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Top New Zealand Trips & Tours in December 2025

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Discover New Zealand in December 2025 on one of these 13 tours hand-selected by the travel experts at Adventure Life. Explore the best of during December 2025 as you enjoy Wildlife Viewing, Hiking, Helicopter Tours, Village Visits, and Wine Tasting. Prices for trips in December 2025 range from $2,595 to $81,390 for a vacation of 5 to 18 days. Choose any of the below 13 itineraries in December 2025 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 $2,701
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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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Mount Aspiring - Lake Wanaka
from $5,797
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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
0
Wellington Cable Car
from $7,673
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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
0
from $3,750
Up to 20%
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Unseen Fiordland and Stewart Island: Exploring New Zealand's Remote Backyard

6 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Adventurer
  • Explore Stewart Island
  • See different bird species
  • Discover Ulva Island.
  • Tour the stunning fiords
Starts / Ends
Queenstown / Invercargill
Activity Level
Variable
Explore New Zealand's southernmost regions on a six-day journey aboard the Heritage Adventurer. Indulge in a rare opportunity to visit both the wildlife-rich Stewart and Ulva Islands and the glacier-cut summits only accessible by expedition ship on one voyage. This is an experience you won't want to miss out on.
Cruise Details
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Amazing aerial view of Fiordland National Park on scenic flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown, NZ
from $81,390
2for1
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Pure New Zealand: North & South Islands

Auckland - Queenstown - 13 Day Itinerary aboard Scenic Eclipse II
  • Explore Tauranga’s coastal beauty
  • Discover Gisborne’s sunrise charm
  • Admire Napier’s Art Deco
  • Spot Kaikoura’s marine life
Starts / Ends
Auckland / Queenstown
Activity Level
Variable
Experience the best of New Zealand on this 13-day cruise aboard the Scenic Eclipse II, visiting 13 iconic destinations. From Auckland's vibrant cityscape to the serene beauty of Milford Sound, this journey promises unforgettable moments.
Cruise Details
0
Amazing aerial view of Fiordland National Park on scenic flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown, NZ
from $24,990
2for1
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Pure New Zealand: North & South Islands

Auckland - Queenstown - 13 Day Itinerary aboard Scenic Eclipse II
  • Explore Wellington
  • Experience Gisborne
  • Discover Tauranga
  • Explore Auckland
Starts / Ends
Auckland / Queenstown
Activity Level
Variable
Experience the best of New Zealand on this 13-day cruise aboard the Scenic Eclipse II, visiting 13 iconic destinations. From Auckland's vibrant cityscape to the serene beauty of Milford Sound, this journey promises unforgettable moments.
Cruise Details
0
New Zealand's remotest island.
from $9,500
Up to 20%
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Beyond Fiordland - New Zealand's Wildest Islands

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 $15,250
Up to 20%
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Birding Down Under: Subantarctic and Chatham Islands

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 $2,595
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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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Queenstown South Island New Zealand
from $13,263
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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 active New Zealand adventure from Auckland to Queenstown. This tour takes you through Lake Tekapo, Taupo, Tongariro National Park, the wild West Coast, and Christchurch. Experience the Dart River, sail Doubtful Sound overnight, and power through a Wanaka AWD safari. Hike the Routeburn Track and elevate your journey with a Kepler Track heli-hike to end your trip.
Tour Details
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Marlborough Sounds
from $3,650
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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 $4,695
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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
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Explore the stunning Milford Sound
from $15,870
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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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