When deciding which tour to book for your dream trip to New Zealand, there’s a bit more to consider than simply comparing destinations, hotels and prices. It is also important to understand the pace, activity level and style of travel, and whether these match how you like to explore.
Mondumo’s New Zealand in 14 Days tour is designed for curious, active travellers who want to experience the country in-depth without the impersonality of a large coach tour or the physical demands of a hiking-focused adventure.
This guide explains what you can expect.
Our style of travel
Mondumo is a small, family-run New Zealand tour company.
Our tours combine:
● Iconic landscapes and major sights
● Māori culture and local history
● Guided walks and outdoor experiences
● Local food and community connections
● Free time for independent exploration
● Comfortable, centrally located accommodation
The itinerary is organised and fully supported, but it does not feel overly regimented. There is a mixture of structured group activities and time to explore independently.
We aim to offer a personal alternative to large-scale touring. Our maximum group size is 24 travellers, with most departures operating with between 16 and 24 people.
Who usually enjoys this tour?
The tour is likely to suit you well if you:
● Appreciate a mixture of scenery, culture, history and local experiences
● Want to see both the North and South Islands in one trip
● Prefer a small group to a large coach tour
● Enjoy meeting fellow travellers while still having some personal time
● Enjoy some walking and being out exploring
● Value organisation and support but do not want every minute scheduled
● Prefer experiences and location over luxury for its own sake
Many of our travellers have previously taken Rick Steves, Road Scholar, Tauck or Viking tours. Others usually travel independently but choose Mondumo because they want someone else to manage the logistics of travelling around New Zealand.
How active is the tour?
This is an active sightseeing tour, but it is not a hiking or adventure tour.
You should be comfortable:
● Walking several miles during a day
● Being on your feet for extended periods
● Walking on hills, steps and uneven surfaces
● Getting on and off a coach (bus) regularly
● Carrying or wheeling your own luggage for short distances
● Keeping up with the group during guided visits
A traveller on one of our recent tours shared her daily step counts. She averaged around 8,000 steps per day. Her least active full day was approximately 5,500 steps, on the day we flew from the North Island to the South Island. Her most active day was approximately 15,000 steps, during our visits to the Franz Josef Glacier Valley and Lake Matheson. She was definitely on the more active side so your own mileage may vary and certainly the most active day with the 15,000 steps is completely optional. There are no forced marches!
The amount of walking throughout the tour can also vary according to how you use your free time. More active travellers can often add walks, hikes or bike rides, particularly in Auckland, Queenstown and Christchurch.
There is no expectation that you take part in adventure activities such as bungee jumping, skydiving or white-water rafting.
What are the most active days?
Auckland
Our full day in Auckland involves a guided walk in the downtown area, riding a public bus, and walking through Auckland Domain to the museum. The afternoon is free for your own explorations.
Rotorua
There are opportunities to walk through geothermal landscapes, including paths that can be uneven or hilly.
Queenstown
The free day allows you to choose your own activity level. Options range from a relaxed day in town to hiking, cycling or other outdoor activities.
Franz Josef
This is normally the most active organised day of the tour. It includes walking in the Franz Josef Glacier Valley and a guided nature walk around Lake Matheson.
Christchurch
The day includes a guided city walk followed by free time. Much of the day can be spent exploring on foot.
Is there much time on the coach?
New Zealand is geographically long and narrow, and some longer travel days are unavoidable when visiting both islands in 14 days.
We design the itinerary so that journeys are part of the experience rather than simply time spent moving between hotels. Travel days are broken up with scenic stops, walks, visits and meals wherever practical.
The longest day is the excursion from Queenstown to Milford Sound. It is a full-day journey, but the stunning scenery and stops along the route are a major part of the experience. The day also includes a
cruise on Milford Sound. An optional scenic flight back to Queenstown may be available, subject to weather and operational conditions.
Towards the end of the tour we swap the coach for the TranzAlpine train, fro the west coast to the east coast of the South Island, through the Southern Alps.
What kind of coach do you use?
We use full-size touring coaches rather than small minibuses.
This provides:
● More space
● Comfortable seating
● Easier access
● Room for luggage
● Spare seats when group size and coach availability allow
The exact coach configuration can vary between departures.
What are the hotels like?
We choose hotels primarily for:
● Central location
● Cleanliness and comfort
● Reliable service
● Suitability for group travel
● Good breakfasts
● Easy access to restaurants and local attractions
The tour is not positioned as a luxury hotel experience. We prefer well-located and practical accommodation that allows you to explore without relying on taxis or shuttle buses.
Hotels commonly used include:
Auckland: M Social
Rotorua: Millennium Rotorua
Ōamaru: Poshtel or Brydone Hotel
Queenstown: Ramada Central or Millennium Queenstown
Franz Josef: Scenic Hotel or Rainforest Retreat
Christchurch: Movenpick Christchurch (previously called Fable)
Our hotel choices occasionally change because of availability or operational requirements, but replacements will be of a similar overall standard.
What meals are included?
All breakfasts are included.
The tour also includes a selection of group lunches and dinners, normally including:
● Welcome dinner
● Farewell dinner
● Meals associated with cultural or local experiences
● Lunch during the Milford Sound cruise
● Other meals listed in the detailed itinerary
Not every lunch and dinner is included.
We intentionally leave some meals free so you can choose where and what you would like to eat. Your guide will provide recommendations and help you find suitable restaurants.
This balance also gives you some time away from the group if you would prefer a quieter evening.
How much free time is there?
The itinerary includes a meaningful amount of free time, although this varies by destination. Examples include:
● A free afternoon in Auckland
● A full free day in Queenstown
● Free time in Christchurch
● Evenings in several destinations
● Opportunities to explore independently after organised activities
Free time allows you to adapt the tour to your interests.
Some travellers use it for additional walking, cycling or sightseeing. Others prefer shopping, visiting galleries, relaxing at the hotel or enjoying a long lunch.
Is the tour suitable for serious hikers?
The tour includes walks and outdoor experiences, but hiking is not its primary focus.
Someone looking for a trip centred mainly around multi-hour hikes, national parks and wilderness activities may prefer a hiking tour or a self-drive itinerary. We can also arrange tailor-made self-drive tours, as well as private fully guided or partially guided tours of New Zealand. Contact us to discuss your plans.
Our Mondumo small group tours are better suited to travellers who want a balanced introduction to New Zealand, including scenery, culture, history, towns, cities and outdoor experiences.
Is the tour suitable for someone with limited mobility?
The tour may not be suitable for anyone who has significant difficulty walking, standing for extended periods or navigating uneven ground.
New Zealand attractions do not always provide completely step-free access. Some visits involve hills, gravel paths, steps or getting on and off vehicles.
Travellers must generally be able to participate without regular individual assistance from the tour guide. Anyone uncertain about their mobility should speak with us before booking. We would rather discuss the practicalities openly than have someone discover during the tour that the pace is not suitable.
How does mondumo.livepare with a large tour company?
The main difference is personal involvement.
Mondumo is not a large international operator running hundreds of departures. We are a small New Zealand-based family business, and each tour matters directly to us.
You can expect:
● Personal communication before departure
● A maximum of 24 travellers
● Knowledgeable local guides
● Carefully selected local experiences
● A less corporate atmosphere
● Greater continuity between booking and travelling
● A genuine interest in your experience
Our main focus is on the quality of the itinerary, guiding and personal service.
Is Mondumo similar to a Rick Steves tour?
Many Rick Steves travellers feel comfortable with our style.
Similarities include:
● Small groups
● An emphasis on experiences rather than luxury
● Centrally located hotels
● Cultural and historical context
● Walking-based sightseeing
● A mixture of group time and free time
● Encouragement to engage with the destination
Mondumo is an independent New Zealand company and is not affiliated with Rick Steves Europe, but the travel philosophy is compatible. Colin Mairs, founder of Mondumo, also guides for Rick Steves in Scotland.
Is Mondumo similar to Road Scholar, Tauck or Viking?
There are some similarities, but also important differences.
● Road Scholar has a strong emphasis on educational travel and offers a range of group sizes, including small-group programmes.
● Tauck generally operates at the luxury end of the market, with premium accommodation and, on some itineraries, private charter flights.
● Viking is best known for its river and ocean cruises and operates on a much larger scale than Mondumo.
● Mondumo specialises in small-group land tours of New Zealand and Australia, with a maximum of 24 tour members. We’re a small, owner-operated company, and our focus is on thoughtful touring, local experiences and a relaxed group atmosphere rather than luxury.
Should you add time before or after the tour?
Many travellers choose to extend their trip.
The tour begins in Auckland and finishes in Christchurch, which makes it relatively easy to add time at either end.
Before the tour, you might:
● Spend additional time in Auckland
● Visit Northland or the Bay of Islands
● Travel elsewhere in the North Island
● Spend time in Australia before flying to Auckland
After the tour, you might:
● Stay longer in Christchurch
● Visit Kaikōura
● Explore more of the South Island
● Add a self-drive extension
● Fly to Australia or the Pacific Islands
If combining Australia and New Zealand independently, we generally recommend focusing on one or two Australian destinations rather than trying to see too much in a single week.
Mondumo also operates a separate 14-day Australia tour, which can be combined with selected New Zealand departures.
Who may not enjoy this tour?
The tour may not be the best choice if you:
● Want a predominantly hiking-based holiday
● Prefer five-star luxury accommodation
● Dislike walking or standing
● Want every meal included
● Prefer travelling entirely independently
● Do not enjoy group activities
● Are uncomfortable with occasional long travel days
● Want a very slow-paced itinerary with several nights in every location
● Expect porterage and extensive personal assistance
No tour can suit every traveller. Our aim is to describe the experience honestly so you can make an informed decision.
What our travellers often value most
Feedback commonly highlights:
● The small-group atmosphere
● The quality and personality of the guides
● The balance between organised activities and free time
● The variety of experiences
● The opportunity to learn about Māori culture
● The sense of travelling with a local company
● The friendships formed within the group
● The amount of New Zealand covered in two weeks
Travellers are sometimes surprised by experiences they initially expected to enjoy less. Hobbiton is a good example. Even guests with little interest in The Lord of the Rings often enjoy the craftsmanship, countryside and storytelling involved in the visit.
A final question to consider
The most useful question is not simply:
“Does this tour include the places I want to see?”
It is:
“Does this style of travel match how I want to experience New Zealand?”
Mondumo may be right for you if you want an active but manageable itinerary, a personal small-group experience, a balance of iconic sights and local culture, and the reassurance of having the details organised by people who know New Zealand well.
We are always happy to answer questions about the itinerary, activity level or suitability before you book.
