Walking Tours

Our guided walking tours are a fun and informative way to explore the varied landscape and regions of New Zealand. We travel by minibus, exploring an area and stopping for stunning walks along the way. We visit the ‘must see' places and also get off the beaten track to discover the ‘real' New Zealand. In addition to our guided walks there are opportunities to participate in activities such as sea kayaking, whale watching, a wilderness jet boat trip, hot air ballooning, wine tasting and scenic flights along the way. Each tour is led by two guides, and we take a maximum of 10 clients. This gives us great flexibility in the walking options provided, allowing us to split the group if necessary to offer a spectrum of Grade 1/2/3 walks to suit different levels of walking ability. Most days consist of a half day walk or several shorter walks combined with some bus travel, and sometimes there's a full day walk. Our itineraries include a number of two night stopovers to allow time for rest, relaxation and exploration.

How hard is the walking?

PureTrails tours are suitable for healthy people of all ages who enjoy walking. Visit our Difficulty Gradings page to read about our level of difficulty gradings. Being a country of rugged mountainous isles, most walks will involve some degree of uphill or undulations and some, though on well formed tracks, will have tree roots, rocks, some small streams and uneven ground to negotiate. We walk at a comfortable pace with plenty of photo and snack stops, and our emphasis is on appreciating the wilderness areas we pass through. As we have two guides on each tour we can cater for different walking abilities - no one gets left behind, and you do not need to participate in all the walks.

Do I need any special equipment?

You will need a comfortable day pack, waterproof jacket and good quality lightweight walking boots. On some walks the terrain is quite rocky and uneven, so if you are comfortable hiking with a walking pole we encourage you to bring it along. We will provide specific information at the time of booking on what to bring.

Do I have to carry a heavy pack?

No - on PureTrails tours you only need to carry a day pack with your lunch, jacket, water, camera etc.

How should I prepare for my tour?

We recommend you put in a good amount of training so you gain the most enjoyment out of your experience. We encourage you to get out and do some walking before your tour, starting out with say half an hour a day and gradually building up to 2-3 longer walks each week including some uphill. The secret is to start slowly and increase your exercise gradually. The fitter you are the more enjoyable your tour will be.

What if I'm travelling alone?

Accommodation is based on twin share, with a combination of private and shared facilities. Single travellers are welcome on our walking tours - either twin share with another person of the same gender (if available) or pay a single supplement and have your own room.

When is the best time to go?

Each season has its advantages: Springtime (October - December) features dramatic snow-clad peaks; flowering alpine plants and our magical pohutukawas (the NZ Christmas tree); fewer people; cooler walking temperatures; green pastures and playful lambs. Summer (January - February) features warmer temperatures and long summer days, but more people. Autumn (March - May) features stunning autumn colours, especially in the south; fewer people; generally settled weather and mild temperatures. Our rule of thumb is come prepared for anything regardless of the season, and you will have a great time.

What's included in the price of my holiday?

PureTrails is committed to providing excellent value for money tours.  Accommodation, most meals, guided walks (including Department of Conservation guiding fees), transport, some extra activities and information booklets are all included in the tour price. Additional optional activities are available to enhance your experience, however you will most likely find your PureTrails tour is substantial enough not to warrant spending extra on activities.