General Information
Our Guides
Supporting us over the summer months is a team of some 10-15 guides with some exciting, specialist skills. Amongst other things our guides have cycled around the world, climbed to the highest peaks in New Zealand and the Himalayas, worked in Antarctica, have degrees in Botany, are qualified chefs, have had their photographs published world-wide and have written travel journals and hiking guide books.
As guiding work is seasonal a tour guide needs to be multi talented and during the off-season our guides are involved in many diverse activities from managing ski-fields to courier driving to teaching and consulting. Of-course to be a guide you must be a traveller at heart and many of our guides use the New Zealand winter period to travel, hike and cycle overseas.
Accommodation
Our trips stay at character Farmstays, Guesthouses, 3-4 star Motels, Boutique hotels (many of them in unique locations) including a couple of purpose built boats on Milford Sound. Our accommodations are equipped with private facilities, except for the rare occasion where their location and charm outweigh the privacy factor. Full details of the lodges are provided in the trip notes, which accompany each itinerary. Our evening meals are taken at the lodge or a local restaurant. A chance to relax and reflect. Our small numbers allow us great flexibility.
A single supplement is available if you would like to have your own room. By paying the extra single supplement price we will guarantee you your own room where available. Trips are organised and priced on a twin/double share basis - single supplement accommodation is available (except in alpine huts on Southern Alps Treks) at an extra price. The advertisied single supplement prices do not inlcude the Milford Mariner and Doubtful Sound Navigator boats, if available single rooms on these boats are an extra NZD $250.
If you book as a single and request a room mate we will arrange for you to share with a person of the same sex. If we cannot match you up with another person on the tour, a 50% payment of the advertised single supplement price is required and you will get a room to yourself.
Laundry
There is no need to carry around your whole wardrobe, as there are laundry facilities available at most of the accommodation providers. They will provide laundry detergent and softener at a small charge.
Photography
If you own a digital or normal camera we suggest you bring spare camera battery as they can only be purchased from specialist photography shops in the main centers. There are opportunities to develop your digital photos during the tours at the instant development machines that are available in any photo shop. At most overnight stays you will be able to upload your photos to send a vacation update home.
Internet
We can hardly think of a world without Internet and luckily there are plenty of places around New Zealand to check your email and to send updates to friends and family. Most accommodation providers will have computers for you to use for a small fee. Most towns will also have an Internet café.
Communications
New Zealand uses Telecom or Vodaphone as their main cell phone providers. You may want to purchase a pre paid simcard (40 dollars including free top up) to text home, as calling via a cell phone can be rather expensive in New Zealand. If you wish to call home the cheapest option is to buy regular calling cards available at every kiosk, supermarket or convenience store.
Luggage
We recommend you pack your luggage in a soft sports bag for easy stowing in the trailer/vehicle. We urge you to keep your luggage to a minimum. If you have extra luggage you do not require for your holiday we can easily arrange to have it stored until the end of the trip.
Weather
New Zealand enjoys a sub-tropical maritime climate, i.e. a climate with few extremes. However the weather can be changeable. Maximum mid summer temperatures range from 15°-30°C (59°- 86°F) with January and February being the warmest months. The temperatures are cooler in the mountain regions and it does rain at times especially on the West Coast. A good waterproof parka or anorak as well as rain-pants are crucial. Fortunately the weather rolls through quickly and often the next day is stunningly clear! Occasionally however weather conditions on the land may prevent us from completing a scheduled activity. The decision to alter the itinerary is made in the best interest of the group and it's safety, and alternative plans are made.