Has anyone taken the Odyssey land tour to New Zealand? If so, what were your impressions and would you recommend this tour? I have only taken about six Rick Steves tours and been very happy with them. And two tours with OAT.
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
3104 posts
I have enjoyed 3 tours w/Odysseys (and 13 with RS).
I went to New Zealand earlier this year with a Rick Steves tour guide who runs tours in New Zealand. I was happy with the tour.
https://mondumo.com/
Posted by
Virginia, USA
6340 posts
I also took the Mondumo tour back in February 2024. I was also very happy with the tour. Colin Mairs was my guide. If you look at the RS Monday Night Travel archive, there is a talk by Colin about NZ.
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/travel-classes/monday-night-travel/new-zealand
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
7749 posts
We spent a bit over a month in New Zealand on a trip we planned and did on our own. I've seen a few tour itineraries, now, and they typically don't go to the places that I considered highlights. I looked at the Odyssey tour, and again, it didn't match with what I thought would be New Zealand highlights. I also just looked at the Colin Mairs' Mondumo tours and that tour comes much closer to what I thought was interesting in New Zealand. Plus, if you had extra time to tour a bit on your own, you could see more.
We've done one RS tour and a couple Viking cruises. We always arrive at least a few days in advance to acclimate to time and climate before the expensive tour starts. It is also a way to pick up places that we are interested in that the tour doesn't cover.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thank you for all the info. It is helping me make a decision as to what tour to sign up for. Everyone has been so wonderful in responding!
Posted by
Walnut Creek, CA
809 posts
Take a look at moatrek tours. Great customer service
They are usually booked solid but have openings in January .
Posted by
Portland, OR
79 posts
We went with New Zealand Trails this past Feb/March and had a fabulous trip. It covered a lot of the S. Island and we did a fair amount of hiking, so it was a very active trip. The local guides were fantastic and the company is local, so we went to some places that maybe other tours do not. It was a small group of 14 and it included; Americans, Canadians, Australians and a couple from London. We met new friends and loved every place we visited. We swam with Dusky Dolphins, and kayaked on Queen Charlotte Sound after spending 2 nights at a charming lodge overlooking the Sound.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thanks to everyone! All the info has been extremely helpful. Julie Brown
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
7749 posts
Did you make a decision?
Posted by
OP
8 posts
We decided to hold off on this destination till probably till 2027. But the information has been really useful and I’m saving all of it. I think we’re going to probably continue another tour of Italy southern Italy, and Sicily this coming 2026.
Posted by
10 posts
Haven’t done that one myself, but I’ve heard mostly good things about Odyssey’s New Zealand tours. They’re a bit more relaxed and detail-oriented than some other companies lots of scenic stops and cultural stuff mixed in. If you liked Rick Steves and OAT, you’d probably vibe with it too