24-Day Ultimate New Zealand Guided Hiking Tour

Meet your group at 7:00 am in central Auckland and travel south to Rotorua, a region known for its geothermal landscapes, lakes and Māori history.

Continue to Lake Tarawera and take a water taxi to the trail, then hike beside the lake through tree fern forest and beneath ignimbrite cliffs. There may be time for a swim from one of the small pumice beaches along the way.

Tonight you'll stay in an open-plan log cabin and prepare dinner together, before organising your gear for the upcoming Whirinaki hike.

Travel east into the forest ranges of Te Urewera, traditional home of Tūhoe, before reaching the Whirinaki Forest trail.

Hike through native beech forest to a simple backcountry hut beside the Whirinaki River. Tonight the group prepares dinner together and stays either in the hut or camps nearby.

Continue down the Whirinaki Valley through towering tree ferns and magnificent podocarp rainforest. This remote wilderness sees relatively few visitors, with opportunities to spot native birds including whio/blue duck, robins and kākā.

An optional side track leads into an area of ancient rātā forest. After the hike, transfer to cabins on a nearby rural property for a hot shower and a relaxed evening.

Travel towards New Zealand's Volcanic Plateau, stopping to experience a geothermal park, natural hot river and Huka Falls.

Continue to Lake Taupō for a lakeside break before travelling to your lodge near Whakapapa Village in Tongariro National Park.

Take on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a challenging full-day hike through the volcanic landscapes of Tongariro National Park.

Climb towards the craters of Mt Tongariro before hiking through lava valleys, steaming craters and past the distinctive emerald lakes. The route then descends through alpine vegetation and alongside mineral-rich streams.

After the previous day's longer hike, enjoy a slower morning before travelling around to the eastern side of Tongariro National Park.

Hike across open tussock country and through pockets of beech forest to Waihohonu Hut, a modern backcountry hut beside a stream with views towards the surrounding volcanoes.

Leave Waihohonu Hut and hike through mountain beech forest before crossing old glacial moraine ridges, lava-filled valleys and dry scoria terrain.

After reaching a viewpoint over an alpine lake, continue across rolling tussock grasslands towards Whakapapa Village. Return to your lodge for a hot shower and evening meal.

Leave the volcanic plateau and travel south through the Rangitīkei region and along the coast to Wellington, arriving in the afternoon.

The rest of the day is free to experience the capital's restaurants, cafés and waterfront at your own pace.

Today is completely free to enjoy Wellington.

Options include visiting Te Papa, Parliament, Zealandia, the waterfront and galleries, or heading out to the south coast. You can also simply take the opportunity to rest before the South Island hiking section begins.

Transfer to Wellington Airport and fly across Cook Strait to Nelson, where you'll meet your South Island guide.

Travel around Tasman Bay to Kaiteriteri before taking a boat along the coast to Tonga Quarry. Hike south on the Abel Tasman Coast Track to Bark Bay, where you'll pitch your tents and camp beside the coast.

Follow the Abel Tasman Coast Track through mānuka and mixed native forest, crossing the suspension bridge above Falls River before descending towards Torrent Bay.

Depending on time and conditions, there may be opportunities to visit Falls River cascades or Cleopatra's Pool for a swim. Continue to Anchorage, where you'll camp beside the inlet.

Take a water taxi to meet your waka guide and learn about the traditions and etiquette of paddling a waka, including a traditional karakia.

Depending on conditions, paddle around coastal coves and Adele Island before reaching Kaiteriteri around midday. After lunch, travel south to a private campsite near Murchison overlooking the Buller and Maruia rivers.

Note: The waka experience requires a minimum of six people. Smaller groups return to Kaiteriteri by water taxi.

Travel through the Buller Gorge to Charleston for a short walk through West Coast bush and coastal scenery.

Continue to Paparoa National Park for a more adventurous hike through a limestone river canyon. The second half involves multiple river crossings and sections along the riverbed, where you'll learn safe river-crossing techniques from your guide.

Tonight you'll camp beneath the enormous Ballroom Overhang rock shelter.

Hike back through the canyon before travelling to Punakaiki to see the Pancake Rocks and blowholes.

Continue south to Hokitika, where your centrally located lodge is within easy reach of the beach, cafés and town centre. You'll also be fitted with your bike for tomorrow's ride.

Cycle an unguided section of the West Coast Wilderness Trail between the Arahura River bridge and Kumara. The well-marked trail travels through native forest, across rivers and past historic reservoirs and water races.

After the ride, travel into the Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass. Tonight you'll stay at a private hut with showers and electricity.

Optional: E-bike upgrade available at additional cost.

Hike up the Edwards River into the rugged alpine landscape of Arthur's Pass National Park.

This is a challenging Kiwi-style backcountry track with river crossings, steep slippery sections and terrain where you'll sometimes need to use your hands for extra grip. Stay in Edwards Hut or camp nearby, depending on hut occupancy.

Hiking: 9.4 km | 4–5 hours
Elevation: +210 m / -640 m
Meals: Breakfast & lunch

There may be an opportunity for an additional morning hike towards Falling Mountain before packing up and retracing the trail to the road.

Travel east across the Southern Alps, where rainforest gives way to braided rivers, tussock country and limestone formations. Continue via Lake Lyndon and Rakaia Gorge to Methven for the night.

Travel through the Canterbury Plains and Mackenzie Country to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Spend the afternoon hiking with daypacks towards Sealy Tarns and, conditions permitting, potentially as far as Mueller Hut. Enjoy views across glacial valleys towards Mount Sefton, Aoraki/Mount Cook and the surrounding Southern Alps.

Return to your private hut accommodation for the evening.

Choose how active you'd like to be today. Join your guide for the steep hike to Red Tarns, take an easier valley-floor walk or spend some time learning about the national park.

Alternatively, hike the Hooker Valley Track independently or choose the optional guided Tasman Glacier heli-hike.

In the afternoon, travel through the Mackenzie Country and over Lindis Pass to Lake Hāwea.

Optional Hooker Valley Track: 10.2 km | 3 hours | ±270 m
Optional Tasman Glacier heli-hike: Additional cost

Visit Wānaka before travelling into the Matukituki Valley. Shoulder your overnight pack and hike across open flats towards Aspiring Hut, with views towards Mt Aspiring and the Southern Alps.

Those wanting an additional challenge can join an optional afternoon hike on the Cascade Saddle Track to the bushline.

Hike back along the Matukituki Valley before stopping in Wānaka for a lakeside picnic.

Travel over the Crown Range and continue past Te Anau towards Milford Sound. Camp for the next two nights in the Eglinton Valley, with hot showers available at the campsite.

Travel into Fiordland National Park for a morning cruise on Milford Sound, travelling towards Anita Bay and the entrance to the fiord with views of waterfalls and Mitre Peak. Keep watch for wildlife including New Zealand fur seals, dolphins and Fiordland crested penguins.

Later, hike to Key Summit on a section of the Routeburn Track for views across the Darran Mountains and Hollyford Valley.

An optional Milford Sound kayaking experience can be arranged in place of the cruise and should be requested when booking.

Start with a short walk to a waterfall near the campsite before making the final drive to Queenstown.

Arrive in the early afternoon with free time to enjoy Queenstown before meeting the group in the evening to celebrate the hiking and adventures of the past few weeks.

Your guided tour finishes this morning in Queenstown.

If you're staying longer, Queenstown offers plenty of additional hiking, cycling and outdoor activities, making it easy to extend your time in the region.