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Thank you for your
interest in helping this site to continue to develop. Some of the
information we give you here can save you thousands of dollars the next time
you're arranging travel, or will substantially help the quality of your
travel experiences in other, non-cash ways.
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This New Zealand tour can be enjoyed by itself, or can be combined with time in Australia, Fiji, Tahiti, or various other places. You can add extra time in New Zealand or elsewhere at the beginning and/or end of your tour. If you prefer, you can travel by private car, joining the group only for accommodation, meals, and any other activities that you might wish. Total flexibility. And
total enjoyment.
Tour Options and Cost This tour is available in three forms :
A single supplement of $995 is available for the complete tour ($565/455 for Intro/Advanced tour portions). We will also help to match together singles if you'd like to share with a compatible fellow single traveler. These prices reflect a 3% discount for cash/check. A $500 per person non-refundable deposit is required to confirm your places on this tour. You are responsible for arranging your travel between the US and New Zealand, and for the flight between Rotorua and Queenstown in New Zealand. Tour Dates The tour allows you to make your own way to Auckland, New Zealand, any way you wish. You should arrive into Auckland no later than midday, Wednesday, 21 October. If you're starting your travels in North America, you'll probably take an overnight flight on Monday 19 October (or sooner), to arrive into Auckland on the morning of Wednesday 21 October (or sooner). This might seem like a very long flight, but a nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Auckland is only about 12½ hours in duration. The reason you leave on a Monday night and arrive on a Wednesday morning is because you skip over Tuesday when you cross the international date line on the way to New Zealand. Don't worry, the day you 'lose' on the way to NZ isn't lost forever. You get the extra day returned to you when you fly back - meaning you'll land back in North America 'before' you depart Auckland! The tour ends on Thursday 5 November when we return to Auckland from Hawkes Bay by coach. You are free to fly back this evening, or to stay longer in NZ, or perhaps to go somewhere else like Fiji, Tahiti or Australia before returning home. If you're traveling directly home, you could arrange to take an evening flight that day. We will be at the airport no later than 5pm, in time for the flights that leave after 7pm that night. If you're doing the first part of the tour only, then leave the US on/before 19 October and fly home again on/after 29 October If you're doing the second part of the tour only, then leave the US on/before 27 October and fly home again on/after 5 November. If you're adding the train journey extension at the end, you should fly home from Auckland on/after Saturday 7 November. You can of course join or leave the tour at any time, just let us know what works for you and we'll fit you in as best we can. Here is the detailed day by day itinerary. Small Group Size The group is limited to a maximum of 30 persons. Most of the time we'll be traveling on 48 - 50 seater coaches so there'll always be lots of room for everyone to spread out. Because we're a small group, if we decide we want to change or vary a day's itinerary, we'll simply make the changes we wish. Tour Inclusions Your $2995 per person tour price includes all the following :
You will save money and gain flexible convenience if you arrange your own air travel. These days airlines seldom give discounts to groups, and sometimes even charge more, while also adding extra restrictions to the tickets! You can choose whichever carrier has the best fare and the best schedules for you, and you can also choose a carrier that you wish to earn miles with. You can even cash in miles and fly on frequent flier awards. Note that you also need to arrange the flight from Rotorua to Queenstown on Saturday 24 October. Sometimes this flight can be purchased at a discounted price as part of an international ticket. We'll be pleased to answer any questions you might have about arranging your air transportation, of course. Using Frequent Flier Miles We all know it can be difficult to get the exact flights you want if you're trying to cash in some frequent flier miles. So here are some tips to help you if you're trying to use frequent flier miles :
Good Weather in Oct/Nov Because New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed, and whereas we in the northern hemisphere will be experiencing the sadness of ever colder and shorter days in our fall, New Zealand will be enjoying the freshness of spring, with lengthening days, spring lambs in the fields, and newly blooming greenery. Average daily temperatures will probably be in the 60s, sometimes breaking into the 70s. You should bring some warmer clothing for cooler evenings and inclement weather, and some lighter clothing for warm sunny days. How to Extend or Vary this Tour There are many ways you can extend or vary this tour. You might want to include other destinations as you fly to and from New Zealand. While there are plenty of non-stop flights to Auckland, other flights can be arranged allowing for stops in places such as Tahiti, Hawaii, and Fiji, either on the way to or from NZ. And you might also want to fly just a little further west to include some time in Australia, too. If you wanted to spend more time in New Zealand, you could of course arrive before the main tour start date, and/or stay on after the tour completion date. Truly, this tour gives you a great number of ways to add extra time and sightseeing. And, if you have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask. We're here to help ensure your experience is as good as possible. Suggested Tour Extensions Before the Tour We suggest you arrive in Auckland a day or two before Wednesday 21 October, so that you are well rested when the tour starts. You might wish to travel up north of Auckland to the Bay of Islands prior to the tour's commencement in Auckland. After the Tour We're offering an extension ourselves after the tour to give you a chance to enjoy the lovely train ride between Wellington and Auckland. Otherwise, you can of course extend your time in NZ (or elsewhere in the South Pacific) as you wish. In general and further afield If time allows, you may wish to spend time in Fiji, Tahiti, or Australia as well, before or after the tour, depending on the best value flight itinerary you can arrange. Tour Terms and Conditions Our standard terms and conditions apply to this tour. In addition, please note these extra terms : 1. The 60 day payment due date is considered to be Friday 21 August. 2. US citizens require a current passport that will not expire for at least six months after the date of their planned return back to the US in order to be admitted to New Zealand. They do not require a NZ visa. Citizens of other countries should check with the airline that will transport them to New Zealand to determine what passport and visa requirements may apply. 3. Tour price is based on a NZ/US exchange rate in the wholesale range between 0.5 and 0.55. If the exchange rate varies outside of this rate prior to final payment being received, the tour price will be adjusted (either up or down) to reflect the change in the cost of tour components. If the price of the tour increases by more than 10%, participants will be offered a no cost, no penalty opportunity to cancel and receive a full refund of all monies paid. 4. Triple share rates may be available. Ask for a quote if this is required. 5. There's plenty of room in the coach's luggage bays for as much luggage as you choose to bring. But you'll find it easier on the train journey, and in the hotel rooms, if you try and limit yourself to one main suitcase and one smaller item per person. 6. We make our best efforts to adhere to the itinerary as shown on the detailed itinerary page, but matters beyond our control may sometimes interfere with our ability to do so. In such cases, we'll substitute the best alternates we can identify, or refund you a portion of your tour cost to fairly represent the inclusions not provided.
Originally published 14 Mar 2009, last update 30 May 2021 |
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