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Top New Zealand Trips & Tours in December 2026

Travel made your way
New Zealand
Lupines on the shore of Lake Tekapo
Milford Sound
Lake and mountains in Milford Sound, South Island, New Zealand
Auckland
Visit Auckland
Dunedin
A quiet morning near Dunedin
Invercargill
Cruising Milford Sound, New Zealand
The Snares
Clear Water and Tropical Island
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Discover New Zealand in December 2026 on one of these 11 tours hand-selected by the travel experts at Adventure Life. Explore the best of during December 2026 as you enjoy Wildlife Viewing, Hiking, Village Visits, Helicopter Tours, and Kayaking. Prices for trips in December 2026 range from $2,725 to $47,860 for a vacation of 5 to 18 days. Choose any of the below 11 itineraries in December 2026 and customize it when you contact one of Adventure Life's expert New Zealand trip planners.
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    • New Zealand
Te Puia Geothermal
from $2,851
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New Zealand North Island Highlights

New Zealand Self-drive Tour - 7 Day Itinerary
  • Enjoy the glowworm cave at Waitomo
  • Visit Te Puia Geothermal
  • See skillful Māori crafts
  • Learn Māori customs and traditions
  • See native birds in wildlife
Starts / Ends
Auckland / Wellington
Activities
Wildlife Viewing, Village Visits, Hiking, Archaeological Site Visits, Urban Exploration
Activity Level
Moderate
Join this 7-day self-drive tour of New Zealand’s North Island. Discover iconic trails, cultural landmarks, and geothermal wonders in Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, Tongariro National Park, and Wellington. Ideal for nature and adventure lovers seeking an unforgettable journey
Tour Details
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Wellington Cable Car
from $8,163
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Best of New Zealand: North to South

New Zealand Self-drive Tour - 18 Day Itinerary
  • Hike through Auckland's west coast
  • Enjoy the glowworm cave at Waitomo
  • Visit Te Puia Geothermal
  • See skillful Māori crafts
  • Learn Māori customs and traditions
  • Tour Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Take part in a stargazing tour
  • Enjoy a Dart River jet boat tour
Starts / Ends
Auckland / Queenstown
Activities
Wine Tasting
Activity Level
Easy Active
Experience the best of New Zealand on this 18-day epic self-drive tour. Explore geothermal wonders, cultural heritage, and adventure across both islands, from Auckland to the South. Enjoy Māori cultural performances, visit Waitomo Caves, and Discover Tongariro National Park. Then head to the South to experience the stunning vistas and rugged landscapes.
Tour Details
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Mount Aspiring - Lake Wanaka
from $6,481
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Complete South Island Explorer

New Zealand Self-drive Tour - 14 Day Itinerary
  • Discover Christchurch's history
  • Enjoy Hanmer Springs hot pools
  • See marine mammals in Kaikoura
  • Visit Abel Tasman National Park
  • Hike the Franz Josef Glacier
  • Enjoy Dart River jet boat tour
  • Explore Queenstown and Milford Soun
  • See glacier in Mt Cook National Par
Starts / Ends
Christchurch / Christchurch
Activities
Helicopter Tours, Whale Watching, Whitewater Rafting
Activity Level
Easy Active
Explore the South Island of New Zealand on an unforgettable 14-day adventure. Discover stunning landscapes, vibrant cities, and unique wildlife. From glaciers to beaches, this journey offers thrilling outdoor activities, cultural experiences, and breathtaking natural beauty at every turn
Tour Details
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Queenstown South Island New Zealand
from $15,918
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Active New Zealand Adventure

New Zealand Self-drive Tour - 18 Day Itinerary
  • Hike through Auckland's west coast
  • Take a cruise on Lake Taupo.
  • Hike in Tongariro National Park
  • Cross the stunning Banks Peninsula
  • Take part in a stargazing tour
  • Enjoy outdoor activities in Wanaka
  • Enjoy Dart River jet boat tour
  • Sail overnight in Doubtful Sound
Starts / Ends
Auckland / Queenstown
Activities
Kayaking, Fishing
Activity Level
Moderate
Set out on an 18-day driving holiday in New Zealand from Auckland to Queenstown. Experience Lake Tekapo, Taupo, and the Tongariro alpine crossing. Sail Doubtful Sound overnight, enjoy a Wanaka AWD safari, hike the Routeburn Track, and elevate your journey with a Kepler Track heli-hike adventure.
Tour Details
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New Zealand landscape
from $6,335
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New Zealand Sounds and Steward Island

Bluff Roundtrip - 9 Day Itinerary aboard Coral Adventurer
  • Visit Ulva Island forests
  • See Dusky Sound waterfalls
  • Experience Deas Cove hike
  • Rare seabird sightings
Starts / Ends
Port of Bluff / Port of Bluff
Activity Level
Variable
Explore New Zealand’s southern coast on a 9-day voyage aboard Coral Adventurer. Journey through Stewart Island, Dusky, Doubtful, and Milford Sounds. Hike forest tracks, kayak quiet inlets, spot rare wildlife, and enjoy expert-led shore excursions across remote Fiordland landscapes.
Cruise Details
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New Zealand's remotest island.
from $9,975
Save 20%
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Beyond Fiordland - New Zealand's Wildest Islands

Port of Bluff Roundtrip - 12 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Adventurer
  • Explore Campbell Island
  • Visit Carnley Harbor
  • Zodiac cruise along Adams Island
  • Admire Stewart Island's beauty
Starts / Ends
Invercargill / Invercargill
Activity Level
Variable
On this 12-day cruise aboard Heritage Adventurer starting and ending in the beautiful city of Invercargill, admire some of New Zealand's best pelagic birding including Wandering Albatross, Royal Albatross, Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Campbell Island Albatross and Little Shearwater.
Cruise Details
0
from $15,995
Save 20%
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Birding Down Under: Subantarctic and Chatham Islands

Port of Bluff Roundtrip - 17 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Adventurer
  • Visit the best islands for birding
  • See the Albatross Latitudes
  • Marvel at diverse seabird colonies
  • Learn about nature and history
Starts / Ends
Queenstown / Queenstown
Activity Level
Variable
Embark on the Heritage Adventurer for a 17-day New Zealand birding cruise. Visit remote islands that are home to some of the world's most diverse and distinctive bird species. To get a closer look at these islands and their fauna, take Zodiac excursions and hike the islands in search of exotic wildlife. 
Cruise Details
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Queen Charlotte Sound
from $2,725
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Unseen Queen Charlotte Sound

Picton roundtrip - 5 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Explorer
  • Learn the history of Tory Channel
  • Experience Queen Charlotte Walkway
  • Discover Motuara and Blumine Island
  • Trek to Arapawa Island's lookout
Starts / Ends
Blenheim / Blenheim
Activity Level
Variable
Join this 5-day adventure exploring Queen Charlotte Sound and its islands aboard Heritage Explorer. Discover Tory Channel's whaling past, Ship Cove's history, and Arapawa Island's scenic lookout. Traverse the renowned Queen Charlotte Walkway, then explore Motuara and Blumine Islands' wildlife and WWII relics.
Cruise Details
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Marlborough Sounds
from $3,835
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Discover Marlborough Sounds: An In-Depth Exploration of the Marlborough Sounds

7 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Explorer
  • Explore Queen Charlotte Sound
  • Visit Tory Channel
  • Sail through d’Urville
  • Discover Pelorus Sound
Starts / Ends
Blenheim / Blenheim
Activity Level
Variable
Discover the calm waterways, abundant wildlife, and fascinating history of New Zealand's Marlborough Sounds on a memorable seven-day Kiwi tour that includes visits to Queen Charlotte and Pelorus Sounds, French Pass, and d'Urville Island.
Cruise Details
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Stewart Island
from $4,930
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Unseen Stewart Island: Pristine Wilderness and Wildlife Adventure

8 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Explorer
  • Discover Halfmoon Bay
  • Enjoy the historic views
  • Visit Norwegian whaling station
  • Explore Port Pegasus
Starts / Ends
Invercargill / Invercargill
Activity Level
Variable
Board the luxurious 18-guest Heritage Explorer on an 8-day expedition cruise. Discover the unseen rawness of New Zealand's wildlife-rich Stewart Island/Rakiura and Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara. The magnificent Aurora Australis is awe-inspiring as it spectacularly adorns the southern skies.
Cruise Details
0
Explore the stunning Milford Sound
from $18,470
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Expedition to New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands

Dunedin - Dunedin - 15 Day Itinerary aboard Le Soleal
  • Explore the Snares Islands
  • Enjoy a guided walk on Ulva Island
  • View fur seals, sea lions, & seals
  • See Fiordland Crested penguins
Starts / Ends
Dunedin / Dunedin
Activity Level
Variable
Set sail from Dunedin on Le Soleal for a 15-day exploration cruise to New Zealand's Fiordland and Subantarctic Islands. Explore the South West World Heritage Area, which is home to the magnificent Milford, Dusky, and Doubtful Sounds. Take a Zodiac cruise across the fiords and look for the endangered Fiordland Crested penguin.
Cruise Details
0
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