New Zealand Private Tours

Best New Zealand Private Tours 2026/2027

We specialise in New Zealand Private Tours that make your New Zealand vacation dream a reality.

Check out our itineraries for private guided tours throughout the unique and breathtaking wonders of our country. During your trip you will get to discover adventure, culture, food and wine.

To get you started here are some recommendations for choosing the perfect New Zealand road trip itinerary–no matter the length of your stay.

Top 5 New Zealand Private Tours

•  7 Day South Island Guided Tour
•  7 Day Family Guided Tour
• 10 Day Lord of the Rings Guided Tour
• 10 Day Iconic New Zealand Guided Tour
• 7 Day North Island Guided Tour

Private New Zealand Tours

A privately guided tour is a way to see and do exactly what you want while visiting New Zealand. For example, you can choose from one of our carefully crafted tour itineraries or we can help you create a bespoke itinerary which meets your particular needs. Every part of your NZ holiday is customisable – be it locations, accommodations, transport, experiences, activities, or cuisine.

Our expert team at New Zealand Guided Tours are committed to crafting unforgettable experiences for our guests. We have cultivated relationships throughout the country that allow us to provide you and your travel companions with the vacation of a lifetime. In addition, our tour guides are chosen for their knowledge, authenticity, professionalism and experience.

What is a Private Tour?

New Zealand private tours cater only to the needs of you and your chosen traveling companions. You can choose where to go, how to get there, what to do, where to stay, and what to eat and drink. Best of all, you will be traveling only with those you know and love. These tours are run only for you and each of our tours is individually put together.

These type of tours offer the unique advantage of allowing you quality time with your companions. You can move at your own pace and do only those things you truly want to do. For example, New Zealand trips might have their own personalities – depending on whether they are family vacations, honeymoons, a friends getaway, a special interest group, or a business gathering. This is why our private tours are crafted to meet those individual needs.

Likewise you can choose exactly what you want for your holiday and our team will make all of the arrangements. This saves you from the stress of planning and allows you the freedom to immerse yourself in your trip. Your only job is to tell us what you are looking for and we will take care of the rest.

Or, if you prefer, you can choose from one of the itineraries we have already curated. These options range from 7 days up to 30 days and offer private guided experiences throughout both the North and South Islands. We have selected only the best amenities for these special holidays. Any of our listed itineraries can also be customised to suit your particular needs.

Customising Your Itinerary for Private New Zealand Tours

There are several ways you can customise your holiday. These details are what make a tour perfectly suited for you and your travel companions.

• Transportation. First, how you get around the country is a crucial element to your trip. This is why our tours come with a luxury touring vehicle to suit your group size, which your tour guide will drive for you. The rest is up to you! You can choose to bike, hike, drive a sports car, or fly from destination to destination if you so desire. 
• Accommodation. Where you rest your head is another important part of your experience. You can choose the level of trip luxury for your budget. For example, budget options include 4-star hotels, motels and serviced apartments. 5-star hotels are a popular luxury option at a surprisingly affordable rate. Or, if you want the utmost in indulgence, choose luxury lodge accommodation for a sumptuous all-inclusive experience. 
• Activities. Considered the adventure capital of the world, New Zealand offers an abundance of adrenaline pumping options for those seeking a thrill. For example, you can try jet-boating, skydiving, bungy jumping, ziplining, rafting, canyoning, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, skiing, and much more. However for those seeking a more cultural experience, there are natural historic sites, museums, galleries, and shops to explore. If you are seeking a more gastronomical foray, there is world class dining to savour as well as a stunning array of boutique wineries to visit.
• Guides. We provide a highly experienced NZ tour guide, offering a number of languages spoken. If you travel in a large group requiring a tour bus, we provide a separate driver and guide. Our tour guides are all knowledgeable, efficient, friendly, and accommodating. They are always excited to show visitors the real New Zealand beyond the typical tourist sights.

So, in conclusion, your only job is to tell us what your preferences are and we can arrange a customised tour to make your dream a reality.

What are the Costs?

The cost for your New Zealand private tour is dependent on several factors.

• Duration of the trip – the longer the trip the more you will need to pay. Our pre-arranged itineraries vary in range from 7 days to 30 days.
• Time of year – New Zealand, like most popular tourist destinations, has high and low seasons with varying rates. Summer (December – February) is the most expensive time to visit.
• Accommodation – there are more budget friendly options versus more luxury accommodations to choose from which can greatly affect overall cost. Most of our pre-arranged private tours offer 4 or 5 star stays.
• Group size – the more people traveling with you, the less you pay per traveller.
• Activities – there are varying prices for different types of activities.
• Destinations – visits to the most popular locales such as Lake Tekapo and Queenstown can be much more expensive than smaller, lesser known destinations.

For specific price options, click on the individual itineraries listed above. Groups larger than 10 will need to enquire for a customised quote. 

For a fully customised New Zealand private tour, we can work toward a budget if you have one in mind – though please note that the portion of the tour price covering your guide and vehicle are wholly dependent on the length of the tour and cannot be reduced without cutting time out of the tour. 

Feel free to contact us directly with specific enquiries.

Why Should I Take This Type Of Tour?

What exactly are the benefits of this tour? Is this the right choice for you and your travel companions? Is it worth the expense?

A private holiday in New Zealand allows you to travel with only those people you want to travel with.

Meeting new people while on vacation can certainly add to your overall experience. There is always the risk, though, that you will be stuck dealing with a person or persons who you do not get along with. That negative interaction can spoil an otherwise good holiday. With a private tour, you get to choose your travel companions – spouse, family, friends, colleagues – it is entirely up to you. And you will certainly still have the opportunity to interact with people outside of your traveling group if you choose.

You can take exactly the kind of trip you want.

A private holiday allows you the freedom to experience the itinerary of your choice. Whether you choose from one of our carefully crafted tour options or plan an entirely bespoke tour, you can see the parts you really want to see. Perhaps you only want to visit the most popular destinations, or you would prefer to get off the beaten path. Or perhaps you are a foodie and wine connoisseur seeking the best sauvignon blanc. Perhaps you are a Tolkien fan who wants to walk in Frodo’s footsteps. Or perhaps you are an adrenaline junkie hoping to bungy jump or ski in an exotic setting. Whatever your desire, a private tour is the best way to make it come true.

Set your own schedule.

One valuable benefit of a New Zealand private tour is the ability to begin on any day you choose. As the tour is designed specifically for you and your group, you can decide when it begins and ends. You do not have to cater to a larger group or tour company’s schedule or timetable. This allows you to fit the tour into your schedule and not the other way around.

Also, you can start each day at the time that suits you, rather than following a predetermined schedule. This leaves more flexibility for exploring as you go and relaxing when you want. 

“Our private family tour (8 people) was simply amazing. Our guide, Gunther, was exceptional—friendly, knowledgeable, and a wonderful personality to have with us. He was fantastic about consulting us the night before and offering flexible, weather-dependent options when the rain hit. We appreciated the packed daily schedule but also the flexibility to linger where we wanted. Highly, highly recommend—worth every penny!” – C Reyes

Have a more personally rewarding experience.

On a private guided tour, your New Zealand experience will be far more enriching than a pre-planned tour or a self-drive holiday. Our tours allow you to dive deeper and discover the heart and soul of our country. Places and people that are not overshadowed by tourists and commerce. You can fully engage in your surroundings to make the most of your holiday.

Book your private guided tour today!

Frequently Asked Questions on New Zealand Private Tours

What does a private tour of New Zealand include?

Our private tours include:

• Private tour guide/driver for the duration of your time in New Zealand
• Private luxury tour vehicle including all fuel costs
• Excellent accommodation – choose 4-star, 5-star, or luxury lodge level
• Must-do activities and attractions
• Some meals as included in activities (luxury lodge accommodation includes gourmet dining for most meals)

Our tours do not include flights (though we can book domestic flights for you if you would like), meals except as outlined in the tour package, or visa costs if required.

What are the benefits of choosing a private tour over a group tour?

Private tours offer three major benefits over group tours:

1. Flexibility. This means no date restrictions or pre-set itineraries. Plus, aside from the activities included in your tour, each day is yours to structure as you wish. In other words, you can make detours, linger over brunch, or visit local gems such as boutique wineries or hidden beaches as your schedule allows.
2. Exclusivity. When your guide is working solely with your group, it leaves more room for them to personalise your experience. In addition, many of our guests feel like their guide is a close friend by the end of their stay in New Zealand. Instead of herding a group around from one place to the next, your guide will enrich your experience throughout your stay.
3. A more premium experience. Whether you are keeping to a budget or splurging on the very best, a privately guided tour is simply a more luxurious experience. From private restaurant transfers to a premium tour vehicle chosen specifically to suit your group, you will feel thoroughly looked after for the duration of your time in New Zealand.

Are group tours of New Zealand cheaper than private tours?

Not necessarily! If you are travelling by yourself or as a couple, then yes, a group tour will be more cost-effective than a private tour.

However, once you start getting up to groups of 4 or more travellers, the costs become very comparable to what you would pay for a group tour. In fact, private tours for larger groups (7+ travellers) work out to be cheaper than pre-set group tours!

This is a win-win for our clients – you get to save money while enjoying a far more indulgent experience than a group tour.

How long should a private tour of New Zealand be?

We recommend at least 7 days to see one island or 10 days to see both islands. 14 days is a comfortable length of time to fully explore both islands.

When you travel with a guide, we can fit in more experiences in a shorter time frame. However, you want to leave time for relaxation as well! 7-day tours tend to be more action-packed, with shorter stays in each destination so you can see it all, while longer tours travel at a slower pace.

Are private tours suitable for families?

Yes! Our private New Zealand tours are a very popular way to travel as a family. We offer a range of family tours suited for children, or else we can design a custom itinerary based on the ages and interests of your group.

Another popular option is for two families to join together for a private New Zealand tour. This lowers the costs for all members of the group, plus you’ll have built-in playmates for your children.

Can private tours accommodate dietary requirements or mobility needs?

Absolutely! Most of our activities with included meals can cater for any dietary requirements.

If you have special mobility needs or other details we need to take into account, please let us know in the planning stage so we can arrange your tour around suitable accommodation and experiences.

Can I include special interests on my private New Zealand tour?

Certainly! From photography tours to our highly popular Lord of the Rings tours, we can cater for any and all special interests.

In addition to planning your itinerary around destinations and experiences that match your preferences, we will also select your guide based on your areas of interest. Many of our guides have specialised training and can offer in-depth knowledge about various aspects of New Zealand, from culture and history to our unique native flora and fauna.

How far in advance should I book a New Zealand private tour?

We recommend booking at least 6 – 9 months in advance. For the peak tourist season (mid-December to mid-February), book at least 9-12 months in advance. And if you are traveling over Christmas and the New Year, be prepared to work around accommodation restrictions relating to minimum night stays and when you are allowed to check in and check out.

However, subject to availability, we will do our best to provide you with an unforgettable experience no matter when you book!

“Our experience with New Zealand Guided Tours was truly outstanding. We decided on traveling to New Zealand only 6 weeks ahead so really needed some quick expert help. Francine jumped in, unfazed, and made it all happen. You might think at that late date that she would plug us into one of their preplanned itineraries, but Francine encouraged us to add, delete and change to make the trip just what we wanted it to be. The trip was 18 days long, well paced, with a chance to experience everything we wanted to see.” – Sarah