New Zealand Tours
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16 Days Christchurch to Auckland
Operator: Grand Pacific Tours
10 Days Christchurch to Christchurch
Operator: Grand Pacific Tours
19 Days Auckland to Christchurch
Operator: Grand Pacific Tours
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Our small groups are typically 12 people – small enough to get right into the heart of your destination, but big enough to find like-minded people to share your experiences with. And the glue that holds these groups together is our local tour leaders, who are uniquely placed to add individual and spontaneous moments to each trips – moments that stay with you long after you return home. All sorts of people travel with Explore – our groups are usually a mix of solos, couples and friends. What unites them is their adventurous spirit and thirst for real travel experiences.
We provide authentic small-group travel, designed by experts and led by experts, with sustainability at its heart and a common desire for unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re on a cultural tour of Lebanon, cycling in Vietnam, walking in Italy or exploring Costa Rica with your family, when you’re travelling with Explore you know that you’re in good hands.
With picture-postcard views flowing seamlessly through your panoramic window, the journey will astound you. As your Tour Director leads you beyond the well-beaten paths and highways, you'll become immersed in authentic New Zealand culture. Our unique rail tours take you beyond boundaries on a once-in-a-lifetime journey that you'll treasure forever.
For over 55 years we’ve been perfecting the secret formula to the perfect trip - we know you’re after unique experiences, local insight and accommodation that’s more than a place to sleep. We run over 350 trips across 6 continents, each one designed to get to the beating heart of a destination, understanding the local way of life, unearthing unforgettable experiences and creating lifelong memories. Real experiences, unique accommodation, local food, the best team and awesome people all deliver Contiki’s no regrets experience.
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Cruise Lake Wakatipu 
The TranzAlpine Railway 
Rotorua’s Geothermal Wonderland 
Maori Culture 
The Sounds of Fiordland Latest Reviews
The tour Ultimate South Island of NZ was brilliant. We saw key highlights in all the areas, and had time to explore as well as plenty of optional tours available if we chose. We booked the helicopter flight over the glaciers and had the opportunity to land in and spend time in fresh snow. We also were lucky enough to see Mt Cook, the weather was favourable. The glow worm caves were another highlight, as was the jet boat experience. Our tour guide Dave was knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. He grew up in Dunedin so was well versed in everything the South Island had to offer. The coach was incredibly comfortable and , and the hotels on point, everything was organised and effortless for us. Highly recommend Global Journeys and Grand Pacific, cannot wait to book our next trip!
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Common Questions
What are the best months to visit New Zealand?
It begins to get warmer in NZ around October and cooler by the end of April. January to March is the height of summer and also the busiest, with locals taking every opportunity enjoy the long nights and sunny days along with travellers from around the world. You can still get rainy days (there's a reason why the countryside is so green) throughout the year, but during the summer period they don't tend to hang around for very long.
The shoulder months of September, October and April are also popular times to visit, with less travellers around and prices of tours generally lower as a result. It rains a lot less in the South Island (year round) and of course the winter months are very popular due to NZ's popularity as a ski destination.
How many days should I put aside to travel through New Zealand?
Which is more beautiful, the North or South Island?
That's a tough call that will entirely depend on what you're hoping to experience in paradise. The North Island is covered in native and ancient forests (we call it bush in NZ), pastoral farms, geothermal landscapes, glorious beaches and the largest and most populous cities (Auckland and Wellington).
The South Island is more "Middle Earth", meaning spectacular mountain ranges, gorges and fiords and home to the adventure capital of the world - Queenstown. And it's a lot less populated with only 20% of the 5m Kiwi's located down south.
What is the name of the most scenic train ride in New Zealand?
You're probably thinking of the TranzAlpine train journey. The TranzAlpine is one of the world's great train journeys covering 223 km's (139 miles) one-way, taking just under 5 hours. You’ll traverse the majestic Canterbury Plains, to the backdrop of the mighty Southern Alps - the journey of a lifetime. Along this journey you’ll see epic vistas, travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, traverse the Southern Alps, and see miles of native beech forest.
Another train journey to consider is the Coastal Pacific which runs daily throughout the summer season from Christchurch to Picton. With the sea stretching to the horizon in the east and the Kaikoura mountains stretching to the sky in the west, the Coastal Pacific is one of the most astonishingly beautiful journeys in New Zealand.
Why is New Zealand the adventure capital of the world?
The best thing about touring around New Zealand is the depth of "things to do" in such a geographically small destination. If adventure is your thing, both islands of the country have you covered. World renowned as the home of the bungy jump you can also experience off-road driving, canyoning, ziplining, mountain biking, zorbing, caving, rafting and jet boating - all while surrounded by NZ's natural beauty.
