Travel and Leisure

A company specialising in walking holidays will undoubtedly offer an itinerary that encompasses the spectacular south and north islands of New Zealand.

"Yes, that's right I just walked the length of New Zealand!" has been declared triumphantly at many a dinner party in recent years. Exploring the world via the means of your own feet, with the added benefit of knowledgeable tour leaders, is booming in popularity, A 20-day trek traversing the spectacular and diverse terrain of New Zealand is a definite, stand-out amongst the plethora of transcontinental guided walks on offer.

Mixing it up in NZ is the way of the landscape and the way of the hike; from absorbing the vast array of extraordinary culture and arts and crafts, to enjoying the gastronomic delights of the land (the food is just great!), the sensory experiences on offer are varied and many. Accomodation ranging from the comfort of local hotels or B&Bs, to camping under the stars is a relaxing respite from a day on the road or trail. It's this diverse mix that makes the country extraordinary - it is majestic and often otherworldly but also, in a strange way, always reassuringly familiar.

Five reasons for recommending New Zealand walking holidays for an adventure of a lifetime are:

1. It is diverse

New Zealand is unsurpassed in diversity, beauty and accessibility and is characterised by contrasting scenery and culture. Guided walks with tour leaders include both out-of-the-way and iconic destinations.

2. It is breathtakingly beautiful

The landscape is simply majestic, from the snow fields and lakes of Queenstown and Franz Josef Glacier, to the South Island's Abel Tasman National Park, rolling farmlands, the steaming mud pools of Roturua, Art Deco inspired Napier and the Punakaiki coast. Then there is the Waikato River, quaint villages with picturesque gardens overflowing with colourful blossoms, windswept coastlines, the "finest walk in the world" the Milford Track, and so much more.

3. It is exciting

This is the perfect country for adventure travel. Day to day surprises abound, from seakayaking with fur seals, hiking along glaciers, kite surfing windswept beaches, scaling volcanic peaks, skiing, ballooning, luge riding, horse riding and whitewater rafting, to exploring castles and quaint towns with their galleries and eateries. All these attractions ensure any tour can be as diverse and exciting as the landscapes travelled!

4. New Zealand is safe

Accompanying the enjoyment of trekking the Long White Cloud there is the ease of mind and sense of safety that this special island land offers. New Zealand is generally a very safe country in which to travel. A low crime rate, few endemic diseases and an excellent health care system and friendly, caring people mean that travellers can relax into holiday mode.

5. It is very affordable

A New Zealand holiday is competitively priced and very affordable for the average traveller. Accommodation preferred for guided walking tours ranges from authentic wilderness campsites to comfortable lodges and quaint bed and breakfasts. Outstanding service at each location frequented by those on walking holidays is renowned. The food is excellent, multicultural and great value. The country is rightly famous for its dairy products, meats and seafood.

New Zealand walking holidays are always punctuated with surprise, drama, excitement and a veritable feast of new sights, sounds, tastes and emotions evoked by the beauty of this breathtakingly beautiful country.