Ultimate New Zealand

Overview of your experience

Experience the very best Aotearoa New Zealand has to offer in a way that will leave you with a deeper connection with this special country and your fellow travellers.

This ultimate active adventure starts with a wonderful lakeside day-hike near Rotorua, before experiencing an overnight hike into a remote river-side hut in the middle of the Jurassic-like rainforest of the Whirinaki.

Travel into the volcanic heart of the island to explore otherworldly geothermal features near Rotorua, and go on to discover the surreal volcanic wonderland of Tongariro National Park, staying high above the world in alpine huts.

Continuing to the South Island, hike, swim, and paddle a waka (Māori canoe) along the Abel Tasman National Park coastline. Hike through rainforested canyons on the West Coast and sleep under the giant Ballroom Overhang.

Mix it up with some cycling on the West Coast Wilderness Trail before heading into the mountains for a challenging hiking adventure in Arthur’s Pass National Park.

East of the Southern Alps head south to New Zealand’s highest peak in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park to climb high for stunning views of Aoraki and the surrounding summits. Hike and camp out in the remarkable World Heritage Area which encompasses Mt Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks and be wowed even more by majestic mountains, lakes and deep fiords.

The tour concludes in Queenstown - a perfect place to celebrate and spend your final night in New Zealand or launch further adventures.

The six overnight hikes as well as day hikes are carefully chosen to highlight the diversity of New Zealand’s landscape and to experience a variety of accommodation options including camping, lodges, cabins and backcountry huts.

The trip can be split into North and South Island options - the Ultimate North Island and Ultimate South Island.