Intrepid Travel
Intrepid combines small groups, local leaders and thoughtfully planned itineraries for a more personal way to explore. We’ll help you compare the options and find a tour that suits your interests, travel style and preferred level of comfort.
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Travel closer to the heart of New Zealand
Intrepid's New Zealand tours are made for travellers who want to get closer to the places they visit. Small groups, local leaders and thoughtfully planned itineraries create more room for conversation, unexpected discoveries and experiences that can be missed through a coach window.
There’s a different feeling to travelling in a small group. You can hear the stories behind the places, pause for the details and share the day with people who are just as curious as you are.
Intrepid tours pair a set itinerary with an experienced local leader. Your main route and departure dates are organised, while optional excursions leave space for personal choices along the way. Depending on the itinerary, travel may include private vehicles, public transport, ferries, trains or time on foot.
It’s a good fit if you want the reassurance of guided travel without feeling separated from the places you’ve come to see.
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What to expect with Intrepid Travel
Max 16 travellers
Off the beaten path experiences
Flexible itineraries with free time
Sustainable travel
Social, like minded travellers
Range of accommodation styles
Why book with New Zealand Coach Tours?
Our Wānaka-based team helps travellers choose and book guided coach, small group, train and coach, and self-guided coach journeys across New Zealand. We work with a wide range of established operators and provide local advice throughout the planning and booking process, backed by our Best Price Guarantee.
Tell us your dates, budget, pace and must-see places, and we’ll recommend suitable tours or create a tailor-made self-guided itinerary. We can also arrange extra accommodation, transfers and activities before or after your guided tour.
Best price guarantee
A well-planned tour lets you spend less time thinking about the logistics and more time enjoying New Zealand. We offer competitive prices across a wide range of coach tours, and if you find the same tour for less before booking, we’ll beat it. You’ll get a great price, trusted local advice and every detail organised in one place.
Get a tailor-made self-guided coach itinerary
Choose how you want your trip to feel
Original tours
Original tours offer Intrepid’s classic style of small group travel, with a thoughtful balance of organised experiences and time to explore independently. Accommodation is typically comfortable, well located and broadly comparable to a 3-star standard, although styles vary by destination. Alongside small hotels and guesthouses, some trips may include a homestay with a local family, offering a closer connection to local life. Transport may combine private vehicles with local options, while selected activities and meals are included on some days.
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New Zealand West Coast AdventureComfort tours
Comfort tours retain Intrepid’s immersive, locally focused approach while adding greater ease throughout the journey. You’ll generally stay in more comfortable hotels, travel mostly by private transport and have activities and meals included on most days. The pace may also feel more relaxed, with fewer additional costs and arrangements to manage along the way.
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New Zealand UncoveredPremium tours
Premium tours are Intrepid’s most elevated travel style, combining small groups and local insight with its highest level of accommodation, service and inclusions. Trips feature experienced, top-rated local leaders, mostly private transport, handpicked feature stays and distinctive signature experiences. Arrival transfers, most meals and daily inclusions are also generally covered, while group sizes may be smaller depending on the itinerary.
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Premium New Zealand South IslandFrequently asked questions
Not usually. Intrepid specialises in small group travel, with transport varying between itineraries. Depending on the trip, you may travel by private vehicle, ferry, train or other forms of transport.
Yes. Intrepid's small group tours follow scheduled departure dates and set itineraries. New Zealand Coach Tours can also help arrange additional accommodation and travel before or after your tour.
Intrepid's New Zealand tours travel with a maximum of 12 to 16 people, depending on the itinerary and travel style. Check the individual tour details or enquire with us and we’ll confirm the maximum group size for your chosen trip.
Many Intrepid tours have no upper age limit, although some itineraries are specifically designed for travellers aged 18 to 35. Each trip has a physical rating, so it’s important to consider the walking requirements, pace, transport, accommodation and luggage arrangements. We can help you find a trip that suits your comfort and mobility needs.
Accommodation, transport during the tour and the activities listed in the itinerary are included. Meals, airport transfers and optional experiences vary between trips, so check the individual tour page for a full list of inclusions or ask us to talk you through the details.
Yes. Many people join Intrepid trips as solo travellers. Rooms are generally arranged on a twin-share basis, with solo travellers paired with another traveller, while most trips also offer the option to pay a single supplement for your own room.
Original combines practical, well-located accommodation, selected inclusions and free time to explore independently. Comfort adds more comfortable stays, mostly private transport and more included meals and activities, while Premium offers Intrepid’s highest level of accommodation, distinctive Feature Stays, Signature Experiences and more inclusions. As pace, physical rating and exact inclusions vary, it’s still worth comparing the full itinerary.
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