South Island Explorer - Travel Details

Activities

Hiking

Hiking brings us closer to nature and is therefore an integral part of our tours. However, we are not interested in speed hiking nor long distance hiking, and we don’t expect anyone to break records.

In order to enjoy our hikes you should be in reasonable health, flexible and resilient. You should reckon with the odd rainy day and occasional wet feet.

Walks on the South Island Explorer Tour range from easy to demanding.  We go on easy short walks of 2-3h duration, but also on longer hikes of 3-5h. On these longer hikes we often walk over uneven terrain (gravel, rock, roots) and sometimes cross-country. Two hikes on this tour take about 5-7h and include long, steep climbs and descents of up to 1.000m altitude difference. We do take our time for these hikes so that everybody can enjoy them, but a good fitness level and comfortable weather-proof ankle-high hiking boots are a prerequisite. If you are used to hiking with trekking poles you should bring some.

We have put together an equipment list, tried and tested on many tours. Many of the items you can also hire from us (see rental equipment).

Hiking distances can often be adjusted depending on your personal fitness level. On some hiking days there is also the option of alternative activities. Feel free to discuss any concerns with us before you book or talk to your guide during the tour.

Siberia Experience

The Siberia Experience is a unique New Zealand wilderness adventure in Mount Aspiring National Park. We start with a 25-minute flight into the remote Siberia Valley and enjoy fantastic views of the Southern Alps. Then we go on a 3-5h bush walk that follows a track through river valleys and native beech forest. Finally, a Jet Boat picks us up and takes us on a thrilling and scenic 30 minute mountain river journey back to civilisation. No special requirements for this tour, apart from a fitness level that allows you to enjoy the hike.

Jet Boat Tour

We go on an adventurous Jet Boat tour that takes us from sea level right into the fantastic alpine world of the West Coast. You will see a remote and awe-inspiring valley and will get a glimpse into both the natural history of the area, and its people from our driver guide. The innovative design of the Safari Jet Boats allows excellent visibility of the surrounding World Heritage Area and offers a great mix of excitement and speed with tranquility and breathtaking nature.

2-Day Kayak Tour

This two-day kayak tour is suitable for everyone, including beginners and non-swimmers. We sit in stable and safe two person sea kayaks that have a rudder for simple control and ease of paddling. A trained local guide accompanies us all the way and introduces us to all we need to know when out kayaking. All gear is provided (incl. life vests).
The main focus is to enjoy the beautiful Marlborough Sounds from a different perspective and up close. Thus, we do not intend to paddle as far and fast as possible. However, a certain stamina and arm strength is required.  
The active paddle time varies with each group but is about 4h on day 1 and about 4-6h on day 2. We take several breaks to stretch our legs, relax on sandy beaches and go for a swim.
We stay the night in a remote, basic campground in the Sounds.  We let our kayak guide organize the meals and pay NZ$ 35 per person for this great service.

Horse Trekking

You can choose between a half or full day on horseback in the outskirts of Kahurangi National Park (optional). Horses are chosen depending on riding experience (also suitable for beginners) and groups will be kept small. Alternatively, you can opt for a walk in the national park.

If you choose the horse trekking option you will get time to first get to know your horse while you groom and saddle it. Every rider will get a helmet and safety standards are high. However, as horses can be unpredictable, horse riding always bears a small risk of injury.

Kayaking Okarito Lagoon

We go kayaking in a sheltered lagoon where no prior kayaking experience is required.  No special skills or fitness is necessary and after a short introduction the handling of kayak and paddle is usually picked up easily. Paddle time is about 4hours.

Optional Activities

The itinerary allows time for optional activities. Here is an overview of some of the available options.

Prices as of February 2010 and subject to change.

Free Time

On this tour you will experience many fun-filled adventures, but will also have time to enjoy those special little things along the way. We can’t and don’t want to show you all of New Zealand in four weeks. No matter which of our tours you choose, we always endeavour to take in many well-known sights and true New Zealand highlights but also lesser-known treasures off the beaten track. 

You always have the option to decide whether you want to join the group in an activity or if you prefer having some time to yourself. Please talk to your guide if you would like alternative arrangements. 

We would like to point out, though, that you can not claim for refund of included activities. If you can not take up some of the included services for good reasons (f.ex. unforeseen early departure) we will endeavour to claim for a refund of saved expenses of the service or activity providers. This obligation does not need to be performed for expenses of less than NZ$ 50, or if the refund is against regulations.

Accommodation

General

The South Island Explorer tour is a camping tour.  However, the first and last night will be spent in a hotel in Christchurch and three nights of the tour we will stay in cabins. 
Generally, we use two person tents and book twin or double rooms. Please let us know if you prefer a single room/tent.

 

Tent

We provide sturdy and roomy good quality tents that are easy to pitch. It is possible to book a single tent. Single occupancy of the tent for the entire tour entails a surcharge of NZ$ 180 / € 90. Please tick the appropriate box in your booking form.
Included in the tour price is all necessary camping gear.  All you need is your own sleeping bag and camping mattress. We have put together a detailed equipment list, tried and tested on many tours. Many of the items you can also hire from us (see rental equipment).

Hotel

The first and last night of the tour we spend in a hotel in Christchurch. The hotels we use belong to the middle-class category. All rooms usually have tea- and coffee making facilities and provide washing machines and dryers for guest use.

Generally, we book twin or double rooms, but you can also book a single room. The single room surcharge is NZ$ 85/ € 48. Please tick the appropriate box in your booking form if you would like to book a single room.

Cabin

The cabins we use on this tour are basic log cabins.

Solo Traveler

For participants traveling alone we usually book a shared twin room and a shared two-person tent and then try to find a same sex room/tent mate. If we can’t find a suitable participant for sharing, we will let you know two weeks before departure and we will upgrade you to a single room/tent free of charge.   
If you prefer you can also book a single room/tent for the entire tour directly when filling out your booking form.  
The single room surcharge in the hotel in Christchurch is NZ$ 85 / € 48. Single occupancy of the tent for the entire tour entails a surcharge of NZ$ 180 / € 90.   

Equipment

For your luggage we recommend that you use a backpack or soft bag/suitcase. We strongly advise that you do not bring a hard-sided suitcase as they are bulky and difficult to fit into our vehicle. Your travel gear needs to be robust rather than bulky. Two smaller travel bags are often easier to carry and store than one big piece of luggage. That also gives you the option of leaving one of the two in the vehicle with unnecessary clothing etc. The weight limit for luggage on the tour is ca. 20kg per person.  

You will also need a small day pack that can fit snacks/lunch, a water bottle, a rain-proof jacket and your camera gear.
For our walks you will need comfortable weather-proof ankle-high hiking boots. If you are used to hiking with trekking poles you should bring some.

Included in the tour price is all necessary camping gear. All you need is your own sleeping bag and camping mattress. We have put together a detailed equipment list, tried and tested on many tours. Many of the items you can also hire from us (see rental equipment).

Meals

All participants are expected to play a part in the meal preparation.

In our experience small teams of 2-3 participants who alternate with the cooking work really well. But don’t worry – we always carry our tried and trusted group cook book with plenty of ideas for yummy, quick and easy meals and our experienced guides are always there to lend a hand.  

Grocery shopping is a team effort and every participant will have to pay about NZ$25 per day into the meal kitty.
About 30% of our participants prefer vegetarian meals and depending on each group we will endeavour to cater for special needs/preferences or give you the option of preparing separate meals.  
 
Our main aim on our journey is getting to know the country and people, seeing the fauna and flora and experiencing what New Zealand has to offer. Therefore, we will try to keep the time used for meal preparation to a minimum. We will usually eat a comprehensive breakfast and a cooked dinner. Lunch is either prepared and packed at breakfast time, or we visit one of the many inviting cafes. When suitable we might opt for a restaurant and skip cooking our own dinner or we might prefer a BBQ and grill some fresh seafood, steaks etc. All depending on preferences and options on the day.  

Flight to/from New Zealand

Our tour quotes are land prices only and do not include international flights. Thus, the tour dates indicate the departure/arrival date from the start/end point of the tour and the days traveling in the country. This gives you the freedom to individually choose your personal arrival and departure dates and times in/from New Zealand. You can use our tours as building blocks for your holiday and we are very happy to help you plan and book any transport, accommodation or activities before or after the tour.   
If traveling from Europe your flight departure needs to be at least two days before the tour starts and you will arrive back in Europe at the earliest one day after the tour ends. So you will need to add at least three days to your overall travel time.