What is a Kiwi-Style hiking trip?
Kiwi-style hiking trips venture far away from the maddening crowds and into the real New Zealand. Most trips mix multi-day hikes (in different National Parks) with vehicle-based touring.
These trips are a combination of “wild nights”, which are the nights where you are truly in the wilderness staying in backcountry huts or camping in locations that may be several hours walk from the nearest road or populated area, versus nights in civilisation where you may stay in cabins or camp by the vehicle at Department of Conservation campsites. The nights in civilization are twin/double or occasionally triple rooms - some have ensuites whilst others have a shared bathroom.
Small groups - maximum group size 11 with participants ranging in age, nationality and work background, but all share an enthusiasm for outdoor adventure and an appreciation of nature.
On these trips everyone lends a hand: whether it’s cooking over a campfire, collecting firewood or pitching a tent together. There’s nothing quite like wrestling a tent in the wind to get to know your fellow travellers.
No multi-day hiking experience is needed but you need to be a good walker and able to carry a backpack. And yes, occasionally you might just get your feet wet!