A student crossing a wire bridge while hiking the Routeburn Track in New Zealand

New Zealand Adventure Guide Program

A Land Before Time
Program Price: USD $12,500
Duration: 12 Weeks
Max Group Size: 12

Experience remote landscapes, cultural immersion and remote backpacking on this adventure. You will be spending your time within native forest and alpine conditions while hiking, rock climbing and exploring different areas within the South Island of New Zealand. Based in Queenstown, you will experience day hikes and epic crags, multi-day backpacking adventures and learn the skills required to become a guide.

This program is perfect for you if you are looking for a blend of adventure travel and immersive education. Hike the Routeburn track, rock climb local crags and learn packrafting skills on this 12 week program.

Locations you may visit: Queenstown, Wānaka, Dunedin, Milford Sound, Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park, Mt. Aspiring National Park and more!

Program Dates

Male rock climbing on a coastal crag in Dunedin New Zealand
Limited Spaces

Sept 2024

11 Sept 2024 - 3 Dec 2024
Book Now
Student rock climbing in the South Island of New Zealand
Spaces Remaining

Jan 2025

15 Jan 2025 - 7 Apr 2025
Book Now
Hiking the Hooker Valley Track in Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park
Spaces Remaining

Sept 2025

10 Sept 2025 - 2 Dec 2025
Book Now

What's Included

  • Pure Exploration Certificate of Guiding
  • NZOIA Bush Leader Qualification
  • NZOIA Rock Leader Qualification
  • Swift Water Rescue Certificate
  • 12 weeks of accommodation in Queenstown
  • Technical equipment for rock climbing, hiking and camping
  • Transportation during program days
  • Highly skilled program guides
  • Outdoor First Aid Training

Highlights

  • Gain the skills required to become an entry level outdoor adventure guide
  • Explore rugged and remote backcountry
  • Cultural immersion
  • Experience the thrill of packrafting
  • Hike famous trails
  • Rock climb local crags
  • Explore the South Island

Prerequisites

  • At least 18 years old
  • Fluent in English
  • Moderate fitness: comfortable hiking with a 15kg/30lb backpack over multiple days, ready to be outdoors five days a week
  • No prior rock climbing experience is required

Download the New Zealand Program Brochure

Upcoming Program

12

DAYS

12

HOURS

12

MINUTES

12

SECONDS
Rock climbing Arawata Terrace in Queenstown

Our Alumni

Program Testimonial

"The New Zealand Adventure Guide Program was literally life changing! Not only was it a ton of fun, but we learned a lot, setting us up nicely to jump right into a job in the outdoor adventure industry. I’m leaving the program with bush leader and rock leader qualifications and an awesome new group of friends!"

Erin Good, United States.

Book A Call

Testimonials

★★★★★

The Adventure Guide Program is an amazing program! Learnt so much and had so much fun! Already been offered employment in adventure guiding!

Gabriel Foulkes
Canada
★★★★★

The adventure guide program not only equipped me with the technical skills for rock climbing and hiking, it also greatly helped me in my personal development and growth, my confidence in these activities, as well as working with others and as a team with my course-mates and instructors.

Rachel Teow
Singapore
★★★★★

This program is fantastic for so many reasons. Whether you are trying to get a foothold in the adventure tourism industry, or just need a reset/break in your life, come out and explore New Zealand!

Grayson Redmond
USA
★★★★★

Staying in New Zealand for these 3 months has been the best choice of my life. I've had a complete career change. Spending all of this time in the outdoors has made me very appreciative of the nature around us especially in these trying times of the world.

Chace Crowell
USA
★★★★★

The experience was everything I could've hoped for. Learned a ton, had a blast, did awesome things in incredible places and made lifelong friends.

Max Stevens
USA

Program Photos