Booking New Zealand Guided Tours

You can always travel without a guide, but in unfamiliar territory you'll learn more with a knowledgeable local by your side. If you're interested in a multiday excursion book it at least several weeks in advance. The companies listed here cover large regions of one or both islands.

With most adventure-tour companies, the guides' knowledge of the environment is matched by a level of competence that ensures your safety even in dangerous situations. The safety record of adventure operators is extremely good. Be aware, however, that most adventure-tour operators require you to sign waivers absolving the company of responsibility in the event of an accident. Courts normally uphold such waivers except in cases of significant negligence.

Bicycling

Season: October–March.

Best Locations: Countrywide.

Cost: Multiday tours start around NZ$1,700 per person, including food, lodging, and guide services. Supplemental fees are commonly charged for single riders.

New Zealand Pedaltours. New Zealand Pedaltours operates on both islands, with tours of 2 to 37 days. Tour options include the Coromandel Peninsula, the Southern Alps, and the Central Otago Rail Trail. Both islands. 45 Tarawera Terr., Kohimarama, Auckland, Auckland, 1071. 09/585–1338; 09/585--1339; www.pedaltours.co.nz.

South Island Contacts

Adventure South. 29 Iversen Terr., Christchurch, Canterbury, 8011. 0800/00--1166 ; www.advsouth.co.nz.

Pacific Cycle Tours. Unit 3, 14 Kennaway Rd., Christchurch, Canterbury, 8023. 03/982–9933; www.bike-nz.com.

Canoeing

Season: Year-round, best October–April.

Best Locations: Whanganui River, North Island.

Cost: From NZ$80 per person for single-day tours to NZ$225 per person for five-day trips. Tents, sleeping bags, and bedrolls can be rented for an additional fee.

Blazing Paddles Canoe Adventures. Blazing Paddles Canoe Adventures runs one- to five-day trips on the Whanganui River, during which you can ride mild rapids, and see waterfalls, pristine forests, and birdlife. Overnight stays are spent camping or in huts, depending on the trip. Blazing Paddles has a provisional OutdoorMark safety rating and now holds a DOC concession for self-catered guiding trips on the Whanganui River. 1033 State Hwy. 4, Taumarunui, Manawatu-Wanganui, 3992. 07/895–5261; 0800/252–9464; www.blazingpaddles.co.nz. From NZ$80 for a day trip to NZ$225 for a 5-day trip..

Cross-Country Skiing

Season: July–September.

Best Location: Aoraki (Mount Cook) and Wanaka, South Island.

Cost: Around NZ$850 for two to five days, NZ$1,170–NZ$1,700 for five days high on Mt. Cook alpine skiing, which includes equipment, meals, hut accommodation, a guide, and transport.

Alpine Recreation Canterbury. In winter (July–September), Alpine Recreation Canterbury runs multiday backcountry skiing trips on the glaciers of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Westland National Parks and in the Two Thumb Range above Lake Tekapo, with terrains to suit all reasonably fit skiers. In the National Parks, Alpine and Telemark Tours typically start with a flight to the alpine hut that becomes your base; from there the group sets out each day. In the Lake Tekapo High Country you hike three hours to a private hut, from which you do day tours. Snowshoeing tours are also possible from here.

In summer (November–April), Alpine Recreation Canterbury runs guided treks, mountaineering courses, and guided ascents in Aoraki/Mount Cook and Westland National Parks. They have their own private hut straight opposite the mighty Caroline Face of Mt. Cook, which is used for the Aoraki Mt. Cook Trek, the Ball Pass Crossing, and climbing courses. 30 Murray Pl., Lake Tekapo, Christchurch, Canterbury, 7945. 03/680–6736; 0800/006--096; www.alpinerecreation.com.

Diving

Season: Year-round.

Best Locations: Bay of Islands, Poor Knights Islands, Great Barrier Island, Goat Island Marine Reserve, and the Coromandel Peninsula, North Island. Also, Milford Sound, South Island.

Cost: A two-dive day trip without rental gear runs about NZ$150, with gear around NZ$240.

Yukon Dive. Pacific Hideaway Charters runs dives at the Poor Knights Islands, Mokohinau Islands, and the coastal regions around Tutukaka—all of which are home to manta rays, large kingfish, and lots of other sea life. Day trips include tea, coffee, and snacks, as well as kayaks to borrow if you want to stay on the surface. Marina A8, Tutukaka, Northland, 0173. 09/434–4506; 0800/693–483; yukon.co.nz/pacifichideaway.

North Island Contacts

Paihia Dive Hire and Charter. 0800/107–551; 09/402–7551; www.divenz.com.

Fishing

Licenses and Limits: Different regions require different licenses when fishing for trout, so check at the local tackle store or visit www.fishandgame.org.nz. Fees are approximately NZ$124 per year, but at most tackle shops, you can purchase a daily or weekly license. No license is needed for saltwater fishing.

Season: Varies by region.

Best Locations: Countrywide.

Cost: Big-game fishing: NZ$300 per person, per day. Heli-fishing: from NZ$560 per person, per day. Trolling and fly-fishing for lake trout: from NZ$90 per hour (one to four people). Charter costs vary widely.

North Island Contacts

Blue Ocean Charters. Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, 3141. 0800/224--278; www.blueocean.co.nz.

Brett Cameron Central Plateau Fishing. 07/378–8192; www.cpf.net.nz.

Te Ra Charters. Whangamata, Waikato. 07/865–8681; tera.whangamata.co.nz.

South Island Contacts

New Zealand Fly Fishing Guide. Queenstown, Otago. 03/442–7061; www.flyfishing.net.nz.

Toa Tai Charters. Toa Tai Charters offers fishing, diving, and sightseeing charters over 1,500 miles of beautiful New Zealand coastline in Queen Charlotte, Pelorus and Keneperu Sounds, D'Urville Island, Port Underwood, Cook Straight, and Nelson. 021/169–2257; www.soundsfishing.co.nz.

Hiking

Season: October–March for high-altitude walks, year-round for others.

Best Locations: Any of the national parks or New Zealand’s nine Great Walks.

Cost: One- to three-day guided hikes are NZ$170 to NZ$1,070. Prices for longer hikes vary widely.

Hiking New Zealand. Hiking New Zealand has hiking tours to suit everyone on both islands, from 5 to 20 days. 0800/697–232; 03/310–8188; www.HikingNewZealand.com.

North Island Contacts

Bush and Beach. 09/837–4130; 0800/423–224; www.bushandbeach.co.nz.

Kiwi Dundee Adventures, Ltd.. 07/865–8809; www.kiwidundee.co.nz.

South Island Contacts

Alpine Guides Ltd.. 03/435–1834; www.alpineguides.co.nz.

Alpine Recreation. 03/680–6736; www.alpinerecreation.com.

Guided Walks New Zealand Ltd.. 03/442–3000; 0800/832--226; www.nzwalks.com.

Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company. London Quay, Picton, Marlborough, 7220. 03/573–6078; www.marlboroughsounds.co.nz.

Ultimate Hikes. The Station Bldg., Duke St. Entrance, Queenstown, Otago, 9348. 03/450–1940; www.ultimatehikes.co.nz.

Wild West Adventure Co.. 8 Whall St., Greymouth, West Coast, 7805. 03/768–6649; 0800/946--543; www.fun-nz.com.

Horse Trekking

Season: All year-round on the North Island; may be weather dependent on the South Island.

Best Locations: Northland and the Coromandel Peninsula in the North Island, Nelson and Canterbury high country in the South Island.

Cost: Prices range from about NZ$125 for two hours to NZ$240 for a day trip, or NZ$500 for overnight; contact outfitters for specifics on shorter or multiday trips.

South Island Contacts

Cape Farewell Horse Treks. 23 McGowan St., Puponga, Southland. 03/524–8031; www.horsetreksnz.com. From NZ$80.

Dart Stables Glenorchy. 58 Coll St., Glenorchy, Southland. 03/442–5688; 0800/474–3464; www.dartstables.com.

North Island Contacts

Pakiri Beach Horse Rides. 317 Rahuikiri Rd., Pakiri Beach, R.D. 2, Wellsford, 09/422–6275; www.horseride-nz.co.nz. NZ$175 ½-day, NZ$299 full-day, including packed lunch.

Rangihau Ranch. Rangihau Rd., Coroglen, 07/866–3875; www.rangihauranch.co.nz.

Rafting

Season: Mainly October–May.

Best Locations: Rotorua and Taupo in the North Island, Canterbury and Queenstown in the South Island.

Cost: Cost: From NZ$125 for two hours to NZ$140 per person for three-hour trips; heli-rafting from NZ$240 per person, three-day trips from NZ$700 per person.

South Island Contacts

Rangitata Rafts. Rangitata Gorge Rd., Peel Forest, Geraldine, South Canterbury, 0800/251–251; www.rafts.co.nz. From NZ$210.

Wet 'n' Wild Rafting Company. Wet 'n' Wild Rafting Company rafts several of the North Island's rivers: the Rangitaiki (Grade II–III, great for first timers), Kaituna (Grade IV–V, with the 21-foot waterfall), Wairoa (Grade IV–V, an ultimate white-water playground), Motu (Grade III–V, with wilderness camping for two to four days), and Mohaka (Grade III–V, with two to four days of camping and fishing). From $100, . North Island. 2 White St., 3010. 07/349–3191; 0800/462–7238; www.wetnwildrafting.co.nz.

Sailing

Season: Year-round.

Best Locations: Bay of Islands, Auckland and Wellington in the North Island, upper and lower South Island, including the Marlborough Sounds.

Cost: Bay of Islands from NZ$90 for a day trip to NZ$700 to NZ$850; Doubtful Sound from NZ$1,750 for five days; Fiordland National Park from NZ$3,700 for eight days.

South Island Contacts

Catamaran Sailing Charters. 46 Martin St., Nelson, Nelson, 7011. 03/547–6666; 0800/467--245; www.sailingcharters.co.nz.

Heritage Expeditions. 03/365–3500; www.heritage-expeditions.com.

Sea Kayaking

Season: December–May.

Best Locations: Northland, the Coromandel Peninsula, and Whanganui River in the North Island; Marlborough Sounds, Kaikoura, Abel Tasman National Park, and Stewart Island's Paterson Inlet.

Cost: Cost: From NZ$80 for a half-day excursion; contact kayaking outfitters for price information for longer trips.

Contacts

Coastal Kayakers. Coastal Kayakers runs sea-kayaking excursions in the Bay of Islands, from four- to six-hour guided trips to Waitangi or Haruru Falls, to more leisurely three-day expeditions. On the overnight trips, you might camp on a deserted island after exploring lagoons, sea caves, and sandy beaches; you'll have time to swim, snorkel, or fish along the way. North Island. 09/402–8105; www.coastalkayakers.co.nz. From NZ$85 half day to NZ$685 for 3 days.

New Zealand Sea Kayaking Adventures. New Zealand Sea Kayaking Adventures offers fully provisioned 3-, 5-, 7-, and 10-day guided sea-kayaking–camping trips in the Bay of Islands. 09/402–8596; www.nzkayaktours.com. From $NZ800.