New Zealand Small Group Tours
Ever dreamed of hiking the Pororari River Loop Track through lush native forest and exploring Castle Hill Rocks and Arthur's Pass, where limestone boulders dot the landscape? Take a cruise through beautiful Milford Sound, where waterfalls fall from steep cliffs. Or hike up the Rob Roy Glacier Track for a close-up view of the glacier. From Tekapo Springs, look up at the night sky and see the Milky Way.
10 best New Zealand small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaNew Zealand travel expert at TourRadar
- Epic South Island Hiking & Walking Small Group Tour
- Premium New Zealand North Island
- Premium - South Island Escape
- Queenstown Southern Loop
- Highlights of New Zealand
- New Zealand North Island Itinerary: Top Sights & Travel Tips 7-Day
- Southern Light from Christchurch - Top rated by National Geographic
- A Self-Drive Odyssey Across New Zealand - Private
- North Island New Zealand Itinerary 8-Day
- New Zealand Explorer
Duration 13 days Destinations Christchurch, Punakaiki, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Franz Josef, Wanaka, Mount Aspiring National Park, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, QueenstownSee all destinations Age Range Ages 15+ Group Size Max Group Size 11 Operator Fresh Adventures From
- NZ$8,121
Premium New Zealand North Island
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We thoroughly enjoyed our time in New Zealand. We are grateful to Runty for his leadership skills, friendliness and professional guiding.”
John, traveled in November
Duration 8 days Destinations Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, Tongariro National Park, Ohakune, Wellington Age Range Ages 15+ Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Intrepid Premium From
- NZ$6,850
Premium - South Island Escape
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We really enjoyed our tour of South Island. It was very well organised and we all had the best time.”
Helen, traveled in February
Groups of 10-12 travelers enjoy exclusive access to boutique lakeside hotels in Te Anau. The intimate size allows personal wine tasting at Mt Difficulty Vineyard and relaxed glacier walks at Franz Josef.
Duration 7 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Franz Josef Age Range Ages 18+ Group Size Max Group Size 14 Group Type Group Operator Wild Kiwi From
- NZ$4,657+$698 upfront costs
Queenstown Southern Loop
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The van had a broken seat belt attachment with a sharp edge which ruined a down jacket I had bought for the trip.”
Susan, traveled in October
Groups typically include 10-12 travelers, averaging 54 years. Wildlife spotting at Nugget Point and hikes through Rakiura National Park feel personal, with shared accommodation in Te Anau and Stewart Island motels.
Duration 6 days Destinations Queenstown, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Stewart Island Age Range Ages 15+ Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Intrepid Travel From $4,060
25% Off- NZ$3,045You save $1,015
Highlights of New Zealand
43 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Would recommend the trip to anyone and our CEO was excellent.”
Emily, traveled in October
Small groups of 12-16 travelers, averaging 55 years, enjoy exclusive Maori cultural interactions in Rotorua and wildlife viewing in Kaikoura. Boutique accommodations and attention from CEO guides enhance the trip.
Duration 15 days Destinations Auckland, Hahei, Rotorua, Wellington, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Milford Sound Age Range Ages 12+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Operator G Adventures From
25% Off- NZ$6,999
Duration 7 days Destinations Auckland, Paihia, Bay of Islands, Rotorua Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Operator Across Caribbean Excursions From
25% Off- NZ$3,489
Southern Light from Christchurch - Top rated by National Geographic
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The scenery is amazing. Very very please overall!!”
Irina, traveled in March
Two dedicated guides lead groups through New Zealand's South Island. With an average age of 42 and mostly solo travelers, the intimate setting allows flexible stops at Lake Tekapo and Milford Sound.
Duration 8 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, Oamaru, Moeraki, Dunedin, Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound, Te Anau, Queenstown Age Range Ages 18+ Group Size Max Group Size 24 Group Type Group Operator Flying Kiwi From
25% Off- NZ$2,795
The Auckland City Revealed tour features private guides and personalized kayaking in Kaikoura. Small groups enjoy flexible stops at Mirror Lakes and Monkey Creek during Milford Sound tour. Private vehicles ensure smooth passage through Homer Tunnel and along Lake Wakatipu.
Duration 14 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Blenheim, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Wanaka, Queenstown Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Vio Travel From
25% Off- NZ$4,950
Duration 8 days Destinations Auckland, Paihia, Russell, Rotorua Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Operator Across Caribbean Excursions From
25% Off- NZ$3,861
New Zealand Explorer
23 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The value of the trip was well worth it, with breakfast, accommodation and all travel included.”
Hannah, traveled in November
Small groups of 10-15 travelers create close connections at locations like Waitomo Caves and Hobbiton. The average age of 27 brings energetic vibes, with 90% solo travelers enriching social dynamics at stops like Queenstown and Milford Sound.
Duration 14 days Destinations Auckland, Hahei, Rotorua, Taupo, Waitomo, Raglan, Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Milford SoundSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18-39 Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type Group Operator Wild Kiwi From
25% Off- NZ$3,946+$592 upfront costs
Reviews of Small Group tours to New Zealand
- Highlights of New Zealand
Amazing trip and our guide (Diane) was fantastic! We loved the Maori village stay and the accommodations throughout the tour were better than expected. We never would have been able to see and do so much if it weren't for this tour.
- Southern Light from Christchurch - Top rated by National Geographic
It was a great trip but the previous rains prevented us from doing some activities that we were planning to do.
- New Zealand Explorer
The tour was amazing. A very memorable one. Had a blast with others and places we visited were amazing. I wish we'd stayed a night in Lake tekamo. It's looks amazing so Def feel like I missed out
What our customers ask about New Zealand Small Group Tours
What is the typical group size for small group tours in New Zealand?
Most New Zealand small group tours maintain an intimate atmosphere with 8-16 travelers per group. Tour operators like Wild Kiwi use larger 22-25 seater vehicles but cap attendance at 16 people to ensure comfort and individual attention. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The small group size was really great! Would recommend this to everyone."
How much does a small group tour in New Zealand typically cost?
Daily rates for New Zealand small group tours start at USD 146 and reach USD 270 based on comfort level and included activities. The 14-day New Zealand Explorer by Wild Kiwi starts at USD 2048 (USD 146 per day) covering lodging transport and select meals. Budget tours hover around USD 150 daily while luxury experiences can surpass USD 300.
What style of accommodation can I expect on a small group tour in New Zealand?
Accommodations range from comfortable 3-star hotels to upscale boutique properties. Travelers often stay at locations like Peppers Bluewater Resort near Lake Tekapo or the Crowne Plaza in Queenstown. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "From lakeside hotels to rainforest retreats we enjoyed exceptional premium accommodation in the most beautiful parts of the country."
What's the best duration for a small group tour of New Zealand?
Tours spanning 14 days provide the right balance to explore both islands without rushing through locations. This timeframe allows visitors to experience key spots like Rotorua Queenstown and Franz Josef Glacier at a comfortable pace. A TourRadar traveler shared: "14 days was perfect - enough time to really experience each location while maintaining a good pace."
How much driving/traveling time should I expect between destinations?
Travel times between major stops average 3-4 hours with regular breaks for photos and activities. The Queenstown to Franz Josef route takes about 4.5 hours including stops at Lake Wanaka and scenic viewpoints. One TourRadar traveler mentioned: "Sometimes we had long drives but the vehicle is comfy so we were all happy."
What unique experiences are available on small group tours in New Zealand?
Small groups can access experiences that larger tours cannot such as private wine tastings at Mt Difficulty Vineyard quiet kayaking on Lake Wakatipu and peaceful walks on the Kepler Track. Special accommodations like the historic Theatre Royal Hotel in Kumara become available with smaller numbers. A TourRadar traveler shared: "having a smaller group meant we could stop at hidden waterfalls and secret photo spots that big buses couldn't reach. Our guide shared incredible local stories and we had plenty of time at each location."
How do meal arrangements work on small group tours?
Tours typically cover daily breakfast and selected group dinners. Experiences might include a traditional Māori hangi feast at Te Pa Tu in Rotorua or fresh seafood dining in Kaikoura. Some tours add picnic lunches in places like Abel Tasman National Park. One TourRadar traveler noted "Our guide took us to amazing local spots we would never have found on our own."