New Zealand Small Group Tours For Women 50+
Twelve days on the South Island with a small group of women over 50: Milford Sound, Aoraki Mount Cook, Queenstown, Central Otago wine country and the Otago Peninsula, with a private van, a tour leader and local guides.
New Zealand Small-Group Tours
- Upcoming departures
- 2 (1 with spots left)
- Group size
- Up to 12 women
- Activity level
- Moderate
- From
- $6,500 per person, shared room
New Zealand At A Glance
A New Zealand South Island Tour For Women Over 50
On New Zealand's South Island, the road is part of the wonder. In twelve days we travel from Christchurch to Dunedin by private van, past turquoise lakes, glaciers, alpine passes, rainforest and the Southern Ocean coast. A tour leader travels with the group, and local guides, cultural hosts and specialists join us along the way.
The people and stories matter as much as the scenery. In Christchurch you meet a pounamu carver and learn why greenstone is treasured by Ngāi Tahu, the Māori people whose ancestral homeland covers much of the island. In Central Otago you taste Pinot Noir and share a seasonal lunch among the vines, and in the Mackenzie Country you go stargazing beneath some of the darkest skies you will see.
The trip is designed for women over 50. Groups are small, with up to 12 women, and over 80% of our guests travel solo. Not sure a group trip is right for you? Read our guide to solo travel groups for women over 50.
Highlights Of The New Zealand Tour
Christchurch and a pounamu carver
Step inside a working pounamu studio and meet the head carver, then walk through the stone courtyards and Gothic Revival buildings of the old Canterbury College and hear how the city rebuilt after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.
Lake Tekapo and the dark skies
Turquoise water beneath the Southern Alps, the Church of the Good Shepherd, and a guided stargazing session in the Mackenzie Country, weather permitting.
Aoraki Mount Cook
A drive past milky-blue Lake Pukaki into a valley ringed by glaciers, beneath New Zealand's highest mountain, with a short trail if the weather and the group's energy allow.
Wanaka and Central Otago wine
Cromwell's rescued old town, a tasting at a Bannockburn winery in Pinot Noir country, and an unhurried seasonal lunch overlooking the vines.
Mount Aspiring National Park
Beech forest, suspension bridges over a gorge of icy meltwater at the Blue Pools, and waterfalls along the Haast Pass.
Queenstown
Lunch beside Lake Wakatipu with the Remarkables beyond, time to browse or stroll the gardens, and an optional ride on the Skyline Gondola.
Milford Sound
A cruise beneath cliffs that rise straight from the water, through the Homer Tunnel and Fiordland rainforest. Watch for fur seals, dolphins and seabirds.
The Catlins, Dunedin and the albatross
Purakaunui Falls, the lighthouse at Nugget Point, Larnach Castle, and a guided visit to the northern royal albatross colony at Taiaroa Head.
New Zealand South Island Itinerary: 12 Days, Day By Day
You arrive and depart in Christchurch. This is the route.
- Day 1 Christchurch — arrival day, with an orientation and welcome dinner
- Day 2 Christchurch — pounamu studio and the rebuilt city centre
- Day 3 Christchurch to Lake Tekapo — via Geraldine and Fairlie, with stargazing in the evening
- Day 4 Lake Tekapo to Wanaka — via Lake Pukaki, Aoraki Mount Cook and Lindis Pass
- Day 5 Wanaka — Cromwell, Bannockburn and a winery lunch
- Day 6 Wanaka — Mount Aspiring National Park, the Blue Pools and Haast Pass
- Day 7 Wanaka to Te Anau — via Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu
- Day 8 Te Anau — Milford Sound and the cruise
- Day 9 Te Anau — a free day, with optional Doubtful Sound, glowworm caves or an easy Kepler Track walk
- Day 10 Te Anau to Dunedin — via the Catlins, Purakaunui Falls and Nugget Point
- Day 11 Dunedin — Larnach Castle and the Otago Peninsula, with the albatross colony and a farewell dinner
- Day 12 Dunedin to Christchurch — departure day, with a drive of about five hours to the airport
Every day is described in full on the New Zealand tour page.
How Active Is The New Zealand Tour?
The tour is rated moderate. The walking is generally in shorter stretches of no more than one to two hours at a time, on gravel tracks, forest paths, wet or uneven ground, inclines, steps and suspension bridges. None of the included walks are difficult hikes, but good balance, steady footing and comfortable walking shoes matter.
Some travel days last about 8 to 9 hours once scenic stops, meals and walks are included, with up to about 6 hours of actual driving. You should be comfortable sitting in the van for long periods, getting in and out through the day, and boarding the Milford Sound cruise. The trip suits women who can manage moderate daily activity.
Best Time To Visit New Zealand: October And March
New Zealand's seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere. Our South Island tours run in spring (October) and early autumn (March). In October the gardens are in flower and snow often still sits on the high peaks. March brings settled, mild days with the first autumn colour. The mountains and fiords can bring rain and sudden changes in any season, so pack layers and a waterproof jacket.
Do You Need A Visa For New Zealand? The NZeTA
US and Canadian citizens do not need a visa for a short visit, but you must have a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before you fly. Apply only through the official New Zealand Immigration website or app. Fees apply and entry rules change, so check the official site before you apply. After you book, your Guest Portal lists the entry details for your tour.
What Is Included On The New Zealand Tour
Included
- Small group experience with a maximum of 12 women
- A professional tour leader throughout the trip
- 11 nights in 3-star and 4-star hotels and lodges
- Transportation by private van
- Daily breakfast, 7 lunches and 6 dinners
- Local guides, cultural hosts and specialists
- All activities and entrance fees listed in the itinerary
- Arrival airport transfers, and one group departure transfer to Christchurch Airport
Not included
- Flights to and from New Zealand (arrive and depart from Christchurch)
- Passport and visa fees, including the NZeTA
- Meals and activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Gratuities
Rooms are in comfortable, conveniently located 3-star and 4-star hotels and lodges, and every room has a private bathroom. Up to 8 single rooms are available, so book early if a room of your own matters to you. Optional activities, such as the full-day Doubtful Sound journey, are paid separately.
Planning to see both countries? Our Australia tour is scheduled so that you can follow it with, or take it before, the New Zealand trip. Check the dates on each tour page.
New Zealand Travel FAQ
Yes. Our New Zealand tour is a small group tour for women aged 50 and over, with up to 12 women and a professional tour leader throughout. Over 80% of our guests travel solo.
It is 12 days and 11 nights on the South Island. You arrive and depart in Christchurch. Arrival airport transfers and one group departure transfer to Christchurch Airport are included. Book your departure flight for 5:00 PM or later, because the drive from Dunedin takes about five hours.
It is rated moderate. Walks are generally no more than one to two hours at a time, on gravel tracks, forest paths and steps. Some travel days last 8 to 9 hours including stops, with up to about 6 hours of driving. Good balance and comfortable walking shoes are important.
Eleven nights in 3-star and 4-star hotels and lodges, private van transportation, daily breakfast, 7 lunches and 6 dinners, local guides and cultural hosts, all activities and entrance fees listed in the itinerary, and airport transfers. Flights, travel insurance (mandatory), the NZeTA and gratuities are not included.
Our South Island tours run in October (spring) and March (early autumn). The weather can change quickly in the mountains and fiords in any season, so bring layers and a waterproof jacket.
No visa is needed for a short visit, but you must have a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before you fly. Apply only through the official New Zealand Immigration website or app, and check the current fees and rules before you apply.
Yes. You do not need a travel partner. Over 80% of our guests join our tours as solo travelers. Up to 8 single rooms are available on each departure, and if you choose to share, we match you with another woman.
No. Day 9 in Te Anau is a free day with several optional activities, such as a full-day Doubtful Sound journey or a trip to the glowworm caves. Your tour leader helps you arrange the option you choose, and it is paid separately.
Ready To Explore New Zealand With Women Travel Tribe?
Browse all our upcoming tours, read traveler reviews, or subscribe for updates and travel inspiration. Not sure a group tour is right for you? Read our guide to women-only travel groups for women 50+. Traveling on your own? See solo travel groups for women over 50.