Highlights of New Zealand In Style

This tour has many kinds of different walks and you can choose which ones are suitable for you and your level of fitness. Most of the time there are choices and the majority of the walks are moderately rated. If you want to choose some of the more challenging walks then you will need to be used to hiking with elevation gains and losses, some of which are significant, but id you choose not to do the more difficult walks you should be fairly fit, but its not necessary to be ultra fit and besides all the walks are optional.

New Zealand is a walkers paradise and well-renowned for its walking tracks, therefore it is all very well organised and signposted. There are occasionally walks on tarmac and walks on dirt tracks, which are mostly Department of Conservation walks which are all very well-maintained.

Accommodation on this tour is superior standard throughout, including boutique hotels, lodges, retreats, suites and resorts, many in wonderfully scenic locations with their own modern, characterful feel. All rooms are en-suite and spacious, and you'll receive a warm welcome from your hosts at each stop.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome on this tour. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

Please note that single rooms may not always be of quite the same standard as twin or double rooms on this tour.

Breakfast is included throughout the tour. At most accommodations this is a cooked breakfast, though at a couple of stops you'll be provided with the ingredients to prepare it yourself, or you may need to buy it locally. Lunch and most dinners aren't included, so you're free to shop or eat out at local cafes and restaurants, and on walking days you can easily pick up a packed lunch in a nearby shop or cafe.

This tour is bookable from mid-September through to the end of May, covering spring, summer and autumn/fall, when conditions are generally more favorable (New Zealand's weather can still change quickly at any time of year). Spring brings an abundance of flowers, summer is warm to hot (though rarely hot in the mountains), and autumn is quieter with attractive seasonal colors.

The busiest months are January to March and over the Christmas and New Year period, so if you're traveling then it's worth booking well in advance to secure availability at the accommodations used on this tour.

This tour is a drive and hike itinerary, so you'll have your rental car with you throughout and will transport your own luggage between stops as you drive - there's no separate luggage transfer service on this tour.

The walking tracks in New Zealand are generally very well marked and signposted, so you shouldn't have a problem finding your way.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

Because detailed route notes aren't available for every walk on this itinerary, it's especially important to have the app set up and your tracks downloaded before you set off.

Getting to the start: this tour starts in Auckland. Auckland Airport is served by many international and domestic airlines, including Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, American, Thai Airways, Virgin Australia, Etihad and Qatar Airways. On arrival, a GK Limousine driver will be waiting just outside the sliding doors from customs, holding a board with your name, and will take you to your accommodation in central Auckland.

Please note that when booking flights from the UK to New Zealand, you'll arrive 2 days after you set off, and on the return you'll arrive 1 day after you set off, because of both the length of the journey and crossing the International Date Line - similar principles apply travelling from Europe and the US.

Getting from the end: this tour ends near Christchurch. Christchurch Airport is served by many international and domestic airlines, including Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Virgin Australia and Emirates. On your final day, a private transfer will take you to the airport from your accommodation.

You'll need good hiking shoes or boots, comfortable hiking clothes, waterproofs, a daypack, and we recommend hiking poles. A portable charger for your cell phone is essential. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

On certain days you can shorten the route or skip it entirely by using a taxi or public transport.

Because this is a drive and hike tour, you'll need a driving license in English with a photo, of at least an equivalent category to Class 1, to pick up your rental car. Most visitors to New Zealand also need to apply in advance for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) and pay the International Visitor and Conservation Levy (IVL), regardless of visa requirements - check what applies to your nationality before you travel.

Driving in New Zealand is a great way to see the country, but roads can be narrow with some tight bridges, and the motorway network is more limited than in many other countries, so it pays to drive carefully, especially in rural areas. A local prepaid SIM card (available at the airport or in town) or an eSIM works well for both calls and GPS navigation, and it's worth downloading offline maps before heading into more remote areas where coverage can be patchy.

You'll receive vouchers for all of your included activities around 60 days before departure - print these out in advance, as you may be asked to show them.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation