New Zealand – Hiking Trip with Trekking in Aotearoa
26-day small-group round trip across the North and South Island with tent, kayak and Great Walks
from 3.190 € p.p.
„New Zealand – Hiking Trip with Trekking in Aotearoa“ lasts 26 days / 25 nights, costs from 3.190 € per person. Next departure: 24.11.2026. Tour operator: RAWAKAS – Reisen mit Charakter. Advice and enquiries via Sport Meisel — we reply within one working day.
Dive into the adventure of your life and discover New Zealand in a very special way – up close and intense. From dense tropical rainforests, kilometres of sandy beaches and mighty glittering glaciers to snow-capped mountain peaks, this trip shows the full scenic variety of Aotearoa.
Over roughly 4,000 km by minibus we combine the highlights of both islands: the Tongariro Northern Circuit with its active volcanoes, a three-day sea kayaking tour in Abel Tasman National Park, the glacier country around Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, Milford Sound, the guided Hump Ridge Track and Mount Cook National Park. Nights are mostly spent in tents, supplemented by huts, a hostel and hotels.
The trip thrives on self-catering with shared meals and a small, well-attuned group of 7 to 10 people. Good fitness, sure-footedness and a healthy head for heights are prerequisites.
Trip highlights
- Tongariro Northern Circuit with three active volcanoes and the Emerald Lakes
- Three-day sea kayaking tour in Abel Tasman National Park with fur seals
- Glacier country Franz Josef and Fox Glacier
- Boat trip on Milford Sound (UNESCO World Heritage)
- Guided Hump Ridge Track along the Fiordland coast
- Mount Cook National Park with Mueller Hut or Hooker Lake
- Pancake Rocks in Paparoa National Park and the Moeraki Boulders
- Royal albatrosses, penguins, Hector's dolphins and possible whales
Itinerary — day by day
1 Day 1 · Arrival in Auckland
Transfer from the airport to the Rosepark Hotel. Meeting in the hotel lobby at 6 pm, dinner from 7 pm.
2 Day 2 · Kauaeranga Valley – Coromandel Peninsula
Drive to the Coromandel Peninsula and hike the Pinnacles Walk & Billy Goat Track.
3 Day 3 · Cathedral Cove & Hot Water Beach
Hike to Cathedral Cove, swimming at Hot Water Beach, optional sea kayaking tour.
4 Day 4 · Rotorua – the devil's kitchen
Drive to Rotorua with an ascent of Te Aroha; Maori village of Ohinemutu, St. Faith's Church and hot pools.
5 Day 5 · Huka Falls & Spa Park
Hike along the Waikato River to the Otumuheke Stream Spa Park, Huka Falls Lookout. Optional Te Puia Thermal Park.
6 Day 6 · Tongariro Northern Circuit – part 1
Unguided trek from Whakapapa Village to Oturere Hut in the UNESCO natural heritage area with three active volcanoes.
7 Day 7 · Tongariro Northern Circuit – part 2
Continue from Oturere Hut to Ketetahi Carpark past the Emerald Lakes; optional Red Crater (1,868 m).
8 Day 8 · Wellington – coolest little capital
Drive to Wellington with the “Beehive” parliament building, Te Papa national museum and nightlife.
9 Day 9 · Ferry crossing & Marlborough Sounds
Ferry crossing from Picton to the South Island through the Marlborough Sounds, gateway to Abel Tasman National Park.
10 Day 10 · Sea kayaking Abel Tasman NP – day 1
Start of the three-day sea kayaking tour along the granite coast with lagoons and lonely beaches.
11 Day 11 · Sea kayaking Abel Tasman NP – day 2
Paddling tour with fur seal watching around Tonga Island.
12 Day 12 · Sea kayaking Abel Tasman NP – day 3
Final stage of the kayak tour back to Marahau (tour can optionally be skipped, approx. 240-290 NZD).
13 Day 13 · Pancake Rocks – Paparoa National Park
Drive to the west coast, hike the Pororari Loop (part of the Paparoa Track Great Walk), Pancake Rocks.
14 Day 14 · Glacier country – Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Via Hokitika and the Hokitika Gorge into glacier country; glacier hikes, optional helicopter flight.
15 Day 15 · Lake Matheson & Haast Pass to Wanaka
Circular walk at Lake Matheson and drive over the Haast Pass with waterfalls to Wanaka.
16 Day 16 · Adventure in Queenstown
Free day in Queenstown with options such as Ben Lomond, the gondola, SS Earnslaw, jetboating or bungee. Drive to Te Anau in the afternoon.
17 Day 17 · Kepler Track day tour
Optional day tours on the Kepler Track, e.g. to Luxmore Hut or along Lake Te Anau.
18 Day 18 · Milford Sound boat trip
Boat trip on Milford Sound (approx. 1:45 h) in the UNESCO World Heritage area with photo stops on the way back.
19 Day 19 · Hump Ridge Track – part 1
Guided hike from Rarakau Car Park, mostly along the coast to Okaka Lodge.
20 Day 20 · Hump Ridge Track – part 2
Over ridges and subalpine zones with views of Fiordland and Stewart Island, historic viaducts.
21 Day 21 · Hump Ridge Track – part 3 (finale)
Coastal stage with Hector's dolphins and possible humpback whales, return to Tuatapere.
22 Day 22 · Catlins & albatrosses – Portobello
Drive via the Catlins and Dunedin to Portobello; royal albatrosses and blue penguins in the evening.
23 Day 23 · Moeraki Boulders & Southern Alps
Moeraki Boulders and yellow-eyed penguins, then drive through the Southern Alps to Mount Cook.
24 Day 24 · Mount Cook National Park hiking day
Either a demanding ascent to Mueller Hut or a moderate hike to Hooker Lake.
25 Day 25 · Canterbury Plains & Christchurch
Via the Mackenzie Country and Lake Tekapo with the stone Church of the Good Shepherd to Christchurch.
26 Day 26 · Return journey
Transfer to Christchurch airport and return flight; optional extension in Christchurch or Kaikoura.
Services
Included
- German-speaking tour guide (also the driver)
- Round trip in a 12-seater minibus (with luggage trailer if needed)
- 18 nights in a tent
- 2 nights in 3-4-star hotels (twin room with shower/WC)
- 1 night in a hostel (twin/triple room)
- 1 night in cabins (twin room)
- 3 nights in mountain huts (dormitories)
- Ferry between North and South Island
- Transfers and shuttles to/from the airport and to and from the hikes
- Concession & 2 nights Mosquito Bay (Abel Tasman kayak tour)
- Boat trip Milford Sound (approx. 1:45 h)
- Guided hiking package Hump Ridge Track
- Two-day trekking tour in Tongariro National Park (unguided)
- Visit to the Blue Penguin Colony
- Tent and camping equipment (excluding sleeping mats, sleeping bags, personal crockery)
- National park, parking and toilet fees on DOC land
- Driving licences
Not included
- International flights from approx. €1,750
- Meals (group kitty approx. 300-500 NZD)
- Kayak tour Abel Tasman NP approx. 240-290 NZD (optional)
- Further optional excursions and entrance fees
- Visa (17-23 NZD)
- Tourism levy (100 NZD)
- Personal equipment (sleeping bag, sleeping mat, crockery)
Optional extras
- Single tent€150.00
- Single room Auckland & Christchurch€130.00 (from 2027: €150.00)
- Extra night Auckland/Christchurch per night€130.00 (from 2027: €150.00)
- Small-group surcharge (5-6 participants)€280.00
- Flight (bookable through the operator)from approx. €1,750.00
Accommodation & meals
Accommodation
18 nights in a tent, 2 in 3-4-star hotels (twin room with shower/WC), 1 in a hostel (twin/triple room), 3 in mountain huts (dormitories), 1 in a cabin/twin room
Meals
Self-catering with shared meals via a group kitty (approx. 300-500 NZD)
Difficulty & requirements
Regular multi-hour hikes, good fitness (carrying up to 15 kg backpack over 3 days), sure-footedness on loose ground, a healthy head for heights, flexibility and motivation. Not suitable for people with limited mobility.
Getting there & back
Individual flight from approx. €1,750 (bookable through the tour operator); transfers from Auckland airport and to Christchurch airport included
Dates & prices
Frequently asked questions
What fitness level do I need for this trip?
You should be able to complete multi-hour hikes regularly, have good basic fitness (on the Tongariro trek you carry up to 15 kg over three days), be sure-footed on loose ground and have a healthy head for heights.
What is the accommodation like?
Nights are mostly spent in a tent (18 nights), supplemented by 2 hotel nights, 1 hostel, 1 cabin and 3 nights in mountain huts with dormitories.
Is the Abel Tasman kayak tour compulsory?
No, the three-day sea kayaking tour is optional and can be skipped. The cost of approx. 240-290 NZD is not included in the trip price.
Do I need a visa for New Zealand?
Yes, since October 2019 a visa (NZeTA) is required, costing approx. 17-23 NZD. The tourism levy of 100 NZD is collected at the same time.
Operator & travel security
This trip is operated by RAWAKAS – Reisen mit Charakter. Sport Meisel arranges this trip. The travel terms of the operator apply.
- Package travel insolvency insurance certificate of the tour operator
- Emergency number: +49 351 4245 0892
- Processed under German travel law (§ 651a ff. BGB, EU Package Travel Directive).
What our travellers say
I wanted to say thank you once again for the wonderful trip through New Zealand. High praise for guide Mirko. He did a fantastic job and always got us safely from A to B by car. Organisationally, everything always worked out brilliantly.
I was very lucky to enjoy the trip under the leadership of Mirko Prasse. His knowledge of the country with countless details is invaluable. The trip was perfectly organised.
The trip was fantastic, I am still thrilled. Everything went wonderfully and there was no sign of New Zealand rain. We were also a great group and I met really lovely people. Our guide Mirko Prasse led us safely through the country and spoiled us with delicious food.
Sport Meisel in pictures
Enquire about this trip
Personal advice instead of anonymous booking: send us your enquiry and we will get back to you with details, availability and prices.