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4.8/5 (15551 reviews)

New Zealand Tours.
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Experience New Zealand Tours with the original 'kiwi' adventurers

We are the original adventure tour company in New Zealand, and as proud locals (or 'kiwis' as New Zealanders are known) we can’t wait to guide you through the spectacular haven of natural beauty we call home. We've been guiding guests on epic adventure tours of our homeland New Zealand, since 1996, and our headquarters in still based here! On your bucket list adventure, you’ll discover its diverse landscapes from snow-capped mountains to pristine beaches, ancient glaciers to breathtaking fjords, lush green forests to stark volcanic plateaus.  

You're spoiled for choice with our range of expertly crafted 5- to 14-day New Zealand tours across both of the aptly named North Island and South Island, where you’ll be immersed in the magnificent surroundings on authentic experiences, packed with fun, fulfilling, active adventures. With an international airport welcoming flights from North America, Christchurch is the perfect gateway for your South Island adventure — where most of our trips begin and end. If you're off on one of our North Island trips, you'll start and end in New Zealand's largest city, known as the "City of Sails", Auckland.

You’ll love venturing to the secret parts of New Zealand only us locals know about (where it feels like you have the unbelievably beautiful scenery all to yourself!), exploring the iconic places, and relishing the warmth of the people and culture. Come and feel the real New Zealand with us, and step into a scenic paradise hiking New Zealand, in a different world – a world of untouched nature and unique experiences. 

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Featured New Zealand Trips

Ultimate South Island Adventure

4.7/5

Ultimate South Island Adventure

  • 14 days
  • Level 3
  • fromUSD 6,695/pp + tax

Experience the best of the South Island on our signature New Zealand adventure tour. You'll explore the most iconic spots as well as little-known gems only we locals know about. With our guides' legendary hospitality and deep local knowledge, you're guaranteed an authentic connection with the stunning natural beauty of the South Island.

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Classic South Island Adventure

4.7/5

Classic South Island Adventure

  • 8 days
  • Level 2
  • fromUSD 4,782/pp + tax

We’ve brought together all the must-see highlights of the South Island New Zealand into eight unforgettable days, blending epic scenery with authentic local experiences. Short on time but don't want to miss the best bits? Our Classic South Island Adventure is your perfect shortcut — you'll love where this adventure takes you.

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New Zealand Winter Adventure

4.7/5

New Zealand Winter Adventure

  • 13 days
  • Level 3
  • fromUSD 5,564/pp + tax

Discover the magic of New Zealand’s South Island in its quiet winter beauty. Enjoy a sunrise cruise on Milford Sound as mist rises from the still water, then lace up your boots to explore the Kepler Track, Mt Aspiring National Park, and Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Snow-dusted peaks, peaceful trails, and warm Kiwi hospitality make this the perfect way to experience the South Island without the crowds.

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New Zealand Walking Adventure

4.8/5

New Zealand Walking Adventure

  • 14 days
  • Level Moderate
  • fromUSD 6,956/pp + tax

The New Zealand Walking Adventure is perfect for those who love to slow down and enjoy shorter hikes. Relax each night in comfortable accommodations set in amazing locations.

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Ultimate North Island Adventure

4.7/5

Ultimate North Island Adventure

  • 11 days
  • Level 3
  • fromUSD 5,564/pp + tax

Discover your favorite part of New Zealand's diverse North Island as you hike volcanic landscapes, explore rolling green hills, wander sandy beaches, snorkel or kayak the Poor Knights Islands, and walk through the otherworldly Waitomo Caves.

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New Zealand Biking Adventure

4.7/5

New Zealand Biking Adventure

  • 14 days
  • Level Challenging
  • fromUSD 6,608/pp + tax

Designed for biking enthusiasts, this adventure explores the very best of the South Island's bike trails, such as the Alps 2 Ocean, Central Otago Rail Trail, and Queenstown Cycle trail, with a few iconic hikes including the Routeburn and Milford Tracks thrown in for good measure.

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Hiking, Biking, Rafting, & More — Highlights from New Zealand

New Zealand Guided Tours with the Local Experts

Our expert local guides have a genuine passion and love for our island nation, and this shines through in every aspect of our New Zealand group tours. With tours at all fitness levels, we are here to support you every step of the way.

Whether hiking the Great Walks, biking iconic trails, rafting crystal-clear rivers, kayaking coastal waters, sampling world-class wines in picturesque vine-clad valleys, or sharing moments and stories of the beautiful culture and landscapes, our guides will ensure you experience the essence of New Zealand. 

Discover Nature's Paradise on our New Zealand Adventure Tours

Picture yourself hiking in the remote quiet of the Southern Alps’ backcountry, cruising over the calm, ink-blue waters of Milford Sound, kayaking glacial waters near Franz Josef Glacier, or simply reflecting on life as you gaze across the golden sands of Northland's Ninety Mile Beach. Our small group New Zealand tours invite you to explore off the beaten track, offering countless jaw-droppingly beautiful views, and opportunities to discover New Zealand's distinctive  flora, wildlife, and culture. As a sparsely populated destination, New Zealand is a majestic platform to step outside the everyday, and enjoy the far-flung open spaces of its varied terrains. To get you from one destination to the next, you'll be traveling in complete comfort — find out more about our customized coaches. 

Embarking on one of our specially curated guided tours of New Zealand makes going beyond the day-to-day a reality, gaining new perspectives, reflecting in nature, and embracing an adventurous life. Come and find a different world with the us, the local New Zealand experts.

Why choose Active Adventures to explore New Zealand?

We don’t just know New Zealand — we live and breathe it. For 30 years, we've been leading the way, guiding curious travelers through the heart of our homeland. Our handcrafted itineraries have been perfected to take you to iconic, breathtaking places and the lesser-known spots off the beaten track. Our trips are designed to maximize your time and elevate your experience, so you return home not just with great photos, but with amazing stories that truly stick.

When it comes to exploring New Zealand, don’t settle for anything less than the real deal.  This is how true New Zealand adventure is done — we wrote the playbook. Discover why we're so excited to show you around our beautiful, extraordinary, homeland.

Find the Best New Zealand Trip for You

We understand it can be difficult working out which trip is best going to deliver what you'd like to see and experience. Fear not!  We have put together a helpful guide detailing our most popular small group, all-inclusive trips of both the North and South Islands.

Read on to find out which of our amazing New Zealand adventures is going to be the best fit for you.

Find Your Best New Zealand Adventure

Phenomenal trip. The views, varied eco systems, hikes and our outstanding guides made the trip a once in a lifetime experience.

Michael , Ultimate South Island Adventure

The Ultimate South Island trip is a true joy! Each day exceeded our expectations, and our guides were the best!

Karen , Ultimate South Island Adventure

Absolutely terrific! The hiking in New Zealand is just amazing, and the kayaking, biking were all great as well. Go on this trip if you can!

Craig , Ultimate South Island Adventure

Our trip throughout the South Island of New Zealand was the best trip we have ever taken!

Nicholas , Classic South Island Adventure

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See More of New Zealand and Save

Save 10% on a trip  — plus we’ll throw in a connecting flight for free*

We want you to experience all our amazing home of New Zealand has to offer. That’s why we’ve created an incredible bucket-list bundle like no other: 

Book two epic adventures to New Zealand and you’ll save 10% on one trip — plus we’ll cover your internal flight so you can get from one adventure to the next.

*Terms and conditions apply - see details here

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FAQs About Visiting New Zealand

Our preferred Travel Partner Fuzion Travel can assist with you with flights and other travel arrangements. Let them know your preferred travel plans, including any stopovers or extra nights’ accommodation, and they’ll put everything in place for you. They offer a total travel solution and five star service you’ll want to tell your friends about!

Most international flights arrive and depart from Auckland, in the North Island. Our North Island trip starts and ends in Auckland, though for our South Island trips, you'll also need flights between Auckland and Christchurch or Queenstown. This is usually easy to arrange when you reserve your international flights, and it's worth checking for internet specials online.

It is your responsibility to stay up to date on the latest visa and entry requirements for your destination. Depending on your country of origin and the type of passport you hold, you may require a visa or other endorsement to enter New Zealand.

You can find essential travel advice, including passport and visa information, security details and local regulations, on the government website of your home country.

Here are some helpful links:

  • United States of America: US Department of State Travel Advice
  • Canada: Government of Canada Travel Advice and Advisories
  • United Kingdom: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice
  • Australia: Government of Australia Smart Traveller
  • Residents of other countries should refer to the travel advice provided by your own government or local consulate

Entry requirements can change at any time, so it’s important you monitor this right up until you depart for your trip.

For the most up-to-date recommendations please check with your doctor or travel clinic, and always go with their recommendations, as these can often change. We strongly recommend you see a doctor, preferably one with experience in travel medicine, at least 8 weeks before your trip starts to discuss appropriate vaccinations.

Accommodation

We've spent years finding places to stay that are quaint, out of the way, and comfortable when we take you to the most amazing parts of our country. The bed & breakfasts, farm stays, lodges, motels, and the occasional mountain hut we stay at have been carefully chosen because of their location and local flavor. Many of our clients have said that one of the highlights of their trip was meeting and getting to know the Kiwis who are our hosts when we travel around New Zealand. We strongly believe in the value of a good night's sleep, and our accommodation reflects this. We also like to have somewhere comfortable to relax after the day's activities.

On the trips that include multi-day hiking options, you’ll stay in cozy back-country huts (only for the nights of the multi-day option). This is a true kiwi wilderness experience, at the end of the day you’ll kick your feet up and share stories with your fellow travelers as the guides stoke the fire and prepare a three-course candle lit meal, all before a well-earned kip on a comfortable bed.

You won't have to camp on our scheduled trips, although we'll provide the gear if you'd like to sleep under the stars on the backpacking option in Nelson Lakes National Park or would like to include camping on a custom trip.

Transport

New Zealand is a small country - about 1000 miles from top to bottom, and only about 150 miles wide - but it's not THAT small! We're really focused on ensuring that we spend as little time as possible sitting in vehicles, and that we optimize your time for outdoors-oriented adventure. The average driving time over the period of our Ultimate South Island trip is just over two hours a day, and we try to spend us much time as possible in the outdoors. Even so, we prefer you to be comfortable when we do have to drive. We use modern, comfortable minibuses for smaller groups, and purpose-built coaches for larger groups. For instance, we often use one of our  spacious, quiet and comfortable 20-seater coaches, even though we generally only take 10-14 people per trip! Make no mistake - our trips are not typical bus tour vacation packages! Our vehicles are fitted with good stereo systems, and we love to play New Zealand music.

Meals

Just about all your meals are included when you travel with Active Adventures New Zealand. We provide a wide variety of cuisine - sometimes we dine out, and sometimes we dine in. Breakfasts when we are starting early generally consist of cereal, yoghurt, fruit, toast, coffee and tea. When we have more time, we whip up pancakes and full cooked breakfasts. Lunches are usually picnic style with sandwiches, salad and fruit, or maybe a barbeque in some beautiful spot. Dinners are usually two or three-course meals, covering a range of styles. We easily cater to vegetarians and people with particular dietary needs.

We have several second guides whose primary responsibility, when they are not guiding, is cooking up great meals. Their cooking skills will astound you, as you enjoy a traditional Kiwi roast dinner at the shearer's quarters, or freshly seared salmon at Mount Cook, or one of a score of awesome meals on the road! When we go out to eat, we pick a nice restaurant and enjoy a night out. You'll find the meals are a real highlight of your trip!

Guides

We have two incredible guides per trip, one whom will be your driver and the other specializes as your chef! Our guests are often drawn to New Zealand by the beautiful scenic landscapes, promise of wilderness and clean air - and there's no doubt you'll find all that, but what you may not be expecting is to forge real, genuine friendships with the locals you'll meet, including our wonderful guides. They're hands-down the BEST guides you'll ever come across.

Travel in Complete Comfort

Getting from one breathtaking destination to the next in New Zealand means road travel is essential. That’s why having comfortable, reliable transport plays a big role in making your adventure vacation enjoyable.

We own and operate our very own fleet of medium-sized coaches — perfectly suited for New Zealand’s unique roads. They’re ideal for accessing the country’s iconic highlights and venturing off the beaten track to the lesser-known places most travelers miss.

So sit back, relax, and let us take the wheel. Your New Zealand adventure is calling — and we’ll make sure you travel in comfort and style.

Travel in comfort

Getting to New Zealand

New Zealand might feel like a world away, but it’s closer than you think — just a 12-hour direct flight from the Pacific Coast of North America. Major airlines, including Air New Zealand (our national carrier), offer non-stop flights to Auckland on the North Island and Christchurch on the South Island from cities like New York, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, and Vancouver.

Need a hand with your travel plans? Like to arrange a tropical stopover? Our trusted partners at Fuzion Travel are here to help make getting to and from New Zealand hassle-free and easy. 

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Contact us

1 800 661 907

Active Hearts Foundation
Adventure Travel
Alps Ocean
DOC Approved
NAT GEO
NATO GEO 2015
Safety Audit Certified
Qualmark Gold
Queenstown Business Awards
Supergold
Sustainable Tourism
Tourism Industry Member
Travellers Choice Awards 2019
Travellers Choice Awards 2020
Sustainable Tourism badge
Active Hearts Foundation
Adventure Travel
Alps Ocean
DOC Approved
NAT GEO
NATO GEO 2015
Safety Audit Certified
Qualmark Gold
Queenstown Business Awards
Supergold
Sustainable Tourism
Tourism Industry Member
Travellers Choice Awards 2019
Travellers Choice Awards 2020
Sustainable Tourism badge
Active Hearts Foundation
Adventure Travel
Alps Ocean
DOC Approved
NAT GEO
NATO GEO 2015
Safety Audit Certified
Qualmark Gold
Queenstown Business Awards
Supergold
Sustainable Tourism
Tourism Industry Member
Travellers Choice Awards 2019
Travellers Choice Awards 2020
Sustainable Tourism badge
Active Hearts Foundation
Adventure Travel
Alps Ocean
DOC Approved
NAT GEO
NATO GEO 2015
Safety Audit Certified
Qualmark Gold
Queenstown Business Awards
Supergold
Sustainable Tourism
Tourism Industry Member
Travellers Choice Awards 2019
Travellers Choice Awards 2020
Sustainable Tourism badge
Active Hearts Foundation
Adventure Travel
Alps Ocean
DOC Approved
NAT GEO
NATO GEO 2015
Safety Audit Certified
Qualmark Gold
Queenstown Business Awards
Supergold
Sustainable Tourism
Tourism Industry Member
Travellers Choice Awards 2019
Travellers Choice Awards 2020
Sustainable Tourism badge
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