22 March, 2025
12, 26 November, 2025
7, 21 January, 2026
4, 25 February, 2026
21 March, 2026
Period 1 Jul 2025
- 30 Jun 2026
Adult NZD $3,950.00
The average driving time per day varies, some times you are in the wilderness and won't see the vehicle for 2 or 3 days! On other days you might be in the vehicle for 2-3 hrs or occasionally more. The driving time is a chance to rest and enjoy the fantastic scenery which is forever changing. You will travel in a 12 seat minibus towing a lockable trailer with camp equipment and your luggage. There will be a range of roads - sealed and unsealed. The guide will often stop the vehicle if there is a great photo opportunity or primo ice cream shop!
Meals that are not included in the trip price are detailed at the bottom of each day’s itinerary.
Optional activities: There are normally no additional activities on the Ultimate North. All activities are included in the price: Thermal Park
Grade: D
Average 4-5 hours physical activity per day, up to 8-9 hours on longer days.
Pack weights of 10-12kgs* (22-26lbs) on some days (1,2, 5, 6 and 7).
Altitude gains of up to 800m (2600ft) per day.
Some uneven track surfaces and river crossings.
No multi-day hiking experience necessary.
Agility and fitness required.
You need to be reasonably fit and enthusiastic.
Terrain mostly tracks. Some may be slippery or rough; some off-track hiking and river crossings.
*Will vary depending on the weight of personal discretional items.
"Wild nights" vs nights in civilisation...The Ultimate North Island is 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, lodges or camp by the vehicle at Department of Conservation campsites. Some of these locations may still be relatively remote and in the wilderness but they can be reached by the vehicle.
Huts - New Zealand has an excellent network of backcountry huts and you will stay in huts on several nights. They are equipped with mattresses, running water and an outside toilet. Cooking is done on a portable stove. Huts are only accessible on foot and shared with other hikers. You also have the option of camping near the hut if that is your preference.
Camping - You will camp in a range of campsites. On the "wild nights" you may camp under natural rock shelters, on remote beaches or even sleep out under the stars (single tent available on request)! On the non -"wild nights" you will camp near the vehicle in Department of Conservation campsites. If the weather is not great for camping, eg very wet, stormy or cold conditions, your guide will seek out alternative accommodation, eg lodge, cabin or crib.
Lodges - You will stay in lodge type accommodation on some of the nights, the lodges are often conveniently located near the start or end of a hike and have multi-share and sometimes twin/double rooms.
Bathroom facilities - On the wild nights there will be long drop (pit) toilets. There will be rivers or lakes nearby for washing, and sometimes there are even natural hot pools! The kiwi-style Hiking Tours are set up so after a couple of nights of "roughing it" in the wilderness, you will stay somewhere where you can enjoy a shower and a few home comforts (including laundry facilities) before the next foray into the wild!
Accommodation is subject to availability, and an equivalent style of property could be used if the advertised property is no longer available.
New Zealand's weather is changeable and we can experience extremely cold weather at any time of year, especially in the mountains. Our huts/camps vary in altitude from sea level to over 1000 metres. It is necessary to have warm clothing. Jeans are not suitable for hiking.
Watch the video of our Kiwi-Style Hiking packing list.
Essential Items:
Optional items:
Gaiters, binoculars, earplugs, walking poles.
We supply:
Therm-a-rest sleeping mat, tents, cooking equipment, plates/cutlery, first aid kit, safety equipment and maps.
Luggage:
We allow space for 120 litres per person (one large pack plus one day pack). You may be required to forward excess luggage if you exceed this. Any gear you do not need while hiking can be locked in the custom-built trailer. We highly recommend travel insurance.
*Ultimate New Zealand only - for the flight between Wellington and Nelson, the checked luggage allowance is 23kgs per person, with a carry-on luggage allowance of 7 kg.
Meals are a time to rest, refuel and recharge, but also a great chance to get to know your fellow travellers better. So soak up the amazing surroundings and enjoy some great food! Everybody gets involved with the preparation and cooking of meals: barbecues, salads, pancakes, curries, pasta, stir-fries... On the "wild nights" the group will usually eat pasta or rice meals (learn some "secret" recipes!). There is always lots of snack food - chocolate, nuts, raisins, biscuits. The vehicles carry a full range of cooking equipment including gas burners, woks, frying pans and billies (cooking pots). On overnight hikes the group will carry a portable stove.
Whilst we can cater for vegetarians and most food intolerances, some trips are not recommended for people with very restrictive or complex dietary requirements. If you do have a restrictive eating regime please disclose this to us at the time of booking. We may ask you to provide us with an outline of what you would typically eat on a multiday wilderness trip. You may need to assist the guide with the food shopping and preparation to ensure your dietary requirements are met. For complex diets we may ask you to shop and pay for some of your specialist dietary requirements before or on the trip. Just have a chat with us on booking.
An excellent guide can make the difference between a trip of a lifetime and just an ordinary trip. That is why we work hard to make sure we hire the best guides. Our handpicked professionals come from a range of backgrounds. Each has extensive outdoor and hiking experience and a passion for New Zealand’s wild and beautiful backcountry. Our guides will ensure that your time with us is truly inspiring, a huge amount of fun and safe. All guides are trained in Mountain Safety First Aid.
Please be gentle with your guide - good guides are hard to find!
Kiwi-style departures are subject to a minimum of four people.
Prices and itineraries are subject to change.
Hiking New Zealand reserves the right to alter or amend any tour should the weather or any other situation require this. Hiking New Zealand finalises all tour logistics upon the express condition that they will not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be brought about either by reason of weather, or defect in vehicle, vessel or aircraft or through the acts or lack of action of any company or persons engaged in transporting or guiding passengers, or arranging the tour.
Hiking New Zealand Ltd is not liable for any cost or loss, directly or indirectly, from any personal disruption due to COVID-19. Such costs or losses include, but are not limited to: requirements to follow COVID-19 mandates, flights, accommodation, transfers, and other expenses incurred over and above the tour price. Once your tour has commenced there is no refund available for any portion due to any circumstances. Any decision regarding exceptions to this policy are at the discretion of Hiking New Zealand Ltd or the Operator of the trip if it is not Hiking New Zealand Ltd.
Payment:
For bookings made four or more months prior to the departure date, a 25% deposit is required, with the remainder due 95 days before your trip. For bookings made within four months of the departure date, full payment is required at the time of booking.
Cancellations:
The tour price is all-inclusive. There will be no partial refunds or credits for unused services within a tour. Any unpaid, forfeited amount may be pursued as a debt.
We strongly recommend that you have comprehensive travel insurance. We ask you to fill out a disclaimer before you begin a Hiking Tour. You must follow the instructions of your guide at all times.
