Meet your tour group and guide at 6 pm at our Christchurch hotel. You will receive details on the hotel with check in instructions for your specific tour, as this varies.

While you meet with your guide, you will go over all the details of the tour in a detailed orientation, to help you prepare for the days to come. After the orientation, you can head out for dinner on your own or with other people in the group and get some rest before we depart in the morning.

You can fly in to Christchurch anytime before 4 pm to safely meet the group at the hotel and you can check in anytime after 4 pm.

To get from the Christchurch Airport, you can either book a shared public shuttle or grab a private taxi outside the airport.

We aim to drop you off at the Christchurch Airport between 2-4 pm on day 13 of your tour.

We recommend not booking flights before 5:30-6 pm to play it safe.

While we encourage you to pack based on your specific needs and desires, here is a general packing list to help guide you in the process.

• Hiking Boots (ideally over the ankle with good support for loose and uneven surfaces)

• 2-3 complete layering systems. (non-cotton, thin layers that you can adapt to changing conditions)

• 1 warm non-cotton sweater

• Rain jacket (and ideally rain pants)

• 5-10 pairs of hiking socks

• Underwear (as desired)

• Cool long sleeved shirt for sun protection on warm days

• Sun hat (full, wide brim is recommended)

• Sunscreen & SPF Lip Chap

• Shorts & Pants for hikes and in town

• Casual shoes/ Sandals

• Clothes for town dinners (casual)

• Bathing suit

• Toiletries & Personal Medications

• Water bottle (at least 1 liter)

• Bug spray for sand flies can help

• Small day pack for personal items during the day

• You can pack in a suitcase, duffel bag or backpack. Luggage will be transported in a trailer.

Nothing takes the jam out of a traveler’s donut faster than their bag getting lost, so we have a few tips below to help make sure your trip gets off to a smooth start!

• Pack the essentials in a carry on bag . Things that are hard to replace (like hiking boots) should be on the plane with you and not checked.

• You can buy sunscreen + Bug Spray in Christchurch if you arrive early enough on day 1

You will have access to laundry facilities a few times during the course of your tour. These can be coin operated or card operated and supplies are generally available, like soaps etc.

The weather in New Zealand is a mixed bag, ranging from heavy rain, sleet and high wind to absolute paradise, with 25 degrees Celsius temperatures and bright, blue skies.

On the South Island, the range is the most dramatic, with the West Coast being substantially wetter than the East Coast, which is how the rain forest and beautiful waterfalls are formed! Expect periods of light rain some days on the West Coast, mixed with cloudy or sunny conditions and dramatic sunsets.

On the East Coast, expect generally sunny conditions, often with brief periods of rain overnight while we are sleeping.

Temperatures range from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius (65-95 degrees Fahrenheit).

The mountains are typically cooler at higher elevations and can be windy as well, so bringing a sweater and jacket on your guided New Zealand hikes is a good idea.

Milford Sound is it’s own separate climate, raining more there than other places in New Zealand. The perfect way to experience Milford Sound is to arrive when it is raining, and have the clouds begin to clear during your cruise. With these conditions, the waterfalls in the fiord are at their best, while the clearing clouds help us to see the peaks of the mountains surrounding the sound. Let’s hope for this to happen on your guided New Zealand tour!

You can pay for most things on your tour with credit card, so cash is rarely needed.

General expenses you’ll incur on the tour are for personal lunch expenses, daily dinner expenses and optional activities in Franz Josef Glacier and Queenstown.

Tipping is not required in New Zealand as in other parts of the world. Restaurant bills aren’t subject to tax and tip as you may be accustomed to.

While tipping your guides is not expected, most people tend to leave a small gratuity for our guides who work around the clock to make your vacation unforgettable. If you choose to do this, $10 usd per guest, per guide, per day is typical. Again, this is not expected, but highly appreciated.