MyBaggage

Who has suggestions for a tour company? I have been reading and googling trying to identify the best ways - for me - to see New Zealand. I avoid group travel if possible. If I were traveling with someone else I would want a self-drive trip. But I will be alone. Often travel solo. When in a group, it must be a small group. I have used OAT before - but want to explore other options. I have searched for NZ travel group tours but find nothing that gives me confidence which would be good. I looked at Relaxing Journeys, but read bad reviews about their accompanied coach trips - e.g. small group busses all arriving at the same place, same time. I am active for my age but will not be doing any rock-climbing. Don't need high end hotels, do need top notch guides. Please hurry with your ideas - I am not getting any younger. ��

eliztravels2

Have you looked into Road Scholar? We went to new Zealand with them a couple of years ago and couldn’t have been more pleased.It was a small group, just 12 including guides and driver. It was quite active with hikes, cycling kayaking and so forth, rated as moderate challenging, but there are others. Take a look:

www.roadscholar.org

Bokhara2

There's nothing to stop you from doing a solo driving trip in NZ. You speak the language, it's a small population of about 4.5m over two islands & you can take your time & go when & where you like.

Unless you want to ski, I'd say go in the warmer months ( say, October to end of March). It's a beautiful country.

Have a look at Melnq8's, Songdoc's trip reports. There are lots of others here and on TA, they are just the two I thought about first.

Also - suggest you ask on Trip Advisor's NZ forum too. It's much more active then the Fodors boards for Australia & NZ.

thursdaysd

I went to NZ solo in my late 50s in 2004. I took buses everywhere. At the time the Youth Hostel Association arranged the trip, and I stayed in hostels, but there is no reason you can't DIY the same trip and stay in hotels or B&Bs. I visited both islands.

They now have a less organized version of the trip I did, and I think all the hostels had private rooms.
https://www.yha.co.nz/travel-shop/in...beds-packages/

This is the bus map:
https://www.yha.co.nz/assets/Travel-...k-map-2014.pdf

Inge_On_The_Go

I am a mature woman who traveled solo to the north island in 2014 for 17 days. I have just scheduled a trip to the south island for 26 days in January & February of 2018.

I did a self drive last time and will being the same this time for the freedom of movement. Like you, I often travel solo but I do join day trips for certain activities.

I agree to visit the TripAdvisor New Zealand form - much more active.