Most trampers know the feeling of limping into the office on a Monday morning, sleep-deprived and sore after a weekend well-enjoyed in the backcountry. 

“And you did that for fun? During your weekend?” asks a sceptical colleague as you gingerly lower into an office chair.

We get it – tramping is no picnic.   It takes planning, route-finding, organisation, and a great deal of grunt work under an often heavy pack.

But what if it didn’t have to be that way? 

There’s a real comfort in being guided through the backcountry – almost like being the passenger in a car. You’re free to relax, get lost in the scenery and forget about directions. Your pack is light, and the promise of a gourmet meal – one that hasn’t been rehydrated – waits for you at the end of the day. 

It’s an experience that few DIY-loving Kiwi trampers experience in their own backyard, but with tourists absent from our shores for the foreseeable future, a once in a lifetime opportunity exists.

Schedules have freed up, crowds have dissipated, and the most knowledgeable and skilled guides in the country are itching to show off their slice of paradise to the locals. 

Here are 12 trips to add to your to-do-list.