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New Zealand

Hiking Under Southern Skies

Program No. 11592RJ
Hike the iconic trails of New Zealand, including sections of the world-renowned Great Walks, and discover national parks and traditional Maori culture alongside local experts.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
22 days
Program Begins
Hamilton
Program Concludes
Wellington
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
54 ( 19B, 17L, 18D )
Activity Level
Challenge your mind and body on some of New Zealand's most spectacular hiking trails. Hike over the world-renowned Tongariro Crossing and sections of the celebrated Routeburn and Kepler Tracks, two of New Zealand's designated Great Walks. As a special highlight, enjoy four nights on Stewart Island, a native wildlife sanctuary seldom accessible to visiting groups.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Take expert-led hikes over the Tongariro Crossing in Tongariro National Park and in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
  • Experience Maori culture including the powhiri (formal welcome), traditional songs, dances and hakas.
  • Hike sections of the world-renowned Routeburn and Kepler Tracks, two of New Zealand's designated Great Walks.
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Elspeth Jaine, originally from Scotland, has lived in mid-Canterbury, New Zealand, since 1986. She and her husband, Charles, have farmed sheep and cattle near Mt. Somers for most of that time. Elspeth has also worked as a physiotherapist, been a mother to four (now grown) children, and latterly has run a small visitor exploration venture. Elspeth loves to be in the outdoors and indulge her love of tramping, skiing, biking, and exploring nature. She also enjoys creative pursuits, especially painting and photography.
Pete Brady was born and bred in Wellington, New Zealand. His working careers have been in land surveying, backcountry leading, outdoor instructing at the NZ Outward Bound School and ranger in New Zealand National Parks and Reserves. Pete has extensive experience in risk assessment and managing groups in the outdoors. He has traveled extensively throughout New Zealand on foot, pushbike, horse-drawn wagon, kayak and motor vehicle. Pete's interests include his family, natural history, photography, surfing, running and transalpine tramping (hiking).
Gerard Dunne grew up running around the South Island with his family, school, and venture group. He has traveled extensively throughout New Zealand, hiked the 11 DOC Great Walks, cycled, skied, camped, sailed, swum, and skydived in various parts of the country and overseas. He’s been lucky enough to visit seven continents as well as many of the Pacific islands. After careers in information technologies and medical research, he has volunteered with the Red Cross and others and led groups since 2018-19.
Kathy Roberts has enjoyed hiking since her childhood and has led hiking and camping groups for many years, being responsible for risk assessment, first aid, and encouraging a love of and respect for the outdoors. She has lived in Australia, England, and Canada, and has traveled extensively. Her interests are meeting new friends, cycling, skiing and helping other people in her voluntary roles. She is a physiotherapist. Kathy has hiked throughout New Zealand, trekked in Nepal, and has plans for more overseas exploring and hiking.
Robyn Denize enjoys travel, hiking, skiing and stand-up paddle boarding (with her Golden Labrador as a passenger). She and her husband, Colin, worked at Camp America in Maine, and they later taught at an international school in Fiji. Robyn lives on a small farm and grows calla lilies commercially. She is an active member of an urban search and rescue team, teaches violin, and is an outdoor education Instructor.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Challenging
Categorized as Challenging, you will be hiking 6-10 miles daily on mixed terrain that is frequently hilly (undulating), rocky or uneven. Ascents of up to 2,000 feet. Elevations up to 6,000 feet.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.