LimitLes Explore brings like-minded women together to explore our most loved corners of the world! The intention of LimitLes Explore is to continue to facilitate group travel ~the LimitLes way~ at a lower price point and bigger scale than our OG LimitLes retreats. These trips foster connection, exploration, perspective, and something much bigger than us. It’s the ultimate girls trip!

Alex and I got engaged on February 4th, 2020. On February 5th, we were on a plane to New Zealand to celebrate our big news! To this day, it was one of the best trips I can remember. It’s a destination that speaks perfectly to not only us, but any traveler who steps foot on its soil. From the adrenaline-pumping activities to the jaw-dropping scenery, the world-class wine, the kind kiwis, and the dynamic Maori culture, I held these memories so close as the world changed forever just a month later.

Exactly three years later in 2023, we returned with 12 incredible women to see the landscapes from above and dive deeply into themselves for #LimitLesNewZealand2023. And if you know, you know – we elevated the itinerary (which seemed impossible!!) and returned with two more groups of adventure seekers in February 2024. Now we can confidently say we’ve perfected this itinerary with one of our all-time favorite travel partners and are so excited to finally present to you: LimitLes Explore New Zealand!

Ask any seasoned traveler about their favorite adventure region of the world, and NZ’s South Island is probably on the list. From turquoise lakes to glistening glaciers and lush peninsulas, it offers awe and adventure in equal measure. Queenstown, also known as ‘The Adventure Capital of the World,’ is the perfect base for any and all activities – from summer hiking to winter skiing. It’s as much a verb as it is a noun in that it’s a place of doing. And trust me, you can try and do it all from sun up to sun down. Speaking of…don’t even get me started on the epic sunsets!

What’s the Explore difference?

Who is the LimitLes Explorer?

The LimitLes community is a safe space where women come together to explore new parts of the world and in turn, themselves. We are mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, cancer survivors, caretakers, travel junkies, adventure seekers, criers, and deep-belly laughers. If you are an open-hearted human seeking the road les traveled with women who are craving the same movement, adventure, and community, you’re in the right place.

The Road Les Traveled is not for the faint of heart. You’ll be staying active, leaning into the adventure and adrenaline rush that Queenstown is known for, and getting the absolute most out of your time in New Zealand. The adventure-packed itinerary is balanced beautifully with comfortable accommodations to rest your head, local cuisine to spark your taste buds, quiet moments in awe-inspiring nature, and connection activities that will invite you to dive deeply into yourself and others.

Note: The application link is at the bottom of this page.

Meet Your Guides

Lee Saunders – With over 12 years of experience in the Tourism industry, Lee’s passion for showing people New Zealand is evident as soon as you meet him. Having grown up in and around Queenstown, he knows the region like the back of his hand. As Founder of Alpine Luxury Tours, Lee can customize any experience at a moment’s notice to ensure you see the best of Queenstown and New Zealand when visiting.

Dani Saunders – With over 9 years of local and international guiding experience and having lived in Queenstown for a number of years, her local knowledge of the region and beyond makes her a valuable asset to the team at Alpine Luxury Tours. Dani is a trained jet boat driver having driven for companies all over New Zealand. She also holds a Certificate in Outdoor Education and a Diploma in Instruction and Guiding.

You know those people who just get it? Takes you to the cool spots mixed in with parts unknown. Realizes what you want before you do. Organized and acquainted with everyone in town. That’s them, and they’re magic. I can’t wait for you to get to know our favorite kiwis!

New Zealand Details

Dates: February 10 – February 17, 2025

Trip Length: 8 days, 7 nights

Participants: 14

Destinations: Our favorite bases of the South Island: Queenstown and Mt. Cook

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinners & all diets welcome

Cost: $8,500

Optional add-on activities: bungee jumping & stargazing based on availability

Demographic: Women (18+)

Helicopter flights over Queenstown and Mt. Cook, Hiking Hooker Valley

Bucket List Activities: An exclusive fleet of helicopters to Milford Sound and a heli-hike Middle Earth waterfall adventure (a ‘Hobbit’ filming location only accessible by helicopter),heli escort to ice hike on Tasman Glacier, private tour and boat cruise around Milford Sound, Shotover jet boat experience in Queenstown.

Additional Activities: Scenic hiking, e-biking, wine tasting, local shopping and so much more!

Accommodation: During the first four nights, you’ll be staying at a 5-star, local favorite hotel in Queenstown. During the second portion of the trip, you’ll be immersed in South Island gems as you experience the highest mountain range in New Zealand, retreat for two nights in the scenic surroundings of Mt. Cook, and end with one final night in Queenstown. You’ll spend time with the best guides in the region to experience the location’s perks to the fullest.

Travel notes: New Zealand is a trip! It takes at least a full travel day (if coming from the U.S.) and is 16 hours ahead of EST so please take that into account when planning travel and if requesting time off. We do recommend arriving a day or two early to adjust to the time difference and make the most of the long journey to the Southern Hemisphere!

Please only complete the application form if you are seriously interested in attending the retreat, if the travel dates work with your schedules and if the price is within your budget. Applications close August 18. You can expect to start hearing from us the week of August 12 as we read applications on a first-come basis. A deposit of $1,000 per person is due upon acceptance to your reserve your spot. The remaining balance is due in three installments: due September 3, November 1 and you must pay in full by December 6.

Hear from the LimitLes Alumni