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New Zealand is a beautiful country with diverse landscapes, friendly people, and SO many amazing experiences. Exploring New Zealand is not something you’ll ever forget – or regret.
After traveling all over the country, we made Queenstown our home base in 2018. We’ve spent a ton of time exploring New Zealand’s hiking trails, fiords, mountains, and wineries, and we can safely say that it’s one of our favorite countries on Earth. But with so much to see and do, planning your itinerary can feel like a mammoth task.
That’s why joining a tour is one of the best ways to take in all the country has to offer. It’s a stress-free way to enjoy some of New Zealand’s most stunning places without having to worry about the hassle of organizing transport and accommodation, or about missing out on the best spots.
We’ve rounded up the 6 best multi-day guided tours of New Zealand that will give you a well-rounded and unforgettable experience of this incredible country. Each tour offers the chance to explore some of the most beautiful places in New Zealand, whether you want to see the North Island, the South Island, or the whole country all in one go.
Why join a guided tour around New Zealand?
One of the top reasons to join a guided tour is that it makes your trip SO much easier to plan. With your itinerary laid out for you, you can rest easy knowing you won’t miss out on any of the country’s top attractions or hidden gems. Plus, you’ll have an experienced guide who can tell you all about the history and culture of New Zealand and share insider information.
Joining a group tour is also a great way to meet new people, which is especially nice if you’re traveling solo and want to make friends. You’ll have a whole group of people to share your experiences with, ensuring you won’t get lonely.
It also means that you don’t have to stress about things going wrong because your guide will be there to help you out and you’ll have the tour company for extra support. You don’t need to worry about getting lost or stranded, and you can just focus on having an amazing time!
We think another huge advantage of organized tours is that you don’t need to worry about driving. We know first-hand that the roads in New Zealand can be treacherous! Plus, you won’t need to rent a car (which is pretty expensive) or think about logistics like parking and snow chains in the winter.
Things to consider before booking a guided tour around New Zealand
One of the main things to consider when booking a guided tour of New Zealand is how much time you have.
In this blog, we’ve included some tours that last over three weeks, while others only take up a few days. Depending on your budget and time constraints, you might want to join a tour for the duration of your entire trip or just one particular portion.
Another factor to consider is the type of activities you want to do and the places you want to visit. As we said, there are a ton of amazing things to do in New Zealand! As such, it’s a good idea to make a list of your must-see attractions and find a tour that can help you tick all of these off. You might be dying to see the North Island, or maybe you want to spend all of your time on the South Island.
You should also consider where the tour starts and ends. Some tours are round trips, while others are one-way, so take into account where you’re flying in and out from or heading to after the tour ends.
Obviously, budget is also an important factor when choosing a tour. Some tours are all-inclusive, while others have additional costs for meals and certain activities and accommodation. It’s important to know exactly what is and isn’t included before booking a tour, as this can help you create a budget for your trip.
Last but not least, consider whether you’d prefer a group or private tour. If you’re already traveling with a group, then a private tour for just your party might be a better option – it could even work out to be more affordable. Plus, you’ll get more personal attention from your guide. However, if you’re traveling solo or with just one or two other people, then joining a group tour might be the way to go.
There’s no right or wrong tour to book. We think that all of the tours we’ve listed below are excellent, but the right one for you depends on your own needs and what you want to get out of your time in New Zealand.
Related Read: There are things to do all year round in New Zealand. Read about the best time to visit New Zealand with activities for each season!
Best Multi-Day Tours of the North Island
1. 4-Day Wellington to Auckland tour (including Rotorua)
Kicking off this list – let’s start off strong! This 4-day North Island tour is a real treat if you’re looking to explore many of the most iconic spots like Rotorua, the Whakarewarewa geothermal reserve, and Hobbiton!
But that’s not all. Other highlights of the trip include the Waitomo glow worm caves (a really magical experience!), as well as a local city tour of Auckland. But really, I’m just scratching the surface here, there’s so much to do on this trip.
This tour package includes 3 nights of accommodation, as well as hotel pick-up and drop-off throughout the length of the trip. Of course, having commentary from your local guides during the activities really helps to take this tour to the next level – it’s like having a fast-track pass to knowing the spots as if you were the local!
Ticket prices for the tour do depend on how many people are going – for a group of two it costs $1,575 NZD per person, while a group of three costs $1,435 NZD per person.
When it comes to organizing hotels, guided activities, and transport, this tour really makes the whole experience feel completely seamless. Best of all, they offer free cancellation up to 6-days before the tour, as well as flexible payment options!
You can read their reviews, check out the itinerary, and book here in advance!
2. 2-Day Auckland, Hobbiton, and Rotorua tour
Have a little less time on your hands but still want to explore the North Island? If you’re coming from Auckland, this 2-day experience is perfect. Aside from Hobbiton, they also throw Rotorua, the Waitomo Caves, and a visit to Te Puia into the mix!
Hobbiton is a true must-visit for any fans of the Lord of the Rings movies, and this Hobbiton tour from Auckland includes your visit to the set where scenes from these iconic movies were made. You’ll also go on a boat tour of the Waitomo Caves, which are famed for their glow worms.
Afterward, you can explore the geothermal park at Te Puia and take a dip in some of its warm thermal pools before visiting the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute. Here, you’ll spend an evening enjoying a traditional Maori meal and watching a cultural performance.
The $1,080 NZD price tag includes lunch and your Maori feast on day 1, overnight accommodation in Rotorua, and breakfast on day 2 before you head back to Auckland.
We think that this short but sweet tour is perfect for anyone who wants to experience some of the top natural and cultural highlights of the North Island in a short space of time. It’s essentially a whistle-stop tour of some of New Zealand’s most famous attractions.
If you want to see Hobbiton and other sights without the hassle of organizing it yourself, book this 2-day tour from Auckland online here.
Related Read: Auckland is a great base to explore the rest of the North Island. If you plan to stay here overnight, check out the best Auckland hotels for all budgets.
Best Multi-Day Tours of the South Island
3. 8-Day South Island Small-Group Tour (Starts and ends in Christchurch)
The South Island is absolutely FULL of amazing places to visit, and there really never seems to be enough time to do it all – until this 8-day South Island tour came along!
Ok, I might be exaggerating a little (there’s way too much to see even if you had a month to spare!), but I found myself loving the itinerary they’ve put together for this tour – it visits many best-of-the-best locations which pretty much guarantees an unforgettable experience.
It all kicks off in Christchurch, a city practically bursting with life, history, and things to do. As the days roll by, you’ll visit top spots like Arthur’s Pass National Park, Wanaka, Milford Sound, Queenstown, and Lake Tekapo. Along the way, you’ll enjoy guided tours as well as plenty of free time at bustling locations like Queenstown and Franz Josef.
I really like the balance between free time and guided activities on this tour, which allows you to recharge and really take in your time here rather than a completely curated experience from start to finish. Of course, the guides are more than happy to provide recommendations on things to do, and boy are there a lot of things to sink your teeth into.
The experience costs $1,899 NZD per person, which includes all accommodation, guided activities, and transport along the way. There are very limited spots available throughout the year, so it’s a good idea to book far in advance before the spots snap up!
You can read their reviews and book with flexible payment options here!
4. 7-Day snow tour (Christchurch to Queenstown)
New Zealand is well known for its excellent skiing and snowboarding, and the South Island is the best place to do it. If you’re excited to hit the slopes, then this 7-day snow safari tour is for you! Over 7 days, you’ll explore 7 of the best ski fields in the country: Mt. Hutt, Lake Ohau, Treble Cone, Cardrona, Haka Lodge, the Remarkables, and Coronet Peak.
For $2,859 NZD, all of your lift passes are included, and you can always customize your itinerary with optional extras such as a day trip to Milford Sound if you need a little break from the slopes. Your accommodation is also covered in the price.
You’ll stay in high-end hostel dorms, so you’ll be super comfy but also get to know other travelers, which really adds to the experience. However, if you do want more privacy then you’ve got the option to upgrade.
This tour starts bright and early at 6 am so you can get the most out of every day. You’ll be picked up in central Christchurch before heading to the mountains. While this tour usually ends in Queenstown, there are occasionally reverse trips. So if you want to go from Queenstown to Christchurch instead, it might be an option!
One thing we think is really great about this tour is that you get an orientation tour of each mountain to familiarize you with each location and ensure that you get the most out of your time there. The tour also includes all of your lift passes. However, equipment hire isn’t covered so you can either bring your own or rent it for an additional fee. It’s suitable for skiers of all abilities, but if you do want to take lessons, then they will cost you extra.
All in all, we think that this is a great way to explore New Zealand’s stunning snow-covered landscapes, and the tour company is passionate about providing an enjoyable and safe experience. We love skiing in New Zealand and go pretty much every winter that we spend in the country. We can confirm that this tour will take you to the very best ski resorts and fields that the South Island has to offer!
This is a seasonal tour running from July through September so reserve your spot for this snow adventure here!
Related Read: Snow sports are just one way to enjoy winter on the South Island. Read about these top winter activities in Queenstown for more fun ideas!
5. 6-Day South Island tour (starts and ends in Christchurch)
We found this round-trip tour from Christchurch to have a really nice balance between guided activities and independent exploration. Over the course of 6 days, you’ll get to enjoy two scenic train rides, a tour of one of the best glow worm caves near Te Anau, a cruise along the Milford Sound, a ride on the Queenstown Skyline Gondola, and a tour of the Franz Josef Glacier.
But the fun doesn’t end there. If you want to add even more adventurous activities to your itinerary, there are plenty on offer in Queenstown, where you’ll spend a free day midway through the tour.
The $4,535 NZD price includes 5 nights of 3-star accommodation. However, if you want a more luxurious experience, you can upgrade to 4-star digs for an extra $105 NZD (totally worth it, in my opinion!). There’s a maximum group size of 20, and you often travel together on public buses rather than on a group coach, so it feels more like an independent adventure than a touristy guided tour.
One thing to note is that, unlike a lot of tours, no meals are included – so you’ll need to factor that into your budget as you go. But the silver lining is that it gives you a lot more freedom and flexibility to explore interesting restaurants and cafes in each location. Choosing where to eat was a nice change of pace from other tours and I especially loved the cafe options in Queenstown and the restaurants in Te Anau.
There are tours leaving every single day, so pick your date and book it online here!
6. 5-Day South Island tour (starts and ends in Christchurch)
This 5-Day South Island tour is a great value for more budget travelers! At $1,919 NZD, you’ll see loads of sights and all within just 5 days.
You’ll begin by traveling through Mount Cook National Park to Queenstown, and from there you’ll enjoy a guided day tour of the Milford Sound. You’ll also get a free day in Queenstown and visit both the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, so you really do see a lot in just five days! On the final day, you also get to enjoy a ride back to Christchurch on the TranzAlpine Express, which is super scenic.
Along the journey, you’ll hear lots of insightful commentary that will give you a better understanding of the local culture and environment. The tour is also really well organized and everything runs like a well-oiled machine, so there’s no stress at all!
The price of this tour includes 4 nights’ accommodation and all of your transportation (including hotel pickup and drop-off in Christchurch at the beginning and end of the tour). However, meals aren’t included so you will need to factor the cost of food into your budget.
Overall, we think this is a great way to pack in lots of incredible sights and experiences in New Zealand’s South Island in a short space of time – and all without breaking the bank.
This low-cost tour is usually available in the first half of October. So if you’re headed here this time of year, book your 5-Day South Island tour online here.
Related Read: You can also do day trips and overnight trips on the South Island, like these tours from Queenstown to Mount Cook!
Thanks for reading!
Guided tours are a great way to take advantage of all that New Zealand has to offer! Having lived here for several years, I’ve tried many tours and feel these are the best options for seeing the country. I hope you find one you enjoy and that you have an amazing vacation!
If you’ve found this article helpful, check out more of my blogs on New Zealand. I have everything from road trip itineraries and city guides to the best places to stay in each location. Thanks for reading!
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