Northern Portion

Wow what a trip! We did the 5 day Northern Portion and 3 day Abel Tasman trips. This is by far the most fun, interesting and beautiful trip my husband and I have taken in a long time! As a person that typically says no to a group tour situation I can tell you that we had such a great time with these guys and our group that we are already planning our trip back to do The Milford Trek next year. Our guides Mo and Vince were organized, fun and made transporting 7 people through the North Island on many hikes and scenic spots seem effortless. Mo's encyclopedic knowledge of New Zealand's history and land made the van rides from spot to spot fly by. By the end of the second day we felt like we were on a road trip with close friends. I especially appreciated all of the "off the beaten path" hikes we did that only a local would know about. Hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing was by far the highlight of the trip. It's really too hard to describe just how beautiful and at the same time desolate and Mars like the landscape is. Just sign up and do it. Make sure you wear good hiking boots, and say yes to the poles if you have knees that get sore. 19.4km is a lot but sooooooooo worth it! Truly a wonderful journey and I can't wait for the next trip with them:)

I planned a last minute trip to New Zealand and called Hiking NZ. They were professional and detail oriented from start to finish! We booked the 5 day Northern Portion followed by the 3 day Abel Tasman. Our guides Mo and Vince made the trip memorable. They have so much knowledge about their country and their environment and they are passionate about sharing it with their guests. This was our first experience with a small group tour. We had so much fun and made new friends for life. Highly Recommended!!!!

We were on the "northern portion" tour - a little bit worried that it was not going to be enough time to see much but our guide Louis pretty much was able to show us what seemed like the whole North Island! The highlight was unquestionably the Tongariro Crossing! The weather was threatening a washout but held off - the result was - no crowds and an amazing panorama of clouds, fog, mountains and sunshine. Definitely up there with best lifetime experiences! Hiking New Zealand knows their stuff!

Having made other plans for the South Island, we were thrilled that Hiking NZ offered a separate trip in the north. Our trip could not have been better. Because we are older (in our 70's), we had some anxiety about whether we could do the hiking and whether we would hold others up. These concerns turned out to be unwarranted. Yes, on some hikes we were slower than some of our companions. This didn't seem to phase either the other guests or our guides. Eva served as "sweep" and saw that we made it to the end of each hike without incident. For those of us at the back, she served as a lovely companion. 
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing was the highlight for us, and, with Justin and Eva guiding, we managed the hike, including the few hundred yards of scree that had been on our minds for days. Hikes and activities other than Tongariro exceeded our expectations. We enjoyed keeping very busy.
The food and accommodations were terrific. We hadn't expected such luxury.

Did the Northern Portion for 5 days 4 nights - it was fantastic! Well organized, great guide and driver (Justin), and helpful client service (Magan) who assisted me in many questions on the bookings etc.
NZ North island is beautiful, love the volcano mountains and thermal pools we went aside from hiking.
Meal was great especially love the picnic on-the-go much more flexible and casual and closer to nature! Accommodations were all very neat clean and comfortable good nights stay throughout the trip
Justin was a former park ranger who kept us well informed on all local and park histories etc. I like the pace of itinerary just fits my expectations perfectly - not too hectic or too layback. Just right and very comfortable.
Thank you for such a great trip with the epic Tongariro crossing - I had a taste of the mountain experiences which was exciting and unforgettable!

In 5 days there is a lot packed in, but the pace feels about right. Lots of lovely walks, with the Tongariro crossing the last and most spectacular. Very good accommodation and meals along the way. A thoroughly enjoyable way to see the natural beauty of the north island.

Our experience with Hiking New Zealand, (Northern Portion ) and most particularly our guide, Justin, couldn't have been better. Despite the unpredictable weather Justin assessed and reassessed the best routes and days in order to make our hikes successful. His knowledge of all things environmental added an element of interest we had not anticipated. Additionally , Justin was a great cook and an affable companion to our small group. It was an excellent experience and we would recommend Hiking New Zealand to anyone wishing to explore the beauty of New Zealand.

Every detail was taken care of. I loved not having to think about driving, food, lodgings, pit stops, trail maps, etc. Hiking New Zealand even offered to supply rain gear (no charge), which I took them up on and it saved me from having to check a bag. They provided excellent information in advance so I was well prepared with what I did bring. As a solo traveller, I was very comfortable with the small group and our two knowledgeable, engaging guides. I saw and learned more than I ever would have on my own.

I recently did the Northern Portion of New Zealand Uncut with Hiking New Zealand and it was a great introduction to the North Island. We were picked up in Auckland and drove in a comfortable Mercedes van to Rotorua with stops along the way exploring and hiking along the way. We then made our way to Lake Taupo and did the Tongariro Alpine Crossing along with other hikes...fantastic! Our guide Kath was friendly and extremely knowledgeable. If you like hiking but prefer not to camp and only carry a day pack this is a great way to explore the North Island. Can't wait to return!