why stray

Travel has the power to change perspectives.

Travellers' Choice Award 2026

Why travellers keep coming back

The way we travel matters. It shapes every journey we create, every experience we include and every traveller we welcome. Here's what makes a Stray adventure different.

small group tours

You're never just a number

Forget the giant coach tours. With a maximum of 24 travellers, you'll quickly get to know the people you're travelling with and share the journey with a crew of like-minded adventurers. It's the sweet spot between having your own space and always having someone to join for a hike, a meal or a spontaneous adventure. Small enough to feel personal, but big enough to create an unforgettable group dynamic.

off the beaten track

We take the long way on purpose

Sure, we'll visit the famous sights. But we're just as interested in what happens in between. Often it's the unexpected moments - a secluded swimming spot, a roadside food stop or a local recommendation - that become the highlight of the trip. Our itineraries are designed to get beyond the obvious, with plenty of opportunities to discover places and experiences that most travellers never stumble across.

HERITAGE & UNESCO SITES

The bucket-list locations done right

From UNESCO World Heritage sites and national parks to places rich in culture and history, we visit the landmarks that put destinations on the map. But it's not just about seeing them, it's about understanding the stories, people and traditions that make them worth visiting in the first place. We take the time to connect the dots, turning famous sights into meaningful travel experiences.

EXPERT LOCAL GUIDES

You’re in good hands from day one

Our guides are legends. They know the roads, the stories, the shortcuts and where to find the best local eats. They'll keep the trip running smoothly, point you towards unforgettable experiences and happily answer everything from cultural questions to where to grab a decent coffee. By the end of the trip, they won't feel like your guide - they'll feel like the mate who showed you their favourite corner of the world.

LIFELONG FRIENDS

The best souvenirs are the people

More than 75% of Stray travellers join on their own, so you'll be in good company from day one. Whether you're swapping travel stories on the bus, ziplining through the forest or sharing a meal after a big day, friendships form naturally on the road. That's the magic of travelling with a crew of like-minded explorers. Before long, the strangers you met on day one are the people making the journey unforgettable.

adventure responsibly

The world deserves good guests

Travel should leave a positive impact. That's why we work with local communities, support local businesses and encourage respectful, culturally aware travel. By travelling thoughtfully, we can help protect the places, traditions and experiences that make every destination special. It's about exploring with curiosity, treading lightly and helping ensure these incredible places can be enjoyed for generations to come.

Adventure Responsibly

Respecting places, people and the planet. We focus our impact across a few key areas where travel can genuinely make a difference.

People & Communities

Tourism that benefits locals

We work with communities across New Zealand and Southeast Asia so tourism helps the people who call these places home. Food parcels and classroom time at Murupara, a village fund along the Mekong, sponsoring teachers at Lone Buffalo in Laos, and making lunches for Kiwi kids with Eat My Lunch.

28,000+Hangi meals to Murupara

253Children in free English classes

Nature & Wildlife

Protecting wild places

From native birds to sea turtles, we back hands-on conservation. We sponsor predator traps that protect the endangered whio at Blue Duck Station, release hatchlings at a turtle sanctuary in Borneo, run beach clean-ups on World Oceans Day, and our travellers have planted thousands of native trees.

52,500+Native trees planted

200+Predators trapped saving birds

Our Footprint

Cleaner on every trip

We keep cutting our own impact. Drivers train in fuel-efficient driving (SAFED), we're replacing older coaches with cleaner ones, we scale fleet size to demand to keep emissions down, and we help travellers ditch single-use plastic. The goal we're working towards is carbon neutral.

5-6%Less fuel since SAFED training

10Predators trapped saving birds

sustainable tourism

We’re committed to sustainable tourism and proud to hold Qualmark Gold, New Zealand’s highest sustainability accreditation, for six years running.
Every road we travel, we try to do right by our customers, our team, the communities who host us and the environment we explore.

the tiaki promise

Looking after the places that look after us. Travel gives us access to some incredible places, and with that comes responsibility. The Tiaki Promise is a commitment to care for people, place and culture, and it's something we carry with us on every journey.Whether it's planting native trees, protecting wildlife habitats or supporting community initiatives, we believe travel should leave a positive impact on the places and people that make each journey special.

On the road, it's often the small things that add up. We encourage travellers to refill rather than rebuy, reduce single-use plastics wherever possible, minimise waste and keep our operations as paperless as we can. Behind the scenes, our drivers are trained in fuel-efficient driving practices and we're continuing to invest in cleaner, more efficient vehicles.
But Tiaki is about more than the environment. It's about respect too. Respect for local communities, local cultures and the people who welcome us into their world. Because the best adventures don't just create memories - they help protect the places that make them possible. And every traveller who joins us becomes part of that commitment. See more. Do more. Travel with care.