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We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
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The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
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Auckland - Sky tower NZ$28; Revolving restaurant NZ$70; Auckland War Memorial Museum; NZ$8
Wellington - Cable car NZ$7; Zealandia NZ$28 self guided
Punakaiki - Paparoa National Park: River Kayak NZ$40 for up to 2 hours and $5 each following hour (per adult) Guided trips start from $70 (per adult)
Fox Glacier / Mount Cook – Helicopter flights; NZ$215-410
Wanaka – Jet Boat and Walk – NZ$172.5; Jet boat walk and Helicopter NZ$445
Christchurch - Visit the Red Zone NZ$15; Antarctic Centre NZ$25; Willow bank Wildlife reserve NZ$25; Punting on the River Avon NZ$25 plus Garden tour NZ$39
Tour Leader: At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive.
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Up-to-date information on global exchange rates can be obtained at www.oanda.com
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Local Currency: N.Z. dollar.
Recommended Currency: You can purchase New Zealand currency from home, otherwise we recommend taking £GB or $US.
Where to Exchange: Banks or 'forex' offices in main towns/cities only.
ATM Availability: ATMs are available in all main towns.
Credit Card Acceptance: All major credit cards are accepted at all locations.
Travellers Cheques: Can be exchanged at banks and exchange offices.
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| UK | New Zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Tea/Coffee | £1.50 | £2.20 |
| Soft Drink | £1.50 | £1.00 |
| Bottled Water | £1.50 | £1.00 |
| Bottle of Beer | £3.50 | £2.80 |
| 2 Course Meal* | £15.00 | £14.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** | £20.00 | £18.00 |
| Bottle of Wine | £14.50 | £9.50 |
| Breakfast | £5.00 |
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
Back to topVisas are not required by U.K., CAN, US, and AUS citizens. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate or consular office.
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Please note: Please note that flights on the tour may transit through the USA. According to US law, passengers will have to disembark, collect luggage and clear immigration before re-boarding for the onward flight.
Holders of the UK, AUS, NZ, CAN and several EU country passports can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if they hold a machine readable passport. They must also be entering the country by sea or air on a carrier participating in the visa waiver scheme, holding a return/onward ticket. As well as being machine readable, if your passport was issued on or after 26 October 2005, it must contain both a digital photograph of the holder and also an integrated circuit chip that stores biographic information.
All passengers travelling to the USA under the Visa Waiver Programme must provide their details online no later than 72 hours prior to travel. British travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely to be detained and sent home. In addition to passport information, you must also supply the full address of your first night’s accommodation in the USA. This information can be obtained from your joining instructions which are sent out approximately 3 weeks before travel.
Anyone applying for ESTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to travel under the Visa Waiver system will be charged a fee of 14USD (9GBP).
For more information, and to apply online, please visit the following website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Once obtained, the application will be valid for a period of two years, or for the validity of your passport (whichever is shorter).
For more information about who is eligible for the VWP, or any other questions you may have regarding your eligibility, or machine readable passports, please contact your local consular office, or visit www.usembassy.org.uk
Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Nothing required. Tetanus recommended.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
Back to topWe strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
Back to topNew Zealand’s climate is maritime: mild and pleasant with abundant sunshine, high rainfall and a few extremes of heat and cold. However, settled weather cannot be counted on at any time of year – all seasons can be experienced in one day! Generally the summer months (November-April) are the warmest and most pleasant, with the least rainfall. In the Southern Alps temperatures can fluctuate dramatically.
Back to topSeasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
Back to topTo assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
Back to topUnfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
Back to topOne main piece of baggage and a daypack. A backpack or soft holdall preferably with wheels may prove more convenient due to the variety of transport used on this tour. You will be required to carry your luggage to/from on/off coaches, trains and ferries. Total allowance: 44lb/20kg. You will need a small overnight bag for the Farmstay
You will need lightweight clothing, but also warmer clothing. Good rain gear is essential as is warm upper body clothing. Fine Merino products can be purchased in New Zealand and are warmer than synthetics. Please note that most accommodation in New Zealand has laundry facilities – washing machines and driers – available for guest use, and hairdryers are available in most places. Bring swimwear too.
Back to topComfortable shoes/trekking trainers. Sandals and/or old training shoes are useful if you want to do any whitewater rafting.
Back to topBring a torch, a water bottle and sunscreen. Due to increased exposure risk in New Zealand, we recommend a minimum of SPF 30+. Due to lack of ozone, burn times are drastically reduced and adequate protection is a vital part of your holiday. Walking poles are useful on some walks. The diminutive biting sandfly (a type of blackfly) can be particularly bad on the west coast of the South Island. While their bites do not carry any disease, they can be particularly irritating for some people, the bite can itch dreadfully. Good insect repellents need to be carried (best purchased in New Zealand, as these are specific for the New Zealand sandfly). A good effective mild analgesic is available to soothe any bites.
Back to topFor an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
Back to topThen we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
Back to topWater-based activities: Participation in canoeing, kayaking, or rafting (including whitewater) requires that you are able to swim 25 metres unaided.
Back to topFor comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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