Hiking New Zealand - Grand Hikes tinerary

Your North Island adventure begins bright and early! Meet your guide and group at the Rydges Hotel foyer at 6:30 AM. We'll journey south, enjoying the scenic, patchwork farmlands alongside the Waikato River, with a quick cafe stop en route to Waitomo.

At the Waitomo Caves, descend into the incredible Ruakuri Cave, where you'll be mesmerized by stunning limestone formations and thousands of twinkling glowworms illuminating the ceiling like a starry night. After emerging, we'll take a leisurely walk through a magnificent limestone canyon. Our day concludes in Rotorua, New Zealand's vibrant heart of Maori culture, where we'll enjoy an evening meal.

Meals Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Rotorua - 2 nights

We begin with a short drive and scenic water taxi across Lake Tarawera, then hike back along its pristine shoreline through lush forest and beneath towering ignimbrite cliffs. Take your time—swim at one of the quiet pumice beaches or soak in a natural hot creek while waiting for the group. The trail offers expansive views of forest, lake, and volcanic landscapes. Afterward, we explore Rotorua, including the tranquil Redwoods Trail and historic lakeside landmarks like the Faith church. In the evening, we enjoy a traditional Māori cultural performance and shared dinner.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Lake Taupo - 1 night

This morning we explore Rotorua’s extraordinary geothermal landscapes—boardwalks lead us past bubbling mud pools, steaming vents, and vividly coloured hot springs. After a quick cuppa, we drive south to witness the power of Huka Falls, where the Waikato River surges through a narrow rock gorge.

We enjoy a relaxed café lunch in Taupō before continuing along the lake’s edge to Tongariro National Park, New Zealand’s oldest. For the next two nights, we stay at a comfortable hotel near the park. In the afternoon, we stretch our legs on a scenic hike to Taranaki Falls, followed by a group dinner.

Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation Tongariro National Park - 2 night

Join the guide today for a full days walking on the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, regarded as one of the best day walks in the world. The track is extremely well built and even a novice hiker will enjoy the gradual ascent up to the top of Mt Tongariro. Your guide will set a pace that lets you stop and admire the views of the Red Crater, Emerald Lakes and steaming vents that make this hike so iconic. It will all be worth it when you celebrate at dinner with a bottle of fine New Zealand wine. Those who prefer a more restful day can find plenty to do at the village: Soda Springs walk, Taranaki Falls walk, or simply drink coffee and view the great exhibits at the Park Visitor Centre. Enjoy your second night in this alpine village.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Rest your legs this morning as we drive south through rolling hill country to the capital city of Wellington. The rest of the afternoon is yours, so take your time as you stroll along the fabulous waterfront and through the busy streets of this buzzing wee city. Absorb some of New Zealand’s history in the national museum - Te Papa, explore the waterfront or simply get lost admiring the heritage houses along one of the many improbably steep streets. Nowhere is very far in Wellington. You are spoilt for choice for places to dine this evening, so take your pick.

Suggested outings in and around Wellington.

Meals Breakfast

Accommodation Wellington - 1 night 

Up to 3.3 km (2 miles), 1-1.5 hours hiking, elevation +/-170 m (560 ft)

There is more time to enjoy this busy harbourside capital or relax before grabbing an early lunch and heading to the airport. Enjoy a scenic early-afternoon flight over Cook Strait as you hop from the North to the South Island. Your driver will meet you at Nelson Airport to transfer you to the Rutherford Hotel to later meet your guides and those joining the South Island Grand Hikes tour at 4:00pm.

There will be opportunity for a guided hike up Botanical Hill, also known as the “Centre of New Zealand” to enjoy sweeping views of Tasman Bay and Nelson City, or an alternative option to independently explore this lively town suggested by your guides.

Later we celebrate the start of our South Island tour by dining together in one of Nelson’s fine restaurants.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Nelson - 2 nights

Up to 12.2 km (7.6 miles), 4 hours hiking

After an early breakfast, we head to Abel Tasman National Park and board a water taxi at Kaiteriteri. Cruising past golden beaches, granite headlands, and forested islets, we disembark at Bark Bay and hike a stunning section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track. The well-formed trail winds through lush forest and over low ridges to Torrent Bay, where you can cool off in Cleopatra’s Pool—or brave a slide down its natural rock chute. At Anchorage, we rejoin the water taxi for the return to Kaiteriteri, then head back to Nelson in time to explore its vibrant evening dining scene.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

6km/3 hours hiking

On the way to the West Coast we stop for a remarkable hike to marvel at natural flames which have been burning since the 1920's. We access this phenomena with a local guide through a privately-owned working deer farm. Unlike the Eternal Flames of the Chimera in Turkey these flames are surrounded by lush tree ferns and beech forest. A cup of 'billy tea' and hot cakes prepared over the flames gives this experience a distinctly kiwi flavour.

We continue our journey alongside the mighty Buller River as it cuts through the massive wilderness of the upper South Island, arriving on the coast at Westport. We take a short stroll at Cape Foulwind to view a colony of New Zealand fur seals playfully splashing around in the rock pools. We then head south to catch the sunset at Punakaiki and visit a local pub for dinner. Take an evening stroll around the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes – we try to time our visit with high tides so we may leave the rocks until tomorrow if tide times are more favourable

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Accommodation: Punakaiki - 1 night

11km/3-4 hours hiking

Hike the Inland Pack Track from Punakaiki to Pororari. This historic route was once used by prospectors and miners to avoid the immense coastal cliffs while travelling the West Coast. Pass through deep limestone canyons, towering rainforests, and groves of Nikau Palms. You may not be able to resist a speedy swim in one of the many deep clear pools you pass on the way! After the hike, we join a remarkable highway that takes us from the lush green rainforests of the West Coast and over the glaciated Southern Alps to the parched soft yellow savannahs of Canterbury. This is one of the most cleverly engineered roads in New Zealand.

East of Arthurs Pass, stretch your legs and stroll around the enchanting limestone outcrops of Kura Tawhiti (Castle Hill). This area was an important meeting place and food gathering area for early Maori people. Interestingly it was also bestowed a “spiritual centre of the universe” by the Dalai Lama when he visited in 2002. Today it is a haven for rock climbers who climb and boulder on the multitude of rock forms. We then leave the highway and follow the back roads around Lake Lyndon and on to Methven, a ski town by winter and laid-back rural town the rest of the year. The Southern Alps form a spectacular backdrop. Wander in to the village for a meal at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Methven - 1 night

Our mid-morning departure allows time to discover some city cafes or see one of the parks in the ‘Garden City’. Our drive west takes us to Lake Tekapo, famous for its stunning turquoise waters and the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd, perched daintily by the lake. Hike up through wilding conifers and tussock grasslands to the summit of Mt John. Revel in the 360-degree views of the Patagonia-like landscape.

The sweeping Mackenzie basin is a sparsely populated region in the rain shadow of the Southern Alps; tawny-brown drylands, braided riverbeds and startling glacial lakes extend to the horizon. Arrive at Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park in the late afternoon. Relax and enjoy breathtaking views of New Zealand's highest mountain (3,724 metres 12217 ft).

Meals Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation  Mt. Cook - 2 nights

5-8km/4 hours hiking

Hike up to Sealey Tarns and enjoy the awesome views of Mt Sefton, Mueller Glacier and across the Hooker Valley to Aoraki/Mount Cook. If you’re feeling energetic, join the guide for a further climb from the tarns up to the crest of Mueller Ridge for even wider views of this magnificent alpine landscape. Those not wanting to climb to Sealey or Mueller can take the flatter option and walk up the Hooker Valley (unguided), enjoying close up views of the Mueller and Hooker Glaciers on the way.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

2km/1 hour hiking

Travel up the Tasman Valley towards the longest glacier in New Zealand, the Tasman Glacier. Take a short walk through the glacial moraine and board a custom-built boat for a unique spin around the terminal lake. Like most glaciers in the world the Tasman Glacier is retreating and the terminal lake increases in size every year. This dynamic environment is dotted with icebergs of all shapes and sizes from the collapsing terminal wall of the glacier.

Our drive to Wanakafollows the Mackenzie country south before climbing over the tussock lands of the Lindis Pass into the southern lakes district. Wanaka is a lovely holiday town on the lake-side.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Wanaka - 1 night 

We begin with a scenic drive along Lake Wānaka toward the majestic peaks of Aspiring National Park. Today’s hike takes us through the lower Matukituki Valley on the Diamond Lake track, with the option to continue up Rocky Mountain—a glacially carved outcrop offering sweeping views of Lake Wānaka, the Southern Alps, and Mount Aspiring/Tititea. Whether you choose the gentle lakeside loop or the more challenging summit climb, the scenery is unforgettable. After lunch, we journey over the Crown Range to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland. Spend the afternoon unwinding or strolling the serene lakeshore with vast mountain views.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation - Te Anau - 2 nights

7.2 km (4.5 miles), 3 hours hiking

Today we journey through the dramatic landscapes of Fiordland to the unforgettable Milford Sound. En route, we stop at The Divide to hike a scenic section of the Routeburn Track to Key Summit, where sweeping alpine views of the Humboldt and Darran Mountains await. If cloud cover limits visibility, easier walks in the lush Hollyford Valley offer a rewarding alternative. We continue to Milford Sound and cruise beneath towering cliffs and glacier-carved peaks, with chances to spot seals, dolphins, or even the elusive Fiordland crested penguin. In the afternoon, we return to Te Anau inspired by this breathtaking region.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

9.8 km (6.1 miles), 3 hours hiking, elevation +/-180 m (430 ft)

This morning we walk a gentle section of the renowned Kepler Track, following the shores of Lake Manapouri—often called the loveliest of all lakes for its island-dotted waters, forested bays, and dramatic mountain backdrop. After the hike, we begin our journey north toward Queenstown. In the heart of Central Otago wine country, we pause to celebrate the trip with a relaxed lunch at a local vineyard restaurant, enjoying regional cuisine and fine wine. We arrive in Queenstown late afternoon, where the tour concludes. Drop-offs are available at select central locations and Queenstown Airport.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Included Highlights

• The magical subterranean world of Waitomo
• Captivating Māori cultural performance and hāngī dinner
• Surreal geothermal features in Rotorua
• The spectacular volcanic terrain of Tongariro National Park
• Picturesque golden sand beaches of the Abel Tasman Coast Track
• Impressive rainforest clad limestone canyons on the West Coast
• The majestic peaks and lakes of the Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Aspiring regions
• The amazing near-vertical glacially sculpted landscapes of Fiordland
• Day hikes and excellent ensuite accommodation

Inclusions

• A  roomy minibus
• A knowledgeable guide
• Almost all meals
• First aid kit
• Drinking water
• Safety equipment
• Maps

Fitness

• Up to 4-5 hours of physical activity per day
• At times carrying a backpack of 4-5kgs (8-10 lbs)
• Tracks generally in good condition
• Altitude gains of up to 600m (2000ft) on harder days
• No hiking experience necessary

*The full (optional) Tongariro Alpine Crossing on day 4 takes 6-8 hours and has an altitude gain of 750m

Accommodation

This tour uses a range of hotels and quality lodges chosen for their good standards and wonderful locations. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms. Some lodges have units with two bedrooms per unit. Rooms are twin share or doubles. If you are travelling on your own you will be given a twin share room with a fellow traveller of the same gender. Single supplements are available on this tour.

This tour has been created for those that appreciate a high standard of accommodation after a good day of hiking.

Food

Almost all of the meals are included on this tour, but when staying in the cities we let you do your own thing and try some of the excellent local restaurants (see “Additional Costs” section). Breakfast is usually (but not always) continental-style in the lodges and hotels. There are plenty of opportunities to graze the local cafes if you would prefer to explore in the morning. The lunches we prepare ourselves are often ‘on the run’ in picnic areas or on trails. Our guides usually set out lunch food for you and you simply help yourself. We provide healthy and wholesome food and include a lot of fresh produce. It is part of our philosophy to get everyone involved so there is a pretty good chance you may find yourself wielding a sharp knife or pushing the tea trolley around at lunchtime. Our customised trailers have a fold down table and cooking area that is perfect for preparing picnics at all those secret places we will take you. Included dinners are frequently in lodge restaurants (either set menu or a la carte), or in a restaurant in the town but occasionally somewhere out of the ordinary!

Additional Costs

All activities outlined in the itinerary are included in the trip price.

Meals out: Three evening meals are not included (Wellington, Christchurch and Wanaka). The typical cost for a restaurant main course in New Zealand is about $28. Two breakfasts are not included (Wellington and Christchurch).