5 Stars (240 reviews)
This was my first international trip and it was the BEST! From the moment I got off the plane to the day our journey ended, it was flawless...with the exception of one small hiccup. A few days into the trip, I became ill and spent 24 hours in bed. This can be a bit uneasy... getting sick in a foreign country...but, here's the best part. Our guide, Craig, took such good care of me and I honestly feel like I had my own personal angel. On his day off, while the others went and had fun... he stayed with me, making a Dr.'s appt. for me, taking me to the clinic, waiting for me and then making sure I was ok when we returned to our cottage. He went above and beyond and I truly appreciated his care and concern. After that one day, I was well enough to continue and every aspect of the trip was beyond any expectations I could have had. Our group was very special..and I do mean special. I felt like I was on a family vacation! We all got along so well... that doesn't happen very often. The scenery, the food, the new experiences and all the laughter will never be forgotten. Sarah and Craig... words can't describe how incredible these two were. Active NZ is very lucky to have them...and so was I!
New Zealand Walking Adventure, March 2015
Jacque, United States
5 Stars (240 reviews)
Weve had many great active vacations in the past but our two week Kiwi trip trip was simply "beyond beyond".
We were so fortunate to inherit a fantastic collection of travel companions as well as two of the best Active guides you hope for. Put that together with the natural beauty of New Zealand and you have the best vacation ever.
New Zealand Walking Adventure, March 2015
Tim, United States
5 Stars (240 reviews)
This is the most spectacular country we have ever visited. We are semi retired professionals in our 60's. We have been in many countries around the world and I must say that this Kiwi trip was the best 2 weeks we have ever spent in a country. Our guides, Craig and Sarah were fantastic. Their knowledge of the flora, fauna, geology and history of the South Island places we visited was impressive. Their spirit and ability to guide, drive, lead hikes, organize accommodations and restaurant visits, cook or arrange many delicious meals and lead us around the best locations in the South Island in 2 weeks was amazing. Our group of 12 jelled very quickly and soon felt like a family. It helped that everyone was organized, considerate and on time as we moved around a lot. It also helped that almost everyone was in shape to do the hikes that ranged from 3 to 15 km. and two kayak trips. My highlights were staying at the Braemare Station Sheep Farm, kayaking Milford Sound and hiking up to the lake near Mt. Cook. We joined the tour after being on our own in the north island for a week touring Maori villages. New Zealand is a country that gets its priorities for residents and tourists right. The Maori seem to have been melded into the fabric of the country with pride. The people are friendly and helpful. On a point most countries ignore, there are well maintained free toilets everywhere you need them with sinks with running water and soap. We have not found that anywhere else in the world.
New Zealand Walking Adventure, March 2015
Joel, United States
5 Stars (240 reviews)
We spent two weeks with Rachael and Dave, who, by the way, were the best tour guides I have ever had, and enjoyed it all very much. We did some great hiking, sight seeing and kayaking. The highlight, if I were to choose just one, would be the kayaking on Milford Sound on a beautiful sunny morning. I found the travel times reasonable, and I am certain I could now write a book called "Biffies I have known and loved". The fruit basket was a real plus, and Rachael's quick response to the comment that all the non-fruit snacks contained peanuts, was very rapid and appropriate. Also, her handling of all my food issues made the trip even better. Hard to say how things could have been better. I envy you if you are about to take this tour.
New Zealand Walking Adventure, March 2015
Bill, Canada
4 Stars (240 reviews)
The trip was excellent and delivered everything it promised. Our guides were both very knowledgeable, both about the trails and about New Zealand in general. The food was great (good thing we were hiking a lot), and I really liked having the fruit basket on board for snacking as we drove. I highly recommend this trip for active hikers.
New Zealand Walking Adventure, March 2015
Carol, Canada
5 Stars (240 reviews)
Our Kiwi trip exceeded our expectations in every way! I enjoyed the small group - 12 of us plus 2 guides. We have been on large bus trips before and will never do that again. Craig, our driver & guide, was so knowledgeable about New Zealand. We learned so much about biology, history, geology and much more. Some of the days had a lot of driving because the South Island is a large land mass, but he kept it interesting with his many stories and facts. Sarah was our other guide and gourmet chef! The food was amazing! The restaurants were fine, but her meals were delicious. We would visit a salmon farm and that night have fresh salmon for dinner! We thought we would lose weight with all the hiking and activities, but with all her good food, that didn't happen!
The itinerary was perfect. We are over 60 and it was not too strenuous. The scenery was breathtaking, and with a small group, we were able to stay in amazing places. We enjoyed a "down day" in Queenstown halfway through the trip, and I went paragliding! What a thrill!
Milford Sound was spectacular! We kayaked, hiked & tried to do a helicopter ride, but the weather wouldn't cooperate. It was still a great experience.
I will be recommending this trip & this company to anyone who will listen. From our first contact with Active Adventures, the office staff was quick to respond and always so cheerful! Their website and OBI were so organized with no detail left out. The entire experience was "Eepic". Amazing!
New Zealand Walking Adventure, March 2015
Sally, United States
5 Stars (240 reviews)
Each day was a new adventure and just as we thought it couldn't get better, it always did. Craig and Sarah were not only expert gides, cooks and drivers, but they created a family atmosphere that began in the first five minutes and continued thoughout the trip. Everything was incredibly well organized. We fell in love with New Zealand and our guides. The only bad thing was that the trip ended.
New Zealand Walking Adventure, March 2015
Marsha, United States
5 Stars (240 reviews)
First of all-you have the best trip guides!!! Craig and Sarah were outstanding. So much of a good trip depends on the guides and Sara and Craig were the best. Craig was full of information regarding history, vegetation and geology of New Zealand. I felt I learned a lot and Craig's love of sharing this information and his obvious love of his country was very much appreciated. Sarah had similar information and her love of adventure and country was equally inspiring. The meals that Sarah cooked were incredible. I ate food I had never eaten before and LOVED it. Both were good sports with all the teasing we gave them and were equal to the challenge of returning the teasing. This made for a lot of fun. This truly was a trip of a lifetime.
New Zealand Walking Adventure, March 2015
Kathleen, United States