No one to discover New Zealand’s natural beauty with? No problem  

Forget wandering on your own, embark on a New Zealand solo tour or holiday and meet a bunch of ready-made friends all itching to explore this country’s incredible landscapes just as much as you.  Bond over conquering the Tongariro crossing, take selfies in front of the majestic Mt Cook, get ready for a night out in Wellington, jump into epic adventures in Queenstown (did someone say tandem swing?) and leave your trip, not only with unforgettable memories but also real life-long connections. 

Our New Zealand solo tours

10 Days From 6485

Explore New Zealand’s South Island on a 10-day small group tour which includes Franz...

6 Days From 2573

Explore the rugged reaches of the South Island on this six-day trip with Intrepid from...

4 Days From 1737

Cycle New Zealand's South Island, from Queenstown to Middlemarch’s Otago plains. Follow...

8 Days From 5499

Uncover the natural wonders of New Zealand’s North Island on an eight-day Premium...

4 Days From 1707

Take in the spectacular scenery of the South Island on a 4-day walking adventure along...

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

17 Days From 13284

Discover the best of New Zealand on a 17-day Premium adventure, taking in the most...

18 Days From 13284

Discover the best of New Zealand on a 17-day Premium adventure, taking in the most...

7 Days From 2760

Explore the rugged West Coast on this 7-day trip from Christchurch to Queenstown,...

4 Days From 2181

Explore lakes, mountains and rivers on a 4-day Wanaka adventure, taking in Arrowtown,...

4 Days From 2555

Explore New Zealand’s South Island from Queenstown to Te Anau, exploring Fiordland...

12 Days From 6735

Explore the rugged reaches of the South Island on a 12-day adventure through the West...

14 Days From 4179

An abundance of natural wonders awaits in New Zealand’s South Island. Spend 14 days...

Things to do on a solo tour in New Zealand  

A group of people standing at the railing of a boat during a cruise of Milford Sound.

Go on a Milford Sound cruise

Milford Sound is one of those extraordinary places you wish you could spend more time in the second you catch a glimpse of its towering peaks and mirror-like waters but on our tours in New Zealand, you’re treated to an overnight stay on a purpose-built vessel so you can bask in its beauty at your leisure. Stare in awe at the scenery all around before swapping stories with your fellow travellers over a delicious three-course dinner. 

A group of hikers standing at the bottom of Franz Josef Glacier

Hike the Franz Josef glacier

Nothing bonds a group of intrepid travellers together quite like a shared, memorable experience and embarking on a self-guided walk to one of the steepest glaciers in New Zealand will surely give you memories you’ll cherish forever. Whether you’re opting for the add-on activities of kayaking or heli-hiking or simply want to spend time in this icy wonderland, this is one natural wonder you’ll want to write home about. 

A geyser erupting in Punahou underneath a clear, blue sky

Marvel at epic geothermal wonders

From wandering around Rotorua’s Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley in search of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest geyser to dipping your feet into mud pools and hot springs while sniffing at the unmistakable scent of sulphur that’s in the air, New Zealand is a geothermal wonderland just waiting to be explored. And the best thing about travelling on a small group tour? You don’t have to do it alone. 

A group of people canoeing down the calm Whanganui River

Canoe down the Whanganui River

Jump into your next adventure in New Zealand’s North Island feet-first by canoeing down the Whanganui River on an afternoon spent in the great outdoors – just you, your canoe, and your canoeing buddy! While no one’s making you paddle the full 290km, you can relax knowing you can set your own leisurely pace and take in the breathtaking natural sights as they unfold around you in peace and quiet. 

Tips for solo travellers

Embrace local 

It pays to learn a little bit of the local language wherever you go and you should always consider the country’s dress code when picking out what to wear. In many places, you maybe be expected to dress modestly and cover up exposed skin so consider packing a sarong or light scarf to cover exposed shoulders, along with a long skirt or trousers. Whether you agree with it or not, it’s respectful (and smart) to follow the local style.

Plan ahead

When you’re out and about being all adventure-y, just keep an eye on the sunset. Try to avoid catching public transport after dark when you’re on your own, especially if you’re carrying your suitcase/backpack/fancy camera/map (it kind of screams ‘tourist’). Travelling with a group is a smart move for any traveller; it’s always good to have people around who’ve got your back.

#staysafe

Social media may be the doom of mankind and rational thought as we know it, but it can be useful, even as a safety tool. Your friends and family are now privy to a minute-by-minute update of your whereabouts, regardless of where you are in the world. Before you leave home, give your friends/family a social media heads-up: ‘If I don’t post a sunset selfie for five days straight, get in touch and see if I’m okay.’

Reviews

FAQs

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises). However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others. 

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully. 

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 policy

It’s completely up to you. On our trips rooming is organised on a twin-share basis and we pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. But if you'd like your own room, an individual room is available on the majority of our trips (it’s just a small extra charge). Just mention this to our customer service team when booking your trip and they'll arrange it for you.

As a responsible tour operator, we strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. In the case that your gender identity differs from what is indicated on your passport, please contact us so that we can discuss rooming options with you.

On a small selection of itineraries some accommodations are booked on an open gender, multi-share basis (for example on a felucca in Egypt or an overnight train in Vietnam). In those instances it will clearly be stated in our Essential Trip Information prior to booking and travelling.

Whether you’re travelling solo or with a partner, our trips have a set itinerary. But within that there’s time set aside for your own exploration (if you want to – no pressure). The amount of free time depends on the travel style - you can ask your guide for a few tips then head out alone, or hang out with the group and see where the day takes you.

You sure do. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their tour. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

Learn more about travel Insurance

Mobile phone coverage is excellent in most parts of New Zealand, especially in large cities and urban areas. Remote, rural and mountainous places may have limited to no coverage, so be aware of this before venturing away from the city. Ensure global roaming is activated before leaving your home country if you want to use your mobile.

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid

Our solo travel safety guide

Good advice for us all, but particularly for people travelling solo. Make copies of your itinerary, contact details, passport and travel insurance, then email them to yourself and to one or two friends/family at home. Check-in on social media when you can so people can keep track of where you are. 

If you’re arriving late in a city by yourself, book a hotel with a front desk or concierge service (many hotels also offer private transfers that don’t cost the earth from the airport or train station). If you're travelling with us, we can help you organise an arrival transfer. Read your maps before you head out for a walk (you can use a map app on your smartphone – or take screenshots of where you’re going if you don’t want to use up your precious data). If you need to check your map when you’re out and about, duck into a shop or café to do it. Leave the blingy jewellery, wedding rings and designer clothes at home, and aim to dress like the locals do – hit up the local markets if you haven’t packed the right outfits. Aim to keep track of travel times, so you’re not caught out after dark.

Most mobile/cell providers now offer travel passes to help manage your international roaming costs (which, let’s face it, are expensive!). For a few dollars a day, you’ll have access to data, which means you can log into your apps (like Skype, email and WhatsApp) when you’re out of WiFi zones and quickly get in touch with someone – a friend at home, someone in your group, or the police – if you need to. It might also be worth checking out the local cell/mobile providers as these can be quite cost effective. 

Solo travellers are way more likely to be ‘taken for a ride’ at the airport by unscrupulous taxi drivers, so do your research before you arrive. Make sure you get a cab from the airport/station taxi rank – if you’re not sure where to go, just head to the information desk for help. Touts tend to hang out in the arrivals area and promise cheaper rates, but can often be dodgy. When you get to the cab rank, ask the driver to use the meter or request a cost estimate before you hop in the car – if it’s way higher than it should be, pick another vehicle. A lot of airports have train stations attached as well, so consider public transport if you want to save a dollar or two.

It’s one of the advantages of travelling solo on a group tour: safety in numbers. The big, 50-person bus groups stand out on the road, but a small Intrepid group of eight or nine people, with a local leader showing the way – including areas to avoid and getting around safely – won’t draw much attention. Plus, it’s a great way to see parts of the world you may feel uncomfortable exploring on your own. If you want to do things on your own, consider a day tour to familiarise yourself with a city and get to know the local way of life. 

Solo travel is all about confidence. If you’re relaxed and self-assured on the street, you’re more likely to blend in. When you meet new people, don’t assume they’re all out to get you, but be sensible too and trust your gut. If it feels wrong, it probably is. Remember: the popular tourist areas are often the most well-lit and secure, but they’re often a juicier target for pickpockets and scammers. Just use your common sense; half of travel safety is simply being aware of your surroundings.

Read more about travel in New Zealand