Guided hiking tours

Hump Ridge Track, Southland

By Amber Jones
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, Christchurch - Canterbury

By Mackenzie Tourism
Lake Harris on the Routeburn Track - Ultimate Hikes Guided Walk, New Zealand

By Julian Apse for Ultimate Hikes

Take your New Zealand adventure to the next level with a guided hiking tour.

Guided hiking tours offer a hassle-free way to explore the Aotearoa New Zealand’s impressive landscapes. Led by knowledgeable guides, they offer insight into local history, culture, and wildlife. Options range from half-day outings to multi-day hikes, often with comfortable accommodation, meals, and transport included. Some operators, like the Ridgeline tours and Walking Legends tours, offer exclusive access to privately owned land, giving you a truly unique experience.

Guided tours in the North Island

Great Barrier Island is full of spectacular natural scenery

Walking Legends – Central North Island

Walking Legends offers multi-day guided walking tours through some of the North Island’s most beautiful places, like Tongariro National Park, Great Barrier Island, and The Coromandel. Tours range from 4 to 12 days and include accommodation, meals, and expert guides who share stories, local history, and knowledge of native plants and birds. Walks are moderately challenging, with some harder sections, and usually take 3 to 7 hours a day. Lodge and hut stays are included, and itineraries can be adjusted to suit different needs and accessibility requirements. Tours run from April to October.

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Adrift Tongariro – Central North Island

Adrift Tongariro is a highly regarded outdoor adventure company based in the Tongariro National Park. It specializes in guided hiking and canoeing tours through the stunning landscapes of Tongariro and Whanganui National Parks, including the iconic Tongariro Alpine Crossing – often considered New Zealand’s best one-day walk. These tours are available year-round, accommodating both summer and winter conditions. No mountaineering experience is required.

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Guided tours in the South Island

Wilson's Walk, Abel Tasman National Park

Wilsons Abel Tasman – Nelson Tasman

One of the best ways to explore Abel Tasman National Park is with Wilsons Abel Tasman, a trusted local operator offering a range of guided day walks and multi-day walking tours. Highlights of this stunning coastal park include golden beaches, clear turquoise waters, and unspoiled native bush. Their popular Cruise & Walk day trips combine scenic boat rides with guided walks through native forest and along the coastline. These flexible tours range from a couple of hours to a full day and suit most fitness levels. Their multi-day guided walks take 3 to 5 days and include beachfront lodge accommodation inside the park.

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On the Queen Charlotte Track you'll get a workout that restores body and soul.

Wilderness Guides – Marlborough

Wilderness Guides NZ offers guided walking, kayaking, and biking adventures along the Queen Charlotte Track in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. They provide 1 to 5-day tours with options for all fitness levels, which include comfortable lodge accommodation, great food, and expert guides who share stories about the region’s history and wildlife. You can also combine walking with kayaking for a more varied experience. It’s a relaxed and scenic way to explore one of New Zealand’s most stunning coastal areas.

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Ultimate Hikes – Fiordland

Ultimate Hikes provide multi-day guided walks on the Milford Track and the Routeburn Track, two of New Zealand's most iconic Great Walks. Hikers also get exclusive access to private lodges with hot showers and full course meals, providing the perfect ending to a day exploring Fiordland – one of the world’s most beautiful alpine regions.

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Kepler Track, in Fiordland National Park

Trips & Tramps – Fiordland

Trips & Tramps offers guided tours through the Fiordland National Park, one of New Zealand’s most stunning wilderness areas. With over 30 years of experience, they specialise in day hikes and multi-day packages on Fiordland’s famous Great Walks: the Milford Track, Routeburn Track, and Kepler Track. Their day walks are perfect for those short on time but keen to experience the park’s beauty, while their 3-day Great Walk package includes guided hikes on all three tracks, with options like heli-hiking or jet boating for added adventure.

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Darran Mountains above Pyke River on the Hollyford Track.

Hollyford Wilderness Experience

The Hollyford Wilderness Experience is a fully guided 3-day adventure through the remote and beautiful Hollyford Valley in Fiordland National Park. The journey includes walking, jet boating, and a scenic helicopter flight over Milford Sound. You’ll stay in comfortable lodges, enjoy great food, and explore ancient rainforest, alpine peaks, and coastal landscapes with expert guides.

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Ruggedy Range – Stewart Island / Rakiura

Ruggedy Range Wilderness Experience is a locally owned and operated tour company based on Stewart Island / Rakiura, offering immersive nature experiences in one of New Zealand’s most untouched and wildlife-rich regions. Specialising in small-group guided walks, they take visitors off the beaten track into Ulva Island and Rakiura National Park. Their tours include half-day, full-day, and overnight hikes, such as the Ulva Island Birds & Forest Walk, the Rakiura Track, and the Mason Bay–Freshwater River hike. Ruggedy Range also offers kiwi spotting tours, boat cruises, and photography trips, all designed to provide a meaningful and memorable wilderness experience

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Trail Safety

New Zealand is free of predators, snakes, and poisonous insects. However, mosquitoes and sandflies are common year-round, especially near beaches, lakes, and rivers.

When hiking, remember to:

• Stick to marked trails
• Use bridges to cross rivers
• Avoid disturbing wildlife
• Take all litter with you.

For more information, visit the Department of Conservation(opens in new window).

Guided hiking tours

Hump Ridge Track, Southland

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, Christchurch - Canterbury

Lake Harris on the Routeburn Track - Ultimate Hikes Guided Walk, New Zealand