendations
  • ... and much more
Join community
Australia & New Zealand Adventure: From Kata Tjuta To Mount Aspiring
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
3 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Abel Tasman National Park, Auckland, Blue Mountains National Park, Great Barrier Reef, Nelson, Queenstown, Sydney, Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Highlights

  • Listening to the Aboriginal creation story and learning ancient bush skills in the shadow of Uluru (Ayers Rock)
  • Traversing the bush on a camel for sunset views of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)
  • Four-wheel driving and sand-boarding (easy and safe) down the immense dunes of pristine Stockton Beach
  • Hot air ballooning near Alice Springs
  • Gazing in wonder at incredibly skillful and varied paintings of Utopia’s Aboriginal artists
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"We have had three more than wonderful travel experiences through Nature Expeditions to Tanzania, Vietnam, and Peru. The more exotic the location - the more their services and guidance are needed."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Bay of Islands Explorer
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Auckland

Highlights

  • Sail past the township of Russell and many of the historic and culturally significant islands in the Bay.
  • The hundreds of sailing boats in Auckland harbour are an amazing sight and have gained New Zealand's largest city the nickname "City of Sails".
  • Across the harbour is Waiheke Island, home to some of the best vineyards and wineries around and everywhere you'll find happy people and a relaxed laid back atmosphere.
  • Visit New Zealand’s Treaty House where the Maori and representatives to the Queen signed the infamous Waitangi Treaty in 1840.

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card
Other trips you may like [sponsored]
21 Day Grand Tour Discover Real New Zealand
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
By Real New Zealand Tours
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
5/5 Excellent
40 reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Why we love them
They are dedicated to providing personalized, authentic, and sustainable travel experiences that showcase the best of their country.
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Fiordland National Park, Pacific Ocean, Queenstown, Rotorua, Tasmania, Wellington

Highlights

  • All inclusive tour package prepared by New Zealand based specialists so you sit back and relax
  • An exciting itinerary will be customised to suit you - let us help plan and perfect your dream vacation
  • We offer self-drive trips (rental car) we arrange all your accomodations, activities, attractions (you select) we book your car (fun, freedom, independence, flexibility) you set the pace each day or, select a private driver trip (fully guided) or, escorted coach tours (daily commentary).
  • Either way, you will have an awesome time on our wonderful 21 day Grand New Zealand Tour with Real New Zealand Tours.

Themes

Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Relaxing Retreats, Small Ship Cruise, Train & Rail Journeys, Trekking & Expeditions, Yoga, Meditation & Wellness, Sailing, Golf

What travelers are saying

"Geoff helped my wife and I to put together an itinerary that customized to our particular interests and preferences. At the outset he asked us where we'd like to go and, after a small number of iterations, together we were able able to craft an itinerary that met our budget, touched on much of the places we wanted, and did not have us staying at a different resort each night. Before leaving for our trip we were given our itinerary and confirmation #'s/vouchers/contact #'s for all of our activities and hotels captured in an easy-to-use app that made it extremely easy to transition to the next point of our journey. He and his assistant were quick to respond to any questions we had along the way as well. Overall, we had a great stay and highly endorse Geoff and RealNZ for anyone planning a bespoke trip to NZ."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Generous cancellation

More
Trails of New Zealand
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Alps, Auckland, Christchurch

Highlights

  • Discover Tongariro National Park, the oldest national park in New Zealand
  • Gain an insight into Māori culture, join in a hāngi (Māori feast) and cultural performance
  • Enjoy a half-day coastal walk and sailing trip in Abel Tasman National Park
  • Cruise the stunning Milford Soundwith one night on board the Milford Mariner
  • Discover Queenstown and enjoy the scenic delights of this world-famous destination
Show more

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Discover Costa Rica is a great itinerary, covering varied habitats around the country and staying 2 nights each at 6 centres. Their birdwatching specials are led by local experts who really know their stuff."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Health Safety +

Generous cancellation

More
New Zealand Explorer
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous

Visits

Abel Tasman National Park, Alps, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Mount Cook, Nelson, Queenstown, Rotorua, Tasman National Park, Wellington

Highlights

  • Discover the beaches of Abel Tasman and cruise on the Doubtful Sound
  • Explore art deco Napier and enjoy wine tasting at Hawke's Bay
  • Walk to glaciers and discover volcanic White Island

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"The trip itinerary was well thought through with the right balance of challenging walks, rest time, cultural activities and time to socialise. Joao, our guide, was exceptional. He really took on board any feedback and made sure we had the best time. The scenery in Madeira surpassed my expectations. I would recommend this trip to anyone wanting an active weeks’ holiday."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Health Safety +

More
New Zealand – North Island Multisport
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’ve partnered with well-known names like National Geographic and the Jane Goodall Institute to offer unique experiences unavailable elsewhere.
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Auckland, Rotorua, Waitomo

Highlights

  • Cycle through the stunning karangahake gorge
  • Check out bubbling mud pools in a geothermal area
  • Learn about traditional maori artistry
  • Hike the tongariro crossing — one of the world's greatest one-day hikes
  • Kayak along the whanganui river

Themes

High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"We spent two wonderful weeks touring several of the best destinations in Portugal & Spain with a group of 16 people. Our guide (Fredy) was from Spain and intimately familiar with the region, including its rich history, attractions, and food/beverages. The tour was well-paced using a combinations of private vehicles (small buses and cabs), trains, and an airplane ride as well as a fair amount of walking to get around these two beautiful countries. We extended our stay in Lisbon to see more attractions and took a side trip to Fatima, Obidos, and Nazare that was also excellent. Would have liked to have a bit more time in a couple of the cities, but we'll just have to plan another trip!"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
New Zealand South Island Adventure
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.3/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Alps, Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound

Highlights

  • Take in the magic of the spectacular Fox Glacier region weaving through rainforests and a walk around the shimmering Lake Matheson.
  • Witness the stunning, millions of years old scenery at the dramatic Pancake Rocks and the Hokitika Gorge, and spot fur seals at Cape Foulwind.
  • Soak up the silence of Milford Sound on a cruise across its waters – you’ll be left speechless by the hundreds of tumbling cascades and deeply forested mountains.
  • Cross the Foveaux Strait to unspoilt Stewart Island and spend two days cruising the bays and inlets to spot penguins and seabirds and walking along its forested coastal tracks in search of kiwis.

Themes

High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Health Safety +

More
10 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected. We are displaying some similar trips.
My selections:
Flexible schedule

New Zealand Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
447  Reviews
See all New Zealand tour reviews
Excellent
119
Great
42
Average
8
Disappointing
3
Terrible
0
M

Mike

Mar 2024

Written on

Self-designed 21 day trip to NZ

Geoff helped my wife and I to put together an itinerary that customized to our particular interests and preferences. At the outset he asked us where we'd like to go ...

A

Anonymous

Apr 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

AWESOME NEW ZEALAND

This trip is one of the best we have experienced with Exodus. The varied walking, landscape and experiences on the trip make it an amazing adventure. Beware though...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

The best of New Zealand

What an amazing trip! I cannot recommend it highly enough - it showcasts everything that New Zealand has to offer, and despite travelling for 3 weeks it is not eno...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

A wonderful trip.

This trip covers a lot of ground, with a packed itinerary and with plenty of walking in beautiful scenery. The weather was very kind to us - we even saw Milford So...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

An Unexpected Journey.

An excellent introduction to both islands. There is so much to see and do that the time we had just whizzed by. It is clear that this trip only just touches the su...

Write a Review

New Zealand Tour Selection Trips

  • Even though many tours combine visits to New Zealand with Australia, consider making two separate trips since each is so rich in activities by itself.
  • Similarly, if your tour covers “only” either the South or North Island of New Zealand, you’ll have more time to get to know those areas better.
  • With the great distances traveled just to arrive in New Zealand, allow at least 10 days to two weeks for a tour – which won’t seem nearly enough.
  • If you’re flying across the Pacific to New Zealand for your tour, check into stopovers in Hawaii, Fiji or Tahiti – it will break up the long flight, sometimes at no extra charge.
  • Remember that the seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere, so if you’d like warm weather, head down in the North American winter.

Additional details

Lord of the Rings Tours in New Zealand

New Zealand is famous for its beautiful scenery, and one well known fact is that it was the location for many of the scenes in the original Lord of the Rings films. Over 150 locations in New Zealand were used in the filming of Lord of the Rings, from the north to the south island.

In a very unusual case, the set for Hobbiton, located in bucolic Waikato on the North Island was reinstalled as a permanent exhibit for fans to visit and enjoy. Normally sets like Hobbiton are unceremoniously torn down after filming ends, but fans kept visiting the area in droves and in an effort to protect the landscape, Hobbiton was reborn. This location is often featured on group tours of New Zealand. 

On the South Island, several sites within a day trip from Queenstown were utilized for Lord of the Rings. Your tour may include some or all of these in various ways. For example taking a jet boat excursion might reveal the mountains of Mordor, and a visit to the famous AJ Hackett bungy bridge is not far from the Kawarau Gorge where the fellowship rows between two towering statues as their quest begins. 

Hiking, Walking, and Relaxation Tours in New Zealand

If you want to experience New Zealand at a slower pace, try going on a perhaps you would be interested in an extended hiking or walking tour. By being out in the wilderness for more than just a few hours on a day hike, you will gain appreciation for New Zealand’s world-renowned geography.

You will also be able to experience a wider range of landscapes, depending on how long you plan to travel for and which National Parks you enter.

There are 13 main National Parks in New Zealand, each with its own unique attributes. To see glaciers, try visiting Mount Cook National Park. To immerse yourself in a tropical rainforest, visit Westland Tai Poutini. If altitude is something you seek, you’re best off visiting Mount Aspiring, Kahurangi, or New Zealand’s oldest National Park, Tongariro.

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 277 trips to New Zealand and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!