About this trip
Fourteen days across both islands, covering a lot of ground by road with plenty to show for it. You get the classic New Zealand mix — film sets, glaciers, glowworms — without having to plan the logistics yourself.
It runs as a group tour with a guide throughout, so the days are structured but the pace keeps moving. You can start in Auckland or Christchurch, with the itinerary simply running in reverse depending on your start point.
What you'll do
- Walk through the Hobbiton film set
- Hike on Franz Josef Glacier
- See the glowworms at Waitomo Caves
- Travel between the North and South Islands
- Cover key sights across a 14-day road trip
- Fully guided throughout, so little to organise yourself
- Fast-paced — a lot of distance covered over the two weeks
- Starting point (Auckland or Christchurch) is confirmed at booking, with the route run in reverse accordingly
Worth it if you want stress-free exploration with genuinely knowledgeable local guides and don't mind basic hostel accommodation. Think twice if you need privacy or prefer travelling at your own pace.
- Guides are consistently excellent—knowledgeable locals who integrate into the group and manage logistics seamlessly.
- The group dynamic creates genuine friendships; guides actively facilitate bonding time outside scheduled activities.
- Private rooms often lack private bathrooms in hostels; accommodation is basic but clean, quality varies between locations.
- Weather in the North Island can disrupt activities, but guides adapt well and keep morale strong regardless.
Distilled from real traveller reviews on TourRadar — we don't edit out the bad bits.
The same-vibe trips, side by side — price, value per day, and how each is moving. Only we can lay two operators' trips out honestly.
Sorted by fit — never by who paid. Price moves and availability come from our own daily tracking.
Departing in Jul is cheapest — from £1,800, about 12% below the priciest month (Jan).
Getting there
Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.
Where to stay
A night before your tour in Auckland · 24 Jul – 25 Jul
Booked on their own sites, separate from your tour. We may earn a commission — it never changes your price.
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