Paper Trails

Paper Trails

By Steve and Joan Ringel of Denver - January 2006



(Paper Trails - where readers send in pictures of their local paper travelling the world!)

Where: Milford Sound

Best meal: Rotherhams, Christchurch, a small, welcoming restaurant run with gourmet continental choices as well as New Zealand specialties. Wonderful desserts. Be hungry; New Zealand menus include appetizers, mains (a small main course), entrees (a regular main course) and dessert. If you ask for salad or vegetables, you will get them; if you don't, they are not likely to be served.

Best deal: Tour with Active Adventures New Zealand. Well planned, no more than 14 in a group, excellent guides, efficiently showcases special places by hiking, biking and sea kayaking that on your own you couldn't organize. Reasonably priced. Spartan but scrupulously clean accommodations. Healthy, family-style meals. Beer and lattes under $3 everywhere.

Best time to go: November and early December - late spring, early summer "down under" - just before Kiwis travel for the holidays and best weather.

Best travel tip: Take rain gear - it is supposed to rain quite a bit, although we had only one day of intermittent drizzle on our last day. Take deet for sand flies, and don't scratch if they bite you. An old Maori myth suggests that when New Zealand was created, it was paradise. The gods sent the sand flies to remind humans how easily paradise can be spoiled.



The Wanderlist: All it takes is one trip to change your life... One trip, one world - that's all it takes. During Active Adventures founder Andrew Fairfax's 2,700-mile cycling expedition from Istanbul to London in 2003, he thought, Why aren't we doing this at home? The result of that epiphany is the 'Weka', a 13-day supported bike trip circling the South Island.

The New Zealand Biking Adventure hits all the top spots, like the majestic peaks and gushing waterfalls of Milford Sound and the blue ice of the Franz Josef Glacier, while staying off most of the main routes, worn thin by tourist traffic.

You'll log roughly 400 miles on Specialized hybrids that can handle gravel farm paths and other classic Kiwi obstacles like cow dung and stubborn sheep. Typical day: Pull off the Central Otago Rail Trail, ditch your gear in a renovated millhouse that serves as home for the night, and head to a tiny rural-outpost pub for a Speight's with the locals.

 

Hear from our Happy Guests
4.85/5 Rating | 6,500+ Reviews

What people say about our trips

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Classic South Island Adventure - November 2023

South Island

"New Zealand is spectacular. Our guides Emma & Luke shared there love of NZ and the outdoors! They made the trip so much more enjoyable!

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"New Zealand is spectacular. Our guides Emma & Luke shared there love of NZ and… read more

"New Zealand is spectacular. Our guides Emma & Luke shared there love of NZ and the outdoors! They made the trip so much more enjoyable! read less

5 Stars (519 reviews)

L Laurie | November 2023

Classic South Island Adventure - November 2023

Fantastic trip

"I can’t imagine any better of a trip. Great guides who were personable, knowledgeable, and kind; amazing scenery and activities; and a great group of fellow travelers.

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"I can’t imagine any better of a trip. Great guides who were personable, knowledgeable, and… read more

"I can’t imagine any better of a trip. Great guides who were personable, knowledgeable, and kind; amazing scenery and activities; and a great group of fellow travelers. read less

5 Stars (519 reviews)

S Shauna | November 2023

Classic South Island Adventure - November 2023

The Highlights of the South Island

"This tour has it all from hiking to an amazing overflight of valleys to jet boating to a relaxing cruise through Milford Sound. Every day was something new and exciting but yet we also had time to absorb the awesomeness all around us at each activity. Active Adventures are true NZ experts and it shows on this trip from knowledgeable guides to secret little trails and the best areas to do a leg stretch when we had longer drives to dynamite food at every meal!

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"This tour has it all from hiking to an amazing overflight of valleys to jet… read more

"This tour has it all from hiking to an amazing overflight of valleys to jet boating to a relaxing cruise through Milford Sound. Every day was something new and exciting but yet we also had time to absorb the awesomeness all around us at each activity. Active Adventures are true NZ experts and it shows on this trip from knowledgeable guides to secret little trails and the best areas to do a leg stretch when we had longer drives to dynamite food at every meal! read less

5 Stars (519 reviews)

B Ben | November 2023

Ultimate South Island Adventure - November 2023

Exploring the South Island

"We had a wonderful trip on the South Island. Our guides, Holly and Max were fun and took great care of us. Each hike was better than the previous one. It felt like a best hits tour. Max fed us well and Holly got us to our destinations safely. We all had fun together.
We choose the option to go to the huts. I was a bit worried about how much food they would have us carry but it turned out to be minimal. The huts were a good experience and helped the group bond. Snow kept us from reaching the Angelos hut but the alternate Bushline hut was fun and we saw the most amazing rainbow.
Along the way, Holly told Maori myth stories and info about the history, geology, fauna and flora of New Zealand.

read more

"We had a wonderful trip on the South Island. Our guides, Holly and Max… read more

"We had a wonderful trip on the South Island. Our guides, Holly and Max were fun and took great care of us. Each hike was better than the previous one. It felt like a best hits tour. Max fed us well and Holly got us to our destinations safely. We all had fun together.
We choose the option to go to the huts. I was a bit worried about how much food they would have us carry but it turned out to be minimal. The huts were a good experience and helped the group bond. Snow kept us from reaching the Angelos hut but the alternate Bushline hut was fun and we saw the most amazing rainbow.
Along the way, Holly told Maori myth stories and info about the history, geology, fauna and flora of New Zealand. read less

5 Stars (886 reviews)

E Erin | November 2023

Ultimate South Island Adventure - November 2023

Ultimate South Island Adventure

"Memorable beyond words! Originally scheduled for November 2020, I couldn't wait for this adventure to begin. From start to end, Active Adventures was spectacular. Holly & Max were incredible guides, chefs, logisitcs, histroy and a few shenanigans thrown in. The ability to balance 11 different personalities with a smile with the long days! As Holly would say, "New Zeland, stop it!"

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"Memorable beyond words! Originally scheduled for November 2020, I couldn't wait for this adventure… read more

"Memorable beyond words! Originally scheduled for November 2020, I couldn't wait for this adventure to begin. From start to end, Active Adventures was spectacular. Holly & Max were incredible guides, chefs, logisitcs, histroy and a few shenanigans thrown in. The ability to balance 11 different personalities with a smile with the long days! As Holly would say, "New Zeland, stop it!" read less

5 Stars (886 reviews)

M Mike | November 2023

Classic South Island Adventure - November 2023

Review of New Zealand Classic South Island Adventure

"I found the guides to be extremely knowledgeable and exceedingly friendly and professional. The places we visited were mind-blowing beautiful and the activities were very well planned and executed. I found myself refreshed and reinvigorated every day of the trip.

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"I found the guides to be extremely knowledgeable and exceedingly friendly and professional. The… read more

"I found the guides to be extremely knowledgeable and exceedingly friendly and professional. The places we visited were mind-blowing beautiful and the activities were very well planned and executed. I found myself refreshed and reinvigorated every day of the trip. read less

5 Stars (519 reviews)

S Stephen | November 2023

Ultimate North Island Adventure - November 2023

North Island Adventure

"We extremely enjoyed the trip. Everyone got along. The tour guides Liana and Lisa were great. Lisa coordinated and prepared a number on meals that were also very good. Liana kept us informed of the local traditions and histories. we enjoy everything.

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"We extremely enjoyed the trip. Everyone got along. The tour guides Liana and… read more

"We extremely enjoyed the trip. Everyone got along. The tour guides Liana and Lisa were great. Lisa coordinated and prepared a number on meals that were also very good. Liana kept us informed of the local traditions and histories. we enjoy everything. read less

5 Stars (369 reviews)

N Nancy | November 2023

Ultimate North Island Adventure - November 2023

North Island Experience

"We had a great time discovering the diverse activities and beauty of the North Island of New Zealand. Our guides were great fun and made our trip special from the Kauri Trees to the wonderful hikes.

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"We had a great time discovering the diverse activities and beauty of the North Island… read more

"We had a great time discovering the diverse activities and beauty of the North Island of New Zealand. Our guides were great fun and made our trip special from the Kauri Trees to the wonderful hikes. read less

5 Stars (369 reviews)

J John | November 2023

Ultimate North Island Adventure - November 2023

Excellent!!

"Active does an amazing job arranging everything and really taking care of the guests. I had a great trip and can't say enough nice things about our guides. Everything went smooth and they were so knowledgeable. Would highly recommend the trip to anyone.

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"Active does an amazing job arranging everything and really taking care of the guests. I… read more

"Active does an amazing job arranging everything and really taking care of the guests. I had a great trip and can't say enough nice things about our guides. Everything went smooth and they were so knowledgeable. Would highly recommend the trip to anyone. read less

5 Stars (369 reviews)

M Mollie | November 2023

Milford Track Adventure - November 2023

NZ South Island

"We saw and did amazing things, an action packed trip which is what we liked. The guides were the best. We went to see and do activities we would have never found on our own.

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"We saw and did amazing things, an action packed trip which is what we liked.… read more

"We saw and did amazing things, an action packed trip which is what we liked. The guides were the best. We went to see and do activities we would have never found on our own. read less

5 Stars (183 reviews)

M Margery | November 2023

Patagonia Hiking Adventure - November 2023

Barb Flowers

"What a great adventure in Patagonia! Me and my 2 adult children spent 14 days in Patagonia with wonderful guides! Jessica was absolutely amazing! She took care of every detail, truly cared about us and the region, was fun, knowledgeable!! She made the trip very special for us. Active Adventures you have a gem in Jess! The local guides were great too -- Andrea was a blast and knew all the great places to take us. Her love of the region was evident in her knowledge and enthusiasm. My daughter did the W trek and Chris and Jess took great care of her. It was an experience of a lifetime for her. Loved the small group -- only 5 of us! Loved the attention to detail, the food, the drivers, the accommodations! The shear beauty of the place would have been enough but all the other details took it over the top!!

read more

"What a great adventure in Patagonia! Me and my 2 adult children spent 14… read more

"What a great adventure in Patagonia! Me and my 2 adult children spent 14 days in Patagonia with wonderful guides! Jessica was absolutely amazing! She took care of every detail, truly cared about us and the region, was fun, knowledgeable!! She made the trip very special for us. Active Adventures you have a gem in Jess! The local guides were great too -- Andrea was a blast and knew all the great places to take us. Her love of the region was evident in her knowledge and enthusiasm. My daughter did the W trek and Chris and Jess took great care of her. It was an experience of a lifetime for her. Loved the small group -- only 5 of us! Loved the attention to detail, the food, the drivers, the accommodations! The shear beauty of the place would have been enough but all the other details took it over the top!! read less

5 Stars (346 reviews)

B Barbara | November 2023

Machu Picchu & Amazon Adventure - November 2023

Machu Picchu and Amazon adventure - November 2023

"It was an amazing experience. From the organization of the trip leader guide to the experience of walking the Inca Trail and ending up with a majestic view of Machu Picchu at the end of the 4 day trek, the entire trip surpassed my expectations. The Amazon portion of the trip although extremely hot and humid was exciting. From the sunrises to the sunsets, with the wildlife and flora and fauna.. simply amazing. The restaurants chosen by our trip leader showcased the gastronomic excellence of Peru. Simply amazing

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"It was an amazing experience. From the organization of the trip leader guide to the… read more

"It was an amazing experience. From the organization of the trip leader guide to the experience of walking the Inca Trail and ending up with a majestic view of Machu Picchu at the end of the 4 day trek, the entire trip surpassed my expectations. The Amazon portion of the trip although extremely hot and humid was exciting. From the sunrises to the sunsets, with the wildlife and flora and fauna.. simply amazing. The restaurants chosen by our trip leader showcased the gastronomic excellence of Peru. Simply amazing read less

5 Stars (114 reviews)

M Mary | November 2023

Annapurna Sanctuary Trek - October 2023

Glenn

"The trip was enjoyable, challenging, thoughtfully designed, and well run.

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"The trip was enjoyable, challenging, thoughtfully designed, and well run. read more

"The trip was enjoyable, challenging, thoughtfully designed, and well run. read less

5 Stars (118 reviews)

G Glenn | October 2023

Ultimate Machu Picchu & Galapagos Islands Adventure - October 2023

Outstanding vacation!

"For those who enjoy hiking and adventure it's a fantastic way to see Peru and Ecuador. The guides were truly outstanding, and the hotel accommodations were fantastic. We moved around a lot, and almost every hotel room had a fantastic view. We learned a lot about the history and culture, while also taking in beautiful sites and views. And learned so much about what makes The Galapagos Islands so unique and amazing. And about all the wildlife that inhabits these regions.

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"For those who enjoy hiking and adventure it's a fantastic way to see Peru and… read more

"For those who enjoy hiking and adventure it's a fantastic way to see Peru and Ecuador. The guides were truly outstanding, and the hotel accommodations were fantastic. We moved around a lot, and almost every hotel room had a fantastic view. We learned a lot about the history and culture, while also taking in beautiful sites and views. And learned so much about what makes The Galapagos Islands so unique and amazing. And about all the wildlife that inhabits these regions. read less

5 Stars (61 reviews)

A Allen | October 2023

Kathmandu Valley & Bhutan Adventure - October 2023

Excellent introduction to Nepal and Bhutan

"This trip provided an overview to all aspects of Nepal and Bhutan from the food to the religion to lifestyles to the urban and natural environments of these two countries and their people. Our local guides provided many unique insights weaving together the historical, sociological, and environmental forces that have shaped the countries. Our days were full with a variety of activities while still providing time for rest and reflection. I gained a better understanding of not only these two countries but the surrounding larger countries of Tibet, India, and China. The many contrasts with my life in the United States have provided me with a fuller appreciation of both its strengths and the weaknesses and made me a better citizen of the world. I would strongly recommend this trip.

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"This trip provided an overview to all aspects of Nepal and Bhutan from the food… read more

"This trip provided an overview to all aspects of Nepal and Bhutan from the food to the religion to lifestyles to the urban and natural environments of these two countries and their people. Our local guides provided many unique insights weaving together the historical, sociological, and environmental forces that have shaped the countries. Our days were full with a variety of activities while still providing time for rest and reflection. I gained a better understanding of not only these two countries but the surrounding larger countries of Tibet, India, and China. The many contrasts with my life in the United States have provided me with a fuller appreciation of both its strengths and the weaknesses and made me a better citizen of the world. I would strongly recommend this trip. read less

4 Stars (12 reviews)

R Robert | October 2023

11

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