Planning a trip to New Zealand? Our Frequently Asked Questions page covers everything from booking tours and transport options to what to pack and when to visit. It’s your go-to guide for clear, reliable answers that help take the stress out of organising your holiday. Whether you're travelling solo, as a couple, or with a group, you'll find helpful tips to make your Kiwi adventure run smoothly.
The 12-day North Island Bucket List Walk runs approximately once every two weeks from December through to April. Departures are available from both Rotorua and Matamata.
Many guests choose to spend the night in Rotorua or Matamata prior to the trip. We offer convenient pick-up from your pre-tour accommodation in central Rotorua or Matamata. Pick-up times are as follows:
Rotorua: Between 8:00am and 8:30am.
Matamata: At 9:30am.
Parking options are available in Rotorua City. Feel free to contact our team for more details. We’ll ensure you’re dropped back to your car at the end of the trip.
For larger groups travelling from Auckland, we can organise a private shuttle transfer. Simply reach out to our team, and we’ll take care of the arrangements for you.
Room Sharing:
Most of the walking trails on the Bucket List Walk are graded as easy to moderate, making them accessible for most fitness levels. The trails vary from well-formed paths to more rugged tracks with tree roots, rocks, and occasional muddy sections. While the majority of the walks are manageable, there are a few more challenging days, such as the Pinnacles, the Pouakai Crossing, and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. These harder trails are optional, so if you’d prefer not to tackle them, we can organise alternative activities to keep you entertained.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is the most demanding hike on the itinerary, spanning 20.2 km and featuring a steep climb up the Mangatepopo Saddle. While it’s definitely a heart-pumping challenge, the views and the experience make it worth every step—there’s nothing else like it in the North Island. Similarly, the Pouakai Crossing is a long day with 19 km of walking and two ascents totalling 900 metres of elevation gain.
To get the most out of the trip, you should be comfortable walking 6–7 hours a day, carrying a daypack with your lunch, water, raincoat, and warm layers. To prepare, it’s a great idea to incorporate regular walking into your routine, focusing on tracks with stairs or inclines. If possible, completing a few shorter multi-day walks in the months leading up to the trip will give you confidence in your fitness. The itinerary includes 2 moderate-hard days, 5 moderate days, and 5 easy days of walking. On the more challenging days, we take plenty of short, strategic breaks to rest, rehydrate, and keep the pace enjoyable.
Every evening at dinner, your guide will provide a detailed briefing about the following day’s walk, ensuring you know what to expect. The pace is kept flexible—those who want to move faster can go ahead, while those who prefer to take it slow can enjoy the walk at their own pace without feeling rushed. If you have any concerns about heights, please let us know in advance, and we can highlight specific areas of the tracks that you may find tricky.
The walking trails on the Taranaki Discovery Tour range from easy to moderate in difficulty, with a few short sections classified as hard.
Each day involves walking between 4 to 10 hours, and participants will need to carry a daypack with essentials such as lunch, water, a raincoat, and warm layers. Over the course of the four-day trip, there will be a variety of walks to enjoy. Some tracks are relatively straightforward, featuring a level gradient and minimal elevation gain. However, on Day 2, the group will tackle the more challenging Pouakai Crossing, where the track surface becomes uneven, rocky, and steep, with infrastructure such as steps, platforms, boardwalks, and balustrades to navigate. Certain tracks reach high points or viewpoints near steep drop-offs, which may be difficult for those with vertigo or a fear of heights. The Pouakai Crossing, in particular, includes elevation gains of up to 900 metres.
Good fitness will enhance your experience. Incorporating stair training into your walking routine before the trip is highly recommended and can make a big difference. Regular walkers should manage the trails comfortably. Most participants are in their 50s, 60s, and 70s, so the itinerary has been thoughtfully designed to cater to this demographic. Each evening, guides provide a detailed briefing on the following day’s activities to help you prepare and feel confident.
The Taranaki Discovery Tour includes three nights in charming boutique accommodation, nestled within a lush greenbelt on the outskirts of New Plymouth. Perched on a ridge, the lodge offers stunning views of a gently winding river, surrounded by beautifully maintained grounds and native plantings. As we stay here for the duration of the tour, you’ll have the chance to unpack and fully settle in from the moment you arrive.
Each room is spacious and features an ensuite bathroom, heating, air conditioning, a kitchenette with tea and coffee-making facilities, and a television for your comfort.
We understand it can be tricky to assess whether your fitness level is suited to a guided walking holiday in New Zealand. The country’s unique geography means hiking trails can vary significantly, even within a single track. What we might call ‘flat’ is often considered undulating by walkers from flatter regions. That’s why we like to say, "the fitter you are, the more you’ll enjoy it." A reasonable level of fitness and agility is required for the Tongariro Hiking Tour. Track surfaces also vary, ranging from well-formed paths to rough terrain with tree roots, rocks, and loose scree, so good balance, steady footing, and strong ankles are essential.
Fitness Level
A higher level of fitness is particularly needed for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, which we usually tackle on Day Two of the Tongariro Hiking Tour. This hike is a strenuous 7–8-hour journey, featuring a climb and descent of approximately 900 metres through alpine terrain. Early in the season (November), you may encounter patches of snow or ice. The ascent up Devil’s Staircase over the Mangatepopo Saddle is especially demanding, so it’s a good idea to include steep stair training in your pre-departure fitness routine.
How Much Weight Will I Be Carrying?
You’ll only need to carry a daypack, which will hold your lunch, drinking water, and warm clothing for 4–7 hours of hiking each day. Depending on how much water you prefer to carry, the weight of your daypack will typically range from 3–6 kg.
Support and Safety
Our guides provide a detailed safety briefing the evening before the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, giving you the chance to ask questions and fully prepare for the hike. If you feel any part of the walk might be beyond your comfort level, there’s the option to take shorter hikes on certain departures or enjoy a relaxing day at the lodge instead.
The Tongariro National Park is a unique and dynamic environment influenced by changing weather patterns, volcanic activity, and cultural traditions. Here’s what to expect:
Weather Conditions
The trip runs during the warmer months, from November to April. In November, you might encounter small patches of ice or snow near the summit of Mt. Tongariro, but ice-axes and crampons are not required.
Volcanic Activity & Alerts
The Tongariro massif is an active volcanic area, closely monitored to ensure visitor safety.
Rāhui / Cultural Closure
Ngāti Hikairo ki Tūwharetoa, the local iwi (tribe), are the spiritual and cultural guardians of Mt. Tongariro.
Your safety and experience are at the heart of this trip, and our team works hard to ensure you’re well-informed and prepared for this incredible adventure.
On the Coromandel Explorer guided walk, accommodation is set in boutique lodgings nestled within a tranquil slice of native bushland, just outside Coromandel township. Meals are enjoyed together in a covered and heated alfresco dining area.
What are the rooms like?
True to the Coromandel’s artistic and bohemian charm, the accommodation features hand-hewn timber cabins with natural design elements, connected by timber boardwalks.
Does the lodge have Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi is available in your room, but speeds can be slower during peak times. It’s a good idea to download any important files or documents before you arrive.
The walking trails on the Coromandel Explorer are moderately difficult, with some short sections classified as hard. The itinerary is carefully designed, with easier walks planned for Days 1 and 4, and more challenging trails on Days 2 and 3. There’s plenty of time built in for short, strategic breaks to rest and hydrate along the way.
Trail Conditions
The trails vary from well-formed paths to rougher tracks with tree roots, rocks, mud, and small stream crossings. Easier route options are sometimes available for certain walks. The most demanding hike on this trip is the Pinnacles Track in the Kauaeranga Valley, usually tackled on Day 3.
Fitness Requirements
Expect to walk for 6–7 hours per day, carrying a daypack with your lunch, water, raincoat, and warm layers. To prepare, consider starting a training programme that includes trails with stairs. Completing a few shorter multi-day walks in the months before your trip can also help confirm your fitness level.
Support and Flexibility
Each evening, your guide will provide a detailed briefing on the next day’s plans over dinner. The pace is kept relaxed so faster walkers can move ahead while those who prefer a slower pace can take their time at the back without feeling rushed.
If you have concerns about heights, let us know in advance, and we’ll highlight any specific sections of the trails that might be challenging for you.
No. This is a lodge-based tour, so you only carry a day pack containing water, lunch, rain gear, warm layers and personal items.
The tour is Moderate overall, but The Pinnacles and Tongariro Alpine Crossing require good fitness and confidence on longer, steeper terrain. Most other days involve shorter or more gradual walks.
The complete tour covers approximately 84 km. Daily distances range from around 5 km on the shorter days to just over 20 km on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Most meals are included, including breakfasts, packed lunches, trail snacks and dinners. Dinner on Night 4 in Rotorua is not included.
Yes. The itinerary includes the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, with the schedule adjusted where possible so it can be attempted on the best available weather day.
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