New Zealand Trails - The Trip of Your Lifetime!
New Zealand Trails - The Trip of Your Lifetime!
New Zealand Trails - The Trip of Your Lifetime!
5
Multi-day ToursBike ToursEco ToursHiking & Camping ToursPrivate ToursNature & Wildlife Tours
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Full view
About
The real New Zealand hiking experience in comfort & style! We run multi-day hiking tours and easy-going active adventures.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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New Zealand Trails - The Trip of Your Lifetime!
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
227 reviews
Excellent
222
Very good
2
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Richard F
Hook, UK1 contribution
Feb 2020
North Island New Zealand was lovely, even more so when you start to dig below the surface. New Zealand Trails made that happen, as the scenery we saw came alive with the history of the people that made it.
The tour was expensive if you consider it at a daily rate, but the only cash I spent during the trip was on a couple of drinks. Food was as good as it was copious, there was always a snack and fruit as we traveled between locations prior to walking, paddling, chatting, then more walking.
The Tongariro hike was tough, the hardest walk I've done, and we had to turn back at the summit due to a fatality on the path earlier. It was probably the highlight of the five days, although each day was so different it's difficult to isolate one event.
I'm planning on a South Island Tour for my next visit.
Thanks New Zealand Trails, you helped to bring New Zealand alive for me.
The tour was expensive if you consider it at a daily rate, but the only cash I spent during the trip was on a couple of drinks. Food was as good as it was copious, there was always a snack and fruit as we traveled between locations prior to walking, paddling, chatting, then more walking.
The Tongariro hike was tough, the hardest walk I've done, and we had to turn back at the summit due to a fatality on the path earlier. It was probably the highlight of the five days, although each day was so different it's difficult to isolate one event.
I'm planning on a South Island Tour for my next visit.
Thanks New Zealand Trails, you helped to bring New Zealand alive for me.
Written 27 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It's great you felt as though you really got to experience New Zealand and I'm delighted your guides were able to make the scenery and culture come alive for you along the way! Food and hospitality is a big part of Kiwi culture so it makes us happy to hear you were well fed and catered for at all times.
We look forward to seeing you back down here to explore our South Island on your next visit.
Cheers
Jodi
Written 1 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tammy M
8 contributions
Mar 2020
There was no part of this trip (Pure South 8 day) that I didn't love. The staff in the office before was amazing, informative and I really felt like they wanted to ensure I had my best vacation. The guides on the trip (Hayley and Finn) were absolutely AMAZING!! From herding our group of 12 cats from one location to another, to the stories they told, to the food they provided... they were personable, fun, attentive, and downright amazing. The trip itself was beyond imagination. The itinerary had us in some of the great places on the South Island and doing things that I will never forget -- kayaking in Milford Sound, the bush plane ride into Siberia Valley, hiking on Tasman Glacier, and swimming with Hector's Dolphins... just to name a few. Every day was a new adventure and I truly hated to see it end. The accommodations were good to excellent, the food was impeccable and even the ability to do things a little different than the group was very welcome (ie: hiking at a slower pace, or taking off for the night to do a Stargazing tour at Mt. Cook). Thank you to everyone at New Zealand Trails for such a superb trip!
Written 25 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Tammy
How great to hear that you had an amazing time on your trip and that you loved every day of it! We want our guests to experience the very best of New Zealand and Kiwi hospitality, and I'm sure Hayley and Finn will love reading about how they made that happen for you. Mt Cook is a truly breathtaking place and I'm delighted you were able to experience it both in the day and at night, under the stars.
Cheers
Jodi
Written 29 June 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mayo F
2 contributions
Mar 2020
I did quite a bit of research on your group before booking. For a group of experienced older hikers, this was the perfect trip. You were well organized, competent, safe, and supplied us with a really great New Zealand experience that we will remember forever!. Having two great New Zealand guides gave it the magic touch. Can’t say enough about Tim and Chris. They both excelled in a way that made all of us feel confident, safe, excited, and special. It was a mixed group of people, but they helped everybody to achieve everything that they wanted. These are two genuine individuals that sincerely cared about their charges and bent over backwards to make their experience just terrific. Not to leave anybody out, Jody was great on the sales side and gave us enough information so we could make our decisions properly. Tash was great setting up all the details and was very responsive to all of our needs. Thanks to both of them. This trip ranked well up on the list of the best trips that we’ve ever taken, including base camp Everest, Kilimanjaro, India Himalayas, and Iceland. I might add that this is the only trip that inspired me to want to come back to the same country again! New Zealand is awesome!
Written 21 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It's wonderful to hear you loved your visit to New Zealand with us so much you are eager to return! Chris and Tim will be thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed their company and care on your trip. They are top notch guides who will be delighted to know their passion for guiding and New Zealand shines through!
The whole team here at New Zealand trails would be delighted to welcome you back here again one day!
Cheers
Jodi
Written 7 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bostonfern
Loveland, OH5 contributions
Feb 2020
We scanned the internet trying to find a company that would combine our desire to see as much of New Zealand as we could and do some hiking and biking as part of the experience. We also didn't want to have to drive ourselves as its too hard to drive and see the country side around you at the same time, yet we didn't want to be part of a huge bus full of tourists on a big bus. New Zealand Trails just seemed to have it all. And though we were a little apprehensive about using a company we hadn't heard of except on the internet, we couldn't have been happier with out selection. From my first email to them, they were extremely attentive. They responded immediately to any questions and were very helpful. The guides were just the best! MJ and Tom worked harder than any guides we've ever run across before and went above and beyond to be sure our group of 9 were always comfortable and well fed. We loved them both. We'd never been to New Zealand before and really didn't know a lot about it or its history. They were able to provide us with much information about New Zealand itself as well as the areas we passed through. The country is so picturesque and pristine. We were a little worried about getting into Milford Sound because heavy rain a couple weeks before had caused considerable damage to the road into the sound. New Zealand Trails went out of their way, keeping us informed and up to date on the situation, even offering to provide everyone with a flight over the sound if the busses were unable to drive in. We were very impressed with their diligence in being sure we were all able to get into the sound somehow. We hiked, we biked, we kayaked and we had experiences we had never known we'd enjoy.....like swimming with the dolphins. That was definitely a highlight. Accommodations were always clean and comfortable, and frequently unique locations. We were extremely pleased with our decision to go ahead with New Zealand Trails.
Written 4 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It was lovely to be a part of planning your trip to New Zealand and we are delighted that you thoroughly enjoyed your experience with us! It's great to see MJ and Tom's passion for New Zealand came through in their knowledge and care. And how wonderful they were able to introduce you to a new experience you enjoyed so much, swimming with our native dolphins!
Cheers
Jodi
Written 14 May 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paula C
Taunton, UK1 contribution
Feb 2020 • Solo
This was a wonderful 5 day trip around the North Island which I would strongly recommend to anyone who wants to see a lot in a short time. We managed kayaking on the Coromandel Coast, hiking the Tongariro Crossing, seeing geysers and hot springs at Rotorua, participating in a Maori cultural evening, seeing glow worms and much, much more. Our two guides were amazing. They were so well informed and went way above normal service to ensure we were very well looked after. I have such lovely memories to treasure from this great trip.
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your review of your Sweet North adventure with us. It sounds like you truly did enjoy a lot in a short amount of time and that you were shown what Kiwi hospitality is all about : )
Cheers
Jodi
Written 2 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CapeMayMarsha
Newton, MA69 contributions
Jan 2020
We recently finished the Masterpiece trip and felt both challenged as well as pampered and cared for even when getting up before dawn. Our guides were fabulous, knowledgeable, helpful and lots of fun. The daily excursions Corban and Libby took us on immersed us into the nature and beauty of NZ. We hiked/tramped along majestic routes, biked, swam with wild dolphins, kayaked and hiked some more. The meals and accommodations were excellent and varied exposing us to the diversity of food and settings in the South Island. We stayed in an isolated lodge set against a lake, a tiny motel in Foulwind, a typical KIWI "batch", a luxurious lodge at the top of Millford Sound and more "city" hotels. When I look at the photos, it's hard to believe how much we were able to see and experience in 2 weeks. Thank you New Zealand Trails
Written 4 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, Marsha!
It sounds like you really had the full experience of New Zealand from your activities to accommodation to food all while enjoying your time with your lovely guides. We are so pleased!
Jodi
Written 7 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Louise L
9 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
This was an awesome tour that I highly recommend. Each day was well organized with a variety of activities and sights during the tour. Our driver, Rob, always drove professionally and safely. I’m prone to motion sickness but didn’t have a problem (even on windy roads) because he drove so smoothly. Both our guide and driver were incredibly knowledgeable about everything New Zealand - geography, geology, flora and fauna, food, politics, society. Great sense of humour. Accommodations were always clean, comfortable, quiet and usually quite pampering. Food was delicious. They always ensured good food options for anyone with food restrictions (in our group we had vegetarians and gluten free). The hikes were manageable for anyone with an average fitness level. Beautiful sights around every corner while hiking and while driving.
Highly recommend New Zealand trails.
Highly recommend New Zealand trails.
Written 12 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The fact that you got so much out of your World Heritage Tour means a lot both to us and to your guides. I'm delighted you enjoyed the local knowledge your guides were able to share with you, the beauty on the trails, and of course the classic Kiwi sense of humour!
Cheers
Jodi
Written 29 June 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
wendyhauser
Parker, CO2 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
My husband, son and myself participated in the Masterpiece Tour Jan-Feb 2024. This is a mixed review; while New Zealand is indescribably beautiful, the execution of our trip left much to be desired.
Having been on guided tours (Inca Trail to Machu Pichu, Summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro), our expectations were for a seamless guide experience. We were sorely disappointed, as our guides were switched at the last moment. We had a first season guide who had completed three trips with NZT, and a new hire with experience from another company. To say there was a lack of alignment between the two was an understatement. The lack of leadership, and support to rectify the situation by upper management was abysmal. It wasn't until day 12 of a 14 day trip that an experienced guide was brought in to replace one of the original guides.
Booking an ecotravel trip implies that there will be learning and cultural awareness shared along the way. Our guides provided this inconsistently and in a fragmented manner to whichever part of the group was on hand.
Additionally, despite booking the trip 11 months in advance, our itinerary was reversed, which led to poor communication between at least one restaurant and our group and no dinner reservation for the evening, during a rainstorm.
Accommodations were inconsistent, with some nice lodgings and the majority being a mid-priced Marriott level (think Courtyard) or lower. Many lunches were eaten standing up, as the guides didn't pull off in areas with adequate facilities and were make your own sandwich affairs. Comparably priced guided trips included supported camping, meals prepared by cooks rather than overworked guides, and appropriate dining facilities (even tents with tables and chairs far exceeded lunch on the road).
The reason I didn't rate this trip lower was because of the incredible travel mates we had, which made the trip fun as we were compatible, and the amazing places we visited.
My advice to travelers considering NZT: ask a lot of questions about who is leading your trip and their experience levels, how the trip is run (reverse or not) and what contingencies are in place if there are mismatches in guides. I would explore other options and not be sold on the reviews only.
Having been on guided tours (Inca Trail to Machu Pichu, Summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro), our expectations were for a seamless guide experience. We were sorely disappointed, as our guides were switched at the last moment. We had a first season guide who had completed three trips with NZT, and a new hire with experience from another company. To say there was a lack of alignment between the two was an understatement. The lack of leadership, and support to rectify the situation by upper management was abysmal. It wasn't until day 12 of a 14 day trip that an experienced guide was brought in to replace one of the original guides.
Booking an ecotravel trip implies that there will be learning and cultural awareness shared along the way. Our guides provided this inconsistently and in a fragmented manner to whichever part of the group was on hand.
Additionally, despite booking the trip 11 months in advance, our itinerary was reversed, which led to poor communication between at least one restaurant and our group and no dinner reservation for the evening, during a rainstorm.
Accommodations were inconsistent, with some nice lodgings and the majority being a mid-priced Marriott level (think Courtyard) or lower. Many lunches were eaten standing up, as the guides didn't pull off in areas with adequate facilities and were make your own sandwich affairs. Comparably priced guided trips included supported camping, meals prepared by cooks rather than overworked guides, and appropriate dining facilities (even tents with tables and chairs far exceeded lunch on the road).
The reason I didn't rate this trip lower was because of the incredible travel mates we had, which made the trip fun as we were compatible, and the amazing places we visited.
My advice to travelers considering NZT: ask a lot of questions about who is leading your trip and their experience levels, how the trip is run (reverse or not) and what contingencies are in place if there are mismatches in guides. I would explore other options and not be sold on the reviews only.
Written 7 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I’m Amanda, the General Manager at New Zealand Trails. Here at New Zealand Trails, we work really hard to maintain the high standard of our trips. We spent the days following Wendy's trip debriefing with all parties involved including all of the guests, our Operations Manager, and the guides. We’ve set up video and/or phone calls with Wendy and the other guests on her trip so we could be fully aware of what happened, and we have really appreciated the constructive way that the guests have helped us work through this.
In our ten years of operating guided tours, we have never had a situation like this develop on a trip. And that’s not by luck – we hire exceptional people to join our guiding team, train them thoroughly, have daily check-ins with all guides, and take every bit of communication seriously. After our debrief, however, it has become very clear to us that the experience Wendy received was nowhere near the very high level we train our guides to and would expect them to deliver. As can be seen in our reviews, our guides are the highlight of our guests’ trips with us, and we are deeply disappointed ourselves that we didn’t deliver an experience to this usual high standard.
We have extremely high standards and expectations of our guides. To be able to join our team, our guides must pass a comprehensive guide training program that covers things like communication, service, hard and soft guiding skills, food preparation, conflict resolution, safety management, and how to deliver an exceptional commentary about New Zealand. Both the guides on Wendy’s trip were very experienced with backgrounds in instructing and guiding and had been through our rigorous guide training program. While it may have been the first tour with New Zealand Trails for one of them, that guide had 5 years of experience guiding similar tours in New Zealand with other companies. From the past reviews of these guides, the training they have undertaken, and the feedback from other New Zealand Trails guides who had worked with them, nothing in the lead-up to this trip led us to believe that it would be delivered to anything other than our usual and expected high standards.
It became apparent to our operations team in the early stages of the trip that there was a communication breakdown happening between the two guides. We knew this because we are in daily contact with all guides as a matter of policy. Our Operations Manager was in direct contact with both guides from day two of the trip to mediate the situation. She asked the guides daily if the guests had any idea of what was happening in the background, or if it was affecting the trip in any way, and was explicitly told by them that the guests were having a great time and were not aware of what was going on behind the scenes. That subsequently turned out not to be the case, and within 12 hours of it becoming apparent that the trip was being affected negatively, we had switched out one of the guides. That was the fastest we could do this given their location at the time. Given what we know now about what happened on the trip, we 100% would have made this call much earlier had we had the full picture, but I’m confident our team made the best decision they could at the time with the information they were given by the guides.
We are really sorry that this was the experience that Wendy had on her trip with us, and we’ve taken the opportunity to let her and all the other guests know that by apologising directly to them. We have also reimbursed them a portion of their trip price.
Thanks again Wendy for your open and honest feedback, and your willingness to help us work through these issues.
Written 14 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Shelley R
1 contribution
Dec 2019
New Zealand Trails is a terrific company to use when going to New Zealand. There are several trips to choose. The World Heritage trip was terrific. I am an outdoor person and all the hiking, kayaking, and sightseeing was amazing. The guides were outstanding, they knew the areas so well that when an adjustment was needed due to weather, it was seemless. I highly recommend New Zealand Trails for a visit to New Zealand.
Written 15 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Shelley
It’s great to hear you enjoyed your time with us on your World Heritage and that your guides were top notch! Thank you for recommending us!
Cheers
Jodi
Written 15 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
C V
Minneapolis, NC11 contributions
Dec 2019
In Dec. 2018 and Jan 2019 we went on Kiwi Classic and True North. We were lucky to have Shona as our lead guide on both trips. We chose Kiwi Classic with our 3 twenty-something sons, and then my husband and I also went on True North. The itinerary and experiences were well thought out and planned. Shona (and I see Rachael’s and Mike’s pictures on the current web site; Kendra was also one of our guides) and NZT had alternatives planned when it was too wet or too windy for the original plan. Guides were always cheerful. Mix of challenging and less challenging days was right. We were lucky enough to have dry weather for the drive to Milford Sound; then it rained overnight and we awoke to a totally changed Sound and drive back - waterfalls were everywhere! Our family will never forget Christmas spent backpacking Nelson Lakes, swimming with the dusky dolphins, Okarito, Pancake Rocks, Lake Wanaka, and, on the North Island, hiking the Tongariro Crossing. Jodi was very helpful with the planning.
Written 7 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shona loved having you both on our Sweet North Island trip and having you join us as a family on our active Kiwi Classic trip too! We are delighted you had so many highlights on your tour of New Zealand and to hear that your guides were able to accommodate you all so well. It sounds as though you will have some treasured memories, and hopefully some great photos, to keep forever!
Cheers
Jodi
Written 1 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience