New Zealand
Discover New Zealand: Walking Clean and Green
Program No. 12346RJ
Walk and learn about New Zealand with experts, discovering this island nation’s passion for protecting their natural resources as you explore fjords, coastlines and Maori culture.
Participant Reviews
Based on 26 Reviews
SHOWING
This New Zealand program was enjoyable in every possible way. Hiking the trails (or “tramping the tracks” in local lingo) through a variety of forest types was a highlight, but a diversity of other destinations made the program outstanding, especially the sheep farm, the vineyard, the greenstone carving workshop, the glowworm caves, and two meals in private homes. Our superb leaders, Annie and Pam, managed to keep our boisterous group of 18 participants in line and always having fun. I highly recommend this program.
— Review left March 29, 2025
This program exemplifies all that is great about Road Scholar experiences: great guides, great places, great participants, highly educational, well-paced, well-organized, inspirational. Loved every minute of it.
— Review left March 28, 2025
New Zealand Clean and Green is a fantastic program. If your healthy and have no disability you'll be fine. Some long hikes with good inclines and breath taking views. You'll need rain gear, hat, good stiff sole hiking boots and sneakers. We went in March and virtually No bugs except for sand fleas on the beach. Hiking poles if you use them and a small back pack for daily adventures which will hold cloths, lunch and water. Small binoculars come in handy. Customs is no big deal just be honest as I had a pocket knife in my check in. It's a great time Enjoy !!
— Review left March 26, 2025
What a way to get to understand the beautiful country of New Zealand! Each walk was more beautiful than the last, and the cultural activities absolutely helped me to understand New Zealand of the past and present. We could not have had better guides, and we had the most sympatico group I've ever joined on a tour. Road Scholar has knocked it out of the park with this program!
— Review left March 22, 2025
If you have ever wanted to experience the otherworldly beauty of New Zealand, don't hesitate to join this program. You will see and do and learn so much in 20 days, with all the planning and logistics taken care of by experts who are anxious to share their incredible country with you. Just do it!!
— Review left March 7, 2025
Great leaders, and lots of information about New Zealand in addition to the beautiful hiking experiences in both Islands.
— Review left March 2, 2025
Our three weeks in New Zealand were amazing! The program is well thought-out, with days that are full of interesting sites, adventures, and guest lectures. We particularly enjoyed the tramps on the tracks through the bush--the scenery and the plants and birds were wonderful. The guides and fellow participants were friendly and helpful. Yes, it's a very long travel day coming and going, but if you've been dreaming about visiting New Zealand, this Road Scholar trip is a wonderful way to experience the country.
— Review left February 28, 2025
This trip exceeded my expectations! It was jam packed with a variety of experiences, although the scenic beauty of the country was the star. Too many highlights to name. The trip leaders were knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and fellow travelers were interesting and fun. While the weather was plenty sunny, do bring your rain-proof pants, coats, and shoes as it is very changeable.
— Review left November 20, 2024
A fun, well planned and nicely executed program to a beautiful and friendly country. Well worth the long trip to get there!
— Review left February 24, 2024
This was a comprehensive and active trip, exposing us to the Maori culture, politics, fauna and flora, and beautiful landscape of New Zealand. The guides (Annie and Pam) were outstanding, and even the bus drivers shared their knowledge and good photo spots. Memorable outings included a hike on the Queen Charlotte Track (Marlborough Sounds); family sheep farm demo; dinners and lunches at family homes; the otherworldly Fiordland and Milford Sound. Lectures by various experts at each stop, something you are unlikely to arrange on your own. Great hikes through the bush with enthusiastic guides. Other program participants were interesting, fun. and very supportive of one another. Highly recommend if you enjoy a thorough and energetic vacation.
— Review left February 10, 2024
I have the most enjoyble time in New Zeland,and I took home wonderfoul memories.We have fantastic group of people and thanks most to Peter Brady, Gerard Dunne ,Chris and wonderfool driver for thear care and kindness. On tap of every day biutifol nature we have comftybol accomodation for rest and delishos breakfast, dinner,sandwichys and froots. I like contakt with nature, we walk in biutifol forest's. Every day we expirance someting new and biutifol. (Sheap farmer dog stol my hard.) Thank you Road Schollar for planing and making this grate program for as,to learn and expierience life and culture of New Zeland.
Danuta
— Review left December 14, 2023
Our trip through New Zealand was one of the most interesting and exciting experiences in my life. The scenery, fellow travelers, and guides were exceptional! I thought that 3 weeks would be too long, but it passed so quickly because every day held new adventures and beauty.
— Review left November 17, 2023
This program was one of the top programs my wife and I have been on, out of thirteen. The leaders were energetic, kind, and knowledgeable; the hiking was amazing and the tours of a great variety of New Zealand features were inspiring; and the local provider was a pleasure to work with when our arrival was delayed due to the cyclone. It’s a long way to go, but worth it!
— Review left March 12, 2023
We learned so much! The hikes in the native bush were spectacular, and the variety of activities made this a very rich experience. Did you know that New Zealand has about 200 species of ferns, and 40% exist nowhere else in the world?
— Review left March 12, 2023
Terrific program with cultural and historical activities along with the nature walks in different landscapes.
— Review left December 5, 2022
This trip is absolutely your best option for a first visit to New Zealand. It hits the high spots(Mt. Iron), the hot spots(a geyser and mud pits), and the sweet spots(Kapiti ice cream). We were extremely satisfied with everything about this trip. Our guides were awesome. The hikes, meals, and accommodations were exceptional. The islands are spectacularly beautiful. We just can’t say enough good things about this adventure and what a great time we had hanging out with the Kiwis!
— Review left November 19, 2022
What an adventure to fulfill a lifelong dream! Our three weeks were filled with exceptional hikes and educational opportunities while being balanced with some enjoyable downtime. The leaders provided a great experience while navigating the newly-opened post-pandemic of a wonderful country. The sights and people of New Zealand are spectacular. I recommend this three week immersion vacation highly!
— Review left November 19, 2022
This was a wonderful experience, with great guides, and a variety of activities that accommodated everyone. We saw so much of this beautiful, friendly country.
— Review left November 16, 2022
This was a great overview of both New Zealand islands. We saw mountains, Milford Sound, hiked on unique forested tracks, and saw so much beauty. Learned about the Maori culture and language. This trip met all of my expectations!
— Review left February 5, 2020
This is a group oriented, educationally & physically active program so if you want to go off on your own or stay in your room, just stay hone.
— Review left November 19, 2019
The sights and sounds of New Zealand will amaze anyone who ventures there.
— Review left April 17, 2019
This program helped fulfill a life-long dream. I am so glad we chose Road Scholar to see New Zealand. There is no way to experience every aspect of this land in only three weeks but this program gave us a mix of cultural, geological, and biological history that was quite satisfying. Days with longer walks were followed by days of less vigorous activity. The longer drives necessary to cover the distances between the major sites were broken up by stops to walk or tour interesting places along the way. We enjoyed our time interacting with and learning from our terrific leaders and bus drivers as well as our fellow participants.
— Review left March 31, 2019
This was a wonderful trip in every way. The country is beautiful in so many ways. We were very happy to be with our very congenial fellow participants, our excellent Road Scholar guides and our two very special bus drivers! The planning that went into the trip worked out beautifully in every detail, nice hotels, terrific food - including even three visits for meals in New Zealanders' homes. RS even arranged for perfect weather and some very special views.
I mention our bus drivers: Don (North Island) and Carl (South Island) both fit in to our activities, were gracious, interesting, and added much to our enjoyment of the country.
Our Road Scholar guides were very knowledgeable, interesting, and fun to be with. They shepherded us with ease and gave us a real feeling for the country. Our thanks to both of them! It was a job well done!
I would heartily recommend this tour to anyone!
Bob Weaver
— Review left March 9, 2019
This was our third Road Scholar tour. Each experience has exceeded our expectations. The New Zealand trip is exceptional and a must do.
— Review left March 3, 2019
What an amazing 20 some days of tramping in New Zealand's glorious countryside. Excellent leaders, congenial and competent fellow participants, and overwhelmingly friendly and welcoming Kiwis! Most impressed with what appears to be very genuine efforts to recognize and value the rich Maori culture - special moments included Kepler Track hike and Milford Sound. Having the opportunity to connect visit a sheep farm and lunch with a NZ family only accentuated our experience of the Kiwi's as warm, welcoming, and of course, athletic people.
Only improvement would be better WiFi in some of the hotels -- we recognize that some hotels were in fairly remote areas but one would think that Wellington and Blenheim would have better access! (This is a small issue in context of entire program though!)
One final shout out to our bus drivers (Don in the North Island and Karl in the South Island) who not only provided us with safe travel, were truly engaged as part of our group - with sharing of stories, experiences, hikes and much more. And finally, a thank you to one of our more silent co-travelers, Freed Gag who quietly greeted us each time we boarded or exited our coach! What an amazing trip -- Thank you to all who made it such an exceptional experience! Ma Tae Wa
— Review left February 26, 2019
TRAMPING THROUGH PARADISE. Hiking Clean and Green through New Zealand was a wonderful and continuous adventure. Stunning landscapes and seascapes abounded. Tramping through a myriad of different environments while learning about the geology, botany and wildlife and building up an appetite for hearty New Zealand meals couldn't have been more enjoyable. Tramping was seasoned with informative lectures and home visits for up close and personal Kiwi experiences. At the end, we were ready to do it all over again. Kia Ora!
— Review left February 26, 2019